Online tool dealer says major brands need to get with times

A frustrated local tool dealer says major brands need to embrace the digital age, after a number of setbacks as his online business gathers momentum.

Andrew Watson from Get Tools Direct, in 2011. Picture: Barry Leddicoat

A FRUSTRATED local tool dealer says major brands need to embrace the digital age, after a number of setbacks as his online business gathers momentum.

Get Tools Direct owner Andrew Watson said some of his major suppliers had shut their accounts on about three occasions because he was selling tools through Amazon and eBay.

They'd since reopened their accounts and resumed supplying, but at one stage Mr Watson had been forced to source some brands elsewhere for about six weeks to keep local tradies stocked up.

"This isn't the first time (it's happened)," he said.

"It's suppliers not understanding the market, not understanding how things have changed."

Mr Watson said online now accounted for about half of his business.

He'd been operating for the past 12 years and has outlets in Caloundra and Maroochydore.

Mr Watson said in the past seven years particularly he'd noticed a massive push towards online.

"It's been a challenge that's for sure," he said.

He said he understood why some of his major suppliers had tried to turn the screws.

He assumed they'd come under pressure from some major hardware outlets threatened by the rise of online business.

"It's not me though, I didn't create Amazon," Mr Watson said.

"It's not accounts we want to lose, they're industrial brands and we're expected to carry them.

"I wish these guys would start to get their heads around what's happening online."

He said it was frustrating as a smaller operator to continually be blamed and used as a scapegoat, when they were trying to adapt to the changing business model.

Get Tools Direct employed about 25 staff on the Coast and were suppliers to a number of tradespeople around the country.

Mr Watson said they'd even started supplying goods to some operators in New Zealand, thanks to the flexibility of online shopping.

Mr Watson said they stocked more than 30,000 products on their website, which became a challenge to manage at times, and they'd spent tens of thousands of dollars to ensure their major suppliers continued their accounts.

He said they'd had to fight to ensure suppliers continued to provide their goods in accordance with ACCC regulations, despite the pressure from major retailers.