Northern Tool

[Trollhole]

Just want to say how impressed I am with this company. Just got the new catalog. Lot's of new things this year I had not seen in the past. Generator selction was huge. But the thing that really got my attention is the alternative power section. Wind turbines, solar panels, bio fuel processors, and raidant heating was pretty cool. I have never seen another box store do something like that.



Alternative Energy | Northern Tool + Equipment

[reffug]

Yaa der like walmart they got everything.........

[Cuerno Largo]

Yep. I've ordered several things from them. Did ya get the hard cover catalog?

[colangut]

I have a metal brake that fits into a 40 ton shop press that I bought from them. Never seen anything like it anywhere else and it works great. I also found a HUGE 3/4 breaker bar there that is over 40 inches long. Great for breaking loose rusted stuff.

Love their stores, wish they had them on the west coast. Good stuff.

[FineWynsFJ40]

I'm ordering a welder from them, as well as some other tools. They have a huge selection and have never let me down.

Brian

[stayalert]

wife wife was rolling her eyes at the excitment I expressed at the hard cover cat. in the nailbox the other day......its the little things....

[D'Animal]

They have a lot of stuff but you want to double check the prices. They are definatly a one stop shop for the do it yourselfer but thier prices are not always the best.

[webelk6]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

They have a lot of stuff but you want to double check the prices. They are definatly a one stop shop for the do it yourselfer but thier prices are not always the best.

I concur . Their powerwasher prices are not good. Also Cat pumps on a powerwasher are basically a throw away item.. I have 3 cat pumps, that I now could use as boat anchors

[colangut]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

They have a lot of stuff but you want to double check the prices. They are definatly a one stop shop for the do it yourselfer but thier prices are not always the best.

Truth. But, they have deals if you sign up for their email specials. I just got a plate brake that will bend 1/8 up to 26" and thicker metal in shorter lengths shipped free to Cali! It's something that I have not seen for sale anywhere else. I wait for them to have a deal like this or a sale.

I've also found that comparable stuff at HF is cheaper but looks cheaper than what NH has. Maybe they have a higher grade of Chi-Com ROC stuff?

Just my opinion.

[hydrogeo]

Yeah, they have pretty good stuff but you gotta keep an eye on the prices. They are really hit or miss. I bought a HH140 mig on special with free shipping and a free cart. Nobody on the web that I could find even came close to the same deal. However, I was going to buy an ac/dc stick but it went off special before I pulled the trigger. Now TSC is cheaper. Go figure.

[Mendocino]

I am thoroughly unimpressed with Northern Tool. I just bought a new compressor from them recently. Before I purchased I called to get some pre-sales technical questions answered. I got incomplete information regarding the compressor drain plumbing as well as some other items and asked that I get an email order confirmation. I was told that I would. I also got a pretty pushy sales job on the Northern Tool Club (or whatever they call it). I did not mind the sales pitch, but after the third time telling the guy that I wasn't interested and he would not give up I was not amused.

After a week with no email I called them back and was told that I would get the email--I still have never gotten it. When the compressor finally arived I could not find the IR start up kit I had ordered and neither could the freight driver. I could not track the shipment contents because I had no order confirmation and this is the first thing you need to track your order.

I also ordered a filter/regulator/lubricator kit and it showed up in a seperate shipment and was in torn up packaging (inside the shipping box). This was so bad that I could not read the torn labels without reassembling the pieces (WTF?)

I found that the IR start up kit had been crushed in the packaging of the compressor. The synthetic oil was ok, but not the filters.

The compressor is installed and works great, but my purchasing experience with Northern Tool was not good. IMHO, they suck.

[Trollhole]

Originally Posted by Mendocino

I am thoroughly unimpressed with Northern Tool. I just bought a new compressor from them recently. Before I purchased I called to get some pre-sales technical questions answered. I got incomplete information regarding the compressor drain plumbing as well as some other items and asked that I get an email order confirmation. I was told that I would. I also got a pretty pushy sales job on the Northern Tool Club (or whatever they call it). I did not mind the sales pitch, but after the third time telling the guy that I wasn't interested and he would not give up I was not amused.

After a week with no email I called them back and was told that I would get the email--I still have never gotten it. When the compressor finally arived I could not find the IR start up kit I had ordered and neither could the freight driver. I could not track the shipment contents because I had no order confirmation and this is the first thing you need to track your order.

I also ordered a filter/regulator/lubricator kit and it showed up in a seperate shipment and was in torn up packaging (inside the shipping box). This was so bad that I could not read the torn labels without reassembling the pieces (WTF?)

I found that the IR start up kit had been crushed in the packaging of the compressor. The synthetic oil was ok, but not the filters.

The compressor is installed and works great, but my purchasing experience with Northern Tool was not good. IMHO, they suck.

Never had and issue with them. But then again I've never actually talked to anyone. Either order it online or go in the store.

The stores are cool. Love the bargin bins.

[colangut]

I've been a Northern customer for 20 years, never had a bad experience of any kind. In fact, I have a similar IR compressor that I got from them. I wish they had stores in LA.

Sounds like you had an unlucky situation. Happens with any vendor.

[Mendocino]

I'm glad that others have had a better experience with NT. I can understand one person messing up, but in my case it was both people I talked to on the phone and the damaged shipment. In all I consider this to be three seperate instances of poor customer service.

I realize that my case is not indicative of the entire company, but I'll just shop somewhere else.

[flintknapper]

I've been buying from them for over 20 years, never had a problem.

In fact, last week I ordered a couple of tire changing "spoons" from them. When the box arrived...there was evidence that UPS had been particularly rough with it and had knocked a hole in one corner allowing one of the spoons to fall out.

Called Northern about it, they didn't need any info from me, UPS or anything else, they just sent another part to me no questions asked.

[fsusteve]

we have a big one near us, I've bought a lot of stuff for the most part it's been good, just realize the cheapo stuff is chinese made, it is what it is. They do have pressure washers on sale with a honda motor for like $350, the hose hook ups are in front, on top, nice setup.