I like to visit my local Home Depot and Lowe’s stores throughout the holiday season, partly to see if they’ve got any new deals that suit my needs, but also to see what’s selling well and what’s not.
I went to my local Lowe’s on Monday and saw that they have tons of holiday sales inventory sitting around.
Inventory is good, but is there supposed to be this much almost a week into December? Is the holiday shopping season over?
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I visited my store at around 5:30pm, and was the only one in the tools gift and promo center.
There were plenty of Kobalt folding saw horses, at their “new lower price” of $29.98.
I also saw plenty of Kobalt 24V cordless power tools, including a new compact chain saw I’ve never seen before.
It’s shocking, how a company with nearly $100 BILLION in annual sales can’t figure out how to send out press releases about new tools anymore. They don’t have a single person saying “hey, look at these new tools we’re selling.”
Wow. Nobody is buying Kobalt hand tools. “Save 40% when you buy 3 or more” and customers are walking buy saying “nah.”
The Dremel display is packed full with rotary tool sets, rotary tool accessories, and their new Versa cordless cleaning tool with Scrub Daddy pads.
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This is not good for Lowe’s, but also cannot be good for Dremel. It doesn’t help that this was at the end of the aisle facing the wall display of tool boxes.
It looks like Lowe’s didn’t sell through their Craftsman cordless drill doorbuster deals.
I bought one a few years ago for testing, and it’s decent for the price. These should be flying off the shelves.
The racks were full with Craftsman air compressors, tool chests, a couple of nailers, and small shop vacuums.
The Klein’s displays at the pro center looked to have mixed success. The testing tool promos were partially sold through, but some of the promo boxes looked untouched.
Looking at Lowe’s website for the screwdriver set promo, all of the stores in my area have around the same inventory levels. It looks like nobody is buying this promo at any of them.
Black Friday was nearly two weeks ago. Some of these tool promos have been on the sales floor for 6 WEEKS already.
Maybe there will be a surge in gift purchases over the next two weeks?
Well-stocked promo displays are a good thing – they’re clean, neat, and look nice. But all that inventory reflects poor sales. Is it a foot traffic problem? From what I’m seeing, Lowe’s didn’t do very well with online tool deal sales either.
Do you know what I did not see? Any Bosch cordless power tools. Has Bosch gotten so popular that they don’t need to offer any cordless deals this year?
If any Home Depot corporate folks are taking this opportunity to laugh at how poor a job Lowe’s is doing selling tools, don’t worry – we’ll talk about your stores next.
Dave P
The best deals I found at a local Lowe’s was in the electrical aisle–it looked like with the recent addition of Klein stuff, their “old” line of electrical testers and tools were at clearance prices. The fish tapes and multi meters were sure heavily discounted…. along with other stuff.
Stuart
I checked my local store and they had Klein tools up and all of the Ideal tools finally gone after a few months on clearance.
Dave P
I bought a 50′ fish tape for $7, and a simple little digital Kolbalt mutimeter w continuity for $20…
Bill
Most stores restock their display in the morning. Does not indicate that sales are down.
Stuart
It depends on whether they have replenishment inventory or not. Home Depot and Lowe’s websites will clue you in to this. If there are 15 of a tool in-store, and the website reports there are 15 at that same store, chance are they’ve got 15 and only 15 of that item.
If there are 15 in a promo display in-store, and the website says the store has 34 of the same item, the display can be restocked.
B-ryan
Are you refering to IRP ? And No, thats not exactly correct either. Due to the companies receiving policy and procedures it is very possible for the website to report one number of onhands vs what the store physically have. I cant get into any further but generally its possible.
Stuart
Possible, yes, but for everything? Unlikely.
Chech
I’m heavily involved with setting the pods for lowes, I can tell you every lowes store gets one(1) pod of each product you see pictured, maybe one or two pods are doubles” but thats it, once it sells it’s gone. Even if stores get a truck the product to fill those pods are neglected because the home location has to get filled first.
Bart
Not surprised all the Klein tools ever since the drivers started being made over seas 11n1 flip sockets I have problems with all. Plus the pricing is mostly the same as it is year round. Marked up to the sale price is back down to where it was. Also problems with 15 n 1 drivers. I went back to Wera and Milwaukee
Mark
The only deal I saw that I was interested in was a articulating ladder. When I tried to find a store that had one, they didn’t have any within 100 miles of me. I wouldn’t have driven that far to get one but it became a challenge to see if I could find one. I believe I searched as far as 200 miles from me with zero to be found. It wasn’t available for ship to home or store. They lost out on that sell! I ended up on not purchasing anything as nothing looked interesting.
chuck
i just went to my store in westland and they still have so much stuff o. the shelves full of christmas gifts and there were very few people in my store makes me think that there is still so many people who are still trying to make a come back after having our worlds turn upside down after Covid and that the cost of living has went up so much that people don’t have means to have those big christmas anymore
JAVIER
Today I just got from lowes the oscillating tool with a battery, charger and bag for $ 99 and the set of regular drill, impact drill, two batteries, charger and bag for $ 149 both sets Dewalt.
Is a good time to renew some tools and save some that will be lost in the near future.
Joel
I got every Knipex plier they carry for 50% off and a Fluke 115 for $100, clearance + military
Bart
Guess you’ve been lucky. I’ve been wanting the ideal 61-757 meter price won’t budge
Ken
Stuart, don’t you know that press releases are from the stone age? I get all my tool info from tiktok 😀
On top of poor marketing and the typical poor merchandising seen in Lowe’s, I think there is so much stock because most people are broke. The personal savings rate has been hovering around lows not seen since before the great recession in 2008.
Personally, I’m not spending any money this holiday season. There is a storm coming.
fred
While I’m blessed and far from broke – I’ve spent way less this year on tools as gifts – but plan to up my Christmas gifts with cash. Last year I spent about $5k on Mafell tools and accessories as gifts. This year – I figure that the same recipients might be better off with cash. I’ve always thought that giving cash (or even gift cards) bordered on the crass – and showed little imagination. But in today’s economy they might make sense.
Even Warren Buffet has been reported to be converting more of his holdings to cash. Cash holdings don’t keep up with inflation – but if markets decline some more – cash can be used for bargain hunting.
eddie sky
$5K in gifts…I want you as my secret Santa!! 😀
Speaking of marketing, I was in Lowes back on the 28th and found a paper on the millwork desk that had Pella custom windows flyer with 20% off!!! And scribbled for the associate was “also 20% off installation, make sure customer know this!”.
AND … 24 months finance 0% interest for using Lowes Card! I ordered my windows there and then! (seems it was good till 11/29…WTF Lowes! Had no info, idea!).
Even the associate that created my order of Pella Lifestyle windows was surprised she never saw any deal on Pella windows over 10% since her 8 years there at Lowes.
Jared
That theory rings true to me, at least as a partial explanation. Inflation went crazy in certain areas post-covid and people seemed to keep buying. How long could that continue? Maybe we’re finding out.
I certainly saw some great Black Friday deals posted here on Toolguyd – but since I live in Canada most of them don’t apply to me. I still like using them as comparisons though (and occasionally the price is so good it’s worth cross-border shipping). The point being that is seems like there were enough deals to tempt shoppers – yet they didn’t buy.
PETE
Tiktok news group here as well.
The economy is for sure not good. Just about every indicator is bad regardless of what spin the news puts on it.. Such as them saying that the “cost of thanksgiving was lower than it has been for years”.
My company and family are cinching up our spending, not just for the holidays. Understanding what 08′ was and that what is coming is going to be worse than that for sure. It just depends on how much further they can kick the can down the road for.
Jim Felt
I’ve been through what seem like perpetual slowdowns, downturns, Y2K, recessions, both “rolling” and otherwise and still remain optimistic since my first business activities in the late 1960’s.
This too shall pass…
fred
Never was a statement truer. We are doomed – or blessed – depending on how you make out – to live through cycles. One man’s downturn is another’s opportunity. What hurts is that when things are good – some folks mistakenly think it will last forever – and the same goes for when things get rough, if you act accordingly – you can spend too much when times are flush and have no reserves for the hard times or to take advantage of opportunities that hard times bring.
Dave P
When in business, or investing, always remember DAN as he’s sure to turn up. DOWNTURNS ARE NORMAL
Bob
Storms been coming for years lol it’ll be here sometime. Consumer sentiment aside economic indicators are positive.
Consumer black friday spending is up from last year and actual deals sold.
Stores overloaded with pretend deals had terrible sell through
Jamie
Lowes had/has some great deals my best was the dewalt 1/2″ & changeable to 3/8″ which if the numbers are rite is the most torque in a hand power ratchet I’ve been watching has been $229 & on sale $199 but now comes in a kit 2 power stack batteries (1.7v) the smaller compact charger &,bag for $279 & plenty of real inexpensive tools plus clearance deals..
Jerry
Black Friday Spending was up but the purchasing power of the money spend didn’t buy as many goods as it has in the past. When it used to cost you $80 and now it cost you $100, of course spending is going to be up.
Chris Rafter
Uhhh, you see deals in those photos? Those prices stink. $50 for a LED light? $20 for scissors? $30 for one sawhorse? Come on.
But, like trees in the fall, those white price signs will eventually turn yellow, probably in the week before Christmas, and I’ll check again.
Bob
Exactly
Bill Clay
Ditto.
Charles
Agree
Patrick Johnson
Making a chain wide observation from one local store seems short sighted. Also, there’s an ad for a new tool right in the middle of your article. I understand this is not a press release, but they are using your website to promote a new ratchet while you accuse them of not putting the word out.
PW
100%. I see nothing tempting in those photos at all.
Blocky
I think the US is hitting saturation on a lot of tools, and it coincides with a tough year for working people. Inflation might be measured at 10-14% but not when groceries and materials in many places are up 30%. Most Americans do live paycheck to paycheck.
Another thing: I spend my time mostly in the NE, but I also work in Florida. The corridors that I travel almost never take me past a Lowe’s. Home Depot is almost always a 10 minutes or less detour between where I’m staying and various job locations. They are very smart about where they plant their stores.
Last week, I needed a step ladder and Lowes had an in store ladder deal. The nearest was a 40 minute detour. I passed.
Home Depot locations in New York area are directly on route or off highways: Bronx immediately off exit near the Triboro bridge, NJ side at the holland tunnel, Maspeth at the BQE, where north Brooklyn and south queens all pass into and out of the city or when traveling north-south. Dekalb Ave in Bedstuy which is a major east-west channel. Woodhaven at queensboro blvd. 23rd st crosstown channel Manhattan. 59th st near the queensboro bridge.
Lowe’s has avenue U in south Brooklyn and a spot near sunset park which is frequently traffic jammed and avoidable unless you live or work in that zone. Many people do, but I am mobile in the nyc area and am almost never right there despite being based 1 mile away. In order to reach that location, I have to negotiate traffic funneling to the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges both getting there and coming back.
I like Lowe’s just fine, slightly prefer it even, but they get very little of my business.
I shop online regularly, but most of my tool and hardware money is still spent in person.
Jim Felt
Similar in my west coast areas of travel. I just never see the customer counts that I always see at HD. Especially in their respective Pro areas. Never.
Robert
Stuart, over the years what I noticed for Lowes is the stores in perceived more affluent areas, with higher percentage of home ownership, etc., are larger and with a wider selection, and better stocked for that selection. It’s really evident in the garden section, but also in lumber and tools. Could this be the case here – where Lowes did their usual generous treatment for an affluent area, so when the demand is low for any reason, it look disproportionately disappointing in sales?
MM
In my area there are two Lowes, one is certainly in a more affluent area than the other, and it shows. However, I wouldn’t say that one has a wider selection, it’s a tossup. The Affluent one has a bigger garden section. Its selection of patio furniture, grills, and interior decor type items like blinds, rugs, light fixtures, cabinets, etc, is much bigger. On the other hand the lumber section at the affluent Lowes is a fraction of the size of the other one. The selection of electrical sucks at the affluent one too. Plumbing is a tossup: if you want things you can see in a home like shower enclosures, sinks, and toilets the affluent one is better. If you want things like pipe, fittings, faucet or toilet parts, irrigation supplies, etc, the affluent one is terrible. Tools are a tossup: they seem to have about the same general purpose stuff, the affluent one has more craft oriented tools and displays (also craft materials in the paint section), the other one has more of the larger and heavy duty tools. The selection of masonry and drywall tools is miserable at the affluent lowes but is pretty darn nice at the other lowes. In my area the affluent lowes seems to be more about “show”–decor type things–while the lowes in the other part of town seems more “go”–building materials and parts. Or, perhaps, another way to look at it is the affluent lowes is more homeowner oriented while the other is more contractor-oriented.
They both have a bunch of unsold promotional stuff out. And so does my local HD, which is in the middle both geographically and in terms of merchandise selection.
fred
I just did some googling. My nearest Lowes is located in a village with a median household income (2021) of 185k. The closest Home Depot is located in a village with a reported 2021 household median income of $115k. But while that sounds like a significant difference, they are less than 2 miles apart.
Stuart
This particular store seems average.
Another Lowe’s store that I go to around 45 minutes away isn’t in a more affluent area, but feels larger and is in a significantly busier shopping area. I prefer that store, as they always have more promo displays.
Nathan
Yeah I think more people are holding back than is being reported. And I think more people shop online only and won’t walk in the store
Nobody behind a news desk will say the words but I would say recession
Michael Hammer
It’s hard to tell what’s up with the economy. On the one hand, I already have $8M on the books for 2024 home remodels with another $6M projected, which indicates growth, but I’m seeing an uptick in qualified job applicants, some self employed, which would indicate contraction of the market. Fred is right, cash is king. There are bound to be opportunities in the coming year. Ideally for me, the high-end stays strong and there is a slump at the midrange as I desperately need qualified carpenters.
Matt
In addition to the reasons above, most of which I agree with, Lowe’s and SBD have done a great job making people not want their previously sought after brands. Craftsman is effectively dead to me. And even if it wasn’t, they aren’t even keeping pace with Ryobi, much less trying to catch up like they should be. Kobalt is (IMO) the same quality, but second fiddle now. None of those deals look good except maybe the drill, but again you would have to want Craftsman…
Basically, I shop Lowe’s for appliances these days and that’s it. But HomeDepot even had them beat on those prices in October when I needed something. Plus they are, as others have mentioned, significantly less convenient in my area.
Dave
I just didn’t think any of the deals were very good. Mostly a couple dollars off here and there. Nothing that I would feel the need to buy if I didn’t immediately need it. Home Depot had better deals but it was also the same stuff they have every year and I’ve already got a 10 year supply of Diablo saw blades. Flex was running some good promo’s but of course Lowes didn’t bother advertising them in the store.
KMR
The best way I can sum it up: Lowes Blows. I don’t think what you saw in that store is indicative of anything other than issues surrounding Lowes’ own business problems and maybe because people have caught on that all of that blue Kobalt holiday only stuff is junk. Both HD and Lowes had Q3 decreases in sales, but Lowes decrease was double HD’s. Lowes is just “meh” at this point.
Regarding comments on the economy. I am satisfied, if not happy, about the economy today. 2023 has been an overall positive year and I am optimistic looking into 2024. Stock market gains (depending on what you’re invested in), inflation is decreasing YoY, interest rates stabilizing and likely no further increases, historically low unemployment, wages up over prior years, vast majority of supply chain issues resolved. What’s not to like about 2023?
Jim Felt
Agreed. But “we” might be in a more positive and proactive self perpetuated bubble. While the “negatives” have their own source of opinions.
“Strange Days” as Jim Morrison once sang.
BigTimeTommy
[undeserved harsh sarcasm]
KMR
Oh boy. I actually posted statements that can be referenced for their underlying facts. Which stat do you want referenced?
You decided to post a sarcastic remark devoid of any meaningful content including whatever facts or statistics you think are correct. [harsh retort]
BigTimeTommy
Which unemployment numbers? U1? U6? Saying “historically low unemployment” is meaningless. No offense intended but you’re obviously clueless, bud.
BigTimeTommy
It was very deserved, stu stu.
Stuart
He shared an earnest view, and instead of arguing about any specific point you put words in his mouth with sarcastic antagonism, switching the focus to bickering.
In the last comment, “something something,” “personal attack.”
John Barnhill
I went to Lowe’s on Black Friday and didn’t buy anything. All of their displays were Kobalt and Craftsman, neither of which I buy. I did see the Klein tools, but I already have them.
I buy Dewalt and Milwaukee, depending on the product. I’m in the big dewalt battery eco-system and I didn’t see a single dewalt product in a display at my Lowes. No tapes, no box cutters, nothing. I bought a few storage boxes and a laser level at Home Depot. And I’m a person who always shops Lowe’s first because I prefer their store layout and the more orderly feel of the store.
Michael F
Serves retailers right. I can’t be the only one getting sick of seeing “deals” that aren’t even close to deals. These are weekend flash sale deals, not Black Friday deals. If retailers would stop insulting us then they’d move inventory.
Badger12345
I noticed a problem this year with Home Depot deals. In November they had a M12 ratchet and battery promo one day for $199 which was “sold out” when I got to the site mid-morning. The next day it was back in stock (>1000 units) at a price of $429. What? In the last week Home Depot had the M12 surge with the 2.5 battery for $129. Immediately goes out of stock. Today the price is $149 and they have 924 units available.
These tool promos are starting to feel like clickbait.
Badger12345
Here is the ratchet promo I referenced: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-3-8-in-Cordless-Ratchet-with-High-Output-5-0-2-5-Ah-Batteries-and-Charger-2567-20-48-59-2452S/325666527
BigTimeTommy
Not seeing any good deals. Blue collar workers are still underpaid across the board and the dying middle class doesn’t have as much money for diy projects so I have no idea who would be spending money on these “sales” even as gifts.
Terry
I went to HD and Lowe’s on Black Friday
HD had crowds and lines to check out.
Lowe’s was like a normal Saturday, no crowds and no lines.
I think Lowe’s screwed up and misjudged the seasonal buying
GG
It’s the same stuff over and over and over again. I think most regular Lowe’s and HD shoppers already have most of these items I know I haven’t bought anything this holiday season. Not because I can’t, but how many times am I supposed to take advantage of a special on cordless drills? I have three. I won’t buy be buying another, no matter how far down they are marked.
tim Rowledge
My local “big town” (Nanaimo BC) had a Target. It was so poorly run I don’t think it lasted a year. They turned it into a Lowe’s. It was effectively empty both times I went in . It closed after a couple of years. It’s now a Rona, and I doubt it will be any longer lived.
Christopher Cash
I wanted to buy the genie garage door opener. It’s out of stock at my local store but, but I can order it online. Went to check out and they are charging $75.00 for shipping. Say it’s a scheduled delivery.
Sj
I have always started early looking a Black Friday ads. Lowe’s approach to the sale was terrible. And they carried the ad through the sale. The quality of Craftsman tools has gone down and is a no buy for me anymore. Last pliers I bought rusted terrible, My old Craftsman tools never rusted. Home Depot on the other hand got my money this year. Their deals were good for quality tools. My purchases were mainly in the Milwaukee line. Bought my wife a M12 Drill Driver Impact for $99.00. Home Depot’s Marketing approach far surpassed Lowe’s. Lowe’s should be shaking that Department up.
Clay
Your link to the Lowes deals does not work, just FYI.
Stuart
Thank you – I thought I had fixed it, it should be working properly now.
Bill
Not so surprising. A lot of these items mentioned are great stocking stuffers and last minute shopper items. More concerning would be how much in inventory is left the final few days before Christmas. If the store, or stores are good at merchandising, they will be consolidating and down stocking more merchandise to keep it looking full. PS, shopping at 5:30 in the afternoon is a great time to shop quietly. Dinner time.
Stuart
I went to the Home Depot next, and they were bustling. 11am and 2pm are quiet times.
Joe E.
Lowe’s and SBD are dropping the ball with Craftsman. They’re not cashing in on the brand nostalgia. Sears used to have some amazing Craftsman tool sales during the holiday season. I remember getting excited every year to go shopping there on Black Friday and leading up to Christmas. Going to Lowe’s for Craftsman tools? Meh. The deals aren’t that great and the tools aren’t that exciting.
Home Depot does it right.
William Adams
The thing is, it’s hard to get excited about a Craftsman tool which:
– isn’t made in the U.S.
– doesn’t have the convenience of grabbing it at Sears while the significant other is shopping for home goods
– doesn’t have the no-questions asked warranty
but, that’s an era which is long dead and gone — at least the U.S. Made tools will survive it — there are a few more I need to pick up off eBay.
Ezzy
There are 3 Home Depots and 3 Lowe’s in my area. I generally go to whichever is closest. However I know that when I go to Lowe’s I can expect it to take at least 20 minutes extra if I’m going to need any help in the store. They are woefully understaffed and most of their employees are next to useless. Home Depot by comparison often hires ex professionals in their field. I’ve found that to be true about all the Lowe’s stores in my area of NJ.
Tom Crombie
The only tool I wanted was a 1/2 inch Impact Wrench and the deals were sold out even before Black Friday!
Bob
Economy bad blah blah blah nope these just weren’t deals lol
Actual deals sold out consumer spending up 7.5% vs last year – adobe analytics
David Enderby
I am a self employed contractor and I used to do all my shopping at Lowe’s until they did away with the military discount. I’ve since taken all my business to HD, where they do offer the discount. Plus their tool section is A+
BrianA
My military buddy just told me the opposite? He said Lowes gives 10% and no cap, where HD caps the military 10% discount at $50.
KJ
Yeah, can confirm. Home Depot stoped it’s discount/limited it. Lowe’s still has 10% off for vets
Yup, its me
Home Depot, IMHO, has a lot better deals then Lowes. They have the little things you buy cheap, like a “I don’t need it but want it just in case” type deals more so than lowes. I do not dislike lowes, I just think the deals are better at home depot this Christmas.
Champs
These are self-inflicted wounds in the retail sector. Yes, there was inflation, and I think we weathered that just fine until the MBAs saw those upward trend lines and tried to ride them forever.
Stores can’t just walk back from that opportunistic greed, so they have to spin it as one sale after another since the end of summer. When everything is discounted, nothing is a discount, and consumers are fatigued.
Michael F
Exactly this. I don’t believe for a second that economic conditions and supply constraints justify pricing on consumer goods right now , including tools. The companies just don’t want to lower pricing after they tasted that sweet greed during COVID when they could charge whatever they wanted.
KJ
Chiming in as a Lowe’s employee (on the merchandising team)
Our store is a bit more empty than yours but not by much. From what I remember almost everything we did in sales was through appliances and inside garden. Tool areas look full still, no crazy deals that make me want to spend any of my money etc. The kelin stuff isn’t selling very well either.
In my opinion it’s a combination of: bad deals (like 3 bucks off of a 20 dollar tool ain’t it, no way that’s a door buster) and brand image issues specifically related to hand tools which are a large portion of the black Friday deals. Craftsman and kobalt do not have any draw for a lot of customers. Compare them to Gearwrench, Milwaukee, Crescent, DeWalt, and Stanley.
Lowe’s doesn’t leverage the brands it has access too. You don’t see any advertising or deals on Irwin, Lennox, Klein, Estwing, Channel lock, or Wiha. We carry all of those on the shelves but not a single pod or black Friday deal that’s advertised. And on top of that the stores dropped most Fluke products and dropped Knipex in store, Tekton doesn’t even show up in stores!
I get customers asking all the time for Milwaukee, DeWalt, Stanley, etc.
PW
I think you’re really close to the right answer. Or at least the reason *I* didn’t buy anything from Lowe’s this season. I just didn’t like what was on offer! Not just the brands, but the tool options themselves. It’s all something I already have at prices higher than I already paid.
Home Depot saw my BF buys this year. I think the tool buyers at Lowe’s need to have a hard look in the mirror.
Smokey
They didn’t have any amazing deals on Kobalt 24V tool kits this year. And I don’t know how well the Craftsman is selling, especially compared to picked through Ryobi battery deals at HD.
I’m not sure people go to Lowe’s for tools anymore if there’s a Home Depot near them. The boomers bought their Craftsman tools 40 years ago. Early this year when the holiday shippers were going on clearance, there was a shipper with 5pc Wiha drivers (made in Germany) for $19.99 with two units sold, went back when they were on clearance for $11 and the shipper was still half full. I managed to get a 2pk of 10” Spyder 40T miter saw blades for about $20, they were up all holiday season for $40-$50, cost $40ea retail and didn’t sell. Home Depot had similar Diablo 2pks of 40T 10”-12” blades for $40 and they never went onto the clearance aisle.
Chris Thompson
Consumer spending is down across the board. Trucking companies are struggling because there’s not much freight to move. And, shippers are low balling them for the few loads that they have. This indicates a general lack of demand for goods.
Jeremiah McKenna
I’ll sum it up, Pros don’t typically buy Kobalt, and the economy has been tanking, so less homeowners and DIY are buying lower priced/quality tools.
TomD
I rank kobalt and craftsman around where I rank Hart at walmart, and it seems pretty clear many others do, too.
Joe E.
I agree with the assessment.
Regardless of the fact SBD failed to make Craftsman mechanics tools in the USA, they had an amazing opportunity to position the brand in the pro DIY’er segment and offer above average quality tools. I look at their cheap red handled screwdrivers, chunky handled pot metal pliers and goofy mechanics sets with tons of screwdriver bits, skipped socket sizes a just a few wrenches. The sets look like they sat an orangutan at a table and had it fill the case with random tools with no rhyme or reason. “Good enough”, is what Craftsman said.
Did they even understand what the “V” series was before they used the name to market a higher end line of tools? Out-of-touch.
Maybe they’ll make a “G2” series next.
Marc
I was at Home Depot last night and all the tool displays were well stocked and hardly anyone in the store. My HD is a 1/4 mile away from a Lowes. I mostly shop HD but Lowes carries some things I prefer. But frankly, as an older consumer, I have about as many tools as I can shove into my two car garage. Not much I need. I buy when I need something special for a project. And all those “special” deals just don’t seem very special any more. Prices were increased so much over the past couple years that none of them are so attractive that I “must” buy one of them today.
John
Same idea at one of the local HD locations. I asked staff about both Lowes and the HD location and very few items they’ve restocked. In fact the Lowes store cancelled the shipments from their DC for replenishments. One of the few things that sold out of control at this Lowes was the Kobalt mini tool boxes at $12. They are all gone within 50 miles of where I am at. I feel like the stores dedicated clearance isle in the back is going to be overwhelmed with moveable carts stacked full of this leftover holiday stuff.
HD staff reported the same. The other local HD pretty much everything sold out but that store is located right off the interstate highway and is huge with the contracts small to large. They are one of the few HD stores around with a full small tool rental, truck rental, and large equipment rental department.
It’s the economy. When one bag of groceries can be upwards of $150 now (I think I set the record last week with that) people are struggling. I’m far from broke and in a good position but to still contribute to my retirement, health accounts, and even hit my goal of paying off our mortage quicker something has to go (frivalous spending). My situation I’m in is not the norm these days though and people are struggling with necessities let alone anything else. Forget about anyone that had to recently purchase a home at over 8% interest rates or any other major purchase. The math doesn’t math.
Specifically for Lowes in this case I blame it partially on the crap they keep peddling. Craftsman is dead. My stores are abandoning Bosch, Metabo HPT, and even Flex. Almost all of it is on clearance for power tools. The best thing they have going for them now is Klein Tools, the imports of Wera / Knipex etc, and the partnership with Fluke for some of their equipment. Even Kobalt isn’t a brand I’d go after anymore.
We’re probably at saturation too for many tool categories. At this point in my life I’ve got so many different flash lights, work lights, and light solutions that I’m starting to donate, give away, or sell to up to better brands and less of them. There’s only so many work lights one needs. Same idea for pliers. I’m not buying anything that isn’t a certain high quality brand no matter the deal on it. I’m sure others feel that way.
Robbie G
The biggest problem I’ve seen with these sales is that they aren’t much of a sale. I was at Lowe’s for these so called sales last year and was getting loaded up on half off items. This year just comparing to Amazon pricing, Lowe’s was regularly 10 percent higher by their sale price than Amazon’s normal price. They’re “junk” tooling is just now getting to the cheap side since they’re backpedalling into clearance prices now.
PW
My anecdote is that Lowe’s isn’t selling what I’m buying. I don’t think I’m alone though. I was at my local Lowes tonight – the few promo stands that had anything I considered a deal were empty or near empty. The other 90% were pretty full.
For several years now, BF deals have had more or less the same stuff but at ever increasing prices. I am set for flashlights, utility knives, and scissors. My eyes glaze over at shitty imported “Craftsman” wrenches. I don’t need any of this stuff, and the prices are too high to make a real deal.
I had a list of items I planned to buy from Lowe’s this holiday season, and half of it didn’t even go on (any kind) of sale.
Most of the brands and products I saw were aimed at homeowners (not pros). This is in contrast to what I see at HD – lots of SBD and TTI product with nominal pro appeal. So Lowe’s needs to get homeowners to impulse buy their BF promos. But new homeowners are thin around me with 8% interest rates, high house prices, and low inventory. Meaning most of their customers have already had several bites at the apple the last 8 times these same things went on sale.
My Lowe’s is next door to a Home Depot. So it controls for “the economy” or “how people feel”, at least in my locale. That HD has a much more expected mix of seasonal inventory this point – a strong minority of displays have sold out or are winding down. The really good deals are sold out or have had to be restocked.
I think Lowe’s merch team just blew it on the tool section this year. They need to go back to the drawing board and find stuff that’s different and appealing. They have a lot of quality brands they could draw on – Bosch, DeWalt, Lennox, Ego, Flex. Stop just lazily slapping blue Kobalt plastic on white label goods I already own.
You know where I did buy stuff at Lowe’s? The electrical aisle, where at 50+% off some of their crappy Ideal/Kobalt offerings finally hit the FOMO zone.
Doghair
Lowes did horrible with advertising. I went to buy a dishwasher and I was meh about the advertised price, so I was lethargic about it but still bit because I needed a new one, and they had rebates going. Turns out it was 190$ cheaper than I thought. Surely they’d have sold more if they advertised the prices properly.
Tad
Low quality tool brands plus poor customer service = No sales.
It’s not rocket science 😂
Joe E.
100% Facts.
Lowe’s customer service is terrible. I long for the day they shut that bitch down and turn it into something more useful like an indoor flea market or Halloween Express.
Dominic S
It’s because Lowe’s tool lines are garbage. Nobody wants craftsman or Kobalt tools. Bosch is becoming more and more niche. Klein is about the only thing from lowes’ tool selection I would buy. HD is selling Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi and has deals on everything.
BamaMike
Not true. I agree with Craftsman, I’ve been using them tools all my life until they sold out. Kobalt however has not been a problem for me. I’ve been using their 24v cordless tools and yard tools for a few years now and have had no problems. I like the price of their batteries and their long life, especially the extended run batteries.
Mark+S
I notice in your photos how CLEAN those sections are. As in organized and pulled forward, stacked, etc. “Facing”, right (my retail days are more than 15 years ago so I forgot the technical terms!)
I’ve been in several local Lowes and none have their promo sections organized like this. To me, the photos make it look like everything is well stocked. BUT…..I know they aren’t. There’s empty spots in the back, but you are correct. In retail this stuff should be gone by now and it’s not.
Lowes deals aren’t deals. Flat out. They suck this year. And they seem to really lay heavy on “deals” on Kobalt stuff that isn’t that great. (I own a little bit of everything from ALL brands and price points and have a hard time finding anything Kobalt this above mediocre)
HD deals are better and they have the bigger brands in my opinion, and it appears to be many other opinions as well.
CosmicFurFace
You noticed as well! Look to the left of the Klein tools displays, and the facing is clear, the displays half empty but properly pulled forward. Kudos to the Loew’s employee who did that.
One thought I’ve not seen much in this discussion: Folks aren’t “doing” stuff like they used to. Yes, the neighbor has had someone working on their basement for 6 weeks now, but anyone else? I did all the projects I wanted to in the last 3 years, and there’s little else I’m working on. My neighbors don’t seem to have the projects going as they did 5yrs ago. And if home sales are stagnant, no one is “fixing to sell” nor doing the move-in projects as before. I projects, no tools, either pro or DIY.
I just feel “meh” about new projects, and my neighbors seem to as well.
Ben
I have most of the tools they have on sale so there really isn’t a point in buying anything, the only thing I bought on black Friday was there kobalt 6.0 volt battery that was on sale. But they don’t have any more in stock at my Lowe’s.
David
My simple take on most of the inventory in stores, not just Lowe’s, is the fact that I did not find any Black Friday sales worth my time. Even the things I wanted to buy I am postponing my purchases due to the fact I think all prices are inflated to unreasonable levels. Just my opinion
JC
I just picked up a Kobalt 50 piece 1/4″ socket set for $19.98. They have them in the gift bar area. Seems a pretty nice set for that price.
Lrk
This year is has it’s up’s and down. As for the big box stores. There so called black Friday deals aren’t there . The product line up is a repeat of year’s gone by. There nothing there that catches the consumer eye as it being a deal or making a great gift. As for tools the market is flooded with tools. From the department store to local hardware store and anything in-between and on line there tools. And with the uncertainty of the country today people are being cautious with there hard earned money. There not sure what tomorrow might bring.
Mitchell Lynn Bonnett
People cannot afford to buy tools when they have to make sure they have a place to live and food to eat first. Despite the propaganda the media is pushing, my opinion is that this economy is the worst I have seen since the Carter administration. The price inflation in the last few years, while not as bad as the Carter administration (yet) is getting there. My brother and I spent over $70 to see a movie two days ago (coke and popcorn was $20 – each) and theatre could only afford to have a single employee working (counter, ticket sales, entry to movie, and short order cook – same guy). Yes, I know this is a tool site – but this terrible economy affects tool sales and innovation.
Jim Worrall
Lowes offered almost no discounts for Black Friday. They advertised regular prices as if they were deeply discounted but the prices were not reduced. Lowes’ upper management are incompetent. They think consumers are stupid.
Arieleno
Just left Lowes an hour ago. It’s funny I saw this article because as I was checking out I noticed a sign that said “extended black Friday sale”. It was in front of a pile of 4′ fiberglass step ladders, 225lb rated for $29. That is one he’ll of a deal. Ans there was still a pile of them. And no, I didn’t buy one, I just have too many ladders to buy one for any price.
Kevin
Lowe’s needs to follow suit like the rest of the major hardware stores with email marketing more. I feel it is low in comparison to places like Harbor freight, home Depot or menards. All of which have specially displayed deals like 11% rebate or harbor freight with the good, great, best tool picks and personal branding. Home Depot is heavy on advertising and providing credit to contractors. Lowe’s has not a location super close to me and maybe I do not see things as much but I feel this marketing of Lowe’s is not up to par in comparison with some others. Which all send weekly if not more email marketing campaigns. Lowe’s has turned the one I used to go to into a Lowe’s outlet which has little of what I look for. There pricing on construction materials is critical too and is what draws in contractors for projects which in turn has them buy tools too. Again they are not close so I don’t go there enough but this is my opinion and what I believe is going on. I myself am a contractor and I buy materials for projects at the same place I buy tools quite often. Quality of tools and other factors play a major part as well as compatibility as why would I get a craftsman tool set if I already am rockin Milwaukee or Makita batteries for tools. I will check out Lowe’s tomorrow just to take a look around. I believe these are critical points that should be addressed. They do offer some things unlike the other stores and I appreciate some of those items being available when needed for projects that I won’t mention as I like it to be in stock lol. I feel the weak marketing campaigning is hitting them hardest here quite possibly along with the lack in the st. Louis county locale and pricing on contractor supplies. Concrete near front of store for hauling and convenience like driving to go into a yard like Menards for pick ups. This is merely my opinion of issues I see occuring and could be further addressed to get Lowe’s kicking into gear instead of staying in the dust cloud behind others.
Todd
I do the same each year. I look forward to these “sale” or “deal” bins. But it seems year after year it’s the same items.. at the same “new lower price” OR they redo the packaging and now it’s $2 more than what I bought it for last year. But every once in a while you find a hidden gem and it actually is a good deal.. but most of these deals you can get 10 other times throughout the year. That I think is part of the issue. But I still go weekly to see what else may be put or what price may be lower than normal. I think for the average consumer some of these may look like deals. But if you frequent the stores and monitor prices.. most of these are just the same old sale.. Black Friday weekend was about the only real deals I saw..
Stuart
For the most part, they *are* deals, just not what consumers are shopping for or have been waiting for.
SteveP
“Save 40% when you buy 3 or more”
I was a college teacher for 15 years, and I suspect this wording just confuses the average shopper. Plus we are all suspicious of exactly what is required to qualify for such deals, and having the ignominy of the obligatory self-checkout refusing to grant us our discount and making us beg for it from the One Human Working
This probably worked great in the Marketing lab, but obviously not so well in the real world