yakmatt

I had to change out my water heater elements and needed the special wrench or a 1-1/2 socket (that worked great BTW). Two people I was talking to trying to decide what was better said just buy both and bring them back after you use them. Basically you are renting them without a rental fee.

Is this that common today? I didn't I think it unethical. What say THT.

Needsomeboatytolove

Buy them both. Return the one you didn’t use. Keep the one you did.

AsurfAholic

Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s right or ok. Anyone who suggests to do that would immediately go on my radar as someone with low ethical value and I would have a hard time trusting them with any business.

Rolandt03

completely unethical! figure out what you need and buy the appropriate tool! they are only a few dollars at the hardware store. just buy the special wrench made for replacing elements, it is all one size so no need to buy more than one item!

flcatcher1

You think that's ethical? Are you serious? Would your sense of ethics differ if you owned/operated the tool store?

xlr8ngn

Very common at local auto parts store. They rent by charging you for the tool, refund you when it is returned.

KBH

Well, I just changed my WH elements and bought that tool. What was it, about $4? I think people that buy stuff to use once and return are despicable! But mostly because I used to own a few retail stores and saw the abuse first hand.

superjag

Ghetto move.
Just my .02.

mikefloyd

I wouldn't do it. I don't see an issue with returning something that's unused but once you use the tool IMO you would be wrong to return it.

avenger79

I would be the weirdo, I would buy both intending to return the one I didn't use but than would decide I may someday need it. might as well keep both. LOL

Rolandt03

that is a courtesy and its a tool they have in the back that the store bought specifically for that reason. the same tool gets rented out over and over. in the op's scenario the tool is bought, packaged opened, then returned after use. now what is the store suppose to do with an opened package tool?

Cobia 217

I don't know how the box stores stay ahead of it. Every time I'm at one, it seems someone's returning a power tool for one reason or another. I'm sure many are like the situation the OP described. One of my former neighbors DIY'd a brick walk and bought a new DeWalt miter saw to use for the cuts. By the time he was done the saw was pretty choked up w/brick dust but he cleaned it up, put it back in the box, and returned it to HD and told them it didn't work out for him. Full refund.

Finsinchessy

I would not do it.

I would not trust anyone I knew that did such a thing around my stuff.

REMfish7

As long as you wiped it down good.

Garett

Buy both, return the one that wasn't suitable.
I look at the cost of that tool that quite possibly only ever get used once or twice in my life as a hell of a lot cheaper then hiring the man to do the job for me....and I end up with another tool in my collection.

mikefloyd

This is exactly why I never buy anything from HD or Lowes that's not in a factory sealed box.

yakmatt

"I didn't I think it unethical," my bad. I didn't think it was ethical. I kept the tools.

That's why I posted. I was surprised at the suggestion.

popeyeiii

Buy an adjustable wrench?

popeyeiii

No. That would be just stealing it.

The Peddler

This happens a lot, and as a result we pay more for the things we buy. I used to be in the business of selling kayaks and sup's to Costco. We walked-away from the business, because of the number of boats that were bought on Thursday and returned on Tuesday, or bought in April and returned in September. Costco expects the supplierto absorb that cost. Wasn't worth it.