Northern Tool
Northern Tool + Equipment is an online business where you can buy tools of just about any type and any brand. Years ago, before the Internet was used for commercial purposes, I used to buy my tools from Northern Tool. Back then, one just used a traditional full-color catalog and a toll-free telephone number to place orders.
One of the power tools I purchased from Northern Tool was a corded one-half inch drill made by Porter Cable. I remember paying $89.00 for this drill back in the late 1980's. This was a lot of money for a drill at the time.
But the moral of the story is that I was buying quality. I still have that drill, and it works just as good as the day it was delivered by the brown UPS truck.
Many of my carpenter friends and subcontractors thought I was nuts for buying tools via mail order. They thought it was crazy to call and send for a tool. My thoughts were about pricing and convenience. The drill was very competitively priced, and I loved how I didn't have to fight a crowd at one of the local stores.
After this positive buying experience, I then purchased a gasoline-powered air compressor from Northern Tool. This larger item was not able to be delivered by UPS, so I had to go pick it up at a freight company. That was a little bit of a hassle, but I got a fantastic deal on the compressor, and it arrived in perfect condition.
There were thousands of people who were buying mail order at the time. It wasn't a new concept, as other major retailers had strong mail-order catalogue operations. Heck, L.L. Bean started his successful mail-order business back in the very early 1900's, so you know both mail order and Internet businesses could do well. People love convenience and great pricing.
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Warren 22 Dec 2009, 10:06
I ordered a two (2)piece carrier rack from Northern Tool earlier this year
for $349.00. The item was shipped in two (2) boxes. When opened to
assemble, it was discovered that they sent me the wrong rack--they sent me
a carrier 21' wide with a ramp accessory 48" wide. The two do not go
together. When called to see about getting the right parts, I was given the
run around, no return calls or emails and finally after insults that
suggested I needed assistance in assembling the parts, I finally asked for
a refund. I have since made three (3) additional calls because they refuse
to send me the necessary documents to return the items. Northern Tool
blames it on the manufacture since they direct shipped the item. I
purchased and paid Nothern Tool. They do not appear to stand behind their
products nor their manufactures and pass the buck back and forth.
Meanwhile the customer sits with no working product and payment has been
made. I would not recommend ever purchasing any item from Northern Tool
that requires direct shippment from the manufacturer. You never know what
you will get--except for the constant run around in dealing with them.
ruth 30 Jun 2010, 14:25
i've made several attempts to do business wtih this co. the reps talk to
you like you're stupid. it always take s several phone calls to correct any
problems that my exist. i'm done!
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