Big box stores: Inferior tools?

[jymbee]

Whether it's myth or reality (or some combination of both) I've heard numerous folks claim that even though the big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. sell some of the top name brand tools, they are not of the same quality for the same model # you would find elsewhere. The theory being that given their buying clout they can make deals with manufacurers to sacrifice certain quality standards in order to lower their cost and thereby maximize their profit.

Myth or reality?

 

[brin]

Well if it is true then it is more than just tools.....I had a plumber tell me the plumbing fixtures ..faucets, toilets etc. at the big box stores with the brand names were a cheaper and inferior version than the same brand names at the plumbing supply houses...I did not believe him and when we built our house 8 yrs. ago we bought all Price Phister brand fixtures from Home Depot at about a third of the cost from a plumbing supply house and we have not had one problem in those 8 yrs....I find it hard to believe big companies would compromise their brands that way.

Same thing I have read on threads here that if you buy a JD lawn tractor from a big box store it is inferior to the same JD tractor you might buy at the JD dealer....I would have to see proof JD would do such a thing....

 

[WilliamBos]

Truth. Companies like home depot pull a Walmart and dictate the prices to the tool companies. So they are forced to build a cheaper model to recover a profit. That is why I refuse to shop at box stores.

 

[Gator6x4]

Whether it's myth or reality (or some combination of both) I've heard numerous folks claim that even though the big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. sell some of the top name brand tools, they are not of the same quality for the same model # you would find elsewhere. The theory being that given their buying clout they can make deals with manufacurers to sacrifice certain quality standards in order to lower their cost and thereby maximize their profit.

Myth or relaity?

I would place that in the same Urban Legend category as "Elvis Is Still Alive". For homeowner and light commerical use big box tools, rachets, sockets, open and box end wrenchs work great. Now for heavy commerical use one should hop on the Snap On or Mac Tools Truck. Big boxes are able to offer lower prices through volume purchasing. A company will sell you or anyone else items cheaper if you purchase several thousand of an item versus 50 - 100. No deals are being made to sacrifice quality standards. The nightmare of trying to constantly change manufacturing and design specs to accomplish such would drive a crazy person insane.

 

[Raspy]

Truth. Companies like home depot pull a Walmart and dictate the prices to the tool companies. So they are forced to build a cheaper model to recover a profit. That is why I refuse to shop at box stores.

I'd still need some proof of that.

Big box stores can dictate the price they'll pay, but that's not the whole story.

Costco, for instance has items that look identical in every way to the same thing at Best Buy, but if you look closer, there is a one digit part number difference and the only place that number can be had is from Costco. It's not the same part. Lowe's has their own brand of tools, Kobalt, and their own brand of ceiling fans. Can't compare them to others. Home Depot generators and Costco safes can have a different part number and look identical to others.

But if the part number is the same, I bet the item is the same.

I've even been told that redimix concrete in the identical package from the same manufacturer is not as good at HD. Really?

I'm not sure it's true and I don't know how to prove it.

On top of that there is a lot more to pricing than subtle differences you can't see. Boutique stores can charge several times more for stuff that is absolutely no better and they can be hard to deal with when it's time to get parts or return something.

I have no problem dealing with big box stores. You can pick up and look at a large selection of stuff and pick what you want. You can go in and figure out how to make something work by looking around. And no matter what you get, as far as tools at the big box, it's probably many times better than a Harbor Freight tool, especially their electrical "tools" and yet people flock to Harbor Freight to buy tools. Go figure.

 

[kenmac]

Same thing I have read on threads here that if you buy a JD lawn tractor from a big box store it is inferior to the same JD tractor you might buy at the JD dealer....I would have to see proof JD would do such a thing....

JD dealer told me that the box store JD's are built by MTD. He said, they carry the same JD as HD to be able to compete, but it's not built by JD.The 1 built by JD cost more

 

[edlegault]

Big box stores that buy in big volume can get manufacturers to label their products (sold in their stores) with a different part number or model number for this reason --- price matching. Big box stores advertise they will match or beat prices on EXACT models or items. With different model numbers, no match.

 

[murphy1244]

JD dealer told me that the box store JD's are built by MTD. He said, they carry the same JD as HD to be able to compete, but it's not built by JD.The 1 built by JD cost more

MTD does NOT build any JD products. I don't think JD does either.

 

[WilliamBos]

I'd still need some proof of that.

Big box stores can dictate the price they'll pay, but that's not the whole story.

Costco, for instance has items that look identical in every way to the same thing at Best Buy, but if you look closer, there is a one digit part number difference and the only place that number can be had is from Costco. It's not the same part. Lowe's has their own brand of tools, Kobalt, and their own brand of ceiling fans. Can't compare them to others. Home Depot generators and Costco safes can have a different part number and look identical to others.

But if the part number is the same, I bet the item is the same.

I've even been told that redimix concrete in the identical package from the same manufacturer is not as good at HD. Really?

I'm not sure it's true and I don't know how to prove it.

On top of that there is a lot more to pricing than subtle differences you can't see. Boutique stores can charge several times more for stuff that is absolutely no better and they can be hard to deal with when it's time to get parts or return something.

I have no problem dealing with big box stores. You can pick up and look at a large selection of stuff and pick what you want. You can go in and figure out how to make something work by looking around. And no matter what you get, as far as tools at the big box, it's probably many times better than a Harbor Freight tool, especially their electrical "tools" and yet people flock to Harbor Freight to buy tools. Go figure.

There are specific models of tools that only HD sells. Any of the box store power tools are inferior to similar tools sold at different locations, as thry are built cheaper to maintain profit. it is more than a different number on the serial sticker. We do not have a harbour freight up here, even if we did, would not go there. I buy tools either off a truck, from a construction place, or Cdn Tire, as they stand behind their hand tools.

I do not support box stores, as none are a private franchise. Canadian tire is an exception, as they're franchised, but will not buy power tools from them.

 

[MrWhippy]

There are specific models of tools that only HD sells. Any of the box store power tools are inferior to similar tools sold at different locations, as thry are built cheaper to maintain profit. it is more than a different number on the serial sticker. We do not have a harbour freight up here, even if we did, would not go there. I buy tools either off a truck, from a construction place, or Cdn Tire, as they stand behind their hand tools.

I do not support box stores, as none are a private franchise. Canadian tire is an exception, as they're franchised, but will not buy power tools from them.

This is a common practice. Not just with tools but with electronic gear too.