To market, to market... let the buyer beware.

**dakotax3** · 6th November 2011, 12:12 PM

This is aimed at newcomers. Occasionally I like to pay a quick visit to Sunday markets, not often, just occasionally. I may want fresh farm produce, I may be on the lookout for a specific tool or I may be just browsing through a market in a different area. Today was one of those browsing days and I approached a stall selling an assorted collection of hand and power tools in the handyman category. There was a gentleman kneeling on the ground inspecting an old cordless drill with 2 Nickel Cadmium battery packs with the vendor standing over him watching intently. I approached as the potential customer pressed the trigger briefly as he was inspecting it; the drill ran as you would expect. But the surprise came when the customer pressed the trigger again, for only the second time, and the vendor made it very clear that once was enough, you've already heard it runs "So donna do it agin. Evrybody test da drill, it run outa battery." On hearing this outburst my Irish/Scottish-descended blood caused me to act in defence of the once potential customer. My response was that if two Nicad batteries cannot last a morning of occasional testing without load then the batteries are utterly exhausted and you have devalued your own product to the point of unsaleability. His point was the batteries would quickly go flat. My point was if they did, then the product was nearly worthless.

There are bargains for the tool buyer to be found at markets but they are often hidden amongst the over priced useless rubbish more commonly found. When buying used battery operated tools, I advise newcomers to carefully consider what life remains in the battery(s), as their replacement is rarely cost-effective.

**Handyjack** · 6th November 2011, 07:20 PM

I agree with the above.

Second hand battery tools should be treated with caution as replacing the batteries can cost more than a new tool with batteries.

Likewise corded tools should be treated cautiously for electrical safety. I remember being in a pawn shop looking at some (overpriced) power tools. They were marked that they may not meet ASZ 3760. Yep they did not. Leads were damaged.

**Pops** · 7th November 2011, 10:35 AM

I agree also.

Sharks abound at markets. Just yesterday, a young girl was selling a large, near new hammer drill, (amongst a milion dresses and shoes). As I was walking away I heard a bloke say to her, 'can I have dis for $10 as shaft broken see, as he moved the chuck forward and back'.

Before I could say a word, he thrust the $10 in her hand and was off. And yes he was a dealer at the same market, minutes later being sold for $50. I did not have the heart to tell the gilr she got ripped off after the fact and regret not being quicker off the mark to say something.

Have even seen local news team run a 'sting' at the same markets, catching a couple, (with claimed little English as an excuse) that were stealing from the Good Sammy's bins and selling the clothes and toys at the markets. The reporter had put her name on the items and was able to identify them. Some real low-lifes in the world I guess.

Cheers
Pops

**VEK TOOLS** · 13th November 2011, 10:50 AM

This is another reason why its better to buy from a shop, there was also a group of italian guys importing red rotary hammer drills from china & putting hilti stickers on the & selling them site to site with hire hire cars, they eventually got caught they alos did it with other brands too. Most proper heavy duty brands have there logo embosed in the housing.... so beware.

There also is alot of shoplifting gangs that sell the goods they pinched from tool shops there too, they are usually selling quality brands like Wiss, Stanley below our cost . The unfortunate thing about this is the more consumers support these guys the more they steal from places like us

**GraemeCook** · 13th November 2011, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Handyjack

I agree with the above.

Second hand battery tools should be treated with caution as replacing the batteries can cost more than a new tool with batteries.

My 20+ year old Makita battery drill died two weeks ago - would only recharge for ten seconds and hold ten seconds usage! Went along to an authorised dealer and to a battery specialist and both quoted $84 for NiCad batteries. Then went to both big chains and got sticker shock as to how much prices have risen since GMC's demise, so went home to consult with a glass of red.

Doodled on the web and bought two batteries in Aus at $30 each plus $8 courier at 4pm. Batteries arrived at 11.30 am next morning (in Hobart). The packaging was branded Makita and the batteries themselves have Sony logos.

Drill now works as well as ever and I also now have a spare battery, at very modest cost, I think.

Fair Winds

Graeme

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