I visited my closest Home Depot store last week, on 12/31/22, and was surprised to see how many Ryobi tools were still piled up in the gift center.
I always find it interesting to see which tools are left unsold after every holiday shopping season.
There were stacks of Ryobi cordless power tools still in stock. According to their online inventory, my 5 closest stores each have between 25 and 34 of the Ryobi 18V HP+ cordless drill and impact driver combo kit still in stock. They have 143 kits between those 5 stores.
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With many promos still ongoing thru the end of January, the holiday shopping season technically isn’t over yet.
There are plenty of miter saws, too.
My closest Home Depot store has 35 of the Ryobi 15A 10″ sliding miter saw still in stock. It’s still eligible for a free stand promo thru January 30th, 2023.
The 5 closest stores have a combined 135 miter saws in stock.
My Home Depot has a lot of unsold Ryobi hobby tools, mainly rotary tools and accessory sets.
They seem to have sold some of the USB battery-powered tools, but the shelves are far from empty.
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Looking at a couple more tools online, with inventory numbers as reported via HomeDepot.com at the time of this posting:
Ryobi Compact Table Saw – 4,318 available for delivery
Ryobi 10″ Sliding Miter Saw – 6,291 available for delivery
Ryobi 18V 4-Tool Combo Kit – 5,399 available for delivery
Ryobi 18V Impact Wrench Kit – 6,131 available for delivery
Ryobi 18V 4-Tool Cordless Hobby Tool Kit – 2,564 available for delivery
Some of these promos are good tools at great deals. The hobby tool kit, for instance, comes with a cordless rotary tool, sander, router, glue gun, charger, and 2 batteries, and you get another 2 batteries as a free gift, all for $159.
Other brands still have many unsold tools too. My closest Home Depot store has a whopping 182 Dewalt 20V Max Atomic drill and impact driver combo kits still in stock. My second-closest store has 34, and another nearby has 146 kits. Home Depot’s website is reporting 2,010 available for delivery.
While I wasn’t tempted to buy any Ryobi tools at their holiday promos, I will most certainly keep an eye out for any steep markdowns or clearance prices. Hopefully the Ryobi rotary tool accessories will be discounted at the least.
It seems that Home Depot chose Ryobi over Dremel for their hobby tool promos this year. (I also didn’t see any Dremel rotary tool Black Friday or holiday promos at Lowe’s.) I wonder; even with everything that’s left over, did Ryobi sell better than Dremel would have?
What happens now? Will there be additional markdowns throughout the month? Will these tools go on clearance?
What are things like at your Home Depot stores?
Jim Felt
I’d say the two HDs I’ve been in since last week had little if any isle Red remaining and honestly I didn’t even think to look for lime green.
Maybe next time I’ll just look for any marked down Ryobi bits as spares for my Dremel and Foredom tools?
Stuart
My store had sold out of most Milwaukee tool deals, except for very specific ones, such as framing hammers.
Michael Burns
Overpriced tools
Charles Gasko
Yeah, me too… I took a piss on the like green cuz im so cool to shit on another brand that most people buy because most people like to have money in their pockets for other things like a life…good day!
Jos
Apparently Mr Gasko, commenting between ~2-3am PST, has got quite a bit to take “a piss” about 😆🤦♂️🫣
dagoof
Maybe they’re having a logistics problem at Home Depot.
I was unable to find a small parts organizer for my Ridgid 2.0 modular tool storage online, at my local store, or at several others locations. Then, while I was out of state, I found a store location that had over 50 of them.
Stuart
I was able to buy Ridgid 2.0 tool boxes well ahead of the holiday season, but not the organizers.
The half-width organizers arrived late. Some stores might not have planned the floor space for them, I don’t know.
I saw them at my store, but the next week they were all sold out.
There’s always some availability variability from store to store by me, whether due to timing or other factors.
Farmer troy
Those green tool are nothing but junk in a box I’ve never had one last for more than a year.
Lmb
You must be abusing them. I have all sorts ryobi cordless tools. They have lasted me well over 4 years with constant use weekly
Jimmy Jazz
Same. I got married 15 years ago and received the 4 tool combo as a gift. Still have all four and have added many since. Never had an issue.
Juliette Hancock
Same here we are a husband and wife cabinet install team and high end for that matter with all Ryobi tools other than our 2nd DeWalt miter saw in 11 years…we are six days a week in South Florida…no complaints period
Greggory L Crawford
I Work for a major fertilizer company.
We have many Ryobi tools and batteries and we use them hard, yes we’ve had some fail but we’ve also used them pretty hard, fertilizer is a harsh environment. Bought the 1/2″ high torque impact wrench to remove wheels off our self propelled sprayers and retired our 1″ air impact
Timothy Collins
Got over 6 years on mine. Including a complete business build out over the past 4 months. Used daily, all day long and into the night during that time.
Adam
I’ve got ryobi tools older than my kids. And I have worked construction (Toll Brothers), and commercial solar O&M with them all. I mean my shop is decked out in Festool but on a job site a few seconds saved by any brand over ryobi isn’t worth the replacement price when it gets broken on a jobsite or lost by an apprentice.
Paul f Digiorgio
I have almost all of Roybi hand held tool plus an assortment of lawn tools weedeater blower chain saw 40 volt never a problem you have to take care of your tools or they won’t last I also have about a dozen batteries 18 volt and 40 volt they last lone time and can get my jobs done
Qv
I at least 10 ryobi tools over many years. Batteries are hit or miss but none have failed. I have two
Dewalts that cost a lot and both failed. I tend yo use my cheap ones ryobi more cuz don’t want to ruin my expensive stuff. Very ironic.
ToolMan
Sounds like a personal problem. Have many of the green tools and none have failed. Batteries over 5 years old only 1 replaced. Tools still going strong with daily use.
James Cliff
Well I have mixed emotions about that the older I will be tools they have one set I have was the cheapest one they had and impact driver and a drill driver with the small batteries whatever the hell they were 1.5 amp One battery still running both tools still work to this day that’s almost 8 years ago using them hard they get brought out everyday in the mix with all the other stuff now this news crap that came out with I’m on my second battery in 9 months from the same tool set I bought the top end hammer drill impact driver set not happy with it at all more than likely going back to Milwaukee
Greenin1
I’ve had the combo set for 2 years. Daily use in the home renovation field. Never have had an issue other than my co-workers calling them fisher price tools. They have started to change their minds however since I spent 1/2 the$.
John R Banker
The tool outlast the batteries then you have to buy more batteries rip OFF stay with real tools that have a cord
Gus
I have ryobi tools that are 20 years old and still work great.
John
I hear ya! Two R. 18v chain saws (brand new) burned up in 15 minutes for me, although my older drill still runs.
Adam
Interesting–my first blue and yellow ryobi kit would be old enough to legally drink in the US at this point, and all but the circular saw are still going strong. In hindsight, cutting a few feet of 3/4 inch thick horse stall mat was a lot to ask of an old 6.5 inch 18V circular saw. It did the job, but let out the magic smoke from the motor just as I reached the end of the cut.
I do use a makita for drill/driver nowadays, but everything else is pretty much ryobi for me.
Scott K
I was at my local HD over the weekend and went through the holiday aisles out of curiosity- I also noticed a lot of Ryobi stuff left. Their bits/accessories and link sets seemed to be barely touched. Tool-wise, there was very little Milwaukee or DeWalt other than some misc bit sets. there was a bunch of Milwaukee clothing like hats and gloves but not at much of a discount.
Scott K
I meant to add that the Ryobi hobby set is a great deal if you buy it while they include the two free 4ah batteries. I almost wish I was ready to replace my dremel and glue gun because I would like that router and would love to go cordless for my sander. Plus, who wouldn’t want two additional 4am batteries?
Tom
I don’t see where the 4ah batteries are included
Jay
There the free extra gift I but the hobby kit just for the batteries
Tom
Just found it. Duh.
Thanks for the heads up. This is a heck of a deal
Scott K
Stuart mentioned it above, but it took me a moment to see it on the HD page. It’s almost worth it just for the batteries and sander…
Cooper
If you’re curious I have the random orbit sander and it works really well!
HomerBucket
The holiday gift center laydown and train went big on Ryobi this year. The other brands had far fewer SKUs set overall especially non-core SKUs specific to the holiday season. DeWalt and Rigid especially were mostly core SKUs which can be returned to shelves or overstock locations while the Ryobi has to sell through. Milwaukee had a good bit of non-core SKUs in the gift center laydown specifically so those will stay to sell through as well.
John Claude
The reason so many Ryobi battery operated tools are not sold is that they are are crap. I bought a drill, charger and 2 batteries. One battery would not charge. Had to bring drill , charger and battery to Hone Depot . They said they will call after a month I went to them and they said everything was ok. But it still would not charge. I was building my house so bought a Bosch , drill , charger and 2 battery kit at Menards. . Have never had a problem with any Bosch, Milwaukee tool or kit. Drills , drivers , or saws. They cost more but will last indefinitely.
SandRat
I have 24 Ryobi 18volt+ tools and the all function perfectly. I have the older blue ones and the latest green ones – all do the job. I have 8 batteries and the all charge up and function fine. Mine have proven to not be crap I have some Milwaukee tools and they function fine as well. I also have Rigid tools which are made by Ryobi, and they are great as well. I use mine for hobbies, and I am totally satisfied. If I used them for a profession, I would probably choose professional quality tools. But, using them for my hobbies, I am a totally satisfied customer. As with all similar tools such as Bosch, Milwaukee, etc,. none are perfect.
Idn
Agreed, Ryobi is a great quality cost tradeoff for weekend warrior, diy mechanic where it doesn’t make sense to pay 3x the price for occasional use. I would call it prosumer grade, compared to professional for Milwaukee fuel. Also Milwaukee recently had a failure issue with their flagship impact when they changed the design so all manufacturers are subject to occasional problems. https://youtu.be/YoSJt7FMB0g
Gregory M. Wilson
Agreed
DAVID PERKINS
I have to agree.
For a long time, Ryobi was a great entry level tool platform. I still have my blue tools from Ryobi. Starting a few years ago, the tools became crap. The last 3 tools I bought with the Ryobi name, broke shortly after purchasing.
That was when I went team Red for all new purchases.
Matthew
Team Red is the best.
Thomas D. Shone
I don’t agree with people saying Ryobi is for beginers weekend warriors and such. I have been in the construction for the better part of 20 years. I have used almost every tool brand out there on several occasions. I choose Ryobi because of a few reasons. First and foremost is they have not changed their battery set up at all. This has allowed me to use batteries that are at least 7 years old. 2nd. If you have issue with Ryobi battery which I have all you have to do is call their customer service number and a tech will ask you for serial number and a few questions. As long as it is not out of warranty they more often than not will mail you a replacement battery. I didn’t have to send it in wait for them to test wait to be approved. I received my replacement batteries in about 8 days and I was on my way. Any tool I had issue with was quickly replaced by Home Depot. Try that with the other brands. I am sticking with my Ryobi tools and with the money I save I take my wife to dinner. Ryobi are my tools of choice.
Steve zebeljan
Ryobi has a 30 day, no question asked return policy. Also a 3 yr exchange if broken policy. I have used both. Send broken tools to address on factory web site. They will send you fixed ones . Who else gives you 3 yrs on a battery.
Anthony
Rigid. Of course, from what I hear they have started dropping the lifetime warranty on done tools. Haven’t seen it myself though.
David
Rigid … Lifetime warranty
K.Pro
I bought a ridgid 5 pack of tools & batteries + charger from the clearance rack last year, if you take the time to register the product the batteries have a lifetime warranty. I don’t know it that still is true anymore.
Bob W
I worked maintenance for forty years an used Ryobi tools Sence they came out an have had no problems
Jb John Brogan
Yeah did you happen to see the prices on those Milwaukee clothes and hats they wanted 30 bucks just for a cap no chance man really 30 bucks for a cap no thanks
Minions Web
Ours (we have 2 HD nearby) not only have piles of Ryobi, but loads of Milwaukee tools & accessories too. Also more packouts than I expected.
Dewalts are near sold out, battery starter kits are gone so some of the tool free remnants remain but little else.
Steve
Like you mentioned it’s not just Ryobi, it’s all the brands. Inflation caused deals to be far worse this holiday season, higher prices and/or less product. I too am hoping for a good clearance season.
gene
If you use the price scanner on the HD app, most of the front end stuff is a few bucks cheaper than sticker price. I bought the Milwaukee coffee mug for 3 bucks cheaper than posted price.
Albert
Home Depot likely “borrowed” the inventory from TTI with the intention of paying after the items have sold. Only Sears, Frys Electronics and other failing retailers would have to pay up front. Home Depot could ship them back and pay shipping, or pay up and store them for next year (and tie up millions of dollars and warehouse space). Or they could heavily discount and get rid of the problem. Somewhere there is an accountant doing the numbers…
Jon
This is definitely not true… where are you getting that information?
Adam
I’m not saying that it’s a fact here, but that IS a valid tactic for some retailers.
Walmart is especially well known for their pseudo-“consignment” supply arrangements where they essentially have contractual agreements for suppliers to take back unsold inventory at their cost. That’s why you often hear about Walmart employees destroying unsold merchandise in their dumpsters – the supplier doesn’t want to pay for the return costs, so they destroy the items on-site to prevent them from being sold/donated.
Of course, those sorts of deals only benefit very large retailers with a lot of locations. Everyone wants their product line for sale in Walmart, but no one cares about a regional discount retailer with a dozen stores.
Big Richard
I worked for a regional home improvement store, and we would junk any merchandise that had a blemish or something on it, as they got more money back to report it as “defective” then to have the manufacturer buy it back. Ceiling fans were a good example. I put perfectly good ceiling fans in a trash compactor because one of the light bulb glass fixtures was cracked. Even marking it down and putting it on clearance meant less dollars for them versus just trashing it. Made me sick.
Teresa
O im with you. Its sickening and disheartening as a consumer
dpow
They definitely buy Milwaukee on consignment so it would make sense for Ryobi as well
JB
No way! Consignment is not happening. They bought heavy and sales just didn’t materialize like planned
Chris
Costco operates on a flip of this model. They make the manufacturer pay return shipping on unsold products or you can opt to have them donate. We chose not to have them carry our stuff.
Derek
Ours still has 50% off Christmas decorations and they’re just sitting on the shelves not moving. Most of the tools are still there that were there 2-3 weeks ago. Seems like they either got a shipment in then or finally pulled out more from the back. Waiting on them to go on sale.
Mario
I love buying Christmas decorations after the holidays cuz they are so much cheaper. This goes for Halloween as well. Unfortunately, the stores near us learn and carry less and less every year.
Mark+S
The “Down date” on most of the holiday signage is this week….one of my local stores changed signage to color coded banners with pictures of random stuff at normal pricing. I just saw these today. One Red for tools and another just for Packout. No promo pricing, just full price pics. Kinda looks silly to me. I think new done date was Jan 30th but I might be wrong….
Mark M.
I can’t help but wonder if the glut of unsold Ryobi is in some way tied to the housing/mortgage situation. Lime Green seems prime for hobbyists and new homeowners (I know that’s a broad generalization, but I think it holds some water). Mortgage rates are causing a lot of would-be 1st-time homebuyers to sit on the sidelines, and those who very recently got into their homes likely saw their payments increase between contract and closing. So maybe the young couples who would normally be buying entry-level tools to knock out weekend projects are instead sitting in an apartment or are so cash-strapped from a 7% mortgage that tool purchases aren’t in the cards.
Seth Naffziger
Ya I’m a sparky and I don’t know any pros who go lime green, it’s all red and yellow. Ryobi even if they’re stepping up their game still has the horror stories and homeowner stigma attached too it.
Ed
What kinda of pro are you I have yellow red and dark blue and Ryobi who mad it do you know? Ridgid if u want to know exactly now if you don’t know the facts don’t talk. I have almost 30 yrs experience
Stuart
Aside from rare exceptions, Ryobi and Ridgid tools are not the same.
Richard Wiggins
Can you clarify?
Paramount
I have a construction company, remodeling, and I’ve never seen a carpenter, electrician, plumber or hvac person use any Ryobi stuff.
Seems to be blue or yellow for the carpenters and red for the others.
I’ve never seen any pros use bosch either, except for corded.
Could be a regional thing
Dave (not here)
It seems like all the premium “buy batteries, get tool” deals sold out well before Christmas, but the more expensive sets are still around with a limited selection of free tools. Tons of Ryobi everything, though, probably because they stocked so much in the first place.
Dewalt Tough Stacks disappeared as quickly as they could hit the floor, Packout has stuck around but there was a mountain of stock – I don’t think they did a good job of promoting the “buy more save more” promo, as there was no signage near any of the racetrack displays.
I keep checking every few days to see if any of the stuff that marginally interested me has been marked down further, so far no luck…
TMQ
A lot.of stuff is marked down but the signage doesn’t show correct prices. Picked up a 24 piece Husky ratcheting wrench set which was advertised at $69.99 but when I went to pay it was $49.99
Jeremiah
It isna direct reflection of the economy. All three of the local stores here have a similar situation. Those of us that use Milwaukee or even DeWalt for business need these tools in order to make money and run our businesses. We are still going to be buying.
Those that typically buy Ryobi or other lower end brands don’t have as much money to spend. Gas and food or a new tool/toy?
But even the discount on Milwaukee isn’t a huge discount compared to previous years. I’m not complaining (too much), because a discount is still better than nothing.
Joe
There were some kits available online at pretty good prices that HD would not ship to California for whatever reason. The CS rep said new California legislation would not allow them to ship them to CA. That is one small reason for things sitting by the pallet.
The workaround was to physically go to the Pro desk and have them special order the stuff, instead of simply shipping direct from the online site to the end user in CA. I didn’t have time for that. December is the busy season for my work and good luck getting time off. Spend the half day buying food and getting gas, not at a HD.
Bob
The crazy’s in CA legislature are now banning tools? What type? Just curious.
Joe
In this case both a four pack of 18v batteries and the four piece hobby tool set. Neither would ship. I could VPN and see the option to ship but of course having it sent to my actual address was a hard nope. And of course simple in store pickup was not available else I would’ve done that.
Ben
Possibly related to AB2440 and/or SB1215. More info: https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/california-passes-two-new-laws-to-overhaul-states-battery-extended-producer-responsibility-program-and-broadly-expand-states-e-waste-program/
In short, it appears that, by 4/1/2027, CA will “require battery producers to create or fund stewardship programs for collecting and recycling most batteries sold within California.” Battery producers are defined as “a person who manufactures a covered battery and who owns or is the licensee of the brand or trademark under which that covered battery is sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in or into the state.”
Bob Reymer
There is a well-known outlet store that sells, among other tools, Ryobi blems and recons. They were selling a 18V drill and impact driver combo along with 2 batteries and charger for $45. Couldn’t keep them in stock. Maybe shoppers are looking for better deals than HD was offering.
TMQ
What store?
TonyT
Probably Direct Tools Outlet, which is run by TTI, and sometimes has incredible deals (typically only for a few days), but at other times is more expensive than HD.
Nick
Cannot be emphasized enough. Ryobi tools are not meant for 6hr days, 5+ days/week, or more for some. Take an impact for hanging cabinets or metal stud framing… need reliability, in batteries and tools. Sorry still not Ryobi after 20 years for me. Craftsman Pro is best Homeowner line. DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Rigid, all pro lineups. All day tools, 7 days a week.
Nathan
I notice it’s mostly the ryobi so I wonder how much of that was marketing – people saw the deals on the other stuff as better and more wishlist items want namebrand so that sold better/more. Also that glut of green I sort of agree with the new home sales/resales idea too. alot of people are in rentals and the like and have no need nor deisre to DIY stuff.
Meanwhile thanks for the notice as I’m telling both BIL’s they need to give a look as they are both on green desipte me telling them to move to something else. it does work for them.
Clay
The 4AH/6AH DeWalt starter kit is sold out online, so I am guessing it sold pretty well.
Hoping it is restocked before the 1/30 deal expiration.
Stuart
It was restocked at least twice online in very limited quantities. I’ve been keeping an eye on it, but Home Depot has since added bold “SOLD OUT” notices on all of the promo landing and index pages.
Clay
Yeah, online it says, “This promotion has run out” which sounds kind of ominous.
Will wait and see.
Stuart
I watched that promo a lot last year, and it was amusing to see the inventory level go up several hundred units on random days.
In previous years, the free tool promos sold out early and never restocked at all. I post about them early in the holiday season for that very reason.
Clay
Shows the starter kit at $233 and says “This deal has sold out” under the “Free Gift with Purchase.”
Leads me to believe that if they get more in stock they just won’t list them until after the deal ends. Guess they have to pretend the promotion is in place until 1/30 since that is what they advertised.
Understood on the getting in early. I had my reasons for waiting and will just wait and see what Father’s Day sales they have if I missed this one.
Big Richard
@Clay, I’m with you brother. I was waiting to get my 10% birthday coupon for having a HD card so I could get a little extra savings. But they sold out this year by the time I got my coupon. Sad panda.
Clay
Here’s hoping for us both, Big Richard.
I liked that these sales extended past the holidays so people can use Christmas bonuses, or gift money, etc.
I also feel like alot of people feel the pinch leading up to Christmas and might be wary about spending leading up to the holiday if they do not really need the item.
Big Richard
@Clay, we spoke too soon. At the time of me typing this there are 26 available for shipping. Still at that $233 price instead of the $199, but it still is a deal.
Jared
I’m in Canada so my observations may not reflect conditions in the USA, but I notice some stores here consistently have stock well beyond the promotional period, whereas other stores seem to sell out – or at least reorganize so it isn’t obvious. Makes me speculate that perhaps store managers are determining how much inventory to carry for each store individually.
In the store I visit most often, it seems like they set up an area as the promotional center, then keep it that way until the next event – even though it may be severely depleted on certain promotions in the interim.
I haven’t checked back in post-Christmas however, but this makes me curious what it looks like – I think I’ll pop in for a gander.
Shu
At my store, a LOT of our gift center items were discounted core SKUs that we carry year round. Extra just means a lot of dead space in the overheads holding slow moving merchandise lol.
Unless it was gift center exclusive (such as some battery+charger kits, certain multi-piece sets usually marked with special buy, or like, the two pack tape measures etc) there’s not going to be a lot of tools go clearance. Not at the store I work, anyway.
We’re going to have PALLETS of certain Dewalt items, but it’s all core, so it’ll just go back to regular price and wait till it sells.
OldDominionDIYer
I did jump on a few bargains this holiday discount period (Milwaukee hand tools mostly) but overall didn’t get in on items I might have, simply because I didn’t feel like the price was right. Not wanting to debate politics but the general rise in prices a crossed the board, higher interest rates for home buyers and I think a general idea that things aren’t getting better may have held me back as well as perhaps others. I haven’t heard about the sales numbers for this year (whether they are up or down) but my guess is they’re down. In years when the economy is strong everything sells out early it seems, not this year.
Koko The Talking Ape
Well as I understand it, in inflationary periods like our current one, the problem is that in a sense, the economy is TOO strong. General demand exceeds available supply (and wages are increasing), so prices go up. So in response, the Fed Reserve raises interest rates to cool markets down, including the housing market. So housing purchases slow down. I imagine that’s why HD might have ordered too many of these Ryobi tool packages, as others have said. Those particular tools are maybe attrative to new homebuyers, but not so much to renovators or other contractors.
But in general, consumption still remains strong (TOO strong), but I understand it’s dropping a little.
But again, that’s just my understanding, and that’s just a guess as to why those particular tools are oversupplied. Particular goods in particular locations will have prices going up or going down, depending on many things, including supply chain issues. In Colorado for instance, gasoline is now back to pre-COVID prices. 🙂
TMQ
Sales numbers are up across the board this holiday season
Bonnie
At my two local places there’s a decent number of basic Ryobi kits (18 of the linked Impact/Drill kit), but nothing like the piles in your photos. The big overstock area at the front was mostly the weirder DeWalt products, heaters (they likely expected our recent snow/coldsnap to last longer) and excess bit sets. Also the usual piles of leftover holiday screwdrivers and wrenches that clutter the front.
Thinking back, I don’t think I’ve ever seen as much Ryobi stuff at my local HD as even the leftovers in your photo. They’ve got a good presence in the power tool aisle, but the big holiday sales section was dominated by DeWalt and Milwaukee this year. Might be regional demand/stocking differences.
Almost the entire toolbox area was empty last weekend though. All the toughcases/packout/whatever were gone, with two or three Ridgid parts organizers left in their holiday display.
Waldon
For me Ryobi hobby kit links to a page showing $327 plus a free item now.
Not sure where deal was originally posted at $159.
Stuart
Try again? I still see $159 with a Jan 30th end date. Maybe try changing your zip code?
Paul
Trying to view this in Texas, it shows $327. If i connect “from Florida”, the $159 price shows, until I put my shipping address in to check out, even it reverts to the full price.
Seems like this deal is only available in select markets, as they say.
Richard E Mays
Same for me in Texas
LaRon
They keep running the SAME tool deal every year. How many drills and impacts can you buy? Run some different deals
Stuart
If certain deals sell well every year, why would retailers change strategy?
MM
To get additional sales.
I’m not disagreeing with you, there are a lot of tools which seem to go on sale every major shopping season, and that makes total sense. But I think there’s room for trying new things as well. There’s no reason they can’t keep the expected deals and throw some new and different things into the mix too, the two notions are not mutually exclusive.
Bonnie
There’s a lot of new customers coming all the time. Folks grow up, move out, etc. There are more than 2 million new 20-year-olds (or whatever year you want to consider) in the US each year.
TonyT
Closest HD seems to have a lot of left-overs, including the higher end kits from Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, Ridgid, and Ryobi; lots of Packout, some Tough System, lots of tool chests (Husky, Milwaukee), etc.
Franco
I saw some comments on new home buyers and general new tool buyers; I snicker at this. We are talking about millennials! Ok, so some may have an idea with what to do with tools but a majority of them are going to call contractors, repairmen or papa.
As far as all the leftover Ryobi, personally, I didn’t find deals to be overwhelming. Those deals where OMG, this is too good to pass up. Even if I don’t really need it, I have to get it. With the way prices have been going up over the past 12+ months, a lot of this years deal were last year’s regular prices…or even higher than regular prices from a short while ago.
Maybe this is the new normal and when we adjust, maybe then we’ll jump on deals. But for now, if I am in the market for something and it comes on special….great. Otherwise there isn’t anything really tempting me to part with my money, even if I did not need the item that badly, like was the case in the past.
zoomzoom870
Gen z starts at 96 so some of the youngest millennials are almost 30.
I personally use ryobi and with the exception of a couple of tools that seemed to have defective designs, I haven’t had any trouble with them. My drill, hammer drill, circular saw, palm sander angle grinder are all navy blue and yellow Ryobi and I even have some of the early yellow lithium batteries that still work fine. As long as you treat them somewhat decent and don’t literally chuck them into the bed of your truck from the three-point line they hold up just fine.
I just didn’t see any deals this year, I mean there was the hobby kit but like 170 for the router and two batteries when there’s nothing else I need in that kit. Didn’t seem like a good deal. Somehow I’ve ended up with every single version of their impact drivers, probably since they include them and basically every other kit So even though they had a decent drill plus driver kit basically nobody would want it unless they were getting their very first tools
Franco
**** Those deals where “NOT” OMG, this is too good to pass up. **** should have been above
Scott
I’ve stocked up on my Ryobi stuff back when the you could get a great price and free batteries. They have been great tools and price increases this year stopped me from picking up any additional full price tools. I think in general people cut back their spending with everything happening with the economy’s current state.
MFC
I live in Texas and the after Christmas tool aisle looks the same as it does every year. The “good deals” are gone, the “decent deals” are about 2/3 gone and the “not actual good deals” are still about 50% there. People usually don’t buy a whole lot of Husky or Ryobi, but the Milwaukee and DeWalt deals are usually picked through more.
Winston
I have all Ryoby tools
Very dissatisfied with all tools. Last week I purchased a cord drill to mix thinset and day one started smoking. Same with new battery operated lawn mower The battery started for 1 hour, Now one half of an hour last only. Ryobi are great when new, but after using it for a while no good at all. In 2023 I am changing all tools for another brand that last and looking for durability
Steve C
I was disappointed that there wasn’t much in the way of deals on Ridgid. Ryobi, Milwaukee, and DeWalt dominated the stacks in the main aisle and the special pricing area (in our store, between the seasonal and equipment rental space). Nothing at all for Ridgid.
Which leads me to wonder what’s Ridgid’s position here? If they aren’t actively promoting the brand, what gives? It’s a little concerning for me as I’m all in on the Ridgid battery ecosystem (drills, drivers, lights, sanders, fan, etc) and was hoping to score a deal on the mini router and some other goodies. Bupkis.
showersdpn
I’ve been wanting usb lithium stuff and… nothing…
David Wood
A ryobi battery on charge in my garage exploded and burned my shop to the ground…. you can keep them
Tim
I went through our HD holiday tool section today and other than condensing a little. There are plenty (dozens) of Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Ryobi on the shelf with deals still available.
The so called deals were not really deals this year.
Dan
In the professional construction industry, ryobi is junk. Batteries are junk. Buy quality products like millwalkee. Or rigid from china’s home depot
Matt
I’ve been burned by garbage Ryobi tools too many times. Never again. I’d rather pay for better quality.
Steve
My closest HD, caught fire two weeks before Christmas, temporary closed won’t be open till March smoke damage, I have a Ridged18 volt brushless drill they want more for a battery than the one that goes in my truck.
Ct451
I was looking for 40v tool deals online and found this:
https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-40v-cordless-angle-grinder/p/813931621324200
Wrong country but £9.99 makes you wonder how much they really cost to make in china and ship to and put up for sale in the uk.
Big Richard
Pretty cool they have a multiple voltage battery platform à la DeWalt FlexVolt or Metabo HPT MultiVolt. The batteries even advertise using Samsung cells, too. But man those prices, $12 for a bare tool is pretty nuts.
Lex
Because Ryobi is trash and so is their warranty where you have to go to a local repair facility. Which at first doesn’t sound bad until they send you to this ridiculous mom and pop shops who act like they don’t even know who or what Ryobi is. I visited 4 facilities they sent me to for a repair of an electric power washer I used ONCE. 7 Months later went to use it, it wouldn’t turn on.
After visiting 4 repair facilities to no avail they wanted to send me to one 50 miles away as if they’re paying for my premium gas in my SUV.
Why would I do that after going to 4 facilities prior who really had no idea what I was talking about and flat out rejected me and my power washer.
Disputed it with my credit card company for failure to fulfill their warranty when I made good faith effort to resolve the matter with them. Done.
So yes, I’m a little bitter 😂.
Lex
Do they still teach that to kids? I had business law in high school. There are reasons to use a credit card other than you don’t have the cash on hand. It’s about consumer protection. But hell, I just learned they’re not teaching cursive in school anymore, not that it matter considering everything is electronically signed with 4 font options to choose from lol. Unless you’re an IT professional and know how to upload your scanned signature into DocuSign. I digress. Forgive me I just turned 40 and I sound like my parents now. Old.
MsTee
One of my HD had a bunch of Ryobi Link items on serious clearance. I got the tool organizer ($69.98 reg price) for $17, the large power tool hook (reg. $12.98) was $3 – I grabbed a few. They had a few other hooks and a bunch of the Link hanging shelf on clearance as well, but those didn’t interest me. Three HDs within 10 miles of me but only this one had Link items on clearance.
Bigpoppy56
Simple rule. “Cheap tools aren’t good and good tools aren’t cheap.” There’s a reason they run promos on certain kits. They don’t sell.
Dennis Wright
It’s the warranty! Ryobi offers a three year warranty, but doesn’t like to honor it I took an electric riding mower to their repair contractor one year after purchasing it. I haven’t seen it for sixteen months. The last bulletin I received was after three replacement parts the company now says that it is three years past the manufacturing date and their are not responsible. Wake up Ryobi the warranty starts on the purchase and is suspended during repair periods.
Danni H
A lot of women who buy these tools for his ands, boyfriends and father’s avoid Home Depot now that it’s came out Home Depot owners actively support Christian nationalists and taking away women’s reproductive rights. That’s probably part of the reason so many of these holiday sets are left there. Not a lot of women want to do business with them anymore.
Leo
AHH, the benefits of living in the US. Up here in Canada, they must be better able to manage their inventories as they are still full price.
Parker
I’ve been shopping quite a bit for Ryobi the last few months, since they fit what I need and I recently moved out of my parent’s place. I basically need to replace everything my dad had. I think part of the problem is that the end of summer sales were really, really good on Ryobi. I didn’t see a single tool on the black friday sales that wasn’t at least a bit cheaper just months before. While they might have got the Christmas shoppers, anyone else who had been looking most likely already bought them.
Theresa
I noticed this year they went particularly hard with the bundles. I have a decent collection of Ryobi tools already so just about every bundle would have had me buying duplicates. Saw very few good deals on individual tools this year which was a bit of a bummer.
Joseph Neck
Maybe if Home Depot had better customer service Id be inticed by ryobi vs dewalt. Im selling all my ryobi and converting to dewalt as I am done with Home Depot. Lowes Game
Penny Banks
My store in CoeurdAlene Idaho advertised for this great sale for Christmas but when I got there they said it was a misprint and would not honor the sale price. Went somewhere else- that’s not okay
Franco
Wow, this post by Stuart sure has garnered a ton of comments. Clearly, there are 2 camps; “Ryobi is crap” camp and “I like Ryobi” camp.
I am in the latter group, Ryobi works well for me and is a great value to boot.
Franco
I know all the “cool” kids like to say things like “team red” or “Milwaukee for the win”, but I am not cool.
I have about 30 Ryobi tools going back 12 years and none of them have failed me or failed to do the job. I have tons of cordless…maybe 150 tools or more. The most are Makita, followed by M12 and then Ryobi and Dewalt. I don’t find one brand to be the number one best; they all have great examples and they all have tools that could have been made better.
I have the most Makita (18v LXT) because in general, most of their tools are well made. Nice ergonomics, strong at what they do, durable, great charger/battery, just overall great tools.
I like my M12 very much; smaller but still have excellent power and probably the best 12v selection.
Milwaukee is the only system that I have had tool failures, 2 to be exact. An M12 drill just smoked and died on me. Never had the time to take it apart and see what happened. Then, an M18 Fuel impact driver, that I mistakenly left out in the rain (along with my Fein drill and Makita saw), never worked properly, still doesn’t. The Fein and Makita had no problem.
Franco
BTW, that Fein drill is the bomb, with 4 speed/torque settings, it just works great. Better than the 3 Makita drills, 2 M18’s, 3 Metabo, 1 Dewalt and 1 Ryobi drill. All these other drills work fine but the Fein is best, EXCEPT it does not have hammer drill function. No big deal, I have a few rotary hammers and most of my other drills are hammer drills when I need.
I could list favorites, pros & cons for most of my tools and in general, the Ryobi is never #1, except when it is the only one of its kind, like the caulking gun. It works great and for I think at the time was $29 or $39, fantastic value, especially when I see what Makita, Dewalt and Milwaukee charge for one.
Overall, the Ryobi tools are a tad heavier, sometimes feel nice but also sometimes feel chunky. They typically don’t always have the latest bells and whistles…but who cares. If the drill makes holes and the impact drives screws, the latest frill that some company has come up with is no biggy.
For all those that say Ryobi is crap, and can back it up with actual use, what can I say…maybe unlucky, or you treat your tools incredibly bad.
I definitely do not baby my tools and do use them hard to very hard and all work great.
My neighbor is restoring a 1956 Belair. He is down to the frame and will be ordering a “special” 572 cu in from Detroit for it. He is 3 years into this restoration and he has almost every Ryobi 18+ tool made, including 5 Ryobi cordless grinders, each setup for a given task and used big time and very hard. He loves them and you could never make him believe Ryobi is crap.
Franco
**** Sorry, had to split that comment up into 3 posts. I kept getting an error when I tried for the whole comment in 1 post
Stuart
(When that happens, it’s usually a spam filter issue that’s triggered by an unspecified combination of words or phrases. If you ever encounter that again, and splitting a comment doesn’t work, simply comment “placeholder” or similar where you want it, and email me the full text. I can then insert the full comment into place via the backend.)
Franco
No problem, thanks
PK
I have a set of probably 20 year old blue ones that I used at least on a weekly basis for many years.