Jeff wrote in earlier this month, telling us that the selection of Bosch screwdriver bits at Lowe’s looked to be dwindling.
Any idea what’s going on with Bosch screwdriver bits at Lowes? I noticed as of a couple months ago the stock was dwindling. The shelf at my store was practically bare today to the point I asked the clerk if they are discontinuing selling them. Of course, he had nothing to add other than what you’d expect from a Lowes clerk.
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Went to the website to order and even the website was practically empty of Bosch. The only 3 pack available, which was the way most were sold, was on clearance. There, of course, was a massive display of DeWalt and, ugh, Craftsman. Looks like I’m going to have to go to my back-up of Milwaukee as Home Depot or buy from the usual suspects online.
I saw the same at my local Lowe’s this weekend, with a photo of the display shown above. But of course the Phillips #2 bits I need for an upcoming story were full priced.
Some of the price tag labels were stripped away, but the others were yellow with “clearance” markings.
It’s unclear what’s going on. Have you seen the same at your local Lowe’s stores? Are the Bosch screwdriver bits disappearing from your store too?
If Lowe’s is clearancing out the Bosch individual bit size packages, what do you think will take their place? My Lowe’s had Dewalt Tough Grip, Dewalt Flex Torq, and Craftsman screwdriver bits. Maybe Irwin, another Stanley Black & Decker brand, will fill in the space?
Personally, I purchase my Bosch screwdriver bits online. I have picked up individual packs of screwdriver bits (other brands, not Bosch) from Home Depot, but not from Lowe’s. Still, this doesn’t seem like good news to me. Part of me is holding onto hope that maybe Bosch is simply updating the packaging of their bits, but if that was the case, the new packs would simply hang on the same pegs as the old ones.
To me, it looks like Lowe’s is changing suppliers. But to which one? Why?
Thank you Jeff for the heads-up!
Update: Lowe’s is Actually Expanding Their Bosch Screwdriver Bit Selection
Andrew
Yeah, lots of Bosch items have the yellow tag, including 18V power tools (and probably other stuff).
I noticed the bits had clearance tags a few weeks ago bu tthe discount was only like $0.50 at the time, so not worth it.
Either Lowes is moving product, or Bosch is looking to renew their brand line.
fred
I stopped by a Lowes today for some Minwax stain (HD no longer carries this brand) – and took a peek. From the amount of dust on the Bosch bits that were left (lots of empty spaces) – they were probably not best sellers. I also noted that the ones I picked up were made in Vietnam. I also looked at some Bosch jigsaw blades – reduced in price – but not compelling deals. Their packaging said “made in Switzerland”
Logir
That’s actually neat – almost all other driving bits are chinese. At least my makita, milkyway and dewalt are
Bosch stuff always has the craziest COOs. Like sanders made in Malaysia
John
They are improving the Bosch bits. They are coming back in the stores .
Amos
I work there. I noticed that as well as black and decker is completely gone from the tool section here
Andrew
I would be pretty happy if they picked up Makita instead. I run Makita and the HD shelves are normally pretty bare. Doubt that will happen.
I personally dont get the “ugh, Craftsman” line. The SBD Craftsman line is not the junk they sold at sears. Are they as good as others, no but I have used a bit of their new lines and frankly I see no difference than the DeWalt line of bits. Is this just a hatred of a line made by terrible Sears mismanagement or have I just had different experiences with the SBD stuff as other people?
Jason McDaniels
Makita is exclusive to Depot (at least for big box stores)
David
That is ending soon , they are leaving depot.
Logir
Source????????
Crazy
Matt J.
Agreed…I can’t see a world where Makita isn’t at either major big box store (Menard’s doesn’t count since they’re not national IMO). They’d be shooting themselves in the foot. Granted, I purchase almost all my Makita stuff online since HD usually only carries starter bit sets and Philips 2 packs. The tools are typically not in stock when I need some, either, but I’ve bought a few things.
I’d love to hear some backup supporting this.
Jorn
I picked up a Bosch cordless shop vac with a free core 4ah battery/charger this weekend at Lowe’s.
Thanks for the heads-up… I’m going all-in on Bosch so if Lowe’s decides to clear everything out I’ll be stocking up.
Nathan
The story I heard is that Lowe’s due to dropping profit and other rot – is getting rid of anything bosch because it doesn’t move in volume.
I think the real thing is that one it’s quarterly inventory reduction for taxes etc. and spool up for chrizmitch stuffs (already blocking all the aisles) etc.
but eitherway – if it is a fire sale It’s at least on some good stuff
Jerry
Hey,Jeff perhaps the local Lowes clerk did not have a real response to your question.Perhaps he/she was part time or new hire that do not sit in store meetings.If you want a response & don’t get one from a clerk go to management or call the corporate office.DUH..
Logir
Apparently drinking makes some people very much on edge!
Marc
Lowes and HD used to operate 80% full timers (experienced tradesmen e.g. former plumbers, electricians) and only 20% part timers. After they ran out all the Mom and Pops and cornered the market they flipped and have little to no full timers. Hardly any of them know the basics of any trade. DUH.
John C
And they will all end up at a local store here in MN for dirt cheap.
Brian A
Oh god save us if its going to bring more SBD rebranded stuff as Craftsman. Lowes might as well change their name to Sears 2.0
Jim Felt
One of the few reasons I’d occasionally go to Lowe’s with my wife on her plant related visits was Bosch. Or maybe a SS tool roll around.
Now?
Nathan
for me Lowes usually has the better stuffs over home depot and my local home center.
I try to shop my local hardware/home center store when I can (they are an independant)
But if I need wood stuffs – or plumbing stuffs – lowes has the better selection of better goods vs HD. SO I end up there.
OH and the craftsman cordless tools and other stuff is actually pretty good SBD stuff – but I’m already in Dewalt which means different battery. So pass. But some of the items are Dewalt items in red. But not always top tier Dewalt items. And it looks like the craftsman brand accessories (blades bits etc) might start taking the place of the Irwin and lennox stuffs. and they might be the same really. Would be interesting to test.
Corey Moore
Pretty sure SBD owns all of those. Not like they’ve made a lot of sense in their actions in the past, though.
Eugenio
I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist but Bosch has had multiple sales going on at Amazon for a few weeks now. Some items went down on price permanantely it seems. The Bosch Under-Table Router Base with Above-Table Hex Key RA1165 I had been watching for a while and its price was between $47 and $54 then the other day it went down to $36 and the slashed of “was” price was listed as $38… kinda strange
Katie
It’s not going away!! Lowe’s is moving Bosch double-ended screwdriving bits to single-ended bits and expanding head type coverage. Your store should be reset in the next few weeks!
CountyCork
Thanks for the clarification.
Kim
Probably making room for a new tool brand
Another Jeff
I don’t think there’s any reason to panic on all things Bosch, just the bits and maybe some similar items at Lowe’s. The power tools look unaffected on the website. It was my comment that spurred this, so as far as the Craftsman items, I just have had some bad luck on their drill and screw bits holding up, like failing almost immediately. I think even by SBD’s own description DeWalt was always going to be the premier line and Craftsman somewhat lesser. My “ugh” was that I’d hate to see Bosch replaced by anything less than another premier brand. Everyone has their favorites, whether right or wrong, and you’ll generally be fine with a Milwaukee, a Makita, a Bosch, or a DeWalt, but everyone has their lesser favored of those, and DeWalt happens to be mine. So, no Bosch means no option at Lowe’s for bits that I’d at least be happy to buy.
Frank D
In other news, my HD is clearancing various 3M Personal Protective Equipment …
John
Like Katie said, just changing to new Bosch bits . And there are no plans to drop Bosch power tools
Thank you