Major retailers and tool brands are using aggressive pricing tactics to make discounted bundles appear more valuable than they really are—and shoppers should think twice before assuming they’re getting a steal.
The “Value If Purchased Separately” Trap
At Home Depot, a DeWalt 20V Max cordless router starter kit is advertised at $199—a solid deal that includes the tool, a charger, and a 6Ah battery. However, the retailer claims the bundle has a “$448 value if purchased separately,” implying shoppers save $249.
In reality:
The tool alone currently sells for $249
The starter kit (tool + battery + charger) is priced at $199
There is no standalone “free bonus” bundle, making the $448 reference misleading
Industry analysts note that while the $199 price is competitive, the claimed savings are exaggerated, as no reasonable buyer would purchase each component individually at full retail.
Inflated “Was” Prices in Combo Kits
The tactic extends to larger bundles. Home Depot promotes a 6-tool DeWalt combo kit for $499, claiming it “was $899” with $400 in savings and a “$1,400 value” if bought separately. Similarly, Lowe’s advertises a $599 DeWalt kit as having a “$1,596 separate value.”
Critics compare this to pricing a $8 soda 12-pack as having a “$21 value” if each can were sold individually—a technically possible but highly unrealistic scenario.
How Retailers Justify the Pricing
“Separate value” calculations often use full standalone retail prices, ignoring frequent sales.
Starter kits (tool + battery) are typically cheaper than buying items à la carte.
Limited-time discounts make the “original” price seldom what consumers actually paid.
Expert Advice: Check Real-World Prices
Compare recent sale prices, not MSRP.Avoid impulse buys based on “savings” claims.Look for historical pricing data (via tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa).While these bundles may still be good deals, analysts caution that the advertised “savings” are often inflated marketing, not true discounts.
Bottom Line: The tool industry’s pricing games aren’t illegal—but smart shoppers should ignore the hype and judge deals based on actual market value.
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