Price competing is only fair if everybody is allowed to do it, and on an even playing field.
I have bought vast amounts of Makita tools over many years, sometimes getting promotional deals, sometimes getting good discount on the volume of tools purchased at a single visit, and sometimes not.
A few years back, I found an online dealer selling at very competitive prices. I checked out their feedback, nearly all glowing reports.
So I thought I’d give them a shot but, instead of buying online, I drove to their advertised shop/store.
On first visit, I was honestly blown away by the size and stock carried. They had numerous makes on display including Bosch, De Walt, Festool and Fein to name a few. Only really Makita stock showed outstanding deals though.
Well I started like a frantic kid in a toy shop, ferrying power tools from the shelf, and stacking them up on the counter.
The assistant had a permanent grin on his face.
Eventually I reached my budget, well maybe just over
The assistant started adding up, still grinning. When he gave me the total, I got excited, as whilst picking the tools, I was calculating as I’m good with RRP’s on tools.
I still cheekily asked if they could do further discount? The assistant made an internal call, and a minute later a chap came downstairs and introduced himself as the owner.
He said “I tell you what mate, I can’t knock any more off but, I can give you a couple of freebies?”
Yes, great I replied, thank you, thinking I would get a few packs of sandpaper. He went back upstairs, and came down with two boxes, there you go mate, he said as he put them on the counter.
One box had the latest Makita site radio on it, the other was a Makita twin bank charger and four batteries!
Well I couldn’t hide my almost embarrassing gratitude, and thanked him very much.
No problem mate, you’ve been a good customer today, thanks for the business.
I cheekily asked him how he could provide such deals, are the tools refurbished? No mate, he said, I get a good deal, which means good business, it’s as simple as that.
After I complimented him on the shop/store, he said, yeah it’s nice but, I make the majority of my money with the online stuff.
I thanked him again, and said see you soon.
His assistant helped me load up the truck. I was opening the boxes/cases as we were loading, I told the assistant, no offence but, you can’t be too careful. No problem he said, I’d do the same.
When I returned to the workshop, my son was grinning, where have you been dad, and where did this lot come from? When I told him the story, he was also excited.
Well, we made a few more visits, and both my son and me got some amazing deals.
Then one day I calked them, no ring tone? This happened every time I rang. So I drove there one morning, only to sadly see it closed down and deserted.
After making enquiries, I read and heard all sorts, he wasn’t a real Makita dealer, yet all my tools were registered with Makita, stating him as the supplier. I also heard he was a legitimate dealer but was selling at below RRP. I questioned Makita about the business, they said he was legitimate, and had nothing but nice comments about him.
I finally read, that he had three customers go in and try and rob him. He struck me as somebody that might get volatile if goaded or threatened.
Anyway, talking of dogs, he had a very large dog at his side when upstairs.
The story goes, he and his loyal dog, gave these chaps the beating of their lives, and two of them went into ICU at the hospital.
He was apparently tried, and despite witnesses was found guilty of attempted murder! The thieves apparently got witnesses to say under oath that they were merely shopping and he, his assistant and the dog started on them.
They were apparently travellers (people who claim to be gypsies) though in reality are often no good types travelling through, causing havoc.
Some say the story is true, some say he retired and emigrated? It does seem though
that I got amazing legitimate deals.
I have another supplier now, although I get discount, it’s nothing like the previous chap gave.
