TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
ToolGuyd reports that Stanley Black & Decker, Craftsman’s parent company, has begun selling and shipping Craftsman tools directly to customers through Lowe’s online marketplace. The move is unusual because Lowe’s is a major bricks-and-mortar retailer of Craftsman tools, and the company has not explained the strategy.
Craftsman parent Stanley Black & Decker has quietly begun selling and shipping Craftsman tools directly to online shoppers through Lowe’s marketplace, according to a report by the tool-review site ToolGuyd. Product pages on Lowe’s website list a “lowesmarketplace” contact at Stanley Black & Decker as the seller, a arrangement the site describes as “new and highly unusual” given that Lowe’s already stocks Craftsman tools on its own shelves.
The discovery centers on a new Craftsman “Professional” retaining ring pliers listed at Lowe’s. ToolGuyd’s editor, who first spotted the tool, noted the “Professional” branding came as a surprise, writing: “Craftsman’s not exactly catering to demanding users anymore, let alone professionals.” The pliers closely resemble Channellock 927 snap ring pliers, according to the report, and carry a “Made in USA with global materials” designation.
The pliers are also available through other retailers, including Amazon and Acme Tools. But the Lowe’s listing stood out because its seller information states the tool is “sold and shipped by Stanley Black & Decker”, rather than by Lowe’s itself. The report notes that other Craftsman tools on Lowe’s site carry the same direct-from-manufacturer seller arrangement.
Under this setup, the transaction takes place on Lowe’s website, but inventory and shipping responsibility appear to sit with Stanley Black & Decker rather than Lowe’s itself. This resembles the marketplace model used by Amazon, in which third parties sell through a retailer’s platform. The commercial terms of the arrangement between the two companies have not been disclosed.
What Direct Selling Signals About Craftsman’s Strategy
The move matters for several reasons. First, it appears to let Stanley Black & Decker expand the Craftsman assortment available through Lowe’s — including niche tools like professional-grade retaining ring pliers — without requiring Lowe’s to stock them itself.
Second, it reflects a broader shift in retail, where retailers operate third-party marketplace models that allow manufacturers to sell through their platforms. Stanley Black & Decker gains access to Lowe’s customer base through this arrangement.
Third, the “Professional” branding drew scrutiny from ToolGuyd, whose editor has argued that Craftsman “is not exactly catering to demanding users anymore, let alone professionals.” The report questioned whether the label was intentional, asking whether it “was that an AI or algorithm slip-up?” If deliberate, it would be a notable positioning choice for the brand; no confirmation either way has been given.
Top picks for "craftsman sell direct"
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Craftsman’s Journey From Sears to Lowe’s Shelves
Craftsman tools are widely sold at retail, including at Lowe’s, and ToolGuyd’s editor noted that he regularly checks Lowe’s listings to track new Craftsman product developments. The marketplace arrangement reported by ToolGuyd adds a new layer to that relationship: the manufacturer itself acting as a seller on a retailer’s platform.
ToolGuyd’s editor noted that communication from Craftsman has dried up — “Nobody at Craftsman tells me what’s going on anymore” — which is why the site has been monitoring Lowe’s listings to track new product development.
“Professional? Was that an AI or algorithm slip-up? Let’s face it – Craftsman’s not exactly catering to demanding users anymore, let alone professionals.”
— ToolGuyd
What Stanley Black & Decker Hasn’t Explained
Neither Stanley Black & Decker nor Lowe’s has publicly commented on the marketplace arrangement, and several questions remain open. It is not clear whether the direct-selling program is a formal, expanding strategy or a limited test with a handful of SKUs. The scope is also unknown — ToolGuyd found “some other tools” sold the same way, but the full number of Craftsman products involved has not been established.
The pricing relationship is another open question: whether marketplace listings will match, undercut, or exceed Lowe’s own in-store and first-party online pricing for comparable Craftsman tools. Finally, the intent behind the “Professional” branding is unconfirmed — it may signal a new higher-end Craftsman line, or, as ToolGuyd speculated, may simply be a listing error or automated naming artifact.
Watch for a Broader Marketplace Rollout
Observers and shoppers can watch for several signals in the coming months. If more Craftsman SKUs appear as “sold and shipped by Stanley Black & Decker” on Lowe’s, that would suggest a deliberate marketplace expansion rather than a test. Additional “Professional”-branded tools would lend weight to the idea of a new higher-end line; a single unexplained listing would point the other way.
Shoppers comparing prices across Amazon, Acme Tools, and Lowe’s marketplace listings for the same tools will also be able to see how the manufacturer prices its own storefront against its retail partners. Any official statement from Stanley Black & Decker or Lowe’s would clarify the program’s purpose — none had been issued at the time of the report.
Key Questions
What exactly did ToolGuyd discover?
That Craftsman tools — starting with a new “Professional” retaining ring pliers — are listed on Lowe’s website as “sold and shipped by Stanley Black & Decker”, meaning the manufacturer is selling directly to shoppers through Lowe’s marketplace rather than through Lowe’s own inventory.
Can you still buy these tools in Lowe’s stores?
That is not clear for the specific marketplace items. Lowe’s stocks many Craftsman tools in its stores, but niche products like the retaining ring pliers appear to ship directly from Stanley Black & Decker. In-store availability for those specific SKUs has not been confirmed.
Is Craftsman launching a new “Professional” tool line?
Unconfirmed. The pliers carry “Professional” branding, but ToolGuyd questioned whether the label was intentional or a listing error. No announcement of a new professional-grade Craftsman line has been made.
Why would Stanley Black & Decker sell directly on a retailer’s own site?
The marketplace model lets the manufacturer offer a wider product assortment — including specialized tools — through Lowe’s without Lowe’s stocking them. It is a common strategy retailers use to compete with Amazon’s selection.
Where else can the new pliers be bought?
According to ToolGuyd, the retaining ring pliers are also sold at retailers including Amazon and Acme Tools, in addition to the Lowe’s marketplace listing.
Source: rss
Evergreen bestsellers Picks
bestsellers
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
