Can you trust the Acme Tools store and do you know their history? Do they offer the best prices? We take a deep dive into their history, management, and return policies.
Our Unique Persective
When I started college in 1997, being online meant you used a 56k modem to dial in and tie up your phone line (which irritated my Mom to no end). It was for things like e-mail and instant messaging. If you wanted to download music, you started before you went to bed and let it run all night. Now we’re streaming live television, video chatting in real-time across the globe, and shopping without ever leaving the house.
For a company doing business prior to the 1990s, transitioning into the Internet-connected world was a challenge. Mail order was the closest thing to it. People were used to waiting 4–6 weeks for an order placed over the phone from a catalog or by mail.
Online shopping changed everything. Mom and Pop stores had trouble keeping their prices competitive. A different kind of retailer started showing up almost overnight. They could get their hands on almost anything. They really weren’t experts, but they could offer the best price and ship it out lightning fast.
Acme Tools Company History
To understand Acme Tools history, you need to go way back. We started getting used to point-and-click shopping without the human element. But oh, how we missed talking to an expert. Man, did it result in some poor purchases? We just couldn’t afford to pay retail prices at the stores where we could talk to them. Acme Tools decided that just wasn’t good enough. They worked on a way to continue offering expert advice and get the best prices for their customers.
George Kuhlman founded Acme Tools in 1948. It began as a small electric motor repair shop in downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota. For more than 65 years, they have been serving contractors, woodworkers, and do-it-yourselfers. From those humble beginnings just after the end of World War II, Acme Tools boasts 10 retail stores in the Upper Midwest and a nationwide presence online.
How Acme Tools Got Its Name
The Acme name may bring thoughts of a scrawny coyote endlessly chasing a roadrunner through the desert using a variety of tools that David C. Smith would be proud to feature in Safety Third. Acme Tools history might be elusive for many consumers. In fact, most of us might not even understand what “Acme” actually means. The irony of that certainly wasn’t lost on the Warner Brothers. It also didn’t slip by George Kuhlman when he founded the company.
Acme – (noun) the point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful.
Kuhlman had a vision of what he wanted his company to be. He named it ACME because the term represents the highest level or degree attainable, the peak of perfection.
As the electric motor shop started its evolution into tool sales, Acme Tools began to get innovative. In 1985 Acme Tools launched a mail-order business selling woodworking equipment from print ads in national trade magazines. Later, they pioneered a national catalog business shipping woodworking and construction products throughout the United States and abroad. They quickly became known as the “Tool Crib of the North”.
Launching Acme Tools Online
In the spring of 1999, Acme Tools history was made. It was one of the first to launch an Internet business focusing on tools and equipment. Later that year, they sold the Internet and catalog parts of their business to Amazon.com. For the next 10 years, they focused their efforts on expanding the Midwest retail locations into North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Now, they are back online and doing business as Acme Tools. They have the same team along with the family-oriented business principles and values they founded the company with.
In a world where online shopping seems to either be big box stores or some fly-by-night guy that set up a shop on eBay, Acme Tools finds a pretty interesting niche. Their combination of Upper Midwest hometown retail stores and online sales, both fully staffed with knowledgeable people, bucks the trend these days.
Growing and Expanding
The online side of Acme Tools’ business continues to make history. It continues to see record rapid year-over-year growth rates. In October of 2014, they built a new 40,000 square foot Distribution Center on an 11-acre site in the Grand Forks Business Park to accommodate that rapid growth. Customers expect a fast and seamless shopping experience online and Acme Tools committed itself to provide customers just that.
“Completion of the new distribution center centralizes our Internet sales operation and increases fulfillment efficiency, which will benefit our Web customers and retail operations who expect timely order processing and fast, on-time delivery from Acme Tools.”
Steve Kuhlman
One of the benefits of shopping online is getting the best price. The problem is that the source isn’t always knowledgeable, trustworthy, or even safe. Acme Tools isn’t just a tool department, it’s a tool store. Acme loads up its staff with tool experts. All of their sales staff members attend training sessions with manufacturer reps twice a month. Whether you call, email, or go into one of their stores, you can be confident that the person you’re working with knows what they’re talking about.
Low Price Guarantee
When it comes to getting the best price by shopping online, Acme Tools is committed to having you covered. Even though they may not able to always see what their competition is advertising, they still make every effort to give you the lowest price possible. If you see the exact item currently advertised for less (including the competitor’s shipping and handling charges, taxes, or any other hidden charges) they will match that price. Also, if Acme Tools turns around to offer a lower price within 30 days from your date of purchase, they will gladly refund you the difference. Low price matching and 30-day price protection? Yes, please!
Privacy and Protecting Customers
It seems we can’t get away from identity theft. Even the big boys aren’t immune to it. I’ll admit, recent news has made me a little gun shy when shopping online as well. Acme Tools respects the privacy of its customers. They commit to providing a safe, secure, and friendly site where customers can shop with confidence. Their site security is verified through Norton every day and ensures a safe shopping experience. In addition, they partner with Norton for an online shopping guarantee that protects against ID theft and offers a purchase and low price guarantee—at no cost to the customer.
It’s also hard to know who you can trust. We know what we’re getting from the big boys, but there’s no guarantee on the price. You can take your chances with a company that you haven’t bought from before, but do you really know what you’re getting? The price that seems too good to be true often is… in the form of a stolen design wrapped around the cheapest parts in China. To the untrained eye, there’s nothing (not even the logo) that is different from the real thing. You won’t have that issue shopping with Acme Tools, but you will get the best prices.
We’ve all been there at some point. You order a product online and it just wasn’t what you expected. Online returns can be easy with some companies and a nightmare with others. Acme Tools will gladly replace an item or refund your money if you’re not completely satisfied with your product for any reason. Simply reach out to their customer service team for a return authorization and they will walk you through the process.
Selection and Same Day Shipping
Acme Tools offers an extensive selection of products from over 300 of the top brands that pros use. This includes names like DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Festool, Bosch, Husqvarna, and so many more. Each product page includes specifications and features that help make your decision easier. If you place your order by 11:00 AM Central Standard Time, Acme Tools will get that shipped out to you on the same day. Orders that are over $199 ship for free and everything else is a flat $6.49.
Shopping with Acme Tools is designed to leave you feeling confident whether you purchase online or by phone. Thanks to the combination of safety, selection, and price guarantees, Acme Tools can be your one-stop source for the majority of your tool purchases. When you see Acme Tools’ logo on one of our reviews or previews, give it a click. You can see for yourself if the shopping experience is what you are hoping for. We think you’ll be impressed.
