Count On Tools is repeating their very popular 30% promo on PB Swiss Tools this year. This is their biggest sale of the year.
But before I talk about their Black Friday sale, let’s talk about an exclusive pre-sale that we worked out with them. They offered to give ToolGuyd readers a first shot at the sale, and while it’s not a lot higher, I was able to convince them to bump up the discount for you guys, to 32%.
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I bought a LOT of tools from them last year, and there are a few items on my wishlist that I hope to find the time to order this time around.
Their inventory is shipped out on a “first come, first served” basis. Last year, I quickly received more than half of the tools I ordered, and the remainder followed a couple of weeks later. They had to wait for a resupply from Switzerland. Plus, I ordered some specialty tools that they probably don’t regularly keep on-hand.
In other words, ordering earlier might mean you get your new tools earlier.
ToolGuyd Exclusive: Save 32% off your order, Thanksgiving Day only.
Coupon Code: TOOLGUYDBF32 . The Early Bird Deal starts 12:01am PST, ends 11:59pm PST, 11/23/2017.
If you can’t get your order in on Thanksgiving, here are the details for their publicly-promoted Black Friday sale:
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Black Friday Coupon: BF2017, valid starting at 12:01am PST on 11/24/17, end ending at 11:59pm PST on 11/27/17.
Where does the coupon code go? After you checkout, it is the second or third screen, after shipping/billing addresses are entered. It is lower left side of the screen.
Fine Print:
Must enter code online to receive special pricing. The Black Friday coupon code is only valid from 11/24/17 to 11/27/17. Not valid for resale. Coupon Code cannot be used with any other coupons, promos, or free shipping. Coupon codes good for one-time use only. Coupon code cannot be used for previous orders or orders in progress. We reserve the right to modify or replace any part of these terms and conditions without notice.
Note: We do not have any affiliate relationship with Count On Tools. We’ve chatted throughout the years, and I’ve mentioned their Black Friday deals in the past. This is the first time we’ve talked about an “early bird” deal, but it sounded good to me.
I was very satisfied with my order with them last year, and have no hesitations in recommending them. Keep in mind that you might have to wait for some parts of your order, as they can’t keep everything in stock, and it’s hard to predict which tools will be high-volume sellers during this very popular deal. They were good to communicate with.
Here’s a look at some of our past PB Swiss Tool reviews and previews, in case you need some ideas. Links are to previous ToolGuyd posts about the the tools.
PB Swiss has some new precision screwdrivers out. I nagged Count On to get these up and listed before the sale goes live.
I bought one of these interchangeable shaft screwdriver sets last year, and it’s held up well. It’s pricey, but fantastically well-made.
I’m probably going to buy these cross-handle ball hex drivers in 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm sizes. I wish that they were also available in imperial sizes.
A stubby PB Swiss Insider screwdriver with pull-out bit cartridge?! Of course I bought one.
I LOVE PB Swiss color-coded ball hex keys. They’re simply the best I have ever used, with perfect fitment every time.
I splurged on a ratcheting screwdriver last year, but not on the high-priced set, just the driver. Well, the driver and some loose bits I was ordering anyways.
I’m not having an easy time finding this T-handle bit holder on Count On Tools’ site. It’s a great tool, and it has on-board bit storage.
I don’t have the tool in front of me, but luckily I was able to read it from my review:
Update: It seems to be discontinued, but if you ask nicely enough they could check to see if there are any left in the Swiss warehouse.
I love these BitBlock bit holders. And all my PB Swiss bits. There are a mix of bits in this origanizer.
These stubby ball hex keys have gotten me out of a couple of jams.
PB Swiss hex bit sockets – more accurately called hex sockets since they’re one-piece sockets – are superb. I just wish they were available in inch sizing too.
This stubby bit holder sees a lot of use. It’s much less expensive than the stubby Insider, because it doesn’t come with any bits.
These precision screwdrivers are just okay. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new style compares.
I use their technician screwdriver quite a bit. I bought another one, for my wife, and a blue one that has smaller screwdriver sizes. That bit is double-ended and is magnetically retained. There’s also a new mini Insider that comes with ore than one double-ended bit.
This is their Bike Tool.
I got my first taste of PB Swiss tools thanks to Small Parts and Amazon clearance pricing. Not everything shown here is PB Swiss. The red-handled MultiCraft screwdrivers, and most of the tools on the bottom right corner are all PB Swiss. Those funky mini screwdrivers on the bottom are small-sized cross-handle Torx. Those little Torx screwdrivers see a lot of use.
This is the Insider 2.
And here’s the Insider 3.
There’s also a more basic PB Swiss Tools Insider, one of the first tools I ever reviewed on ToolGuyd. I bought a second one last holiday season, in blue. That original Insider is great, but the end cap can unscrew as I’m using the screwdriver. For that reason, the newer-style Insiders, while pricier, see a little more use, or at least personal favor.
I also bought the long-shaft version of the Insider 3 ratcheting screwdriver, and it’s worked out well.
Callum
Has anyone else been given outrageous shipping quotes from Count on tools? I put 4 screwdrivers in my cart and they quoted me $20 to ship to Colorado. This makes ordering from them completely impractical for me. (I was looking at putting together an order of a few screwdrivers and a handful of bits, but this much on shipping makes it much too expensive to justify)
Stuart
Shipping is painful, but gets less so with larger orders. In other words, it’s not just you.
I always figured it was due to their calculator or that’s just how much small businesses have to charge to ship things. Maybe it’s based on what’s in stock and what’s not?
I’ve become more understanding of shipping fees. The last package I sent out had a couple of hand tools and a medium-sized cordless power tool, and it cost me $26 for the slowest and cheapest method. I sized out a package I need to send soon, and it’ll be $35.
2 years ago, I ordered something via their Amazon storefront, because I just needed one item and it worked out better. But they won’t have that 10% Amazon discount again this year.
In the past, I felt just like you did, and so I let my wishlist grow. I bought a few items I needed through their Amazon storefront, and then last year my wishlist was large enough that the discount greatly made up for the shipping fee.
I’m curious, and I should point out that they’ll likely be reading these comments – would you buy those items at full price or a lesser discount if shipping was free?
fred
At some level we probably all realize that there is no such thing as free shipping. The costs to get a product out the door and ship it are real. These cost may be built into the price, may be absorbed (wholly or in part) as an advertising cost, may be absorbed in reduced profit margins, or may be offset by some sort of membership fee (as in Amazon Prime.) A small vendor – especially if offering a discount that cuts into their margins – may have little room to absorb their shipping costs, offset it against other income streams or write it off as business expense.
I have all noticed that Amazon prices are higher than some items that are sold at Home Depot or Lowes. My take on this is that shipping cost may be built into the Amazon price. Amazon also does not often discount for buying multiples of a single item, sometimes making it cheaper to buy from one of their third part vendors who charges for shipping – but adjusts the shipping cost when you buy multiples. That probably makes sense to both Amazon (not wanting to deal with adjusting shipping costs) and to the third party sellers as well.
In the businesses that I was familiar with, when we fabricated piping, railings or other metalwork or built cabinets and delivered them to a jobsite for others to install – shipping (usually by a third party) was added on as a discrete cost. If we were doing the installation, we’d likely be delivering to the jobsite and rolling that cost into our overall contract price. In neither case was shipping free. In some cases we’d quote FOB our loading dock – if the customer wanted to pick-up or arrange for their own third-party delivery.
Bart
I understand it isn’t free, but it frustrates me to no end when places tack on $5-6 “handling” fees on relatively small orders. Paying the shipping department folks and packing materials should be built in across the prices of the entire product line. I’m one of those folks who pays attention to the bottom line price so I’m well inclined to go elsewhere (if I can) if it is apparent that the shipping prices are being heavily padded.
But to answer your question Stuart, I’d take a lesser discount and just get a straight up shipping quote instead of a shell-shock marked up one.
FWIW, you can choose USPS Priority Mail and get the shipping down to a more sane $11.50 on a single set of screwdrivers.
Callum
I fully realize the cost of shipping, but for premium products like this its often normal to cover them in the retailer’s margins. Along those lines, I just realized that ToolLady offers free shipping on $100 orders and a Black Friday 30% discount, so that’s the way I’ll go. I can save a ton of money doing that instead of buying from Count On Tools as my order will likely be under $200.
Stuart
That’s an option too. I used to link to both Tool Lady and Count On Tools. I have not yet ordered anything from Tool Lady under the new ownership.
I had a great experience with Count On Tools last year, and might have been nervous placing the same order with Tool Lady. But for a small order of a few items, I’d probably go with either, wherever had the better price.
Andrew
I’ve bought from the new owner. No problems. They are great.
Adam
Sweet, that what I want, only the inventor of all these great tools sent to me. Then I’ll just have him machine them all in my house. He might be here a while. 😀
Stuart
When I spoke with my Count On Tools contact the other day, he told me about a customer who finally wore out a 50-year-old interchangeable screwdriver bit, and needed a replacement. It fit his existing handle perfectly.
So… if the inventor is still around, they are probably retired. =)
HV
Played around in the cart in anticipation of tomorrow. I don’t see where you enter the discount codes though…
Shipping seems more reasonable (relatively) if you choose USPS.
Thanks!
Eric
Where do I enter the promo code? I can’t find it anywhere on their checkout workflow.
Stuart
“After you checkout, it is the second or third screen, after shipping/billing addresses are entered. It is lower left side of the screen.”
Bart
Still not seeing where to enter the promo code. I’m on the payment screen and I’m not seeing a box for a promo code anywhere on the page.
Looking for a set of insulated screwdrivers, any opinions between PB Swiss, Felo, and Wera?
Diplomatic Immunity
I can vouch for PB Swiss screwdrivers. I’ve bought quite a few items (couple hundred bucks worth) over the past two years from Count On Tools and have never had any issues. Something about that Swissgrip material that is just fantastic. I have a set of Felo Ergonic screwdrivers 200 series neon (which are great) but the Swissgrip is even better. I’ve torqued down phillips head screws before with both and for some reason I’m able to torque down on a screw head even harder with them without camming out.
That stubby bit driver is great for when you need to apply a lot of backpressure to the driver while still being able to screw in whatever screw is giving you trouble. I might look into getting those new precision screwdrivers this time.
mla
What do you guys think of pb swiss vs wiha? I’ve been leaning to wiha but have no direct experience with either.
Stuart
PB Swiss is to Wiha, as Wiha is to Stanley.
Chris Fyfe
PB makes good stuff , the stubby with the bit magazine is a very sweet set up , their ratcheting drivers are super .Their bits are super , when cam out is not an option . Not to mention , the best deadblow hammers in the bussiness .
Chris
Jimmy
I got sucked in to ordering a fair bit of PB Swiss stuff after reading about it here.
One thing that I didn’t see mentioned that I really like is the crosshandle ratcheting screwdriver handle. It is the perfect size and shape for applying a lot of pressure to a screw and it is more comfortable than a traditional handle when there is significant resistance.
http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Crosshandle-Ratchet-for-1-4-Screwdriver-Bits-255MR-80.htm
Diplomatic Immunity
Cool. I was looking at that last year and wondering about it. How’s the ratcheting mechanism? You wouldn’t happen to know the tooth count would you? Hard to find info about some of these items. Their main site says it’s 133 mm long so it’s a lot smaller than it looks on their site; which is good because it seems like it would be less awkward to hold.
Stuart
I have one in my hand.
It’s a hair shy of being 5″ long, straight up from the bit holder. The 133 mm length measurement is likely the length to the topmost part of the grip.
If you hold it the right way – one way fits better than reverse – it has a PERFECT grip.
I’m counting 24 smoooooooth teeth. “click, click, click” and not “clunk, clunk, clunk.”
Jimmy
Here’s a picture of it in my hand with a ruler for scale. I have pretty big hands (large or XL gloves).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvgzb26lmuopik7/IMG_20171123_102131.jpg?dl=0
It appears to be the same ratcheting mechanism as the Insider 3 and Twister screwdriver handles, which doesn’t have a lot of teeth but is still surprisingly smooth and pleasant to use.
Diplomatic Immunity
Just a heads up but it looks like they have a stubby ratchet now that just came out on their main swiss site that hasn’t come out yet on Count-on Tools site.
https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/quality-hand-tools/screwdrivers/product/pb-8453r-30/
Stuart
Thanks!
If you or anyone else is interesting in buying one, I can ask my contact about availability and if they can get a sales page up for it.
Don
I am trying to decide which PB Swiss ratcheting screwdriver to buy–the Insider 3 (with bits inside the handle) or the Swissgrip version (standalone version without bits).
Any suggestions?
And a big thanks for arranging this promo deal.
Stuart
PB Swiss screwdriver bits are top quality, but pricey. If you can spend more, and think you’ll use most of the bits that come with the Insider, that’s the better buy. Even if not, it has built-in tool storage.
But the SwissGrip version is nice too. (I have both.)