New Vim 1/4 Comfort Grip ratchets

[Fedwrench]

FRCG4USA - VIM Tools

1/4'' DR. 6'' OAL. 90T FLEX HEAD RATCHET W/ COMFORT GRIP - USA MADE

vimtools.com

Noticed VIM has new made in the USA comfort grip 1/4 drive ratchets on their website. Out of stock as of this writing, probably a place holder

 

[LordLupulin]

Same OEM as Olsa?

 

[Wamsutta]

AJ Manufacturing?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Are folks really clamoring for non-tool-truck tools at near-tool-truck pricing?

 

[Yarpo]

Are folks really clamoring for non-tool-truck tools at near-tool-truck pricing?

I was super excited to see the threads with new USA made ratchets, then I saw the price and cant figure out a single reason to buy.
Snap On dual 80 and Matcos 88s are both amazing ratchets and you can find them for more or less the same price, often less (ebay)

A snap on TF72 is within 5 dollars (140 vs 145) or a THLF72 within 15 dollars (140 vs 155)
A Matco AFR68LF is within 20 dollars (140 vs 160) or a AFR68LFB within 30 dollars (140 vs 170)

Bonus, the Matco are both locking while the VIM is not.
Bonus #2, the prices quoted are direct from Matco and snap on websites, your dealer will often have a better price.

Damn, wanted to pick one up but there's zero chance I'd pay these prices.
Edit; Also just noticed they have the comfort grip listed 5 dollars cheaper than the full polished one, as Fed said...perhaps a place holder and these price comparisons will look even more comical once the listening is updated?

​

 

[mikey03]

Snap On dual 80 and Matcos 88s are both amazing ratchets and you can find them for more or less the same price, often less (ebay)

the vim ones are better than the snap on, that’s what the owners son says on YouTube at least

 

[3baygarage]

That does seem quite expensive. Are these basically the same as the S-K of a few years ago?

 

[Callelle]

VIM launched a new product that they didn't make at an absurd price? In other news, water is still wet.

 

[ecotec]

Are folks really clamoring for non-tool-truck tools at near-tool-truck pricing?

I am good on ratchets in general. Pretty much any ratchet going forward would have to be garage/estate sale prices.

If I had real need for a 1/4” ratchet, I would probably buy a Matco long or extra long with the comfort grip. I have been wanting one of those.

 

[WhataTool]

My dealer's price is in fact lower than what's shown there.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Are folks really clamoring for non-tool-truck tools at near-tool-truck pricing?

I was wondering the same exact thing.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Good luck with that, Vim.

 

[Wrench-Polisher]

Good luck with that, Vim.

 

[WhataTool]

Good luck with that, Vim.

Don't forget shipping

Matco (same factory?) doesn't have a comfort grip 24". But their non comfort is 25-5/8" for $283.
20-1/4" is $281
You have to go up to 27-3/8" to get to $299.95 which is $275 from my dealer.
And these are locking flex
So i believe you'd need to buy Matco's most expensive ratchet their 33" 1/2" locking flex head ratchet to be able to match the VIM retail + shipping price.

 

[dnschmidt]

VIM has lost it's mind. We have a similar problem in the spray gun world. Once Eclometer bought out Sagola they doubled the price of Sagola spray guns. Now true, Sagola makes good spray guns but they aren't worth twice of once they once cost.

 

[Wamsutta]

Good luck with that, Vim.

If Vim wants people to take them seriously, they'd round the price off to $300. We're talking about 5 cents here.

 

[WhataTool]

If Vim wants people to take them seriously, they'd round the price off to $300. We're talking about 5 cents here.

If VIM wants anyone to take them seriously, they need to round that off to $200

 

[Wamsutta]

That Vim does look similar to the Olsa ratchets. Whoever makes them for Olsa is a mystery.

 

[sk farmer]

If VIM wants anyone to take them seriously, they need to round that off to $200

don't you really mean 150?

 

[PWC Repair]

If VIM wants anyone to take them seriously, they need to round that off to $200

If they want ME to buy one, it better lose a zero $20 .

 

[mikey03]

If VIM wants anyone to take them seriously, they need to round that off to $200

Yea and a 25% off coupon with free shipping

 

[dnschmidt]

Does anybody on Earth think that these are a good as Snap-On? Better yet does anybody on Earth think they are better that the ICON G2? As previously stated VIM has lost it's mind.

 

[Wrench-Polisher]

Does anybody on Earth think that these are a good as Snap-On? Better yet does anybody on Earth think they are better that the ICON G2? As previously stated VIM has lost it's mind.

Oh that is a whole another mess. Some of us buy American mfg. made stuff on principle.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Thanks for the screenshot @L.Cheapo ! Otherwise I would have no idea what you guys are talking about.



Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Wrench-Polisher]

Thanks for the screenshot @L.Cheapo ! Otherwise I would have no idea what you guys are talking about.



Kind regards,
Olli

They probably dont want you laughing at them and bullying you.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

the vim ones are better than the snap on, that’s what the owners son says on YouTube at least

They could be, but it dosen't matter because they dont have the name behind them. Literally SO could start knocking all the quality out of their hand tools and people will still buy them because the brand "is the best". No different then the current Toyota Tundras.

 

[dnschmidt]

Oh that is a whole another mess. Some of us buy American mfg. made stuff on principle.

Which is of course your right, but the word better implies superior in some objective manner, and COO isn't a technical specification but a geographic one.

 

[AJHD]

Good luck with that, Vim.

Does anybody on Earth think that these are a good as Snap-On? Better yet does anybody on Earth think they are better that the ICON G2? As previously stated VIM has lost it's mind.

My thoughts exactly.

For that price, there are "better" options.

Better yet, there are "better" and cheaper options.

 

[lardy1]

Oh that is a whole another mess. Some of us buy American mfg. made stuff on principle.

Right on. Buy what you want with YOUR money. Nobody else's business.

 

[CJM8515]

at that price point ill buy snap on or another tool truck brand

 

[3baygarage]

My thoughts exactly.

For that price, there are "better" options.

Better yet, there are "better" and cheaper

Apparently Vim is trying to be for the who just want "different".

 

[3baygarage]

I look at this and can't help but think these prices are made up by somebody who knows absolutely nothing about tools and consumers. They probably sit around and around and decide "XYZ brand is this much so why can ours be.". Like a lot of products these days, ridiculous prices for what they are.

 

[mreisner]

That Vim does look similar to the Olsa ratchets. Whoever makes them for Olsa is a mystery.

AJ Manufacturing also.

 

[Schurkey]

MSRP and "street price" can be VERY different.

 

[AJHD]

MSRP and "street price" can be VERY different.

Sure, but...

Take the VIM 1/2" flex head 24" ratchet for $300 MSRP for example...

The Icon 1/2" flex head 26" ratchet retails for $120 and can often be had for less with a coupon.

I doubt VIM's street price will come anywhere close to that.

A green handle isn't worth whatever the additional cost will be for the VIM.

Not to mention ease of a local HF warranty vs whatever VIM's questionable warranty might be.

That's just one example. VIM overpricing their tools is not exactly a new thing.

 

[liliysdad]

Sure, but...

Take the VIM 1/2" flex head 24" ratchet for $300 MSRP for example...

The Icon 1/2" flex head 26" ratchet retails for $120 and can often be had for less with a coupon.

I doubt VIM's street price will come anywhere close to that.

A green handle isn't worth whatever the additional cost will be for the VIM.

Not to mention ease of a local HF warranty vs whatever VIM's questionable warranty might be.

That's just one example. VIM overpricing their tools is not exactly a new thing.

While I consider VIM to be, at best, a novelty brand, comparing a US made AJ sourced ratchet to the offshore ICON is hardly relevant. Of course it’s more expensive than the Asian made ratchet.

Luckily, I’ve zero need nor desire to buy either.

 

[sk farmer]

MSRP and "street price" can be VERY different.

absolutely.

my experience with msrp is that most often it is a bs number. especially in this case. as if giving it an inflated msrp and then offering at some sort of discount it is presumed or promoted to be a a value. in fact, the opposite is often true.

price **** where it should be priced at and it will most likely sell

 

[Toold_up]

I don't own a 1/4" flex ratchet. I love that it's made here in America and that green color really stands out. When it's available I might pick one up. If it's any good i'd consider the other sizes.

 

[liliysdad]

I don't own a 1/4" flex ratchet. I love that it's made here in America and that green color really stands out. When it's available I might pick one up. If it's any good i'd consider the other sizes.

What would make you pick these over a Snap On, or even a nearly identical Matco? Either are available in green…

 

[Toold_up]

What would make you pick these over a Snap On, or even a nearly identical Matco? Either are available in green…

To be different.


The Proto looks very similar to the VIM non-insulated ones:

3/8 VIM:

3/8 Proto:



3/8 flex VIM:



3/8 flex Proto:





The overall length is very similar too. The tooth count is the same too.