Stanley / B.D. Merge...

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:21 am

[quote="a1gutterman"]Additionally, when they buy another brand, it seems to me that it gets "cheaper" too. No worries with the merge with Stanley though]
Please show me how you know this. I searched as best I know how and found no China association.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:23 am

tnerb wrote:And you sure can tell! Stanleys quality has sure gone down.

Do you have any specific examples of poor quality Stanley tools (products). My Stanley items are all older but they have all held up great.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:02 am

dusty wrote:Do you have any specific examples of poor quality Stanley tools (products). My Stanley items are all older but they have all held up great.

You've got to be kidding me. Go to the tool section of Walmart or K-mart and admire those "high quality" Stanley screwdrivers or squares and such.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:10 am

foxtrapper wrote:You've got to be kidding me. Go to the tool section of Walmart or K-mart and admire those "high quality" Stanley screwdrivers or squares and such.

I don't buy tools of any kind, not even gardening tools, at K-Mart or WalMart.

Are the tools sold there the same as those sold in hardware stores and other reputable retailers?

Just to calibrate this discussion, if you needed to purchase a good set of screwdrivers, wire cutters, framing square and a key hole saw - where would you go (with hopes of a one stop shop)?

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:28 am

dusty wrote:I don't buy tools of any kind, not even gardening tools, at K-Mart or WalMart.

Are the tools sold there the same as though sold in hardware stores and other reputable retailers?

Just to calibrate this discussion, if you needed to purchase a good set of screwdrivers, wire cutters, framing square and a key hole saw - where would you go (with hopes of a one stop shop)?

\

Probably Mennards or Lowes. Sometimes Home Depot.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:30 am

Well the tool industry gets more interesting.
Stanley wants 51.5% of B&D which already owns Black and Decker, Dewalt, Delta and Porter Cable.

Many of the big box stores have pulled the Delta standalone tools from their stores because of poor sales performance. Porter Cable tools have been downgraded to consumer tools. And the whole mess gets more confusing everyday.

What does this all mean to us? I believe it means less competition which means less innovation, higher prices and more stuff being made cheap for higher profits.

I think this should be fantastic news to Shopsmith. Another competitor is been merged, the door for innovative and high quality design has been opened and many retailers are looking for competition to keep their product prices in line.

I believe the company that can bring to market high quality made in America tools for reasonable prices will win. However I fear the need for high profits will preclude this.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:41 am

No no no.

Snootily proclaiming "I don't buy tools at Kmart" doesn't make all Stanley tools high quality.

Nor does shopping at boutique stores make a good tool there anything more than over priced.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:06 pm

foxtrapper wrote:No no no.

Snootily proclaiming "I don't buy tools at Kmart" doesn't make all Stanley tools high quality.

Nor does shopping at boutique stores make a good tool there anything more than over priced.

Let us continue very carefully here. I said I do not buy tools of any kind at K-Mart or WalMart and my reason is that I don't believe I can find quality tools there. When the price becomes attractive, I become skeptical.

I purchased a set of drill bits, not too long ago, from Woodcraft. The price was very attractive and at a glance, the drills did too. But I got what I paid for. Inexpensive drill bits that cut a nice clean hole the first couple times and then they burn their way through. They do not hold an edge. These are not quality tools even though I bought them at what I consider a reputable dealer. I do not believe that quality tools come at K-Mart prices. You get NO MORE than you pay for.

I used to trust Craftsman tools (without question) but no more. I am very skeptical - so is Craftsman. They used to guarantee there tools and do exchanges with a smile. NO MORE. Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed is how the sign reads. I tested it a short while back - twice. Once with a battery charger and the second time with a shovel. I left carrying the same broken tools I went in with. I was NOT a Satisfied Sears Customer.

I do not believe that I snootily proclaimed anything at all. I did, with great disappointment, state that I do not buy tools at K-Mart or WalMart. If you want to, be my guest. I won't be in line with you. You might want to try Harbor Freight; their prices are great.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:16 pm

You can now find Craftsman hand tools at K-Mart.

BPR

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:21 pm

ryanbp01 wrote:You can now find Craftsman hand tools at K-Mart.

BPR

They are also available in military exchanges.