How bad is the toolbox market for a seller right now?

[matt H]

This is not a for sale thread!!

Ive been trying to sell my matco toolbox for a while now, and i just havent gotten any bites. I feel like my price is more than reasonable for what it is. 56" 4225R 2-bay in Flat black and its been in the garage ever since i bought it last year. Ive had it on craigslist locally for 1600 and i havent had any luck. I finally put it on the bay at a stupid low price because i need it gone in the next month.

Has everyone else trying to sell a box been having bad luck too? I feel like im giving away the box at my price especially since it retails for 4400( i know i would never get close to that price back).

guess im just ranting, but im also scratching my head at the same time haha

 

[Boiler]

"it retails for 4400"

Do people get those at a discount beyond that?

Where I live, CL is crammed with Snap-On, MAC, & Matco boxes, and the 2 bays are pretty common. I see lots of them listed for 2-4000, and plenty for 1000-1500 too. My guess is you may get down to a grand on CL or you're going to have to find the right person. Sad but true.

I saw a top and bottom orange, black, and chrome harley edition that was about this width go for $2100 at auction, and it would have never gone that high had it not been for a phone bidder.

CL & auctions are bargain sales places. Personally I think retail for a newer box in great condition is about 50% of what a guy paid for it. And to get retail on CL is very tough.

 

[chewy7]

dont buy the box in the first place

 

[matt H]

ahh gotcha, makes sense i guess. i got a slight deal on it because of the size of my order, but i paid like 3600 for it. sounds like ill be lucky to get 40% of what i paid for it.

 

[matt H]

dont buy the box in the first place

kinda late for that dont you think?...things have changed alot in the short year and now i have no need for it..

 

[Hiball]

ITS Awfull Right Now.. I was at a sale last week and seen this 12K+ box bring $2200. It was a bad day for the Seller, Most of his Stuff brought well below what it was worth.

Lol at the guy walking in front while i was taking a picture.

 

[Borrego]

Who has that kind of cash laying around? I'm in the L.A. area and see 2 and 3 bays all the time within an hour or so drive. With the amount of selection and availability of dozens to choose from, buyers can be very picky and pretty much name their price until they find a motivated seller.
On a similar note, I have had an 8 drawer Craftsman machinist chest in average condition, listed off and on CL the last few months at $45, very little interest in it. Not even low ball offers......
I did sell a repainted older Craftsman 2 piece rollaway, in addition to a 2 piece Remline rollaway. Remline was $80, while the Craftsman was nearly double that price. Also had an older Snap On 5 drawer top box in average condition sell, but it was well priced to begin with.
Tool boxes are selling, but price and brand seem to be important to buyers....

 

[back2class]

You will have a hard time getting more than $1500. I turned down a mint yellow one of those full of tools last year. Most were ****, but still could have re-sold the tools for $300 or so. I could have made a few $$, but knew I would be sitting on it for a while to get $1500 for the box alone on re-sell.
The reality is tool box sellers (tooltruck) prey on suckers who never check the used market or are hung up on "new". Most often though, people with no cash are the real driving force behine new overpriced boxes, so they finance new ones. Why else would anyone spend many thousands for the same box that can be purchased in essentaily new shape for 1/5 the price with almost no effort. The ez finance scheme is a major reason why the new box prices are so overinflated as it is.

Sad to say you are looking at around $1200 for an easy sale. A few hundred more if you can be patient and if you are lucky, you may get 2k if a buyer is ready and really wanting that box.

 

[archirelic]

Just looked up your ad on ebay, and if it was me, I'd get rid of the personal info pertaining to the soon-to-be birth of your daughter. Nothing wrong with putting that in there, but I'm always turned off by those types of listings, I'm looking for a product, not a story.

p.s. don't take anything personal, I'm not judging you or what-not, just telling you what makes some buyers shy away from some ads.

 

[matt H]

Just looked up your ad on ebay, and if it was me, I'd get rid of the personal info pertaining to the soon-to-be birth of your daughter. Nothing wrong with putting that in there, but I'm always turned off by those types of listings, I'm looking for a product, not a story.

p.s. don't take anything personal, I'm not judging you or what-not, just telling you what makes some buyers shy away from some ads.

ya i took that out and shortened the ad, ive been having alot of people asking me why im selling it so i just threw it in..plus i tend to ramble with beers in me..no offense taken.

might have to lower the price in a week if i dont get any interest then.

 

[Roots]

You will have a hard time getting more than $1500.
Sad to say you are looking at around $1200 for an easy sale. A few hundred more if you can be patient and if you are lucky, you may get 2k if a buyer is ready and really wanting that box.

I think that's a very accurate estimate of it's value versus ease of selling on Craigslist.

FWIW, I have that same model box and was more than willing to pay $1500-1600 on Craigslist when I was looking for one. Additionally, one must remember that box is the largest box available to Matco Tech Ed students, so I'd presume that most people didn't pay more than $2000 for the box new. There will always be a community college kid desperate to get their money out of one of them.

 

[kxxr]

dont buy the box in the first place

being able to reach into your brain for an idea pertinent to the topic would be a power trip. You should try it. Those of us that have not yet bought boxes are sure thanking you, but I don't see how it helps matt H.

 

[chewy7]

i just hate to see people buying overly expensive tool boxes that cant really afford them. all in all, they just sit there to hold tools nothing else

 

[thrifty bill]

+1 Getting market value or close out of C/L is difficult. Most stuff sells lower. With ebay, you have the whole shipping problem, which makes it even more difficult to get a good price.

I would discount it, put full sized pics in your C/L ad, and see if it goes.

Tools definitely do a better job bringing a decent price than tool boxes.


It's a great market if you are BUYING a box, lousy if you are selling. Hopefully those considering a new box will think used and save a lot of cash.

 

[pacsguy]

Too bad, you don't live closer to western NY! I'd buy it for 1200 if it was local.

Not finding any great deals in my area... except for that great deal I missed out on last week.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/search/tls?query=tool+box&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

 

[bgott]

Has everyone else trying to sell a box been having bad luck too? I feel like im giving away the box at my price especially since it retails for 4400( i know i would never get close to that price back).

I have no concrete information on the mark-up of tool boxes, but, from the stupid money I've seen given for trade-ins, I imagine that the list price is just a starting point, like the sticker price on new cars. Just because you might have given $4400 doesn't mean that the next guy with cash and negotiating experience will have to give near that much. Or that it is worth near that much the minute after it rolls off of the truck.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

I think its a bad time to sell coupled with the fact that you can get new boxes from dealers pretty easily for no money down.

Im thinking of upgrading to a SO triple krl and for me to to try and sell my box then use the money to score one on CL or Ebay for thousands less would seem like a pain compared to trading up plus financing a few k

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I bought the same box you're selling (though in yellow) in very nice condition on the local Craigslist for $800. I think about $1,000-$1,200 is where you'll need to sell to get a reasonably quick sale.

I also bought a nice KRL-1003 for $1,500. It's definitely a buyers market!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

People do not have money for "Toy's" anymore,With this economy people are struggling to put Gas in the tank and Food on the table.You can't eat a toolbox or drive it to work so it is on the bottom of peoples lists at the moment,And things are only getting worse

 

[paullie]

I think its a bad time to sell coupled with the fact that you can get new boxes from dealers pretty easily for no money down.
Im thinking of upgrading to a SO triple krl and for me to to try and sell my box then use the money to score one on CL or Ebay for thousands less would seem like a pain compared to trading up plus financing a few k

here is the problem, if you can't pay cash for a freakin tool box then you CAN'T afford it, what in the hell is wrong with people who have a freakin tool box payment, and don't give me that **** needing for my job

 

[tankboy_taylor]

here is the problem, if you can't pay cash for a freakin tool box then you CAN'T afford it, what in the hell is wrong with people who have a freakin tool box payment, and don't give me that **** needing for my job

I understand to alot of people buyng an expensive box makes no sense and a cheap one does the same function but alot of guys who do this for a living actaully like what they do and take a certain amount of pride with their equipment.

even if you leave the current place you work the box and the tools go with you almost like a reflection of you.

Of course if I didnt make a somewhat decent living then yea paying for an expensive box is ridiculous but when you have to spend 10+ hours a day using stuff that you own it makes sense to buy the best you can afford.

 

[balane]

Might want to edit this out;

Color: Sapphire Blue with Chrome Handles.

I live near you. Would love to have your box, I've actually looked at your posting before and considered it. It's a beautiful box at a great price. But I just have more pressing things to spend our money on right now.

Good luck with it, I hope you can move it.

 

[bad94sup]

Too bad, you don't live closer to western NY! I'd buy it for 1200 if it was local.

Not finding any great deals in my area... except for that great deal I missed out on last week.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/search/tls?query=tool+box&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

X2 if you were in my area I'd take a hard look. Good luck with what sounds like a very nice box.

Andrew

 

[matt H]

i just hate to see people buying overly expensive tool boxes that cant really afford them. all in all, they just sit there to hold tools nothing else

ive never said i couldnt afford the box, i simply asked if the market was as bad as i thought. Im just looking to get back as much money as reasonably possible. life priorities change and i have no need for a really nice set of tools at the moment, just trying to recoup some of the money back that ive invested in this.

thanks for coming to your quick and untrue conclusion though..


thanks for your honest opinions on the value guys, its given me a better idea as to what to price the box at. may have to lower the price even more to get it sold soon haha. wish freight shipping wasnt so damn expensive!

 

[GoBlue]

I need a box and would pay freight...pm me and let's get it done

 

[Chadro]

here is the problem, if you can't pay cash for a freakin tool box then you CAN'T afford it, what in the hell is wrong with people who have a freakin tool box payment, and don't give me that **** needing for my job

How many techs do you know that have thousands sitting around for a toolbox?


Maybe Snappy, Mac, Matco and Cornwell need to stop charging $10,000 for a box that probably cost them $500 to build.

 

[crewchief888]

maybe it's just me, but i bought all my tools and toolboxes thinking ahead for the long run.

ive been pulling wrenches on const eq for over 25 years, after the 1st year or so, i decided this is what i'm gonna be doing for the rest of my life, i can count on 1 hand the tools/boxes/equipment ive sold over the years.

if i sell off tools or boxes, they will probably never be replaced.
i wont make that kind of "investment" again.

sorry you have to get rid of your box.

 

[t100]

paid $1500 for a 64" last year:

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

trade it in on an even BIGGER BOX

didn't buy my box to sell , I would give it away first

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the vulture and YOU **** market are a big deal around here
well heeled yuppies keeping their ratchet collection and detailing supplies in nicer rigs than you see master techs working out of at the local shops

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I understand to alot of people buyng an expensive box makes no sense and a cheap one does the same function but alot of guys who do this for a living actaully like what they do and take a certain amount of pride with their equipment.

even if you leave the current place you work the box and the tools go with you almost like a reflection of you.

Of course if I didnt make a somewhat decent living then yea paying for an expensive box is ridiculous but when you have to spend 10+ hours a day using stuff that you own it makes sense to buy the best you can afford.

moose caved in a not so low priced kra snap on
cheap boxes are useless

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

ive never said i couldnt afford the box, i simply asked if the market was as bad as i thought. Im just looking to get back as much money as reasonably possible. life priorities change and i have no need for a really nice set of tools at the moment, just trying to recoup some of the money back that ive invested in this.

Need to change your thinking right there. You don't "invest" money in a toolbox, you SPEND money on a toolbox. If it is SPENT, it is GONE, invested money one expects a return on.

 

[speed bump]

How many techs do you know that have thousands sitting around for a toolbox?


Maybe Snappy, Mac, Matco and Cornwell need to stop charging $10,000 for a box that probably cost them $500 to build.

You have never looked at what sheet metal costs to fabricate have you? Hell in that $10,000 toolbox there is about $500 in casters alone and at least $500 in drawer slides. Hell my 41" HF tool box cost $599 at standard price and it has ****** casters, slides, and finish.

Also "assuming" it only cost $500 to make if people are buying them at $10k why charge less?

 

[tankboy_taylor]

you get what you pay for as a rule of thumb quality tool boxes might be over priced but are built to last for long after the original purchaser retires.

 

[Carl B]

Need to change your thinking right there. You don't "invest" money in a toolbox, you SPEND money on a toolbox. If it is SPENT, it is GONE, invested money one expects a return on.

I guess that depends on your personal perspective.

A professional mechanic for example can depreciate his "Capital Investment" in professional tools. In effect recouping a major part of that money via tax returns. Working in Flat Rate Shops - Time is Money. A capital investment in tools that increase your efficiency will result in more money per job or per hour... that is the "return" on "investment".

Sell that tool box and tools after they have been fully depreciated and add the increased income they most likely generated - and chances are you haven't really lost a lot of money, if any at all.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[rsanter]

your price is too high
no insult but the fact that the it hasent sold says that its too high

I paid $700 for a mac tach1000 and that retails for just over $4000

bob

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I guess that depends on your personal perspective.

A professional mechanic for example can depreciate his "Capital Investment" in professional tools. In effect recouping a major part of that money via tax returns. Working in Flat Rate Shops - Time is Money. A capital investment in tools that increase your efficiency will result in more money per job or per hour... that is the "return" on "investment".

Sell that tool box and tools after they have been fully depreciated and add the increased income they most likely generated - and chances are you haven't really lost a lot of money, if any at all.

FWIW,
Carl B.

Tools are in NO WAY the same thing as storage. A tax deduction is not the same thing as cash in hand. I could take the cash I have and go buy a box, I can't take a deduction to go buy one.

 

[paullie]

I understand to alot of people buyng an expensive box makes no sense and a cheap one does the same function but alot of guys who do this for a living actaully like what they do and take a certain amount of pride with their equipment.

even if you leave the current place you work the box and the tools go with you almost like a reflection of you.

Of course if I didnt make a somewhat decent living then yea paying for an expensive box is ridiculous but when you have to spend 10+ hours a day using stuff that you own it makes sense to buy the best you can afford.

this is the key word, i'm all for a big cool tool box, but what i said was that having a tool box payment is just plain *** silly

 

[tankboy_taylor]

this is the key word, i'm all for a big cool tool box, but what i said was that having a tool box payment is just plain *** silly

anyone I know who can afford a top notch box isnt paying cash for it who the hell is gonna part wiith thousands for a box thats why there is financing. either your real well off that you can pay cash or dont understand what the pro boxes go for.

besides if you make your living as a mechanic that toolbox is a nice big tax deduction.

 

[j.c.whitney]

If one were to search the archives, many nice clean newer toolboxes are changing hands for 30% or less of new price. Guess that is the new reality.