List of all student/votech discount programs

i thought it could be handy to start a thread as a resource for votech students to have a source for the various tool companies that offer discount programs.

i'll list the obvious ones and other ones with links, feel free to add other companies you know of to the thread.

Snapon
http://www1.snapon.com/sep

Matco
http://www.matcotools.com/TechEd/about.jsp

Mac Tools
http://www.mactools.com/StudentsSchools/tabid/2252/Default.aspx
http://www.mactools.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5/s3JufBrXM=&tabid=2252

Gearwrench
http://gearwrench.com/news/press_releases.jsp?id=72
http://gearwrench.com/pdf/TEP_catalog.pdf
to get the gearwrench pricing (see attached sheets below) you buy through fastenal contact Steve Horner [email protected] or
Jerad Tuxen
Fastenal Company
Fleet Maintenance/Tech-Ed. Sales Manager
PH: 507-453-8715
Fax: 507-494-6322
Cell: 507-458-1368
Buy it Online www.fastenal.com
(you also get 15% off of everything fastenal has with your student id)

Craftsman
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_votech?sid=I0084400010000100600&aff=Y

Ingersoll Rand
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/student-program
http://fileserver.ingersollrand.com/DocumentLibrary/2012 spring student brochure[1].pdf

Also Fluke has a program, but you have to have the educator/instructor to order the product

see flyer attached

SK Tools:

good afternoon.
Yes, we do have a vocational program.
I will be more than happy to pass along your contact information to our
sales team who will contact you regarding a distributor that can assist you
with our vocational program.

Best Regards,
SK Customer Service
800-822-5575 Phone
800-752-2434 Fax

specific contact:

[email protected]
Lauren Hoth




Cornwell Tools

We do have a student program. Give me a call when you get a chance and I will go over some of the details with you.
Thanks Don Arnold
District Sales 440 479 4746

As a Career and Technical Education Administrator, this is great news! Keep the discounts coming for the technicians for tomorrow!

Remember, the young men and women you help out today, could be fiercely loyal and faithful customers for years to come!

http://http://fileserver.ingersollrand.com/DocumentLibrary/IRITS-0312-018_StudentProgram%20(phonenumber).pdfThis needs a bump. I also believe that you can get a discount on IR product also.

Do you fellas know if it extends to engineers in training as well?

apply for federal student aid and take in all the savings

Burgerkong said:

Do you fellas know if it extends to engineers in training as well?

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Being in Canada, the distribution rules are drastically different than they are in the USA. Here, for the most part you wouldn't be eligible for most of the truck programs. As they're fairly specific (with some discretion for exceptions) on you being enrolled full-time in an automotive related vocational training program. If you're a locomotive or steam engineer in training, you might be able to toss the idea around of you being an industrial apprentice tool user, if they're in an agreeable mood. Other brands are far less restrictive, down to just asking for identification that you're a student.

Just remember, not all schools participate in all available programs. When I was a student in the dark ages, my community college was entrenched with Snap on. They would only allow a sales pitch from the Snap on rep. This was for a few reasons like, he was dependable and always showed up twice a year. He gave the instructors swag. He also gave them the best possible deal when they bought tools and equipment for the school.
As a student, I would try to milk all of the truck brands for what you can afford without burying yourself in debt.

Roots said:

Being in Canada, the distribution rules are drastically different than they are in the USA. Here, for the most part you wouldn't be eligible for most of the truck programs. As they're fairly specific (with some discretion for exceptions) on you being enrolled full-time in an automotive related vocational training program. If you're a locomotive or steam engineer in training, you might be able to toss the idea around of you being an industrial apprentice tool user, if they're in an agreeable mood. Other brands are far less restrictive, down to just asking for identification that you're a student.

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Thanks. I'm thinking of switching into Manufacturing Engineering instead of Mechanical, will try asking, but don't have my hopes up.

Fluke just sent me an email

They are NOW offering discount direct to students (no longer required to have a qualified instructor order)


contents of the email...

Fluke is now offering actively enrolled students in technical and vocation school, college, university and apprenticeship programs, or in high school, the option to purchase one of the 13 tools at 25% off the list price:
Fluke 233

Fluke 233
Fluke 233 Fluke 233
Fluke 376 AC/DC Clamp Meter w/iflex » Fluke 233 Remote Display Digital Multimeter » Fluke 1587 Insulation Meter » Fluke T+PRO Electrical Tester »

Other tools include:
Fluke 373 AC Clamp Meter »
Fluke 902 HVAC Clamp Meter »
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 179 Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 116 HVAC Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 114 Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 88V Automotive Digital Multimeter »
Fluke 1587 Insulation Multimeter »
Fluke T+PRO Electrical Tester »
Fluke T5-1000 Tester »

How to apply for the student discount:

1. To qualify, students must submit proof of enrollment in the form of a scanned copy of a current-year student ID card or signed letter on department/union letterhead from primary instructor or registrar's office. code and instructions for purchase. Membership in the Education Partnership Program will be verified.

2. To apply, complete the application form » http://e.fluke.com/forms/MULTI-Stud...SEN-JUN-12&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

3. Fluke will review your application, and if you qualify, will email you instructions for purchasing at the 25% student discount.

This is a lifetime offer of one tool per person. Students will not be allowed to purchase additional tools at this discount. However, Fluke does offer an unlimited 25% discount to not-for-profit educators and union instructors.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Tools offered at the 25% discount are for currently enrolled students only. To qualify, the student must submit their application form listing their institution, course track and contact information, including an active email address at a .edu or .org institution and a scanned copy of a current-year, valid student ID card or signed letter on department/union letterhead from primary instructor or registrar's office. Eligible education programs include technical and vocation schools, college, university and apprenticeship programs, and high schools. All information submitted will be verified. A total quantity of one item per student is permitted at the 25% discount. Qualified students may choose one of the following tools: Fluke 376, Fluke 373, Fluke 902, Fluke 87V, Fluke 179, Fluke 233, Fluke 117, Fluke 116, Fluke 114, Fluke 88V, Fluke 1587, Fluke T+PRO, or the Fluke T5. The 25% student discount is available direct from Fluke and is not available at Fluke distributors. No reselling of these tools will be permitted. By applying, participants agree to participate in follow-up communications. Offer limited to residents of the United States. Employees of Fluke Corporation or its subsidiaries or distribution partners are not eligible.

Can we get in on these as Canadians?

I'd like to find out if any of the welder manufacturers offer discounts to welding students.

lotsoftools said:

I'd like to find out if any of the welder manufacturers offer discounts to welding students.

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Best bet would be to ask your teacher or administrator who they work with.

Great thread. Really nice of you to be doing this
I teach automotive at both a high school and college.
I also make sure to tell the students what is out there for them
but alot do not take advantage of all of this.
Spidergearsman is right about how to do it.
Schools do not need to be involved with alot of these offers, alot of them deal directly with the student.. Thanks again for this post

Agreed - great thread.

I'd be curious to see how people think each discount actually plays out as well - Craftsman for example is 20% off only regular prices, so I think if you buy on sale you do just as well or better. The GearWrench kits at Fastenal seem to be about a 15-20% discount off what you can actually get them for regular price, but those prices were from 2009.

Snap-on is so ridiculously priced, I am assuming it's a fairly decent discount?

It seems smart for these companies to not only have, but make their student discounts easily available. Students have a minimal tool budget so they wouldn't otherwise be buying some of the more top-tier brands, and once they start a Snap-on or SK set, what are they likely to buy once they enter the workforce?

ishiboo said:

Agreed - great thread.

I'd be curious to see how people think each discount actually plays out as well - Craftsman for example is 20% off only regular prices, so I think if you buy on sale you do just as well or better. The GearWrench kits at Fastenal seem to be about a 15-20% discount off what you can actually get them for regular price, but those prices were from 2009.

Snap-on is so ridiculously priced, I am assuming it's a fairly decent discount?

It seems smart for these companies to not only have, but make their student discounts easily available. Students have a minimal tool budget so they wouldn't otherwise be buying some of the more top-tier brands, and once they start a Snap-on or SK set, what are they likely to buy once they enter the workforce?

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You are right, while there are lots of "so called" votech discounts, are they really that compelling?

Here's my take from personal purchasing habits:

From a purchasing point of view, sure you can buy on their credit programs, but it makes it a bit more difficult, so practically speaking, you need to buy on your cash/credit card. That in itself is what is going to limit your purchases.

Also my situation is unique, but also affects my purchasing. What I mean by that, is i work as well as go to school, so if I need a tool, I'm going to buy it off the truck and not order and wait, plus there are reasons why I will do that to keep a good working relationship with my guy, but more importantly, I can used my credit account.

as for the specific programs,

Snapon: It's a great deal on their core tools you'll need. Pretty simple ordering process online. I've probably purchased at my cost $1,500. (mostly electronic torque wrenches and cordless impacts etc - nice at half price!) Also no minimum dollar amount for free shipping.

Matco: Again they make it a simple process online and even better website for searching. Also, they run monthly specials with steeper than normal discounts. For that reason alone I've purchased approx $1,000. (as an example, I just got this set last month at $177.79, I wasn't planning on buying anything but the deal was just too good to pass on: http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...E-METRIC-6-POINT-UNIVERSAL-IMPACT-SOCKET-SET/ )The one pain in the *** with Matco is you need to have a $200 or more order for free shipping.

Mac: Difficult process. You have to fill out a form and either hand it to the truck for approval or fax it into Mac. If you purchase from the truck it has to be a certain dollar amount (can't remember) and they don't really want to know. So while I've done normal purchases off my Mac guy, I've never bought through their student program as it's too much of a hassle.

Craftsman: As you said 20% off.... BFD... so no bueno

Gearwrench: While you can buy individually, they are bundling sets. Who wants sets? Snapon does the same thing but I don't know anyone but extreme newbies that have done that. In other words, I want to pick what I want, not get bundled with a lot of ****. Again with this program, it's an involved process so beyond looking at their catalogue, I've never bothered to buy.

Ingersoll Rand: At face value, they look like great deals at 50-60% off. However these are off their list prices and I've never seen anyone sell remotely using those prices. If you search, I've found you can get as good if not slightly better deals than what they have on their program. If you had no air tools, their bundled kits could be attractive as you don't have to search all over the internet and cobble together different sites with the cheapest price on each individual item.

SK & Cornwell: I'll lump these two together as they are similar in why I've never used them. Simply, they don't have a website with published prices that I can browse. They want me to phone and discuss what I want etc. Too much hassle, when Snapon and Matco make it easy.

Fluke: 25% off.... meh... I've bought both my flukes used, i.e. multimeter and 123 at insane prices

so there you have it... one persons actual and practical experience


as a footnote, I may not be a typical student though. I had won $10k in Snapon Tools and a $5.5k Snapon box, won a Blue Point cart and then won another approx $1k in basic Snapon tools plus over the years I had accumulated another $20k in tools, so my needs and requirements are a lot different as I have way more than the basic tools most students are desperately trying to ramp up on.

That being said, before I roll off the programs, I will probably load up and will probably take advantage of Matcos Black Friday Student discount especially for some boxes at home.