Newbie here, why are DeWalt batteries $150 a pop?

Just started as a handyman doing small fixes like hanging shelves and patching drywall, and I'm pissed that DeWalt batteries for their 20V tools are running $150 each. I need at least two for my drill and impact driver to keep jobs moving without constant charging. How do you new guys afford this crap when starting out?

deWalt prices are straight robbery, they know we're hooked on their ecosystem.

I've built my handyman side gig to six figures by buying tools on sale and reselling old ones. Stick with it, the investment pays off fast on those $75 shelf installs.

screw deWalt, go milwaukee they hold charge longer for the same price.

I remember my first month, battery died mid-job hanging cabinets and I lost the client. Felt like quitting.

Same boat last year, couldn't believe the hit to my startup budget.

yeah man, the tool brands are price gouging us handymen who can't write off everything yet.

total BS, those batteries should be $80 max for what they are.

Switch to ryobi, their one+ system is half the cost and works for 90% of handyman gigs like door installs.

frustrating as hell, i had to borrow from family to gear up for my first fence repair job.

i feel ya, starting out sucks when every tool eats your profits.

this is why i stick to basic hand tools for small jobs, saves a ton on batteries.

deWalt's quality is worth it long term, but yeah the upfront sting is real.

proud i powered through, now my toolkit is solid after 2 years of hustling.

same here, wished i knew to buy used on craigslist back then.

every newbie gets burned on this, tool companies prey on us.

locking in the ecosystem early was my best move, now jobs flow smooth.

the rage is real, saw a post on r/handyman about this exact scam last week.

handyman nation fb group is full of guys complaining about battery costs.

i get it, starting small jobs like gutter cleaning shouldn't bankrupt you.

watched a dad builds video on budget tool setups, saved me hundreds.

yeah, deWalt markup is insane for handymen doing odd jobs.

don't get me started, had to delay my first client because of it.

we all been there, hang in there it gets better quick.

try the deWalt flexvolt system, pricier but one battery does 20v and 60v tools.

scaling up was tough but now I laugh at those early costs.

ai is coming for us handymen too, per that r/handyman thread on tech wiping jobs.

those big brands treat us like we're made of money, SMH.

contractor fight group rants about tool prices non stop.

grab makita instead, better value for painting and trim work.

i commiserate, first year was all ramen after buying gear.

the contractor fight podcast with tommy mello talks about bootstrapping tools cheap.