Is Home Depot OK?

bob14-0

Talked to a Senco rep yesterday about framing guns and he gave me a lot of useful information in terms of nail applications and of choosing a gun.

But he also mentioned that I should buy from an authorized dealer at a lumber yard and not at one of the big box stores; he stated this emphatically!


Anybody have any insights into this, could there be any difference? Isn't a Senco a Senco wherever youb purchase it?

Bob

genecarp

no, not neccesarily, second, repacks, rebuilds

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Ed the Roofer

Also home owners grade and professional grade.

Plastic parts versus metal gears.

Plastic cases versus rigid steel cases.

Other little things you would not typically notice, but I am not sure when the Model #'s are identical.

Also, maybe he just doesn't like the Big Boxes and prefers to support the actual dealer network which has to charge a bit higher due to lower volume, but needs to remain viable and stay in business.

Ed

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TileLady

I have read that many manufacturers of tools (and many other home improvement items) design and make products specifically for the big box stores. As Ed said, that may mean a lower quality product.

Personally I have purchased most of my work tools (with the exception of tile saws,etc.) from Home Depot and Lowes and haven't had any problems with them. And I'm pretty abusive with my tools considering I use them on a daily basis.

One big advantage to buying in the big box stores for tools is their generous return policy. At an authorized dealer, etc. it's pretty much a given there will be a restocking fee at the very least.

Quiglag

It is probably because HD doesn't carry their full line. If you do a search on homedepot.com you can see that most of their senco products are available online only.

Check your yellow pages for a tool store in your area.

I must be lucky because I have a big tool store a couple miles away that has a 20% off sale twice a year. I buy most of my tools then. They are also an authorize repair place for just about every manufacture. I also have a place called 3D fasteners that is even closer, that sells only nail guns and adhesives. On the same street as 3D, there is a Hilti store, and a DeWalt/PorterCable/Delta repair/store.

*edit* A quick check on senco's website finds a dealer in your area.

LMC/Big L Lmbrld #49300

520 N Clinton
Grand Ledge, MI 48822

Phone: 517-627-8484

chris klee

not necessarly for a store specificaly, but alot of companies make a special "departmant store" model that is lesser quality and price. companies like Dewalt, Hilti, John Deer, licoln, ect.

jiffy

As an example Dewalt has different model numbers on certain tools in Home Depot and Lowe's.

Makita and Bosch do not do this from what I have found.

Just make sure you pay attention to model numbers.

KillerToiletSpider

That isn't true for Hilti, you don't buy Hilti tools at Home Despair, you buy them from Hilti through Home Despair. The Hilti reps at Home Despair stores work for Hilti.

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WarnerConstInc.

Its hard to buy some of the Hilti stuff, I tried to go into a Hilti store in Indy and the lady said if I didnt have an account I couldnt buy any thing. Well ok red tool nazi!!! No Hilti for you!

KentWhitten

we've talked about this before and I still call BS. If the model # is exactly the same at HD as the one at the reseller, then it is built exactly the same.

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bob14-0

Exactly - how could a manufacturer sell a great product to one business and a sub-par to another, it doesn't make sense. Wish I had asked the Senco rep why I should avoid Home Depot and the like.

Bob

Tom R

Then again, - - on the flip side, - - the more 'generous' the return policy, - - the better the odds that the next guy (or gal) is paying full price for tools that have been returned.

TempestV

Dewalt makes a line of homeowner grade tools that are sold at the box stores. These tools are clearly different than their higher grade tools. They have considerably fewer features, and are less powerful. For example, the homeowner grade sawzall doesn't have a keyless blade clamp, is physically smaller, and draws half the amperage of their professional grade saw. I don't know if build quality is dropped as well. As far as I know though, their professional grade tools aren't watered down for sale at box stores.

WarnerConstInc.

I just ordered Makitas twin stack air compressor from HD, the only place close I could find it, and if it is messed up I can easily take it back. They are like wal mart they take anything back!!!

mrghm

over here in aust hilti has there own shops, if i walk in there with no hilti account i will pay 100% retail price, even through i have a medium sized contracting company.

a big nation wide building company gets the tools for free, but pays 120% for its fastners.

i have a few hilti tools but i brought them at the hilti 3 day sale which is on once a year, the ones i got where being sold at less 70%, so i got great tools for a bargin price.

firemike

Just an FYI - Hilti pulled out of most of the Home Depots around here (Metro Detroit.) I talked to a rep and he said they didn't make enough money to justify staying, specifically stating that contractors would often bypass the Hilti tools for the Milwaukee or Bosch. I told him Home Depot is not "contractor friendly" anyway, at least when I walk in to my regular tool wholesaler, they are willing to deal of offer some incentive such as free blades. bits, etc. Hilti never was unless your on their "A" list.

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mickeyco

Quote:

Is Home Depot OK?

No!

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Kaabi

Why isn't Home Depot good? I think they have well-priced products. I personally get a lot of stuff from http://www.thehardwarecity.com because the products there are exceptionally cheap, but I occasionally visit brick-and-mortar businesses if I want some one-on-one salesperson interaction.

rservices

I've been told that if the models numbers are the same they are the same tool.

I think one of the reasons that the box stores have different model numbers is so they don't have to price match.

They will argue that they will match and deduct 10% more on exact matches only

orson

Home Depot would much rather all of us be working for them for nothing so they can make all the profits from all the building materials and all the contracting. Is that a good enough reason?

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