Home Depot Drops Iconic American Brand… AGAIN!

Home Depot Drops Iconic American Brand… AGAIN! First, it was Estwing and now Klien is getting the boot!

[@scottsmith3480]

Yet, no one has mentioned Klein is also carried by pretty much every electrical distributor in the known world.Sold by people that actually know what they're used for. Let's support the local businesses first.

[@Rsama60]

In the known world? Where I live I only ask. Klein, who the f...k is Klein.

[@richardfowler3254]

@@Rsama60 Klein Tools are used by the majority of "Sparky's" on every project I ever worked on from the mid 1980's till 2018 when I retired from HVAC. I think I have about 25-30% Klein hand tools in my personal tool bag at home. I really like the quality feel I get from them in my hands...

[@larrycox6614]

​@@Rsama60Evidently you're not known...or maybe in the know. 😉

[@artstrology]

Yes, the box stores killed middle class business owners. The sooner they leave the better.

[@elijahclark613]

Confirmed. My inside sales guy gives me employee costs on tools. Everything from my backpack to the smallest screwdrivers, to the huge t-bar hex wrenches are Klein. Way better pricing than HD or Lowes. The only tools in my backpack that aren't Klein is the Fluke meter and the Knipex dismantling knife.

[@NickatLateNite]

Was a contractor for 25 years, sold my business 20 years ago, now retired... My tool box is still filled with Klien, Craftsman & Matco tools... I bought quality, expecting to have them for life... Looks like they're gonna make it!

[@farmerdave7965]

Buy once. Cry once.

[@bbrown5887]

Congrats on making it to the finish line. Everything now is all gravy. Enjoy retirement.

[@dirttdude]

Same, same, same and same..... Now go watch some videos of 'big tool haul' or 'estate sale tool score' where you will see an undeserving millennial kid rifling through some guys tools, not even knowing what half of them are for, not understanding the lifetime it took to collect that stuff. No human i know is worthy of inheriting my tools, i feel like i have to destroy everything before i die. It worries me because i cant bare to part with them and i'm the only one that would light the match

[@marklawson5542]

​@@dirttdudeI have been trying to find the old school tools that I grew up with. Kids today don't know their asses from their elbows! Don't destroy fine craftsmanship tools, we live in a fake watered down world now. It'll be hard to get our hands on the good stuff. Please don't destroy them, donate them to me or my dad. We appreciate fine quality, and put good use to them!

[@pinecone9045]

@@dirttdude 'bear'

[@kennethsmith8844]

Lowes had some bad PR a few weeks ago when one of their employees tried to stop some thieves. They beat her very badly then Lowes fired her! Customers were so outraged they boycotted the store. This was near Atlanta. She was rehired🥰

[@Invictus13666]

She got a black eye-don’t lie and say she was beaten very badly, Jesus.

[@scottyV1000]

When it comes to meters there is only one brand I’m interested in and that’s Fluke.

[@loboxx337]

Yeah if you're a professional and a heavy user to justify the price, sheesh.

[@curlydave7689]

I used to be that way, but then my maintenance guy got a Fieldpiece for HVAC work and before you know it I got one too. I have two Flukes, but the Fieldpiece just works better for me.

[@BigBearBloo]

I wish there was a Lowe’s closer to me. Always liked it more but it’s so far away compared my local HD

[@msclecarcrzy]

Same here! I'm hvac and have been using my fluke 116 for over 15 yrs! Every day use and abuse ...still works great

[@stickytourbus]

I bought a $480 Fluke at a yard sale for $5.00! The LCD display was choppy and unreadable. I took it apart and cleaned the lcd contact strip. Works like new! What a score! 😁👍

[@LatitudeSky]

Why is this happening? Money. Both Home Depot and Lowes sell that shelf space to the brands that want to be sold there. Walmart does this too. You have to pay to be on the shelf and agree to do other things like promo marketing,"bonus 25% free!" packaging, etc. If you refuse to pay, you are outta there. Clearly Klein had come up to renew their deal and Lowes gave them a better deal to be exclusive. The clock is probably running out on whatever deal they had with HD, items are not being restocked. They have to let the clock run out to turn around and sell that space to another brand. Likewise Lowes probably has to wait to go hot. This is just how retail works these days. You have to buy the shelf space. If you don't like it or don't want to pay, step aside because someone else will do it. You may ask, how can a brand MAKE money selling an item if they turn around and have to pay for the shelf space? The answer is one reason so much is made in China or Vietnam or Canada. When your sale profit margin is being eaten alive buying shelf space, you have to find cheaper ways to make the product. This is SO important, Walmart has a SEAL team of experts and engineers they will send to a vendor facility and literally show them how to take a product made here and move it to China, including which factories and suppliers to use and even how the cartons should be packed. They control it all. And you agree if you want to stay on that shelf. Look up a story called "The man who said NO to Walmart" to see what happens when you refuse to play along. It does not end well.

[@WarlockCore]

Absolutely, this is common biz practices

[@waynemanning3262]

Made In Canada? Just because we have a commie dictator up here doesn’t mean we have underpaid sweatshops making cheap products up here! Love how you you included us in with the Chinese and Vietnamese. Please tell me what brands these are so I can avoid them

[@hoosierfarmkid]

⁠@@waynemanning3262A bunch of Canadian stuff ends up cheap when imported in the US due to exchange rates and regulations and taxes working out well. Not terrible pay and facilities allowing cheaping out to happen like a lot of Asian imports.

[@escapetherace1943]

@@waynemanning3262 if I see "made in Canada" on a tool I'm throwing it in the bin sorry but Canada isn't necessarily known for quality 😂

[@bethpontius652]

Heaven forbid that we support our American made products. I try to buy American made things but sometimes they just aren’t out there. I don’t understand why people would want to support China over their own country I know the economy is tight but do we really want to choose China over America. Prime example is letting China put a battery plant In Michigan my understanding is China brings in their own employees it’s a lithium battery plant so if a fire breaks out Michigan fire departments are going to be responsible for putting them out and if you know anything about lithium battery fires it takes massive amounts of water to put them out so the taxpayers will end up having to spend more money to make sure they have adequate fire protection. Plus my understanding is that the factory will destroy the water table in the area and I guess I know whose tax dollars will be used to clean up the mess.

[@dieselscience]

I'm an engineer IRL but my _personal_ preference is US made tools. When I have no other choice, anything made in western or central Europe. QC is unbeatable and Klein are great.

[@BigSteve215]

Every single Channellock pliers are made in Pennsylvania USA from virgin USA steel. Klein is good, but check carefully, not all of theirs are.

[@dieselscience]

@@BigSteve215 IF Channellock were made of _virgin_ steel they'd cost nearly $75 per pair.

[@Dakotako]

Japanese stuff is still usually a pretty good bang/buck.

[@k.b.o.7514]

@@dieselscienceI like mine just broken in.

[@stringlarson1247]

Same here. Tho I picked up some Knipix pieces recently - f'n nice.

[@marks1372]

I work for HD. Klein is being dropped by HD because they made the deal to go into Lowe’s. HD insists, for most instances, to be the exclusive retailer for a brand. The Klein line will be replaced by the Milwaukee line of hand tools.

[@denoftools]

Thanks for the heads up on this

[@TheBenjomcmlxxv]

I also work for HD. Can confirm.

[@J560iH]

It's just Pettiness and wont just affect purchases of tools.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Bummer

[@joes5096]

Milwaukee cordless drill was a POS did not even last a full remodel with the chuck going out. They lost me

[@philipstaite4775]

My use is homeowner/DIY. About a year ago I picked up my first Klein tools - a modest set of screwdrivers. They have been working great for me, very happy. I've got a couple more things on my wish-list to upgrade, replace, or fill in gaps. Going to look to Klein first. If you had asked me 5 years ago to pick between Lowes or HD I'd have been ambivalent, maybe even leaning a little towards HD. But over the past year or two, especially the last 6 months since we moved, Lowes has just been more in line with what we want/need in terms of price, selection, and quality. I'll be watching our local Lowes for a Klein launch, maybe pick up a couple of those missing pieces.

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

When Lowes wants a product gone, they don't mess around. They'll almost just give it away. I live in Dallas, Texas. I go as early as I can on Tue, Wed & Thu and walk the store looking for clearance items. Some of the things I have found: A Weller 8200 soldering gun and QO breakers marked $0.01 (Always take those items to Customer service along with other things you are buying. They will GIVE it to you so there will be no warranty.) I bought 2 Steel receiver-mounted 200# capacity luggage rack (mounts where the trailer ball mounts) for $10.00 each (regular $90 each) Multi-speed Dremel tool $27 Wiss 5 blade HVAC duct end crimpers $5 I've bought several high lumen LED flashlights for half price and less. 20 oz short handle steel shank straight claw (like Estwing) $7 Kobalt ratcheting wrench set of 7 or nine(?) $15 Kobalt novelty items like a bartender's forged steel bottle opener (legal blackjack) $1 Clearance Portfolio brand (nicer than HD) LED light fixtures for dirt cheap Much more

[@stringlarson1247]

All of my electrical kit is Klien. The HD near me has all the Klien stuff in the elec. dept. My father and both grandfathers were tool and die makers and my mom was in industrial sales. I learned early on to buy quality and still have and use tools dating back to the 60's

[@jscatt6123]

I work in merchandising at a Lowes store and we have been receiving a ton of Klein tools in preparation for fairly large reset, I believe it’s going to be about 130 different Klein items, the stacking type tool boxes are really nice

[@cjorgie1]

Yet another reason why Lowe’s dunks on HD..

[@EyesOnlyTeam86]

​@@cjorgie1Except when it comes to supporting the military. Lowes now has a very long list of things the military discount doesn't qualify for.

[@cjorgie1]

@@EyesOnlyTeam86 I didn’t know that

[@jaywronker7636]

HD is worse on Military. At least Lowe's let's you activate aa military account and do online purchase. Not HD

[@PaintballProductions]

​@@jaywronker7636I've used my military discount on the hd website just have to set it up

[@RonTDB]

Well it must only be in certain areas. I was just in HD a few hours ago and I always swing by the Klein tool section just to see if there is any new items that I like and it was fully stocked as normal and the same price as always. Wonder what changed Lowe's mind as I remember when Lowes was my go to store to purchase Klein Tools a decade ago and they dumped them stating their tools were too expensive.

[@justinsgarage1125]

Milwaukee makes different models of multimeters and clamp meters but they are stupid expensive. They used to make this really cool fluorescent bulb tester….it had an antenna on it that with a semicircular cradle on the end. You put a t8/t12 bulb in the cradle while in the fixture and it would tell you if the bulb or ballast was bad. Huge time saver in a commercial environment.

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

That would have been cool, but now ... LEDs. You'll have that!

[@lanedexter6303]

First Estwing, now Klein. What the H*** is wrong with Home Depot? Do they hate great American brands? Time to reconsider my shopping habits.

[@lanedexter6303]

Sadly, I believe you have a point there.😢@@life-vs2tz

[@jeffharper7579]

I don't remember for sure but I think Irwin bought out estiwig years ago. All still made in China.

[@lanedexter6303]

If that’s the case, it is really sad. I have old Estwing tools that I really like.@@jeffharper7579

[@daveclark8337]

It's the Fanboys. They gotta have their Red or Yellow tools

[@buckbenelli8]

Maga owner. Hard core conservative.

[@ggsumner1947]

I own Fluke as well as Klein test equipment. Both have served me well, but I'm an retired old timer, and sometimes I find my $20.00, analog, Radio Shack meter works best for me. Where I live, Lowe's came to town first, then Home Depot across the road a few years later. Lowe's is always busy, Home Depot not as much.

[@albshore8]

I miss Radio Shack all the components one could need.

[@edsloan8535]

Let me guess...Wal-Mart in the same SC as Lowe's and Target in the same SC as HD?

[@kenfrank2730]

I own a Fluke multimeter that I bought 26 years ago. Still works great. The meter says made in USA. I believe most Fluke test equipment is now made outside the US. Sad.

[@kenromaine2387]

My local Home Depot had full racks of Klein tools and other Klein electrical products. No signs of missing or low stock of any Klein items at all. When I saw your comment about Home Depot dropping Klein I went to the store to load up on needed items at a discount..... zero items "on sale" at a discount in Dallas area store that I found on 8-12-2023.

[@Urbicide]

Lowes used to carry Klein Tools, back in the 2000's. Closed them out, & went primarily to GB. Klein is the #1 choice of Sparky's everywhere.

[@christopherharpster9330]

This is a blessing and a curse for me. I'm a sparky, and I have been going to HD specifically because they sell Klein. It sucks because the Lowes near me is ran by idiots, but after work tomorrow morning I had to stop by HD anyway for a few things, so clearance tools are definitely going to be purchased...especially since my son is taking HVAC this school year in Votech lol.

[@sylviam6535]

This move is ridiculous. Klein Tools is probably the most popular brand for electricians.

[@MRR-qv3bw]

Get him a bucket full for graduation! He'll never forget and quite possibly have some to hand down to his little ones!

[@davenone7312]

If the workers at Lowes had the knowledge and skills you want them to have they would not be working a lowes for minimum wage! They would be out in the field like you making 200G's a year!

[@zed4229]

Sounds like your going help feed him to the tool trucks at school let these brands fill his bags with over priced braded junk. they sell some good stuff on the trucks then they sell lots of rebranded junk or just rebranded and 500% mark up for the same tool.

[@ericschneider8524]

It's not only Home Depot being run by idiots. Since George Bush proclaimed that no child would be left behind the illegal public school system has turned out reduced standards students. Send your kids to welding school if you want a return on investment.

[@TheDesertRat31]

My local lowes will remain an embarrassment in spite of this. Also, Lowes is really screwing veterans with their discount exclusions. Not sure when their policy changed, but we chose lowes for thr appliances not installed by our builder , when we built our house in 2015. I have to go a minimum of 35-40miles to a HD. Now.... we used to have a HD in town but they closed it down, but that one wasn't well managed either. More and more I go to ACE when i can get what i need there

[@LoudRam]

As an electrician for almost 30 years I have many Klein tools. They hold up very well. I've just stumbled across this video so I think I'll going to Home Depot tonight to see what they have left.

[@banana_bread_at_work]

I stopped at a Home Depot today, eager to spend my paycheck and fill my cart with discounted Klein tools, and was met with disappointment when the only discounted tools were a couple models of their diagnol cutters

[@JoeL-re1dc]

I stopped shopping HD when they replaced people with self checkout..and they stopped having knowledgeable staff (retired / or actual tradesmen).... I drive about a mile out of my way to go to Menards....... Well stocked, great staff, fair prices....... and real life humans in the checkout.

[@fuzzyelj]

We call those Hillary’s now 😂

[@banana_bread_at_work]

@@JoeL-re1dc okay 👍

[@kfelix2934]

@@JoeL-re1dc All big stores are doing that HD, Walmart , Target, Menards, and yes "Lowes"

[@JoeL-re1dc]

@@kfelix2934 Our Menards has no self check out......

[@markadkins9290]

Klein tools are top notch!

[@rufftumble9448]

I worked at a place that had a contract with Home Depot. They wanted a 10% cost break for their contract each year. We only did it for three years because we lost the ability to make money…after ten years 100% cheaper for them to buy??? Wow

[@DM-nr2eg]

I live in Calgary Canada. The Home Depot that is by my house carries Klein. They are not in the tool section. They have all the Klein tools in the electrical/lighting supplies area. I started in the trade 25 years ago using Kleins and still use them today. They may cost a bit more but when you use them every day and I do a lot of live work I want something well made.

[@alblanzjr]

The problem with Lowes is, trying to find ANY EMOLYEE for assistance. Finding an employee that actually knows what they are talking about, IMPOSSIBLE!!! BTW, if you do find something you like at Lowes, and go back the following month to get another one. THEY WON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE!!!

[@tinsano6030]

And good luck getting them to honor they're warranties

[@jamesdavis6036]

They are the worst. I boycott them

[@suzannehartmann946]

I live in NC near Ft. Liberty. We have no trouble finding a Lowe's or Home Depot employee when we need help and getting the help we need. It is not the brand it is the location.

[@jamesdavis6036]

What I hate is you walk in & ask an employee, as an example, what isle is your rakes in. The next thing that happens they look at their phone??? Any good employee would get to know their store. It's like Lowers does not even train these people. They don't give a damn.

[@jamesdavis6036]

@nunyabusiness3786 What are you talking about???

[@gilbertfagley7837]

We had gotten a batch of Milwaukee tools (fish tapes) in our HD, so I've been wondering if they would be replacing Kleins. Time to watch clearance now.

[@adamperry154]

Same here. And the Made in USA Milwaukee hand tools just became available at Home Depot too. None of this is a coincidence. Welcome to the new Milwaukee Depot.

[@daveassanowicz186]

I still remember when Sears dropped Craftsman. These big corporate box stores were a mistake. Now they're all that's left and so big they don't have to worry about you going somewhere else. They got us all by the balls, man!

[@zed4229]

WTF are you talking about Sears closed up selling craftsman the brand out lived the stores.

[@daveassanowicz186]

@@zed4229 That's what I meant

[@SpamSucker]

@@daveassanowicz186Sears didn’t “drop” Craftsman, they sold it. They were on the road to bankruptcy and that was one of the few, if not only, elements of Sears that someone was willing to pay cash for. Of course the strategy didn’t work; selling off your one profitable product line is not likely to lead to recovery.

[@J560iH]

We just knew that when kmart bought sears it couldnt end well. Too many lazy screwups in the management of both companies when that happened.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

It would have been Sears that had us by the balls before then, wouldn't it? 😉 Seriously, "Craftsman" was a brand name, a label basically. It was one of Sears brand names, to be put on All their tools and equipment they bought from dozens of companies. There were no Craftsman factories. The "Craftsman" toolboxes were made special for Sears, at a factory that made 12 other brands. I went to one it back then. The Craftsman power tools were made by Emerson Electric. They were reimagined and rebranded, under the other Emerson owned brand, of "RIGID" and the products were sold to Home Depot just as they are today. China products slowly took over that "Rigid Power Tool" brand as well, but its still owned by Emerson. The "Craftsman" brand name was sold off as Sears was dying and most of the old USA manufactured products were gone or dying. USA manufacturing was all being sent to China. All the regulations and tax incentives and breaks set up by politicians made it Much, Much, more costly to manufacture in the USA. Not any different than it is today. The "Craftsman" Brand name is still owned by another huge conglomerate of tool brands, Stanley/ Black &Decker.

[@ccadama]

@The Den of Tools. Thanks Jeff for reposting. Was at two HDs today and I saw yellow clearance stickers (with both the was and now price) on some stuff (not all the Klein). Some Klein items are already gone. July 20 date code. I don't think the stuff will last for the next round of price cuts. We'll see. Keeping you, Red, Blue, and your familes in my daily prayers 🙏 Shine on!

[@charliebecker2216]

If habit freight keeps getting better and these big box stores go down in quality, it won’t be too much longer until they are about the same.

[@TexTom1981]

HF has been bumping up their game for quite a while. I got their Atlas yard tools (made by Greenworks) and they're very good quality tools. Their venture into the Icon brand has been impressive and their pro-sumer level stuff has been getting better and better.

[@todmccreary7806]

I worked at The Home Depot when some of these tool trends were beginning. Many of the high quality brands are beginning to partner exclusively with a specific retail chain. It is purely a marketing and distribution decision. These are some of the changes that began during the COVID pandemic due to a drastic decrease in factory production capabilities and other supply chain issues. In many ways it becomes a win-win situation and online purchasing is possible if there is not an authorized retailer near you.

[@EfficientRVer]

Paying for shelf space is a blood sport. I'm guessing the decision was by Klein about where and how much they wanted to spend on shelf space, more than HD kicking them out. Having said that, I'll head to HD today to see if the screwdriver set I want that hasn't wavered much from $30 on Amazon, is on clearance at my HD.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

HD likes to be the exclusive distributor in most cases. When the deal was inked with Lowes , it was basically also the end for them, in HD.

[@gregmercil3968]

Well this sure does explain why I’m seeing a lot of Klein stuff at Home Cheapo on clearance lately. I’m an HVAC service tech. A couple weeks ago I had my tool bag stolen out of the back of my truck . So I have been having to rebuild what I call my “mighty hand tool empire.” Anyways, got me some Klein hand tools at reduced prices with those yellow price tags. How’s that for timing? Well now I know why.

[@BadfingerFan]

Home Depot has been very quiet about this matter. In fact, when asked why Home Depot deKleined to respond.

[@ourv9603]

Dont you find it most curious that the 2 largest home improvement companies ON EARTH both have their corporate home offices in Atlanta? They ARE 2 separate companies, right? Or no? !

[@stevej7139]

Where I live we have a Home Depot and a Lowes within 200 yards of each other and I used to be a Home Depot guy and very rarely went into Lowes. Recently though(this year) I've switched to Lowes and now rarely go into Home Depot even though Lowes still drives me nuts with how the store is laid out I've gotten used to it, sort of, but to me it looks like my ex-wife designed the layout(shiny goes with shiny)..

[@4formsofMATTer]

Lowes is pretty much my go to between the two these days. They got everything I need. Lowes also has a more cleaner store look imo

[@JasonW.]

I wish Lowe's would carry Leviton

[@vicktorpatriot1430]

The Lowes in and around Columbus Ohio look like they haven't seen a cleaning since opening day over 20 years ago.

[@gregbarnett3141]

Thank you for the info. Maybe I will head over there and see if there is anything I could use. I do like Klein, I'm a mobile mechanic and I use that Klein DVOM practically every day. It's held up well.

[@wsmarshjr]

Um... I'm not sur you understand the concept of "vacation." You're doing more work in your road trip than I used to do in the office! 😁

[@badbiker666]

I'm going to Home Depot tonight to try and get some of those Clearance Klein tools. I don't really need anything right now, but you HAVE to take advantage to the savings when you can!

[@DCigar]

At least you’re more honest about it than my wife 🙄😂

[@ninthplanet3040]

Not a fan of Klein tools, especially the overpriced crap made out of plastic. I don't use or buy plastic tools as a rule, but I find it despicable for them to charge as much for lousy plastic products as though they were made of aluminum or some other durable metal.

[@Steve0885]

Klein makes some good tools

[@JasonW.]

And not a single broom

[@kurtisklein1015]

@@JasonW. Sparkies don't run brooms

[@JasonW.]

@@kurtisklein1015 Of course. Klein knows their audience.

[@Steve0885]

I'll bet you're a youtube certified technician 😅

[@Shastasays]

I used Klein tools for my telephone install work. Great, solid tools.

[@RC-Flight]

I buy my Klein Electrician tools from my electrical supplier.

[@aaal123able]

I was hoping Klein's speciality testers would be on clearance on HD's web site, but no deals as of today.

[@SirTools]

Starting in the 60s has an apprentice electrician the first thing I was told was to buy Klein tools. They are PRO tools and have been around in the industry for their quality and reputation. I learned to rely on Klein for all my go to work and we'd laugh at Newbys when showed up on the job with any other brand name. 🤠

[@jaminova_1969]

I work for a global on-line retailer and see the Made in China label all day long. Every once in a while I see "Made in the USA" on a Dewalt brand tool. Can we not bring back mfging and jobs to America?

[@RCMServices]

Stanley Black and Decker is working on doing just that. The biggest problem is finding people to work. Most people don't want to do manual labor anymore. People just need to Buy Made in the USA or do without.

[@shaun3423]

Klein was about the only thing I would shop for specifically at Home Despot. I prefer Kobalt tools and they have a few good electrical tools. Now that Klein is at Lowe’s? Never going to HD again. Lowes has a better military discount anyway

[@faulltw]

I would and do pay extra for American Made, but I am sure there are those who may not be able to afford to. Home Depot has to cater to their target audience.

[@greensfarmland]

Been noticing that there line of Friskers has been scaled back as well. Went to buy another large ratchet prunner, and they no longer carry it, along with other Items from Friskers as well. Looks like they are moving in the Sears direction.

[@henerygreen578]

oh well if off to lows i go....Klien makes an excellent tool......... Klien will not let you down in the field

[@realnikonlover6207]

I have used Klein for over 40 years. Good stuff. My Dad used Klein way before me.

[@steveforbes7718]

I never buy tools from either HD or Lowe's. I have enough tools to open my own store! LOL Most of them are Snap-On, MAC, Craftsman and so on, that I bought at yard sales and flea markets. I still have the Snap-On tools that I bought from the truck around 1972!! They all work fine and the few that did wear out were replaced for free with no questions asked. America was willingly led down the road of cheap decades ago. They to bear the responsibility for letting corporations fool them. They got what they deserve. They have been and will always be, "Penny wise and pound foolish"!

[@littlejimmy7402]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like clearance hadn't hit the meters yet in the video above. I'll be looking to pick up a clamp meter, if I get out to HD today I'll post the price codes I see on the electronics testers.

[@aeskes1978]

It’s a two way street. I retired from a Major tool manufacturing company and sometimes they can make it hard to do business with them, terms and conditions etc. Also order fulfillment…you can’t sell it if you can’t get it, customer moves to the competitor retail outlet. Now you lose a sale and a repeat customer. Not always the case but it happens.

[@getprobed838]

I need a pair of Klien diagonal cutters badly. going to the depot today!!!

[@texastwister6417]

Great tools, I still have my first set that I got as an apprentice back in the 80s

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

Wow! I have a few tools from my apprentice days (beginning in '83) that I still use, but my basic pouch tools have been replaced a few times. My current lineman pliers are Crescent and if I ever need to replace them ... Crescent again. They're that good and only $17 when I bought them, maybe 2 years ago.

[@lazor222]

Just picked up a pair of their new pliers wrench for $35 (15 off). The deal made me finally pull the trigger on them. Gotta say it's pretty nifty, I really like it's a little different and not just another knipex clone. Almost grabbed a set of the "classic" pump pliers too for $21 but they weren't the quick adjust cobra style so I decided to pass. Unfortunately the flush cutters I also needed to grab weren't on clearance though. Pretty damn good deal on the linesmans too, was hard to pass but I didn't need them

[@Rikkcas]

Klein is a long respected American brand. Maybe they wouldn’t go down on volume pricing for the box stores. I don’t blame them. I’m long retired. But easy to see that quality American made tools will become more valuable as time goes on. Screw that Chinese crap.

[@walterbordett2023]

Well maybe Lowes decided that being a clothing and appliance store with some building materials wasn't working for them. I gotta get Orange box and see if I need any clearanced Klein tools. Thanks, Bear.

[@kevinmach730]

HD has both of those item, too. The HD by me has way more clothes, in fact, than the Lowes right next door.

[@Borescoped]

My guess is that TTI offered them a good deal that they felt was worth dumping Klein over.

[@louisd95714]

Chances are it's Klein who backed out of HD and opted to join Lowe's instead.

[@donaldkasper8346]

Never heard of Klein and never saw it in a retail store like Lowes or Home Depot.

[@halleffect1]

years ago i wouldn't set foot in Lowes, they either didn't have it or it was junk. now I'm seeing Lowes getting better and HD going downhill

[@calpispop]

Lowe's has southwire which makes a lot of the same tools as klein but in brown, I always thought they were rebadged klein.

[@JasonW.]

I've found Southwire to usually, but not always, be comparable to Klein. In either case, both are usually better than the Ideal counterpart.

[@dominicm2175]

Portland, Maine…. I noticed a large Milwaukee tool electrical display go up not long ago…. So that’s my best guess on what’s replacing the Klein tools

[@TheTraveler1976]

Dedication right there!

[@michaelcaldarone6930]

I manage an electrical distributor store and I can attest that the Klein tools we sell a better quality than the ones at Home Depot

[@user-fv8wf6tv4u]

It’s all about who offers the best dollars to carry the brand, or vice versa,same thing happened to Thompsons water seal products min wax etc ,Milwaukee is pushing everyone out, which is the brand taking Kleins spots

[@robertbeirne9813]

Great, have to go check out the clearance sales

[@ucitymetalhead]

Well ain't that some bull hockey, I don't have a lot of klein stuff but those electrician scissors are perfect.

[@cujero]

I love Home Depot but recently Lowe’s has been kicking their but when it comes to sales on tools

[@SepatownSon]

Just looked at the website, HD already sells Milwaukee meters. I guess they're going to step up their electrical tools all around.

[@jaybee1570]

I think Milwaukee is starting to make some of their hand tools in the US as well

[@SepatownSon]

@@jaybee1570 yes they have a plant in Wisconsin. hopefully they don't go Craftsman on us.

[@ginathacker6207]

I use a local Ace Hardware when I can. Home Depot when needed. Bugs the crap out of me as almost everything at / in Home Depot is “Made in China”…I HATE that.

[@WeSRT4]

Home Depot is sliding..... Lowes is catching up

[@dramalifeny]

I noticed in general home depot slowing down on things, they dont have as many other brand tools and am seeing more husky branded. They dont have as many gear wrench ratchets as they did a year ago and the ones by me dont have the Milwaukee ball peen deadblow anymore in storeand say its online order

[@ppatters1]

I just hit my notification for the removed videoa couple minutes before this notification came through. 😂 Thanks for reposting!

[@ACoustaDC]

That worked... s0und issue fixed. take care and watch the road...there may be bears out there.

[@sammoore9120]

Whoa! I am not a home despot fan but I need to run up and see if I can pick up a few bargains.

[@takenusername]

I prefer Lowe’s to HD except for the outdoor power equipment, and tools. As long as they still have Milwaukee, they will still be my favorite on tools

[@gorak9000]

Lowe's lumber is pretty crap though - you can go through a whole pallet of 2x4's and not find one that's straight. HD tends to be better for lumber. Lowes is usually slightly cheaper on plumbing and electrical parts though

[@RidgidRon]

Klein is already in Lowes-in store and online!!

[@F16_viper_pilot]

In my local Home Depot store, Klein Tools aren’t even located in the tool area. Rather, they are stuffed away in a tiny nook over by the vanities. You’d never even know Home Depot sold Klein Tools if you didn’t stumble upon them. So, if other stores are like that, perhaps Klein said the heck with this crap…..peace out!

[@rickwiggins283]

Yes, my local Lowes does the same thing. The Klein tools are all on the electric aisle far away from all other tools.

[@davem6685]

Time is ticking for both lowes and HD. I hope someone with pride in our country eats their lunch.

[@careymitchell4731]

That's one of the problems with the big boxes. They take on a brand, increase the volume over time, to the point they represent a very large chunk of the manufacturer's business. Then they are in a position to dictate what price they want to pay. The manufacturer is then faced with the decision to sell at sometimes unprofitable prices, or lose a large part of business. This practice has put a number of companies out of business. Sears started this practice back in the 70s. I recall an incident years ago, where I was with our VP of sales at the HD "headquarters" store, across I-285 from their corporate offices. We were trying to talk one of their sales VPs out of doing something that was really stupid for both HD and their customers. Arrogant SOB would not listen, and essentially said he didn't give a s*** about the customers. He said "Listen, I'm the 800 pound gorilla here and you will not question anything I say or do." And that, folks, is their attitude about everything.

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

Corporations that try to manipulate manufacturers into playing by their rules or risk bankruptcy can find theselves the defendant in an antitrust case. I would love to see H depo t take a big hit that way. They are trying to weed out products from many quality manufacturers by replacing them with their own brands, which are all inferior product.

[@KenKen-ui4ny]

@@SteveWhiteDallas The sort of greed and arrogance mention about here, is what give American capitalism a bad reputation.

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

@@KenKen-ui4ny That's a big part of it. The problem they cause is the people who oppose capitalism, in favor of a socialist economy, don't know how much worse it would be. The things they don't teach in school is the exact reason the federal government was never granted the power to have any control over education. They just illegally seized it. People will say things are not near as bad as the things King George III did to the colonists, and they are right. King George III was much worse. But I don't believe we should ever let things get that bad before we exercise our rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence. No, I am not suggesting war, but reorganizing the power is something that will only become more difficult until there is no peaceful remedy. That is why they constantly initiate new tactics to keep the people divided. If we ever become one again, we can regain control peacefully. Only as "One American" do we have them outnumbered so badly they will have no choice but to capitulate to the will of the people. It might seem like I got off topic, but big corporations are a big part of the reason that the younger generations are starting to lean toward a socialist economy, which only works with a completely disfunctional type of government - Communism. I would like to see the younger generations be saved from themselves, but "too late" is approaching at an ever-increasing rate.

[@olivertaylor4779]

@@SteveWhiteDallas The problem is some of the big box stores know they are aimed at the DIYer who will only use the tool a few times a year, does not care much about quality and wants it as cheap as possible, if it brakes they will be back to buy another one. Those cheap tools probably make a huge profit and sell by the thousand, where a quality fairly high price tool will probably only sell a hundred in the same time if you are lucky, low price sells over quality, it's been shown countless times. Edit, this is a UK view, most quality stuff suppliers are scattered across the country and you have to order online, luckily one of our big box stores own brand has great quality stuff, it's as good as brand names imo.

[@wanderingrenegade771]

Just looked on the HD site online,no sale,heading to my local store next.

[@halledwardb]

Their et450 tracer is working great gor me.

[@chriss2295]

Not blowout pricing near me, but better than usual pricing. Picked up some more insulated stuff as a backup.

[@iamtrebradford]

Theyre clearing half of the electrical shelves of Klein Tools to make room for Milwaukees new electrical line. Milwaukee had already dropped theyre tube benders, fish tapes, glow rods, new strippers and a few other main tools with more coming in the next month or 2 i believe

[@iamtrebradford]

And yes, it seems like TTI is taking over Home Depot...

[@michaelmoorrees3585]

TTI is owned by Berkshire-Hathaway, aka Warren Buffet. Its an umbrella company for a lot of electronics components suppliers. So they carry many electronic instrument brands, known more by engineers, and manufacturers, than electricians.

[@tomjoseph1444]

I used to shop only at HD and rarely with Lowe's. When our Lowe's opened it seemed like more of an appliance store. These days, I rarely go to HD and always at least check Lowe's first.

[@Mr_Clean]

It could actually be that home Depot is not dropping Klein voluntarily, But maybe Lowe's ponied up for some kind of exclusive contract to be the carrier of Klein. 🤷‍♂️

[@MakeitZUPER]

I hate this news, only because the nearest Lowe's is over an hour & a half away from me and H Depot is only an hour away. I hope the Lowe's website is better than the Depot version. Depot lists the same crap over and over 10 times before you can get to the end of a search with all sorts of other items and brands tossed in the mix. Search for a brand name tool of choice and you get the entire store tool inventory instead. Walmart sux too but hopefully Lowe's will be an improvement since I will be ordering from them more often. Thanks for the timely update.

[@paulmysliborski4832]

I guess that Lowe's and Home Depot cannot carry the same brands because of legal/contractual issues? As an older man, I remember when stores actually competed against each other while selling the same brands, and when you mentioned that the "other store" had the same item for $20 cheaper, the manager would price match it to gain your business. I guess those days are long gone.......

[@darrenmarsh2290]

I don't think that is the reason. They both have Dewalt and Simpson products.

[@kevinmach730]

I'm older as well, and I think the same stuff happened back in the day sometimes, too. But in this day and age, with all the competition online, etc, they want get exclusives to give you another reason to shop at their store rather than a competitor. No matter if a brand is exclusive to a store or not, they still have to be priced right relative to the quality vs other stores doing the same thing. I don't really feel like we're missing out as consumers.

[@jimh4167]

As a profession Electrican If it's not Klien. It's not mine

[@ccbowers]

I saw those Klein clearance a while back but the price drops were pretty small, so I didn't know what to think. If HD is no longer carrying Klein what's replacing it.? There are only a handful of brands that really sell the same categories and level of hand tools. It seems like when they dropped Estwing, they replaced most of those with Cresent, who I didn't previously associate with hammers, so who knows?

[@jeffwilder7117]

I know the merchandising crew at my local HD store. They are replacing Klein with Milwaukee tools. Now Milwaukee is a good brand, but as an old electrician myself, you just can’t beat Klein. I’ve tried them all.

[@ccbowers]

@@jeffwilder7117 I've heard that, but does Milwaukee currently make all of those Klein tools? The fairly niche hand tools and electrical /diagnostic stuff?

[@btrswt35]

I know some would argue but crescent branded stuff not only looks cheap but doesn't feel quality either. I've never used it so can't speak for hands on, but I don't see myself buying it either. Their DeWalt hammers are actually fairly good so I might lean more in that direction if needed. As for test equipment, Klein set the standard. I would follow the brand to what ever store they go to simply because they are proven equipment.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

@@btrswt35 DeWalt hand tools are just another Stanley Hand Tools/ Black and Decker Product. That is who owns De Walt which is just reimagined Black & Decker.

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

I bought some Crescent 8" lineman pliers with crimper and fishtape puller for $17, just to check the quality. I was surprised to discover how good they are. The hinge pin is attached to the side with the cutters, just the opposite of the Klein pliers. That makes it more convenient because the striking surface is larger with no worries about causing the pin to seize, making the pliers hard to open. The cutters are offset like Klein and the jaws leave a gap when closed to allow for wear on the cutters. The Klein pliers have gone up to almost $40. That's too much considering they're made in China so they are making large profits instead of hiring American workers. I expect Crescent is also made in China, but if I have no American alternative for equal quality ... I have no loyalty to any Chinese-made brand, so I will choose the lower price if the quality is the same or better. However, I have an Estwing 22 oz framer, 22 oz smooth head and a steel shank hatchet that I wouldn't trade for the Harbor Freight knock-offs. If I wear them out, I'll buy new Estwings, but wearing them out is not likely to happen in my lifetime.

[@jseen9568]

THD has to let Klein go. Klein wants to start a full line of tools. THD can't take them on. They already carry several.

[@machineman6498]

Didn’t Lowes carry them until about a year ago? Kinda down on lowes near me with the Self Checkout only even on a Saturday afternoon.

[@GS-lh2nx]

Actually, Milwaukee does make meters. I have never seen one in the wild but they do exist

[@Josh_FSD]

I hope Milwaukee doesn’t start making multi meters and stuff, they’re quality has went down hill tremendously over the last several years, and they attempt to ghost you on warranty claims…. And I’m a Milwaukee tool fan… but we all know where the poor quality comes from, a country that has a population of almost 1.5 Billion… we did it to ourselves…

[@ashtonm.3825]

HD is going to be just Milwaukee & Husky! Here in Canada, all their hand tools are pretty much just Husky.

[@Don_ECHOguy]

Home Depot is becoming the *_Dumpster_* for a lot of products lately and if continues it will put them in the toilet as far as my purchases are concerned.

[@leonpowers8762]

Lowe’s also needs to Cary a better selection of Fluke multimeters

[@geedubb2005]

My HD in New Mexico has the absolute worst customer service, hands down. I left a full basket of hardware and tools at the checkout line because workers were standing around bullshiiting and laughing while people needed to check out. The management sucks and employees are lazy. I’m done with them. They suck and the shareholders will see that soon. FKM

[@jeffzutler1747]

Funny you should say that, as the HD stock price has gone up about $55/share over the past 6 months. My ESPP is very happy.