Toptul's Web Site: Why No Prices?

[KenS]

I think by far the experiences here with Toptul have been pleasant and I know Mike Wren has earned respect and support.

So with that disclaimer out of the way, why in the world doesn't the www.wrenhandtools.com site carry product pricing?

When I'm shopping I want to know up front what the price is. I really don't have time to waste hunting all over the place, tracking down an Excel spreadsheet, or making phone calls trying to get a price. I think one reason CompUSA is defunct is that you could never figure out what the prices of their products were without tracking down a salesperson.

In this competitive environment, I hope Mike choses to fix this serious marketing flaw.

And FWIW, the Testimonials tab on the home page is misspelled.

 

[vette-kid]

I have to agree with you on this. Seems it would be a whole lot easier to just put the price on the page with the product. Rather than have the customer go look it up. It seems like nice stuff, but honestly I just dont want the hassle of running down the price for everything (yeah, call me lazy like that).

 

[Mezzanine]

As it says right on his home page, and in just about every thread here on GJ involving toptul, the website is under construction. Patience grasshopper.

 

[john w]

Mike has been having some trouble with his IT contractor. If you are interested in a tool, email him and he will get back to you with the price and shipping. I've
placed 7 orders since late October and have always been well taken care of.

 

[Stephenw]

I've never bought anything from a website that says "call for pricing" or "call to place an order".

There are plenty of competitors that have their prices posted, working shopping carts, and fully functional websites.

I spent several hundred over the last few days on online tool purchases, none of that with Toptul.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

I've never bought anything from a website that says "call for pricing" or "call to place an order".

There are plenty of competitors that have their prices posted, working shopping carts, and fully functional websites.

I spent several hundred over the last few days on online tool purchases, none of that with Toptul.

I have to agree with that. I wont waste my time ordering from a website that doesnt make it easy for the consumer.

 

[wrenhandtools]

I am loading prices right now into the shopping cart. So yes I am fixing this marketing flaw right now. The pliers are close to done so you CAN pull up prices now in that section. It won't be working the way I want it to for a while so I realize I'll lose sales. I'm ok with that. Some folks will call right now, some won't.........and some people visit later when things work, and some people will always ***** about something. And I say this last sentence with no malice or any post in mind. It's just the way the world works.

Sorry for any frustration caused.

 

[vette-kid]

No worries Mike, I will visit when its up and running. I suppose if I had a dire need for something soon, I would call or email it. For now I will wait.

 

[wrenhandtools]

Cool. Thanks for the POSITIVE response. Sure makes the weekend go by more fun when I'm sitting here trying not to mess up th site!!! ha!!

 

[nissan_crawler]

because when they were up to at least give a ballpark, people cried if they were off by $2 and hadn't been updated.

I emailed mike the list of sockets I wanted, he emailed back saying he had them and to call his number when I had a chance to give him my cc#. I called, left a message for him with a time frame to call the next day, and he did. A few days later, I had tons of sockets sitting at my door. Still easier than dealing with the pimply faced 16 year old mouth breather at the sears counter that could tell you the exact size of a dimebag, yet not know the difference between a 1/4" and 1/2" drive socket.

 

[Merkava_4]

Some of you guys are flat out unreal. I've visited Mike's site and find it to be well organized and user friendly. It also handles my size 22 fonts with no overlap - that's a major plus for me. The price buttons are working just fine for some of the tools like the screwdrivers, so you guys can play with those in the meantime.

 

[Joelfke]

because when they were up to at least give a ballpark, people cried if they were off by $2 and hadn't been updated.

I emailed mike the list of sockets I wanted, he emailed back saying he had them and to call his number when I had a chance to give him my cc#. I called, left a message for him with a time frame to call the next day, and he did. A few days later, I had tons of sockets sitting at my door. Still easier than dealing with the pimply faced 16 year old mouth breather at the sears counter that could tell you the exact size of a dimebag, yet not know the difference between a 1/4" and 1/2" drive socket.

so true in every aspect!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

harbor freight posts their prices

 

[nissan_crawler]

harbor freight posts their prices

and half the time, they're wrong.

 

[Joelfke]

harbor freight posts their prices

harbor freight makes products that shouldn't legally be allowed to be sold due to their poor quality

 

[Weedwaka]

Having an excel spread sheet style price list makes it easier to update. He has a lot of products.

I have a site myself so I know how much work it is. All the big sites have teams doing this. My site is a PITA too but it is the best I can do.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I was wondering, if Mike was a full time dealer or if this was a side thing he was running along with a regular job.

As for every one saying they will not buy from him because its not "simple" IE" asking for a price. I would always rather buy from the little guy who is going to look after me before easy shipping on a web page.

I would buy things from him in a second, My issue is distance. If he was closer he would be getting my business as well as my company's.

I would also like to say i wish we could have more dealers like him in more places.


(Get's Ready for the incoming flack from other posters)

 

[Joelfke]

I was wondering, if Mike was a full time dealer or if this was a side thing he was running along with a regular job.

As for every one saying they will not buy from him because its not "simple" IE" asking for a price. I would always rather buy from the little guy who is going to look after me before easy shipping on a web page.

I would buy things from him in a second, My issue is distance. If he was closer he would be getting my business as well as my company's.

I would also like to say i wish we could have more dealers like him in more places.


(Get's Ready for the incoming flack from other posters)

id have to agree with this....

im all the way on the other side of the country....i WISH there was a toptul truck that stopped at my shop on fridays....although then i wouldnt have ANY money...

hopefully mike will be able to expand and maybe have a friend or relative on the east coast for us over here...

although for the quality im getting for the price im paying...i have no problem waiting 7 days for UPS to get its act in gear and gimme my tools, its a little like opening a box of toptul tools

 

[Nik_95Cobra]

Sounds like a couple of the guys in this thread want a WrenHandMassage too. If someone's working hard to build their site correctly and help out so many people on here be a man and wait it out a little bit instead of whining about your computer A.D.D. and buying from other companies like you're gods gift to business. Good Lord... On a brighter note although I'm a brand ***** I dig the toptul stubby ratchets and am looking forward to ordering a couple among other things.

 

[Treeman]

Whichever side of the fence people want to align themselves on regarding Mike's products and web site, when it comes to dealing with us, he seems to be a "straight shooter" and we can trust what he says. A good business model if you ask me.

Maybe some day he will be as big as, and as good as....Sears Craftsman. Er.....on second thought, strike that "as good as" part.

 

[krooser]

I found the Wren site to be difficult to maneuver around. And no prices.

I'm glad that's going to change.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

As it says right on his home page, and in just about every thread here on GJ involving toptul, the website is under construction. Patience grasshopper.

That excuse can only be used so long...

 

[Stephenw]

Mike's first post was 5/28/2008. People asked for prices on his website then...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=226087&postcount=7

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8515

I do not own any imported hand tools. I'm not a Snap-On bible thumper, but I only buy U.S.A. hand tools. I own several Harbor Freight items, mostly shop equipment. Most of the Harbor Freight items have been a disappointment in some way. I’m cautious about buying imported tools because of these experiences.

With all the Toptul threads and praise I have been reading. I became interested in checking out the product line. I don’t know which items to request prices for. Without prices on the website, I don’t know what I’d be interested in buying in the first place.

This is a new tool line. They are an unknown. The dealer should be well set up to convince me to give his product line a try. It’s been a year since people have requested prices on the website.

I guess that makes me a complainer. I’d most certainly ***** if I was hung with a new rope.

 

[Joelfke]

That excuse can only be used so long...

and as mike has said about 3 times on each toptul thread...hes working as hard as he can to make the site operational and good

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

That excuse can only be used so long...

I used to code HTML pages for businesses they are time consuming when you know what you are doing and even of something is supposed to work that way it wont etc.

I give the man credit, for keep orders filled and every one who has bought from him as happy as they are, His web site does its job
When it get's fully up and running, hell what more could you ask for.

I think that old saying goes...."Rome was not built in a day" it took a few decades So long as he shoots for less time then that we are good

 

[The Muffin Man]

It’s been a year since people have requested prices on the website.

Mike had prices in a .pdf file available to view from his website. He recently removed these prices less than a ten days ago.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Mike's first post was 5/28/2008. People asked for prices on his website then...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=226087&postcount=7

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8515

I do not own any imported hand tools. I'm not a Snap-On bible thumper, but I only buy U.S.A. hand tools. I own several Harbor Freight items, mostly shop equipment. Most of the Harbor Freight items have been a disappointment in some way. I’m cautious about buying imported tools because of these experiences.

With all the Toptul threads and praise I have been reading. I became interested in checking out the product line. I don’t know which items to request prices for. Without prices on the website, I don’t know what I’d be interested in buying in the first place.

This is a new tool line. They are an unknown. The dealer should be well set up to convince me to give his product line a try. It’s been a year since people have requested prices on the website.

I guess that makes me a complainer. I’d most certainly ***** if I was hung with a new rope.

Draw a straw, pick and item then as for a price. If you like it try it. It's not really harder then that, its only money you have nothing to lose.

 

[Stephenw]

Mike had prices in a .pdf file available to view from his website. He recently removed these prices less than a ten days ago.

My bad then. I remembered there were no prices on his website when he originally introduced himself. With all the Toptul threads lately, I checked out the website about a week ago and still found no prices.

 

[Joelfke]

My bad then. I remembered there were no prices on his website when he originally introduced himself. With all the Toptul threads lately, I checked out the website about a week ago and still found no prices.

just give him a call...he will be more than happy to discuss prices and options, like said before..a stand up guy and excellent customer service

 

[Merkava_4]

8 inch nose pliers American style $10.61

How's that?

 

[BDBLK2K3]

I think People need go easy on Mike ! He seems to honest, customer service , And he is trying .

It's simple if you want his tools , buy them ( I plan to) , If not , don't Kick the man for Trying .

Bob

 

[GT89mustang]

8 inch nose pliers American style $10.61

How's that?

But I wanted the european style...............

 

[fordracing200]

I'm patient, I can wait...haha besides my wallet needs some time to replenish..definitly interested in some of your long handle ratchets and pliers and impact sockets.

 

[Joelfke]

I think People need go easy on Mike ! He seems to honest, customer service , And he is trying .

It's simple if you want his tools , buy them ( I plan to) , If not , don't Kick the man for Trying .

Bob

x2 well said

 

[Joelfke]

I'm patient, I can wait...haha besides my wallet needs some time to replenish..definitly interested in some of your long handle ratchets and pliers and impact sockets.

i just ordered a 3/8 set of shallow and deep impacts...ill be sure to report how they hold up to my snapon impact gun

 

[tw33k2514]

i just ordered a 3/8 set of shallow and deep impacts...ill be sure to report how they hold up to my snapon impact gun

You should definitely post up some pics when you get them.

 

[Joelfke]

You should definitely post up some pics when you get them.

oh i will dont you worry...supposed to get em wed...but we'll see how UPS goes...

 

[fordracing200]

i just ordered a 3/8 set of shallow and deep impacts...ill be sure to report how they hold up to my snapon impact gun

let me know. I've got some HF impact sockets and have never broke one...split a few cummings ones though. Pretty good for the nitrocat and IR 550ft lb guns with them and of course the 18" breaker bar and 3' ford LTD jack handle on the end of it.

 

[danc333]

I just ordered a set of wrenches from Mike. I emailed him my request, he emailed me a price, I said I'll take them, He is shipping them. All done from my blackberry in about 30 minutes. Less time then it takes to drive anywhere and buy tools that are the quality as Toptul. If you have ever dealt with Mike you would not ***** because the web site doesn't have prices. If you had any clue as to the extensive product offerings he has, and that he is not some billion dollar manufacturing company with a huge IT department that soul purpose was web site development you give the guy a break. I my opinion Mike sells Tool truck quality tools at below craftsman prices....... So what if you have to put a little effort to buy them.

 

[KenS]

To be frank, a year is plenty of time to get prices posted. Mike's primary sales tool is his web site and simply put, it needs to carry prices. In the past year he has repeatedly invited suggestions from members of this forum. I took him seriously at his word and, from a 12-month perspective, finally offered one.

Mike's current business model is to pool orders, and import a major shipment of tools and then distribute them. This model asks us-- his customers-- to have patience. The benefit is low price for what promise to be quality tools.

In this give-and-take model, I see nothing wrong in requesting a user-friendly pricing structure. From the posted responses, it seems that many here agree.

Merkava's somewhat obnoxious 60-point post for pliers prices, while interesting, is useless when I want to buy a flex-head ratchet. I associate such shouting with lesser persons than what I have come to expect from him.

What I offered is constructive criticism-- I'm not "whining." Early on I spoke with Mike on the phone and he was very personable. I'd like nothing more than for him to succeed and I also would like to do business with him. From his earlier posts I also know that for him this is primarily an entrepreneurial venture-- one of several he has-- as opposed to a selfless act of benevolence for the benefit of the GC community. Boys, he's in this to make money.

But all you defenders of his current pricing system are not doing him any favors. Today's economic environment demands that many buyers know the prices of what they are buying going in.

I have to wonder it danc333 and other defenders of the faith buy their fuel at gas stations that don't have their prices posted. Or I wonder if he and/or his wife shop at a grocery store where the can get on the Blackberrys and get the current price of milk, bread, etc., in 30 minutes. After all, they would just "have to put a little effort" to do it that way. But I kinda doubt it.

As the OP my intent was to nudge Mike into getting his prices posted on the pages and it sounds like he is responding. When they're up, he might just get some of my money and some of the money of others here.

Sugar-coating my critique would have hurt and not helped. But being the messenger I may have made myself a target.

That's okay.

What I said was true.

If he listens, his business will grow.

Shooting the messenger only shrinks the pool of potential customers.

And this messenger has cash in his wallet.