Where are the bargains?

[Bushmaster]

Just curious as to why traffic has really slowed on this site. Is everyone still in shock from the Sears debacle, or are there not any true bargains out there to be found? Could be that its that time of year, and the bargains will start flowing closer to Thanksgiving. Anyway, hope stuff starts showing up again so I can buy some more stuff I probably won't use until the Spring

[final_t]

Depending on how the housing market the us dollar vs the rest of the world goes, you might start seeing some deals around then, but at the same time, I can also fully expect prices to jump up in order for the manufactures to wring out more profit.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Just curious as to why traffic has really slowed on this site. Is everyone still in shock from the Sears debacle, or are there not any true bargains out there to be found? Could be that its that time of year, and the bargains will start flowing closer to Thanksgiving. Anyway, hope stuff starts showing up again so I can buy some more stuff I probably won't use until the Spring

Did I miss something?

[SteveK2]

Did I miss something?

Sure did.....see here.....
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=33519

[BrazosJake]

They come and go.

The Lowes closeout on Bies & Unifences was a good un.

[herb fellows]

If anyone has a need for the bn125a Pc 18 gauge 1 1/4" nail gun, it's at TOOLZONE, an ebay express seller, for $49.00. This is eligible for a $15.00 PC rebate until Dec 31, bringing it down to $34. Free shipping also.

[Knottscott]

It's hard to know for sure why traffic has been slow, but the weather's been condusive for shop time all over the country, so hopefully lots of folks are making dust with all those bargains they've been picking up.

...I am suffering some "bargain" withdrawal symptoms though! ...need my next fix!

[messmaker]

It has been slow. I actually have money in the old "Tool Fund".

[Alex Franke]

The slow-down came at a good time for me -- I narrowly avoided the dreaded "Let's keep an eye on our internet purchases" talk from "the boss".

[mpauly]

It's also the beginning of the quarter. Most sales come towards the end of the quarter when companies are trying to boost their numbers.

[mater]

First month in a long time that I didn't owe something on my credit card. They probably will call to see if something is wrong.

[glenns5900]

I'm definately worried. The Woodworking Shows will be in Denver the end of November. I may have to leave my credit cards at home. It don't hurt to look but dang if I don't end up buying at least $100 worth of stuff that I "Think" I need anyway.

[gwyneth]

According to several expensive sources of business news, normal (i.e., excess) Christmas inventory stock ordered months ago is flowing through the pipeline and is just about to start piling up because slower sales of regular inventory means both no space and restricted cash flow to pay for the already ordered stuff.

The really interesting part of these forecasts is that the number of cancelled orders to distributors and wholesalers is rising, meaning that those further up the sales chain have started scrambling to get others lower in the chain to take them.

That's going to produce a lot of "we were able to get only 100 XRQ-Spiffomatics at this price, so get your order in" deals.

It will also ripple into promotions designed to boost cash flow so those retailers can pay for the 100 XRQ-Spiffomatics.

So take heart, the bargain slowdown now means more cash to pay for the deals that are going to start cascading in the next couple of weeks.

And if there's one thing more annoying than missing a bargain, it's getting something at a pretty good price the month before it starts being offered at an unbelievably good price.

[Uncle Cracker]

That's going to produce a lot of "we were able to get only 100 XRQ-Spiffomatics at this price, so get your order in" deals.

Been wanting to move up from my old manual Spiffo... Maybe now is the time...

[gwyneth]

That's going to produce a lot of "we were able to get only 100 XRQ-Spiffomatics at this price, so get your order in" deals.

Been wanting to move up from my old manual Spiffo... Maybe now is the time...

Also, some manufacturers, trying to resist price cuts or anything that translates into less cash in, will help distributors offer packages and combinations.

So when you look for your Spiffo replacement, you may find SpiffLifts, SpeeDeeSpiffs, JiffeeSpiffs and other accessories packaged with the Spiffomatic in an attempt to convince consumers to part with the same price they would formerly pay for the tool alone.

Of course, the bottom-basement deals for consumers will come after Christmas when those with money and or willpower to wait will be able to scoop up the value-added packages discounted by an even higher amount than the distributors and manufacturers had hoped to avoid with the combinations.

However, some analysts believe that tool prices at big retailers who sell other stuff (read, Sears and Home Depot) may not follow that pattern. Somewhat different reasons for each--but the theory is that the depressed housing market will encourage DIY sales (to both those who can't buy so will remodel and stay, and those who can't sell, so will improve and hope it helps).

Sears, these analysts think, will resist discounting tool sales to make up for greater slumps in sales of its other goods. HD will resist discounting and, if necessary, sit on inventory until (and unless) first and perhaps second quarter 2008 sales and profits adversely affect its stock.