SK Tool and Prices

[greg86z28]

Hopefully I didn't miss this elsewhere on the forum. I'm looking at getting SK's X-frame ratcheting wrench sets (both metric and fractional). I'm looking at prices on the web and I'm curious how they can be so different at times.

How is it that on SK's website they are asking $400 for this set:
https://sktools.com/shop/80019-12-piece-6-point-metric-combination-chrome-x-frame-wrench-set.html

But places like Tooltopia are able to sell it for $232.99? (you can see that price once you add it to your cart)
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-80019.aspx

Is it because Tooltopia buys such large quantities? The difference in price seems extreme.

Are there any quality or warranty issues by not purchasing directly from SK?

Thanks!

 

[Gmonkee]

SK seems pretty straight on warranty stuff under the conditions it was not horribly abused or just plain worn out over 70 years.

But with the X frames I have not read of a defective one yet, they have decent time in the market in many hands too.

Most shop on price more than any other factor so finding your lowest price from a known seller makes good sense.

Most times it is drop shipped from another source anyway.

 

[Super Sport]

Many times the OEM will sell at a higher price (or not at all) to in some way help their distributors. Why would anybody agree to sell SK tools when SK just undercuts their price and sells direct to consumers?

SK will warranty any of their tools, old or new, without receipt. You should not have any issues buying from another seller.

 

[Southern Forester]

The fact is, SK is wanting to distribute its products and as a result doesn't want to undercut them. SK has a price point in which it will distribute its products. That price point is what goes to the sellers. They then set their prices based on their own costs. In order to avoid doing harm to that network of sellers (and so reduce SK's overall availability), they compete only in terms of product availability. You want to get from SK, fine, you can. But they will be the most expensive outlet (which in turn helps the other sellers because they look like quite a bargain).

(If only I typed faster...)

 

[dutchgray]

The prices on the SK website are full list, which nobody ever pays, competition between the retailers keeps prices down between them.

 

[outdoorspace]

SK handles warranty claims directly, not through a distributor, so there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[greg86z28]

Ok that makes sense (not undercutting the distributor).

Thanks for the information.

I'm starting to build my tool collection and of the few things I'm buying new (when I need it "now") I'm going SK. The quality seems great for the hobbyist.

Thanks!

 

[6PTsocket]

Ok that makes sense (not undercutting the distributor).

Thanks for the information.

I'm starting to build my tool collection and of the few things I'm buying new (when I need it "now") I'm going SK. The quality seems great for the hobbyist.

Thanks!

Or anybody else. They have supplied the industry since 1922. There are those that think it is sacrilige to turn a nut with anything but a certain brand but there are an umber of companies making good tools, some, like SK are even made in USA.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[willjogervais]

Tooldiscounter.com. I just bought both metric and sae sets today for $191 & $120 respectively plus shipping

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=SKT80019

 

[Stuey]

Many times the OEM will sell at a higher price (or not at all) to in some way help their distributors. Why would anybody agree to sell SK tools when SK just undercuts their price and sells direct to consumers?

SK will warranty any of their tools, old or new, without receipt. You should not have any issues buying from another seller.

Yup.

Remember, brands sell to retailers, and retailers sell to you. They can undercut retailers and make a bigger profit, but it would hurt their standing with retailers.

Plus, manufacturers aren't always optimized for sending out just one wrench set, so there's added costs and hassle there.

 

[greg86z28]

Tooldiscounter.com. I just bought both metric and sae sets today for $191 & $120 respectively plus shipping

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=SKT80019

That's a good deal, thanks for the heads up.

I actually completed an order through eBay and I'm going to try and cancel it since it was nearly $50 more than Tooldiscounter. We'll see.

Tool shopping is fun I was always working with a minimal set of tools (my dad didn't like cars/tools) and it's nice to have the means to get what I want/need now.

 

[48548]

Hopefully I didn't miss this elsewhere on the forum. I'm looking at getting SK's X-frame ratcheting wrench sets (both metric and fractional). I'm looking at prices on the web and I'm curious how they can be so different at times.

How is it that on SK's website they are asking $400 for this set:
https://sktools.com/shop/80019-12-piece-6-point-metric-combination-chrome-x-frame-wrench-set.html

But places like Tooltopia are able to sell it for $232.99? (you can see that price once you add it to your cart)
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-80019.aspx

Is it because Tooltopia buys such large quantities? The difference in price seems extreme.

Are there any quality or warranty issues by not purchasing directly from SK?

Thanks!

Wait until the 4th of july sale with https://www.harryepstein.com/ an last year I got a cool shirt... They had great prices and you are supporting an american company!!!!!!!!!! They called it Harry Epstein's day and sale for 4th to support american companies!!!!

That is where I got these last year...

 

[65k10]

That's a good deal, thanks for the heads up.

I actually completed an order through eBay and I'm going to try and cancel it since it was nearly $50 more than Tooldiscounter. We'll see.

Tool shopping is fun I was always working with a minimal set of tools (my dad didn't like cars/tools) and it's nice to have the means to get what I want/need now.

If you decide to buy from Tooldiscounter, I recommend you call them first to make sure they have them in stock. I've ordered several things from them that were listed as in stock on the website, but were on order from them. I eventually got my stuff or called and changed my order and they were helpful there. If they do have what you want in stock, they do seem to ship very fast.

 

[48548]

Oh yeah....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329834

 

[67King]

Wait until the 4th of july sale with https://www.harryepstein.com/ an last year I got a cool shirt... They had great prices and you are supporting an american company!!!!!!!!!! They called it Harry Epstein's day and sale for 4th to support american companies!!!!

To be clear:

"Jori at Epstein's often partners with manufacturers to offer us cool stuff. However, cool/free stuff and deep discounts are not the point of the day. We are showing our appreciation and support for a business that stands out for its commitment to old-fashioned values and the American worker. "

I've participated in a couple of them, but if one needs a tool, there really is no point in waiting. I stated in the thread that I support American companies without needing a special day, so for me, the point of the day is a bit moot. Sure it is cool to get free T-Shirts and stuff (and the SK shirt was awesome!!! The Wright shirt was okay). But again, don't expect a discount on that day.

Overinflating the "regular" price is pretty common in some things. The funny ones are that all the music stores do it to guitars and stuff, yet the manufacturers list the normal prices on their site. Both Fender and Gibson appear to follow a MAP strategy, but the various stores jack up teh prices by 30% orr so, then mark them down.......to the prices listed by Gibson and Fender.

 

[Rarified27]

To be clear:

"Jori at Epstein's often partners with manufacturers to offer us cool stuff. However, cool/free stuff and deep discounts are not the point of the day. We are showing our appreciation and support for a business that stands out for its commitment to old-fashioned values and the American worker. "

I've participated in a couple of them, but if one needs a tool, there really is no point in waiting. I stated in the thread that I support American companies without needing a special day, so for me, the point of the day is a bit moot. Sure it is cool to get free T-Shirts and stuff (and the SK shirt was awesome!!! The Wright shirt was okay). But again, don't expect a discount on that day.

Overinflating the "regular" price is pretty common in some things. The funny ones are that all the music stores do it to guitars and stuff, yet the manufacturers list the normal prices on their site. Both Fender and Gibson appear to follow a MAP strategy, but the various stores jack up teh prices by 30% orr so, then mark them down.......to the prices listed by Gibson and Fender.

Two points about your post:

We are showing our appreciation and support for a business that stands out for its commitment to old-fashioned values and the American worker.

I was fascinated by the support for this ethos when I joined GJ- for years I didn't think anyone cared.

Regarding instruments:

I've been a music teacher for 18 years now and I can tell you this happens with almost every manufacturer. My recommendation to students, particularly beginners is to always buy used, because learning how to repair your potentially less-than-ideal shape instrument is still more valuable than buying a new one which breaks and the manufacturer's warranty covers everything but your broken part, or the service charge is astronomical.

Some students have even reached my level of craziness where they make their own drums or other instruments.

 

[67King]

I've been a music teacher for 18 years now..............Some students have even reached my level of craziness where they make their own drums or other instruments.

Thank you! You people are SO underappreciated, it saddens me. I make my kids do some sort of music, and I actually started taking guitar lessons at 43, as I wanted to learn more of the theory behind what I played by ear. I keep toying with the idea of building a guitar from those DIY kits to have a cheap one to take with me to the track or whenever else I'm out of town for a few days. That's awesome you make your own stuff! Ever posted any of those projects here?

As for the ethos of supporting American and all of that.......I think there are plenty that do. Maybe the day helps make some folks more aware. I'm not sure, but I try to buy American as much as I can, which isn't always. I don't feel bad about buying from other advanced economies, as we are a world economy, and in those cases, they serve to make each other better. Contrast that with low cost country sourcing, which really is more comparable to arbitrage.

 

[willjogervais]

If you decide to buy from Tooldiscounter, I recommend you call them first to make sure they have them in stock. I've ordered several things from them that were listed as in stock on the website, but were on order from them. I eventually got my stuff or called and changed my order and they were helpful there. If they do have what you want in stock, they do seem to ship very fast.

Just an fyi to the OP. I didn't call ahead but it said they were in stock. I did get an email this am stating they were shipping today.

 

[ryan20021982]

Most companies that don't really want to sell to the public do that with the prices

I just had to order a few storm door parts from Larson and was going to get them all there but didn't because the prices on the items Menards also had were about double Menards price and are the exact same thing from Larson. I had to order 1 part since its not sold anywhere but they sell the parts to box stores for cheap and most the time the price on their sites are full manufacture suggested price.

 

[Rarified27]

Thank you! You people are SO underappreciated, it saddens me. I make my kids do some sort of music, and I actually started taking guitar lessons at 43, as I wanted to learn more of the theory behind what I played by ear. I keep toying with the idea of building a guitar from those DIY kits to have a cheap one to take with me to the track or whenever else I'm out of town for a few days. That's awesome you make your own stuff! Ever posted any of those projects here?

As for the ethos of supporting American and all of that.......I think there are plenty that do. Maybe the day helps make some folks more aware. I'm not sure, but I try to buy American as much as I can, which isn't always. I don't feel bad about buying from other advanced economies, as we are a world economy, and in those cases, they serve to make each other better. Contrast that with low cost country sourcing, which really is more comparable to arbitrage.

Thank you! Yes, arts will never be recognized on an athletic level, but it's nice to have the community support, whether it's local or even my fellow GJ folks!

I considered posting some drum builds here in the past, but given the mechanic heavy nature of the page, I wasn't sure how many folks would be interested. I have two builds starting this summer, so I'll start a thread and see what happens.