Northern Tool + Equipment

I had a large, speacalized, intricate tool list. Some were special order, others were online only. The employees worked hard to make it happen.
I read some of the reviews and feel compelled to chime in.
A few points a person of average intellect should be able to apply when shopping a box store....
Northern has 10’s of 1000’s of items and employees cannot be experts in everything. If they were, they would be making more money and not in retail.
Understand, the folks working the isles are helping everyone while keeping the store organized and stocked. They are not being “rude” just “direct”, which all of you easily offended folks should recognize as trying to get you answers quickly. Most 60 plus year old employees working a retail isle, aren’t going to greet you with a bunch of pampering fluff, they just want to answer your questions so you and they, can get on with it. A reviewer said,”they cater to a certain “type” of customer, well I’m a middle aged white guy and the old guys in the store we’re direct with me too. I can see where the easily offended have a problem with directness, but should appreciate the “directness” because Most folks don’t have time for the fluff.
As far as the equipment repair reviews go, not to say Northern can’t do a good job fixing something, but consider this, they are a retail box store making their success on item sales, (not repair) consider an actual outdoor power equipment shop when you need repair. Year around, that’s all they do. Yes they sell stuff, but repair is where they are educated and what they specialize in.
It appears folks are limited in understanding how basic retail/repair shops work. I guess in the online/throwaway/easily offended post common sense world, this type of commenter is the new reality.
Give them a break. Do you think at 60plus you will “want” to do what they are doing? Employers are having a hard time getting working aged folks to even call in sick, much less actually show up to work. The 60+ crowd just has batter work ethic.
Ok, I’m off my soapbox. Cheers

Always friendly and helpful

I bought a garage in a box made by shelter logic. i wrote the following review on northern tool web site;

Purchased this in 2016 and within a year the cover tore at the peak,. They sent me another cover for warranty and it lasted a little over a year, it has torn at the peak again. They did offer to sell me a upgrade cover that is thicker, if buying again it is what i would get.

They rejected this review? I used to think I could trust reviews on their site but apparently not.

Knowledgeable staff. Treat me, the wife, the same as my husband (i.e., don't treat me like I don't know anything). Good products. Good prices!

This is a good clean store. It was easy to find what I came in to buy. The people are very friendly. Excellent product and service.

Great products, very helpful sales staff!

Good place to buy any kind of tool.

Northern Tool had a good price for the sprayer/spreader I was looking for and also offerred a $25 gift card (which beat the competition!).

Customer service is always great!

Good store to buy things at, just don't expect them to be able to service anything. We sent our shop kerosene heater to them for repair three times to the tune of 300+ dollars and it still doesn't work. Pathetic.