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edcantu9

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Mar 2, 2013
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Southeastern Iowa
First Snap-on tool!!!

UPDATE: I do not take this tool seriously. It was meant as a joke. It is not any better than the free Harbor Freight ones. I do not own any other Snap-On tools. I got this free with some promotional points from Kmart. I have listed it on Craigslist for $10. I am hoping some sucker sees the name and wants it for his shiny Snap-On collection.

 
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Jack Olsen

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I'm sure you know it already, but that's a Snap-On licensed product, which means you won't find it on a Snap-On truck and it's not warrantied in the same way. Oh, and it's made in China.

It might be a decent tape measure. They also have an aluminum-bodied one. But why Snap-On is doing this with pieces manufactured by other companies and sold through ordinary retailers is beyond me. I can't see how it does anything but diminish the value of the Snap-On name.
 
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Vegaman_Dan

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Jun 1, 2012
Messages
2,453
Location
Pacific, WA
tooljunkie4 said:
That tape measure has a lifetime warranty. Sold at the Home Depot. Should it be necessary,finding a replacement should not be difficult.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Snap-on-25-ft-Tape-Measure-870569/203124193#.UlRyntJvMgs
Click to expand...

Except that the box stores tend to run in three year product cycles before they drop a tool brand entirely in favor of something else. Your warranty suddenly becomes much harder to get covered as you have to pay to ship your broken tool off to be replaced at your expense.
 
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HMCFab9

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Jan 22, 2013
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Location
Fox valley area, Wisconsin
I've seen the Snap-on name on a lot of stuff lately.
Pressure washers was the last thing I saw.
(at a place that would Never normally carry any snap-on tool)
Seems like snap-on is "whoring out" the name lately, like jack said.
 
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schmelpboy

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Jun 24, 2012
Messages
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HMCFab9 said:
I've seen the Snap-on name on a lot of stuff lately.
Pressure washers was the last thing I saw.
(at a place that would Never normally carry any snap-on tool)
Seems like snap-on is "whoring out" the name lately, like jack said.
Click to expand...

Yeah....Menards has a pressure wash with the SO name on it...Costco and Sams Club have all kinds of SO licensed products...I saw a guy here on the local CL selling "SO" stools (the ones that Sams Club had for 19.99) as "Real SO" stools at 50 bucks a pop....in the pic he had a dozen or so stacked up around him.
 
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Jack Olsen

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It's just crazy.

Corporate Statement:

"Snap-on products and services compete in the premium segment of their respective categories. As the overwhelming choice of professionals, our customers have high expectations and are willing to pay more for products that deliver higher value."

And then they put their name on something like this (made in China, of course) for $19.95 at Ace Hardware:

ztys.jpg
 
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jd_1138

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May 8, 2013
Messages
17,073
Location
NE Ohio
Yeah I don't see the point in SO doing this. They can't be making much money, if any, on this rubbish. Plus it does diminish their brand value. If they made this stuff in the USA and of higher quality, they could charge more for it and not diminish their brand value.

I joined the SO club about 10 years ago when my father came to visit and left me his spare/travelling box before he left to go back to Arizona. Thanks dad. :) Lots of SO, Mac, and Matco in there. He did a few transmission rebuilds with the tools before he flipped the keys to the box to me. I wasn't much into tools back then and sold off some of it. :(
 
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MackMan

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Jul 25, 2012
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648
Location
Lexington, NC
I don't really see the harm in these branded products.

If nothing else they help raise the awareness of a niche brand. I have that set with the knife and flashlight, though mine came with a metal gift box. I have no idea where the knife is anymore, but the flashlight is very handy, and I've used that metal gift box plenty.

They give an opportunity for a non-tool-nut to buy a gift for a Snap-On enthusiast...
 
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ovilla

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Dec 18, 2005
Messages
2,342
Location
Plainfield, IL
Are the Snap-on socks only sold on the truck? I've heard about them but have never seen them. I hear they stay white all day and never get sweaty or dirty.
 
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nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
Messages
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Location
Dallas
schmelpboy said:
Sorry, you're still part of the Harbor Freight Chinese tools family :)
Click to expand...

Snap On was the top snake oil prior to the information age but the internet is changing that quickly. Don't be too **** hurt when they start selling FL80's at Sam's...:willy_nil :lol:
 
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d.mcfarland

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Western PA
Let's not forget they are a business and their goal is revenue. Good decision or not, they are obviously selling it...
 
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T-Mac

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Feb 5, 2013
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395
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s.w Pa.
Not really in the "exclusive club"until your tool bill tops $10 grand.Made the club about 15 years ago-Owe$0 now
 
L

LandR

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Jul 25, 2013
Messages
146
Congratulations. You own one more snap-on product than I do. Make sure to keep it polished and don't use it - that gets you more cred on here.

-Sam
 
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LX-Markham

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Apr 27, 2013
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Markham, Ont.
Zrexxer said:
Wow, the guy came here proud of what he got and the first thing all y'all do is kick him right in the nads.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the interwebs :D

But I agree, I don't like the idea of slapping a brand name on a import product and in essence fooling the consumer. Not saying SO can't put their name on stuff, just call it something different, like Snap-on Lite.

Had to be careful when buying my welder. Canadian Tire here sells a similar Lincoln welder. Lincoln made, but with a chinese transformer.
Paid a bit more, but bought the real mckoy from a welding supply store.
 
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RogueFab

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Jack Olsen

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cburnscrx said:
Let's remember Snap On has shareholders, and shareholders like money. That should answer any and all questions.

http://www1.snapon.com/corporate/investorinformationmain.nws
Click to expand...

But that's just it. The brand of Snap-On has huge value. And it has that because it occupies such a specific space in the larger tool market. Snap-On is really more of a service than a product, since what mechanics are paying for is the fact that the truck comes to them, regularly, so that buying and getting service for their Snap-On tools is MUCH more time-effective than if they had to punch out of work and drive to a tool store every time they needed something.

That emphasis on bringing the tools to the customers, and the reputation of the tools for their quality, is part of what makes Snap-On distinct in the minds of their customers (even the ones who aren't professional technicians) -- and is probably worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the overall value, and therefore the shareholders, of the company.

Selling tools through Ace Hardware stores in a fashion that is completely outside of the Snap-On business model -- especially when those items are Chinese-manufactured -- is just crazy in terms of the degree to which it's going to reduce the value of Snap-On as a brand. It certainly doesn't increase consumer awareness of Snap-On as a company that brings its tools to its professional customers and sells them tools that can easily be exchanged if they fail, which is unlikely since they are extremely well-made tools. Selling Chinese-made stuff through Ace Hardware works directly against that, and as a shareholder I'd be concerned that the diminution of the brand's overall value would be much more costly than the money coming in for inexpensive shop lights, flashlights and tape measures.

If I were a board member or a shareholder, I'd be furious.
 
Z

Zeke

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Aug 13, 2009
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Location
Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Jack Olsen said:
But that's just it. The brand of Snap-On has huge value. And it has that because it occupies such a specific space in the larger tool market. Snap-On is really more of a service than a product, since what mechanics are paying for is the fact that the truck comes to them, regularly, so that buying and getting service for their Snap-On tools is MUCH more time-effective than if they had to punch out of work and drive to a tool store every time they needed something.

That emphasis on bringing the tools to the customers, and the reputation of the tools for their quality, is part of what makes Snap-On distinct in the minds of their customers (even the ones who aren't professional technicians) -- and is probably worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the overall value, and therefore the shareholders, of the company.

Selling tools through Ace Hardware stores in a fashion that is completely outside of the Snap-On business model -- especially when those items are Chinese-manufactured -- is just crazy in terms of the degree to which it's going to reduce the value of Snap-On as a brand. It certainly doesn't increase consumer awareness of Snap-On as a company that brings its tools to its professional customers and sells them tools that can easily be exchanged if they fail, which is unlikely since they are extremely well-made tools. Selling Chinese-made stuff through Ace Hardware works directly against that, and as a shareholder I'd be concerned that the diminution of the brand's overall value would be much more costly than the money coming in for inexpensive shop lights, flashlights and tape measures.

If I were a board member or a shareholder, I'd be furious.
Click to expand...
I think it's the stuff they teach in business school nowadays. It's not anymore about brand legacy, it's about brand diversification. Seems like a lot of the shareholders are the ones that would like to see the company sell so they can walk away with retirement money.

I was walking through the Christmas display at Costco when I came to the toy section. There was a complete kit of play power tools made by or to look exactly like miniature Bosch tools. I think I can see where they are going with that. Maybe the tape measure is from the same form of thinking.

There surely was no quality or value in that box of toy Bosch items. I wouldn't want my brand made a mockery of so I see your thoughts.
 
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edcantu9

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Mar 2, 2013
Messages
607
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Southeastern Iowa
jfish said:
wait, did everyone really take this too seriously and miss the joke?

I think the tape measure branded "Snap On" was the punchline edcantu intended.
Click to expand...

jfish, you are the only one that got it. It's a joke. I got this free from Kmart with points. I do not think it is any better in quality than the free ones from Harbor Freight.

I also listed it on craigslist.com for $10. Hoping some sucker sees the name and wants it for his shiny Snap-On collection.
 
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cburnscrx

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Jack Olsen said:
...and as a shareholder I'd be concerned that the diminution of the brand's overall value would be much more costly than the money coming in for inexpensive shop lights, flashlights and tape measures.

If I were a board member or a shareholder, I'd be furious.
Click to expand...

I think you get it, so this isn't directed at you.

When you license your brand you have little to no expense all the while increasing revenues and therefore driving up stock prices. Those quarterly reports look better when there's a larger income each month.

I'll use Ford stock as an example. I bought it when it was worth basically nothing, and there was concern that they might declare bankruptcy. It was a gamble I took. It's paid off so far, and as soon as it hits a selling point I like and have set, it's gone. Do I really care about the long term viability of Ford? Nope, couldn't care less. If licensing Ford's name to Yugo gets me to my selling mark, do it. There's so much more to it than what I have said, but in very simplistic terms, that's the gist of it.

That is the problem with investors in many instances and the way the game is set up. And make no mistake about it, it's a game. Long term sustained success isn't the goal, and in many cases it's a negative. :dunno:
 
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edcantu9

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jfish

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Tacoma WA
i remember shaking my head at Costco about a year ago when I first saw the Snap-On ratchet straps for sale.

It is what it is, but I LOL'ed like crazy when the pic loaded.
 
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ptschram

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The intent is to build loyalty at the household level.

And Duckface-given the stock price right now, I don't think solvency is an issue for Snap-On.
 
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Zrexxer

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edcantu9 said:
I also listed it on craigslist.com for $10. Hoping some sucker sees the name and wants it for his shiny Snap-On collection.
Click to expand...
I never get rid of tape measures. They usually disappear on their own - usually right between the time I laid it down and the next time I need it 30 seconds later...:lol:
 
L

LandR

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Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
146
cburnscrx said:
I think you get it, so this isn't directed at you.

When you license your brand you have little to no expense all the while increasing revenues and therefore driving up stock prices. Those quarterly reports look better when there's a larger income each month.

I'll use Ford stock as an example. I bought it when it was worth basically nothing, and there was concern that they might declare bankruptcy. It was a gamble I took. It's paid off so far, and as soon as it hits a selling point I like and have set, it's gone. Do I really care about the long term viability of Ford? Nope, couldn't care less. If licensing Ford's name to Yugo gets me to my selling mark, do it. There's so much more to it than what I have said, but in very simplistic terms, that's the gist of it.

That is the problem with investors in many instances and the way the game is set up. And make no mistake about it, it's a game. Long term sustained success isn't the goal, and in many cases it's a negative. :dunno:
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with both you and Jack.

First, the sample size that is represented on this board is in no way indicative of the overall US market. As such the average tool user does not know the difference between Snapon, Stanley, Plvmb, Proto or Crafstman.

Our neighbor went out and bought a bunch of kobalt tools(>$4k) this past weekend because he thought that was high end. Our other neighbors were equally impressed.

If you sell a high end product that has a near lifetime guarantee, the only way to increase your market share is to attract new customers. Snapon and the other truck companies have not done the best job of this. People nowadays buy tools from Costco, Lowes, Home Depot, harborfreight. Go to the sears 10K and see what % of sales comes from tools and you will see it is exponentially decreasing over the last 25 years.

If you don't adapt you die. Borders said that nobody will buy books online and that paper is the only media forward - what happened to them?

Ultimately the % of people that need a "true" snapon or proto tool is very very small relative to the overall population. If you cant expand your target market, you are setting yourself up for failure.

In the eyes of Snapon's marketing department, they have now reached a larger market that knows of the Snapon brand. Brand awareness is important and it may lead to cross-selling. Those folks that had never heard of snapon before weren't ever going to buy the expensive tools. At least this way they may buy some snapon branded products. These lower end products wont cannabilize sales from the higher end units as the target markets are different and distinct.

There's a reason mercedes sells a boatload of smart cars and a boatload of S-class cars.

-Sam
 
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LandR

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Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
146
ptschram said:
The intent is to build loyalty at the household level.

And Duckface-given the stock price right now, I don't think solvency is an issue for Snap-On.
Click to expand...

Solvency has nothing to do with stock price. Stock price is purely based on the anticipated future returns of a company. Companies that are not profitable and have liquidity concerns often ahve over inflated stock prices.

BTW : good to see you on this board, first person i've seen from expo or the rover boards on here.

-Sam
 
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ratdoggy

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Location
Akron-Canton area OH
RogueFab said:
Haha

I don't like seeing the snap on name all over imported junk at costco either, but I know what I am getting into. If it doesn't say "made in the USA", it wasn't. Just make sure you pay the right price.

I have a feeling this will be a long thread :willy_nil
Click to expand...

I don't see Rolls Royce putting their name on junk. High end goods are high end for a reason. The consumer expects (and pays for) what the "name" represents. It is bad when Sears whores out Craftsman but whoring out Snap-On seems worse
 
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BDT/NWMN

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Erskine, Mn
:mad:Selling out the name of a Respected company...with a bunch of China stuff.......will the SnapOn Tool Trucks become known to the general public as "Chineese junk wagons"?? My sympathies to the SnapOn Dealers who have to put up with this ****
 
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