Buying tools for the guy or SO in your life.

[Forrest747]

Jennie and I went out shopping for Christmas gifts last night. The local Sears is having remodeling sale. SO I saw I want a planer for Christmas and we go over and buy it. Well she got all up in arms, about how I know what I am getting for Christmas and she doesnt. I said its only fair when it comes to tools that I pick it out because then I know its what I want. She disagreed.

So girls when it comes to buying a power tool for a guy what is the best way?

[cuyeda]

Your question is gender specific... but if I were you, the want list of tools is never just one. Give her a list of your top 6 in order of preference including cost. It may be self serving, but at least she will know what you want, and can make her own choice, or NOT.

[Oldragbaggers]

For me it's easy because I love power tools myself, so I just think what I would like and I know he would like it too.

[CARS]

I've got everyone trained that when it comes to tools and Sears they should just get me a gift card.

Tools are touchy. I hate cheap tools, unless they are something I will only use a couple times. Daily tools need to be high quality (= expensive).

[Forrest747]

I remember a freind of mine his wife went to sears to get him a tool for his birthday. the sales rep comes up and trys to work with her, what tool what size color brand and she didnt know. so the sales rep suggested she go shopping with him and ask him what he would like. so she did they went window shopping and he basically said this is what i want and she bought it on the spot. went home wrapped it and at his birthday party he unwrapped acted all surprised, kissed the wife for knowing the perfect tool. All were happy.

[Dale M.]

Go with the gift card....

One year I put out catalog (or maybe is was a flyer from local hardware) anyway I circled a specific tool.... Well I got that type of tool had to take it back because it was not the "the" tool... Her comment was "guy at sales counter said brand name and model number didn't matter- they are all the same"...

One solution is to train other half (if its possible) to buy by brand name and model number (avoid my local hardware store) ....

Dale

[eamarquardt]

Suzy once commented: "How come you always get what you want for Christmas and I always get what you want for Christmas".

I responded: "Why should I buy you something I don't want around".

My logic is irrefutable!

Cheers,

Gus

[asianflava]

The best way we've found to resolve this problem is to make a "Wish List" of about 4-5 items. That way you get exactly what you want, but still don't know what you are getting. My problem (OK my wife's) is sometimes I end up buying one of the items before Christmas.

[Verna]

I don't buy power tools for others...UNLESS they have told me specifically which brand and model.

I'm picky about my tools and I hate getting stuck with a a type that doesn't do what it's supposed to do or one that dies soon after I get it. Yeah, I pretty much a tool snob

BUT, I will buy hand tools for my sisters, because I will get them the type they need, and ones that will last about 6 months, because they always seem to lose them I don't understand how they lose so many screwdrivers Yup, my older sister is getting screwdrivers for Christmas....again. There must be a deep dark hole in her house that eats screwdrivers