It’s officially the start of the holiday deal season, which means a significant uptick in tool deals coverage.
Every year there’s one or two readers that write in about how much deal coverage there is.
This year, Bob’s the first to say something:
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out of 20 posts currently on your front page, 16 are about sales at other retailers that you are promoting, 3 are actual editorials, and 1 blurs the line and might as well be promoting a product.
I understand you have to make a dollar, but holy ****. What happened to the content!
So, here’s the thing. It’s *that* time of year again.
Come Black Friday and Cyber Monday, everyone is in a shopping frenzy and there are so many more questions than I can easily answer.
“Is [tool] on sale?” “Will [tool] be on sale?” “Is this year’s deal on [tool] better than last year’s?” “Can we expect a better promo?”
Answering these questions takes time.
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Then there are always the “[tool deal] is out of stock, how did I miss it?” emails.
So for deals like the Dewalt organizer special buy at Home Depot, it needs its own post as soon as it’s available.
“What drill bits are on sale?” Best Dewalt Drill Bit Deals for Black Friday 2023 answers the “what,” “where,” and hopefully “is it right for me?”
It literally takes all the time available to analyze everything – or at least as much as possible – in time before Thanksgiving, and it’s still not enough.
There’s a lot of work involved.
This isn’t about “making a dollar.” Frankly, I can do a lot less to earn a lot more.
Personally, I love this time of year – filtering out the money-saving deals from the “meh” is fun. I try to focus on the “ooh, I’d buy that!” deals, as well as the ones I know are high-interest.
I loved shopping for tool deals before ToolGuyd, and certainly still enjoy it now, 15 years later.
The only difference now is I’m doing it for others too, and not just myself.
There are always very few people saying “less tool deals” compared to the abundance of questions and requests I field this time of year asking for MORE.
When people ask “is this a good deal” or “will there be a deal on…”, those are specific requests. “Uch, too many tool deals” is a valid complaint, but you’re not exactly asking for something specific.
If you want a pizza but with no tomato sauce and no cheese, what do you want? Just crust? Hot sauce, fried chicken bites, and cheddar? Barbecue sauce, chicken, onions, and provolone? Speak up. “Too many deals” doesn’t tell me what you want.
If it’s up to me to guess, I’ll lean towards more popular content – tool deals are at the top of the list this time of year.
Keep in mind that I can see what’s interesting, impactful, and popular, and what’s not. Some people will voice their interests but most won’t. The silent majority will make their interests known via clicks and views.
Despite my best efforts, I can’t do it all. By the time Black Friday hits, there’s always list of “darn, I couldn’t get to it” analyses, roundups, and buying guides.
There won’t just be deal posts over the next 4 weeks, but the deals coverage will be front and rear-heavy. Once I get the most timely ones out of the way, there’s some breathing room, and then the last 1-1/2 weeks before Thanksgiving will be the busiest.
Here’s how many deals were tagged as holiday deals over the years:
2013: 21
2014: 43
2015: 70
2016: 77
2017: 82
2018: 78
2019: 115
2020: 109
2021: 79
2022: 4
There will be a couple more individual deal posts over the next week, and then I’ll shift to an indexing strategy that works better for future reference.
If you want my opinion on something that’s not going to be available for sale until say March 2024, there will be time for that – starting again in December, unless it’s relevant to readers’ near-future purchasing decisions.
This time of year I always set aside time for content other than deals, and it’s allocated based on relevance, timeliness, and reader interests and requests.
All of my testing right now is of timely tools, such as newly launched tools that will be widely available as special buys, high-impact comparisons, and similar.
A lot of readers are looking to buy tools over the next 4-5 weeks. Long-gone are the days when I can simply write out a bunch of links from an ad-scan the week before Thanksgiving.
If you don’t like reading about tool deals, skip those headlines or simply check back in December. Make a specific request – “I want to see more of… [fill in the blank],” and I can try to accommodate it.
And, to dispel the common complaint, NO, home centers’ “special buys” are not an attempt by tool brands and retailers to dump inventory. When 2,000 stores each have 50 of something in stock, plus an extra 4,000 in the warehouse for online fulfilment, that’s not an “inventory dump.”
Maybe there are exceptions to this, but it’s rare.
So Bob, I’m truly sorry that you’re unhappy about the holiday tool deal coverage. If you have an immediate interest or need, please let me know and I can try to work it in. If not, sit tight or check back the week after Thanksgiving. We go through the same cycle every year.
If anyone has a request, whether for a deal analysis, potential deal you’d like me to be on the lookout for, or for specific review, buying guide or related content, please let me know.
AP
#likeaboss Keep it up, Stuart, you’re doing it right!
Rog
I love this site year round, but ESPECIALLY this time of year! You do a lot of the hard holiday shopping work that we don’t have to. Thanks for what you do and keep up the awesome job!
John804
Absolutely! I’ve grown my useful tool collection so much, and saved so much money, through this site. Please keep up the good work!
Matt
Bob can pound sand.
Stuart
Well – no.
It’s important for someone to feel comfortable enough to say “hey – I’m not happy, here’s why.”
It’s just that this time of year there’s not much I can do. I have an extremely tight plan and really need “too many deals” feedback followed by “here’s what I want more of in between.”
LarryB
I’ve been looking at the Festool SP65. Is it worth the additional money over the Milwaukee sand pounder?
Never mind.
Luke
On paper the Festool wins, but I was already deep in the M18 lineup so I stuck with the Milwaukee for my sand pounding needs.
Chris I
Yeah I kind of sort of might possibly could agree. Bob sounds like he might be spending more time reading stuff on the Internet than out there using tools and building things if this is what gets him ruffled.
(I need someone to reply to me so I can test my follow-up comment emails!)
Stuart
That’s not exactly fair.
They have a point, it’s just not one I can do a lot about this time of year. at least not without more specific requests.
Chris I
IT WORKS, STUART!!!
Cheers buddy, thanks for the help. Now I gotta figure out how to get a notification every time you post a new article (not a daily summary email because if I don’t get today’s posts until tomorrow morning then I would miss out on Daily Deal posts).
Stuart
With the daily emails, they go out at 11am EST.
When I publish a deal of the day email after that, something I try hard to avoid, I will try my best to push out a second email.
It looks funny, as it will usually have a bunch of recent posts at once, but I figure it’s better than not including the most recent deal before it expires.
I don’t allow direct subscriptions via WordPress because 99% of subscribers ended up being scammers and spammers.
Jared
I don’t mind – and it’s rare that the deals ever pertain to me in Canada.
Do I wish I could have more news of exciting new tools or extended reviews? Of course! Toolguyd is great and I wish there was more of it. On the other hand, if there were a site with Canadian-specific tool deals I’d be all over that too.
Plus, every so often there’s a deal so good it IS worth the currency conversion and shipping cost for me to order it.
James
Spot on. Was reading this thinking how much we need a comparable Canadian website for the deals.
@Stuart wanna find time between holiday deals to launch a sister site? 😉
Stuart
Sorry, there’s not much I can do about Canadian deal coverage.
Joe
Sounds like you need to find a Canadian contributor eh? (I can’t help, I’m in New England… also, I kid)
Mr. C
Every company, every family has a “Bob”.
Stuart
I want to hear from the Bobs too.
There’s never such a thing as unhelpful feedback. It’s just that in this context there’s not much I can do given the majority interests.
BHS 1
Stuart, keep up the great work you’re doing. I look forward to your email each day to see what is happening in the hand tool and power tool world. I find your daily specials beneficial. As an example, yesterday you posted about HD sales specials, I ended up purchasing the 3 piece Milwaukee Packout that was on special for $219. Thank you for this awesome special that I would not have had time to uncover if it wasn’t for your daily updates.
Stuart
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Jerry
My only complaint about ToolGuyd listing so many tool deals is how much its gonna cost me by the end of the year
Stuart
Oh, that’s part of the fun!
For a couple of deals, here’s what runs through my mind: “this is too good to pass up!!” Sharing such deals relieves the personal feelings of “gotta get in on that!” Sometimes. I can’t always resist.
It’s strange – sharing about really good deals leads to a similar feeling as if I purchased them myself. Before ToolGuyd, I shared deals on forums.
Jerry
I get it but until I checked out your deals recently I didn’t even know I needed more Knipex pliers, or DW Drill bits or a plunge router, etc. At this rate Im gonna need more storage for all my new tools.
TMedina
This, in spades. I don’t even need more Knipex, and the last deal was just too good to pass up.
Monkey
Probably the exact same guys that lost their minds when they couldn’t understand and comprehend how the M&A world with tool business consolidation actually works 🙂
MKY
Stuart –
“If you want my opinion on something that’s not going ***to available*** for sale”…
Stuart
Thank you! Whoops, forgot a “be.”
Adam
To be fair, in retail, this is the time of year when you don’t have new products coming to market. Shelves have already been allocated shelf space, and new items aren’t popping up.
So while ToolGuyd might not be reporting as much news/content articles, there isn’t as much to be written about this time of year either.
Ed
Stuart, I love what you’re doing. I just adopted into the Flex line of tools, so I am watching for more deals there. And this happens to be a time where I’m outfitting my garage a bit, so keep the deal posts coming.
As for your reply to Bob, it was respectful as always.
Rodney
It’s just Bob doing Bob things.
Joe H
It’s always a Bob or Steve. I swear they have their own union. Bobs and Steves planted in every company, it’s a joint effort.
criketzchirping
My two cents- Keep up the good work, Stuart! Its my go to site for tool deals and reviews and “of general interest” tool news. On the other hand, do I wish there was more of what Bob’s asking for (i.e. more tool news)? Absolutely. However we are in the tool deal season and I sure appreciate someone who does my shopping for me and tells me what he finds twice a day. Its great not missing a flash sale or a steal from some of the more obscure shops. And since being subscribed to this, I don’t read any emails from any of those shops anymore because I know that if there’s anything worth while, I’ll find out in an hour or so anyway. So all in all, I say, Its great, Stuart, and keep up the good work!
Samuel VDot
I enjoy the Deals posts. Similar to the Milwaukee Hand Tools deals for $20 or less, I’d like one for any decent tools at Ace Hardware for $20 or less as I have about $5 credit expiring at the end of the month. I’m a first time homeowner with limited tools and my wife enjoys raised beds on our patio, so anything useful would be appreciated.
John E
Over the years Stuart, you’ve saved me a lot of money (I’m looking at you, Flir infrared camera) and also cost me a lot of money (I’m still looking at you, Flir camera). But I cant help checking in almost daily to see what’s going on. Keep it up!
Mike (that one)
This is my favorite time of year for ToolGuyd coverage. I doubt there is anyone in world who is better at sorting out the nonsense than Stuart, with so many variations even savvy tool buyers can get suckered this time of year. I have my credit cards crossed we might some M12 and M18 nailers go on sale, maybe the pruners too. Perhaps even some Forge battery promos. A man can only have so many drill and driver kits or so says my wife.
Renato Stumbras
Stuart, you go above and beyond and most of us are truly grateful.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Jason Young
So I just want to say, I agree with Bob about the number of posts.
See, I actually use the blog to keep up with the tool sales. And usually when you roll around and start highlight the sales and items that are available, you’ll do this thing where you’ll point out a tool – that I absolutely don’t need, at all. No use for. But your review will get me thinking:
“I really could use that. I absolutely could see needing that actually”. “Damnit, it’s on sale”
That’s been happening for something like 9 years for me now.
I have spent a ridiculous amount of money over the years from this. I mean, no where near the money I’ve spent on electronics. But you know, Bob has a point.
My wallet canna handle it. But I’ve enjoyed all the purchases. And the posts.
Thanks for doing them.
(And while I don’t actually agree with Bob, even if my wallet does, thanks to Bob for speaking up actually, because it’s a great discussion to have here!)
Stuart
But think of how much money you’re saving!! =)
Joe
Spending less money is not saving money, I tell my wife this all the time as she orders more clothes for our daughter.
Al
I’m in Bob’s camp. I actually hate it when you point out deals. It ultimately just parts me with my money. 🙂
Chris I
“out of 20 posts currently on your front page, 16 are about sales at other retailers that you are promoting,…..”
What exactly does “other retailers” mean?
Scott K
I appreciate the deals posts. Most don’t really pertain to me, but I like to know how prices fluctuate in case I end up wanting or needing a tool. It’s good to understand the range and such. I use tools for projects around the house and hobbies, so I don’t have much of a budget. It’s nice to know when something I want is on sale.
NoDak Farming
When I was in 4-H I actually competed in what was called “Comparison Shopping”. It was interesting and fun. And it’s kinda fun too, when you are doing it on behalf of your readers. And then I get to read what you learned, in your posts and reviews.
And because of your Oct. 10 post on Prime Day Deals, I found out I could stack 15% off, on top of another 22% off sale at Acme Tools. I took advantage, and finally bought a certain cordless saw that I’ve been wanting. So anyways… Thank You and keep up the good work!
MFC
Go Bob Go! We all need complainers. We all need opposing view points. It helps us to adjust when we start getting lopsided, but your point is valid because Bobs who don’t have a request just wind up being trolls. We need Bobs, but Bobs need us too.
Jim
I like being informed of the sales.
IMHO you are doing things correctly. Don’t change
Tim D.
I actually found ToolGuyd as a result of your holiday sale coverage years ago. I have enjoyed the content, and stuck around. This is one of the few websites I check daily.
I appreciate all the work you put in Stuart, especially the sale coverage. I love tools, and I certainly love getting a good deal on them.
Thanks,
Tim
will
Bob can suck it, I love the deal posts.
Robert
Jefferson would have died to protect Bob’s right to his opinion. But not I. As a close but non-Bob, I say Bob should have factored in what time of year it is, and the evidence of the popularity of the track-the-sales-articles, the number of follow up posts. The other valuable spin off is the follow-up posts by the knowledgeable readership is the “Hey, it’s cheaper at XXX. Or consider this alternative.” That’s how I found out about Beall Wood Threaders.
PW
Genuinely baffled at Bob. I look forward to the holiday tool sale season every year.
I’m making a list, I’m checking it twice, I’m refreshingToolguyd daily once or twice…
Chip
Hey Bob,I hear Makita is launching a new impact driver.
It also has a hammer mode, using sand as it’s media.
Seems like the perfect tool for you.
Thanks for all the thankless work Stuey!
Joe E.
It’s your website, therefore you share the content you feel is necessary. Most of the holiday tool deal posts don’t apply to my interests, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t benefit from them.
I will say that holiday tool deals were more fun when Sears was still in business. Even during the 2010’s when it was all made in China, you sure could get some fantastic deals. It’s a shame how Stanley has bastardized the brand and Lowe’s holiday Craftsman sales are a joke.
A deal loving Bob
I’m kind of surprised Bob’s not in to the deals coverage. Usually sitting around the job site if someone gets a sweet deal they tell the guys. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Well this Bob likes deals!!! Keep it going!! I could use a few more 9am flex volt batteries.
I remember as a young man waking up at 3 AM on actual Black Friday to be the first person in line at Sears to buy hand tools. My trusty flyer in hand and a grin on my face.
Many years later I’m pretty much set with everything I need but if there’s something that I might want and I see a really good price I might jump on it. And then there’s always restocking bits, blades, PPE, consumables etc.
Stuart
There could be a lot of deal-disliking Bobs. That’s OKAY, but as this is deals season, and if that’s the case, readers sharing that sentiment need to make their specific interests and requests known to me.
Brad
I normally don’t even get out of bed for most tool deals, like the typical DeWalt or Milwaukee power tools. But I still scan them for the occasional one that suits my battery platforms (Ridgid 18V, Bosch 12V, Ego OPE). Probably more than anything I like the top-tier hand tool deals, like the Malco Eagle Grip pliers from Epstein’s or the occasional deep discount on Knipex. The Malco one was easily my favorite in recent memory.
Andrew Smolen
what about asking the ToolGuyd community a poll on each item, “is this a good deal?” or a select group of members of the site? if we saw a deal was rated 90% it would focus attention. Whatcha think, Bob?
Stuart
The results would be skewed. Most regular readers are not in the market for cordless drills or impact drivers, but those are important deals to cover for the new visitors that are looking for such deals, and for examining any changes in trends compared to previous years’ deals.
eddie sky
More Coupon/discount codes!
Funny thing. I wanted something and POOF, Stuart’s got it on the Deals!
But then, I decided, well, I don’t want THAT. I need a Milwaukee LED light for my work bag, since my old Maglite (mini) died. And the battery leaked so bad, it fused the end that I had to put it in a vise and use my Knipex Pliers to wratchet the battery cover off…totally destroying the alloy knurled body. And into the trash…spilling out powdery dried battery. (note to self..ONLY use Energizer..get rid of the leaky Duracells).
Which brings me to: can we get weekly surveys back? I mean, take this example of a flashlight. Do we like LED EDC lights? Brands? Prefer AA/AAA or Rechargeable? USB or removable? Do we actually clip on a hat? Or rather use magnetic LEDs to be hands free?
Oh, here’s another coupon code for n% off brand. 🙂
I’m thinking Milwaukee… pivoting rover…
Munklepunk
I pay a lot of attention to tech and keep up with it. So when a company drops a new device, Apple or Samsung for example, tech reviewers are given review samples and are under “do not talk about this or you will never be invited to do this ever again” contracts, so when midnight hits every single reviewer releases their video at the exact same time. And it goes on for about a week, multiple times a year.
And what do people comment? Why are you only taking about this one thing, talk about other things, those things you talked about 2 days ago and will talk about in two days.
Thom
Keep up the deals coverage! I always check here first before I buy a tool.
Jason. W
It was actually the holiday deal coverage in like 2014 that brought me to this site. I’ve stayed and enjoyed the content ever since. toolguyd is the only tool website i frequent.
i do not interact much, but i read nearly every post.
Stuart
2013*
This was your first comment: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/home-depot-black-friday-2013/#comment-171273%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
=)
I’m glad to have you!!