Experiences - Eagle America vs. Price Cutter

[Kevin Smith]

Does anyone know why these guys operate two separate stores?
In the past, I've purchased router supplies from Eagle America.

From what I can tell, pricing looks to be the same. Am I missing something?

http://pricecutter.com/article.asp?ai=28 (http://pricecutter.com/article.asp?ai=28)
http://eagleamerica.com/article.asp?ai=1 (http://eagleamerica.com/article.asp?ai=1)

60915 60916

[Hoa Dinh]

They have the same owner.

They sell the same accessories.

Router bits are different, however. EA bits are on par with other premium brands: Whiteside (some EA bits and Whiteside bits are from the same plant), CMT, Amana, .... PriceCutter bits are imports (most from Taiwan).

[scott spencer]

I agree with Hoa about the EA bits being top shelf that are comparable to Whiteside, CMT, Freud, Infinity, Amana types. And actually, there's a third line of bits involved with Price Cutter....they also offer their green "Bargain Bits" which I find to be comparable to other decent grade import bits like MLCS, Holbren, Grizzly green, Woodcraft....they can be a good value on sale...which they offer frequently. The Price Cutter line has what I consider a misleading name that dilutes the perception of their quality...they're actually quite good. I'd rate them along side of the Katana and perhaps the Griz purple line....not top shelf, but a step up from most common import bits.

Not sure why they operate from two separate store names.

Bargain Bit:
http://pricecutter.com/images/225/p24-5222.jpg

PC line:
http://pricecutter.com/images/225/p14-3230.jpg

EA line:
http://eagleamerica.com/images/225/v162-2005.jpg

[Joe Spear]

The Price Cutter regular bits are fine. I don't like their Buddy's Bargain Bits, though. The ones I have had seem to go dull really fast, and one even broke while I was using it. I think Woodcraft bits are very good. I have bought a few when they've had their $5 sales. They seem better than the Rockler-branded bits, which have dulled for me a lot faster. MCLS seem comparable to the Price Cutter regular bits. I have many of those. I haven't used the Katanas. I have never used the Eagle bits. Since they seemed to be in the same location as Price Cutter, I assumed they were the same quality. They may not be the same. I have a few of the purple ones from Grizzly. They're fine. Of course, the Whitesides are excellent.

[Kevin Smith]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I was having some difficulty understanding why this company needed to launch a second store-front - just to sell these lower end router bits.

Maybe it's all about perception... or customer association… or something else...