Sidchrome tools - cheapest ever?

[750hp]

Two things...

1. Have you heard about the way to get Sidchrome stuff for a huge discount?

2. Are any Sidchrome products worth owning these days?


So, first things first. Repco are getting out of Sidchrome tools and are dumping all stock at 50% off. Awesome! Even better is that some Bunnings stores are playing the "We'll match it and beat it by a further 10%" game. (They shouldn't do this when competing against clearance stock, but when you're talking to a 16 year old who only earns a few bucks an hour, what do they care?

Which leads to the question of quality. Yeah, the good of days of top shelf Aussie made Sidchrome tools hasn't been the reality since the early 90's. Do they still have sufficient focus on quality materials (and quality control) to be worthwhile?

An example of how it works:

[deano59]

I have a sidchrome wall cabinet I bought when I started my apprenticeship when I was 18 im now 54 and still use that same set every day here at home .a few pieces have been misplaced over the yrs . I have quite a collection of tools ranging from snap on down to Stanley .
I don't think sidchrome are anywhere the same quality they were 30 yrs ago but I would still buy them over spanners from super cheap. end of the day I get what you pay for

[Chook]

Craig - you in Sydney by any chance? Receipts show Lidcombe and Castle Hill!?

[750hp]

No mate, I'm a Broncos supporter but these were posted on a forum and have been used by many as proof that Bunnings are price matching + 10%. It's funny that one Bunnings store might say no, but when they see another store has done it, they don't want to miss out on the action.

I wonder what Bunnings' margin is..?

Dean, yep they have to be better than Kincrome, SCA etc, but by how much these days I'm really not sure. They look shiny behind the glass cabinets, but that's not a real strength test for them!

[Modena]

Kincrome are ok for some things. Sidchrome not so much these days. I buy Snap-On where I can justify the expense - did you know all Snap-On has a lifetime warranty? Break that 1/4" drive ratchet that you bought 15 years go? No probs, here's a new one.

[750hp]

Normal Sidchrome hand tools also have a lifetime warranty
Sidchrome Products

Warranty offered "for the term of the useful life" of the tools. I know how that relates to depreciating fixed assets for a business, but I don't know how it relates to a guy in a garage who breaks a ring spanner 10 years down the track...

[Tonus72]

Thanks for the heads up Craig.

Good value - will check it out down here tomorrow...

Tony

[sambo]

How did you prove Repco's price to the people at Bunnings? I couldn't find it in their catalogue - http://catalogues.repco.com.au/search.html?refine=681

[just dreamin]

The lifetime warranty I have encountered means "original purchaser and original purchase document/receipt". I have trouble finding mine a month later rather than ten years on.:rolleyes"

[guye]

Originally Posted by just dreamin

The lifetime warranty I have encountered means "original purchaser and original purchase document/receipt". I have trouble finding mine a month later rather than ten years on.:rolleyes"

Yeah, and most of those thermal receipts fade after about 6 months anyway! Take a picture; my tip.

[Modena]

Another +1 for Snap-On, all your purchases are recorded with your details on the truck at the point of sale into the database, or online if you buy that way. I have made a couple of claims over the years and never had to provide a receipt, in fact they never even looked up the original purchase and simply replaced the item. Things may be different if the rep doesn't know you or you have a large $ item.

Regardless, those Sidchrome prices are cheap and if I was in the market for a trolley or toolbox I would probably be buying one.

[Tonus72]

Well, I tried. But the girl at my local Bunnings said I needed to find a Repco store with the trolley in stock. Fair enough.

I lucked out...

[Krait]

Originally Posted by deano59

I have a sidchrome wall cabinet I bought when I started my apprenticeship when I was 18 im now 54 and still use that same set every day here at home .a few pieces have been misplaced over the yrs . I have quite a collection of tools ranging from snap on down to Stanley .
I don't think sidchrome are anywhere the same quality they were 30 yrs ago but I would still buy them over spanners from super cheap. end of the day I get what you pay for

Am of a similar vintage, had Sidchrome spanners and a Minimax socket set as an apprentice. Ditched the Sidchromes in the 80's for serious work when I had repeated issues with tailshaft shaft bolts coming loose on my rallycar due to the jaws flexing. Bought Stahlwillie replacements and never had another issue.

[Towmaster]

Just rang my local Repco store at Albion in Brisbane. Yes they are selling out of Sidchrome @ 50% off. Was after a 3/8 torque wrench, yep $399 & that is the discounted price. They also had a Repco (12 month warranty) brand torque wrench that was $328 retail... Hmmmmm. 2 months ago I bought a 1 inch drive torque wrench that is 1.2m long for the single wheel nuts on the Supercar for $335....

[guye]

Preston has almost nothing left. Thomastown has a few kits and bits left still.

I checked this out and it was $325 on the shelf. Scanned it at $125. Sold!

There's one of these left there now if someone wants to grab it.

[Tonus72]

Hi Guye

That looks like the same kit I just bought from a mate at work. The one I got is about 100 years old and the tray is covered in weld spatter, but he assures me that the 'Australian made' logo is worth something.

I am sure I would not wear either out.

Good pickup

Tony

[guye]

Yep. Exactly the same. Except I got a 'free' 8m measure tape with it too. And yours I'm sure was heaps cheaper then mine :-)

[Tonus72]

Not so Guye, you did well...

Paid $100!!

No 50% off sale at work!

[Modena]

I was just in Repco Moorabbin getting some fuses and checked it out, they have a couple of spanner sets left and that's all, so don't bother going there.

Ben

[Dimis]

FWIW: I picked up most all my stuff from kinchrome factory outlet store in Scoresby Vic (cose to carrebian gardens).
Typically they sell factory 2nd or damaged stuff. But every now and then they open the doors to all their gear. I was lucky enough to get a lot of stuff (including: trolleys, boxes, spanners, sockets, etc) for about 40% of (NOT "off") rrp.

Perhaps worth paying them a visit if your local.
They are open on Saturdays too.