Buying American anytime I can...

[b-mack]

I work at a Ford Dealership as a Tech and constantly having to buy tools(not a bad thing) I always try and make a point of buying American. I am passionate about keeping the economy alive with the choices that I make. As hard as it is to afford American I do save up and do it. Snap On is my tool of choice for many reasons. What do you guy's prefer?

 

[parnass]

... I always try and make a point of buying American. ... As hard as it is to afford American I do save up and do it. ... What do you guy's prefer?

I much prefer to buy tools made in USA even if they are more expensive. That said, I have bought an occasional Canadian, Swiss, and German manufactured tool.

I avoid Chinese made tools, but sometimes there are no alternatives. For example, I looked all over for drivers with tiny triangle shaped bits which fit the screws in children's toys (a McDonalds Furby, for example). All the drivers I found were made in China.

 

[1982fxr]

My preference...

1. New American
2. used American
3. Used import
4. New import

 

[DieselSaves]

My preference...

1. New American
2. used American
3. Used import
4. New import

I'd say that's about right.

 

[zkling]

There are sooooo many threads on this already, doing a search would give you lots of reading material.

Since Craftsman's switch to China manufacture, I have been looking towards industrial brands like SK, Proto, Williams, Wright. Then fill in here and there with misc like Channellock for pliers. As primarily a DIY user I just can't justify new Snap On or even most of the used Snap On for that matter.

O and BTW, working at a Ford dealer, you should know where most of the components are made and how Ford stands on the issue.

 

[genevabuck]

Have bought a ton of snap on until the last tens year. Their prices are bonkers. I laugh when the young kids get their overpriced tools repoed. Snap On owns most of these young kids through advertising and shiny tools. Let's face it, the difference between a Snap On Extension and another one is an extra coat of chrome. That being said, not ragging on snap on. Probably the best and you pay for service. ********* tools. Just think the prices are out of hand.

 

[amlv20]

Snap on mostly, try to buy cheaper tools from cornwell at times.at one point I bought a lot from Mac, until he stopped showing up.

 

[VDP619MMR]

Snap On is my tool of choice for many reasons. What do you guy's prefer?

I prefer Snap On tools also, but I think the American made MAC impact sockets are awesome.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Have bought a ton of snap on until the last tens year. Their prices are bonkers. I laugh when the young kids get their overpriced tools repoed. Snap On owns most of these young kids through advertising and shiny tools. Let's face it, the difference between a Snap On Extension and another one is an extra coat of chrome. That being said, not ragging on snap on. Probably the best and you pay for service. ********* tools. Just think the prices are out of hand.

There's a reason the majority of my tools are currently Williams USA. Snap-On tools with out the price (or the truck dealer). I'm not one for flyers or sales BS, so it works for me.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Have bought a ton of snap on until the last tens year. Their prices are bonkers. I laugh when the young kids get their overpriced tools repoed. Snap On owns most of these young kids through advertising and shiny tools. Let's face it, the difference between a Snap On Extension and another one is an extra coat of chrome. That being said, not ragging on snap on. Probably the best and you pay for service. ********* tools. Just think the prices are out of hand.

If they lump all the financing together people might be in for a bad ride. I mean if you finance a socket set through them for say 200 bucks (an example) then buy a second set a year later do they lump it all into one payment one contract? If so...ouch. Even if you pay off the first set (in theory) they could "re-po" both as long as the "note" is outstanding. That would be real bad because you can't really outright own anything as long as you have something financed (unless you pay for something in cash or pay off what you have financed then finance later).

I think some of the rent-a-center type places do that predatory **** wouldn't be surprised if the truck brands did it.

 

[fury9]

When I pick up something that says "Proudly Made in USA" I get a small sense of doing my part to help out. I try to buy American when I can , It's more times than not something old though.

 

[DennisR]

I used to cross the border a lot to buy US items but lately it's become just too much of a hassle. The border guards are complete idiots. Last time thru I declared a few cans of dog food and they decided it was worth a 1 1/2 hour search of my truck. Idiots didn't even notice the six foot cargo carrier on the roof.

 

[Flivver250]

I have mostly Snap On, and a mix of American tools after that. Lately I have been buying Wright tools, but my tool buys today are not needs, they are wants. I try to buy US made as much as possible. Our country will continue to slide into ruin as long as our factories are idle.

 

[Flivver250]

BTW, I bought some very large set of Craftsman (US made) wrenches, and then saw the differerence in quality when I looked at Wright tools the same size, I bought the very same sizes in Wright immediately. No comparison at all. I have never bought Craftsman before, won't buy them again. They do not compete with Wright, Mac, or Snap On. While Sear may be cheaper in price, you get what you pay for.

 

[Zurawskt]

I have really had a strong desire to purchase american made tools since the recession hit. I was fortunate enough to keep my job through all that mess, we are now very steady and I owe nothing to any tool dealer. I feel like we need to support one another here and keep people making things in this country. I dont mind spending some extra money on snap-on I just make sure I keep it to only having a balance with one tool dealer at a time and I am able to keep things manageable. Dont buy unless I can pay them in full within 4 payments, that way they get paid reasonably quickly and I dont feel like I am in debt to anyone. So far I have been able to add in the last 3 years a whole lot of nice American made Snap-on tools to my box!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

If they lump all the financing together people might be in for a bad ride. I mean if you finance a socket set through them for say 200 bucks (an example) then buy a second set a year later do they lump it all into one payment one contract? If so...ouch. Even if you pay off the first set (in theory) they could "re-po" both as long as the "note" is outstanding. That would be real bad because you can't really outright own anything as long as you have something financed (unless you pay for something in cash or pay off what you have financed then finance later).

I think some of the rent-a-center type places do that predatory **** wouldn't be surprised if the truck brands did it.

Nick, I recall some fine print years back that paralleled what you say.. The terms truck account and contract come to mind.... That contract through Snap-On credit, as I recall, included everything listed on the contract as collateral. Best to pay it off and start a new contract for further financed purchases. The truck account was more of an agreement between the tech and the driver...

 

[bczygan]

SnapOn is absolutely my last choice. In fact, it is out of the question.
I do not want to encourage companies to overprice their products.
I buy the most appropriate tool, that I can afford period.
Where it comes from is irrelevant.
If Americans can't compete in the world tool market, they shouldn't be making tools.

 

[softailgarage]

) I always try and make a point of buying American. I am passionate about keeping the economy alive with the choices that I make. As hard as it is to afford American I do save up and do it.

Too bad more people dont think like that

I grew up on Sears & Roebuck, but with Craftsman in the *******, I'm buying more used , vintage Craftsman. I would say the tool trucks have also profited from me as well.

 

[cburnscrx]

I used to buy Craftsman USA because it was competitive in both quality AND cost. Now that they've gone to China I'll stop buying it when the NOS is gone, though in truth I have most of what I wanted anyway.

I will try to buy reasonably priced USA tools like Wilde and Estwing but not Snap On. I won't support them and their prices any more than I'll support Government Motors.

Generally speaking I buy the best product available for the money...it's why I drive Hondas.

SnapOn is absolutely my last choice. In fact, it is out of the question.
I do not want to encourage companies to overprice their products.
I buy the most appropriate tool, that I can afford period.
Where it comes from is irrelevant.
If Americans can't compete in the world tool market, they shouldn't be making tools.

 

[AndrewV]

Pleasantly supprised the current craftsman 1/2 drive, 10 inch impact extention was usa coo.

 

[montanafordman]

I am a big fan of SK. About half the price of Snap on and American made. In fact SK went through a bankruptcy/buyout a few years ago and their new parent company (Ideal) has gone to great lengths to keep all SK tools American made and built a brand new manufacturing facility - so I'm glad for that and like to support them for that. Some of my SK tools were my grandfathers and I can still get rebuild kits for his ratchets. Good stuff.

I do have a few Snap-on tools but can't afford all that many or justify the cost as a home DIY enthusiast. I don't agree with those that knock Snap-On for the price and anyone who buys them though. Snap-on has a vast MOBILE dealer network that provides service to your door - and there is inherent cost in that kind of overhead and distribution model. In many ways Snap-on has the best products out there, but they also provide a costly service that is part of the purchase price. They want volume and sales to as many people as possible too so they're not bending people over and necessarily making twice the profit over other companies, and even if they are that's the glory of capitalism. More power too them - if you don't like it vote with your wallet and buy something else (hopefully American) and if they can no longer turn a profit they will adjust accordingly until enough people buy their products. Its nice to have choices.

 

[joebachor]

im happy with snap on. proto is awesome if you wanna spend less.

 

[theamcaddict]

I am a big fan of SK. About half the price of Snap on and American made. In fact SK went through a bankruptcy/buyout a few years ago and their new parent company (Ideal) has gone to great lengths to keep all SK tools American made and built a brand new manufacturing facility - so I'm glad for that and like to support them for that. Some of my SK tools were my grandfathers and I can still get rebuild kits for his ratchets. Good stuff.

I do have a few Snap-on tools but can't afford all that many or justify the cost as a home DIY enthusiast. I don't agree with those that knock Snap-On for the price and anyone who buys them though. Snap-on has a vast MOBILE dealer network that provides service to your door - and there is inherent cost in that kind of overhead and distribution model. In many ways Snap-on has the best products out there, but they also provide a costly service that is part of the purchase price. They want volume and sales to as many people as possible too so they're not bending people over and necessarily making twice the profit over other companies, and even if they are that's the glory of capitalism. More power too them - if you don't like it vote with your wallet and buy something else (hopefully American) and if they can no longer turn a profit they will adjust accordingly until enough people buy their products. Its nice to have choices.

I buy the best quality USA tools that my budget allows for at the time. For hand tools I exclusively spend the cold hard cash on American made tools. For myself there is no better experience as a consumer than buying HIGH quality American made products. I get enjoyment from it.

I am also very happy to support SK as they have been doing a great job turning things around.

 

[justanengineer]

I work in American industry, so I support American industry. Unless I have a "need it NOW!" situation or need to make a custom tool, I buy US made, vintage/used or new.

 

[Aberdale]

In my younger days, my preference was to buy new Craftsman. It was predictable quality and it was affordable for me at the time.

Today, my preference is to buy used Snap On. With CL and Ebay search functions, I really don't see why anyone would buy new.

I went to an auction a few years back. A retired mechanic was selling all of his tools. Most were Snap-On, and all were well cared for. I went a little crazy, and ended up spending almost $6000 that day. But I ended up with about $15000 worth of like-new tools. I've been pretty much set ever since.

Although I have a lot of Craftsman and Snap-On, I have occasionally purchased some other brands along the way. Channel Lock, Knipex, Wiha, Bonney, New Britain, S-K, and also some lesser brands like NAPA, Evercraft, Thorsen, Gearwrench, Sparta, Buffalo, and yes, even some Pittsburg/HF.

I find myself caring less about COO, and much more interested in good quality. I think the whole COO discussion might have been worthwhile 10-15 years ago, but the whole COO discussion has been pretty much played out in that time. I really don't find much quality discussion has been added, it's just the same old comments rehashed over and over.

I often wonder how much all of this COO discussion has actually affected the purchasing decisions of others? Based on the amount of off-shoring, I would say very little.

Buy what you like. But I don't see the value in judging others based on their decisions. I've been caught buying a few imported goods that were true ****. But I've also bought some real American made **** too. Unfortunately, most of us don't realize it is **** until after we buy it. The key is to learn from it and not do it again.

'dale

 

[cburnscrx]

I often wonder how much all of this COO discussion has actually affected the purchasing decisions of others? Based on the amount of off-shoring, I would say very little.

I would tend to agree with this assessment. I know my friends who are far, far from craftsman or mechanics don't even think about buying USA made tools. It's not that they wouldn't, it's that it's never even entered their train of thought. Get what's cheap and looks like it will work. A decent amount of time it's Walmart, and the step up is Lowes and Home Depot. To them Kobalt and Husky are the premium brands. Snap On? What's that? And if they do actually know...why does a wrench cost so much. You could lay down a Harbor Freight, Kobalt, Husky, SK, Snap On and MAC ratchet, and there's no way any of them could tell the difference as to what one was better or which one cost more. Nor for that matter would they care. That's who Lowes/Home Depot/Menards/Harbor Freight is pandering to, NOT Johnny Mechanic who has a tool box worth more than their car. Besides that, do you really need Snap On screwdrivers to change a light fixture or hang that television mount?