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Buying collections is getting harder than ever.

Toolhorder

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I have a little bit of cash I've been saving up and I posted an ad on my local CL for toolboxes, Snap-on wanted sort of thing and I've been cruising most of CA. CL for a collection to buy and people are so out of touch with reality it's not even funny.
I've come to a conclusion. The guys with "good" collections full of truck brand tools and nice boxes want what they paid for them or 75-80% (ya right) or you get guys will half empty boxes asking an OK price but the tools inside aren't worth anything or there isn't enough to make it a good deal.

Anyone noticed this too?

Had a guy with a decent snappy box asking 8K and he sends me pictures of drawers with like 8-9 wrenches inside of various brands and the rest of the drawers look similar and wants 8K?

These guys always quote retail was so and so like the box has no deprecation or something and I'm getting a smoking deal for 75% of retail. News flash I can pay cash and get the box for less than that from my dealer if I wanted to.

I can't seem to find the reasonable deal where I can take what I need to fill out my set and sell the rest off and do ok. :dunno:


In this time of economic downturn I see people asking more and holding onto stuff more than I see deals. Flea markets and swap meets are a joke even thrift stores I go to are all overpriced.
 
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Alchymist

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It's not just tools. Anything in the local penny savers, CL, newspaper classifieds, etc, is priced just under new. Most of the stuff I see listed, I might (MIGHT) go half of what thy're asking. Some of it is outrageous. Saw one classified for a pair of WWII aviator sun glasses with a survival knife priced at $2000. That ad has been running for months. Wonder why?

I realize the economy has bit the dust, but really?
 

Packard V8

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Yes, pretty much what I see around here, too. Lot's of guys want a minimum of 50% of retail for a used box with used tools. OK, yeah, they sometimes bring that much. All he has to do is part it out and sell one set at at a time on craigslist or eBay. Should only take a month of sorting, photos, posting, answering dumbshit questions, processing payment, packing, labeling, shipping. If he doesn't want all that grief, then take an offer for less.

What I do is go look them over and make a cash offer for it all. Usually get told "hell no", leave them a card with my phone number, say the offer is always good when they get tired of dicking around with guys who want to cherry pick the best tools for cheap. Every once in a great while, a seller calls me back and takes the money.

My pet peeve, the relative/neighbor who gives the widow a grossly inflated estimate of what the dead guy's tools are worth. The SOB won't pay that himself, but tells her not to take less. Even worse, sometimes the slimeball has already helped himself to the best tools/gear in gratitude for all his great advice on disposing of the dead guy's stuff.

jack vines
 

vintagefan

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Shopping used Snap-on makes me so angry that I pretty much just leave Snap-on purchases to the truck now, unless I happen upon an amazing deal. It's just one big shameless feeding frenzy, and I'm not at all interested in being a part of it. Even here on the forum classifieds I see some of it. "OMG it says Snap-on and it's $1 cheaper than the website I have to have it NOW!" :willy_nil

People have gotten the idea that you should be able to sell a beat to hell piece of **** tool for 99.999% of retail just because it says Snap-on.

What really gets to me is when I see people selling used Snap-on tools for MORE than they cost direct from Snap-on. I can't decide whether these people are purposely trying to screw people, or are just hopelessly ignorant.

My pet peeve, the relative/neighbor who gives the widow a grossly inflated estimate of what the dead guy's tools are worth. The SOB won't pay that himself, but tells her not to take less. Even worse, sometimes the slimeball has already helped himself to the best tools/gear in gratitude for all his great advice on disposing of the dead guy's stuff.

Absolutely agreed.
 

ears

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Some of that lies with being free to post. It's easy to post and hope when you don't have to pay for it.
 
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Toolhorder

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Yes, pretty much what I see around here, too. Lot's of guys want a minimum of 50% of retail for a used box with used tools. OK, yeah, they sometimes bring that much. All he has to do is part it out and sell one set at at a time on craigslist or eBay. Should only take a month of sorting, photos, posting, answering dumbshit questions, processing payment, packing, labeling, shipping. If he doesn't want all that grief, then take an offer for less.

What I do is go look them over and make a cash offer for it all. Usually get told "hell no", leave them a card with my phone number, say the offer is always good when they get tired of dicking around with guys who want to cherry pick the best tools for cheap. Every once in a great while, a seller calls me back and takes the money.

My pet peeve, the relative/neighbor who gives the widow a grossly inflated estimate of what the dead guy's tools are worth. The SOB won't pay that himself, but tells her not to take less. Even worse, sometimes the slimeball has already helped himself to the best tools/gear in gratitude for all his great advice on disposing of the dead guy's stuff.

jack vines

Ya same here. I got a couple good deals in the past but it's been awhile. I was looking for just a cheap box to hold more tools in rather than buying another box off the truck about 3-4 years ago and I found a cheap Mac box that was older but worked (no BB slides) and I think he was asking 350. I got there looked it over and said I'd take it (full of truck tools at the time) and asked him if he needed help getting the tools out of it and he said no I'm giving you the tools with it.
He said he's been retired 7-8 years and tried to sell them on CL and people were lowballing him and cherry picking so he decided it wasn't worth it and decided to just sell it once and for all complete.
I must have got about 2K worth of Snap-on and Mac stuff in that box. It really helped me out.
 
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Toolhorder

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What really gets to me is when I see people selling used Snap-on tools for MORE than they cost direct from Snap-on. I can't decide whether these people are purposely trying to screw people, or are just hopelessly ignorant.

Well I've sold new Snap on for more than the retail on limited stuff. Every Mother's day I buy the pink tools and then flip them on Ebay. I got a bunch of mini boxes and flipped them for a profit on Ebay. Did the same with the hard handles after nobody could buy them new anymore. Of course I got nasty emails from ebayer's saying it cost more than new. I just told them buy new then and good luck finding them. Snappy had them listed as far as price they were out of stock if you tried to buy them online.
 

Drunken Yak inc

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Well I've sold new Snap on for more than the retail on limited stuff. Every Mother's day I buy the pink tools and then flip them on Ebay. I got a bunch of mini boxes and flipped them for a profit on Ebay. Did the same with the hard handles after nobody could buy them new anymore. Of course I got nasty emails from ebayer's saying it cost more than new. I just told them buy new then and good luck finding them. Snappy had them listed as far as price they were out of stock if you tried to buy them online.

Doing what you're doing is reasonable, However I hate the fact that there are no good deals on used, non-special Snap-on sockets, wrenches or decent ratchets to be found on eBay.
 

jjjrmx5

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What really gets to me is when I see people selling used Snap-on tools for MORE than they cost direct from Snap-on. I can't decide whether these people are purposely trying to screw people, or are just hopelessly ignorant.



Absolutely agreed.

On ebay, it;s a function of selling to worldwide markets that have no Snap-On dealers orreside in places where the factory will not ship on-line sales.

Then it's a free mkt to ask whatever people will pay. :)

As for local, those that sell tools and boxes together in bulk are trying to maximize their proftis but unknowingly doing it to their own detriment. Any seller I have contacted lately going that route has no inventory or list of what they are actually selling (as by a list of every tool)and , as metnioned above, are just looking to sell based upon the tool brands and not the value of what they have.

It's pure stupidity and lazy greed mixed with a touch of selling ignorace and a pinch of no idea of real market value. No fault of the tools, just the "tools" that are selling the tools.

Obviously a lot of CL sellers skipped that High School econ. class on fair mkt. value. But then again, I'm guessin' HS is not high on the list of most CL sellers I've dealt with.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
 
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billymade

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I think where you live has allot to do with it as well; I live in southern new mexico and when I lived in northern California... things were way more expensive. I could not find as good prices in cali then nm; this was on everything.. of course the cost of living is higher and at the flea markets people are more educated on the values of things. Of course; I thought many things were just nuts... antiques, old magazines, and a million other things.
I find the best prices at garage sales and flea markets, sometimes pawn shops (in the bins); I also have established relationships with people at the flea and the owners of the local pawn shop... this helps and I tend to get things cheaper, because I am a consistent buyer from them. Also, at the flea; if something is high... I ask the price every week and see if they come down; if the item doesn't move... many times they do. It is also; ok, to walk away from something that is overpriced, there will always be another but also I will pay a higher price for certain tools that you do not see come up used very often (swivel head ratchets, hard handle items, specialty pliers, pry bars, etc.). Its kinda like fishing; you have to keep trying, be patient and you never know what you are going to get. There is also the concept of: "time poor, cash rich; time rich and cash poor". If you have no time and have the money; just buy what you want and move on with your life. I enjoy the process of finding things and have the time to do so... it is the thrill of the "chase, hunt"! eBay and craigslist; seem to feed into the "market" and cult/boutique/'scarcity"/collect-ability, brand concept of snap-on tools (deals are there but take more work to find)... if the prices are too high; then don't go into the market that commands the highest prices. Look elsewhere; good luck and happy hunting! :)
 
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472scout

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I don't let stuff like this upset me. They set the price they want and I can take it or leave it. If I give them a counter offer they can take it or leave it. Their job is to get as much as possible, and my goal is to pay as little as possible. If someone else is willing to pay too much then good for them. That's the way it works. What I would appreciate is if they would at least post up good pictures so I know exactly what they have. Too many guys are just like "I have 30 years of tools" come take a look.
 

brudno

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This thread is alot like the pot calling the kettle black...People that alot more options when it comes to selling tools, everyone has access to the internet now and digital cameras and uploading options, they dont need to be insulted with low ball prices by resellers. Resellers are the middle man and technology is making it much easier to cut you out.
 
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Toolhorder

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I don't let stuff like this upset me. They set the price they want and I can take it or leave it. If I give them a counter offer they can take it or leave it. Their job is to get as much as possible, and my goal is to pay as little as possible. If someone else is willing to pay too much then good for them. That's the way it works. What I would appreciate is if they would at least post up good pictures so I know exactly what they have. Too many guys are just like "I have 30 years of tools" come take a look.

Yeah I hear ya on the no list or anything. Here's a perfect example,

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/tls/2951510722.html

Asked him how much in email he actually seriously would take for it and he replied 20K
 
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Toolhorder

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This thread is alot like the pot calling the kettle black...People that alot more options when it comes to selling tools, everyone has access to the internet now and digital cameras and uploading options, they dont need to be insulted with low ball prices by resellers. Resellers are the middle man and technology is making it much easier to cut you out.

I don't consider myself a middleman. I'm an end user that sells duplicates off.
If people consider my offers "lowball" because they are out of touch with what something is worth used and have no concept of depreciation that's on them.
 

vintagefan

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Well I've sold new Snap on for more than the retail on limited stuff. Every Mother's day I buy the pink tools and then flip them on Ebay. I got a bunch of mini boxes and flipped them for a profit on Ebay. Did the same with the hard handles after nobody could buy them new anymore. Of course I got nasty emails from ebayer's saying it cost more than new. I just told them buy new then and good luck finding them. Snappy had them listed as far as price they were out of stock if you tried to buy them online.

I'm not talking about limited stuff... I'm talking about items that can currently be ordered from the site.

Two examples:

PWCS7 Crimper/Strippers for $84, they can be ordered for $42.

Red Dead blow ball peen on sale for more than $100 marked RARE!!!! and HARD TO FIND THROUGH TRADITIONAL CHANNELS when you can order the same exact damn hammer for $67 from Snap-on, and get it just as easily from the truck any day of the week. Both bolded items are outright lies.

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-RED-De..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item256d089b9c


That's a giant load of ****. That hammer isn't rare or hard to find AT ALL. It's a normal stock item.
 

Flatintoone

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I buy and sell as often as I can and wish I saw collections often enough to be making offers on them. As far as market prices, I have no problem with any of it. As a buyer, I have a ceiling. If the tool or collection is too expensive, I don't buy it. If I put a tool up for sale on ebay, I have little to no control over what it sells for. And why would I stop someone from "overpaying" me for a tool?

I buy and sell tools as a hobby. It's fun for me and often I don't make big margins. Occasionally I'll have an ebay auction go higher than I expected, which is good all around for me. Presumably it's good for the buyer, too, otherwise he wouldn't have bid that much. If I can sell or trade privately, help out another hobbyist, give him a good deal, and not give ebay some fee money, then I do it.

I guess what I'm saying is, as a buyer, high tool prices don't bother me because I don't have to pay them. As a seller, high tool prices don't bother me because that's profit I can use to buy more tools.
 

iroc409

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I'm not talking about limited stuff... I'm talking about items that can currently be ordered from the site.

Two examples:

PWCS7 Crimper/Strippers for $84, they can be ordered for $42.

Red Dead blow ball peen on sale for more than $100 marked RARE!!!! and HARD TO FIND THROUGH TRADITIONAL CHANNELS when you can order the same exact damn hammer for $67 from Snap-on, and get it just as easily from the truck any day of the week. Both bolded items are outright lies.

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-RED-De..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item256d089b9c


That's a giant load of ****. That hammer isn't rare or hard to find AT ALL. It's a normal stock item.

I was trying to buy a couple of Snap-On items off eBay for a while, to get a deal. Every single time the price went for about the same as what I can get it straight from Snap-On's website. I'd rather just order a new one directly from them than hassle with eBay.
 
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Toolhorder

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$2300 is fair. $800 is a steal.

There is another one on ebay with some time left that was at $500 last night I think. I think two auctions ending under $1000 tells me it's not worth over $2K but that's just me. I could be wrong. It's not a huge box or anything just harder to find
 

Danglerb

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Free to list, no limit on relisting. People read listings and use the same or higher prices, and treat ebay as the floor price without a thought for ebay fees and policies.

Try posting a WTB ad on CL with some realistic prices, like will pay up to 20% of original retail for clean unmarked collections. No dreamers or whiners.
 

byoungblood

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I'm not talking about limited stuff... I'm talking about items that can currently be ordered from the site.

Two examples:

PWCS7 Crimper/Strippers for $84, they can be ordered for $42.

Red Dead blow ball peen on sale for more than $100 marked RARE!!!! and HARD TO FIND THROUGH TRADITIONAL CHANNELS when you can order the same exact damn hammer for $67 from Snap-on, and get it just as easily from the truck any day of the week. Both bolded items are outright lies.

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-RED-De..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item256d089b9c


That's a giant load of ****. That hammer isn't rare or hard to find AT ALL. It's a normal stock item.

I just send folks like that a comment similar to this:

Just thought you'd like to know that your RARE item isn't so RARE after all:

<product link>

Putting RARE in your description doesn't automatically make it worth $** over MSRP, it just makes you look like a fool who hasn't done your research.
 

472scout

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There is another one on ebay with some time left that was at $500 last night I think. I think two auctions ending under $1000 tells me it's not worth over $2K but that's just me. I could be wrong. It's not a huge box or anything just harder to find

I wouldn't pay $2300 either, but it's not a ridiculous price. Far from it. According to the thread here the original price was $6270.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121866

$2300 is 60% off.

edit: That was your thread asking about the same box. :lol_hitti
 

472scout

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I just send folks like that a comment similar to this:

Just thought you'd like to know that your RARE item isn't so RARE after all:

<product link>

Putting RARE in your description doesn't automatically make it worth $** over MSRP, it just makes you look like a fool who hasn't done your research.

Or the friendly way: Not sure if you realize that the price on the Snap On website is $***. Here's the link. Will you take $***? Thanks!
 

byoungblood

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Or the friendly way: Not sure if you realize that the price on the Snap On website is $***. Here's the link. Will you take $***? Thanks!

Nah, because I figure that most of them know full well what they're doing. I've gone that approach before, but they still don't budge from the price. They're just preying on the people who really do think they're buying some discontinued, limited production item, or even if it was discontinued, was produced in such large volumes that they're a dime a dozen.
 

472scout

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Nah, because I figure that most of them know full well what they're doing. I've gone that approach before, but they still don't budge from the price. They're just preying on the people who really do think they're buying some discontinued, limited production item, or even if it was discontinued, was produced in such large volumes that they're a dime a dozen.

It's worked for me. I got a great deal on a wormdrive Saw 2 weeks ago. Told him that his price was more than Amazon. Offered 55% and he took it.

The people that get pissy on CL about something they don't like just makes it worse IMO. Plus, as dad always said "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." :thumbup:
 

Roots

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Using EBay as a guide, I think my tool collections have provided better returns than many mutual funds I have. There's some serious absurdities going on. I generally don't even consider used unless I'm looking at new condition for a third of retail.
 

shampoop

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+1 on sellers being completely out of touch with reality when trying to sell a large chest full of tools as a set.

1. Nobody wants to buy both a huge box and a million tools as a set.

2. People are looking at that huge box because they already have a ton of tools and therefore don't want yours.

3. They're asking for 80% of full retail pricing on OLD tools that are well used. Most of the tools the buyer will already own, or are no longer useful on modern vehicles, or are special tools only for a certain manufacturer.
 

woody 73

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I think some of the blame goes to the web; people see the high prices and then they think they have a pot of Gold.

Another part goes to ignorance on the person selling the tools, lets face it I don't know about fancy jewelry and some people don't know about tools.

Greed has part.

Misinformation.

I could go on but you get the point.
 

mtkst19

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wait until unemployment goes up and more loaded boxes come to market. although w/ gas prices going up, i think this will be the summer to buy/flip cars more so than tools. 2008-2009 was good time to buy complete setups. now that the auto industry is pretty much sorted and dealership auctions as well as personal tool sales have been cut down, supply is not as abundant. Look at dealer items that 2-3 years ago there may have been 4-5 listed on ebay. prices were dropped to sell. now that the market has dried, the ones that didn't sell are up a little higher now.

last box i looked at was advertised as loaded w/ good tools for 4k. box was worth maybe 800, tools were 700 resale value. i offered 1200. guy was kinda pissed, but counter offered 1500. i still shot it down as the risk was not worth the reward. as i price tools 2 ways--sit on it and get top dollar and low ball fire sell price. in the middle of those 2 prices is where i make my offer.

i havent hit on a good loaded box deal in probably a year. went and looked at a few--usually was a box i may resale for 1k max and tools that were mid range brand or incomplete sets that hurt resale. I was honest w/ the sellers, and told them what i expected individual stuff to sell for when i tell them my offer. this way they can rationalize my "lowball" offer. i give them my number and tell them if no other buyers come around and if they reconsider my offer to call. wish them luck and go. sometimes they end up parting out the boxes w/ my prices i told them as a guideline.
 

Stick Figure

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I will say a lot of the original posters problems are I moved up to the bay area! ha ha

I've found a few GOOD deals, and a few fair deals. There are a lot of collections that would be okay if you really needed all of it, but they just aren't amazing deals by any means. Guess it depends if you are trying to make a profit or just fill out your collection.
 

vintagefan

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+1 on sellers being completely out of touch with reality when trying to sell a large chest full of tools as a set.

1. Nobody wants to buy both a huge box and a million tools as a set.

2. People are looking at that huge box because they already have a ton of tools and therefore don't want yours.

3. They're asking for 80% of full retail pricing on OLD tools that are well used. Most of the tools the buyer will already own, or are no longer useful on modern vehicles, or are special tools only for a certain manufacturer.

Especially this ^^^

I don't want to buy someone's $20,000 worth of Flux Converter alignment aligners for 1983 Yugos, and $10,000 worth of Fubar adjuster adjustment rods for '57 Isettas.

I really have to wonder what some of these people are smoking. "Well, I paid $100,000 for it in 1983, so that means it's worth $99,909 right now because it says Snap-on."
 

geologist

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Used trucks are rediculous here in Ohio. Saw a 5 year old truck w 255k miles for...... $5,000 less than I could buy it for new. No chance in hell. I'd rather spend the extra money for a truck that hasn't been drove around the Earth's equator 10 times.
 

vintagefan

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All I know is that I don't want to pay 5% under retail for **** that looks like James Cameron just pulled it out of the Titanic wreck. :lol_hitti
 

gatewaysysop

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I generally agree, lots of the stuff I see is people pricing through the ceiling, God only knows why. One drill press my father and I went to look at, the woman was saying her son or somebody told her not to take less than about triple what it was actually worth. This is even with other CL ads for similar presses up at the same time, mind you. She was just dead set on the price, refused to get even within the ballpark of reasonable.

The worst are the tool boxes though, by far. I have yet to see anything that isn't below about 75% of retail, even if it's old and dirty, dinged up and beat to hell, they still bemoan how much it costs new and how their loss is your gain. What a load of ****. And yes, I see the same ads up endlessly, people just don't get that their price is out of touch with reality.

One guy out here, about a year ago, had a ton of Lista stuff, cabinets, shelves, etc. Lots of duplicates. I asked if he'd separate it, as he had it divided into lots and I didn't want the whole lot. He barks back "No". I offer to pay him far more than it was worth, ask him basically if I can pay the price for the whole lot and just have the shelving that I want, he can keep and sell the rest (cabinets, tables) for additional profit. Idiot still says no. :sad:

As I'm fond of repeating, since this scenario has happened to me several times, some people are poor because they're stupid. :dunno:
 

Lt CHEG

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Upstate NY
I guess I would argue that if people are paying high prices on ebay, on forums like this one and CL, etc. then maybe they aren't all that out of line with their prices. If people are routinely buying used Snap On stuff for 50% of retail, then maybe it's the people who think that they should be worth less than that who are the ones who don't know the true value of the tools. Snap On is still mostly made in the US and right now there is a bit of a movement by people to buy stuff made in the US. I think that also helps keep the price up. With CMan going overseas, and their quality as well as others largely being perceived as on the decline people who might not have otherwise bought Snap On are now looking at buying Snap On because they don't see themselves as having as many other choices in terms of quality tools and/or American made tools. This increased demand results in higher prices. Heck I myself fall in this category to a certain extent. There aren't as many good quality tools, that I can fondle before I buy locally, as there used to be so I have been buying primarily Snap On myself. I am not a pro, don't need pro level tools necessarily, but want and can afford something nicer than Craftsman in a lot of cases and don't want to buy something off the internet and risk having to send it back if I don't like it. I have bought a bunch of Snap On from off the truck and from here because I can try it out on the truck and decided if I like it. I can't do that with anything from SK, Wright, Williams, etc.

Secondly, with inflation the dollar is getting worth less and less. If someone needs money because they have to pay bills, or use it for a new home, or retirement home purchase or something of that nature then maybe they put a higher value on the dollar right now. However, if someone is retired from the business and just wants to get rid of stuff that they don't need right now, but is not really in need of cash then they are probably wise and reasonable to want more dollars than they would have wanted a few years ago. Quality tools are a useful, valuable commodity. They can be used to make money, save money on repairs and hold value while they are being used. Commodities in general are way up over the last couple of years so why should quality tools be any different? I think it's just that things in general, at least not things that are exclusively luxury items, are costing more and more, so it only makes sense that tools get more expensive too.
 

Psiber

Active member
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
29
Location
N. California
To the OP I would say that there are still deals out there I just think sometimes they get snapped up so fast you miss them. Saw an ad on San Francisco CL a couple of weeks ago for machinist tools, what looked like a Gerstner box full of tools for $50. I'm in Sacramento and didn't have the time right then for the trip, unfortunately. Ad was gone within an hour. What amazed me was guy said he got it at an estate sale. I wanted to know what estate sales he's going to that he felt like $50 was a profit. I have found that Snap-on and Mac are few and far between around here at the flea market or garage sales, but I still do really well on other good American made tools, sometimes it just takes digging through the junk. Overall, I do agree most people on CL are smokin something better than what I've got.
 

472scout

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
1,280
Location
back 40
To the OP I would say that there are still deals out there I just think sometimes they get snapped up so fast you miss them.

That's for sure. I saw a GIANT military vise I really wanted (actually on Sac CL). Listing was only about 4-5 minutes old so I'm like "I got this". Emailed him (no phone #) and he's replies right back that someone emailed him already and it's sold. Talk about early bird get the worm.
 
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