Received a catalogue today from Repco, usual sale items in there (speakers, oil, etc) and almost threw it out until i read "50% Off All Sidchrome Products!".
I don't recall Repco ever doing half price Sidchrome so figured it was best that i posted it here so we can report any items worth looking at.
They shafted me on brake pads the other day. They advertised Tru Stop pads at 30% off. Went into store, and only 1 store in the whole state had 1 set of pads. Had to buy the Repco brand at more than double the price. So I guess this is their scam.
"Massive Clearance Sale on all Sidchrome Products"…whoa! Nice find OP :)
If they're no longer planning to sell Sidchrome stuff then this may be a genuine clearout. If they haven't doubled the price to begin with then we're all in for some incredible bargains! Looks like I'm off to Repco tomorrow :)
If they're no longer planning to sell Sidchrome stuff
Probably because it is now made in China and the quality has dropped.
Taiwan predominately but also China and elsewhere - nothing wrong with these tools except for RRP price and if they've dropped 50% then they'd be great value. Exception - I don't like the old design ratchets but they've updated their ratchet line up - so the stock on sale at Repco might be their older socket sets with old low tooth count ratchets.
Why would they stop selling it because it's made overseas which has been the case for many many years? It's likely they are replacing it with a cheaper brand they can make more profit on not because they are going to sell something better.
Why would they stop selling it because it's made overseas
Because the quality is getting worse…
How has the quality got worse? What's your benchmark for comparison? Unless you're in the returns department, you wouldn't be privy to failure rates. I'm sure there are duds in Sidchrome's range - but I've not heard of compelling evidence to assert that Sidchrome quality is considered low.
I reckon Maverick is right. It's about margins. I overheard one of the Repco guys say that they are replacing Sidchrome with Kincrome range (which is also mostly Chiwanese sourced). I guess we'll see.
Last time they did this the sales rep told me they were replacing the sidchrome brand with their own repco branded tools which are being made in the same factory, but this was a couple of years ago.
Repco don't care about quality of tools or their customers, all they care about is profit.
Do you think their repco branded tools will be any better? Nope they will be buying these direct, selling them at the same price and making double the profit but they won't stop there as they will be tempted to keep cutting production costs to make more money and will do this every chance they get so the quality of Repco branded tools may start out ok but will overtime end up being rubbish by which time they will launch new tools called Repco Pro or similar and the this will continue until Repco close their doors.
Thank you for your quick introduction to Capitalism 101.
In the absence of which, sites like this would not exist.
Went to the Gabba QLD store this morning on my way to work. Yeah, pretty dismal range left… just a few basic yet expensive socket & spanner sets and a rebadged generic Chinese gas powered soldering Iron kit.
Ah well.
But remember, Sidchrome of 2014 is not the same as Sidchrome from the 1990s :(
Oh yes, there's that but 2014 Sidchrome still seems to be better than many other brands marketed as high quality. Nowhere near as good as they used to be but still pretty decent stuff for the hardcore Handyman or home Mechanic IMO.
Back in the days, when Sidchrome was manufactured in Australia…
Yes. I'm lucky enough to have a mint condition 'Aussie-Made' Limited Edition (green cabinet) set from the mid-90s and after recently realising how valuable it was nowadays I managed to source the 2-3 screwdrivers I had lost over the years so it's now fully complete and close to 'as new' condition. I have mothballed that set and wont ever use it again. Shame really because the new Limited Edition (black cabinet) set I bought 6 months ago to replace it is 'multicultural' and none of it feels as 'rock solid' as the old Aussie-Made set :( Still very nice stuff though and p*sses all over the waaaay overpriced & fancy-packaged 'Calibre' type stuff IMO.
Lol you mothballed a sidchrome tool set and will never use it again? thats like mothballing an expensive pots and pan set to save it. Isn't the point of tools to use them?
Yeah, I must sound like a nutter but the original set is oozing with sentimental value. My recent discovery of its insane monetary value was just the trigger to mothballing it TBH.
So you have a tool set in "mint condition" ie rarely used………… and yet it oozes with "sentimental value"?
FMD!
Ha, no. 'Mint Condition' doesn't always mean 'rarely used'. I use my tools very often but I look after them like no-one else I know… except for the ones I lost and had to replace :( The cabinet never saw the back of a ute or truck, it never left my workbench so never got damaged. Still have the original Keys & Glenfords receipt too :)
Here's oneof the pics I sent the valuer late last year to get it appraised: http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/SteveAndBelle/Sidchr…
So whats a set like that worth - roughly?
This Aussie vintage Sidchrome tool set may be part of SteveAndBelle's self-managed superannuation portfolio - to be sold off in their golden years.
Ha, it isn't worth that much :p I wish!
Replying to 'hoxygt' above…
Well, I had no idea about any of this until I started looking around for the screwdrivers I needed to buy to replace the ones I had lost. After a couple of months of hunting I managed to find a set of three in mint condition and paid over $200 for them alone! I couldn't believe it but really had no choice as they're extremely hard to find now however this is what made me realise the potential value of the entire set so I decided to get a few appraisals.
The guy I purchased the screwdrivers from was a tool trader so obviously knew the going value of everything else. Being a skeptic I also confirmed his appraisal with a few others. Even though it's a relatively small & basic set it's currently worth around $3000-$3500 due to its particular vintage (ie. one of the last Aussie sets). It also helps that it's complete, in close to mint condition and in the Limited Edition green cabinet.
Sure, it's not enough to pay off a mortgage or retire early but it will continue to increase in value with time and as it holds sentimental value for me I decided it would be best if I kept it safe. After doing all this research it turns out I'm not the only freak doing this either… there are others around who display their vintage Sidchrome sets (probably the larger sets) on peg/shadowboards or in the original wall cabinets in their garages then cover it all in sheets of perspex so no-one can touch it!
Wow thanks for the reply. I could certainly think of worse 'collectibles' to blow my money on. Be a nice set to work on my XY GT Falcon :)
I don't recall Repco ever doing half price Sidchrome
They did it about 2 years ago www.ozbargain.com.au/node/70662
Prices looked genuine back then, worth a look
Is there still a lifetime warranty on sidchrome?
People in the trade refer to them as Shitchrome now, but they'd be more than fine for a DIYer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidchrome
Sidchrome hasn't been made in Australia for nearly 2 decades. Get over it.
Most of mine I bought just after the first war and they're still going strong.
not that it really matters being a global thing but going by the wiki it would seem the parent company is American based and moved sidchrome production from Melbourne to China in 1990. Another version would have the acquisition and relocation to Taiwan in 1996.
whilst some may say its no different, you will find that those who use them regularly will tell you that they are indeed different. australian sidchrome was great stuff, but the newer imports just dont cut it.
Overpriced tools. Not enough quality for the money sidchrome is asking for those tools
They did half price about 3 years ago. It worked out to be about 20% under cheapest ebay price. So nothing to jump at but definitely a good deal if you're in the market.
Kingchrome is better and cheaper.
And no knockoff copies like Sidchrome on eBay.
I bet you will find they have very little stock, repco never do…
Sad but true - Kingchrome is better.
Anything Sidchrome from the last few years is 'just' Stanley Quality
and Stanley quality isn't the old Stanley quality anymore either - sigh…
Kinchrome
Kincrome :-)
lol, so it is!
Its been 50% off for about a month already here, the guy told me they are selling it off and they aren't going to carry it anymore,
I was kind of interested but I have all brand new Repco branded tools with a life time no questions asked over the counter warranty so I decided not to buy any Sidchrome, it would be a hastle to get a replacment in the future as they would no longer stock Sidchrome.
Yep, I found them very solid, certainly do the trick for cheap!
Just went to my local repco and they had all of about 3 small socket sets, a couple of ring spanner sets and a dozen or do loose sockets. Not exactly an extensive range.
Just picked up a 64 piece from my local (Airport West, Vic) for $115.00
Quite a few sets there of sockets and spanners including the big toolbox
will Bunnings price Beat this?
23 Pce 1/4" socket set was $48 after half price. $97 normal price. Cheapest price I found elsewhere was $55 Vektools. So still a good price but nothing to jump at.
Unfortunately Repco have a history of having great deals advertised only to reneg on them.