Why are tools so expensive
It really annoys me that we seem to be getting ripped off big time, in Australia when it comes to the price of tools.
For example: DeWalt 10" table saw XE 745. In USA you can pick up with a stand for around US$299. https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-10-i...Saw/1000465645
In Bunnings, the same saw is $949, occasionally with a stand via redemption. https://www.bunnings.com.au/dewalt-1...e-saw_p6260316
Now US$299 is around A$399. Some will say freight is the killer...I say BS to that. I import around 300 containers a year from the USA and sea freight is pretty cheap, around A$5,000. I expect you would get around 16 of these saws on a pallet, 20 pallets per container = 320 saws at a cost of around A$15 per saw. So, if retailer margins are consistent across both countries, the saw should cost A$415. Where does the other $534 go? Now maybe because we run at 240 volt and the US at 110 volt, some additional cost may be in the motor. It still leaves a huge hole and someone is profiteering big time. It is pretty much the same with Bosch, Milwaukie etc across all power tools.
Now lets look and hand tools. A Stanley block plane is USA is US$36.00 or A$48.00. Lets assume freight is about $5 per plane (probably only a couple of bucks) we are up to A$53.00. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-...-960/203727261. The same plane in Bunnings is A$159.00 https://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-...plane_p5767091. How do we get from $53.00 to $159???? !!!
It really pees me off. We are getting ripped off unbelieveably.
Why are tools so expensive