Why tools are cheaper in the US than in EU?

[Michele Pensotti]

Hi all, just a thing I always notice when searching for tools on the net is that everything alwayis is cheaper there in the US than it is here in the EU (italy).

For example: i look for a floor jack, in the US it costs say 100 bucks, and here in the eu it costs 110 euros ( which is about 144 bucks).
I wonder why?

Maybe steel is cheaper in the US?

Another example: I look for an electric impact wrench (I only have a 3 litres air compressor which cannot power air tools); there in the US it costs say 70 bucks, here it costs 70 euros (92 bucks).
And I’m talking about the very same brand/model!!

How can this be possible??

Well US guys, i ENVY you very much! 😉

Live long and prosper (and stay dirty!)

10nico

Topic

[skim3544]

Things are priced for living standards. People in EU may have better living standard or are willing to pay more. It is simple supply & demand. Ford Focus is cheap in US, but many Asian countries people are willing to pay over $80K.

[asetoftools]

taxes, tariffs, duties, what the people will pay, economies of scale, etc. Lots of nice tools on dealextreme drop shipped from hongkong. Cut out the middle man!

i doubt they will have something heavy like a floor jack though.

Maybe there is a tool store in your area that you just are not aware of. I find brazilian tools to be of good quality and price. Ask your mechanic or on craigslist, where they shop. Also used tools like at a garage sale or on craigslist is a great way to come across high quality tools at rock bottom prices. Auctions. Pawn shops.. You just gotta be creative.

[Michele Pensotti]

Thanks for the tip man! I didn’t know about dealextreme.
And it also does free shipping to italy, this is just great! :woohoo:

I see they have a good catalog too.

Really thank you!

Live long and prosper (and stay dirty!)

10nico

[celticbhoy]

The tools on Deal Extreme are poor quality. They’re dollar store tools.

[asetoftools]

Yes they have some very poor quality products some times, but you are fine as long as you read the reviews. Or well I have been. (I wouldn’t recommend the magic beans though as they were quite smelly)

here are some nice things that personally worked for me quite well

infrared thermometer: http://dx.com/p/1-2-lcd-digital-infrared-thermometer-orange-black-123695?rt=1&p=2&m=3&r=2&k=1&t=1&s=35754&u=123695

digital calipers: http://dx.com/p/digital-150mm-caliper-2306?rt=1&p=2&m=3&r=2&k=1&t=1&s=123695&u=2306

voltage meter for your lighter socket: http://dx.com/p/led-display-cigarette-lighter-electric-voltage-meter-for-auto-battery-dc-12-24v-68179

they also take forever to ship. sometimes they have a few of the almost very same product, so it can be difficult to navigate.

its all worth it.

YMMV but i have been buying stuff from there for at least 5 years.

also their electric shock joke toys really electrocute you a bit! not like the lame PC buzzer types.. good times!
http://dx.com/s/shocking

[Author]

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