How did I do on today's Snap-On purchase off Craig's List?

[KLars1]

Hey everyone -

Acting on the advice of this board I started looking to pick-up used Snap-On tools when I need something rather than running straight to Sears -- especially for things I use all of the time and things where the quality difference shows, like ratchets. (Yes, you all made your point on my 'which ratchet is a keeper' thread.)

You might recall I was asking for advice on what to offer the guy for these Snap-On tools. I think the concensus was to go check it out and offer the guy around $200 if the stuff looks good and you need it.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/768719258.html

I went up to see the stuff. Right away, I was disappointed because I was told nothing was engraved and that just wan't true. 10-20% of the tools were engraved so that turned me off from the beginning.

I looked through everything and decided I really didn't want to have anything engraved because I have learned from the board that these bring about 50% of non-engraved tools....and I knew there were things in the box I didn't want.

I pulled out the ratchets, red handled ratcheting screwdriver, all of the red handled pliers/snips, the allen's (not pictured in the CL ad) and one offset wrench. Everything looked as new (minus the engravings) so I offered $150 for that...I was told he was thinking more like $200-$225.

I decided to go for only the things that were a significant upgrade to what I already had or things that I didn't have at all.

I ended up with the following for $125:

F936 Ratchet
S936 Ratchet
SSDMRT1 Red Handle Ratcheting Screwdriver
AWBS13 Standard Allen Wrenches
911BCP Long Needle Nose


To me, this seems like a good deal - maybe not a great deal but I'm very happy with the overall condition of the tools. I would describe most of them 'as new'. Go easy on me if you think I got ripped off, I haven't been watching this market for more than a week. :thumbup:


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I like the normal allens, they seem to have a much shorter shank on the short end than standard allen wrenches. I was surprised to see they were patented.

I went from owning 0 to owning 3 Snap-On ratchets today...I'm a quick student. :beer:

At the end of the transaction, we continued to talk. I could have picked up everything for $300. Even if I resold the stuff I didn't want on ebay, I think I might have been a break-even proposition for an additional $175 for everything else.

[wrenchr]

Well the 3/8 is about $40.00 - $50.00, and the 1/2 is about $60.00 - $70.00 second hand (new). I'd say you did good!!

[KLars1]

I was comparing the externals and the action of the 936 and the 80. After that, I read up on the board on the feedback from each one.

I found it interested that the F80 doesn't have "USA" displayed like the 936.

Here they are side by side:

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[Merkava_4]

I found it interested that the F80 doesn't have "USA" displayed like the 936.


The word on the street is that SO was testing the waters with the earlier F80s to see what people's reaction would be. They found out that a lot of guys refused to buy them without the USA on them. :pimpflash

[KLars1]

The word on the street is that SO was testing the waters with the earlier F80s to see what people's reaction would be. They found out that a lot of guys refused to buy them without the USA on them. :pimpflash


Really? Very interesting, I have to say I didn't notice at first but it smacks you in the face when you sit it next to another Snap-On.

I would prefer it to be there but I don't know I would go as far as refusing to buy it as long as it performed.

[dxdexter]

The tools appear in new condition. You got around $300 worth of tools, and I assume no tax, for $125, so I think you did well. I suspected $200 for the whole lot was too low, he probably wanted $500+.

I hope the tools are for your own use because I am not sure you could recover the cost if you were to resell on eBay, although who knows with some of the ridiculously high prices being paid on some items.

[dxdexter]

The word on the street is that SO was testing the waters with the earlier F80s to see what people's reaction would be. They found out that a lot of guys refused to buy them without the USA on them. :pimpflash

Do you think this is because in the future they will be made overseas and when they are, they will remain identical (with no USA)?

Is USA located anywhere on the tool?

[KLars1]

...he probably wanted $500+.

I hope the tools are for your own use ...

Yup, these are for my own use, then my son's use and hopefully my grandson's use some day! :thumbup:

He would have taken $300 for everything shown, including what I bought. The closest thing to a set he had was the offset open ends, but he was missing the 7/16 and 1/2. Everything else was one-ofs, a few sockets, a few wrenches and some breaker bars.

[KLars1]

Do you think this is because in the future they will be made overseas and when they are, they will remain identical (with no USA)?

Is USA located anywhere on the tool?

My first thought was...Snap-On couldn't be making the F80 outside the US, could they?

USA is not located anywhere on the tool. Even the sockets have the detail of a small usa on the bottom. But nowhere on this F80 is USA. :wtf:

[doug.j]

The word on the street is that SO was testing the waters with the earlier F80s to see what people's reaction would be. They found out that a lot of guys refused to buy them without the USA on them. :pimpflash

I have 2 ratchets without USA on them. Both are 80 series. I called SO about the missing USA and they told me they were made in the USA but wouldn't say why SO didn't stamp them as such. I also believe they are testing the waters for China production.

I won't buy more SO tools without USA because the value of the tools will drop when Chinese versions hit the market. SO is playing with the very foundation of the company. They will not be able to demand the high prices once quality, country of origin, and resale value is in question. I just hope there will be another tool company at that time willing to stamp USA on their tools.

Sorry for the thread high jack..

Nice ratchets you bought. The F80 is the best I've ever used and the 936 is tough as a ratchet can be. I think they are they basis of a great tool set.