What to get in Germany?

[catalytic]

My good buddy is headed to Germany for a couple weeks. What should he grab, tool-wise, while there? I have seen Knipex/Facom much cheaper than USA in the past, but it no longer appears to be much different, even with the strong dollar-to-euro.

 

[Dave455]

Well basically, ”hard line “ German made tools.

I’d probably forget “grabbing” them on arrival. A lot of German shops, like everywhere else, tend to have a lot of “homeowner” grade tools, so a bit of pre planning is useful.

My usual advice is to track down the cheapest deal for what you want online, and have it sent to your hotel on arrival.

Go for the very best German made - e.g. Knipex pliers, Stahlwille wrenches, Hazet socket’s / accessories etc.

I’m often shocked at the prices asked for euro tools in the U.S. so I would be very surprised if they are not considerably cheaper.

Your friends limitation is going to be weight, so go for pliers, 1/4”drive etc etc, irrespective of the deal he can get on a 4 lb hammer!

 

[Dave455]

A quick glance shows this ratchet for $120. That’s probably an average price. Could probably be found cheaper.

Same tool on U.S. websites is $160 to $200.

Bear in mind also, that these prices include German sales tax. I’m pretty certain you can claim that back on departure (provided you are leaving the E.U.) so that’s $100.

 

[134k]

I just came back from being in Munich for 4 weeks for work. Best advice, enjoy the sites and culture. The easiest and cheapest way is to just buy it online and shipped to your hotel. I did that with a Stahlwille and Hazet set. But I had the time there to do this and receive it. Stores close early and the store prices weren’t any cheaper than you’d expect. Not to mention you’ll be paying VAT and that tacks on 19% plus the tools cost. Best thing I found that I cannot get in the US, were work pants (yes you can get the bastardized US version now being sold online)..the made in Germany Engelbert Strauss kind.

 

[Kasal]

VAT may not be a problem, as you are not a resident of the European Union, it is possible that they will refund it. In Spain, if you present the purchase receipts at the airport, they will refund the 21% VAT. But you should find out first in case you need to ask for any documents along with the purchase invoice.

 

[kngelv]

Forget the tools because VAT will kill you pricewise. Enjoy the beer, food and culture. Get a Doner Kebab which is way better than a gyro and tough to find in the USA. I kid you not: If I was there for a week I would get one every day.

James

 

[Dave455]

Folks - there‘s a lot of confusion here regarding V.A.T.

Generally, the price displayed on an item INCLUDES VAT. Note the ratchet above - €111 INC VAT. So, VAT doesn’t kill it. This is different from the U.S. where tax is always extra.

Sometimes, prices for the trade (who are often VAT registered) are displayed exclusive of VAT, but this will always be clear, and prices will be even cheaper

Secondly, as Kasal correctly points out, you can claim VAT back on exit anyway.

 

[BrandonV]

Forget the tools because VAT will kill you pricewise. Enjoy the beer, food and culture. Get a Doner Kebab which is way better than a gyro and tough to find in the USA. I kid you not: If I was there for a week I would get one every day.

James

I feel with places like Mister Worker & Amazon.de it's not worth the hassle as well.

Not that I'm not going to try to pickup tools in Italy or anything...

 

[DAustin]

 

[DAustin]

Also, any Hazet tools.

 

[Matt XYZ]

Folks - there‘s a lot of confusion here regarding V.A.T.

Generally, the price displayed on an item INCLUDES VAT. Note the ratchet above - €111 INC VAT. So, VAT doesn’t kill it. This is different from the U.S. where tax is always extra.

Sometimes, prices for the trade (who are often VAT registered) are displayed exclusive of VAT, but this will always be clear, and prices will be even cheaper

Secondly, as Kasal correctly points out, you can claim VAT back on exit anyway.

This is true. Any retail store including online will already include the VAT in the price. German tools are a bit cheaper here but nothing amazing.
As another poster noted, the German big box stores (Baumarkt) have store brands that have a few gems just like the US. The German version of Home Depot- OBI (Lux Brand Professional line) are NWS pliers and some made in Germany screwdrivers. They also carry Knipex, Wera and Stabila. The rest of the Lux and Gedore Red lines for hard-line tools are not worth even looking at. There are some really good small stores in most towns with high end tools, but usually higher costs. Amazon.de is a good place to price compare but I haven't found Stahlwille and Hazet to be good deals nor do the Baumarkts stock them. Hornbach is a decent big box store, while Hagenbau tends to stock lower quality tools. There are probably other regional stores depending on where you are going.

A few German words
Werkzeuge - Tools
Zange - Pliers
Ratsche - Ratchet
Stecknusse - Socket
Schlussel- wrench. Ringmaulschlussel - combination wrench,

Obi Knipex and Lux NWS for an idea on prices: https://www.obi.de/search/knipex/
https://www.obi.de/search/lux pro zange/

 

[Davefr]

My good buddy is headed to Germany for a couple weeks. What should he grab, tool-wise, while there? I have seen Knipex/Facom much cheaper than USA in the past, but it no longer appears to be much different, even with the strong dollar-to-euro.

I wouldn't burden a good buddy. There are no "killer" deals. You might save a little but is it worth all the hassle to shop for them, pack them and carry them back?

I'd only consider it if there's something unobtainium here in the us.

 

[rlitman]

...you can claim VAT back on exit anyway.

Good luck with that! https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/09-Taxes/vat-refund/906296
You need to visit customs on the way out, present the store receipt, the goods, your passport and your tickets, in addition to the tax-free export form (which hopefully you were able to get from the store), in order to get that form stamped so you can mail it back to the store you made the purchase at, in order to request a refund check in the mail.

Oh, and since you need to present the purchased goods directly to customs, you'd better hope they're eligible to be brought in carry-on, and you have carry-on luggage space, because you won't have your checked luggage at that point. How much experience do you have taking tools through airport security. I have too much, and it's always been a **** show, though at least Germany is much better about it than the TSA. But the language barrier isn't going to help. It may not be much of a problem in at customs, but it's very likely to be a problem when you're requesting the requisite form at the store.

And after all that, the store may simply refuse to send you a refund. And you have no recourse.

 

[Dave455]

Good luck with that! https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/09-Taxes/vat-refund/906296
You need to visit customs on the way out, present the store receipt, the goods, your passport and your tickets, in addition to the tax-free export form (which hopefully you were able to get from the store), in order to get that form stamped so you can mail it back to the store you made the purchase at, in order to request a refund check in the mail.

Oh, and since you need to present the purchased goods directly to customs, you'd better hope they're eligible to be brought in carry-on, and you have carry-on luggage space, because you won't have your checked luggage at that point. How much experience do you have taking tools through airport security. I have too much, and it's always been a **** show, though at least Germany is much better about it than the TSA. But the language barrier isn't going to help. It may not be much of a problem in at customs, but it's very likely to be a problem when you're requesting the requisite form at the store.

And after all that, the store may simply refuse to send you a refund. And you have no recourse.

I’ve got a fair deal of experience, on account of having been an airline pilot for 25 years plus!

I’m not saying the process is easy, merely that it can be done.

Some places it’s notoriously difficult to find a customs officer. Some it’s easier.

From recollection, Germany isn’t too bad. Frankfurt, for example, has outbound customs offices in both terminals, and they are clearly marked. Yes, difficult to carry tools in hand luggage, on account of weight if not security, but I once exported an aeroplane, and that wasn’t in my hand luggage!

All the details will be on the appropriate website. Frankfurt again, if memory serves, guarantee to have English speakers on duty between 8am and 5pm.

And yes, the process is designed more for someone exporting valuable jewellery than tools, but it can be done, and I have.

 

[four.cycle]

What to get in Germany?

They call them "frauleins" over there.

 

[dukefx]

Unless you're in the market for Knipex tools and such it's much better to shop online. Shops will stock on the most common stuff that will sell quickly.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Beer nice tool after a long day to rejuvenate. I like also like the frauleins as four.cycle mentioned.

 

[RTM]

I buy vintage stuff at flea markets when I go. Hard to ask a buddy in those environment.

Top left here. Rule and carving chisel were new.



Two chisels in blue case are retail also

 

[dougf]

The last time I went to a tool store in Germany I was rather disappointed. Everything was import. I'm certain there are specialty stores that have quality tools but that will require planning to locate them. Another option would be Facebook marketplace and the local buy/sell/trade pages there.

 

[mslim]

Stahlwille wrenches.

 

[engineer2]

I'm sure any good GJer won't have a problem with the minimum, but keep in mind...

"To avoid administrative burdens over small-value items, there is a minimum value of EUR 175 (or the equivalent in national currency outside the eurozone) for the total purchase, but EU countries may set lower thresholds. The threshold applies to the total amount of goods bought in a certain shop. Normally, you cannot cumulate purchases in different shops to reach the threshold. You will receive a separate form in each shop in which you buy goods. You can enquire national tax authorities on the thresholds applicable in a particular EU country. You will be able to find the contact addresses for all national tax administrations in the document "VAT in the European Union".

 

[disston]

I don't have the particulars but it used to be a great deal to buy antique vehicles. I'm not sure anymore about this but it may mean cars and motorcycles older than 25 years. Most people don't know this but BMW made motorcycles way before they made cars. First BMW motorcycle was in 1923.