This.
I always cringe at posts like these where someone asks what's this box / collection of tools worth?
The answer is what someone is willing to show up with cash to hand you in exchange for it.
Like you said, nobody seems to be coming around with that kind of money for toolboxes. I'd bet even selling a car over ~$5,000 would yield similar results. Tax time like we talked about!
Not according to what I read here, guys that apparently like tools drive the best w/no payments and also have no mortgage...
Exactly
Where does one find a decent car for that kind of money these days, without it needing $5K in repairs in the next 3 months?..
Always seems to be a disconnect between buyers and sellers, or at least a disconnect in expectations.
I'm a cash buyer for toolboxes with tools, it's an interesting thing I've taken on since I retired to give me something to do. I'll cash out any amount if it pencils out in value and is high quality. But, it has to be priced realistically, and within about 1000 miles of me; which covers most of Arizona, Nevada, California, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington.
However, the disconnect comes on price. here's a typical one from Boise:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/845376713982315
When I look through his pictures, it's an accumulation of 30 year old, worn out tools missing pieces. And, filled in with cheaper tools. Most of the cased sets sell for 25% of their new cost or less. The tools shown are worn, incomplete and will maybe bring 30% of new. When I count up, don't come up anywhere new $71,000 replacement cost, think you could replace most of what is actually there (not missing or broken) for $35,000. With the tool boxes, it would be starting to be in range at $20,000. Maybe. I'd have to inventory well to see if it adds up to that.
It's like the lawnmower example a poster had earlier. Who in their right mind will pay 1/2 price for a mower that's 20 years old? You're much better to search for a good deal on a new or newer one, that you have some assurance you can get parts for, and that won't have leaking seals, brittle plastic, rotted rubber etc. Same with this toolbox. It's 22 years old. The tools are older than that, in some cases, and worn, broken, incomplete and obsolete. Why would you pay 1/2 of replacement cost for them, instead of targeting new, unworn, complete sets targeted to what you need?
At the same time, to address the vehicle question: I have a 22 year old 3/4 ton extended cab pickup, 4x4, heavy duty, clean and perfect running, 130,000 miles, one owner, good to excellent condition that I would gladly sell for $6000. Needs nothing, and won't for many miles. Absolutely no interest in it. I still daily drive it, use it to haul loads and pull the trailer to save wear on my new truck. I'd drive it 1000 miles to pick up a tool box tomorrow if needed. I've had one teenager that tried to even trade his running junkpile of a dodge car with 4 mismatched wheels, peeling paint and smoke filled interior for it, as well as someone with a subaru ricer car that wanted to trade me with me kicking in $9000 to cover his "improvements". I wouldn't have allowed $2000 for his in trade, as I think that's the maximum I could sell it for cash.
So, yes there's a disconnect somehow between buyers and sellers. I'm both, and not easy to connect either way. I have cash and can't find many realistic sellers; and have something to sell that (at least to me) has value, and no buyers with money.
OP, around here that box would sell for $4000 or so, and take weeks or months for someone to come up with the money. I'd think you'd get similar money from the Snap-on guy eventually on a commissioned sale, without having to deal with the hassles of selling it yourself.
