Over at Zoro, there’s a pretty good 3-day promo going on now. Spend $200+, get 20% off your order, and spend over $300 and get 25% off.
Over at Facebook, someone recently asked me for some ratchet recommendations. One of the brands I recommended was Proto, and they asked for a good place to buy Proto tools. My answer – Zoro, especially when they’re running a 25% coupon promo just like they’re doing right now.
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I’ve bought lots of stuff from Zoro in the past few years – mainly tools, but also various industrial supplies, fasteners, and other stuff. During this promo period, I’ll likely order some hands tools from my wishlist, some random other stuff (like fresh Loctite and a bunch of individual Super Lube packets), and maybe some raw materials.
Coupon code is KABOOM. There’s some Fine Print. Coupon is good June 26th thru 28th, 2017.
fred
As we know, these deals come around fairly often – so its good to get on Zoro’s email list. They had the 25% off deal a week or 2 ago – on $200 – but it may have been tied to your email address.
Over the years they have also become a bit more restrictive – so you need t look at the exclusions – but shipping is thrown into the price – so its usually a good deal.
Adam
It’s a shame that Bosch is excluded. I’ve got three of their tools on my wishlist.
Jim
Huge fan of the blog, hesitant to speak ill – but in the spirit of “we can’t be bought” (that I love so much about this site!), Zoro’s prices aren’t so hot – even after the discount.
I won’t mention anywhere specifically, but…maybe shop around a bit if you’re looking at this sale. The few things I compared can be had for much less elsewhere at regular prices.
Stuart
I have found the same to be true, depending on the product type. I tend to find better pricing on the sort of tools I can’t buy at Amazon or Home Depot.
I’ve bought some things at regular pricing when I needed something fast and couldn’t wait for a promo, other things I add to a shopping list and buy during a coupon promo like this one.
It absolutely always pays to shop around.
For what it’s worth, I’ve always had great experiences with Zoro customer service.
fred
I use Zoro pricing less 25% as a benchmark for comparison. Sometimes they are way out f line even with the 25% off – other times its a great price on items that don’t get discounted much elsewhere.
Amazon is also not always the cheapest – not even their 3rd party vendors.
Even though I’m paying for Prime – I sometimes feel that I’m paying for shipping twice with Amazon – once built into the price and once with my Prime membership costs.
As you say – you should shop around for price. But also there is the factor of convenience and customer service to be considered. Both Amazon and Zoro (a Grainger Company) – do provide good service IMO.
Jim Felt
fred.
My experience with Zoro customer service has always been great. After all their web site is not terribly customer friendly. But their people are. Hmmm.
Jim Felt
I used the earlier 25% off promo last week. A bunch of 12 gage 12′ steel shelving slotted angles.
Last sales promo round was speed rail components. Both hard to find locally or “casually”.
fred
We bought a lot of Imperial (aka Imperial-Eastman – aka Stride Tool) and Wheeler Rex tools from Zoro. With a 25% (sometimes 30%) discount and free shipping they were very good on pricing .
I just took a peek at one item from an old inventory:
Wheeler Rex 86 manual shut-off tool : $182.24 after 25% off at Zoro – best alternative price I can find from a quick search is $238 at Toolfetch
Jim Felt
Yes!
And I’m just now clearing emails off of one of my iMacs and saw several of those short time Zoro sales for 30% Off!
I’d forgotten about those… Jeez.
Stuart
I haven’t seen them for a while, and was recently told that 25% is the best we’re going to be seeing.
Adam
The last 30% off was my first purchase with them! I want to say around last August maybe. I have made several purchases since then with 25% off, but have keep several ‘wanted, but not needed items’ bookmarked to only buy if I got 30% off. Good to know that’s not likely now, but I’ll keep dreaming of it (thanks Stu, sort of)
I was looking for a price on a Panavise I have to resell, and for poops & giggles, I checked Zoro cause I had the tab open, and they have a good selection of items, at the same price as Amazon before any discount (keeping mine now & getting parts). Someone suggested Zoro’s stretch wrap for it’s price on GJ, so I picked that up as a discount threshold filler & am more than pleased.
On the other hand, there are several Milwaukee tools/accessories that are at retail (HD pricing) that I buy, then several that are redonkulous over priced even with discount. Must be things Milwaukee would rather sell thru other channels,
I am very pleased with their service, which makes me wish they had better overall pricing so I wasn’t so dependent on sales.
Greg
If your a GC like myself Zoro’s prices are whacked. I buy new tools all the time. Right now I’m fitting my 3rd truck with m18 tools and their prices are not inline with anyone else. 25% off makes their prices competitive but not “gotta buy it NOW”. I have had this conversation many times and for the odd ball $300 shut off tool Fred mentioned Zoro is the way to go. But for everyday tool purchases look elsewhere.
What the company is saying is “We know our prices are jacked way high, so here’s a coupon to make us competitive!” I would rather take my business to a retailer that is consistently competive and I don’t have to wait for a sale.