With 69% of Americans and roughly 2 billion people worldwide shopping online, the range of power tools you can purchase on the internet has never been more diverse.
If youre a small contractor or if youre simply looking to buy quality power tools at the right price, you need to know how to navigate the world of online shopping for power tools.
This article is here to help you.
Check the Tool Communities for RecommendationsLets say youre looking for a new cordless drill, and youre open to all options. Where would you start?
Well, social media communities and forums specialized in power tools can be a great source of information.
As you can see below, Google will provide a multitude of results that can get you started.
For example, the Tools in Action forum, the first one in Google search results, will give you plenty of information on any topic related to power tools.
Now lets say you want to narrow down your search to what forum members think are the best cordless brands.
With such a wide range of power tool brands, you might get an answer like this:
However, scrolling through the comments will usually give you more specific answers like this:
You can try to find the best cordless drill for you on several specialized forums and see what brands show up most frequently. You might even stumble upon a hidden gem of advice from a seasoned professional.
What is certain is that the recommendations and considerations youll read will help you narrow down your choices.
Forums can also provide customer complaints and recall info. Complaints will alert you to any recurring issues that a particular power tool encountered in the past.
As for recalls, its wise to check if the product in question was recalled for safety issues. Like this chainsaw that can turn on unexpectedly.
Source: CPSCAs you can see, this chainsaw was recalled in January because it would turn on accidentally when plugged in or keep running even when the switch is off.
Although some companies like DeWalt have a Safety notices and recalls page, its best to check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSC) website, where all product recalls are published.
To make a long story short, checking the tool communities for recommendations can point you in the right direction, provide useful information, and even warn you about potential issues.
Read the ReviewsThe most well-known brands are popular for a reason. They have been around for a while, and the manufacturers have had the time to master their tool-making skills.
In the case of less-known brands, you might be suspicious of their quality. But a no-name brand doesnt have to mean poor quality.
Whichever way you decide to go, its always recommended to read the reviews.
For starters, there are many sites that review and compare different power tools like, for instance, Pro Tool Reviews or Tool Inspector.
They can provide guidance on the matters that interest you. However, they often review only the most famous brands, so if youre looking for a belt sander, the results look like this.
As you can see, the top 3 choices in this example include just two brands, both of which are among the top 10 power tool brands in the world.
So, if youre considering a no-name brand, this will require a little more digging to find relevant comparisons and reviews. Some manufacturers sites also have reviews, so it might be useful to also read those.
Whether a brand is established or not, one of the best sources for reviews is, unsurprisingly, Amazon.
Here are a couple of reviews for a Makita belt sander, the No. 1 sander to buy according to the above list.
However, it often pays to scroll a little further down and see if the users have reported any problems.
For example, this belt sander (the one the reviewer actually bought, not necessarily the whole product line) might have some issues with frequent belt replacement, as you can see here.
In conclusion, arm yourself with some patience, read the reviews from several different sites, and youll be much better equipped to buy a power tool that best fits your needs.
Know Where to LookJust like with the tool communities and reviews, narrowing down where you will look for your new power tool can also play a role in deciding which one to buy.
When online purchases are concerned, this power tool market analysis gives good clues about where to look.
In their analysis of power tool sales in the first quarter of , Traqline says that 27% of shoppers purchased their tools online.
However, we should also count online sales made by usual brick-and-mortar stores. For instance, Home Depot sold 19% of power tools online in the same period.
So, your online purchase choices should include all available options.
As for online retailers, here are just a few. Most of them offer free shipping for some items or above a certain purchase amount:
and many others.
When looking for a good deal, you might also follow some or all of them on social media. This will keep you informed about the best discount offers. For example:
Here are a few more suggestions from tool forums as to where to do your online shopping.
Alternatively, if you already know exactly which tool you need, you can google it and check out the top results.
Also, if youre buying 10, 20, or 100 power tools at once, its worth visiting the selected manufacturers site and asking for a bundle deal or discount.
All in all, knowing which online retailers are most popular and offer the best deals can go a long way in informing your choice.
Test the Tool in StoreAnother way to go about finding the right power tool(s) is to first test it in a store, and then look for online purchasing options.
This will give you a chance to see or even try a tool in real life, while online shopping can often get you a better deal.
This isnt how the purchasing process usually goes for a lot of professionals.
In fact, this Finnish study found that professional contractors usually buy their tools from large retail chain stores but get their information from online sources and industry advisors before committing to a purchase.
However, this process may be reversed. You can start at a store that offers a wide variety of power tools and, even better, in-store trials. Like this Acme Tools store does.
They also boast a very helpful staff, meaning you can ask for professional advice to help you select the right tools.
As youre browsing, look above your eye level for higher-quality tools, feel how each item sits in your hand, and try it out if possible.
After youve found the perfect tool, you can buy it on the spot or take some time to evaluate other options online for the same equipment.
If you can find the same tool online cheaper, why not use this opportunity and save some money?
Testing the tool in-store can be a very good method for choosing power tools. Although it starts offline, it gives you hands-on experience when buying online.
Stick To Established Brand NamesIf youre a professional, you should stick to established brand names because theyre less likely to break down in the middle of the project and cause costly delays.
Although some no-name brands can provide quality, most professionals rely on well-known tool brands.
There are plenty to choose from, many of which are described in this article by Pro Tool Reviews.
Why do they go for known brand names?
First, because its their livelihood. If a tool fails, their income might be affected. And quality brands are less likely to fail because theyre made from higher quality materials. This also means they can withstand harder working conditions.
In the case of cordless tools, their batteries usually run longer and/or come with an additional battery pack.
And, since the tool will be used professionally and frequently, you need assurance the tools youre buying are of high quality and that youll have access to spare parts and servicing.
With competitive price and timely delivery, LONG ZHUO sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Known brands will provide all the above. Whats more, such tools usually come with longer-term warranties.
In short, theres a host of reasons why brand names are the safer and more worthwhile way to go.
When it comes to numbers, well use Traqlines market analysis again.
According to it, the brands that have been steadily increasing their share in the power tool market are DeWalt, Milwaukee and Ryobi.
Before deciding on a brand, you could even follow this Reddit recommendation:
Of course, quality power tools also need proper maintenance. If you want to learn more about properly caring for your power tools, you can do so here.
In conclusion, professionals predominantly choose established power tool brands because they offer a safer bet that their construction sites are going to keep running smoothly.
Be Aware of Shipping CostsIn recent years, free shipping above a certain price has become a standard. So, nothing to worry about there, right? Well, not exactly.
According to recent statistics, 48% of all online shopping cart abandonments occur because of high extra costs.
So, the first thing to remember is theres no such thing as free shipping.
Somebody will always pay for itwhether its you (most likely) who pays for it as part of the retail price or additional costs, the manufacturer (likely), or the retailer (least likely).
That said, lets say you searched and found a great deal for the power tool you wanted.
Overjoyed with the offered mega-discount, you click on Add to Cart to start the ordering process.
After a few steps, the website shows you the actual price of your discounted power tool, and for that price, you could buy not one, but two.
What happened?
Well, to be able to offer such a deal and attract customers, the retailer probably reduced the price by excluding shipping costs and charging them to you in the checkout process.
Thats why shipping can sometimes be more expensive than the offered discount.
You should also watch out for (even if the shipping is free) extra fees charged for various delivery options you select during checkout.
These can include things such as order tracking, expedited shipping, priority order processing, special handling charges, or minimum purchase requirements.
So, how to avoid high shipping costs?
Many retailers offer free in-store or curbside pick-ups where you can order the products online and pick them up at the store of your choice.
Sometimes within hours of placing the order.
Or you can even find offers like this.
Hence, being aware of shipping costs can save you money in the same way discounts do. You just have to know that the price of your power tool is often not the price youll ultimately pay for it.
Plan AheadDid you know that, according to the North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS), 55% of Americans own at least five power tools, while 23% own twice as much?
And mid-sized or large construction companies might own hundreds or even thousands of power tools. Thats where planning ahead comes in.
So, this last section is intended mostly for contractors or firms that operate on multiple construction sites and need to plan their procurement of power tools to avoid project delays and injuries.
To do so, professionals need to know what power tools they have, how many of each are in their possession, and when those tools should undergo maintenance or be replaced with new ones.
With that in mind, larger contractors usually have some kind of an inventory system or, even better, tool tracking software. Below is a screenshot of GoCodes software with a list of tools and available filters.
Tool tracking solutions will not only keep your inventory up-to-date but also provide valuable information about what power tools are the most used in your business.
In addition to simplifying tool maintenance, such solutions will provide info on what power tools are most frequently in need of repair so that you can plan their replacement or go for another more robust brand.
One such solution, which is both affordable and easy-to-use, is our tool tracking software GoCodes.
Using patented QR code tags and smartphone scanning, it will let you know instantly which tools youre operating with and in what condition they currently are.
Having this info will allow you to plan your procurement and order new tools on time. When purchases are not urgent, you can even wait for the best time to buy them.
And when is that?
Well, in the usual period from Thanksgiving to Christmas. However, the biggest discounts can often be found right after this period when retailers are trying to boost their after-holiday sales.
Hence, the ability to track power tools will give you the data for planning ahead, allowing you to preserve your companys productivity and save money at the same time.
ConclusionAs in the above section, its clear that buying power tools online also calls for some forward planning.
Whether youll first read the reviews, check out forums or test different tools in-store, we hope this guide will help you find your way to the best power tools and best deals in this vastly diverse online shopping world.
If youre not using power tools professionally, it can be difficult to separate the difference between quality and garbage. If youre buying new power tools and overwhelmed by the options, we have some tips just for you. When youre done reading this, check out our buying guides to help you choose specific tools.
Its perfectly understandable that you like the Florida Gators (its a little less understandable if youre an FSU fan but to each their own). Please dont buy a power tool just because its blue and orange. Thats just dye in the tool plastic and it wont do anything for the performance and durability.
Cordless tools are incredibly convenient and make many projects easier. You dont need everything to be cordless, though. When youre looking at miter saws, table saws, high-power grinders, and other tools, dont be afraid to buy corded or pneumatic. While professional tradesmen often gain a great benefit from cutting the cord, most DIYers and occasional users are better off spending the money to get a more refined corded version.
If still need convincing, there are a ton of corded and pneumatic power tools on professional jobsites all over the country.
Consider what you need your tools to do. If youre going to remodel and do your own plumbing rough-in, a 12V drill isnt going to run a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit through studs. Make sure youre buying the right tool with high enough performance for the job.
On the other hand, that same 12V drill we just talked about is great for a wide range of projects around your home and for lighter professional work. Even our Pro team prefers to use lighter, more compact tools whenever they can. While you need to make sure you have enough performance, you dont always need the biggest or strongest one available.
There are some outstanding warranty programs out there. Brands such as Flex and Milwaukee offer 5 years, Ridgid has a lifetime service agreement, and Metabo HPT has a lifetime warranty on their lithium-ion tools but you need to register them to get the warranty service in most cases. Many registrations are online now. If you need to send in your reciept, be sure to take a photo of it first, just in case.
Many major power tool brands sell on Amazon and you can get some excellent deals on quality tools. Not all great brands sell through the online giant, though. Ryobi and Ridgid are Home Depot exclusives, Hart is a Walmart exclusive, and brands such as Stihl retail only through their dealer network.
Additionally, Amazon prices are constantly changing. Before you complete your purchase, check Acme Tools, Home Depot, Lowes, Ohio Power Tool, or other reputable retailers to see if they have a better price.
Its possible to buy Milwaukee products on Amazon. The problem is that there are NO authorized retailers on Amazon (including Prime) and the sellers are constantly being shut down. Even if you get a legitimate tool or battery instead of a knock-off, its ineligible for Milwaukees 5-year warranty. Youre better off buying from an authorized dealer.
Milwaukee isnt the only brand that doesnt have an authorized Amazon dealer, but it seems to be a bigger problem for them than others.
If youre looking at buying into a cordless system, make sure it has all of the power tools you anticipate youre going to need. Some lines cover a few core tools and thats it. Theres nothing wrong with having multiple brands, but the more you can stay on one platform, the less you need to spend on additional batteries and the more convenient your tools are to work with.
We hear from people who swear theyve never had an issue using knock-off batteries or battery adapters to save some money. We dont recommend it, though. The cost of new original manufacturer batteries can hurt, but they are guaranteed and are designed with electronic communications that safeguard the tool, battery, and charger. While there might be a relatively low number of catastrophic failures each year, were not willing to risk burning down our shop or house with batteries that lack the proper design.
Theres nothing wrong with being loyal to a brand, especially if they do a great job of taking care of you. Some folks take it too far and try to convince you that only their brand is worth buying while trashing other ones. The truth is that its rare for a reputable brand to make a bad tool, but you can put a good tool in the wrong situation.
We group tools into 3 main categories: DIY, prosumer, and professional to help you understand where it fits. Try to use a Black and Decker impact driver on a commercial jobsite and its going to hinder your progress. Its a DIY tool. If you put that same tool in the hands of a homeowner with a few repairs to make and its a fantastic fit.
What are some other mistakes tool buyers should avoid? Let us know in the comments below!
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