Northern Tool...cheap? maybe not!

bellweather · Jun 9, 2005

I just bought a number of items from Northern Tool, including a carry-all, and I must say their prices are very attractive...but you sure do get hammered on the shipping costs. Total for all my stuff came to $475.74, of which $165.78 was shipping costs. Ouch! I'll be sure to do my homework before I order next time.

KentT · Jun 9, 2005

If you have a TSC (Tractor Supply) store close, they carry many of the same things (even the same brands, in many cases) as Northern Tool, and you don't pay shipping...

I just bought a Keen Kutter 48" XB Box Blade at TSC... it was $10 more than Northern Tool's latest sale price, but I probably saved $100 in freight costs...

hans2 · Jun 9, 2005

If you order a catalog item while you are in a Northern Tool store you do not get charged for shipping and they will deliver it to your house. Example: logging tongs. Not sure about other tractor attachments but worth checking on.

Boone · Jun 10, 2005

Last night I called Northern to order a Howse Middle Buster for $119.99. The operator then said shipping would be $90.00 and I said no thanks. I'll buy from the Fleet Farm instead.

Bird · Jun 10, 2005

Boone, I had the same experience a few years ago when I called Northern Tool to order a 3 ton arbor press. It was just under $100 and they said shipping would also be more than $90; however, that was when I learned they had a store about 60 miles from me, so I ordered it through that store, at the same catalog price, and picked it up there with no shipping charges.

Incidentally, Northern Tool has a new store under construction about 5 miles from me; don't know when it will be completed but they already have big signs up on either side at I-35 and business S.H. 121 in Lewisville.

RedRocker · Jun 10, 2005

Just what I need, another place to spend money!

Freds · Jun 10, 2005

Would that have been delivered by common carrier due to the carry all? I've found that buying online or out of a catalog is usually cheaper if the items can be delivered UPS or FEDEX... don't forget to include any taxes you may not be paying. Common carrier due to weight or bulkiness does add quite a bit more.
One thing I look for and ask if I can't find the info is how many $ do I need to spend to qualify for free shipping if it's offered. Throwing in another item or two may have wiped out the shipping charges.
Just some thoughts.

KENSFM · Jun 10, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I had the same experience a few years ago when I called Northern Tool to order a 3 ton arbor press. It was just under $100 and they said shipping would also be more than $90 )</font>

Bird,
$90 bucks to ship a 3 TON arbor press, seams reasonable to me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

bellweather · Jun 10, 2005

Actually, my entire order is being shipped UPS, and all but one item from the NT warehouse; the other is factory direct from the manufacturer. I think it must be part of NT’s marketing strategy to keep prices low but recover the $$$ with shipping charges. That way they can claim "guaranteed lowest prices". It's a technique used by other on-line retailers...frequently with those "buy it now" eBay items. btw, I had them ship to my office because the shipping charges would have been still higher had they shipped UPS to a residence.

KirkMcD · Jun 10, 2005

Shipping oversized and/or heavy items is expensive. And if you want it delivered to a residence, instead of a business, you'll be charged even more. Also, the farther away you are from the origin, the more you will pay.
It's just the way it is. I doubt NT is making money on shipping.