Craftsman tool box

[Darrin88]

Hello everyone..I got a call today from a friend who wants to sell her husbands tools. He had a bad accident and left us way to early. I have no idea what to offer since I collect antique tools and have never really had a tool chest. I just put everything in wood crates. She also has a few used compressors. Any info on offers would be great because she could use the cash

 

[Rixter58]

There is no quicker route to hurt feelings then the old "make me an offer" game, especially with a widow. If some has bent her ear with an inflated value and you come up offering half of that, you will be accused of trying to take advantage of her even though your offer have been fair or even more than fair. I buy and sell a lot of stuff, and over the years a have learned be be VERY careful of deals I make with widows and older folks. I tell them to come up with a "take it or leave it" price for me and hats just what I do....take it or leave it. If their price is too high, I just say "I'm sure it is worth that to someone, I just cant pay that."

 

[Johnnie]

I'd recommend doing some research and let her know what the specific items are worth. At that point you can offer her fair market value and anything you choose not to buy, tell her you can help her sell them on here. I'm sure she'd appreciate that.

 

[Darrin88]

Rixter thanks for the info. I think you make a great point and I know someone that would bend her ear no matter what I offer. You know what I'm going to ask her what she is thinking and than throw her what I was thinking back. I have some thinking to do.

 

[mdbeck1]

Some of that stuff looks pretty new. You should be able to put the model number in Google or Yahoo search and find a place that has one similar for sale. Be aware that they won't bring the same price as new and location will change the price some.

Where is the stuff located at (state would be fine)?

 

[robertgreen79]

I might be willing to grab one of those compressors!

 

[Lhorn]

I'd stay way unless she really doesn't care about full value and is interesting in getting rid of the items and a little money to boot.

As a friend you might want to let her know the true used market value of the items so she doesn't waste her time trying to get too much or get taken advantage of by someone who low balls her and convinces her he's doing her a favor.

 

[Darrin88]

Did I mention the tool box is full of craftsman and snap on ratchets wrenches and sockets...I'm going to do a bit a research and offer her 50 cents on the dollar to buy it all and keep the few things I want and than sell the other stuff off as I find buyers or have time. Does that sound fair. I mean the market seems kinda flooded with tools right now and she could use the cash.

 

[mad57]

poor guy

 

[Buckgnarly]

My wife knows two friends that either get my tools or sell them for her in a tragic case like this. It is a very slippery slope for you....

 

[toytech40]

Tough situation being a friend and all, I say the best woukld to be open as possible, and let her know new versus used prices and fair market value, and if helping her sell them for the best price and not owning any is the best to not cause haed feelings then so be it.

I take it there is no relation wanting items? This too can cause hard feelings. i know when my wifes brother was killed (before I met her). His wifes family had a garage sale 2 weeks after the accident while she was still in the hospital recovering from the same accident, and sold all his tools/guns/personal items without telling my wifes family. My wifes brothers were all close and had hunted and did projects together so had memories tied to items, and would have paid for items to help her out. It caused alot of bad feelings.

Good luck, and proceed slowly and gently.

 

[Darrin88]

Thanks for all the great advice and info. It's nice to get info from people who have already been through these situations. What a great site for so many different things.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

If we were really close, I would help her in my spare time,posting the items to CL, a few at a time..She probably could use the money...Just my two cents..

 

[thrifty bill]

+1 Unless you need the stuff, if it is a close friend, offer to sell the stuff for her on C/L. Let her agree on the pricing.

 

[dodge610]

If you decide to help her out i might be interested in the big vise but have no idea what its worth but as the others mentioned do not want the widow thinking that i am taking advantage hopefully she might know where some reciepts are to help you out good luck.

 

[NCCheesehead]

I'd be very interested in the snap on enblem that is sitting on top out the electrical outlet in the vise picture. VERY INTERESTED!!!! Let me know and I'll send here a postal money order or paypal.

Thanks
Mike

 

[quick60]

She should get someone who does estate sales. They research and put prices on the items and then they get a percentage of that.

 

[Tom2]

+1 Unless you need the stuff, if it is a close friend, offer to sell the stuff for her on C/L. Let her agree on the pricing.

I agree with this. And I'd offer to be there when the buyers come by to look at them. So you can fight off the lowballers that see an easy situation to talk someone down.

That green compressor is probably a good one.. Looks like a 7 horse? Probably close to 20cfm? If so, it should fetch somewhere in the upper hundreds.

The blue CH one is not as desirable. Probably $2-$300.. Just my guess.

I don't think the tool box has any significant value.. Maybe $200 tops.. Again, just my guess. Depends somewhat on your part of the country.

But if you're seriously interested in some of the stuff and need it..I wouldn't be too afraid to buy it. Obviously you don't sound like a guy that's going to take advantage of the situation. Research the value..If you want it and can afford, and she agrees..Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd offer half of new. If that wasn't enough, offer to be there when somebody comes and looks at it, like said above.

You might be able to offer her some pricing as what to sell it for or what the low offer should be.

 

[SGKent]

used tools are not all that easy to sell as a batch. Someone older either will want them to make a profit on or will only want select pieces. Someone young starting out is who needs them but they lack the discipline to know how to care for tools as well as an understanding of what is there AND, even if they do know the value they lack the coin to buy it. I have maybe $15,000+ of tools at retail which is nothing compared to many here, but when I go I'll bet $1000 is the most they'll bring unless my nephew wants them or they are sold piece by piece - which may take years. Maybe the Chinese will come over and make an offer........

 

[Keep]

Make a list of the stuff that is there, bring it here and start searching the classifieds. That will give you an idea of what they are selling for.

You can usually see pretty quick if something is over priced as it will sit for a while.

Then post up whats for sale and get ready to start shipping things!

 

[Scott P]

I'm with the folks that feel you should help her sell off the stuff you don't want and make a fair offer on the stuff that you do want. Tools are pretty much always in demand, espcially if you clean them up and give them a fair price.