Trade two roll cabs in on one new Snap-On?

[chevy_tech]

Recently I upgraded my ten year old Matco 4S triple bay with a four year old Snap-On KRL 1022 I bought off of Craigslist. It's a really nice box that is in immaculate condition. After transferring all of my tools, I don't know if it's really my dream setup. I'm considering finding a Snap-On dealer and seeing what kind of deal that he could make for me trading both of my boxes in for a brand new unit. I've never purchased a new or used box from a tool truck. I don't know if getting a "good deal" is a realistic expectation for trading in on a tool truck? Will they wheel and deal to earn your business? Or do they pretty much only sell them at MSRP?

 

[kd3pc]

Keep in mind the "new" boxes are not the same quality as the "old" boxes...you may be disappointed, deal or not.

 

[chevy_tech]

My KRL Snap-On seems like a well built unit and is only four years old. I'm considering a new Snap-On EPIQ series box. If you have opinions on those I'd like to hear them.

 

[kd3pc]

My KRL Snap-On seems like a well built unit and is only four years old. I'm considering a new Snap-On EPIQ series box. If you have opinions on those I'd like to hear them.

We had about two dozen SnapOn boxes, loaded with torque and meter certification tools delivered to school...and all of them had to have the drawers "adjusted". Two SnapOn techs two days - and they looked worse than the way they were shipped. And that was after the students emptied them, completely, even the foam had to come out.

We also had the "secure" code pad and locking system ordered on several of the boxes, and apparently this is "installed" by the company after delivery. All of the drawers, after the first techs adjusted them, had to be removed to install the security system. The key pad had to be "cut" in to the top rail of the box, and the tech used a die grinder to cut the steel and install the pad. It is about 1/2 lower on the left side than the right side, but he maintains it is perfect. Each box is different and you really see it when they are lined up for classes. Running the wiring in each box took him about an hour and he had to loosen and move slides to get it run..then put the drawers back in and would not re-adjust them...every time I look at those boxes....I just cringe..

Lastly we are a hybrid shop and most, if not all of our work is Metric....and none of the techs would quit throwing off on all the metric tools our shop had and not a single SAE one in the house.

Over $250K of tools and the boxes look like ****, and the certify wraps are coming off, two years in, the slides are dragging and the drawers lopsided.

 

[chevy_tech]

We had about two dozen SnapOn boxes, loaded with torque and meter certification tools delivered to school...and all of them had to have the drawers "adjusted". Two SnapOn techs two days - and they looked worse than the way they were shipped. And that was after the students emptied them, completely, even the foam had to come out.

We also had the "secure" code pad and locking system ordered on several of the boxes, and apparently this is "installed" by the company after delivery. All of the drawers, after the first techs adjusted them, had to be removed to install the security system. The key pad had to be "cut" in to the top rail of the box, and the tech used a die grinder to cut the steel and install the pad. It is about 1/2 lower on the left side than the right side, but he maintains it is perfect. Each box is different and you really see it when they are lined up for classes. Running the wiring in each box took him about an hour and he had to loosen and move slides to get it run..then put the drawers back in and would not re-adjust them...every time I look at those boxes....I just cringe..

Lastly we are a hybrid shop and most, if not all of our work is Metric....and none of the techs would quit throwing off on all the metric tools our shop had and not a single SAE one in the house.

Over $250K of tools and the boxes look like ****, and the certify wraps are coming off, two years in, the slides are dragging and the drawers lopsided.

Well, that sounds like a poor expiriance with your schools boxes. I know when I spend thousands of dollars on something new, I will certainly give it a thorough inspection upon delivery. If there's any question about quality control issues, it will have to be rectified before purchase of that product. I would certainly never let anyone else put their hands on my toolbox to make retrofits or upgrades either. I've definatly heard more positive reviews of Snap-On boxes then negative. Not saying that they're perfect, but I think it comes down to preference...just like the old debate of GM vs. Ford vs. Dodge.

 

[Hammer1963]

Two things. First off, if that sort of setup works best for you, then you should definitely consider it. I did something very similar 20 plus years ago and I am happy that I did. Secondly, I totally disagree on the quality statement. Tool cabs are better now then anytime previously. They are stronger, better finish, better corrosion protection and the features available are fantastic. How do I know this, I repair roll cabs for Snap-on, Matco, MAC and Cornwell dealers

 

[crewchief888]

Recently I upgraded my ten year old Matco 4S triple bay with a four year old Snap-On KRL 1022 I bought off of Craigslist. It's a really nice box that is in immaculate condition. After transferring all of my tools, I don't know if it's really my dream setup. I'm considering finding a Snap-On dealer and seeing what kind of deal that he could make for me trading both of my boxes in for a brand new unit. I've never purchased a new or used box from a tool truck. I don't know if getting a "good deal" is a realistic expectation for trading in on a tool truck? Will they wheel and deal to earn your business? Or do they pretty much only sell them at MSRP?

"wheeling and dealing" that all depends on the dealer
in the past, ive traded in multiple, sometimes, (much) lesser quality boxes on my SO boxes.
i got, what i considered at the time, to be a reasonable price for them.

ive bought several used trade in's off the tool truck

all you can do is ask....
the worst a dealer can say would be he's not interested in your trade ins...

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We had about two dozen SnapOn boxes, loaded with torque and meter certification tools delivered to school...and all of them had to have the drawers "adjusted". Two SnapOn techs two days - and they looked worse than the way they were shipped. And that was after the students emptied them, completely, even the foam had to come out.

We also had the "secure" code pad and locking system ordered on several of the boxes, and apparently this is "installed" by the company after delivery. All of the drawers, after the first techs adjusted them, had to be removed to install the security system. The key pad had to be "cut" in to the top rail of the box, and the tech used a die grinder to cut the steel and install the pad. It is about 1/2 lower on the left side than the right side, but he maintains it is perfect. Each box is different and you really see it when they are lined up for classes. Running the wiring in each box took him about an hour and he had to loosen and move slides to get it run..then put the drawers back in and would not re-adjust them...every time I look at those boxes....I just cringe..

Lastly we are a hybrid shop and most, if not all of our work is Metric....and none of the techs would quit throwing off on all the metric tools our shop had and not a single SAE one in the house.

Over $250K of tools and the boxes look like ****, and the certify wraps are coming off, two years in, the slides are dragging and the drawers lopsided.

Your story sounds really bad for Snap On..but I'm curious what specifically the school ordered? It sounds to me more like some industrial / corporate knock-off deal, not any regular box a tech would personally buy from a tool-man. I'v been around a lot of SO boxes between my own, the shop owned stuff, my other techs in my shop and other friends / customers shops / neighborhood shops. I have pulled out many drawers for reasons from re configuring layout to lightening up the box for moving purposes and I have never noticed any way to "adjust" them. The slides lock into place on both the drawer and the box frame and your done.

Ive seen issue happen, but it's always been resolved quickly and the best way you'd think possible. A guy at the transmission shop next door just had a new box show up with a scratch on the bottom edge of one end. Brand new box was shipped to replace it.

My main box showed up wrapped in furniture blankets on a Mayflower moving truck and the delivery guy would not leave 'till I opened up, inspected, and approved every part of it....same deal, only smaller truck for the little KEMW cart I got a while back....

The whole school story sounds fishy to me.....

 

[Strouty]

Sounds like build a bay, they are similar to the master series. I helped my driver setup 18 of them, they seemed decent to me, none of the issues like what is being described. Either way, the Epiq is a much nicer setup, you will love the latches, I do mean LOVE.

 

[kd3pc]

Your story sounds really bad for Snap On..but I'm curious what specifically the school ordered? It sounds to me more like some industrial / corporate knock-off deal, not any regular box a tech would personally buy from a tool-man. I
...

The whole school story sounds fishy to me.....

We were to become the training and cert location for digital meters and scopes as well as torque training. Each course could support 12 students, each with one of every snap on tool in that realm (meters - several DMMs and test cards, torque - several digital, angle, analog and torque test pads)

Two sets of gear per box and a master box for each course. Torque boxes had a nice vise on top. All were wrapped with SnapOn training motif.

6 months in, we received the keypad secure access "upgrade" and the SnapOn techs showed up to install them.

This was purchased through their "education and industrial" program.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We were to become the training and cert location for digital meters and scopes as well as torque training. Each course could support 12 students, each with one of every snap on tool in that realm (meters - several DMMs and test cards, torque - several digital, angle, analog and torque test pads)

Two sets of gear per box and a master box for each course. Torque boxes had a nice vise on top. All were wrapped with SnapOn training motif.

6 months in, we received the keypad secure access "upgrade" and the SnapOn techs showed up to install them.

This was purchased through their "education and industrial" program.

Yeah...sounds strange and I'm sure if that's a persons first experience with SO, then I'd probably be disinclined to buy anything from them. If Strouty's comment above is correct and they are a similar product to a KRL box, then I'd guess the "adjustments" made where probably alignment between adjoining cabinets, maybe? If it was actually work done on individual drawers, then maybe they are much lesser quality box that only looks like a KRL series from the outside....whatever the case, I'd say it's not really relatable for an individual tech trying to decide on a deal for one personal box as it's not the product he will be shopping for.


More to OP's original question: I see no problem trading in what you have. But, you do a have a big disadvantage if you don't have a regular tool guy visiting you every week. As a guy off the street the dealer doesn't know / have a seller / customer relationship with, you can likely get a decent trade-in on your old set up, and you may get lucky and hit on the right time when SO is offering whatever incentives they advertise (like and extra amount off for spending over a certain amount), but you won't get the very best deal possible, which basically is what I just listed plus extra dealer discounts and SO good customer discounts for having bought multiple boxes over a period or time.

IMO, talk to some tool guys, tell them what size box you want to buy and see what trade in money they offer on you existing stuff. If the numbers aren't where you want to be, then tell them that. Tell them to keep your info and call when a good trade in comes in or when some better incentives / promo deals come out so you can make the deal work for you.