HD discontinuing display of large tools

[kramer katt]

Since sunday have seen larger power tools, table saws, BS etch in various places at the local Borg. Today I finally asked about this and if it means there is any price cut off posted regular prices. Salesman explained new policy and stated that the display models left were 25% off list price. I was thinking on the Rigid 14'' BS at about $260 but looked like too many missing parts. TS3650 was already gone and BT3100 as well. Still had 6'' joiner and floor DP along with about 2 dozen smaller tools. This was at Torrance CA
kk

[dwolsten]

So they're not going to display their tools any more? Sounds like another "brilliant" move by HD management. Why would I buy a tool there if I can't even see it before I buy it?

Seems like HD is doing all it can to lose marketshare to Lowe's.

[Stick]

My sentiments exactly! Like I would drop my hard earned bucks on something I can't see? What goes through their collective minds? Same thing that is the last thing to go through a bug's mind when he hits a windshield?

[Coolmeadow Creations]

It would be one thing if they had the best price on something, and that you could see it somewhere else, like buying on the internet. But who else has the Ridgid tools??? Makes no sense at all. Hopefully someone at that store misread the directive. Jim.

[kwgeorge]

Well there is another thought about that though. Buying something based on a BORG display would amaze me. I currently own the Ridgid Band Saw, Table Saw and now Joiner. I bought these all for several reasons but certainly not based on the displays. A good example is the Joiner I just purchased. At the BORG the display was in terrible condition what with missing parts, improperly assembled and layers of dirt and rust. If it were not for other people owning this machine both on the forums and local friends I don’t know if I would have taken the chance on this. With that though I can’t help but wonder how much more the BORG could sell if they were to take care of the display models and put someone in the tool crib with a clue. They BORG doing away with display models would not surprise me as floor space in such a place is premium and God knows they could display more crap product without those large machines taking up space. But if they do they will probably sell even less of them but one also has to consider how many of these types of tools do the sell per month versus the smaller ones.

I don’t think an action like this would stop Ridgid from maintaining its exclusive contract with the BORG as it has got to be nice to have your tools in all those stores and you know they sell a lot of the smaller ones. My worry is that a decision like this could make Ridgid stop making the bigger tools due to lack of sales and instead becoming more focused on the quick sell items.

Ken

[kramer katt]

I did not ask much of the particulars but from looking they seemed to be keeping out tools on display like CMS,s and small bench saws (BT10) and axing anything larger. Don't know any connection but this particular HD has a Lowes opening in a couple months across the street and they have been busy adding a pretty large area to display kitchen appliances near the cabinet display.
BTW
the contractors desk at HD has always had large tools on special order such as the Delta contractors saw so they may be basing this on some sales history there. And we bargain hunters can hope for a few canceled orders that end up in the clearance bin due to customers changing their mind.
kk

[ironhat]

I, for one, DID buy based upon the floor display. I was able to stand at the saw and operate the Herc-U-Lift system and I was sold. I now have the TS, Jointer and BS. In truth, if Cummins hadn't come through town this weekend and had their 'recertified' BS selling for $250 I would still be thinking about it. I was just pondering Ken's comment about the premium floor space taken up by the large equipment and the carpet rolls on a revolving rack came to mind; why couldn't they do the same with the larger tools and have a sales person rotate the equipment around. Of course there would have to appropriate safeguards on the machines to prevent falling. Just a thought.
Later,
Chiz

[hpark2]

Talking about carpet rolls and large tools.

Do NOT worry about them falling!!

In Korea or Japan, they do that with cars!

Same principle, space is at the premium, just get the cars in the elevator looking system (in essense, same thing as the rolling carpet or their wire displays), park your car inside, then take your card and leave. when you come back, put your card into the slot, then your car will magically roll into the correct spot (rather like a large ferris wheels I guess)

If they can safely do that with cars, then they can do that with tools.

[cwsmith]

I must admit that the floor display is still a key to looking over the big tools. Generally, that's a lot of money to slap down, sight unseen.

But, I do have to agree that most BORGs don't have a clue as how to do that. In both stores that I have visited, (Binghamton and Corning, NY) the tools are sort of shoved together in one small space. At least the Binghamton store has some sense of organization, but in the Corning store it looks like they just used a front end loader to sweep everything into a pile... with some tools in the middle that you can't possibly reach. In most all cases though, the tools are broken, missing pieces, and rather dirty and in some cases corroded.

They complain that there's simply no room, but this summer they built a rather nice 2-story building for "show" that sits empty in the parking lot. If I were "king", I'd set up a Ridgid/Ryobi shop on the first floor and a PC and Dewalt shop on the second. But I suppose that wouldn't be logical.

But, my local HD (Corning) just seems to be like that. They put all their gas grills together and line them up in front of the store in late April, early May... like I really want to pay top $ for one of those after it's been in the weather for three months? Same with the lawnmowers. And of course they couldn't understand why I didn't want to buy one of their hand trucks that was covered in pidgeon sh!t, My local HD is also good for dented appliances, and tow-motor bashed lumber.

CWS

[ryan.s]

I understand that HD employees don't have a clue when it comes to assembling the display models but it's always nice to see and feel the tool before you buy it. Keeping in mind it's probably not put together well I can still see the quality of the machining of parts, what parts are made from what and so on. I use my judgement to determine if a tool has problems based on the poor assembly or if it's a deeper problem which has nothing to do with how it's assembled.

[UK2TX2CA]

I like to see HD's floor displays...so I can see what will break off!

The store at Gilroy, CA has so many items with handles and knobs broken its amazing they ever sell anything.

[gonesailing]

Problem with liability

For what it is worth, I was talking to one of the HD people that was doing demos at the local Borg. He told me that they were going to have to clear out most of the tools because someone managed to hurt themselves on one and of course sued HD. HD's response seems to be to remove them from where people can play with them and hurt themselves.

I don't know if this is the reason, and if it is I don't like it, but I can see HD's point of view.

Mike L

[Andrew Benedetto]

The way I see it is that selling appliances and kitchen cabs., install services is more $ for them than the margins on power tools. They are moving away from the DIY woodworker market. I shop ther very little now, and use the internet. I think that HD is worse than Lowes now overall.

[SHADOWFOX]

I think that HD is worse than Lowes now overall.

You got that right! If you look at the last two quarter earnings, lowes blew HD away. Lowes is really taking a bite out of HD's and Menard's market share.

I try to stick with buying powertools online mainly with Amazon with the exception of the most recent bandsaw purchase (SEARS).. But sometimes when I need the stuff right away I do still go to homedepot.. If I can find it at menards or ace then I go to those because they are cheaper than hd or lowes. I don't go to Lowes because they have the highest price out of all three unless they have some good stuff on clearance.

[430752]

Ahh the lawyers....

Let's shoot all the lawyers!

they were going to have to clear out most of the tools because someone managed to hurt themselves on one and of course sued HD.

But, before we turn this into an anti-lawyer thing, I'd first point out that it is the juries which give the verdicts, the damages, etc. Everyone blames the lawyers, but its a jury of our peers that renders the decision. So, who's the jerk here, the lawyer who tried to bring a b.s. suit over spilt hot coffee, or the jury of your neighbors, your kids' teachers, the local grocery store clerk, etc. that ruled in favor of the idiot who sued? And not only ruled in favor, but gave a way high damage amount?

Okay, with that in mind, bash away at the lawyers.

curt j.