Wholesale Tool Website

[ratchet_gear]

While looking for a website that has cheap prices on tools I came across this. http://www.uniqueuniverse.com/ They seem to be a little cheaper then The Tool Warehouse (not by much) and are apparently a division of Tool paradise. I thought I should put it up since there are a few on this site that are not happy with the service that they are getting from The tool warehouse. I think it is something that we all can benefit from. A penny saved is a penny earned!

​

 

[ratchet_gear]

If it has already been posted in another thread, SORRY.

 

[ImportTuner]

Prices are not bad ... no free shipping and for Cali residents, you have to pay sales tax ...

 

[mulepackin]

I did a search for tool websites myself... I found this company that by far has to be the cheapest! According to the home page, they are working on the site, but I did a search for some things and found the prices to be the cheapest yet! http://www.BigDogToolCompany.com/

The h%7# you say

 

[jay50]

I did a search for tool websites myself... I found this company that by far has to be the cheapest! According to the home page, they are working on the site, but I did a search for some things and found the prices to be the cheapest yet! http://www.BigDogToolCompany.com/

 

[blue302stang]

I did a search for tool websites myself... I found this company that by far has to be the cheapest! According to the home page, they are working on the site, but I did a search for some things and found the prices to be the cheapest yet! http://www.BigDogToolCompany.com/

they do have some pretty good prices.

 

[ImportTuner]

they do have some pretty good prices.

Until you add in shipping and tax ...

 

[BIG DOG]

Until you add in shipping and tax ...

maybe you want everything for free? what do you do for a living? could I obtain your services for free?

 

[nissan_crawler]

maybe you want everything for free? what do you do for a living? could I obtain your services for free?

Maybe you should learn if another site sells things for cheaper than yours, and free shipping, that we'll probably go to the first one.

 

[BIG DOG]

Maybe you should learn if another site sells things for cheaper than yours, and free shipping, that we'll probably go to the first one.

I'll repost this here for your benefit:
"ImportTuner"- Actually, Gear-Head was my brother. But it seems he was banned for voicing his opinion on this board. Such a shame that others can promote their sites on here under false pretences and someone actually trying to contribute something gets bashed. Maybe you should read my other entries for the full story.
"wrenchr", it seems you follow "ImportTuner" to all his entries. Maybe you should start thinking and shopping for yourself... "ImportTuner" isn't saving you any money bashing a company with the cheapest prices.
"nissan_crawler" - after reading my other post, you'll understand how hard it is to set up a web site, something I never really knew until I tried... and maybe if you see the finished result, you'll be amazed at the prices. The web site was launched as a work in progress and is almost finished, but setting prices was one of the last tasks I set for myself. To make it easier, I set most prices at $1.00 over what I pay as you'll read in another of my posts. Cheaper items are set at a few cents above cost. As for "Free Shipping", if that's really what you want, maybe you should buy from a site that can afford to ship free with the prices they charge. Use your heads!
Oh and "Stuey"? Through Homestead, you only get to register your domain for one year. My hope is to make enough money doing this to feed myself, not become rich. A more “professional” site means higher prices. Maybe we should appreciate the "mom and pop" shops offering quality service and the lowest prices on the web. If anyone on this site is interested in saving money, I'll see you there; if you all want free shipping... you can go else where and pay for it silently.
Thanks all for hearing my side!

 

[BIG DOG]

Maybe you should learn if another site sells things for cheaper than yours, and free shipping, that we'll probably go to the first one.

P.S. I make NO money on shipping... UPS DOES!

 

[ImportTuner]

I'll repost this here for your benefit:
"ImportTuner"- Actually, Gear-Head was my brother. But it seems he was banned for voicing his opinion on this board. Such a shame that others can promote their sites on here under false pretences and someone actually trying to contribute something gets bashed. Maybe you should read my other entries for the full story.
"wrenchr", it seems you follow "ImportTuner" to all his entries. Maybe you should start thinking and shopping for yourself... "ImportTuner" isn't saving you any money bashing a company with the cheapest prices.
"nissan_crawler" - after reading my other post, you'll understand how hard it is to set up a web site, something I never really knew until I tried... and maybe if you see the finished result, you'll be amazed at the prices. The web site was launched as a work in progress and is almost finished, but setting prices was one of the last tasks I set for myself. To make it easier, I set most prices at $1.00 over what I pay as you'll read in another of my posts. Cheaper items are set at a few cents above cost. As for "Free Shipping", if that's really what you want, maybe you should buy from a site that can afford to ship free with the prices they charge. Use your heads!
Oh and "Stuey"? Through Homestead, you only get to register your domain for one year. My hope is to make enough money doing this to feed myself, not become rich. A more “professional” site means higher prices. Maybe we should appreciate the "mom and pop" shops offering quality service and the lowest prices on the web. If anyone on this site is interested in saving money, I'll see you there; if you all want free shipping... you can go else where and pay for it silently.
Thanks all for hearing my side!

Hey Mr BIG DOG

What's your problem .... thetoolwarehouse.net offers free shipping and no tax with good to excellent prices on tools for purchase over $100 ... tooltopia.com, another excellent tool site offers good to excellent prices and free shipping (over $75) and no taxes ... so, why the HELL would I buy from you ...

 

[blue302stang]

Not really a fan of the layout either. That alone steered me away from the site.

 

[eschoendorff]

No, he pretended to be some guy who found a neat site and copied and pasted the same post all over the board. It's called spamming, and no one likes that.

If you really want to be successful, here's a few tips:
1. Hire a marketing firm with a web department. NEVER launch a site before it's finished... it's fine to do things in phases, but it shouldn't be a "work in progress"
2. don't send your brother out spamming - viral marketing can be effective, but not like that.
3. lose the attitude... you're not going to win any new customers with your current posts.

WE HAVE A WINNA!

 

[GeorgeH]

While looking for a website that has cheap prices on tools I came across this. http://www.uniqueuniverse.com/ They seem to be a little cheaper then The Tool Warehouse (not by much) and are apparently a division of Tool paradise. I thought I should put it up since there are a few on this site that are not happy with the service that they are getting from The tool warehouse. I think it is something that we all can benefit from. A penny saved is a penny earned!

​

How about that? He found HIS OWN website!!!

 

[JB740i]

How about that? He found HIS OWN website!!!

That's funny.

Dunno about you but doesn't the box, packing material and tape end up to be at least a dollar all by itself?

Most of the stuff at my job is putting pills from this big bottle and putting them in a little bottle with a label. The bottle costs 50 cents and the label is 25 cents but we figure the cost to fill each one is more like 8 bucks.

Just curious about the pricing of wholesalers.

 

[jay50]

How about that? He found HIS OWN website!!!

, don't you just love it when those husters post their phony message about a great new tool source and then want to argue with you when you expose their shill and higher overall cost?

 

[ratchet_gear]

How about that? He found HIS OWN website!!!

Don't get me confused with someone like BIG DOG; if I was trying to do the same thing as he, the first post of this thread would have been my first post as a member of this forum!!!!!

 

[ratchet_gear]

While looking for a website that has cheap prices on tools I came across this. http://www.uniqueuniverse.com/ They seem to be a little cheaper then The Tool Warehouse (not by much) and are apparently a division of Tool paradise. I thought I should put it up since there are a few on this site that are not happy with the service that they are getting from The tool warehouse. I think it is something that we all can benefit from. A penny saved is a penny earned!

​

How about that? He found HIS OWN website!!!

It doesn’t help that it sounds just like the stuff they are writing.

 

[wrenchr]

He has been had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ratchet_gear]

He has been had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys make me laugh. Just because I started I thread about wholesale tool websites that means that I’m part of the company that I posted about.
GROW UP!!!!! Not everyone that starts one of these threads is doing it on behalf of a company; I did it because I know a lot of us are always looking for a cheaper place to by from. But now I see that people on this forum can't try helping out without being accused of SPAMMING or doing something wrong. I never have been part of any tool website and never will be. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Tbonekilla]

maybe you want everything for free? what do you do for a living? could I obtain your services for free?

Don't piss on our back and tell us it is raining. For a one pound item you are charging $11.95 for shipping to a ZIP within the same state where one of your warehouses is located. Also on this same item you are almost doubling the sales tax. The tax should be 6.5% instead of the 12.38% you are charging. Maybe someone should call the State's Attorney?

 

[83diesel]

Don't piss on our back and tell us it is raining. For a one pound item you are charging $11.95 for shipping to a ZIP within the same state where one of your warehouses is located. Also on this same item you are almost doubling the sales tax. The tax should be 6.5% instead of the 12.38% you are charging. Maybe someone should call the State's Attorney?

To add to that the prices are just under SEARS and other higher priced vendors. Like everyone else said you can get free shipping and lower priced tools. If you are only marking tools up a dollar than you need to find a better source for your tools. There are too many places to list that have better bottom line prices. Don't use the tool truck vendor sales pitches they are annoying, we know why you started the site. To make money, but don't plan on robbing us blind, we know better.

 

[bmwpower]

To tell you the truth, I probably would spend a little more if I knew I was going to get top notch service and/or help out a genuine garage junkie make a couple bucks in the process.

Unfortunately, when you're drop shipping stuff, which I assume BG is doing, you don't get to see the product before it goes out the door.

 

[BIG DOG]

Hey Mr BIG DOG

What's your problem .... thetoolwarehouse.net offers free shipping and no tax with good to excellent prices on tools for purchase over $100 ... tooltopia.com, another excellent tool site offers good to excellent prices and free shipping (over $75) and no taxes ... so, why the HELL would I buy from you ...

Both companies you mention have been in business longer than 2 weeks and both companies get their merchandise from the same supplier I do. If anyone out there is a business owner that can help me support my next claim, feel free to jump in. These are the prices I pay from my source for shipping:
UPS Ground (Free shipping over $450)
O = UPS Oversized (these have a 19.99 surcharge regardless of price)
T = Truck Freight (Free shipping over $995)
D = Drop Ship from the manufacturer
Now, do I list these on my site? Who the hell would order with these requirements?
The reason companies can offer free shipping is because
1. They charge more for the product and can afford to offer “free” shipping.
2. They have been in business long enough to swallow the cost of shipping because they have made money up to this point with the prices they charge. It is now worth it to pay shipping to lure customers in. I’m sure I’ll offer that as well.
Same with the taxes, which by the way, if any of you out there own a business will know, the owner makes no money on taxes or shipping?!?

 

[BIG DOG]

Not really a fan of the layout either. That alone steered me away from the site.

The layout?
The site is not finished….there IS no layout?!?
Do you buy something from a web site because it’s pretty or because you’re getting the same damn thing for a better price?

 

[BIG DOG]

No, he pretended to be some guy who found a neat site and copied and pasted the same post all over the board. It's called spamming, and no one likes that.

If you really want to be successful, here's a few tips:
1. Hire a marketing firm with a web department. NEVER launch a site before it's finished... it's fine to do things in phases, but it shouldn't be a "work in progress"
2. don't send your brother out spamming - viral marketing can be effective, but not like that.
3. lose the attitude... you're not going to win any new customers with your current posts.

Guess you guys don’t read other posts, you just add to the last comment on each
1. I am out on worker’s comp. A marketing firm? I can’t afford to wipe my ***!
2. Didn’t “send” anyone to do anything, again, if you had the courage to start something on your own and you family tried helping you spread the word, should you be punished for that? Or maybe instead of “sending” my brother out spamming, I could pay millions for a TV commercial and force my way into your homes.
3. There really is no attitude involved in any of my responses; it’s all pure fact. Maybe the contradiction of opinions you are reading is just disturbing you when you realize you have no clue what it takes to start a business and try to do something to feed your family while your back is twisted in a pretzel.

 

[BIG DOG]

That's funny.

Dunno about you but doesn't the box, packing material and tape end up to be at least a dollar all by itself?

Most of the stuff at my job is putting pills from this big bottle and putting them in a little bottle with a label. The bottle costs 50 cents and the label is 25 cents but we figure the cost to fill each one is more like 8 bucks.

Just curious about the pricing of wholesalers.

So I guess someone out there sees the true cost of doing business! Yet I get shat on for charging a measly $1.00 over my cost. I have no idea what my supplier pays for packing materials, I assume it’s built into my cost. And if you’re confused, I am NOT a wholesaler, I am a distributor. And to fill you in on something if no one HAS read my other posts, there aren’t many Tool wholesalers, maybe 3 or 4. Most of the sites you see online get their product from the same supplier I do. This I know for a FACT! My mom worked for the wholesaler and I know every damn account they have!

 

[BIG DOG]

Don't piss on our back and tell us it is raining. For a one pound item you are charging $11.95 for shipping to a ZIP within the same state where one of your warehouses is located. Also on this same item you are almost doubling the sales tax. The tax should be 6.5% instead of the 12.38% you are charging. Maybe someone should call the State's Attorney?

The shipping charges are calculated on my site from a price set by a feature integrated into the programming Homestead offers with the carrier I choose manually. I chose UPS because that’s what my supplier uses. They don’t allow for 5 different originating points, they ask for one zip code. I used the zip code of the Brooklyn warehouse because it is the main warehouse and it is where ALL orders are placed. If a customer orders closer to a warehouse where the item is shipping from a closer warehouse, the shipping cost gets adjusted accordingly. All of this has not been explained on the site as of yet. As I stated in several other posts, my brother did this to help me, not realizing I wasn’t ready to “go public”. As for the Taxes; again, if anyone out there has a web site and can confirm this, according to rules set for online businesses, the IRS requires tax rates for internet business be set according to “point of original shipping state”. My business is located in New York; hence the tax is 8.25%. When I get enough business with the $1.00 above cost I am charging, I’ll offer free shipping. Taxes, unfortunately, will always be there and are not set at 12.38%.

 

[BIG DOG]

To add to that the prices are just under SEARS and other higher priced vendors. Like everyone else said you can get free shipping and lower priced tools. If you are only marking tools up a dollar than you need to find a better source for your tools. There are too many places to list that have better bottom line prices. Don't use the tool truck vendor sales pitches they are annoying, we know why you started the site. To make money, but don't plan on robbing us blind, we know better.

No praise for being priced lower than everyone? Give the little guy a chance! I promise, when I get as big as the other guys you mention, we’ll STILL all be on a first name basis! There’s no mask on my face partner, I don’t plan on robbing anyone. I came in, stsrted a business out of desperation, and told my wife the game plan is one dollar from 200 people a week is good enough. With that plan, we’ll be happy, the customer will be happy, and the “big guys” will be pissed! That plan was ok with me. If you truly know better, than get the same stuff for a lower price and stop yer belly achin’. If you grab your calculators, my “bottom line” cost is STILL cheaper than everyone else’s… even with their “free shipping”.

 

[BIG DOG]

To tell you the truth, I probably would spend a little more if I knew I was going to get top notch service and/or help out a genuine garage junkie make a couple bucks in the process.

Unfortunately, when you're drop shipping stuff, which I assume BG is doing, you don't get to see the product before it goes out the door.

FINALLY!
I appreciate that comment!... and if you read the previous posts, NOT one of the other web companies handles the product directly, if they tell you they do, it’s a lie! As for seeing the product, I lived with most of these products all my life, all I need to know is my customer received the product and is happy! If you’re not happy… I’m pissed! I jump all over the problem as if it were me getting screwed…because it is.

 

[ratchet_gear]

Well, I started this thread to try and give us another option to buy tools from but I see that it has turned into a waste of space. Is there a way to delete this thread?

Wholesale Tool Website​

 

[BIG DOG]

Lastly, I would like to thank ALL of you who have posted any kind of comment about my site. Although it is not finished with the appearance of the home page, I have had 123 hits in the last 7 days resulting in 31 new orders! There are obviously some of you interested in saving money!
Thank you all for your business and rest assured, I will always do my best to bring you quality service and great prices!

 

[The Alchemist]

Hey Big Dog.... I give you credit... at least you're trying. I am looking for a 1/2" impact and have been eyeing up some for a while, and think I'm going to go with the IR ThunderGun, and your price is pretty much spot on compared to ebay and a bunch of the other sites. Knowing you're a fellow Garage Journal guy, I'd buy from you.

Probably next month or so I'll be putting in an order.

Thanks.

My only comment, is I hate having to click next page to look at stuff on the net. I'd rather be able to just scroll down in one shot. Just a suggestion, rather than be able to see 30 items at once, can you bump it up to 100 or 200 or all?

 

[Stuey]

The layout?
The site is not finished….there IS no layout?!?
Do you buy something from a web site because it’s pretty or because you’re getting the same damn thing for a better price?

Generally speaking, an unprofessional looking site with "lower prices than the other guys" screams "SCAM". By no means am I implying that you have ill intent. I'm just saying that when shopping for other merchandise like electronics and cameras, sites that do not have clean layouts and look hastily thrown together are sites to stay away from.

1. I am out on worker’s comp. A marketing firm? I can’t afford to wipe my ***!

I would just recommend taking the time to check out other small-time tool distributors and try to adapt their layouts to one that works for you.

Additionally, I mentioned the fact that you have a one year domain registration b/c that's a big nono. That is also a cause for hesitation since it suggests you might not intend to be in business for long.

Have you considered setting up an Amazon storefront instead or in addition? What about becoming an Amazon seller? The dropshipping aspect remains the same, and there are many products that Amazon can acquire at a much lower price than you ever could.

Furthermore, forget about trying to recruit customers from this forum for now. Your posts seem to be highly defensive in tone and content. Instead, what you may want to do is start a thread asking for suggestions and advice.

Present your site as it is and ask about what changes would make the site look more attractive, etc.

 

[dxdexter]

I have had 123 hits in the last 7 days resulting in 31 new orders!

You guys do know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, don't you?

 

[BIG DOG]

Hey Big Dog.... I give you credit... at least you're trying. I am looking for a 1/2" impact and have been eyeing up some for a while, and think I'm going to go with the IR ThunderGun, and your price is pretty much spot on compared to ebay and a bunch of the other sites. Knowing you're a fellow Garage Journal guy, I'd buy from you.

Probably next month or so I'll be putting in an order.

Thanks.

My only comment, is I hate having to click next page to look at stuff on the net. I'd rather be able to just scroll down in one shot. Just a suggestion, rather than be able to see 30 items at once, can you bump it up to 100 or 200 or all?

Thanks for the encouragement and the suggestions for the site!
I set the maximum number of return results at 30 when I had no idea how to figure out categorizing items.
In the beginning, any search word resulted in a return of all 6000+ items. The Customer is ALWAYS right!
I have reset to number to 100 as per your request, any more would take forever in some categories to download.

 

[BIG DOG]

Generally speaking, an unprofessional looking site with "lower prices than the other guys" screams "SCAM". By no means am I implying that you have ill intent. I'm just saying that when shopping for other merchandise like electronics and cameras, sites that do not have clean layouts and look hastily thrown together are sites to stay away from.

I would just recommend taking the time to check out other small-time tool distributors and try to adapt their layouts to one that works for you.

Additionally, I mentioned the fact that you have a one year domain registration b/c that's a big nono. That is also a cause for hesitation since it suggests you might not intend to be in business for long.

Have you considered setting up an Amazon storefront instead or in addition? What about becoming an Amazon seller? The dropshipping aspect remains the same, and there are many products that Amazon can acquire at a much lower price than you ever could.

Furthermore, forget about trying to recruit customers from this forum for now. Your posts seem to be highly defensive in tone and content. Instead, what you may want to do is start a thread asking for suggestions and advice.

Present your site as it is and ask about what changes would make the site look more attractive, etc.

Stuey, an EXCELLENT SUGGESTION! I have viewed other sites and I’m trying to avoid all the clutter and unnecessary B.S. I see they place on their home pages. I did consider setting up on AMAZON as well, I wasn’t really ready to go public yet, but thanks to my brother’s “help” I was throw into the arena prematurely. Once I am finished setting up the navigation buttons (a lot harder than you think) I’ll set up that thread. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tbonekilla]

Hey Big Dog,

Are you registered as a business in the state of Illinois? If not, does the state of Illinois know that you are collecting sales tax on their behalf? I'm sure they would like their money since you are collecting it.

On a $63 item your website charged $7.90 in taxes. This is more than 12%. Also your shipping is outrageous. $11.95 to ship a one pound item from New York to Illinois is overpriced. I can get a better shipping price at the UPS store. Now if you are including your time and packaging materials costs that is fine but you should change the shipping line to shipping and handling. Makes you look like you are not increasing your profit though inflated shipping costs.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Ok, I'll be nice for a minute and give my advice. I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt and look on your site for some pliers I wanted. Within 20 seconds, I closed your site and went looking elsewhere. Why?

1. Rather than just tabbing the lists over, you need a space between each category on the sidebar so the main categories can be seen easily. Like this:

...Accessories, Oil, Boots
...Specialty Air Tool

Cleaning Supplies
...Mops, Brooms, Rubbish Pails

General Shop Supplies
...Bulk Small Parts Assortments

#2. (main reason I didn't even look) Your categories ****, and the front page is too jumbled. I would much prefer something on the front page like:

Hand tools:

...Sockets

...Wrenches

...Pliers

...Hammers

Then you click on the category (sockets for example) and get:

1/4" drive

3/8" drive

1/2" drive

Swivel

Crowfeet

Impact

Then if you click 1/4" drive you can choose metric/standard, deep/short, etc.

You have SEVEN categories for pliers all in a different spot on the front page, that drives me nuts. There are socket categories all over, wrench categories all over, it needs to be organized. It looks like somebody barfed alphabet soup onto a website.

Edit: I used dots since the board doesn't recognize tabs or spaces.