Every week, we see comments on our ads saying, “This is a scam. I bought tools on Facebook and never received them.”

When we ask a simple question — “What company did you buy from?” — most people can’t answer. They see every business selling on facebook as one entity.

And that’s the mistake.

The Real Problem Isn’t Facebook

Platforms like Facebook, Google, YouTube, TikTok, Amazon, eBay, and Walmart don’t sell Milwaukee Tools themselves.

They are either:

• Advertising platforms (they show ads)
• Third-party marketplaces (they allow other sellers to list products)

When someone says, “I bought it on Facebook,” what they usually mean is:

“I clicked an ad.”

The ad leads to a separate website — and that website is the company you’re actually buying from.

If you don’t know the name of the company, you shouldn’t be entering your credit card information.

Verify who you are actually buying from

Before you purchase Milwaukee Tools online, ask yourself:

• What is the company’s name?
  
• Do they list a physical address?
• Are they an authorized Milwaukee dealer?
• Can you verify them on Milwaukee’s website?

If you can’t answer those questions, stop.

Authorized Dealer

Red Tools for Pros is the online store of Straub Tool Shop. You can find Straub Tool Shop in Milwaukee’s Buy Now section under Shop Local. We encourage you to look up Straub Tool Shop on Google Maps and call to verify that we are the same company.

Why Being an Authorized Dealer Matters

There are many benefits to buying from an authorized dealer. For example, Milwaukee’s warranty requires that you purchase from an authorized dealer. But the biggest benefit is the deals: when an authorized dealer has something on sale, it’s usually because the sale was created by Milwaukee themselves — so you can trust it.

When you buy from places like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc., that are not authorized dealers, you are really buying from a third-party seller who didn’t get the discount from Milwaukee. This means you have to question every sale: Is it a knockoff? Refurbished? Counterfeit? For example, one seller was reportedly gluing broken tools back together and selling them as new — a fact revealed in multiple customer reviews pointing out the same issue.

Even when reviews look positive, tool longevity can still be a concern. Some tools may last only a few months before breaking, and if a customer tries to use the warranty and it’s denied because they didn’t buy from an authorized dealer, they often blame Milwaukee — not the seller who didn’t disclose that the product wasn’t covered.

How to Protect Yourself When Buying Milwaukee Tools Online

1. Always look at the website URL
2. Google the company name (not just the product)
3. Check if they are listed as an authorized dealer
4. Be cautious of “too good to be true” pricing from unauthorized dealers
5. Avoid sellers who only exist inside a marketplace listing

Why This Matters

There are real, authorized Milwaukee dealers advertising online — just like there are scammers.

Advertising on Facebook or Google does not make a company fake.
But clicking an ad without checking who’s behind it? That’s where problems start.

The internet isn’t the problem.
Not verifying the seller is.

Update: After speaking with someone new who called us a scam despite never purchasing from us, we asked which company they bought from. They replied “Milwaukee Tool.” Milwaukee Tool is a manufacturer and does not sell directly to consumers. This further emphasizes how not knowing who you’re really buying from can get you into trouble, regardless of what you buy or where you buy it.