A couple of shots from the hip… If you price a tool online or mail order—shipped from out of the area, get a firm quote including their shipping fees, and if applicable, sales tax. {That is your total out-of-pocket expense.} Shipping rates seem to vary widely, and some are pretty ridiculous.
On some higher-ticket items, many rental houses sell used {and new} tools out of their inventory that will more that do the job. If you want to buy an item that you are returning from a rental period, some will credit rental fees toward the used-equipment purchase price.
