caveat emptor: “clearance” tool bins
Does this bother anyone else? In the last few years, more and more stores have started selling cheap tools in display bins near the door. You’ve seen them – a hodgepodge of seemingly random tools, all for the same low price. Usually, their packages will have a price on them, say, “$6.99”, but the sign on the bin says “everything – $2.99!”. Well, if you haven’t fallen for this yet, be warned: these displays are designed to deceive. A bin such as this used to mean that the store was making room for new stock, and selling discontinued (yet good) quality tools for good prices. Nowadays, though, You’re more likley to be looking at a clever imitation full of cheesy tools which aren’t really on sale, but were always intended to be sold like this (note also that this bin is always full – there’s no shortage of “great bargains”). The tools bear American sounding Brand names, like “Marshall” or “Eagle” but are invariably Chinese. I’m not saying China doesn’t produce quality tools, I’m just saying they don’t seem to be sending any here.
You might be thinking, “so what’s wrong with a little free enterprise?” or, “Two bucks is a good price for a set of wirebrushes” . Well, this rant wouldn’t be complete without a confession: I myself have succumbed to these “great deals”, knowing, of course, that you get what you pay for, but realizing only too late that you also pay for what you get. These seemingly harmless trinkets might seem inconsequential (so what if it breaks, right?), but they will invariably fail in some totally unpredictable way, often at a cost you couldn’t imagine. I finally got the message after a drill bit went all the way in to some fine cabinetry, then promptly twisted off below the surface. I had to core it out, then make cosmetic repairs which set me back half a day.
I just wanted to get this off my chest; though no laws are being broken, it feels like a scam nonetheless. If you still can’t resist the temptation to buy these tools, I would recommend picking up a pair of safety goggles – NOT THOSE ONES, you chisler! sheesh.
Replies
I don't know why you're getting in such a sweat about this.
I appreciate being able to buy this kind of stuff -- if it is atool I will use once, or something I might only use every five years.
Harbor Freight has been selling this kind of cheap stuff for years.
"I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
-- Bertrand Russell
We don't have Harbor Freight here (NorCal), so I don't know what those tools are like. What I object to is the sneaky presentation of these tools, which implies that you're getting a good deal on quality tools that have been marked down, rather than simply getting exactly what you're paying for- very poor quality tools which you WILL probably use only once - because they will probably break. Most scams start out by making you think you've lucked in to a rare opportunity, and this one is no different. Tools that break from light normal use might be expected at a flea market; When ACE hardware sells them, though, you're inclined to expect more.
Saul,
If the 'bargain bin' bothers you, don't buy from it. Chill!
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Like the cafe?
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> "If the 'bargain bin' bothers you, don't buy from it. Chill!"<
That is good advice, B. And I can assure you, I'm perfectly calm. All I wanted to say was that I believe that a good balance exists in the hardware industry between pricing and quality; If you buy something at a reputable store, you can be relatively sure that it's competitvely priced and has been produced as inexpensively as possible to function as expected. The problem with the items in these pre-fabricated "bargain bins", though, is that they take advantage of this basic trust by appearing to be on "sale". They are often produced so poorly that they literally break from normal use, and sometimes right away. If you've never had a bad experience with these tools, you're lucky. All I'm saying is, "let the buyer beware".
Harbor Freight has been selling this kind of cheap stuff for years.
Yea, I buy some of their stuff, but some of their hand tools are real POS. I bought a nail puller from them awhile back, and it broke the first time I used it. From the break, it looks like it was made from so-called "pot metal". Oh well, I was out $3.99.
a hodgepodge of seemingly random tools
CHINA INVADING us Round Eyes!
Sort of funning.. I have two adopted grand daughters from China.. GOD I LOVE them ALOT!
Yes, and my girlfriend is from China, so I know not all of their products are poorly made. Adopted granddaughters? I didn't know you could do that, but what a great idea! skip all the hassles of parenting and just go straight to the joys of being a grandparent - brilliant! : )
Sometimes I am tempted to rummage around in these "dump" type bins and occasionally am luckyto find something of my liking. A couple of years ago I found a very nice new General angle bevel for only $ 2.00. Maybe the store was getting out of that type of product and just tossed it in the bin to get rid of it.
Maybe I was just lucky
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T.O.
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