Home Depot turning into Sears????

[woodworkerjake]

I came across an interesting post today. From what t his guy is saying, Home Depot is going to be getting rid of competing tool lines Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, others. I already can't find a tool worth buying at Menards b/c they sell so many tooltech products, Sears has crapsman, looks like home Depot may be going to Ridgid only

if this is true, I think it's crappy.

http://talk.woodmagazine.com/default.sph/woodTalk.class?FNC=getReplies__AWOODsubject_list_h tml___1___1377203___6___1


Jake

[DonHof]

The last time I was at Sears, they had just as much Dewalt and Makita as Craftsman.
I had a Sears 12 volt drill for six years and it
served me well.

[woodworkerjake]

I have been in sears tool department 2 times in the last 3 months. First time they had a bit of everything like you mentioned. About 3 weeks ago, I went and all the Delta and other stuff was gone. All the large free standing powertools were craftsman. Still had the handhelds that were multi vendors.

That store has an identity crisis. They don' thave a clue who their target market is.

Jake

[woodworkerjake]

Interesting. The post I linked up from WOOD ONLINE magazine no longer exists. It's totally gone from the post, along with a post about sale at Blain's farm & fleet on Delta.

*scratching head*

Wonder if that site does not allow posts of stores???

WIERD!!!!

I just made a post regarding the 2 missing links. See if it gets deleted too.

Jake

[Rafael]

Home depot is not that stupid. Not yet at least.
Sears has a small amount of non craftsman tools. I could see hd having a smaller amount of non-ryobi tools.

[woodworkerjake]

I've seen stupider things happen every day of my life. Today my sister had a car dealer screw her out of 300 dollars. She authorized them to do service work, called me and I got them to agree to stop work. They quoted her too high a price by 300 dollars and I knew a place where she should go. 30 minutes later, they phoned her and told her her car was done after I spoke with them to and they told me they would not work on the car and I could pick it up. They fixed it anyway. FARGIN BASTAGES. After and hour on hte phone I got their price down to what the other place was gonna charge, but only after wasting an hour of my time pulling teeth with service manager telling me his parts cost more than the total cost installed at the muffler shop YEAH RIGHT.

Did I mention my family bought 3 cars from them in 12 months because of me. now thats' STUPID.

Finally, I got a response to my post on woodonline. 2 forum posts replied to my post and one of them said he removed the 2 posts on the basis of they violated the forum policy.

Jake

[slipriwenwet]

Hey thats why God invented Northern Tool, Tool King, Amazon and a host of other places. Ofcourse this could be a credit card conspiracy. Who knows what evil lerks........... :eek:

[BadgerDave]

Originally posted by woodworkerjake:
Interesting. The post I linked up from WOOD ONLINE magazine no longer exists. It's totally gone from the post, along with a post about sale at Blain's farm & fleet on Delta.

*scratching head*

Wonder if that site does not allow posts of stores???

WIERD!!!!

I just made a post regarding the 2 missing links. See if it gets deleted too.

Jake That site has some very strange rules. They don't allow anything that they consider advertising except when the moderators themselves want to push something. Whats good for the goose is not good for the gander at the WOOD site. :eek: :confused: They will allow you to talk about a specific deal or sale that is happening but only if you're not the originator of the thread.

[ 01-22-2004, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Badger Dave ]

[woodworkerjake]

If you check their online site, I posted a follow up to figure out what happened called " site management" Got some interesting responses.

I think it boils down to don't let the hand that feeds you get tarnished. Somebody mentioned the latest issue of wood gave away a free Ridgid tablesaw and I remembered seeing that myself. Corporate sponsorship. I guess that means that we will be seeing some good ridgid tool reviews coming up soon too.. LOL

< now starting to wonder if the tool reviews in these magazines are legitimate or just who spends the most on my magazine .. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm >

Jake

[Smokin'Joe]

smile.gif at you all !
Is it possible the tools carried are store dependent??
I was in one last weekend to get shop vac bags and the whole lower level was filled with tools. Yes - I bet 50-60% were Craftsman but I expected that being Sears store. They had some Delta,DW,PC,Makita,Bosch and maybe some additional I did not notice.Not the full lines in any but quite a variety nontheless. Looked at a lot out of curiosity due to price tag shopping :D
Sure hope they do not just go "private" - I have used the price guarentee there a few times in past when others had sales to save some money.

[Smokin'Joe]

Originally posted by woodworkerjake:
If you check their online site, I posted a follow up to figure out what happened called " site management" Got some interesting responses.

I think it boils down to don't let the hand that feeds you get tarnished. Somebody mentioned the latest issue of wood gave away a free Ridgid tablesaw and I remembered seeing that myself. Corporate sponsorship. I guess that means that we will be seeing some good ridgid tool reviews coming up soon too.. LOL

< now starting to wonder if the tool reviews in these magazines are legitimate or just who spends the most on my magazine .. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm >

Jake Over many years I have noticed same thing especially with respect to Delta and Jet. Ironic maybe but they were always the top rated or nearly so and the ads within were mainly guess who ;)
Take a peek at any old magazine(s)over a period of years - I think you will similar trends. To my way of thinking I always have taken reviews with the belief the things are half unbiased and the other ad revenue related.
Money does everything and everywhere I guess. Consumer Reports I believe is the exception. Or so I am told.

[woodworkerjake]

Smokin Joe, I think you are right on the nose. Did you check the post I left on woodonline. It's actually interesting. I got a lot of heated responses. So far it's up to 22 responses. Maybe an alltime high for that posting.. LOL

Her'es a new link in case you're interested. Hope they dont' take this one down too.
:D http://talk.woodmagazine.com/default.sph/woodTalk.class?FNC=getReplies__AWOODsubject_list_h tml___1___1377347___6___1

[imported_ChipMaker]

Agree :(

Suppose Sales and AR Department has to have some influence on editors and writers as the ad revenue makes up bulk of cash inflow.

Can you imagine somebody really doing a real negative takedown article on an large advertiser/sponser and then walking into the Corporate door of same entity and trying to place some more future business. :D

Suspect the door would be politely slammed in his face or at least a "no thanks or a try after your next review" ;) ;)

The wheels are indeed greased - I do not care what anyone says it has to influence decisions.

Rip me and try to get in my pocketbook :eek:

[Mt Bike]

Hey Guys,

I've got a story for you about corprate sponsorship influence. 2 years ago a senior test editer at a mountain bike magazine gave a scolding review for a new very expensive product from one of their largest advertisers. The manufacturer was "out raged" they claimed that they have an extensive in house test procedure and wanted the review recanted or they would pull their adds. The editer then called to task their process of in house testing, that it is not real world and he would stand by his review because he "owed to his readers his utmost honesty" so the readers could trust their product reveiws. Well the company pulled their adds, the magazine lost money and 1 year later the editor was fired under the guise of Editorial Redirection. The next issue...The adds were back.

[CaptainJack]

Hey Guys,

I've got a story for you about corprate sponsorship influence. 2 years ago a senior test editer at a mountain bike magazine gave a scolding review for a new very expensive product from one of their largest advertisers. The manufacturer was "out raged" they claimed that they have an extensive in house test procedure and wanted the review recanted or they would pull their adds. The editer then called to task their process of in house testing, that it is not real world and he would stand by his review because he "owed to his readers his utmost honesty" so the readers could trust their product reveiws. Well the company pulled their adds, the magazine lost money and 1 year later the editor was fired under the guise of Editorial Redirection. The next issue...The adds were back. Gotta love corporate America!!!

[imported_ChipMaker]

MT BIKE:
Thanks for confirming again :(
The stories I had painfully listened to from some in smaller sized magazines and weekly area tabloid-like magazines has been way to similar. Play the game or pay the price. We cannot help but question and wonder everytime a review is done as to validity of it. It is wrong but the Money King has throne.


OT - my local Sears remained stocked up on many brands thru last night. Is there any solid word on direction of change from any management?

[ 01-23-2004, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: ChipMaker ]

[George]

My local HDs have dumped Delta tools completely. Not that they had many to start with but what they did have are "no more". Lots and lots of Ryobi, and the new "orangeish" tools. smile.gif

Still have a mixture of other top brands -- Porter-Cable, Dewalt, etc.

I wish someone around here in Huntsville, Al carried the full line of Porter Cable tools. Most things that Porter-Cable makes are not available in this area. I like to look at a tool before buying so I tend to avoid mail-order.

[woodworkerjake]

even got rid of the Delta Mitre saw??

Jake

[Cranky]

Originally posted by woodworkerjake:
even got rid of the Delta Mitre saw??

Jake not here they didn't. Likely the biggest seller they have-never in stock 'cept the display one

[hi ho sliver]

I don't see h.d. dropping everything but ridgig, because most of the people I have talked to don't know a thing about ridgid and besides, they never have a full inventory of ridgid anyway?.....one here rarely has a 3650 tablesaw, has never had the contractor saw, but has at least 6 that I can count of the old gray jointers!

[woodworkerjake]

hi ho.

Maybe that's why they're slowly getting rid of competition. So that people will be forced to ask " what's this ? "

Home Depot already has a captive audience of people who shop at their stores for other things. I'll keep my eye here locally to see if any trend develops. So far all I've seen is a reduced price DeWalt combo kit.

Jake

[woodworkerjake]

Was at Home Depot today. Actually had a good experience. They are carrying all lines of tools here still.

Checked the combos again. The combo for 399 was the XR combo. I found another DeWalt combo with same tools XRP for 499. Anybody knowo the difference?

I did notice an extended service warranty today that you could purchase for Ridgids. No pricing was listed. Looks like they may keep the lifetime warranty & charge extra for it. Display didn't say how long / or pricing of warrranty. If anyone has any details, feel free to share.

Jake

[ejhbuilder]

i HAVE HEARD RUMORS THAT HD IS GETTING OUT OF THE WOODWORKING TOOL BUSINESS.ANYONE HEAR ANYTHING ALONG THAT LINE?

[woodworkerjake]

Old news. That was several months back. Emmerson was gettting out of the toolmaking business. YOu can search this website for lots of discussion on the topic. Ridgid brand tools are now made by same tool company that makes RYOBI's.

LOTS OF INFO too much to repsond to. Do a search

Jake

[Bo_hamrick]

The DeWalt kits are different the 499 is the 4 kit that has been there forever. It has the Hammerdrill. the one for 399 has a smaller version drill...the compact with I think a 1/2 in chuck. Thats from what I saw.

[Bo_hamrick]

Home depot will never get rid of the more popular brands of tools like PC mil. DW Makita. Since HD likes to copy everything Wal-Mart does they now have the Sam's Choice of Power Tools Ryobi and Ridgid. They are At Home Depot and for the most part only there. And According to My local HD Tool wizard..."HD has 69% share in The Company that owns Ryobi...TTI which also produces Ridgid. So point is the other colors will be there...but you may see a larger selection of orangish as opposed to the other colors

[woodworkerjake]

Didn't realize they owned so much of that company. That's interesting. I'm taking Advanced accounting right now and Looks like they got a vertical consolidation.. LOL

Well that gives them controlling interest. So I would gander that we will at least see Ridgid & RYOBI for quite some time at good old Orange & white.

Jake

[imported_ChrisinMD]

I was looking at some Ridgid planer knives today. New orange packaging. On the back it stated Orange and Grey color scheme on Ridgid tools is a trademark of the Ridge Tool Co of ..(forget the city). Sounds like they still control the product, but like most companies nowadays find it cheaper and more efficient to outsource the production. If done correctly it can be a good thing. When dealing with manufacturing in another country (China or Taiwan) most big manufactures keep strict control on the manufacturing quality. Co's such as Delta maintain QC people there. Delta actually bought a manufacturing plant in Taiwan but still outsource almost all the components and mostly just assemble there. So it really goes on in all the companies right down to the manufacuter of the nuts and bolts.

If HD markets these tools correctly and doesn't do what Sears did and try and cheapen the tools at every corner to try and squeezae every penny out of the name it can be good. Huge distribution network where just about anyone can get their hands on TS, BS or whatever. Keep the good reviews in the tool mags coming. Sponsor some shows, they can maintain a decent product for a fair price. Not that I think they will think that far ahead. Its all about making the $ today,not tomorrow,
Chris

[Woodndust]

I just returned from the International Home builders trade show in Las Vegas. Happen to be going thru the Ridgid booth when some very important Home Depot people showed up. Easy to tell they were big wigs by the reception and butt kissing that was happening. I did talk to one and asked if they were going to do away with any brands in favor of Ridgid. They said not unless their competion does. The Ridgid line they feel is as good as anything out there in its price. They feel this will bring pleased customers back to them. Sounds like they are trying to copy what Sears did with Craftsman.