Best Places to Buy Power Tools Online – How To Buy Online!

If you’re looking to beef up your workshop, you’re probably wondering where the best place is to buy power tools online.

Of course, you want the best value for your money no matter what your budget. The most important thing to remember is that it isn’t all about price.

Used or New? That Is the Question

Many people opt to purchase used as the best way for how to buy power tools online. Others won’t consider anything but fresh out of the box.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Used

The overwhelming advantage of previously owned power tools is cost. You’ll pay a heck of a lot less for a used table saw than a new one.

That means it’ll be easier for you to upgrade to a higher end brand without dishing out more cash. Buying from an individual allows you to ask candid questions about it too.

You may have an opportunity to use it before you buy it. Often, this experience is the dealmaker for many people which make one retailer the preferred choice for where to buy power tools online.

The disadvantage is that you’re taking a chance on the lifespan of the tool even if you try it out before laying down your money. That means no guarantee or warranty.

The Benefits and Downsides of Getting New Power Tools

Getting new power tools has some attractive selling points. There’s no risk of failing parts or frayed cords.

You’ll have some guarantee on your purchase if it doesn’t work. You can return it for your money back if it turns out to be the wrong tool for your needs.

You can also get state-of-the-art technology. The innovations in this industry are tremendous with connected devices and better operation.

On the downside, you’re paying more up front. That could mean some serious cash.

And you might not be able to afford a top-of-the-line product if you’re on a limited budget.

Warranties and Guarantees

Unless you’re buying from an individual, you’ll likely get some guarantee if just to make sure that the tool works. Sellers rely on customer reviews, so it’s in their best interests to keep you happy.

We’d strongly advise you to buy power tools that come with a warranty too. There are a couple of good reasons to go this route.

First, there’s the safety issue. Those safety precautions exist for a reason.

It is imperative that your power tools operate correctly to protect you and the people around you. Second, there’s your cost.

Power tools aren’t cheap. The last thing you need is to be out a couple hundred bucks because your impact driver turned out to be a dud.

Craftsman, for example, will back their power tools for one year from the date of the sale. DeWalt covers them for three years.

What Should You Look for in an Online Retailer?

Seller reputation is the key to the game. Look for buyer reviews before you add a power tool to your shopping cart.

Sometimes, manufacturers or sellers will reward customers for positive reviews. That’s why it’s essential to scan as many as you can because someone will likely out a retailer that plays this game.

Shipping and Returns

The first thing to understand about free shipping is that it doesn’t exist. The seller isn’t eating the cost but rather baking it into the price.

The exceptions to this rule are stores with a brick and mortar presence like Lowe’s Home Improvement. You can shop online and pick up your power tools without paying a shipping fee.

Regardless of how you get it, make sure to read the fine print when it comes to returns. Reputable sellers will give you free return shipping.

Others will require you to pay it or deduct it from your refund. That’s one thing that distinguishes some retailers from the best place to buy power tools online.

The Shopping Experience

A feature we love to see with an online site is a comparison option. It borders on a must-have thing when choosing between different power tools.

Look for sites that explain the specs and how it affects the tool’s performance to make an informed decision. Facts and figures mean nothing without the context.

What Are Some of the Best Places to Shop Online for Power Tools?

Now that you know what to look for let’s review our picks for the best place to buy power tools online.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com is the king of the online e-commerce market. Customers identified lower prices as the primary reason that they shop at the site.

Economies of scale work in its favor along with a wide selection of manufacturers from which to choose. If you’re looking for something in particular with a power tool, the chances are you’ll find it here.

The best deals exist for Amazon Prime members with the free two-day shipping. Customer service is excellent with quick responses to any order inquiries.

On the downside, product descriptions are often lacking with missing or incorrect information. If you’re looking for more details, our next pick can help you find what you need to know.

Lowes.com

Lowes.com has one thing that Amazon.com does not; it has a robust compare tool. You can choose up to four products to get a side-by-side look at what each offers.

You get the usual specs like weight and size. But you get a wealth of information on power tools that will make buying easier.

It includes things such as safety listing, connectivity and warranty info up front. You can also select your nearby store to pick up your purchase there with up-to-date stock numbers.

eBay.com

Ebay.com offers both used and new items to give you the best of both worlds. It’s a better option for buying the former because you’ll have the backing of the site and PayPal if you choose that payment method.

We liked the fact that the site is transparent about the seller’s reputation with the information available on the search listings. If you enjoy playing the auction game, you may get a fabulous buy on a power tool.

The site also has a model that resembles the format of Craigslist so that you can buy from a local buyer. We consider it a better option if you want to go this route as the best place to buy power tools online.

Menards.com

Menards.com is the discount wing of the major home improvement centers. The site is similar to Lowes.com with a powerful comparison tool to make the buying process easier.

We liked that all the promo and special deal info are readily visible along with the availability and pick-up/shipping options. It doesn’t give as many details, but it does make it easy to change stores to find one where it’s in stock.

Conclusion

It’s important to know the best place to buy power tools online when making these expensive purchases. Chances are they aren’t things that you often get which can it more difficult to wade through your options.

Fortunately, online retailers have their own peer review system in place—the feedback from the people who buy from them. The savvy shopper will understand the features of the tool they’re buying and the reputation of the seller.