On the Snap-On Truck

[JulianMorrow]

I was buying new tires the other day and Ahoy! the Snap-On truck rolls up. I chat with the Snap-On guy and he invites me in the truck. It’s a bit overwhelming. The truck is densely packed—the aisles, walls and ceiling covered with shiny chrome tools with the ubiquitous Snap-On logo.

The Snap-On guy is chatty & friendly. He says that business is horrible--he’s selling 40% of what he did the year before. He’s parked behind the tire shop—they also do brake work, suspension work and anything your local Jiffy Lube would do. Only one mechanic gets on the truck, and he’s not buying—he’s having trouble with a tool. I actually need a 13mm combination wrench, so I buy a Blue-Point (Snap-On’s budget line) 13mm ratcheting box wrench for $29.95.

 

[sberry]

The tools are fine but the last time i got on the truck to replace a couple lost wrenches reminded me why I stay off.

 

[FlyingA321]

You were lucky. The dealer here only has the specials on the truck. Warranty for simple things is a 1-2 week wait. Mac truck and Marco truck usually will have what is needed for cheaper and I don’t feel so sore afterwards.

 

[GTO]

....and so it begins.
Another thread that will not end well.

 

[sberry]

I was in a shop the other day for tires, the guy was on the truck and the wife was dealing with me,,, she was none too happy about him on the truck.
I got nothing against the tools, they are good, maybe the best but don't need every wrench I own to cost that much. I also bought a 13 a while back, long, polish chrome, single, was 3$ and small change, Huskey I think, real pretty.
My bud said he busted or lost an 8mm deep 1/4 , was just getting ready to call the parts store and happened to spot the truck next door, figured he hadn't been on it in a while, well north of 30$ and it's been a while.

 

[Formula]

....and so it begins.
Another thread that will not end well.

Hahaha, so true.

People here talk about snap on the same they would about a Victoria Secret model. They all want one but can't have one, so instead they hate on them and bash them. They try to convince themselves they're happy with their wife/girlfriend which is the equivalent to Tekton/harbor freight.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Just to clarify where this thread is coming from: I'm not a mechanic, I'm a DIY weekend guy. I have a couple of used Snap-On combination wrenches I picked up on eBay, as well as the shiny new Blue-Point 13mm ratcheting box.

I can see where a young mechanic might lose-his-head after climbing on a Snap-On truck. You have to fight this impulse to buy a lot of beautiful tools. The Snap-On salesman didn't pressure me into buying anything--he was a smart, friendly guy who knew his stuff. The brand sells itself. My take, based on limited experience: they're excellent tools, but still overpriced. I was tempted to spend a lot of money in there.

 

[Formula]

Just to clarify where this thread is coming from: I'm not a mechanic, I'm a DIY weekend guy. I have a couple of used Snap-On combination wrenches I picked up on eBay, as well as the shiny new Blue-Point 13mm ratcheting box.

I can see where a young mechanic might lose-his-head after climbing on a Snap-On truck. You have to fight this impulse to buy a lot of beautiful tools. The Snap-On salesman didn't pressure me into buying anything--he was a smart, friendly guy who knew his stuff. The brand sells itself. My take, based on limited experience: they're excellent tools, but still overpriced. I was tempted to spend a lot of money in there.

Here's the thing, I have many snap on tools that I purchased 20-30 years ago and use them everyday to this day with heavy use.

Like my first snap on guy used to say, "buy the best and only cry once"

 

[Partsguy57]

Just to clarify where this thread is coming from: I'm not a mechanic, I'm a DIY weekend guy. I have a couple of used Snap-On combination wrenches I picked up on eBay, as well as the shiny new Blue-Point 13mm ratcheting box.

I can see where a young mechanic might lose-his-head after climbing on a Snap-On truck. You have to fight this impulse to buy a lot of beautiful tools. The Snap-On salesman didn't pressure me into buying anything--he was a smart, friendly guy who knew his stuff. The brand sells itself. My take, based on limited experience: they're excellent tools, but still overpriced. I was tempted to spend a lot of money in there.

Funny on how you feel is based on no experience. Snap on is geared to the professional which you are not. How can one have a honest opinion on something that one does not do professionally? When one gives their opinion on what you do professionally ( but they don't do) does it carry much weight?

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[jonshonda]

My take, based on limited experience: they're excellent tools, but still overpriced.

If you have limited experience should you really be saying anything? I'm no snap on fanboy, but know enough that if idkwtf I am talking about.....I should just keep my thoughts to myself.

 

[Shane6377]

Funny on how you feel is based on no experience. Snap on is geared to the professional which you are not. How can one have a honest opinion on something that one does not do professionally? When one gives their opinion on what you do professionally ( but they don't do) does it carry much weight?

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Because you have to be a "professional" to know quality tools? [emoji23]


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[sberry]

As I recall I paid about 75$ for set of 6 flank drive wrenches in about 1980. That was a fair bit then. They have earned their keep. There were not so many easy choices back then. Today they ride in a drawer with other speciality wrenches, every once in a while I go for one.
I have 500 wrenches, probably more. They don't all need to be premium. Most used ones cost a dollar. I am all for buying something nice or custom but leaving the impression that ones life will be greatly improved by shoving a box full of shiny stuff from the tool truck isn't accurate as evedinced by "full" boxes for sale on eBay.
.

 

[Shane6377]

You're just going to get a bunch of replies from guys trying to justify their tool truck debt.

Didn't you know that your experience doesn't count without a box full of shiny new Snap On tools and a tool truck mortgage.

Your experience as a DIY'er could never compare to the "pro" at the Jiffy Lube who balances your tires wrong.


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[FlyingA321]

Funny thing about all the hoopla over Snap On is the fact that yes people will go crazy to have them, but not pay a premium price. I see Snap On tools used for sale at close to list price. Personally I have grown past owning expensive hand tools, and diagnostic equipment for my job. Other manufacturers have equipment that works just as well and will last longer. Justification of my tool debt is not what I do. I have buyers remorse every time I replace something that grew legs and runs away.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Funny on how you feel is based on no experience.

That's not what I posted--there's a difference between limited brand experience and no experience. I've been wrenching on cars for over 30 years, mostly with Craftsman (USA) tools. The old Craftsman lasted a long time at a fraction of the cost. You shouldn't have to spend a fortune to buy quality tools.

 

[Yarpo]

There should never be any pressure to buy Snap On, or anything for that matter unless you have low impulse control. Buy what you ultimately want and need, no need to fall for the shiny tools or peer pressure. You can be a great mechanic with or without tool truck debt.

 

[Partsguy57]

Because you have to be a "professional" to know quality tools? [emoji23]


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Assuming you are not one of the listed.. do you give advice on the quality of tools a plumber, contractor, aircraft mechanic, dentist, heart surgeon etc etc? ( insert profession of choice) opinions based on experience carry far more weight then those based on lack of experience i.e. a DIY that using a tool at a hobby level/DIY is not a remotely the same level as a person using 8 hours a day making a living doing. To say otherwise is intellectually dishonest.

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[Partsguy57]

That's not what I posted--there's a difference between limited brand experience and no experience. I've been wrenching on cars for over 30 years, mostly with Craftsman (USA) tools. The old Craftsman lasted a long time at a fraction of the cost. You shouldn't have to spend a fortune to buy quality tools.

So you you don't wrench professionally? Correct? And yet your opinion should carry the same weight as those that do? Correct?

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[Partsguy57]

There should never be any pressure to buy Snap On, or anything for that matter unless you have low impulse control. Buy what you ultimately want and need, no need to fall for the shiny tools or peer pressure. You can be a great mechanic with or without tool truck debt.

Or course. But the fact is snapon tools tend to be and are higher quality overall and some refuse to acknowledge this.... the tool does not make the man, just as a cheap price on a tool does not make it quality. For some here the highest measure of quality is the cheapest priced tool....

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[OHMS LAW]

It’s funny they guys at work who complain about Snap-on cost always seem to want to borrow my tools over their own Harbor Freight stuff. I just laugh to my self and let them use it.

 

[sberry]

You don't have to buy it that's for sure. But you would be correct in general assesment of the situation. I don't care what most do with their money but we do a disservice to the impressionable if we just give atta boys.
A while back a young guy comes on this board, he makes 14 an hour working in a salvage yard. He asks about "upgrading" a set of wrenches that he says he has used for several years, he paid 22 dollars for on sale at HF, says they still work great and never failed, nothing wrong with them but wonders if he can make more from something he can make payments on.
The opinions, some were good and some outright pitiful. Some found wrenches he could get for "only" 300, what a bargain over the ones he could get for payments on 700$ set. Had people telling him he would be more manly, his appearance as a professional would be boosted among other b.s. about resale and warranty.
I wonder how these bullshitters would feel about someone "teaching" their kids this nonsense. If they were worth half that 20 years from now how much is that? How much a week could be make extra with these wrenches? Figure his boss is going to give him a dollar an hour raise for buying them?

 

[sberry]

No one said they were not quality, that wasnt the argument. It was at what price. Is it really that much better than a Wright or SK? Some of the best mechanics i know still use Sears. Some got a mix. Most of those bought them used when the first guy couldnt afford them.

 

[Yarpo]

Or course. But the fact is snapon tools tend to be and are higher quality overall and some refuse to acknowledge this.... the tool does not make the man, just as a cheap price on a tool does not make it quality. For some here the highest measure of quality is the cheapest priced tool....

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In some areas or tools most certainly. But if you can do your job with lesser tools and dont have any issues, why let peer pressure or the snap on guy get to ya?

 

[OHMS LAW]

You don't have to buy it that's for sure. But you would be correct in general assesment of the situation. I don't care what most do with their money but we do a disservice to the impressionable if we just give atta boys.
A while back a young guy comes on this board, he makes 14 an hour working in a salvage yard. He asks about "upgrading" a set of wrenches that he says he has used for several years, he paid 22 dollars for on sale at HF, says they still work great and never failed, nothing wrong with them but wonders if he can make more from something he can make payments on.
The opinions, some were good and some outright pitiful. Some found wrenches he could get for "only" 300, what a bargain over the ones he could get for payments on 700$ set. Had people telling him he would be more manly, his appearance as a professional would be boosted among other b.s. about resale and warranty.
I wonder how these bullshitters would feel about someone "teaching" their kids this nonsense. If they were worth half that 20 years from now how much is that? How much a week could be make extra with these wrenches? Figure his boss is going to give him a dollar an hour raise for buying them?

You may not get more money than the next guy applying for the same job but It some cases it shows potential employers that you take your craft seriously and that quality and attention to details are important to you.

It’s like showing up to an office job in Walmart shirt and slacks compared to Something from Jos A Banks. Yea sure both options clothes you but there are obvious differences in the two.

 

[sberry]

I could understand the snap dealer coming to make this argument but why so adement from those with no stake in it? My view isn't even so much opinion as general experience. Every Chinese wrench I ever use, some of them 1000,s of times didn't slip, break, round and injure. Neithe did the Sears, the SK and the Snap didn't either.

 

[OHMS LAW]

Also keeping good hardworking Americans at work is also a plus incentive to buying snap on. Nothing like made in USA on the side of my tools. And Firearms.

 

[Partsguy57]

No one said they were not quality, that wasnt the argument. It was at what price. Is it really that much better than a Wright or SK? Some of the best mechanics i know still use Sears. Some got a mix. Most of those bought them used when the first guy couldnt afford them.

Yep and it's funny that the non professional has the most vocal opinions on price.... and the same non professional is always claiming that his cheap is as good as snap on again based on price. Ask your self how many diy/ hobby guys have a quality tool box full of tool truck tools? Not many.. now ask yourself how many professional shops have a shop full of cheap tools in cheap boxes? Why is this?? Yet the same DIY is the expert on tools and one is a fool to buy quality according to them... Very few professionals have every single tool from a tool truck, but very few will say that the quality overall is the same from a "tool truck " such as snap on it is from other sources.

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[Partsguy57]

In some areas or tools most certainly. But if you can do your job with lesser tools and dont have any issues, why let peer pressure or the snap on guy get to ya?

You think many buy because of per pressure?? Lol many buy quality in many areas of life something those that base the highest measure of quality is the cheapest price. For those they will never get it...

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[sberry]

If 2 young guys show up with tools, one a modest collection looks like it was cared for, collected with a little work and the next shows up with a box of new Snaps all shiney I am going with the first. Doesn't impress me all that much.
I was in a start up a while back, guy and wife. The guy was a genius, had 8 full double stack snap boxes jambed from working 80 hr a week at a dealer. Couldn't sell an oil change, garage so full of it couldn't get a car in. I was there, tool truck in the drive, still on it in his 50' with 8 bodes full.

 

[Yarpo]

You think many buy because of per pressure?? Lol many buy quality in many areas of life something those that base the highest measure of quality is the cheapest price. For those they will never get it...

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This was quoted in the first 5 posts...

"I can see where a young mechanic might lose-his-head after climbing on a Snap-On truck. You have to fight this impulse to buy a lot of beautiful tools."

Combine that with people here pushing Snap on, theres absolutely peer pressure or pressure from the Snap on guy directly or indirectly. Do I think it pushes that many sales? No? But I was simply stating vbuy what you want or need, not what is pressured on you from outside sources. If ya need Snap on and can afford it, buy it. If ya dont, dont let the truck overwhelm ya and keep wrenching with what ya got.

 

[sberry]

I am not an amateur. I am the shop and I provide the tools. I hire masters on occasion, they use my stuff. None ever says,,, we need to get some better stuff. No one said the cheapest is the best but affordable cost for adequate tool is an asset. It allows people to buy what they need whan they need it vs saving up for each piece.
It may have happened but I have never heard of anyone rooting thru a new hires tool box to see what brands he has. I often find the biggest and best the fullest of ****.
I saw one a while back with 10K bo9x, nothing mush in it. I would have been way more impressed with a collection of useful stuff in a general box.

 

[Shane6377]

Assuming you are not one of the listed.. do you give advice on the quality of tools a plumber, contractor, aircraft mechanic, dentist, heart surgeon etc etc? ( insert profession of choice) opinions based on experience carry far more weight then those based on lack of experience i.e. a DIY that using a tool at a hobby level/DIY is not a remotely the same level as a person using 8 hours a day making a living doing. To say otherwise is intellectually dishonest.

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Correct, I am not a vocational mechanic. As just a lowly DIY'er I've worked on vehicles, tractors, ATV's and farm equipment for 30 years. I've also done residential and commercial construction and remodeling, including plumbing and electrical. Welding, carpentry, woodworking, small engine repair,I haven't tried dentistry or heart surgery but, never say never.[emoji6]

I wouldn't exactly compare the skills of a heart surgeon to those of a mechanic.

I picked out a new toothbrush last week. Maybe I should have consulted my dentist to avoid any intellectual dishonesty. Lmao



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[AngryJoe]

I was buying new tires the other day and Ahoy! the Snap-On truck rolls up. I chat with the Snap-On guy and he invites me in the truck. It’s a bit overwhelming. The truck is densely packed—the aisles, walls and ceiling covered with shiny chrome tools with the ubiquitous Snap-On logo.[/ QUOTE]


Avoiding the "Snap On vs. The World" debate... As if any of us should give two shits how other people spend their money.

I hear you. You get used to it, but you still have to be careful. Price and brand regardless, being on the tool truck is like being a kid in a toy store.

But a lot of us learn the hard way, myself included, the tool truck can be dangerous to the well being of your bank account and relationships. The eye candy aside, the drivers job is to take your money and you have to be careful of being talked into buying more than you can reasonably afford.

My tool truck drivers are always pulling their best used car salesman routine every time I see them.

 

[dsimatt]

You went by your choice on a snap on truck, bought a good quality wrench that's not gonna be cheap but will last you a long time and will be fixed for free if there's any issue so what's the problem?

People get all **** hurt about others spending their money on what they want, the tools are expensive but you are getting some of the best quality out there and they last forever. It's funny in a day where people drop thousands on a fridge that barely lasts 5 years or a thousand dollar cell phone that's outdated before it's even paid off yet it's missy fit time if someone buys SO.

 

[Partsguy57]

I am not an amateur. I am the shop and I provide the tools. I hire masters on occasion, they use my stuff. None ever says,,, we need to get some better stuff. No one said the cheapest is the best but affordable cost for adequate tool is an asset. It allows people to buy what they need whan they need it vs saving up for each piece.
It may have happened but I have never heard of anyone rooting thru a new hires tool box to see what brands he has. I often find the biggest and best the fullest of ****.
I saw one a while back with 10K bo9x, nothing mush in it. I would have been way more impressed with a collection of useful stuff in a general box.

I also come from the trade. Grew up in my dads shop using his snap on and when I had to buy my own it did not take long to notice that there is a difference.. owned a napa store and full machine shop ( did very well) and sold millions to shops, but not tools as the vast majority preferred snap on and the like for the higher quality.( napa handled decent tools) again most DIY have cheap boxes with cheaper or cheaper tools in them and most professionals have quality boxes with quality tools. I know why this is as do you if you are truly in the trade as a professional. You also know darn well this is easily proven by going around town and checking out what is in the professional shops.. the "better" stuff. Cheers


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[Partsguy57]

Correct, I am not a vocational mechanic. As just a lowly DIY'er I've worked on vehicles, tractors, ATV's and farm equipment for 30 years. I've also done residential and commercial construction and remodeling, including plumbing and electrical. Welding, carpentry, woodworking, small engine repair,I haven't tried dentistry or heart surgery but, never say never.[emoji6]

I wouldn't exactly compare the skills of a heart surgeon to those of a mechanic.

I picked out a new toothbrush last week. Maybe I should have consulted my dentist to avoid any intellectual dishonesty. Lmao



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You made my point..thank you... you base your opinion on something you are not a professional in... who's opinion carries the most weight? You or the professional?

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[Lassen Forge]

I was buying new tires the other day and Ahoy! the Snap-On truck rolls up... It’s a bit overwhelming. The truck is densely packed—the aisles, walls and ceiling covered with shiny chrome tools with the ubiquitous Snap-On logo.

It's the same when you walk into a casino - you hear the happy sounds of all the machines making happy noises, and the (now simulated) sounds of coins dropping into trays, not the groans of people who just lost the last part of what was their rent at a baccarat table... It's designed to flash and impress and get you to pull out the wallet for "just a taste of the flash, glitz, and coolness"...

I may not spend a fortune in a tool truck, but when I walk in there, looking at all the shiny, new, scratch free tools everywhere, the shine of the mini-lights reflecting off the tool box display, the "specials" that say "You can taste the everlasting cool right now and have money left over for..."

Just like a Casino. Because having that taste, sharing in the inside feel of "Check out THIS new tool" when showing it to your buds... is like dope to a junky! And the sight of that bread truck with the familiar red logo on the side pulling into the parking lot is like coming over the hill into Reno and seeing Virginia Street all lit up and shiny...

Tell me I'm wrong.

....and so it begins.
Another thread that will not end well.

Well predicted, my friend! Another SO vs Non-SO launch starting in three.... two... one...

 

[sberry]

Half of the people working professionally are below average at it.

Well predicted, my friend! Another SO vs Non-SO launch starting in three.... two... one...

I am not anti Snapon. What I am is anti telling those who don't know enough to make a good assessment is that the difference in todays world is not always worth the 10x premium,,, its not 10% or 20 but 10 x. You really wont get an argument from me that it it isn't better, it probably is,,, but its a margin and not a multiple.
On top of that most of the rhetoric about the cheaper stuff being inadequate is assumption and total speculation. How many times do we see the opinion,,,, that stuff is junk,,,, I never used any of it cause its junk and I have Snaps,,, so,,,, the experience of the "professional" is from someone really has no experience with it.
Or he has seen a busted India wrench in someones box 30 yrs ago where the guy beat it with a hammer, therefore anything but the best isn't any good.

 

[gtsgarage]

Quick story, a very good friend of mine and I grew up wrenching on our cars he was into it a lot more than I was but both of us always agreed that Craftsman was great and Snap On was a rip off.

About 5 years ago he decided to move into the trades full-time as a full-time mechanic when he started he brought in some Craftsman and a HF tool cart and other pieces. Now he swears by Snap On and has build out a very nice set of tools. He even gave me some SAE impacts as he only works on new stuff.

I am sure it’s a combination of many things but if you’re using tools every single day clearly you want the best and I agree for anyone not using tools every day there is no base for comparison.

I just picked up some Snap On ratchets, for me I may not use them enough to appreciate them but time will tell.

 

[Partsguy57]

Half of the people working professionally are below average at it.

I would put it higher then that.. based on experience of selling to shops...

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