As you might recall, Craftsman has come out with a new Versastack tool bag that connects to Versastack and presumably also Dewalt Tstak modular tool boxes. Well, good luck trying to buy one.
I went through the trouble of visiting the three closest Lowe’s stores a couple of times these past two weeks, not just to spot the new Craftsman tool bag, but it was one of the things I was looking for. No luck.
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One of my local Lowe’s stores has also moved or hidden their display of Craftsman Versastack mechanics tool sets, and the others don’t seem to have put them out yet. That’s understandable, I guess, since these will be discounted for Black Friday.
The new Craftsman tool bag is also being reported as out of stock many places online. One store a couple of towns over is said to have two in stock. A couple of towns further than that and there are three in stock.
I looked at my “gift center” photos, and it turns out that my closest Lowe’s store actually did have these tool bags in stock. Shown above is the lone tool bag I photographed on the first or second day after the gift center was set up. That display is long-gone.
Technically I could order one online, but Lowe’s wants $79 freight shipping. This might seem shocking, and it is, but what it really means – or at least strongly suggests – is that Lowe’s doesn’t have any of the tool bags in their warehouses and that they can only pull stock from local stores.
Maybe more is on the way? However, it’s late-November with Black Friday just days away. If stores don’t have inventory in-hand now, the chances are slim that they’re getting more any time soon
Over the weekend I saw a lot of social media “influencers” oohing and aahing about their new Versastack tool bags. Maybe they’re sponsored posts, who knows these days, few people ever disclose their monetary connections anymore. That’s what prompted me to check local inventories yet again.
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If you were hoping to get one, check online first. Or skip Lowe’s and Craftsman and head to Home Depot, where they always have ample supplies of popular Husky tool brands. Still, it seems like a convenient DIYer combo to fill up a Versastack tool bag and stack it on top of the new Craftsman mechanics tool kit.
There’s also Milwaukee’s heavier duty Packout tool bag and box system, but that’s overkill for DIYers or homeowners shopping on a budget. Plus, they don’t yet have a drawer setup similar to Craftsman’s.
I asked our Craftsman and Dewalt contact whether we’ll see any of these new Craftsman Versastack products in Dewalt colors. Maybe that’s why Lowe’s supply has been so slim? But, wouldn’t we have seen it by now?
It’s unclear as to whether only a couple of stores in our region received the new Craftsman Versastack tool bags, or stores quickly sold out of what they had. What’s the situation at your Lowe’s stores? I checked a couple of different zip codes, and it seems some stores have either 0 2-4 in stock.
$40 seems steep for a Craftsman tool bag. If they did sell out quickly, who’s buying them – Craftsman Versastack tool storage system owners or Dewalt Tstak users?
Why doesn’t Lowe’s have any Craftsman Versastack tool bags?
A) They sent them all to “influencers.”
B) They only ordered a couple each for select stores.
C) Craftsman could only supply a couple each for select stores.
D) They sold out FAST.
There’s also the question of why Lowe’s doesn’t seem to have any available for online shipping and only truck delivery (which carries a $79 fee around here). This – Lowe’s inability to fulfill online orders via normal ground shipping means – also suggests that either Lowe’s didn’t order ample supplies, or Craftsman had supply constraints.
There aren’t enough of these tool bags to stock warehouses to fulfill online orders?
Did they only send tool bags to Lowe’s stores with a history of strong Versastack/Tstak sales?
And as a reminder, the new Craftsman Versastack mechanics tool set will be a Lowe’s Black Friday 2019 special buy at $99. Home Depot’s Black Friday 2019 Husky mechanics tool sets give you more tools for the same money, but that Versastack tool box looks to be an upgrade over traditional blow-molded cases.
John Brady
My Lowes is showing 6 bags and 30 wrench sets here is Beckley, WV 25801
Vards Uzvards
How about these items / prices at Lowe’s?
Item # 1165986 Model # KC18DBFL2SM
Metabo HPT 18-Volt 2-Tool Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit with Soft Case (1-Battery Included and Charger Included) for $94.04 – drill and impact driver.
Item # 918751 Model # CR18DBLP4
Hitachi 18-Volt Variable Speed Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw for $65.54
Item # 918750 Model # C18DBALP4
Hitachi 18-Volt 6-1/2-in Cordless Circular Saw with Brake and Nickel-plated Aluminum Shoe (Bare Tool Only) for $65.54
These are good prices, alright. The last two were showing at less than $50.00 (!) couple days ago. Every single time web page reads “In store pickup – Unavailable; Shipping & Delivery – Currently unavailable”. Earlier this year I tried to buy a Hitachi brushless hammer-drill kit for $89.00. The drill was displayed in stores, with yellow (“discounted price”) sticker, but it was impossible to buy it. I did an on-line chat with a sales rep at Lowes.com, and he couldn’t actually sell me the item I was looking for, for the advertised price. One night I jumped out of bed when saw that drill is “available for delivery” on my phone. While on a computer I found out that, yes, it’s availble for “jobsite delivery”, and the total price will be a mere $210.00
I have one item in mind, from these listed on a Lowe’s BF teaser discussed here earlier. And I’ll try to get it in store on Friday. But I’m not holding my hopes high – afraid this store will disappoint me once again :-/
Rman
I purchased the TStak tool bag at my local Lowe’s about 2 weeks ago when it dropped to $39. But took about 30 minutes for a sales guy searching the store which showed 30 pcs available. He suggested I return tomorrow No I live 1 hour from butler store. I followed him and found a case in the back of the store on the top rack!? After getting a lift blocking isles putting out the flags I got one
As I turned around they were putting them back on the top shelf????!
Stuart
Those are all showing as clearance items and completely unavailable here.
Perry
All of the Hitachi branded tools are being closed out to make room for the metabo branded tools. So the ones you’re trying to get are closeouts
Vards Uzvards
Right, right!
*Metabo HPT* 18-Volt 2-Tool Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit …
Aaron
A few weeks ago my store had 8 but only 6 showed online. They are down to 2 now.
I went in last week thinking I would buy it, $50 gift card in hand but couldn’t bring myself to do it at $40.
Honestly I have too many tool storage things but I do so love them. I think I’d be delighted to receive it as a gift or I would buy it for myself at $25
Peter Belvel
Lowe’s store 2808 Southern Gilbert AZ has 8 Versasacks and one Versasack mechanics tool kit.
DC
5 Left at the Waipahu Store, 1 left at the Honolulu store. I guess these are popular. I’ll go look at it but any difference to the Bucket Boss bags?
Big Adam
Must be plenty in stock at the North Pole. Santa is bringing Mrs BA the Tstak version next month. 😉
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-tstak-soft-storage-bag-450mm/517hg
Aaron
“Black Friday event now on, whilst stock lasts”
Why does SBD keep all the good stuff for Not available in North America?
Matt
Fully stocked at ours this weekend. At least a dozen right when you walk in. I bought one and love it! My high end Craftsman bags I got at Sears a few years back are a bit wider (which is good) but this is as nice (or in some areas nicer) in every way. It was obviously limited on length to fit on the VersaStack system. It’s a bag that should last a long time even with the abuse I’d be throwing at it. Very well built.. I was surprised actually.
Edwin
Slightly off topic…
Do you know if Craftsman will add a trolley or cart to the line-up that is similar to the Tstak ones?
Stuart
Not that I know of, sorry. Why not buy the Tstak?
Remember, Craftsman is aimed at DIYers with DIYer budgets.
Edwin
I have a Tstak trolley and I want another one. I have noticed, like others, that Versastack is offering items that are basically the same Tstak at a slightly lower price. If a Versastack version is coming out, I would rather wait and save a few bucks.
Matt
It would be nice for those of us with VersaStack. I wouldn’t hold my breath though. A ToughSystem would be even better. Sears Craftsman once had some really nice rolling carts with air filled tires. Craftsman was a big name in some pretty high end rolling floor jacks too and they suddenly have nothing. Large air compressors as well. Several Craftsman products I’ve been looking to replace as they’re aging and nothing. I’m starting to get this feeling that many things you could once get as Craftsman you may not see again.
Vards Uzvards
This TSTAK cart (DWST17889) will work with VersaStack boxes (and it is eligible for a current DeWALT promo):
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00CBY2I6M/
Sometimes its price goes down to around $30, but doesn’t happen often (on Amazon, at least).
DC
Got the bag at our local Lowes. They had 5 on the inventory but I counted 8 in the display boxes. These appear better organized ergonomically than the Bucket Boss bags I have.