This time of year, I shift into “deal post mode” for the holiday shopping season. Now’s a good time for me to ask for suggestions.
What kinds of tool deals are YOU looking for?
I usually follow my instincts, and I also look for deals I know will be popular with readers, based on previous years’ experiences and anonymous logs. I will usually have a list of tool deals I’m looking for, for myself and from requests.
This is an opportunity to ask for requests, but that’s not what this post is about.
Here, I wanted to remind you about our Amazon discounted tool search widget.
I used to use it a lot, but these days it’s more of a game to me. I scout out some discounted tool deals, add them to my cart, determine at what price I’d want to buy it at, and then watch to see what happens.
I added a couple of items to my cart the other day. One item, of which there is just one left, is a high-ticket item that’s extremely low priced for what it is. Another item, a ratchet and socket set, was approaching “ridiculous pricing” territory, but when I checked today someone had bought it.
Amazon’s search results are so much more cluttered now than when I first coded that discounted search widget, but you can still find some incredible deals if you put in the time to look.
Here’s an example:
This is a Mitutoyo 0-0.5″ caliper gauge, model 209-790. It’s used to compare tubing wall thickness, and things like that.
At Amazon, they have one left, and it’s priced at $63.12. Other retailers are selling it for around $262. A $200 discount?! Sounds good, if this is something you could use.
I searched for “calipers USA” in my Amazon widget with a set discount of 70%.
The Amazon widget can be found in the bottom menu of all ToolGuyd pages.
Sometimes the search results are cluttered and you’ve got to use added filters on the Amazon site to help narrow things down.
This is an American Hammer model AM10BRWG sledge hammer. It’s priced at $168 to $200 at online retailers. Amazon has it priced at $51.80 right now.
Why? Because it’s not selling fast enough and they want to get it off the shelf. They know that people like me check their carts everyday for meaningful price drops.
This is a more than 2-foot long 10 lb brass head and wood-handled sledge hammer. It’s ranked number 2,309,292 in tools and home improvement, and number 823 in dead blow hammers.
Here is a Williams 41pc basic service tool set, model WSC-41. Sure, it might seem a bit pricey at the current price of $137.75 on Amazon, but it’s a couple of hundred dollars more at other dealers, with $314 being the next-lowest price I could find.
This Ergodyne Arsenal leather-bottom tool bucket is priced at $38.12 at Amazon, with 3 left. Home Depot looks to be matching the price, which could be some kind of automatic algorithm. All other sellers have it for $88 to $100 and up.
This Makita 18V cordless impact wrench is $160 and eligible for added $25 discount. Most other vendors have it at $189. CPO is matching the $160 price.
Like I said, random tool deals, and you have to hunt for them.
I figured it’s worth a reminder – maybe you’ll find something that perfectly meshes with one of your current tool needs or wants.
What’s the best deal you could find?
