Avoid Paying Full Price for Tools – Maybe Wait Until the Holidays

We are now between seasons, essentially resulting in a deals dead zone. Be careful when buying new cordless power tools, tool boxes, or other gear that’s often deeply discounted for the winter holiday season.

If you need to buy a tool right now, take a look at retailers’ return and price matching periods.

Holiday deals typically kick off at the start of November, but in recent years some have gone live a little earlier, in late October.

New bundles and promotions tend to be released between September and October.

For example, this new Milwaukee 60pc Packout-compatible Shockwave impact-rated power tool accessory set just hit multiple retailers’ online catalogs. It’s priced at $140, and I am 99.9% certain the price is going to be much lower less than 8 weeks from now.

Do NOT buy this now. Home Depot says they have 15 available for delivery, and online retailers say it’ll start shipping at the start of November.

Many typically promo-priced cordless power tools, such as the Dewalt 20V Max Atomic series DCF794D1 cordless drill kit, reverted to their “was” pricing. Again, I’m 99.9% certain – baring any unforeseen supply issues or other developments – it’ll be $99 again in November. It’s $159 right now.

The holiday season will bring promo pricing, maybe coupon codes and “buy more, save more” discounts, and also deal bundles.

Holiday season “buy this, get a cordless power tool, battery, or accessory for free” promotions are hugely popular, and offer a way to save money on tools and related products that are rarely discounted by themselves.

If you plan to buy modular tool boxes, WAIT.

The suggestion is the same whether you’re looking to buy into your first system, or want to expand your current kit.

Unless you need something immediately, or found a deal that’s competitive with holiday sales and promos, wait a couple of weeks and then go shopping.

At this time, I am aware of a couple of new developments in the modular tool box space, the biggest being the imminent launch of a new Makita tool box system.

Shown here is a red-for-teal color-swapped image of a Milwaukee Packout tool chest with a couple of tool boxes on top.

From leaked images of Makita’s sales flyer, it has been confirmed that this is approximately what Makita’s new tool box system will look like – an extra-large chest (similar in size to Packout’s) with large and medium (regular size) tool boxes and organizers.

It will take a lot to convince me that Makita’s “next generation in modular storage systems” tool boxes can go head to head with Milwaukee Packout or Dewalt ToughSystem, but if you’re already waiting for holiday deals on tool boxes, first-time buyers might as well also check out the Makita.

The bottom line is this – if you don’t need a tool or equipment immediately, waiting a little bit might save you a lot of money.

Paying full price in September or October is very likely to lead to buyer’s remorse.

One of the exceptions to this would be outdoor power tool products. We might see deals on leaf blowers, chainsaws, and other fall cleanup tools and equipment, and certain tools like lawnmowers might go on clearance to make space for snowblowers and other next-season items.