Lowe’s stores have started to put most of their Ideal electrical hand tools on clearance, presumably to make room for Klein tools.
As we reported earlier this year, Klein Tools are coming to Lowe’s, following 14 years of exclusivity at Home Depot.
When the announcement was made, it was said that Lowe’s stores would start selling Klein products in the second half of 2023, which we are now in.
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None of the Lowe’s stores near me had any Klein tools on the shelves or pegs. I also checked overhead but didn’t see any Klein-branded boxes.
Lowe’s is labeling the tools as being a special value for a limited time, but that’s likely just a euphemism for the tools being on clearance.
I don’t see how there could be room for both Klein and Ideal electrical tools, but maybe there will be some intermingling. Time will tell.
As of the time of this posting, it looks like the deals are only available in-store, but this could change.
In other news, Home Depot is clearing out Klein tools but have not yet announced which tool brand or brands will take their place.
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Joe
The lowes by me has some Klein stuff on the shelf already.
ball_bearing
Ok that’s interesting. I wonder if HD will start selling Ideal Tools, or if they will just replace everything with crescent/gearwrench and Milwaukee.
E
There replacing Klein with Milwaukee made in usa tools.
Joe E.
Well, at least Lowe’s will have some USA made hand tools on the shelf. Can’t say that much for Stanley/Craftsman 🥴
Joe G.
Stanley and Craftsman are both made in the USA.
Joseph C Weiss
They shut the new Texas plant
Ken
Perhaps a Lowe’s insider can clarify, but my understanding is that “special value” labeling is NOT the same thing as clearance. Clearance labeling is reserved for item numbers that have been internally designated as “Non Stock”, meaning that Lowe’s will not be restocking. In contrast, “special value” items are current stock with inventory being replenished by the manufacturer. Another difference between “clearance” and “special value” items is that the clearance goes through multiple markdowns until it is gone, whereas special value gets only a single, time-limited price reduction.
Mark
6 week period of price drops 75%, 50%, 25% then all chucked in the dumpster. Always ask for a deal, we used to always prefer to sell even if it was just cost plus1¢
David Brock
HD items go to the gray market like madcheetah.com or liquidbidding.com where us locals find great deals. Even return items in great shape.
Chrisss
Thanks for this been wondering where people got their HD pallets from
Hardware Guy
Personally, and as an insider, I don’t see Ideal tools going away. I do however see the massive rollout of Klein tools in the tool dept and the hardware aisles. As a professional electrician, I have been using both brands with mutual satisfaction for many years. While I don’t get to lawn and garden often, yesterday I noticed Klein side stacks in that dept! Lol 😆
Jason
Good time to be a customer looking for electricians hand tools! I suppose there’s always a consumer base for new product but seems like these liquidations would flood the market and make it tougher to sell the new lines when they launch
Mark
Think of pricing before the pandemic
Al
I work at Lowes and we just started getting Klein tools in ,but haven’t put them on the shelf yet.
Hardware Guy
Rollout in Elkhart is in full swing. Sidecaps everywhere and loads of top stock.
Thebear
Just after I bought all new insulated electrician tools from WIHA. Of course… Would love to pick up some 11 in 1 Klein screwdrivers. It’s the only tool I ALWAYS have on me. Wouldn’t mind having some extras on the cheap.
S
Have you considered the harbor freight “10-in-1”? I used to use the Klein, but my major gripe with Klein is all my tool grips felt the same in the ‘blind grab’ test.
The hf 10-in-1 is functionally identical, I’m currently using a full Klein 11-in-1 shaft with Klein bits/extension tubes with zero issues
Julian Tracy
Lowes has done this at least 4 times in the past. Years ago, they carried Klein, then clearanced it all out to switch to Greenlee, then cleared that out to carry south wire, then Ideal, now Klein again…
The first Klein clearance yielded me a ton of stuff at about 75% off. I’ll say I haven’t ever been too impressed with Klein’s screwdriver’s tips though, USA made or not.
Mile Pavlovik
Must have been long time because I have been going to Lowes for 10 years and haven’t seen them
Howard kelley
I bought Klein tools 20 years ago at our local Lowes and can still buy them. This non worthy news story makes no sense to me. Klein tools are more expensive than the others, but to me , Klein tools are more geared to the professional electricians.
Stephen
It doesn’t matter what Lowe’s has on the shelf if you can’t find a cashier to take your money. Self checkout only AIN’T working!
Hardware Guy
That’s kinda b.s. with me. I’m not a cashier, I am a floorman, but I man the register every time I see the need!
I’ll take your money bro, and sell you some Klein tools at the same time 👍
Hardware Guy
And B.T.W.
Who the **** uses self checkout???!!!
Kenneth Pierce
It’s been my experience with the 2 big box stores that Home Depot has better prices. I didn’t shop much at HD until lately. I noticed the price difference. We don’t have a HD store in the town I live in. There is one in the town my kids live in. I go see them every Sunday , so I run in HD to pickup lumber or anything else I need.
Neighbor Joe
Ideal did not last long at Lowes. A few years ago they replaced Southwire and now its Klein. Not too much of a loss. I noticed more of their Lowes offerings were made in China after WF was sold off. Ideal Industries is a 100 year old family owned business that seems to have a habit of losing business, closing or selling off US plants and outsourcing overseas lately.
Keith
Stopped into Lowe’s today and like 3 things were marked down.
Bryan Benn
I’ve not had a lot of luck buying any tools at Lowe’s. What I mean is that after 30 days they don’t even want to know if you have a problem with something you bought there. I spent almost 5 grand on new tools one spring mostly Porter Cable. There was problems with 2 tools 6 months in. Nobody at PC even had the time of day for me until I got nasty. We’re talking 1500 bux for a big table saw and an 11 amp belt sander. They got repaired but only after I put a ton of effort in to it. So no matter the brand, service afterwards is a must
PW
That’s really unfortunate, I had pretty good experiences with PC customer support in the same category (floor standing power tools from Lowe’s). I didn’t need repairs on their dime though, just parts post-sale.
Note that PC is a Stanley Black and Decker brand, so any bad experience you had with them is due to SBD, not Lowe’s in any way. Most retailers don’t offer support for most things 6mos out unless you bought an extended warranty from them.
JJ
Deals to be had. Picked up an Ideal multimedia tester for $69 at Lowe’s store today, listed $89 online.
Gman
Just picked up the Klein 8″ reversable jaw adjustable wrench, best by far of any, comparable to knipex and now half the price.
CJ Caufield
Home Depot is going with Milwaukee for electrical tools. Klein tools on clearance at Home Depot now.
Jarod Burke
Klein tools are rarely made in USA anymore. Shipped from Mexico. I am slowly leaning towards Milwaukee brand