Ign
Well-known member
So stories of AWD abound but I just ordered a 36mm 1/2 drive Sunex socket and got an 8mm 1/4" drive LOL
So yeah, the AWD inspectors aren't that competent
Tool Buying PSA
- Thread starter mikester
- Start date
So stories of AWD abound but I just ordered a 36mm 1/2 drive Sunex socket and got an 8mm 1/4" drive LOL
So yeah, the AWD inspectors aren't that competent
Ign
Well-known member
Eh, Old Man Yells at Clouds
I personally don't lament the loss of B&M. I don't always shop low quality but I don't mind lower cost. I've been eyeing new BJP-1's on eBay.
But I can get everything I need online, and I can all the tech I need online and then some. I'd say don't blame the consumer, blame the internet and the information age.
It's just the way things are going -- I'm happy to have things shipped to my door with a virtually limitless selection (tell me any industrial supply house could actually stock 15 different brands of a 1/2" end mill like MSC) and will keep going for the most part.
Finally O'Reilly and AutoZone are playing with next day delivery. If RA ever figures it out, goodnight. MSC's been doing Next Day at Ground rates for a decade now.
I can stay in my shop, order what I want, have a greater selection, pay less and even pay less tax (county/city)...and still choose Import or top 'o the line.
I dunno, I'm happy....and I thought keeping the consumer happy was kinda important
Ign
Well-known member
Also I am far from an RA fan boi but they've really figured out core returns via shipping. Basically you can use their FedEx pricing to send cores back to them. They generate the label and the (very affordable) cost of return shipping comes out of your core refund.
They send an email once your core has been physically received and again once they've issued credit after inspection.
For actual Motorcraft reman stuff I haven't found a cheaper source (all 4 calipers on my SuperDuty, starter motor) - not Amazon, not eBay.
I no longer shy away from core returns because the process is so painless.
They send an email once your core has been physically received and again once they've issued credit after inspection.
For actual Motorcraft reman stuff I haven't found a cheaper source (all 4 calipers on my SuperDuty, starter motor) - not Amazon, not eBay.
I no longer shy away from core returns because the process is so painless.
hotrod1968
Banned
I don't disagree with anything you said other then alower price that the customer wants has created this with the problems and benefits. Why does one order online most of the time? Price. Is it the only factor. Of course not. But the primary one. Anyone in business will agree...
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hotrod1968
Banned
techieman33
Well-known member
The only thing I have nearby are stores with idiots behind the counter. I actually stopped by one place first but the fan they had didn't come with the gasket, or even the squirrel cage. It was just the motor. The only other thing they could offer me was OEM. And I wasn't going to pay $100 for a fan on a 20 year old car, and it wouldn't arrive until the next day. So I pulled out my phone, and it 30 seconds I found a fan for $20 that a had the fan and the gasket. And it showed up at my door. Turns out it was the wrong part, that sucked. But the very next day I had the right part at my door.
Local stores generally can't compete much on price. What they have to offer is service and instant gratification. Most places seem to struggle with the service part, maybe it has something to do with staffing the store as minimally as possible and only paying those employees as little as they can get away with. So then it's a matter of do I need this item right now? Is it worth paying extra to get it today? Is it worth my time to drive to the store and pick it up and then drive back home? A lot of the time the answer is no. Welcome to the 21st century.
techieman33
Well-known member
It happens, but it's pretty rare in my experience. It comes down to the price for me. If it's a 10% savings then I'll just order new. But when it's 30% or more I'll take the chance, especially if I'm not in a hurry. Amazon has always been good about taking things back if they're wrong.
hotrod1968
Banned
Not enough profit left to pay a good wage brought on by the desire of cheap by the average consumer.. Profit margins are down and the selling of cheap is not nearly as profitable as selling quality. Hence the death of the traditional store of old. Cheap is the driver of this.
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Like button pressed.
Ya, I made an exception to that rule and I will have to see how it works out.
I bought a replacement 'welding curtain' for a welding screen and I ended up ordering the wrong item. I figured out which one I actually should have ordered and ordered it, and then started a return for the wrong one. I knew I would have to pay return shipping because it was my mistake, but when I printed out the shipping label, there was a whole page of 'conditions' that wasn't posted on the web page when I bought it. One of the conditions was that the package could not be opened at all, and another one that caught my attention was once they received the return, they were going to deduct their cost of shipping it out to me... Had I known that 'upfront', I wouldn't have bought that particular item
I bought a replacement 'welding curtain' for a welding screen and I ended up ordering the wrong item. I figured out which one I actually should have ordered and ordered it, and then started a return for the wrong one. I knew I would have to pay return shipping because it was my mistake, but when I printed out the shipping label, there was a whole page of 'conditions' that wasn't posted on the web page when I bought it. One of the conditions was that the package could not be opened at all, and another one that caught my attention was once they received the return, they were going to deduct their cost of shipping it out to me... Had I known that 'upfront', I wouldn't have bought that particular item
kythri
Well-known member
These guys aren't gone because people stopped buying from them - these guys are gone, because they've aged-out and retired.
My dad managed a NAPA store for 30 some years, but, ultimately, when a man nears 70, he doesn't want to stand at a counter all day, slinging parts.
Couple that with **** management that doesn't want to pay people what they're worth, and you end up recruiting people barely qualified to run the fry station at McDonald's.
Finally, add to that a parts store that simply doesn't want to stock anything other than oil filters and adhesive-backed autobody mods, and you have a huge problem.
I've tried to maintain my parts purchases locally, but when every single shop tells me "I don't have it, but I could have it here in a day or two" - well, I can have it here in a day or two myself, save significantly over your price, and ultimately, get a better quality (sometimes OE) part out of the deal? Why am I involving a middle-man?
I'd point out that the lack of in-stock availability and stores stocking tack-on junk instead of parts was happening well before the huge boom in Internet parts availability. This nonsense was what helped drive me to shop online.
Don't blame **** parts stores on the Internet economy. Blame **** parts stores on **** management/owners who don't care to hire/retain quality parts people, who decide to move on to greener pastures.
I have come to learn that it is best to buy from a company/website that deals strictly with what you are needing. Epstein and KC Tool, for example. Over the past 18 months I have had THREE separate orders that were sold and shipped by Amazon that were used items, with one of them being a $200 piece of electronics (nVidia Shield). I also received a used Microsoft keyboard where the separate number pad was missing (open box) and just last week I ordered a Honda OEM fuel injector and was sent a used, dirty and broken (piece of the harness connector was broken off and missing).
To me, it's just not worth saving a few dollars. I would rather give my hard earned money to a reputable company that actually cares about their customers. If they make slightly more profit off of me, then that is good! It will help them grow and reward their employees with a higher salary.
-- Dave
To me, it's just not worth saving a few dollars. I would rather give my hard earned money to a reputable company that actually cares about their customers. If they make slightly more profit off of me, then that is good! It will help them grow and reward their employees with a higher salary.
-- Dave
I mostly buy SK tools. Amazon is NEVER the lowest price. I don't give free advertising so I won't say who is normally the lowest price. But they are consistently lower by quite a margin than their competition (at least on SK tools) and, although they come up in Google search, I've never seen their name in a GJ thread.
cablebandit
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2008
- Messages
- 103
hotrod1968
Banned
No.. no profit in it any more. That's why I sold my napa store in 2002 ( and we were a very busy store i ran three delivery rigs that very rarely shut down) the problems you all list are the result of falling profits brought on by the rise of the net, low quality parts, driven by the demand of low price. You see it in many businesses all over. I'm not complaining just stating the simple facts of what has gone on. The parts and machine shop made me a good living back in the day, but times change I sold rolled my dollars into far better things and now make far more with far less stress. It's all good.
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kythri
Well-known member
No.
This horseshit started well before the rise of the Internet. Stores realized they could get by with stocking less, and just ordering the part for customers to arrive on the nightly freight shipment. There was no competition, because all of the parts stores started pulling this.
They then used the freed-up shelf space/inventory space to stock low-cost high-profit margin junk novelties that churned pretty well. 'Tis more profitable to sell 15 adhesive-backed fender vents than to sell one fuel pump.
The improvement in POS and computerized cataloging allowed them to hire keyboard monkeys who didn't know a thing about automobiles, let alone the parts industry.
It's awesome when I've needed a 194 bulb, to not be able to readily locate it on the shelf, such that I ask a counterperson where they might be, and I get a reply of "What's the year/make/model it's for?" so they can key it into a workstation instead of just pointing me to the damned 194 bulbs.
You don't get to blame the Internet for piss-poor management that has no interest in crafting quality staff, stocking parts people need and, in general, being a resource rather than a retail revolving door.
The parts stores have done this to themselves. The Internet just picked up the slack when it came along.
kythri
Well-known member
Don't you know? Here at the Garage Journal, expressing a preference for a brand other than off the tool truck, that's shilling.
techieman33
Well-known member
Unless it’s power tools, then Milwaukee is acceptable.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Shills for SK Tools but won't "advertise" where to buy them.
I have no problem with SK as a brand preference, and I wouldn't call it "shilling". This **** about "I know where to buy them and you don't" doesn't serve anyone.
Most--but not all--of my SK comes from Epsteins. Some is used from eBay.
Farmall450
Well-known member
This, or use eBay so you know what you're getting and there's a ton of protection in place.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Nothing else, though -- including who the pros have make their private label tools
Just a quick update. Took the one I bought back to Walmart and got a refund this morning. My wife looked up the payment for the purchase online and it wasnt made to Walmart. I have no idea how that works but needless to say I wont be buying anything from them except motor oil.
I spoke to the rep at Gearwrench. He gave me a few authorized dealers. One being Carquest that I guess is now Advance. I know the local stores manager. Went there and was told theyre slowly getting rid of the Gearwrench line and bringing in Performance Tools.
In the end I reordered the torque wrench from Grainger. It was more money plus I had to pay shipping but its coming directly from Apex Tool. I should have it by Tuesday or Wednesday.
I spoke to the rep at Gearwrench. He gave me a few authorized dealers. One being Carquest that I guess is now Advance. I know the local stores manager. Went there and was told theyre slowly getting rid of the Gearwrench line and bringing in Performance Tools.
In the end I reordered the torque wrench from Grainger. It was more money plus I had to pay shipping but its coming directly from Apex Tool. I should have it by Tuesday or Wednesday.
logical
Well-known member
Thought some of you folks would be interested.
Its been months since the original thread. I bought the Gearwrench torque wrench from Grainger. It was just shy of $175 delivered. Looked great. At that time it went right into the tool box since I didnt need it. Last Friday I took it out to use it for the first time. Torqued what needed to be done. Then I decided to run it through the setting to make sure it worked through all. It goes to 150lbs.
Good thing I did. No clicks after 100. Nothing, zip, zero. Of course I couldnt find the receipt anywhere in my file cabinet. I called Grainger about 15 minutes ago to see if I could get a copy of the receipt sent to me so I could get the thing repaired under the 1 year warranty. The woman at Grainger was a sweetheart. The policy for that is no repair. REPLACEMENT ! I should have the brand new one by the end of the week. I asked her for a return label. Nope. Keep the broken one. I gotta say, Graingers customer service is amazing. Since the things brand new I might send it out myself for repair depending on cost.
Its been months since the original thread. I bought the Gearwrench torque wrench from Grainger. It was just shy of $175 delivered. Looked great. At that time it went right into the tool box since I didnt need it. Last Friday I took it out to use it for the first time. Torqued what needed to be done. Then I decided to run it through the setting to make sure it worked through all. It goes to 150lbs.
Good thing I did. No clicks after 100. Nothing, zip, zero. Of course I couldnt find the receipt anywhere in my file cabinet. I called Grainger about 15 minutes ago to see if I could get a copy of the receipt sent to me so I could get the thing repaired under the 1 year warranty. The woman at Grainger was a sweetheart. The policy for that is no repair. REPLACEMENT ! I should have the brand new one by the end of the week. I asked her for a return label. Nope. Keep the broken one. I gotta say, Graingers customer service is amazing. Since the things brand new I might send it out myself for repair depending on cost.
Schurkey
Well-known member
First you bought junk, from a horrible retailer. You got boned, and had to return it. Luckily, they refunded your money.
Then you buy junk from a reputable retailer. You got boned, and they replaced it.
At some point, you might consider NOT buying junk.
Then you buy junk from a reputable retailer. You got boned, and they replaced it.
At some point, you might consider NOT buying junk.
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Quite a few guys on at least 2-3 forums gave the Gearwrench torque wrench a decent review. It also has a good rep with one of the repair/calibration companies. Im not using it every day. I had the Utica for over 40 years. Im sure this will be fine for what I need it for. Not everyone needs or can afford tools off the trucks. But thank you for your input.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Sounds like they are treating you right OP. I do agree with Schurkey, I default to CDI or PI for torque instruments.
Reading through some of the older posts, local parts stores don't make it easy to shop from them. I pretty much exclusively use NAPA for aerosols, greases, other fluids. But they charge almost 2x the cost for a gallon of T6 15w-40, and they don't even stock it. They've gotta order it in.
Another gripe, last time I needed a 3047 light bulb and all their bulbs were store brand with their own part numbers on them. Had to go to the computer to figure out which bulb it was.
Reading through some of the older posts, local parts stores don't make it easy to shop from them. I pretty much exclusively use NAPA for aerosols, greases, other fluids. But they charge almost 2x the cost for a gallon of T6 15w-40, and they don't even stock it. They've gotta order it in.
Another gripe, last time I needed a 3047 light bulb and all their bulbs were store brand with their own part numbers on them. Had to go to the computer to figure out which bulb it was.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
https://www.toolsdelivered.com/cdi-torque-2503mfrmh-dual-scale-adjustable-preset-click-torque-wrench
Made in USA CDI for $135.37.
Mine has been a great addition to the toolbox this year.
Made in USA CDI for $135.37.
Mine has been a great addition to the toolbox this year.
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
I started in a trade '71. Tool prices are something you just have to suffer though. Mind you not the 3X that Snap-On seems to think is good over say a Proto.
I have a couple of the $ 19.95 on sale torque wrenches for changing tires on the road .
I have a couple of the $ 19.95 on sale torque wrenches for changing tires on the road .
Roger that. ;-) I was planning on ordering the CDI Torque 2502MRMH, but since the usage would only be occasional, I decided to try the Tekton 1/4 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb.) #24320, for 1/3 the cost, and it's working out well so far.