ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (2021)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Where to Buy Tools
    • Best Tool Kit Upgrades
    • Best Extension Cord Size
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Safety Gear
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Tool Brands in Every Category
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
    • More Buying Guides
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee Pipeline 2020-21
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Editorial > Home Depot & Klein’s Exclusive Retailer Agreement

Home Depot & Klein’s Exclusive Retailer Agreement

Jul 9, 2009 Stuart 6 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

The Home Depot (THD) and Klein Tools recently announced Home Depot to be the exclusive home improvement retailer of Klein’s hand-held tools.

Under the agreement, “…Home Depot will offer Klein’s complete line of durable, high-quality electrical tools and will be the sole home improvement retailer of all existing and future product lines.”

This explains why Lowes reduced their prices on all Klein tools several months ago, and why no Klein tools remain on the shelves.

Advertisement

We suspect that this agreement will not affect online stores, or retail stores that are not categorized as “home improvement” stores. Because of this, Home Depot may still have competiton, which will hopefully help keep prices low and reasonable.

The implication that Lowes can no longer carry Klein tools is somewhat of a dispapointment – we like shopping at Lowes, especially since it’s closer than the nearest Home Depot. However, that Home Depot will now carry the complete line of Klein hand tools definitely more than makes up for that.

Home Depot’s newly deepened Klein selection absolutely thrills us, mostly because we endured terrible frustration when searching for small gauge “Klein Kurve” wire strippers. After browsing in and calling most of the stores in the county, we still could not find the Klein strippers that we wanted. In the end, we purchased the Craftsman-equivalent version at Sears.

Then there are also the Klein Journeyman screwdrivers that we’ve been eager to try. After hearing about these new drivers, we would check for them, always without successm any time we found ourselves at Home Depot or Lowes.

There are definitely potential downsides to this new exclusivity agreement that may affect consumers. However, the availability of Klein’s complete hand-tool product line at Home Depot is a very, very good thing.

We’re eager to hear what you think about this, so please feel free to leave a comment about your thoughts or experiences.

Edit: It looks like Sears may be clearing their stocks of Klein tools as well. We used the online in-store inventory search for 6 products that we know our local Sears had previously carried, but it appears that they are no longer available in store.

Related posts:

Walmart Pro Tools Experience SplashWalmart to Launch a PRO TOOLS Experience – What do You Want to See? Home Depot Lowes and EGO LogosUnderstanding the Home Depot vs. Lowe’s EGO Cordless Power Tools Partnership Swap Harbor Freight Icon Pro Hand Tools 2019 TeaserDoes Harbor Freight Own Snap-on Tools?

Sections: Editorial, News Tags: Home DepotMore from: Klein

« Brown Dog Welding’s Incredible Hardware Sculptures
Sog Fusion Themed Knives »

6 Comments

  1. Tony

    Jul 9, 2009

    This kind of exclusivity between Home Depot & Klein ultimately results in a reduction of quality in Kleins products in a continual effort to meet the demands of Home Depot price points… mark my words it’s a bad deal!

    Reply
  2. Rick

    Aug 29, 2010

    ‘Exclusivity’ is what keeps me from EVER trying out any RIDGID product.
    Thanks, but no thanks.

    Reply
  3. ryan

    Feb 20, 2014

    What about ACE hardware, we carry Klein hand tools

    Reply
  4. Tommy Applegate

    Oct 27, 2014

    Does anybody know about the Kleintools journeyman screwdriver? I bought the 7 piece set & they have a terrible smell to them. I looked at the reviews & ppl have the same smell. Any feedback would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Oct 27, 2014

      I can’t say about those screwdrivers, but certain plastics tend to outgas for a little bit. I’ve had new drivers that stunk initially but then the odor went away after they aired out for a bit.

      Reply
    • Mike

      Oct 27, 2014

      I know exactly what you mean. Try leaving them out in full sun for a day or two.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to ryan Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Jim Felt on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “I’m glad to say I’ve never once asked a question on Quora. Many an answer. But never a question. But…”
  • King duck on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “I think I would have bought this 3 years ago but now honestly there are tons of “solar generators” out…”
  • Kev-Bot on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees it. I’m mean I’m totally part of the problem too lol.…”
  • GinoG on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “My main question out of all of this would be, how does it compare to the MX version? Is it…”
  • neandrewthal on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “I have built a few new homes and actually tracked the KWH usage on the meter. It’s surprisingly low, like…”
  • neandrewthal on Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply: “He means 8 amps charging output, which draws around 2 amps from the wall.”

Recent Posts

  • Pipeline 2022: New Milwaukee M18 Power Supply
  • Huge Sale - Save 15% on Milwaukee Tools! (Ends 7/2 12pm ET)
  • Acme Tools July 4th 2022 Sale: 10% off $199+
  • New Harbor Freight Hercules 5pc Router Bit Set
  • Milwaukee Pipeline 2022 - See the New Tools!
  • Noga Makes a Deburring Multi-Tool
  • 10 More Tool-Related Product Recalls
  • Lowe's Kobalt Made a Tougher Mechanics Tool Set Case
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Euro Hand Tool Brands
  • Best Tool Brands
  • Best Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Tools for New Parents
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure