A friend of mine owns a long-standing tool company that's struggling a bit in this down economy. I know the membership of this site buys a lot of tools, but what would be the demand for an online tool company with a Pirate-specific discount on already competitively-priced tools? Tools offered range from basic hand tools to the major brands of power tools and a few specialty tools.

A couple examples of his already low prices (I'm not mentioning the name of his company so as not to appear to be 'pimping' his store without a yellow star):

Product: Makita LC1230 Metal Cutting Dry Saw
My Buddy's Price: $438.99
TOOLUP: $456.47
TylerTool: $449.95
Plumber Surplus: $463.51

Product: Milwaukee 6190-20 Dry Cut Machine
My Buddy's Price: $428.99
TOOLUP: $409.50 (cuurenty on sale at 10% off of $454.99)
TylerTool: $439.95
Plumber Surplus: $449.13

Post up if you would see a value in this. I'll try to convince him to become a vendor if there's demand.

I always like seeing new sources of tools, but amazon beats or matches the best of the above prices and has free shipping.

A quick google finds that out.

There has to be some value added somewhere other than low price, IMO.

I always like seeing new sources of tools, but amazon beats or matches the best of the above prices and has free shipping.

A quick google finds that out.

There has to be some value added somewhere other than low price, IMO.

Thanks. In your mind, what would that be? (Other than supporting Pirate, obviously. Which Amazon does not.)

He and I have talked about give-aways, but there's not a whole lot more we can add in terms of added value for an online tool purchase. (At least that we can think of.) He and I are both open to suggestions and recognize the value of the Pirate membership.

I don't think I have a good answer.

I don't see how any small concern can compete on new consumer goods sold online.

Everyone tries to have the lowest price but the only ones who can do it and still make money are the BIG places (like amazon) who presumably make it up on volume.

Some ideas (worth what you paid for them):

Reconditioned tools, Closeouts, overstock, modified tools?

There are tools you can import from China that aren't readily available here yet. They may or may not be 'hits'.

Maybe 10 free blades with purchase of sawsall? I don't know.

I bought a Hypertherm Plasma cutter from an ebay vendor and not only was it the cheapest price with free shipping, I got a 10 pack of consumables...

You could take the stance that "We sell only the best" and then pick out just a few of the best saws for instance, and don't sell the lower end stuff.

A Pirate mechanic's kit? A deal on these 5 tools/ tool sets when purchased together...


Good luck,

James

I would pay slightly more than a big online merchant for quality advice and service. I'm not sure a small vendor can compete on shipping. Amazon ships many purchases for free.

All good ideas, guys. Thanks for the input. Here are a few more that we brainstormed ...

1. A Pirate frequent buyer card for those with red or yellow stars. You'd earn points toward free tools much like an airline frequent flyer program.

2. Reconditioned tools. He does a fair amount of tool reconditioning.

3. Tool repair. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy a new one after shipping back and forth, though.

4. Monthly specials advertised on here.

5. Red and yellow star-only specials. You'd have to PM for a code to be entered at checkout.

6. Tools reviews on new tools or tools that were unique enough to warrant reviews or how-to's.

I say bring him over. Getting a deal on tools is always a good thing especially when you can buy from someone you know will back up the products they sell. I also like many of the ideas listed above. For instance I just recently bought a new sawzall, and had to go and get blades for it the other day. At 15 bucks for a 5 pack I think that would have been great to have come with the saw. Another suggestion would be maybe a monthly sale here. Say pick one big item(ie. a dry cut saw) and do 5-10% off, and have it change every month that would be cool.

If the price of his stuff is right and he's a Pirate vendor I'd likely go to him before anywhere else assuming it's not available locally and similarly priced(or I don't need it immediately).

My biggest gripe/praise w/ vendors is getting products out quickly, and if something should happen COMMUNICATE w/ the customer to either fix the problem or inform the customer of a delay or something.

There are a couple FANTASTIC vendors I've dealt w/ here, Ruffstuff being one of them because he has great prices, he ships things out stupid fast, and is willing to work w/ you to get stuff custom ordered. Unfortunately I got a wrong part from him the first time I ordered but I called him up and the right brackets were sent out the next day. That is great customer service.

Then there is one vendor who has taken over 4 weeks and then 2 weeks to even ship out my order on two separate occasions, not telling me there would be a delay despite me putting instuctions to inform me of said delay in the notes upon checkout. Will I buy from them again? Probably if nobody else has what I need, but I'll sure as hell order a month before I actually need whatever it is.:shaking:

If he can deliver good service and communicate w/ the customers he won't -need- to give free hand outs to get repeat customers(but free hand outs are nice if he can afford it:flipoff2:)

Help your buddy work out a unique value proposition, otherwise he's just another vendor and you see where that got a whole bunch of Chrysler and GM dealers.

Not to be too harsh, and I always like a good deal, but if all your pal accomplishes is "me too" pricing, he's simply draining off revenue and volume from the guys who were already supporting us with low prices. Now if he can pull together special limited time PBB pricing, or unique package deals, then it could be interesting, but price match, meh.


If you can't beat 'em, don't join 'em.

Good luck.

Help your buddy work out a unique value proposition, otherwise he's just another vendor and you see where that got a whole bunch of Chrysler and GM dealers.

Not to be too harsh, and I always like a good deal, but if all your pal accomplishes is "me too" pricing, he's simply draining off revenue and volume from the guys who were already supporting us with low prices. Now if he can pull together special limited time PBB pricing, or unique package deals, then it could be interesting, but price match, meh.


If you can't beat 'em, don't join 'em.

Good luck.

In reviewing current Pirate vendors, I found no vendor who offers a broad spectrum of tools. Most who offer tools offer very specific tools, e.g. tube benders, dimple dies, plasma cutters, etc.

If there's a vendor on Pirate who is more of a general tool vendor they're well hidden. :D I looked through every vendor with a posting in the Tools and Supplies listings and found nothing similar to what my buddy could offer.

I agree with your "me too" comment. That's exactly why I'm soliciting constructive suggestions and criticisms to learn from Pirate members what would differentiate such a vendor in their opinions.

What tool lines does your friend cover? Does he offer rebuild kits as well, or just rebuild services?

Alex.

In reviewing current Pirate vendors, I found no vendor who offers a broad spectrum of tools. Most who offer tools offer very specific tools, e.g. tube benders, dimple dies, plasma cutters, etc.

If there's a vendor on Pirate who is more of a general tool vendor they're well hidden. :D I looked through every vendor with a posting in the Tools and Supplies listings and found nothing similar to what my buddy could offer.

I agree with your "me too" comment. That's exactly why I'm soliciting constructive suggestions and criticisms to learn from Pirate members what would differentiate such a vendor in their opinions.


Trick-Tools?

In reviewing current Pirate vendors, I found no vendor who offers a broad spectrum of tools. Most who offer tools offer very specific tools, e.g. tube benders, dimple dies, plasma cutters, etc.




I was also including places like Enco, Tooltopia, NXTools, Northern Tool, TSC, HF, etc. that I already use.

Trick-Tools?

I wasn't aware that VanSant carried a "general" line of tools. I've purchased from them and get their catalogue and everything's pretty specific to metal fabrication. You can buy an angle finder from them but not an angle grinder. :D

What tool lines does your friend cover? Does he offer rebuild kits as well, or just rebuild services?

Alex.

He carries DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita ... etc. ... most of the major lines. Not sure if he's willing to sell the rebuild kits. I'd have to work through that with him.

I actually was going to get into this a year ago but as someone who buys a lot of tools I did some comparisons... and it's going to be VERY HARD to compete with Amazon on 'general tools'. Which is most likely why there are not many "general tools" people out there making a lot of money, most have to sell for more than amazon due to their purchase/wholesale price. And almost NONE offer FREE shipping and personally have the item in stock like amazon does.

Unless he can add more value than cost, which I`m not too sure how you can do that with a screwdriver, or a 4.5" grinder that the manufacture warranties anyway. (other than say supporting the 4x4 community).

Amazon has really taken over the "General" goods in most categories due to the 2 day shipping deal.

Since "General" tools don't really require tom uch "support" or follow-up it's hard to offer more than price/shipping value to the deal.

If he was in 1-3$ of amazon, and I got my item in <4 days like amazon I would buy from someone who supports the 4x4 industry...

Thanks, Todd. Good feedback.