Guess they got fed up and just decided to drill a hole in them. Yup, every power tool on display had a hole drilled right through it!

So disgusting to see rampant theft just go on and on like it's totally normal

I do not ever recall needing to hold a power tool before buying it. I know what I want and I go buy it, no need for displays.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I do not ever recall needing to hold a power tool before buying it. I know what I want and I go buy it, no need for displays.

It can come in handy. I am vested in both Ryobi’s 18 volt system and Milwaukee’s 12 volt system.
They both have a 3” cut off tool. I handled them both today to see which one I preferred the ergonomics better for.

Just more oppression by the fascist overlords.
Come the revolution, the masses will rise up and make it illegal to make theft impossible.
(Or at least make it so there is nothing to steal—whichever comes first.)

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I do not ever recall needing to hold a power tool before buying it. I know what I want and I go buy it, no need for displays.

It can come in handy. I am vested in both Ryobi’s 18 volt system and Milwaukee’s 12 volt system.
They both have a 3” cut off tool. I handled them both today to see which one I preferred the ergonomics better for.

I started off with Milwaukee and was going to stay exclusively with them. But, Home Despot has daily deals and I end up buying what is the best deal. If I were to do it over, I would stick with Rigid simply due to the lifetime warranty. I have a lot of Milwaukee, some Ryobi I got free, a Dewalt nailer and several Rigid tools.

I do not use them all day, I just use them for small projects. The most I ever used them was buidling fences. And the Rigid and Dewalt were both close in ergonomics. Most of the brands are almost identical anyway, I would only care if I were using them every day.

My Ryobi’s have been nothing but fantastic for me for the last 15 or so years.
I got the Milwaukee 12 volt stuff for doing vehicle interior stuff that I needed a smaller footprint to get under dashes and the like.
I also have a power ratchet to get into tight places as well.
I’ll be going with the Milwaukee for the cut off tool for cutting tile. It will be easier to control without the big 18v bulky battery.

Seems like a dumb solution. Maybe I am missing something.

Haven't noticed this locally.

I like the displays because they let me know what tools are designed for folks with itty bitty hands (or what drills are made so cheaply they use smaller castings to save 3.8 cents in plastic per unit).

Honestly, I thought they were more likely to have someone steal the brushes out of the display units, but this gives them a good visual before the would be thief lets the world (and security) know how shitty of a person they are.

This was the first time I noticed it. I bought some Ryobi stuff after Black Friday and nothing had holes drilled in them.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Seems like a dumb solution. Maybe I am missing something.

Simple enough to me. Destroy the functionality but leave it well enough for physical display. And never have to replace it for theft. Obviously more appealing to the proprietors than replacing the display-model tool every time a scumbag walks by the tool department.

I recall seeing a display with a sign indicating "Non-Functional display".
I've never seen a hole added. It is sad it comes down to that.

The suppliers just need to make dummy tools with same weight for displays. Would be easy to do. Most of those displays are setup and serviced by vendors or vendor contractors anyway.

I know that stealing of display tools has been a big problem at our local Lowe’s store.

Good solution for all of those display tools that are regularly stolen - as simple as a pair cable cutters to release a brand new display unit - problem solved.

How does one steal a full sized drill or anything that won’t fit in a pocket?

quote:

Originally posted by FrankMoses:
How does one steal a full sized drill or anything that won’t fit in a pocket?

Most stores these days have a hands off loss prevention approach.
So they just load up cart with whatever they want and walk out and toss the stuff in a vehicle and be gone.

quote:

Originally posted by FrankMoses:
How does one steal a full sized drill or anything that won’t fit in a pocket?

Depends on the location but miscreants can generally walk right out with it. Either local state doesn’t care and won’t even arrest even if caught or company policy prohibits employees detaining or chasing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ElToro,

I was a supplier to a bunch of Ace Hardware stores. Very friendly with the owner of a store that was plagued by shoplifters. On one occasion, they were bold enough to break through the roof overnight, and clean out a bunch of his power tools.

His store was the last one on my route, and he and I usually chatted for a bit after I finished my routine in the store.

George (the store owner) had a keen eye for shoplifters. One evening, as we stood there talking, he eyeballed my belt and asked, "What's that, under your shirt?"

It was a SIG P250, but I replied, "You mean my cell phone? I can make fifteen calls before I have to recharge the battery."

He laughed and said, "I have a phone like that, too. I take it out of the safe when I'm closing the store and getting the cash ready to take to the bank."

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by FrankMoses:
How does one steal a full sized drill or anything that won’t fit in a pocket?

Most stores these days have a hands off loss prevention approach.
So they just load up cart with whatever they want and walk out and toss the stuff in a vehicle and be gone.

Yep. Rural King has approximately 1.5 million in theft plugged into each stores ROI. If the store comes in below that 1.5 million, the manager gets a bonus. If they go over, they get penalized. All they need are the police reports

It seems like a poor business model but

quote:

Originally posted by FrankMoses:
How does one steal a full sized drill or anything that won’t fit in a pocket?

In Atlanta and surrounding areas they just put it in a cart and wheel it out the door. I am surprised our Home Depots are even still here. Weekly posting by local law enforcement asking if anyone can identify the shoplifters.