Can we create price guide for common older Snap On tools?

[Shelbylex]

Good morning.
I am slowly getting into tools and boxes and want to learn more about it.
I read a lot of great stories how many members of this board get absolutely amazing deals on tools and boxes. I want to start collecting Snap On and would like to see if a lot of members could give their input about what would be a great price to pay for the tools in following conditions.

I know that there are a lot of variables: age of tools, rarity, etc. However, I was thinking about creating a good reference for all new and interested members which could be easy to look up.

I want to start with Snap On, but we can potentially extend it to MAC, PLOMB, MATCO, SK, etc.

Great/Some rust/Some rust+scratches/rust+chrome pealing+initials on the wrench

I think we could organize it the following way (and also add metric/SAE/size range/age range):

I Wrenches
a. Open End
2. Combination
3. Ratcheting
4. Stubby
5. Double box ent
6. Double box end ratcheting

II. Screwdrivers

III.
Ratchets
a. 1/4
b. 3/8
c. 1/2
d. 3/4
e. 1

IV Sockets
a. shallow
b. standard
c. semi-deep
d. deep
(well, I guess we can make both 6 and 12 point categories under IVa and IVb categories)

V. Pliers

For example list could eventually look like this

Snap ON wrenches:
1. Open end, metric, 8mm-18mm, 1980s(2-4$)/(1-2$)/(1$)/(ask them to pay you to take it off their hand)..


Well, this is one of the ideas. If it catches up, we can try to make an extensive list and then keep editing/updating it with a single post on the top.

P.S. If you think this is too vague of a project or I am creating a monster that can not be good enough, please tell me as well. If a lot of members think that this is useless, I could ask administrators of the board remove this post as failed idea.

Thank you!

 

[thehorse13]

We already have that list. Ebay advanced search on closed listings. As much as I do not like the site, it tells you what the retail value is more times than not.

 

[Shelbylex]

True. I was just not sure how good of a market gauge it is. Majority of people probably get great deals for cash...

 

[PugetDude]

They're worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for them when you are trying to sell them. It varies by market, industry, economic conditions, personal hardships, lunar cycles, etc...

That's why we have the "Hot Deals", "Craigslist finds" and "Garage Sale" threads...

And, every "you ****" skews the perceived value of the item. People remember the good deals, no one pays much attention to the mundane, day-to-day resale transactions.

Good luck.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thanks!

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, it would be wonderful to have such reference.

No, I wouldn't take the time to input what I paid for every random piece I come across.

Maybe, accept eBay is usually top dollar, when the fees and shipping are factored in. The buyer wanted that exact tool and paid usually too much to have it now. Craigslist is sometimes top dollar asking, but it costs nothing to make an offer.

Maybe, do what some of us have done. The most cost-effective way to have a great tool set today is start buying bargains forty years ago. Even today, when I come across a random loose Snap-on piece for cheap, I buy it, just from long habit.

Define your needs and balance those against your wants. Exactly what work are you doing now and will do in the near future? The biggest, best Snap-on set I ever saw covered a wall and was just for show. The guy could afford it and liked the oohs/aahs he got when the car club met at his ten-car garage.

jack vines

 

[ken w.]

I have found the best deals at estate sales that didn't list or have pics of tools. I study the pics in the garage and basement. Sometimes you can spot something in the background.
Prices vary in different regions as well. Last year I could have bought a whole S/O tool box full of all truck tools for $ 3500.00. Mechanic was retiring. I didn't have enough cash to buy it. I did buy some single tools that I needed.

 

[woody 73]

Although not vintage (but all snap on) prices vary from place to place. For example take a look at the following post just this week:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382801

Take a look at the last post reply (see #11) from me and you will get a better understanding of the different market place mentality; although I like your idea very much it would be very difficult to come up with just such a list.

 

[PFSard]

Shelbylex >>

Sounds like an endless, formidable task. But I wouldn't have this thread removed.

As stated in post # 7 above by ken w., I found his strategy to give good hits. Also, I look for estate sales that have tons of tools that are not priced (willy-nilly layout, rather than neatly laid out with price stickers). I haven't attended many sales recently, but I try to load up at these types of sales (on average I tend to find inexpensive, high-quality tools at these).

 

[pi_guy]

One issue is there will be a number of posts telling you that you can get the same thing cheaper at HF.
If your buying on CL or here you will often just see a few dollars under list. Other times you will see a big jump often if it was picked up as a BOGO.
If the item is rare you will get a good impression on ebay as sometimes they will bring crazy numbers. An example would be 1/4 inch drive deep flex set in chrome discontinued ten + years ago seen those hit close to 300 for a set.
My driver will charge me by the part number if the current one has a b and the one in my hand does not the SO program always wants you to up to current part number and at time I have seen 30 dollar price difference in one socket. But my dealer bought it all those years ago and is willing to be reasonable. So I pick through his 35 year old inventory for items I want.
With states that charge sales tax it is more difficult for drivers to do cash deals, in NY corporate SO sends the dealers purchase numbers to sales tax and sales tax wants their %. So it makes it hard in some states to get great cash deals.

 

[DonkDonk]

In my opinion ebay is the best guide to have. The completed sold listings are the true value of Snap-On at the current time. True it is “top dollar” but you can’t beat it for a guide. You find a wrench set at a pawn shop for $89, look on ebay and the set sells for $130-160 then you know that’s a pretty good deal.

 

[Packard V8]

A bit OT but the only Snap-on which is coming down in used price is the inch sockets and wrenches. Most users today want metric. I work on older stuff and am finding the occasional decent buy on inch.

You find a wrench set at a pawn shop for $89, look on ebay and the set sells for $130-160 then you know that’s a pretty good deal.

And in this area a pretty good deal from a pawn shop on Snap-on wrench set would be just after hell froze. Around here, it will be the pawn shop which had the eBay listing and sold it for $160. They put all their quality tools on eBay and just move the junk on the store shelves.

jack vines

 

[DadsTools]

Pawn shops have their radar searching out two things--Snap On and Craftsman. Although I do have one that culls the SK out too.

For those who do not frequent flea markets, estate/garage sales and the like, eBay is THE market. For all us flea market-yard sale junkies, our success depends on lots of other people not going! Good thing many simply don't have the time for this.

From my experience with selling used Snap On, I found a general rule of thumb is to figure retail for a good used item to be about 75% to 50% off what you'll find new on the Snap-On site. Anything less than 50% is a good price on retail used.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Generally speaking, most people do not consider tools collectable. I have purchased more than a few ultra rare sets for what I consider a bargain from individuals on offerup, craigslist etc... ebay is different, you will pay something close to retail value due to the number of us who watch that site.