A new kind of Snap On truck...

[ARAMP1]

Maybe there’s a toolman here that knows, but there has been a lot of talk (on this forum and others) of having professional grade tools (Snap On, Matco, Mac or other) and not being able to get service because the tool owner no longer turns wrenches professionally or some other reason. Anyway, I was wondering; would it be possible to be a dealer that could open a fixed store that sold to the public? Could there be a condition that the manufacture stipulates the dealer must have a truck? Why not a building instead? Sell to John Q public that wants professional grade tools. Just a though. Any opinions?

[Thumper]

Great thought......but I'm sure there is a reason nobody has done it.

[kartracer55]

theres probably some reason for it from s-o corprate. Think about it...a s tore might be able to buy 200 3/8 ratchets at a time where I truck will have 25... whos gunna get the better deal from s-o? THE STORE! the store will then sell them cheaper. Idk.. just a thought. it would be awesome as hell though. Looka t SK... you pay list off the truck but I cna get a 300$ set of sockets for 90 online

Jim

[bmwpower]

Maybe because Snap-On gets $$ from the owner buying the Snap-On truck? If all the dealers stopped buying/leasing their trucks and started up storefront businesses, how much money would Snap-On lose?

I'm sure owning the truck (or paying it off) is part of the franchise requirement.

[ARAMP1]

Maybe because Snap-On gets $$ from the owner buying the Snap-On truck? If all the dealers stopped buying/leasing their trucks and started up storefront businesses, how much money would Snap-On lose?

I'm sure owning the truck (or paying it off) is part of the franchise requirement.

Don't know about that. I had a snap on dealer that had converted a school bus into his truck. Looked like it was even hand painted with a brush...getto as hell.

[bmwpower]

Don't know about that. I had a snap on dealer that had converted a school bus into his truck. Looked like it was even hand painted with a brush...getto as hell.

There goes my theory... I always see the same type of trucks in my neck of the woods.

[bmwpower]

Found this:

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/07/19/204627.html

Claims "Under the franchise agreement, franchisees buy a specialized van from Snap-on, and then buy the company's tools, which are sold to auto mechanics and other businesses out of the van."

[avsfan733]

why not lease a parking lot and just run it out of the van? like do your route in he morning then have the truck on the lot in the afternoon/evening?

and side note i was flying out of dulles this morning and saw a snap on truck driving accross the tarmac by one of the terminals which i found odd....i guess that guys territory is probably worth something

[filthy_shovel]

The reason it has not been done yet is that regular joes don't buy enough high end tools to support that type of business model.

Snap-on themselves tries it last year in Toronto (Canada). They opened up a store in a large shopping center. Selling everything from tools to apparels. Didn't work out.

[djjack]

A Snap-On store would be a great idea but they would have to solve the territory issue. Dealers usually don't like to sell to other dealer's customers.

[krooser]

One problem with the "store" idea is your customers are working during the day making it difficult to buy. The whole route idea is convenience for the customer...the dealer comes to him.

If a mechanic has to go to the store after his work hours to buy, then he also can go anywhere and buy tools far cheaper than from a tool dealer.

Plus, the credit line issued to mechanics for their tool purchases is partially based on the buyer being employed at a shop where they can find him if he stops paying....no shop? The guy disappears!

[Barnaby]

Actually it has been done. We had a Snap on store here locally about 10 years ago. Although I think for all the business reasons stated above it failed.

Too expensive for the ave Joe
Taking away from the current SO dealers

[bob944]

I agree that most "avg. Joe's" won't pay for SO most of the time. Unfortunately, I am one of them for the most part, and an SO store would have to compete with Sears, Home Depot, and Lowes to sell tools to avg. Joe, but with a fraction of their national buying power. Many of us weekend wrenchers can only justify SO cost for a select few items that really demand top quality, and we "get by" with Craftsman, Husky, etc. for the bulk of our tool collection. Even in a major metropolitan area, I don't see an SO store drawing enough pros away from the convenience of van delivery, nor enough avg. Joes away from Sears to turn a profit.

Just my $0.02
Andy

[ARAMP1]

I was just thinking of a store for the "non-pro" like myself and my friends that have a bunch of SO tools that don't work in a place where the truck comes around anymore. No credit line. Just tools for sale. Just a thought anyway. I didn't know it had been tried already.

BTW: WASO (Wives Against Snap On)...that's all my wife needs to hear about. :scared:

[Rickster]

I wouldn't have put a store in a shopping center, I would have gone with being located in the center of an industrial park. I'm carrying around a 1/4 in ratchet in my truck keeping an eye open for a Sanpon truck. Too bad there aren't any auto parts stores that can carry the Snapon line. You'll find SK at some like Production Tool Supply and other better auto parts stores.

[kartracer55]

Yeah, Rickster, I know of one place around here that sells SK and they are expensive as hell, but Its only a few blocks away, unlike sears which is miles away. If I need anything in a Jam and really dont want to buy taiwanese stuff from HD, I go there.

Also, I think we coudl take a combination of the two... a snap on store that delivers!!! Think about it. Instead of a truck, the guy operates out of a store, and instead of wasting time stopping at a shop every week when people may or may not need him, they just give him a call and he drivesright over. This way people dont have to wait, he doesnt waste gas and time, and he can have the advantage of selling to the public as well.

Jim

[toolcrazy]

The reason it has not been done yet is that regular joes don't buy enough high end tools to support that type of business model.

Snap-on themselves tries it last year in Toronto (Canada). They opened up a store in a large shopping center. Selling everything from tools to apparels. Didn't work out.

I think the shopping center you're referring to is Sherway Gardens just west of Toronto, in Etobicoke. The Snap-on store there had everything from salt and pepper shakers in the form of their soft grip screwdriver handles, die cast cars and anything else with a Snap-on logo. They even sold tools. But the cost of one screwdriver at anywhere from $20 to $80 was too much for the average joe, especially when theres a Sears in the mall and you can buy a complete set of screwdrivers on their many sales for about $20. And the people they most cater to, automotive techs, they buy their Snappy stuff off the truck. Maybe in an industrial park or somewhere off the beaten path, it might work. But the overhead in a huge mall, forget it. If someone wants Snap-on, they'll drive a little to get it. I've been stuck at work at night and needed a tool and wished there was a place like a Snap-on store to get it. Or like kartracer55 said, a delivery system, especially at night would be ideal.

[Canadian Charlie]

I live out in southern Europe and I don't have a Snap On dealer around for a thousand miles. If I can't find the right tool off of E Bay I'll order direct from Snap On in the UK. Test equipment like multi meters are better bought new

[maniac]

Snap-on is VERY fussy with the way they do buisness, for example if your "route" gets too big they split it up and give it to another dealer.

Also if you retire, they get your territory back, you can't sell it.

My buddy has a Snap on guy who's been coming to his shop for years, gave me an application to put my 38 chev street rod on the calender.

Filled out the app and sent them pics, they sent everything back and said I wasn't qualified to be on their calender because I don't work in the automotive trade, therefore I wasn't a "customer" or "user" of their products.

Well guess what? I used some of their tools when I built the car, but won't buy anymore from them.

Hey, I might be only one thats dissatisfied with them, but I can let everbody know how I feel.

So Snap-on........... :thefinger :thefinger :thefinger

[bmwpower]

picts of said street rod please...

[davejs]

I have called the Mac Tool guy at night and on weekends to get what I needed. I REFUSE to buy from Snap ON ever again. I just got tired of trhe dealers treating me like crap because I bought SO and Mac Tools previously. After spending thousands with SO and still being treated like dirt, Enough was enough. The dealer never wanted to repair or replace anything because I didn't buy it from him. I traded ALL of the SO crap in and replaced it with MAC.
For a new idea how about SO dealers that are not A--holes. For the record SO rebadges other companies tools and jacks up the price higher. Stanley make the hammers with the Blue Point name and sells them to you. The next time I here somebody tell me how great the tools are all I want to know is how is the salesman?
I never got any free stuff from the SO guy just a ration of crap. Although I did receive VIP tickets to a NASCAR race in Charlotte free and other things from the drivers who sell MAC.

[maniac]

picts of said street rod please..





38 Chevy (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/swleasinginc/38chevy001jpeg.jpg) and another (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/swleasinginc/Garage006.jpg) and my "other" truck (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/swleasinginc/1999KW001.jpg)

[Elroy]

Elroy is sure there are always two sides to every coin. Here is one side of the snap-on coin:

http://www.snap-onfranchisefraud.com/index.html

Read what some have to say on what kind of company Snappy is.

[kartracer55]

Elroy is sure there are always two sides to every coin. Here is one side of the snap-on coin:

http://www.snap-onfranchisefraud.com/index.html

Read what some have to say on what kind of company Snappy is.

Im not sure about that site, Ive seen it elsewhere... could it just be a disgruntled Snap on dealer or a MAC dealer or something?

Jim

[Elroy]

I doubt it. It's Elroy view, most Snappy deals go out of business in one or two years. Go to the message board and read some of the crap that goes on. I like snap on tools but I think how the company treats their deals SUCKS.

[Fast Orange]

Maybe the guy I deal with is the exception to the rule-
I've had the same SO guy for about 10 years-he's got 5 trucks/routes,a storage building for new/used boxes and tools and is still as gung-ho as the day I met him.The guys who work for him seem to stick with him,and they seem to do quite well.Maybe it's just a good territory-
All I know is that when I have a problem,it's taken care of-promptly,fairly and honestly.If I need something,he gets it to me.If I break something,it's fixed/replaced.If I broke a tool doing something"abusive",if I was honest with him ,he'd try to do something to help me out.I'm definately not his biggest customer,but I do get my share of freebies and deals.
He's in business to make money-not to be everybody's "buddy"-he provides a service,keeps his customers happy and makes a good living doing it.If you treat him with honesty and respect,he'll do the same for you.Play games,try to get over on him and he isn't going to work too hard to make you happy.

George :cool:

[Uncle Buck]

Some frequenting this board are Snap On fans, some are not, I like their tools and have a fair number, but have had nothing but poor warranty service through the years. I have dealt with dealers in both KS. and MO. Without exception service after the sale was severely lacking. I wish I had the good luck with Snap On warranty that others describe, but I unfortunately cannot count one instance of good service. I would guess that Snap On has had ten to twelve opportunities to give me good service through the years, but not once have they done so! Regardless of what you do for a living, all can agree, their tools are costly. The natural expectation I have is that excellent service should be part of the costly price of these tools! Poor warranty service does not do much to promote the product. A few years back I decided to quit buying Snap On tools new, I now only purchase used Snap On tools, and then, only at bargain basement prices. My logic is this, I pay little going into the deal, and only rarely do I break a Snap On tool, but when I do I simply chuck it in the trash instead of going through all the bs with mr snappy! This way I don't end up getting screwed the way I have in the past. No more new Snap On tools for me thanks! :pimpflash

[Canadian Charlie]

I have had only one bad time with my Snap On rep. I live in southern Europe and if I need something brand new I'll get it from Snap On in the UK via e mail. Well last August I ordered a few tools that never showed up, after many unanswered e mails to where my tools are I phone them a few times. Always getting a new story told to me about this and that. Finally got them on December 22, 2005 after 4 months of bitchin'


Never had a problem with them before

[davejs]

Tried to explain this to the coworkers that still buy and put up with SO bull.
Companies don't buy products, people buy products.
Companies don't sell products, people sell products.
Not one of the guys understand what that means. After
I bought a new box from the Mac guy the SO guy came in and said "That is the biggest piece of crap on the market, you bought junk." He knows what to say to try to win back customers. I just avoid the jerk and spend my money with the Mac guy. I'm only allowed to spend $2000 a year by order of my wife on tools now. This year I'm looking for a lift, or new welder.

[Uncle Buck]

davejs,
Another satisfied Snap On customer who appreciates fine customer service skills speaks! :rocker:

[slowride66]

I've had the pleasure of dealing with the good bad & the ugly when it comes to Snap ~On

My 1st dealings ever..
I had 2 broke 3/8 S~O ratchets on my dash for months kept missing him then I finally caught up with him .
I catch him stepping off his truck show him the units and say "BROKE"
he says "did u buy them from me?"
"NO "
"then I wont fix them" in front of a bunch of people and slams the door shut!:FIREdevil

a few well placed phone calls to the regional manager {who I knew}& head quarters

& I got my stuff fixed with a apology:fawk:

that was 20 years ago


I still see him and the look on his face is F'in priceless!!

once you in your hooked dealer or customer! its like crack and the dealer owns the tools and his truck that's it the rest defaults to Snap~On multiple trucks works sometimes and when you sell out you sell your tools{STOCK} & truck the route belongs to Snap ~On

now they make stuff you cant get from any other place
So if you need it they got it & OH BOY ARE YA GONNA PAY!!
(IMO)

SR66:thumbup:

[sberry]

Snap On and Harley Davison have a great business model. They dont need to sell to everyone when someone is willing to fork up 70$ for a 1/4 ratchet,,, the real trick is to find just enough customers that will tolerate a kick in the balls and gladly be insulted if you dare complain,,,, who will hand half the paycheck to the Snappy dealer who hangs out like a whore at an army base on payday. 30$ for an 8 mm socket (or more) while my Auto Parts store will deliver an SK within 45 minutes for 6$ and call me Sir. The Snappy is good but it isnt over 5 times better, as for making money with tools, who we making it for? I have been liking the Allen brand at Menards, USA made, 26$ for 8 or 9 pc metric wrench set. As far as I can see as good as any and I think they dezerve the support for the price/quality /effort. Whole set for less than the cost of one Snappy. I will sit at home before working all month for the tool guy, just doesnt seem to make much sense to support his arrogant azz.

[slowride66]

Yea True but you can't find this made by any one else BUT Snap~ On

at least I couldent


SR66:thumbup:

[drbill]

I guess I'm lucky, Snap on has a store front attached to there training center here in the Detroit area.
When I was in the retail repair side I had just the opposite. My Snap on dealer was great and the Mac dealer could be a jerk. Hardly ever saw a Matco or Corwell dealer.

[Rickster]

I guess I'm lucky, Snap on has a store front attached to there training center here in the Detroit area.



Where is this located? I'd like to check them out sometime.

[eschoendorff]

I guess I'm lucky, Snap on has a store front attached to there training center here in the Detroit area.
When I was in the retail repair side I had just the opposite. My Snap on dealer was great and the Mac dealer could be a jerk. Hardly ever saw a Matco or Corwell dealer.

Really? Where in the Detroit area would this be, if you don't mind me asking?

Oh... BTW: howdy, neighbor! :beer:

[drbill]

Hello, Here's the address and phone #. It's been a couple of years since I've been there so give them a call. It's right on the N.E. corner of Walton Blvd and Opdyke.

Snap-On Tools Company
(248) 276-3900
2333 E Walton Blvd
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Here's the address and phone #

[Uncle Buck]

sberry27: Whoo Hooo, What he said! :rocker:

[eschoendorff]

sberry27: Whoo Hooo, What he said! :rocker:

Yes, esp the remark about the Allen brand. I love my Allen stuff... and I personally think it's some of the most underrated tools out there. Allen is a true "sleeper brand."

[Charles (in GA)]

Snap-On limits their dealers to a max of 1000 potential customers. Where I work we had more than 1000 mechanics on site, so they would not allow a dealer to work the route, instead they provided a company truck to service us. Problem is, the company employee was not real interested in selling anything, he was on salary. With the cutbacks, we are way below 1000 potential customers but they haven't given the route to anyone (who would want it with our pay cuts, no one can afford anything) but the Snap-On Corp is not very good about coming around either.

Charles

[mojorissin]

What alot of you people do not realize is the snap on man is running a business just like you or your boss . He has to buy or lease the truck . he has to buy the tools , pay for a phone , computer , paper ,ink , fuel , insurance . the whole nine yards . my snap on man has been at it for a long time . Snap on makes the best product and have you priced it lately ?? nit lower than mac matco or cornwell. i see complaints of price service from you guys . if you want to see a snap on man i suggest calling and getting the number to your closest dealer. I see a guy talk about the price of a 1/4 inch ratchet ? high you say ?? ok hop in your car drive down to sears with your 4.00 per gallon gas , monitor your fuel used for the trip , then add in the down time of the trip , if you make say 20 bucks an hour and it takes you an hour to drive , find ,buy and return , you lost 20.00 in pay if you were lucky then probably 14 -18 in fuel. plus the cost of your new sears ratchet , you could have bought a snap on ratchet and and stayed in your shop working . the next time you need a tool just buy it from snap on . dont hassle with the price . your customers dont say oh my god 59.00 for an oil change . is it gold oil . my snap on man takes good care of me . remember this as well when you say my snap on man drives right bye or wont come out here . if it were you opening a shop would you put it on a dead end road? would you go to work in a shop that had no customers? no i didn't think so . A new kind of snap on truck ???? i ask how about a new kind of customer /.? my snap on man is very reliable shows up with tools and is pretty cool . i own a shop and tossed out the cornwell and matco guy , and the mac man never was anyhow . Snap on makes the best for the best . If you treat your snap on man right he will do you the same .

[wilbilt]

If you treat your snap on man right he will do you the same .

That's a sweeping generalization. They are all individuals like everyone else, and some of them are jerks.

I treated my dealer right. I bought lots of tools and a couple of expensive boxes from him. I paid my bills on time. He made money on me.

One day, I needed a tool warranty and he refused. He told me that peeling chrome was "frivolous".

Now, please explain to me how he treated me right. I have been waiting about 15 years for the answer.

[SpiderGearsMan]

why not lease a parking lot and just run it out of the van? like do your route in he morning then have the truck on the lot in the afternoon/evening?

and side note i was flying out of dulles this morning and saw a snap on truck driving accross the tarmac by one of the terminals which i found odd....i guess that guys territory is probably worth something

airplane mechanics are not exactly the best paid wrenchers

[jim m]

I have called the Mac Tool guy at night and on weekends to get what I needed. I REFUSE to buy from Snap ON ever again. I just got tired of trhe dealers treating me like crap because I bought SO and Mac Tools previously. After spending thousands with SO and still being treated like dirt, Enough was enough. The dealer never wanted to repair or replace anything because I didn't buy it from him. I traded ALL of the SO crap in and replaced it with MAC.
For a new idea how about SO dealers that are not A--holes. For the record SO rebadges other companies tools and jacks up the price higher. Stanley make the hammers with the Blue Point name and sells them to you. The next time I here somebody tell me how great the tools are all I want to know is how is the salesman?
I never got any free stuff from the SO guy just a ration of crap. Although I did receive VIP tickets to a NASCAR race in Charlotte free and other things from the drivers who sell MAC.

ok im not a pro wrench but Do like and buy snap-on when I find it useed
I have a 15mm combo that the box end broke on so I see the snap on truck at A shop here in town so I stop and ask about some tools I buy an ratchting screw driver set a set of small pics and o2 socket
than say by the way I have this wrench he looks it over and says you didnt by this from me hands it back and walks away

[rsanter]

it seems to me that SO has some leadership issues that have let to bad decisions and they definatly have some problem dealers.

I have only even had 2 MAC dealers and they were both great
one Matco dealer and there was not problem other than he did not come by very often.
I have had about 5 SO dealers and only one was a problem. they guy was just a plain ASS so I did not want to buy from him. I ended up with him because I moved my shop and was then in his teritory. I used to go to my old SO dealers house (which was near my house) and buy when I needed something. then I heard that somehow the new dealer found out and my old dealer was going to have to pay him the 'profit' for anything I had bought since the move (was not that much stuff). I told him not to pay it but to tell the regional manager that I did not like the new guy and that I would not buy from him because of the way he was and that if he had to pay hum I would no longer buy SO. I also told him to give the manager my number to call me to verify. suddenly the 'problem' went away and he did not have to pay the other guy and it was deemed OK for me to buy from him at his house.

all of my SO guys were good except the one. I also have not had a SO dealer for 12+ years as I sold the shop and went back to school and now work as an engineer

bob

[rsanter]

interestingly enough a number of years ago I went to a automotive swapmeet and there was a SO truck parked in one if the spots. he was selling used trade in stuff as well as new stuff.
I know he was local to the area and would guess that perhaps the site was within his teritory

bob

[hamburglar]

This is an interesting thread. Just to throw a couple of random thoughts in....

I like the idea of a Snap On store, but I can see how it wouldn't work. People are too used to discounts from list to feel comfortable at those prices. Plus, it's kind of a botique product and probably wouldn't work in any but really populated areas. The truck really has to be the reason for their pricing structure since I can't imagine how they could charge 2x what importers get for Stahlwille on things like wrench sets or Wiha/Wera on screwdrivers (oddly, the German share an inflated belief in the value of their socket sets along with Snap On...go figure).

The Snap On store actually sort of exists. It's called their website. The better and bigger they can make that, the more people who aren't on the route will use it. It doesn't suit 100% of the non-mechanics, but it definitely pulls business from a storefront as described.

The (inter)national business in used goods spells serious trouble for people like Snap On like it has for firearms and musical instrument manufacturers. In all cases, the goods (with repairs in some cases) can last multiple lifetimes. At some point you hit market saturation. Where at one time a retired mechanic would probably just leave a wrench set in a box, now he might run it through eBay. My bet is that there's a lot of downward pressure on prices...I think that the web has had a *huge* effect on musical instrument prices (you want to see rip offs? go to a music retail store) and tools have probably done the same thing.

[hamburglar]

What alot of you people do not realize is the snap on man is running a business just like you or your boss . He has to buy or lease the truck . he has to buy the tools , pay for a phone , computer , paper ,ink , fuel , insurance . etc.

I just think there's a downward tendency in the value people place on resellers. Shaving margins to the bone, like Walmart, is kind of a natural tendency for retail anymore. As a result, over time, you'll see less and less high margin storefronts.

I expect that Snap On would absolutely love to dump their whole dealer salesforce and go 100% online with next day delivery...maybe it will happen over time and hasn't because of inertia....it's probably similar to the car parts business.

[hamburglar]

ok im not a pro wrench but Do like and buy snap-on when I find it useed
I have a 15mm combo that the box end broke on so I see the snap on truck at A shop here in town so I stop and ask about some tools I buy an ratchting screw driver set a set of small pics and o2 socket
than say by the way I have this wrench he looks it over and says you didnt by this from me hands it back and walks away


(sorry to stick in so many replies...this kind of economics problem is really interesting to me).

I think that in this area, Snap On is headed for real trouble. How long is their 'lifetime' guarantee? It's worked so far since older tools ended up disappearing for some reason or the other and because they're not that old yet.

Combine online used tool sales with a continuously aging population of hand tools and you get a problem that just gets bigger and bigger over time. The mothership will try to push the problem off on the dealers and visa versa.

[OctaneMotorsports]

The Snap-On guy I used to deal with locally is a nice guy, but a bit of a pain in the ass as he is very inconsistent. I would meet him at one shop on Friday's at 4:00 every other week or so consistently and he was never more than 15 minutes late. Then he started not showing up at all, or I would call and he would say he was on a sick day...some days he got there early then left. When I called at 4:30 he would say "I was already there!"...I havn't seen him in months. I heard he was bad with warranty work too, but I never had to do that with him.

I am in the USA a lot travelling with racing. At the races (Snap-On STARS Of Karting) there is a Snappy truck parked there all weekend. I bought a bunch of stuff from the one dealer in Shawano, Wisconsin and he gave me some good deals. I brought over my #2 phillips screwdriver (that I didn't buy from him) with a pretty chewed tip. He changed out the blade no problem, then asked me how my other Snap-On phillips screwdrivers were. I said the #1 (smaller size) and the #3 (bigger size) were both also pretty worn. He said bring 'em over and I will replace those too.

:beer:

[nissan_crawler]

Some frequenting this board are Snap On fans, some are not, I like their tools and have a fair number, but have had nothing but poor warranty service through the years. I have dealt with dealers in both KS. and MO. Without exception service after the sale was severely lacking. I wish I had the good luck with Snap On warranty that others describe, but I unfortunately cannot count one instance of good service. I would guess that Snap On has had ten to twelve opportunities to give me good service through the years, but not once have they done so! Regardless of what you do for a living, all can agree, their tools are costly. The natural expectation I have is that excellent service should be part of the costly price of these tools! Poor warranty service does not do much to promote the product. A few years back I decided to quit buying Snap On tools new, I now only purchase used Snap On tools, and then, only at bargain basement prices. My logic is this, I pay little going into the deal, and only rarely do I break a Snap On tool, but when I do I simply chuck it in the trash instead of going through all the bs with mr snappy! This way I don't end up getting screwed the way I have in the past. No more new Snap On tools for me thanks! :pimpflash
:eyecrazy: Save them up and send them to me!!

[SpiderGearsMan]

haha , guess you have to be a good RETAIL customer - garage saler

[nissan_crawler]

airplane mechanics are not exactly the best paid wrenchers

I would argue that.... I'm 25, started out 6 years ago at 19 at $13.40, making $25 now, full medical/dental/vision/life insurance, which was free until a few months ago, now it's $60 a month for all that. Matching 401k. Overtime on saturday is 1.5x, sunday/monday over time is 2x, holiday is 3x. by taking 4 vacation days, I end up with 10 days off at thanskgiving and 17 days off for christmas, all paid. I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.

As for the dealers, it's on an individual basis. The dealer at our old hangar was a complete prick. I went in there, asked for prices on some tools, got some little stuff that was about $110, and told him I wanted that. HIs reply was "after I looked up all those prices, that's ALL you're buying?" I threw them on the floor and said "No, I'm not being shit from you, and for your info, I was coming back next week for the rest." I never walked into that truck again, the idiot pissed off 500 mechanics, hardly got any sales.

Then we moved to a new hangar across the airport...and ended up with a new Snap-On dealer. She's awesome. No questions asked, broken tool gets replaced. She's asked "did I sell this to you, I don't remember it?" "no, I got it on ebay." "oh, ok, that's why" She doesn't care, tool gets replaced.

I bought some spring punch tips (Snap-On ones happen to fit my general center punches) and she told me to put the broken ones in the package, bring them back, and she would give me two more for spares, fully knowing that the broken tips were NOT snap on ones.

I had my streamlight short out and burn bulbs, she sent it in for repair when i mentioned it, even though I didn't buy it from her, AND gave me a loaner until mine came back!! I ended up with a new bulb, new spare bulb, new battery, new lens/reflector, new endcap on it, and all she did was make me pay the $6 shipping. :thumbup:

She gets lots of my money.

[64merc]

I would argue that.... I'm 25, started out 6 years ago at 19 at $13.40, making $25 now, full medical/dental/vision/life insurance, which was free until a few months ago, now it's $60 a month for all that. Matching 401k. Overtime on saturday is 1.5x, sunday/monday over time is 2x, holiday is 3x. by taking 4 vacation days, I end up with 10 days off at thanskgiving and 17 days off for christmas, all paid. I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.

As for the dealers, it's on an individual basis. The dealer at our old hangar was a complete prick. I went in there, asked for prices on some tools, got some little stuff that was about $110, and told him I wanted that. HIs reply was "after I looked up all those prices, that's ALL you're buying?" I threw them on the floor and said "No, I'm not being shit from you, and for your info, I was coming back next week for the rest." I never walked into that truck again, the idiot pissed off 500 mechanics, hardly got any sales.

Then we moved to a new hangar across the airport...and ended up with a new Snap-On dealer. She's awesome. No questions asked, broken tool gets replaced. She's asked "did I sell this to you, I don't remember it?" "no, I got it on ebay." "oh, ok, that's why" She doesn't care, tool gets replaced.

I bought some spring punch tips (Snap-On ones happen to fit my general center punches) and she told me to put the broken ones in the package, bring them back, and she would give me two more for spares, fully knowing that the broken tips were NOT snap on ones.

I had my streamlight short out and burn bulbs, she sent it in for repair when i mentioned it, even though I didn't buy it from her, AND gave me a loaner until mine came back!! I ended up with a new bulb, new spare bulb, new battery, new lens/reflector, new endcap on it, and all she did was make me pay the $6 shipping. :thumbup:

She gets lots of my money.

I think you have done really well for yourself. I'm curious about something though. How much do you think you have spent on tools each of those 6 years? I'm just referring to stuff that you need for work, and not cool extras.

Sorry, I know this was a little OT

[Moose-LandTran]

I think it's a shame a lot of guys have had bad experiences with their dealers. mine is very good. always helpful, warranties my eBay purchases and even advises me on things to buy of eBay that he can warranty easily. he's a good guy and is always very friendly. can't say i have a bad experience with them.

[SpiderGearsMan]

from day one , snap on has been about direct sales with easy credit to the underpaid auto mechanic

[wilbilt]

I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.

Sounds pretty damn good to me. :thumbup:

[SpiderGearsMan]

I would argue that.... I'm 25, started out 6 years ago at 19 at $13.40, making $25 now, full medical/dental/vision/life insurance, which was free until a few months ago, now it's $60 a month for all that. Matching 401k. Overtime on saturday is 1.5x, sunday/monday over time is 2x, holiday is 3x. by taking 4 vacation days, I end up with 10 days off at thanskgiving and 17 days off for christmas, all paid. I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.

As for the dealers, it's on an individual basis. The dealer at our old hangar was a complete prick. I went in there, asked for prices on some tools, got some little stuff that was about $110, and told him I wanted that. HIs reply was "after I looked up all those prices, that's ALL you're buying?" I threw them on the floor and said "No, I'm not being shit from you, and for your info, I was coming back next week for the rest." I never walked into that truck again, the idiot pissed off 500 mechanics, hardly got any sales.

Then we moved to a new hangar across the airport...and ended up with a new Snap-On dealer. She's awesome. No questions asked, broken tool gets replaced. She's asked "did I sell this to you, I don't remember it?" "no, I got it on ebay." "oh, ok, that's why" She doesn't care, tool gets replaced.

I bought some spring punch tips (Snap-On ones happen to fit my general center punches) and she told me to put the broken ones in the package, bring them back, and she would give me two more for spares, fully knowing that the broken tips were NOT snap on ones.

I had my streamlight short out and burn bulbs, she sent it in for repair when i mentioned it, even though I didn't buy it from her, AND gave me a loaner until mine came back!! I ended up with a new bulb, new spare bulb, new battery, new lens/reflector, new endcap on it, and all she did was make me pay the $6 shipping. :thumbup:

She gets lots of my money.18 grand in overtime is pretty darned good , good country eh ?

[Uncle Buck]

What alot of you people do not realize is the snap on man is running a business just like you or your boss . He has to buy or lease the truck . he has to buy the tools , pay for a phone , computer , paper ,ink , fuel , insurance . the whole nine yards . my snap on man has been at it for a long time . Snap on makes the best product and have you priced it lately ?? nit lower than mac matco or cornwell. i see complaints of price service from you guys . if you want to see a snap on man i suggest calling and getting the number to your closest dealer. I see a guy talk about the price of a 1/4 inch ratchet ? high you say ?? ok hop in your car drive down to sears with your 4.00 per gallon gas , monitor your fuel used for the trip , then add in the down time of the trip , if you make say 20 bucks an hour and it takes you an hour to drive , find ,buy and return , you lost 20.00 in pay if you were lucky then probably 14 -18 in fuel. plus the cost of your new sears ratchet , you could have bought a snap on ratchet and and stayed in your shop working . the next time you need a tool just buy it from snap on . dont hassle with the price . your customers dont say oh my god 59.00 for an oil change . is it gold oil . my snap on man takes good care of me . remember this as well when you say my snap on man drives right bye or wont come out here . if it were you opening a shop would you put it on a dead end road? would you go to work in a shop that had no customers? no i didn't think so . A new kind of snap on truck ???? i ask how about a new kind of customer /.? my snap on man is very reliable shows up with tools and is pretty cool . i own a shop and tossed out the cornwell and matco guy , and the mac man never was anyhow . Snap on makes the best for the best . If you treat your snap on man right he will do you the same .

Pass the corn and pull up a seat to cracK a cold one open boys, I feel a major munch coming on!

After three years of bitching about $hitty SO warranty service I am starting to feel bitched out, so I am sure no one will mind if I do you all the favor of setting this one out! Carry on! :spit:

[eschoendorff]

I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.



Shit... I have a masters degree and I don't do that well....

[64merc]

Shit... I have a masters degree and I don't do that well....

Oh good, I only have a BBA so I don't feel so bad anymore. :)

I think I'm in the wrong profession

[MarkH]

Quote "Shit... I have a masters degree and I don't do that well..."

For the most part, I have only seen the masters pay in medicine, government, and engineering. Most of the rest put you where a BS or BA used to.

There are still a few other tough jobs that have premiums for odd hours that you need much less training for that pay better than many college degrees. I have climbed over machinery at odd hours at when others were home in bed. So it is nice to see occasionally that gets reimbursed correctly.

[Jared]

There is a couple snap on stores that i know of, one in nanaimo bc and one in alberta.

[toolfreak]

I saw a snap on tool trailer on the highway today, it was about a 15' enclosed trailer with all the same decals as the tool trucks so I am assuming that he is selling out of it. It would be the way to go with gas prices now, my dealer said he spends 3-$400 in gas a week on his route.

[DHCrocks]

I've always heard these horror stories about getting replacements so I was a bit aprehensive about trying to get my 1/4" ratchet repaired. The gears were would stick and/or slip. I bought the ratchet from the SO warehouse a few years ago and didn't have a dealer to work with. So I called the 800 number and got a dealer in my area. I track him down and find meet him at one of this stops. Now, I've never met this guy, Charley, before and show him the ratchet and ask if he has a rebuild kit, thinking I'll just pay for it but he replaces the internals and doesn't charge me, I was happily supprised to say the least. I ended up buying a 80T 3/8 flex soft grip ratchet, ratcheting stubby and regular screwdrivers and would have got more stuff if he had it in stock. I guess it's really just a luck of the draw on who your dealer is. Since he gave me great service without questions there's no doubt I'll go to him again if I need new stuff.

[krusty the clown]

retail stores may be in the future but for now, at least in the states the dealers have a protected territory. i had a discussion with a long time dealer recently and he doesn't see mobile distribution in snap ons future. we kinda felt that online sales and snap on credit cards are where they are heading.

[hamburglar]

Quote "Shit... I have a masters degree and I don't do that well..."

For the most part, I have only seen the masters pay in medicine, government, and engineering. Most of the rest put you where a BS or BA used to.

There are still a few other tough jobs that have premiums for odd hours that you need much less training for that pay better than many college degrees. I have climbed over machinery at odd hours at when others were home in bed. So it is nice to see occasionally that gets reimbursed correctly.

I absolutely agree with all of this. A 'Masters' can certainly mean a lot of things...ranging from something like aerospace/chemical/civil engineering to an MLS (that Dewey Decimal System must be more complicated than I thought).

Two other things I've noticed about wages...

. If you are part of a union, it is likely that you make more than prevailing market conditions would warrant.
. Government workers consistently underestimate the value of their pay package.

[nissan_crawler]

I think you have done really well for yourself. I'm curious about something though. How much do you think you have spent on tools each of those 6 years? I'm just referring to stuff that you need for work, and not cool extras.

Sorry, I know this was a little OT

With box....I would guess..$15k or so, which would be $2500/year. Keep in mind, we only deal in SAE though, no metric. Also, all my air tools are used. Hell, a new 90* drill costs over $600, I paid $50 for mine, many other examples like that. I started with the biggest box Craftsman offers (gave $1800 for it, it's 3700 new now), and roughly $2,000 in tools (again, almost all Craftsman). I've added on as I've needed tools, or got great deals on Snap-On stuff to replace the Craftsman, etc. I could probably sell what I have for what I have in it.

18 grand in overtime is pretty darned good , good country eh ?

Over time here is usually all you can eat. I've worked 10 hour days for 13 weeks straight before. Come in if I want to, don't if I don't want to. If I wake up at 9 am and can't sleep, I'll go work my overtime, and get out early. If I want to sleep until 2:30pm, and go in from 3:30-midnight, I will.

Our pay is good for general aviation, but we're also the largest general aviation hangar in the world. Heck, it's the biggest building from Wichita to Denver. When the cheaper owners take their Citations from place to place and can't get them fixed, we're the final solution. For the rest of them, we're the only solution.

[eschoendorff]

Oh good, I only have a BBA so I don't feel so bad anymore. :)

I think I'm in the wrong profession

YOU think YOU are in the wrong profession!!!! If I was in the business world, I would be laughed out of ANY corporate board room. Last I checked, I make something like $3.00 and hour, if you do all the math. Ahh... the life of a band director.

[nissan_crawler]

YOU think YOU are in the wrong profession!!!! If I was in the business world, I would be laughed out of ANY corporate board room. Last I checked, I make something like $3.00 and hour, if you do all the math. Ahh... the life of a band director.

perhaps laughed out of a board room, but not laughed at by anybody that respects somebody doing a valuable job like that.:thumbup:

Teaching is one of the few "noble" professions, IMHO. The do society a great service, work for little (no offense), and most do it out of love for the job. There aren't many people that can claim that.

[eschoendorff]

I absolutely agree with all of this. A 'Masters' can certainly mean a lot of things...ranging from something like aerospace/chemical/civil engineering to an MLS (that Dewey Decimal System must be more complicated than I thought).

Two other things I've noticed about wages...

. If you are part of a union, it is likely that you make more than prevailing market conditions would warrant.
. Government workers consistently underestimate the value of their pay package.

Uhh... right. I don't want to make a huge argument out of this, but it is clear that you have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

I belong to a teachers union (not by choice) and most of the folks on this board make more $$$$ than I do. It used to be argued that teachers had good insurance benefits packages... but that too is going the way of the dodo. We just had a meeting to brief us on changes to our insurance - not changes for the better.

And for all you mofos who think that teachers get the summer off - we are contracted to work x number of days. Our pay is simply spread across 26 pay periods. We do not get paid for any of the extra things, like after school tutoring, coming in early for meetings, community events, chaperoning of trips, or over-the-summer designing and planning of our classes. To put it into context, imagine paying Deafautotech only for installing new parts - NOT for his diagnostics. It's like that...

[PowderKeg]

Sometimes, after a few too many Jack 'n Cokes, I've had the not-so-sober thought of "wouldn't it be cool to open a mechanic's tool store" - I mean hey, there's woodworking stores, there's welding supply stores, why not a store mostly filled with wrenches, shop equipment, and such. Yeah I know, there's already Harbor Freight and Northern Tools (not to mention all the tool sections in countless parts stores, Sears, and such) but I'm talkin' about one with most all quality USA made stuff, not mostly China imports. Would also deal in used tools/consignments (again though, no junk, and no pawn shop gold-plated pricing on ragged out stuff). Maybe even rentals for the weekend auto warrior. Get catalogs and arrange (hopefully) for the truck dealers in the area to make a weekly stop while on their route for orders and warranty (which would likely be the deal crusher) from folks (like me) not working in a regular shop and not having the time to locate or chase down the truck for infrequent needs. Then reality (and sobriety) sets back in and common sense returns....

Then again, if I ever hit the lottery big-time and need a loss leader for write-off purposes...

[Spookrider]

HAve a Catalog Store like they did way back when. Like Macy or Sears. Have little stock but, you can get any out of the catalog. Also have it open on Monday and Friday then travle tue-thur??

[rodm1]

You'll find SK at some like Production Tool Supply and other better auto parts stores.

Production Tool Supply sells SO industrial but SO will not let them take business from the tool trucks sow I'm told.

[eschoendorff]

perhaps laughed out of a board room, but not laughed at by anybody that respects somebody doing a valuable job like that.:thumbup:

Teaching is one of the few "noble" professions, IMHO. The do society a great service, work for little (no offense), and most do it out of love for the job. There aren't many people that can claim that.

Thank you. I have completely reworked my middle school band program with a lot of consultant and composition help from my brother (he is a doctoral student in music composition/music ed. at Michigan State University). We were both so disappointed with the warm-up materials that were available from commercial publishers, that we literally took a summer and wrote our own:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0902-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0903.jpg

We didn't get paid for all of our time and effort (but we do own teh copyright)... but my kids know how to sound good. :beer:

And a lot of them know how to use a screwdriver and fix their own horns:thumbup:

[nissan_crawler]

Thank you. I have completely reworked my middle school band program with a lot of consultant and composition help from my brother (he is a doctoral student in music composition/music ed. at Michigan State University). We were both so disappointed with the warm-up materials that were available from commercial publishers, that we literally took a summer and wrote our own:

We didn't get paid for all of our time and effort (but we do own teh copyright)... but my kids know how to sound good. :beer:

And a lot of them know how to use a screwdriver and fix their own horns:thumbup:

Looking back, it's easy to tell which teachers gave a damn. They're also the only ones I paid attention to and learned from. I sent a thank you letter and a decent gift certificate to my high school Auto Tech and Ind Tech teachers for:

1. Getting me in several state auto competitions that I won,

2. convincing me to stay out of auto, and go for aviation, even though I had a free ride to ford school, and wyo tech.

3. Letting me go outside the realms of the normal class when they learned I was already past what they had to teach others. I was cutting boards for the '57's bed in Ind Tech class, and built the motor, rebuilt the axles, etc. on the '57 in auto tech.

I owe a lot to them, if they were the typical brainwashed teachers that made every student do the same thing, I may not be where I am today. Instead, I was wrenching and learning more while others were in the classroom learning what I already know.

[Deafautotech]

Uhh... right. I don't want to make a huge argument out of this, but it is clear that you have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

I belong to a teachers union (not by choice) and most of the folks on this board make more $$$$ than I do. It used to be argued that teachers had good insurance benefits packages... but that too is going the way of the dodo. We just had a meeting to brief us on changes to our insurance - not changes for the better.

And for all you mofos who think that teachers get the summer off - we are contracted to work x number of days. Our pay is simply spread across 26 pay periods. We do not get paid for any of the extra things, like after school tutoring, coming in early for meetings, community events, chaperoning of trips, or over-the-summer designing and planning of our classes. To put it into context, imagine paying Deafautotech only for installing new parts - NOT for his diagnostics. It's like that...

Hey, you are right!!! my work got some of customers who want tech to put new part like cruise control system, or "add-on" stuff that require to use scan tool to confirm it on Chrysler headquarter that customer has bought the parts and want it installed on their vehicle so Chrysler can list it for warranty issues.. i do that all works because it is cheap to pay me to do... i am hourly so if my service dept charged the customer for one hour (82 dollars) as only pay me 13.50 per hour... i am cheaper to pay for labor if busy but too costly when i dont have any works to do... But most thing i like is enjoy to work!!!:thumbup::bounce:

[SpiderGearsMan]

in NY teachers with a masters are making 6 figures

[hamburglar]

Uhh... right. I don't want to make a huge argument out of this, but it is clear that you have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

...

Probably more than you think and less than I think (plus I can't really see where I said THOSEDARNEDTEACHERSAREOVERPAID!!!)...but really...if government employees were totally ununionized and had only the basic protections that corporate exempt employees have, would they make more or less money?

As far as underestimating benefits, it is absolute fact 'round these parts that the .gov people receive a higher level of health insurance than your average worker bee. Probably the biggest underestimate though, and the one I was referring to, is that of defined pensions/benefits after retirement. In the state of California, for example, fully 1/3 of state employees are considered 'public safety' people and will receive 90% of their highest rate of pay on retirement. Using a rough estimate of 25x for the value of the annuity (ie. it takes a million dollars in an account to safely receive 40k/yr for the rest of your lifetime), there's an awful lot of people who will get *far* more in retirement than during their working lives...and they really don't know how good they've got it.

Heck, if salary was based on your skills, whoever sat next to Dick Shearer in Kenton's band should probably have made far more than they probably did.

[nissan_crawler]

in NY teachers with a masters are making 6 figures

which won't even get you an apt with a separate bedroom in half of new york. My college roomie moved there and had a 380 sq ft studio, which cost $900/month.

[64merc]

YOU think YOU are in the wrong profession!!!! If I was in the business world, I would be laughed out of ANY corporate board room. Last I checked, I make something like $3.00 and hour, if you do all the math. Ahh... the life of a band director.

I feel for you man. My wife became a stay at home mom recently, but she is a teacher as well, and you're damn right, she doesn't get paid crap if you look at how many hours she put in. She made more money than I did annually, but not if you looked at the pay per hour.

So seriously, for whatever it's worth, lots of us respect what you do.

[64merc]

With box....I would guess..$15k or so, which would be $2500/year. Keep in mind, we only deal in SAE though, no metric. Also, all my air tools are used. Hell, a new 90* drill costs over $600, I paid $50 for mine, many other examples like that. I started with the biggest box Craftsman offers (gave $1800 for it, it's 3700 new now), and roughly $2,000 in tools (again, almost all Craftsman). I've added on as I've needed tools, or got great deals on Snap-On stuff to replace the Craftsman, etc. I could probably sell what I have for what I have in it.


Wow, not bad at all. I would have thought that it took more money to get up and running. I'm sure things go a lot smoother with the fancier stuff you've picked up along the way. :)

[Stephenw]

I thought this was the new Snap-On truck...

[eschoendorff]

I thought this was the new Snap-On truck...

:spit: Does it come with guns and shit???

[wrenchr]

I thought this was the new Snap-On truck...

That is for the downtown metro areas!! :lol_hitti

[billymade]

Look at these trucks from the history of snapon mexico:
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Picture4.png Volkswagen Bus!
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Picture6.png International Harvester?
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Picture7.png
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Picture8.png General Motors car and truck?

[Uncle Buck]

Snap-on is VERY fussy with the way they do buisness, for example if your "route" gets too big they split it up and give it to another dealer.

Also if you retire, they get your territory back, you can't sell it.

My buddy has a Snap on guy who's been coming to his shop for years, gave me an application to put my 38 chev street rod on the calender.

Filled out the app and sent them pics, they sent everything back and said I wasn't qualified to be on their calender because I don't work in the automotive trade, therefore I wasn't a "customer" or "user" of their products.

Well guess what? I used some of their tools when I built the car, but won't buy anymore from them.

Hey, I might be only one thats dissatisfied with them, but I can let everbody know how I feel.

So Snap-on........... :thefinger :thefinger :thefinger

Yes you can let everyone know your thoughts, and others that are not so huge a fans such as myself are always happy to hear about more crappy dealings with Snap-on! :thumbup:

[Uncle Buck]

I feel for you man. My wife became a stay at home mom recently, but she is a teacher as well, and you're damn right, she doesn't get paid crap if you look at how many hours she put in. She made more money than I did annually, but not if you looked at the pay per hour.

So seriously, for whatever it's worth, lots of us respect what you do.

For sure, me too! I have 4 kids in school and several of my best neighbors are teachers, the teach, prof, coach, or Mr. Music all get nothing but my respect and admiration for working with the future generations regardless the topic! :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[SpiderGearsMan]

try getting in the sema show without auto industry credentials

[kwhitelaw]

try getting in the sema show without auto industry credentials

didnt read the whole thread, and am not sure if you are being sarcastic...., but it is quite easy to get into the show without credentials. atleast verified ones.

Me and my ex gf used business cards from a tint shop to get in, of which our names werent on the cards.. it helps if you pre-register online tho.

[kythri]

I cleared over $70k last year, not high pay, but not bad for wrenching, either.

I'm curious, what causes a belief such as this? I mean no offense to you, I'm just intrigued at what makes you think that $70K/year isn't "high pay" ?

Is it the mentality that minimum wage should be a "living wage" that's being force-fed to everyone of late, or is it something else?

I live in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and, to be sure, the cost of living here is significantly less than other areas. I make what I consider to be a pretty decent salary as a Cisco-certified Network Engineer, but it's not 6-figures.

It just seems that there's this perception being pushed onto everyone that if you're not making $100K/year or more, you're at or below the poverty line, and that a part-time Burger King Whopper-Flopper should be making enough to support a wife and 3 children...

I don't get it. I'm not making nearly $100K/year, yet I could be making a mortgage payment if I wished to, in addition to owning one vehicle, payments on a second, and still owning lots of "nice things" like my tools, my electronics, etc.

Hell, I lived on minimum wage when I was 18. Did I have a nice big apartment/house, an expensive car (or even a NICE car), and lots of toys? No. And the fact that I didn't have them encouraged me to better myself, and get a better education and a better job, so that I could have those things.

[Flat_Head_Rat_Rod]

I'm a soon to be Auto tech. I can't believe people actually pay the prices SO, MAC, and Matco. My first reason is where most of there tools come from. Most of the tools the have are from outside vendors. Why would anybody pay more for a tool you can get from the maker with the same quality. Also have you looked at some of the tools the offer that are crap I mean Matco sells pick up magnets for $15.00 For something you can get for 1 or 2 dollars. I won't buy from them when I start work I will use craftman and brands I'm used to like Lisle for my specialty tools . I mean I will buy from the manufaturer not SO ,MAc, or Matco

[eschoendorff]

I'm a soon to be Auto tech. I can't believe people actually pay the prices SO, MAC, and Matco. My first reason is where most of there tools come from. Most of the tools the have are from outside vendors. Why would anybody pay more for a tool you can get from the maker with the same quality. Also have you looked at some of the tools the offer that are crap I mean Matco sells pick up magnets for $15.00 For something you can get for 1 or 2 dollars. I won't buy from them when I start work I will use craftman and brands I'm used to like Lisle for my specialty tools . I mean I will buy from the manufaturer not SO ,MAc, or Matco

Well, sort of. You might want to do some research before you spend your $$$$. Snap On's hardline (screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, ratchets) are not outsourced, but rather made by Snap On....

[nissan_crawler]

I'm curious, what causes a belief such as this? I mean no offense to you, I'm just intrigued at what makes you think that $70K/year isn't "high pay" ?

Is it the mentality that minimum wage should be a "living wage" that's being force-fed to everyone of late, or is it something else?

By the time I pay school loans, a vehicle loan, mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc., spend money on remodeling the house, groceries, there isn't that much left at the end of the month. Face it, in today's world, $70k isn't high pay. It's not bad pay, but it's not high pay. Hell, cat food and litter costs me around $60/month.

I'm a soon to be Auto tech. I can't believe people actually pay the prices SO, MAC, and Matco. My first reason is where most of there tools come from. Most of the tools the have are from outside vendors. Why would anybody pay more for a tool you can get from the maker with the same quality. Also have you looked at some of the tools the offer that are crap I mean Matco sells pick up magnets for $15.00 For something you can get for 1 or 2 dollars. I won't buy from them when I start work I will use craftman and brands I'm used to like Lisle for my specialty tools . I mean I will buy from the manufaturer not SO ,MAc, or Matco

You'll learn. If the tools are from an outside vendor, I'll buy from them. All my (regular) sockets are Craftsman, along with most wrenches, hammers, punches, chisels, etc. My ratchets are snap-on, my swivel sockets are snap-on, my 30/60 wrenches are snap-on, and so are my screwdrivers, and one pair of dykes. Why? There isn't an outside vendor for them, and they're simply the best. Do I run out and pay truck prices on all of it? No, but I do get some things from the truck.

[ToolmanTom]

WOW, this thread was hijacked like6 or 7 times.

But as a former Snap-on dealer I can say this,"its the dealer not the company" the dealer is a Franchise, That means it is his, sole proprietor, he is the CEO and Stock boy. Snap-on sells more by going to the shops and not waiting for the customer to come to him. they do require some rules of the franchise agreement to be followed, like type of truck standards, and other items.
I did turn some mechanics into Snap-on men, and others had such a bad taste from the previous dealers, it was too much for me to sway them. and there were the el-cheep-o's that want everything free and didn't buy a thing from me, wasted my time and still I smiled at them and said have a great day.
The point is, It is tough to be a tool dealer.
I turned it in because I was too nice! let too many people take my tools and skip payments. listened to all there sad story's about their kids not eating...WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS!!!!!... WHERE IS THEIR DINNER????... (in is pant pocket waiting to get out so the man can have the tasty barly and hopps drink for the evening:spit:) ...

...Im much better now!...

I get great service from my Snap-on dealer now, and get great deals too.

[wilbilt]

By the time I pay school loans, a vehicle loan, mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc., spend money on remodeling the house, groceries, there isn't that much left at the end of the month. Face it, in today's world, $70k isn't high pay. It's not bad pay, but it's not high pay. Hell, cat food and litter costs me around $60/month.


I make about $40K, but I don't have any cats. ;)

When I was turning wrenches, my average was $25K/year. I bought a house and had 3 kids on that, but I have never owned a new car.

[eschoendorff]

I make about $40K, but I don't have any cats. ;)

When I was turning wrenches, my average was $25K/year. I bought a house and had 3 kids on that, but I have never owned a new car.

And I probably never will. Terrible investment.

[nissan_crawler]

I make about $40K, but I don't have any cats. ;)

When I was turning wrenches, my average was $25K/year. I bought a house and had 3 kids on that, but I have never owned a new car.

I don't know how you did it, to be honest. I'm impressed. That's 18k/year at best, and my mortgage would be over $8400/year alone. Out of my $70k/year, I maybe see $37,000 (33% tax or so, plus 15% 401k contribution)

As for the new vehicle, I tried to get used, but when a shop hoses up your only vehicle (while fixing a Firestone screw up), leaving you with nothing to drive (was supposed to be a 3 week job, had my mom's car for that time frame, she lived 1300 miles away and needed the car back, ended up not getting my vehicle back for 2 years, and then I had to drag it home in pieces on a trailer), being 20 and not able to rent a car, and every Chevy pickup in town with 150,000 miles has an asking price of $10,000 on it, well, I didn't have much choice. Buying new for $19k with a 6 year/60,000 warranty seemed a better choice to me.

I'm not complaining, I'm doing fine for a 25 year old, but I'm sure not getting rich.

[Merkava_4]

The next time I here somebody tell me how great the tools are all I want to know is how is the salesman?


I've had problems with salesman too, but I just go and get a different salesman; I'm not about to let one asshole in the world prevent me from getting Snap-on tools. The frickin' dealer isn't the guy who founded the company anyway.

[wilbilt]

I don't know how you did it, to be honest. I'm impressed. That's 18k/year at best, and my mortgage would be over $8400/year alone.


It was pretty tough at times, but didn't seem unusual to me. Most of the guys I worked with were in the same situation. You just need to know what the priorities are.

[wilbilt]

I've had problems with salesman too, but I just go and get a different salesman; I'm not about to let one asshole in the world prevent me from getting Snap-on tools. The frickin' dealer isn't the guy who founded the company anyway.

No, he's not the founder. But he does represent the company to it's customers.

If the dealer treats customers poorly, so does the company.

My dealer screwed me, so Snap-On screwed me. Now I say screw them.

[Uncle Buck]

No, he's not the founder. But he does represent the company to it's customers.

If the dealer treats customers poorly, so does the company.

My dealer screwed me, so Snap-On screwed me. Now I say screw them.

Ah yes, the voice of clarity amid all the confusion! Not one, but every one did me that way! Read em from the book Wil! :bounce: