SK Tools Free hat and catalog!

[Farmall450]

A little different, but similar. I signed up for the Free Napa Carlyle club, not expecting anything. Then BAM!!! A box shows up with a membership card, a catalog, a pen and last but not least, a free hat. I thought that was a cool gesture and will in turn return the favor by treating myself to some of their wrenches. I have no hate for SK. I love their stuff and hope they keep on cranking it out.

Same here, it showed right up.

 

[Farmall450]

Farmall:

I picked your post to respond to, because I think it's most relevant.

Perhaps this wasn't the place to make this post, but I stand by my statements. I have been in marketing for 25+ years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that this IS a BIG DEAL. I was not and am not trying to bash SK as a brand, but am STATING A FACT that this was handled unbelievably poorly by them. You need to do no more than read this thread to see how many people have been disappointed by them so far. Pages and pages of 'nothing yet' or similar comments.

SK screwed up BIG TIME in ONE area - communication:

Did *YOU* get a response saying that your request had been received? I didn't.

Did *YOU* get a response saying that you were or were not eligible for this promotion? I didn't.

Did *YOU* get a response saying that they were overwhelmed and needed more time to fulfill the offer? I didn't.

At this point I have no idea whether I will or won't even get a catalog?!

My point in all this is that they did a NICE thing with the offer, but totally blew it on the execution!!! I am pretty sure that any goodwill they intended to generate has now been neutralized - i.e. they wasted their time, effort, and money.

You and others are also correct that nobody is going to die if they don't get a free hat. My post - perhaps worded a bit strongly because I am passionate about expectations in sales and marketing - was that this whole mess could be used as a case study in Marketing 101 on how NOT to do a promotion.

And to others who asked, essentially, "what harm was done" - the answer is that the ability to trust SK to follow through has been called into question. I realize that they are building or rebuilding the brand, and I not only applaud them for that - I wish them great success. I am considering them for future tool purchases, but - like others - am watching to see how things play out.

This just wasn't handled well, and I hope they are able to get their marketing act together.

Sorry if I wasn't clear or some people misunderstood my post. I'll get off my 'marketing excellence' soapbox now, and go back to being a tool nerd. Maybe I can find a hot deal to post next, instead of a diatribe.

I see what you're saying here.
However, I personally have to qualms with SK not delivering yet, I'm sure they were OVERWHELMED by FAR from all the requests from us on Garage Journal, most of which weren't exactly right in doing so.

Heck, maybe they're waiting for all the orders to come in before they order hats/print catalogs off.

I will agree it hasn't been handled well, but it's not like you or I paid for something and they didn't deliver. If it shows, great. If not, I'm not gonna lose any sleep.

 

[pfhWJ]

Anybody recieve the catalog? a free hat would be great too,but the sk website is too overwhelming to go through.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I agree there website is outdated I keep their catalog in my desk because its the only way I can find their products but I know they have added products lately. If you email them they will send you a catalog.

 

[pfhWJ]

I agree there website is outdated I keep their catalog in my desk because its the only way I can find their products but I know they have added products lately. If you email them they will send you a catalog.

I will have to do that, there home page is easy but you click socket and it give 4000 result, then you filter 3/8 then it will give you the individual 3/8 socket and sets mixed in the pages. I really hope sk would make their site like the tool truck brands do it.

 

[ipp]

I do feel like they are missing out on some business. I look forward to going over the catalog. The hat may not be used.

 

[Qualitytools]

Just placed mine, we'll see if it ever shows up!

 

[pfhWJ]

so I gave them my info 6 weeks ago nothing. Last week requested a catalog 3 days later its on my front porch... hmmm

 

[floor61]

Methinks we're not going to get anything from that initial request run. I haven't received or heard a thing. At least when Knipex had their free hat offer, they had an e-mail to confirm.

 

[rshadd]

It probably takes a while to call all those shop teachers to verify.

 

[LB-1911]

It probably takes a while to call all those shop teachers to verify.

 

[kiatech]

It probably takes a while to call all those shop teachers to verify.

I gave legit info, but I graduated in 2008

 

[bareass172]

Just to reiterate:

Good morning.
Due to the recent posting on Garage Journal, we have had an unusually high demand for our welcome kit.
Rest assured your package will sent to you shortly.

 

[quattroJoe]

I did get some spam email from them yesterday [emoji16]

 

[Sky Chief]

Sent for mine today.

 

[Ruger_556]

I find this whole thread hard to believe... Like, are you actually angry about not getting free stuff?

 

[jonti48310]

I find this whole thread hard to believe... Like, are you actually angry about not getting free stuff?

Yea! Lol. Why offer it if you can't deliver?

 

[Davefr]

Yea! Lol. Why offer it if you can't deliver?

Because they were overwhelmed by requests from imposters posing as tech. students.

 

[G_P]

I put my old high school and auto shop teacher; didn't want to lie!

LOL! I did the same exact thing. Got into this late but it accepted my submission. Hope I get the hat. The hat Knipex sent me is starting to get worn out!

 

[sonvolt]

Been waiting over a month !! Oh well, that hat was kinda gaudy tho !

 

[jonti48310]

Because they were overwhelmed by requests from imposters posing as tech. students.

Rhetorical question. Thanks for trying though.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

thanks gave it a try.

 

[rshadd]

I got tired of waiting and requested a free catalog from their web site.

It arrived in less than a week.

Good afternoon.
I will be more than happy to send you our catalog.


Thank you,
Lauren Hoth
Customer Service Representative
SK Hand Tool, LLC
1600 South Prairie Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178
(800) 822—5575
Fax: (800) 752-2434

 

[Danglide]

A thought just occurred to me,I bet they are doing it just to get names and schools of shop teachers to send them advertising.

 

[hammlm]

I got tired of waiting and requested a free catalog from their web site.

It arrived in less than a week.

That's cool. 2012 Addendum? What's the date of the full-line catalog?

 

[rshadd]

2012 Full Product Catalog, The 2012 Addendum was printed in January 2013

 

[whyNick?]

A thought just occurred to me,I bet they are doing it just to get names and schools of shop teachers to send them advertising.

I'll bet my shop teacher's grandchildren are getting junk mail from SK right about now...

 

[Loscaldazar]

That's cool. 2012 Addendum? What's the date of the full-line catalog?

SK hasn't added any products since late 2012... they are due for some ratcheting wrenches here soon though (actually though, not making that up!).

 

[nicksnothereman]

SK hasn't added any products since late 2012... they are due for some ratcheting wrenches here soon though (actually though, not making that up!).

Well typically you'd change the cover for a new year so people don't think they're getting something old (or put a sticker modifying the date over it).

 

[gj67stang]

Just got a delivery notification from UPS that a 3-pound package is on it's way from Addison, Illinois, sent by "SK HAND TOOL LLC"; I haven't ordered anything from them, nor submitted any warranty claims. Expected delivery is Thursday afternoon.

 

[tadwolfe]

Just got a delivery notification from UPS that a 3-pound package is on it's way from Addison, Illinois, sent by "SK HAND TOOL LLC"; I haven't ordered anything from them, nor submitted any warranty claims. Expected delivery is Thursday afternoon.

I received a similar email yesterday .....fingers crossed


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[PFSard]

Just got a delivery notification from UPS that a 3-pound package is on it's way from Addison, Illinois, sent by "SK HAND TOOL LLC"; I haven't ordered anything from them, nor submitted any warranty claims. Expected delivery is Thursday afternoon.

Maybe they are finally getting caught up with the heavy inflow of requests from way back when. Hopefully, everyone that sent in for the free hat and catalog will finally get them.

 

[tadwolfe]

SK shipment has arrived with a bonus wrench and a letter stating the posting on GJ caused the delay. Thanks OP I always believed it would arrive lol


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[turmlos]

SK shipment has arrived with a bonus wrench and a letter stating the posting on GJ caused the delay. Thanks OP I always believed it would arrive lol

Good to hear. I'm guessing that there is going to be a large influx of SK 20mm stubby wrenches listed on a certain auction site soon...

 

[chris_1001]

Cool on the wrench! Hope they toss on in for me as well, but no email yet...

 

[rshadd]

I like the black hat better. Very nice of them to include a wrench too.

 

[n8n]

Like the hat in picture! Hope I get one. Don't need the wrench but it's a nice gesture.

Just checked, there's a package from SK to be delivered Friday, and I haven't ordered or warrantied anything recently.

 

[BDAZSVT]

I got the black hat and the stubby 20mm also

 

[zeekh]

Like the hat in picture! Hope I get one. Don't need the wrench but it's a nice gesture.

Just checked, there's a package from SK to be delivered Friday, and I haven't ordered or warrantied anything recently.

Me too. I can retire my Snapon hat which jas seem better days. Funny because the majority of my tools a SK

 

[kawittwer]

Got the package today with a hat and bonus 20 mm stubby wrench. Good job to S&K! They came thru like champs!