SnapOn - What is all the fuzz about?

[idoitproject]

The pliers 86CF are 35.50 on the website
+ tax
+ import cost/tax
+ profit of the hardware store
----------------------------
At the end I paid 652 pesos, which with the current exchange rate is 56 USD.

In a few weeks I want to start working on the sheetmetal of my Camaro and want to get a set of hammers, dollies, spoons etc...
The SnapOn set 2007BFB online costs $509.35
When I asked for the price in the hardware store, the answer was 9800 pesos, which is currently 835 USD
I mean at the end... Its only hammers and some nicely shaped pieces of steel.

My intention in not to insult anyone or start fights. I just dont get it. There are tools that are of the same quality (probably off the same assembly line) that are cheaper and have the same function.

I don't know but couldn't you just order it in the USA and have it mailed to you in Mexico? If you can't order them off the website, try ordering from one of the forum members that are dealers. Is there a crazy fee also to mail items to Mexico?

I have to say the mark-ups (taxes) are crazy. I would not buy if that's the case.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Finally I bought them just because I didn't want to look bad since he spent 3/4 of an hour looking for the pliers in the back of the store.

Now that I'm shopping for the complete pliers kit, I'm calculating a SnapOn kit would cost me around 400 USD (46ACP, 87CF, 86CF, 57AHLP, 196CF, 96CF). On the other hand Craftsman has 11-piece set of pliers like above for 90USD.
[/B]

Does this mean you like them and want more? I mean you want to pick up the rest of the set....

 

[demographic]

<Dons nomex undercrackers>

Far as I see it, they make some very good gear and some that's fairly unspectacular.

Its got to be said that some people do seem to think than just cos it says Snap On it makes it the best kit in the whole wide world.
That's far too simplistic a view as some manufacturers are great at making one tool but not so good at another. No one manufacturer dominates (quality wise) in all tools, anyone that thinks they can is a bit special.

It's worth noting that German magazine article that I think Monte (think that's his name anyway) posted on the "Tools from the old world" thread which showed some spanners that were considerably cheaper than Snap On equalled and in some cases outperformed them.

Meh, I'm not fussed either way.

 

[Cheeky81]

Does this mean you like them and want more? I mean you want to pick up the rest of the set....

Yes, at the end, I do like the 86CF, but not that much that I would pay 400$ for the set I mentioned.

 

[JeremyManning]

Buy used stuff of ebay, its like buying a new car, once you drive it off the lots its like half the price.

 

[treasureseeker]

I've always liked a good quality tool of any kind. When I came here on the board I heard SnapOn this, SnapOn that... then one day I got curious and went on their website curious and interested in some toolboxes.

I was like this when I saw the prices ->

Ok I thought, it must be some crazy quality stuff. Then one day at work somebody gave me a SnapOn screwdriver. Wow... I felt like I'm holding a dilithium chrystal for the Enterprise... Well, it was only SDD224O. Two days later the tip was bent and pushed back into the handle so it came up on the top of the handle. And the work I did with it was nothing special... my every day Phoenix Contact screwdriver does it daily for months and still looks like the day I got it. Ok, I thought, I overused/abused it and it was just a bad sample.

Then recently I broke my URREA diagonal cutters and I wanted something new, better - so I immediately thought of SnapOn. Found the local dealer and asked for 86CF. He had two pieces in stock. The first piece he showed me had the blades totally misaligned and the second was acceptable. Price? 56 USD Yikes.
Finally I bought them just because I didn't want to look bad since he spent 3/4 of an hour looking for the pliers in the back of the store.

Now that I'm shopping for the complete pliers kit, I'm calculating a SnapOn kit would cost me around 400 USD (46ACP, 87CF, 86CF, 57AHLP, 196CF, 96CF). On the other hand Craftsman has 11-piece set of pliers like above for 90USD.

So, can please somebody explain me what all the fuzz is about SnapOn, because I just don't get it.

I have to wonder with that many flawed tools and sold from a hardware store are these factory seconds. I am making a guess and in no way know what Snap On does with tools that don’t meet their standards for sold off the truck or website.

 

[Superlifted06FX4]

Blue Point is not Snap-on. You cannot buy the "same thing" from Northern or HF.

That's why Blue Point is sold by Snap-On?

 

[shampoop]

That's why Blue Point is sold by Snap-On?

Snapon tools that are labeled "Blue Point" are typically just a rebadged import and are lower quality than those actually labeled "Snapon"

 

[wornoutoldman]

Mexican Snap-on is made by the same people who make Mexican Rolex!

 

[idoitproject]

That's why Blue Point is sold by Snap-On?

I guess you're one of those who owns a lot of Blue Point thinking it's Snap-on?

Blue Point is simply re-badge tools sold by Snap-on. 99% of Blue Point tools can be had for 1/3 of the price under a different brand and it will be the same exact tool with different badging. Snap-on also sells Knipex, does that make them Snap-on?

 

[justanengineer]

Snapon tools that are labeled "Blue Point" are typically just a rebadged import and are lower quality than those actually labeled "Snapon"

SnapOn and Blue Point are both imported these days with very little being made at the factory in Kenosha. Been there, took the tour, was disappointed. I could be wrong, but I believe SnapOn actually went offshore first. I also know a dealer in the U.S. that has a storefront. Unfortunately, its mostly storage for his truck, but large items can be picked up there. I prefer old SnapOn to new as the quality is apples to oranges. My father has tons of NOS SnapOn he bought in the 50s and 60s while starting his professional career that has never been used due to his having a "work" box and a "home" box.

When it comes to buying hand tools I buy used at auctions occasionally when its cheap. Once you have a few of the basics, theres no need to have 10 duplicates, and hand tools typically dont wear out when used properly. I hit at least one auction every weekend and youd never buy new again if I told a few stories of deals Ive gotten. When it comes to crazy specialty tools, Im typically the only bidder/only one who knows what it is, but thats what I normally buy so it works. The one thing I love about SnapOn isnt the quality, but the price when properly sold. A lot of tools are decently high quality, but few command the lunacy SnapOn does. My current engine lathe was paid for entirely by a small box that wouldnt have held my measuring tools.

 

[expatriated]

Nothing wrong with Snap-on. A guy has to start somewhere. Give him a break. It's not like he's buying Craftsman, for goodness sake.

Once he gets a little more money and experience under his belt, he can step up to some Toptul or some German stuff.

 

[leod]

its the brand, they are great tools for sure but the brand alone cost more and it takes a long time to establish it and brand loyalty is what makes people trust them

 

[HandyManny]

Nothing wrong with Snap-on. A guy has to start somewhere. Give him a break. It's not like he's buying Craftsman, for goodness sake.

Once he gets a little more money and experience under his belt, he can step up to some Toptul or some German stuff.

Like I said before, those Turkish immigrants working in those German factories make some great stuff.

 

[nato]

I also feel like posting a stupid pointless message in a worn out thread....
Really.......

 

[William Payne]

I like my snap-on ratchet, I have a pet peeve dislike of sloppy ratchet mechanisms, my snap-on ratchet is not sloppy.

 

[crewchief888]

The pliers 86CF are 35.50 on the website
+ tax
+ import cost/tax
+ profit of the hardware store
----------------------------
At the end I paid 652 pesos, which with the current exchange rate is 56 USD.

In a few weeks I want to start working on the sheetmetal of my Camaro and want to get a set of hammers, dollies, spoons etc...
The SnapOn set 2007BFB online costs $509.35
When I asked for the price in the hardware store, the answer was 9800 pesos, which is currently 835 USD .

+ tax
+ import cost/tax
+ profit of the hardware store

we all pay tax
import taxes ? take that up with the gvt.
the middle man just got his cut

 

[billymade]

If your looking for a high quality body shop tool set made in USA; check out, Martin Tools... possibly the OEM for Snap-On anyway...

http://www.google.com/search?client...77&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2c1304d622775efd

http://www.martinsprocket.com/tools.htm

 

[Ohio Auto]

I've got a KRL1000 absolutely filled with Snap On hand tools. Bought them in the late eighties - early nineties. They have served me well and I couldn't imagine myself using anything other. Now..if I was starting over again, not confident I would/could lay out that kind of money.

 

[diesel research]

+ tax
+ import cost/tax
+ profit of the hardware store

we all pay tax
import taxes ? take that up with the gvt.
the middle man just got his cut

Sales tax is NOT set in stone on cash in full payments on the snap on truck. As a matter of fact, it's quite likely tax gets "knocked off" or maybe even a deal gets cut.

Not to mention your snap on man no longer has to pay protection fees to keep his business, like you may have found in 1930s US history with the mob.

 

[caseyjw]

Phoenix Contact does not make tools. You probably have a rebranded Wera... also their Crimpers are made by Pressmaster (which you can buy branded as Excelite or T&B for about 20% the cost of PC ones) Also some are made by Knipex. Lots of Snap On tools are rebranded, and can be bought for much cheaper. (Bahco, Irega, Knipex, etc)