Merkava_4
Banned
*
Gotcha!!
Gotcha!!
SK's Website Is Gone!!
- Thread starter Merkava_4
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You are trully evil...
Has anyone called their customer service number? Did they answer? Did you ask them if they were having a going out of business sale?
Has anyone called their customer service number? Did they answer? Did you ask them if they were having a going out of business sale?
dieseldodge01
Well-known member
These guys seem to think SK will turn it around:
http://blog.toolsource.com/index.ph...is-your-source-for-sk-hand-tools-made-in-usa/
http://blog.toolsource.com/index.ph...is-your-source-for-sk-hand-tools-made-in-usa/
kythri
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hopefully they're right. SK could do a few simple things to inspire confidence such as update their website, advertise in a few trade magazines, and improve product availability at online vendors such as tooltopia. There's the annual ISN Tool Expo in Florida this weekend. If SK has a large prescence, that's a good sign. If they only have a small display or pass on the show, that could also be an omen. However, there's lots of SK stuff still available in the secondary market like Ebay so, there's nothing to worry about in the near future.
Maybe you're having internet problems.
It comes up for me:
http://www.skhandtool.com/
However it looks like they haven't touched it for years. "New 2008 catalog avail"??
It comes up for me:
http://www.skhandtool.com/
However it looks like they haven't touched it for years. "New 2008 catalog avail"??
jvitez
Well-known member
Hopefully they're right. SK could do a few simple things to inspire confidence such as update their website, advertise in a few trade magazines, and improve product availability at online vendors such as tooltopia. There's the annual ISN Tool Expo in Florida this weekend. If SK has a large prescence, that's a good sign. If they only have a small display or pass on the show, that could also be an omen. However, there's lots of SK stuff still available in the secondary market like Ebay so, there's nothing to worry about in the near future.
And if they really are trying to make a go of it, they should send 5% of each new tool batch out for warranty claims. That would be an excellent show of good faith. But I agree, a new website and answering the phone/email would certainly help.
Indy_500
Well-known member
he was kidding about the website being gone
With the migration of Craftsman to overseas product, I think now is the time SK can fill that huge niche for USA quality handtools without tool truck pricing. I really hope they find a way to turn it around because when you get a quality piece from them, it is really a very nice tool. I have some SK stuff from 15-20 years ago and some of those pieces are my favorites.
fordbroncodave
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2009
- Messages
- 4,555
the local auto parts store is having a sk sale. all tools in the store are half price. they must not be doing well right now.
chadster1
Well-known member
Hopefully they're right. SK could do a few simple things to inspire confidence such as update their website, advertise in a few trade magazines, and improve product availability at online vendors such as tooltopia. There's the annual ISN Tool Expo in Florida this weekend. If SK has a large prescence, that's a good sign. If they only have a small display or pass on the show, that could also be an omen. However, there's lots of SK stuff still available in the secondary market like Ebay so, there's nothing to worry about in the near future.
I very much doubt that SK will be at ISN's show. ISN quit selling SK last year. In the latest catalog from ISN, SK is not even listed.
Stuey
Well-known member
... I am NOT amused!
Well, maybe a bit. =P
That's okay, I'll retaliate. Sometime. Somehow.
Well, maybe a bit. =P
That's okay, I'll retaliate. Sometime. Somehow.
Mickey O
Well-known member
hammergodthor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 475
Funny you should post this, I was about to make a post asking if they still existed anymore.
I have a SK screwdriver to warranty. I've made about 8 phone calls, called every local business on SK's dealer locator. Five of my local businesses either don't exist anymore, quit selling SK or aren't stocking it anymore, the last one with good inventory is closing it out at 20% off. The phone number I have for the local distributor is disconnected. SK's warranty mailbox (phone) is full and the customer service extension is disconnected.
I have a SK screwdriver to warranty. I've made about 8 phone calls, called every local business on SK's dealer locator. Five of my local businesses either don't exist anymore, quit selling SK or aren't stocking it anymore, the last one with good inventory is closing it out at 20% off. The phone number I have for the local distributor is disconnected. SK's warranty mailbox (phone) is full and the customer service extension is disconnected.
arkangel06
Banned
You are trully evil...
Has anyone called their customer service number? Did they answer? Did you ask them if they were having a going out of business sale?
That made me
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
If they don't go out of business (aka, are not in the process), aren't you hurting their business by doing this?
comedyman809
Well-known member
my local hardware store is dumping there sk stuff too. i bought most of it, they are not replenishing it.
Mr.Nutcase
Well-known member
*
Gotcha!!
What hell.... are you still taking you pills? maybe you should ask your doc or shinrk to increase you dose..................
plinker
Well-known member
I had called earlier today, same thing.
Not good...
Its no Secret in the Tool World that SK has had issues for many years, It will take better marketing that charging $5 dollars for Warranty claims to get them out of there slump. I believe they have the tool making knowledge to accomplish this, Yet i wonder if there too far gone.
Mickey O
Well-known member
It would be nice to see someone buy S-K and keep them going but I'm afraid with the likes of HF, GearWrench, etc., a lot of companies probably don't think it would be a good investment. Factor in that Chicago is becoming a real bad place to run a business (has been for a while) and to move the operation probably wouldn't be feasible, things ain't looking so good for them.
I was just looking at auction zip today and saw a whole bunch of other manufacturing companies that went belly up. While I like the good deals you can get at the auctions, I'd rather the companies survive and keep people employed, the future looks bleak.
I was just looking at auction zip today and saw a whole bunch of other manufacturing companies that went belly up. While I like the good deals you can get at the auctions, I'd rather the companies survive and keep people employed, the future looks bleak.
kythri
Well-known member
Amen to that!
What migration are we talking about, exactly?
I was referencing how most / all new hand tools that are branded Craftsman are NOT made in the USA. I feel this is probably the tip of the iceburg and at some time in the future most / all Craftsman tools will be manufactured in a foreign country. Therefore, I was saying SK could fill the niche for the tool customers who want a quality, Made in the USA tool without paying tool truck pricing.
Fedwrench posted a discussion about it here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67710&highlight=craftsman+innovation
dieseldodge01
Well-known member
I would like to see SK become what it was 20 years ago. My family has had SK tools for over 45 years, its like they are a part of the family. I would love to see a company like Wright buy them out. SK has had bad management for years, ran into the ground by Dresser, then FACOM. For the most part SK has tools that are in the price range of Craftsman, but of a higher quality. I think they have some of the nicest chrome of any tool company. I want to see them turn around, become a power in selling tools again and be able to warranty my tools again.
I really hope they can pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and save the company. I'd really like S-K to stay in business.
I, too, have 30 year old stuff that has served me well - and still does. Maybe I should visit the local S-K dealer and see what's up - perhaps buy a few items.
I, too, have 30 year old stuff that has served me well - and still does. Maybe I should visit the local S-K dealer and see what's up - perhaps buy a few items.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It's easy for us to sit on the sidelines and watch. Many of us own SK tools. Some have been around for years. Ask yourself, what have I done to help SK survive? When was the last time I bought a new SK tool from a tool dealer or a real store? Harry Epstein doesn't count and neither does any other clearance or closeout deal. It may be too late even if everyone of us went out and bought SK tools right now. The bottom line is that no one really knows what's going on with SK, except SK, and they don't seem to be telling anyone. 
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
It's easy for us to sit on the sidelines and watch. Many of us own SK tools. Some have been around for years. Ask yourself, what have I done to help SK survive? When was the last time I bought a new SK tool from a tool dealer or a real store? Harry Epstein doesn't count and neither does any other clearance or closeout deal. It may be too late even if everyone of us went out and bought SK tools right now. The bottom line is that no one really knows what's going on with SK, except SK, and they don't seem to be telling anyone.
+1 you are right and I personally am guilty of not buying any new SK for some time now. Of course like many great things in life they seem to go to the land of no more, just hope I am wrong. I did want a set of their ratcheting spline wrenches but they alway took a lower priority than some other tool.
TheGrooveking
jvitez
Well-known member
Well, I bought 2 new SK items today at a local tools store. I bought a set of 3/8" deep SAE sockets, 7/16-1", and a 3/8" breaker bar. I was tempted to get the one SAE combo wrench set they had, but I already have enough SAE wrenches to 3/4". I don't have a full socket selection yet, so that's where I'm putting the emphasis.
In my opinion, SK has one of the nicest, if not the nicest chrome of any US made tool. It's not bright and shiney but has some depth to it. Lustrous is the word that keeps popping into my head.
I hope they survive, but I suspect not.
It is very simple to fix S-K. All they need to do is to control retail price levels 100%. They have lost control of retail price levels by an overly greedy wholesale price strategy.
It's really pretty simple; you buy $10,000, we give you 30% off. Buy $100,000, you get 50% off. Giant wharehouse distributors buy large quantities, and the theory is they ease the supply chain for the manufacturer. THEY will sell to the small retailers. This strategy goes out the window when these giant wholesalers start selling retail at 30% plus off list on the Internet. This makes it impossible for legitimate retailers to compete. So they have no choice but to drop S-K.
The worst thing is that S-K is not the only tool company being sucked in to this flawed pricing model.
It's really pretty simple; you buy $10,000, we give you 30% off. Buy $100,000, you get 50% off. Giant wharehouse distributors buy large quantities, and the theory is they ease the supply chain for the manufacturer. THEY will sell to the small retailers. This strategy goes out the window when these giant wholesalers start selling retail at 30% plus off list on the Internet. This makes it impossible for legitimate retailers to compete. So they have no choice but to drop S-K.
The worst thing is that S-K is not the only tool company being sucked in to this flawed pricing model.
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Who else would you say this is happening to?
mdbeck1
Well-known member
It's easy for us to sit on the sidelines and watch. Many of us own SK tools. Some have been around for years. Ask yourself, what have I done to help SK survive? When was the last time I bought a new SK tool from a tool dealer or a real store? Harry Epstein doesn't count and neither does any other clearance or closeout deal. It may be too late even if everyone of us went out and bought SK tools right now. The bottom line is that no one really knows what's going on with SK, except SK, and they don't seem to be telling anyone.
I was by the local SK store a couple of weeks ago. I had a 1/4" drive ratchet that was bad out of the box. They took it in the back while I looked around the store. They brought me one back about 10 minutes later. I don't know if it was the same one or a new one but it was working.
...I also bought a 3/8" drive flex head ratchet while I was there.
Of course most of my SK tools were bought at discount houses and/or the "Bay". I hate to pay retail...
It's easy for us to sit on the sidelines and watch. Many of us own SK tools. Some have been around for years. Ask yourself, what have I done to help SK survive? When was the last time I bought a new SK tool from a tool dealer or a real store? Harry Epstein doesn't count and neither does any other clearance or closeout deal. It may be too late even if everyone of us went out and bought SK tools right now. The bottom line is that no one really knows what's going on with SK, except SK, and they don't seem to be telling anyone.
Well I've spent over $700 dollars in the last few months on their sockets and extensions, but I did buy them from tooltopia. So maybe I did more harm than good.
I don't have anywhere to buy SK local though, otherwise I would.
Cumminst100
Well-known member
I think I'm going to buy a new set of long pattern six point combos to replace the set that were stolen. Where is the best place to buy from that will do sk the most good, I don't mind paying more to do my part.
dieseldodge01
Well-known member
You can look on SK's site for your local dealer. I know my local Ace Hardware and Carquest carries SK tools.
tatra
Well-known member
never cared for sk so no loss to me..........
All you need to do is look on eBay or Amazon for all the new tools that are consistently selling for 30% or more off list price. For example, I was considering selling new AST tools on eBay. There are some AST items already on eBay, but not others that I thought would sell well if listed. But the prices for many of the items already listed were within 5% of the wholesale prices I was quoted. While AST made a big point over how I had to sell at very close to list price, they obviously could care less about distributor who buy large quantities selling direct to the public at wholesale price levels.
I'm not the only small tool seller these big distributors are stepping on. Many truck tool guys carry AST, and are forced to compete with sellers who sell retail at or below their cost.
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