Craftsman NOS tool prices

[PoorOwner]

I was wondering why craftsman made in USA tools are listed for ridiculous prices on eBay, are they collectables ?

For example I didn't even think raised panel wrenches costed $100 a set
Or screwdrivers that are $20 each.
I bet every other garage on this street has wrenches like that. Does NOS made things really special and demand super inflated prices?

 

[wagon]

They're listed for ridiculous because some greedy **** head thinks someone will pay the price.

Occasionally, some fool agrees to pay it.

This is called economics! I have it, it isn't made anymore, and you want it!

Surely many garages will have them, and when that's taken into consideration, they may not be worth nearly as much as they're listed for. Some people might just place a higher value on virgin Craftsman USA tools than others, and are willing to pay the price to get them. Why, I don't know. They're kinda junk. Especially the ratchets. Even the new 84T Premium ones ****, and I paid full price for 2 of them, and was excited to do so.

 

[Fedwrench]

Because there's a sucker born every minute and that's enough to make a decent living on.

there are just a lot of listings on ebay that just don't make sense. Like selling Harbor Freight coupons, listing Williams tools as snap on, reselling Harbor freight freebies, etc.

Just remember Buyer Beware, and life with ebay will be good.

 

[drink]

I have purchased some of the remaining made in USA Craftsman tools because I wanted the set I was completing to be full of the made in USA tools. The new offshore tools don't look the same.

 

[wagon]

I have purchased some of the remaining made in USA Craftsman tools because I wanted the set I was completing to be full of the made in USA tools. The new offshore tools don't look the same.

but they're probably just as ******!

 

[nine4gmc]

How can the seller be a greedy ******** if there are fools out there who buy it?

It's called commerce, look it up.

 

[shanny19]

Because there's a sucker born every minute and that's enough to make a decent living on.

there are just a lot of listings on ebay that just don't make sense. Like selling Harbor Freight coupons, listing Williams tools as snap on, reselling Harbor freight freebies, etc.

Just remember Buyer Beware, and life with ebay will be good.

Selling hf coupons on eBay is pure money laundering and has NOTHING to do with harbor freight

 

[lilcraigford]

My favorite eBay Craftsman listings are the ones for empty USA or "vintage" packaging. Take a look at this gem for example:

Craftsman Professional USA Black & Red 6" Diagonal Cutting Pliers 45762 Package

 

[Conductor562]

Because everyone envisions now that Craftsman has gone to ****, Craftsman fans will pony up big bucks to stock up before it's gone. Here's why I don't think it will happen:

1. Some of the recent ASKING prices (not selling prices) exceede prices of much higher quality sets from brands like Proto, Wright, and SK. Anyone who pays more for..... say an RP combo set, is either A: Stupid (what the seller is banking on) or B: Really into the mediocrity that was later USA Craftsman and likely knows....

2. Thanks to Craftsman's decades of popularity, billions of tools sold, and DIY market niche in recent decades, there is enough gingerly used USA Craftsman to keep collectors collecting steadily for years and years to come. You can find pieces from damn near any era, size, or series with relative ease at any pawn shop, flea market, or swap meet in America. There are obvious exceptions, but some of these people are a good 20 years early on their wishful pricing.

People can do with their money as they wish, but we're talking economics here and the bottom line is that anyone who pays $20 for a Craftsman screwdriver, any Craftsman screwdriver, or $100 for all but the largest of basic RP wrench sets, is a fool, period.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Yeah it's bad when Cman pro wrenches cost more than sk or Armstrong. I have a set of Cman pros and I have to say I don't get it.

 

[four.cycle]

I was wondering why craftsman made in USA tools are listed for ridiculous prices on eBay, are they collectibles ?

This subject has come in in different threads here recently.
Ebay is not the real world, nor do the prices posted for items necessarily reflect in any way their actual worth or value.
Unfortunately, Ebay is currently the proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the marketplace; pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers use Ebay prices as a guideline for establishing their own prices.
The perception is that common formerly US-made Craftsman tools are in short supply, making them "rare" and "vintage".
The myth is perpetuated by other Ebay sellers listing items with ridiculous prices.
It doesn't apply only to "NOS" items:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5305636&highlight=craftsman#post5305636

And it's not exclusive to Craftsman:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5307452&highlight=idiot#post5307452

To verify if the items are actually selling for the asking price, add them to your "watch list" and wait until the sale ends and then check the status of the item. If an auction item received 0 bids, obviously nobody was willing to pay the asking price. If it was listed as a "buy it now" item and you see "sale ended", it means nobody was willing to pay the asking price.

I'm fairly new here and on Ebay, and it hasn't taken me very long to figure out that there are some incredibly good deals on Ebay if you take time to look, and there are a lot of Ebay sellers who seem to think that their old beat-up junk is gold-plated.

 

[warmpancakes]

I just sold a sealed in the package 3 piece craftman plier set from the 80s for 80 bucks shipped

 

[shockwave]

Really it's just what people are willing to pay for USA craftsman

 

[thesilverone]

that seller is on crack

 

[justanengineer]

Ebay is not the real world, nor do the prices posted for items necessarily reflect in any way their actual worth or value.

The perception is that common formerly US-made Craftsman tools are in short supply, making them "rare" and "vintage".

The myth is perpetuated by other Ebay sellers listing items with ridiculous prices.

+1. JME but eBay has been a multiple of reality on most items for ~15 years now, driven largely by new "collectors" and folks who want "now" vs reasonably priced.

I always get a giggle out of folks here discussing how common Cman tools are now all made in China and that Sears has been simply selling old inventory for years.....yea, ok. Those folks need to go look for "deals" on eBay and use reality tv as a pricing guide.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[valentine]

I suppose that I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for USA Craftsman tools. In the 1970's, when I started turning wrenches, they were the brand I bought. For many years Sears was where I went to build my set. When I realized that the Craftsman brand was heading somewhere that I wasn't going to follow, I started to purchase what was left of their stuff which I still considered to be good quality. Once I had enough to build good base sets for each of my sons, I started purchasing from other brands. Personally, I wouldn't pay some crazy sellers astronomical price for anything but it's all a matter of whatever the current market will support. I shake my head when I see astronomical asking prices for USA made Craftsman tools, but if a seller can really get that amount, I suppose that I can't blame them for going for it.

-Valentine

 

[CobraChevelle]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12pc...448677?hash=item4af47d8ce5:g:xAwAAOSwgyxWU9Qs

 

[warmpancakes]

ebay is the market, ebay has replaced the Orion blue books, appraisers and many other companies and Jobs, i buy alot of stuff at garage and estate sales to flip, and 99% of the time I can check selling prices on ebay quick and simple. Estate sales companies that are worth a **** do the same thing, smart ones leave profit greedy ones list at selling prices and sell nothing till 1/2 off day

 

[BgBmBoo]

Asking price and selling price are two different things. Like other people have mention, there are more than enough lightly used USA made Craftsman tools out there to supply us for many, many years to come.

You can still find NOS products at Sears on occasion. Just yesterday I picked up a 9 piece combination wrench set at my local hometown sears that was USA made. It was 50% off for black Friday. I couldn't pick it up fast enough!

 

[Ponchoguy]

Because everyone envisions now that Craftsman has gone to ****, Craftsman fans will pony up big bucks to stock up before it's gone. Here's why I don't think it will happen:

1. Some of the recent ASKING prices (not selling prices) exceede prices of much higher quality sets from brands like Proto, Wright, and SK. Anyone who pays more for..... say an RP combo set, is either A: Stupid (what the seller is banking on) or B: Really into the mediocrity that was later USA Craftsman and likely knows....

2. Thanks to Craftsman's decades of popularity, billions of tools sold, and DIY market niche in recent decades, there is enough gingerly used USA Craftsman to keep collectors collecting steadily for years and years to come. You can find pieces from damn near any era, size, or series with relative ease at any pawn shop, flea market, or swap meet in America. There are obvious exceptions, but some of these people are a good 20 years early on their wishful pricing.

People can do with their money as they wish, but we're talking economics here and the bottom line is that anyone who pays $20 for a Craftsman screwdriver, any Craftsman screwdriver, or $100 for all but the largest of basic RP wrench sets, is a fool, period.

Insert the brand name of choice and it's foolish no matter what the brand. People will overpay for any brand, the "premium" ones included. That's silly in my book. Just because it's made by Tool Truck Brand A or B doesn't mean it's good.

There's plenty of most of our brands of choice out there that you don't have to overpay if you're smart. I wouldn't overpay for any brand, I don't care how "good" it is.

Why someone would pay $30 for a SO tape measure (that's a made in China US Tape unit in disguise) when any other brand will do just fine is beyond me. Yet, people will do it.

Why you'd buy a SO floor jack that's obviously a Lincoln in disguise is beyond me, but people will do it. We all have our preferences and we like what we like.

I personally do not overpay for any tool, no matter what the brand. CMan has allowed me to expand my tool collection reasonably priced and they get the job done and do it well.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I suppose that I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for USA Craftsman tools. In the 1970's, when I started turning wrenches, they were the brand I bought. For many years Sears was where I went to build my set. When I realized that the Craftsman brand was heading somewhere that I wasn't going to follow, I started to purchase what was left of their stuff which I still considered to be good quality. Once I had enough to build good base sets for each of my sons, I started purchasing from other brands. Personally, I wouldn't pay some crazy sellers astronomical price for anything but it's all a matter of whatever the current market will support. I shake my head when I see astronomical asking prices for USA made Craftsman tools, but if a seller can really get that amount, I suppose that I can't blame them for going for it.

-Valentine

+1. I still buy the USA made stuff and it gets the job done and then some for me. I just did a ton of car work over the weekend, all done with CMan RP tools, from various sources. Most of them were used, some new, all got the job done admirably.

I sold a Honda Z600 microfiche set on Ebay some time back for $186. Apparently, it's rare. I then 2nd chance offered the next set for $184 and that sold too.

It's all what someone's willing to pay. I've listed stuff on CL, no sale. Raised the price, changed the description around, bingo, it sells. Go figure. Same with Ebay at times.

 

[CobraChevelle]

Not just eBay or craigslist.. even on the great almighty garage journal

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310766

 

[Brownsfan]

At least it's $175 for both sets. On ebay they are 175 each. Or more.

 

[CobraChevelle]

At least it's $175 for both sets. On ebay they are 175 each. Or more.

hmm maybe I should try that

 

[RatchetMan]

Estate sales companies that are worth a **** do the same thing, smart ones leave profit greedy ones list at selling prices and sell nothing till 1/2 off day

While I understand the frustration, I don't agree with the sentiment. Estate sales companies are in the business to make money, too. They spend days setting up the sale, they have to pay staff, etc. If they put all this time and effort into setting up the sale with the sole purpose of pricing things cheap so other people could turn a profit with no investment( i.e. no time invested other than showing up on sale day) they wouldn't be in business for long. And, as you stated, things are always discounted on the last day so if you don't get it for a steal on day one, come back on day two.

Disclaimer - I don't operate an estate sale company but I have been to some sales where people basically want stuff for free so they can turn around and boast about how they sold it for $200. It doesn't always work that way.

 

[Vantastic]

I'm trying to capitalize on the craze myself. I have an 8 oz hammer on eBay with no interest at $10. Lol.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I'm trying to capitalize on the craze myself. I have an 8 oz hammer on eBay with no interest at $10. Lol.

The thing about CMan tool is that Sears was/is a mass retailer so their tools are literally everywhere and they made so many of them. They turn up at just about every garage sale out there.

I've had very good luck with Sears as a company in general and with my Cman tools.

 

[snooter]

I would just like to buy a gently used old mac tool PSP KIT for pulling off the p/s pulley on my old IH Scout..let me know...

We still have a mint grey craftsman tool box bought in the 60's as well as a table saw and others...the old power tools from that era were great and we have many..we did buy a new motor for the band saw...

I have tons of craftsman stuff 40 years old as well as armstrong and sk...we always bought it..but there is not 1 craftsman ratchet in the bunch..that was always snap on...they just never felt right...i never owned a snap on screwdriver until a few years ago though..seems sears always had the best feel in my end in regards to a screwdriver..

Its just sad what happened to the crsftsman brand...it use to be good stuff..all my roller boxes are old craftsman and date coded in the 80's--and marked waterloo...they are all in nice shape and dont have that thin metal..just sad what happened to them

Seriously i need a mac psp set 29525 kit..let me know

 

[four.cycle]

why would someone pay big money for a rusty, beat-up, tool box...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sna...:g:9YsAAOSw8-tWXKlK&item=201476415034&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-sna...:g:yKAAAOSwiLdWCJma&item=381477492049&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sna...:g:lMoAAOSwv-NWV6Ku&item=121825216177&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Soc...:g:b4oAAOSwf-VWVNnx&item=141836863343&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-sna...:g:xoIAAOSwI-BWQ2HY&item=381464409571&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sna...:g:K-kAAOSwNSxVT0sr&item=321917871554&vxp=mtr

...when they could buy a nice new shiny one for $21 bucks?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J5299...591658?hash=item46452260ea:g:LV8AAOSw9mFWHY-O

I said this before in another thread: perception is reality to the prospective buyer.

* note that while a few of the above items are on 'watch lists', there are no bids on any of the items, and I know that at least two of those Snap-On boxes have been on there for at least two or three weeks.

as has been mentioned already: asking price and selling price are not always the same number. I've put stuff on "watch list", waited for the sale to end, and then waited to see if it was re-listed. in several cases, the seller re-listed the item with a lower asking price.
in at least two instances, I waited until the clock was almost down to zero on the sale, and then sent the seller a message to the effect of "Hey, I like your wrench, but $15 is too much. Re-list it for $10 and I'll buy it immediately."
both times it worked for me. they re-listed it at a reduced price (on a "buy it now" deal) and I got the item for what I wanted to pay for it.

only a fool doesn't understand that a willing buyer is better than not making a sale.
there are, unfortunately, a lot of fools selling stuff on Ebay.

 

[Coach James]

Selling hf coupons on eBay is pure money laundering and has NOTHING to do with harbor freight

While it may sneaky, it is not money laundering.

Coach

 

[PoorOwner]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12pc...448677?hash=item4af47d8ce5:g:xAwAAOSwgyxWU9Qs

Hmm ok, I have receipt for this same wrench set.

I paid regular price of $79.99 in 2008.
It is comforting to know insurance company use eBay to appraise.. ( if true ). In case I make a claim I can ask for $300 and buy myself a snap on set

It doesn't say pro or industrial, fairy dust, etc anywhere

 

[CobraChevelle]

Hmm ok, I have receipt for this same wrench set.

I paid regular price of $79.99 in 2008.
It is comforting to know insurance company use eBay to appraise.. ( if true ). In case I make a claim I can ask for $300 and buy myself a snap on set

It doesn't say pro or industrial, fairy dust, etc anywhere

Craftsman had a fairy dust line?

btw, do I smell lighter fluid now by those craftsman tools

 

[anndel]

I was wondering why craftsman made in USA tools are listed for ridiculous prices on eBay, are they collectables ?

For example I didn't even think raised panel wrenches costed $100 a set
Or screwdrivers that are $20 each.
I bet every other garage on this street has wrenches like that. Does NOS made things really special and demand super inflated prices?

Shame on the mess

 

[fatfillup]

I am a reseller that for the most part sell out of my store. I do use ebay to value items, but I always go to completed sales. I do plan on using ebay this winter to widen my audience on certain items. I do not try to hit homeruns on pricing tools. I want repeat customers that trust and rely on me. I hit singles and doubles and move a lot of product. As you all know, happy tool customers are repeat customers and repeat customers make business easy.

I will try to make the greedy sellers work to my advantage. If they are trying to get $200 for something worth $100, and I price mine at $100, folks will buy mine and feel like they got a good deal and I get the price I wanted.

So, crack smoking sellers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,list away

 

[snooter]

I have a 75 year anniversery gold colored craftsman ratchet i just dug out of my box which is in a wooden display box of some sorts..never used..has the now sought after V code..whatever that means..wonder what the lil pup is now worth...truly amazes me what some are wanting for a dang sears scredriver...

 

[Ponchoguy]

I am a reseller that for the most part sell out of my store. I do use ebay to value items, but I always go to completed sales. I do plan on using ebay this winter to widen my audience on certain items. I do not try to hit homeruns on pricing tools. I want repeat customers that trust and rely on me. I hit singles and doubles and move a lot of product. As you all know, happy tool customers are repeat customers and repeat customers make business easy.

I will try to make the greedy sellers work to my advantage. If they are trying to get $200 for something worth $100, and I price mine at $100, folks will buy mine and feel like they got a good deal and I get the price I wanted.

So, crack smoking sellers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,list away

What Cman do you sell on Ebay?

 

[Brownsfan]

And to think I use my Craftsman USA Made tools to fix things. I should have just kept them in their packages and sold them on eBay. Well eBay didn't exist when I started buying tools. There is nothing special about these tools other than they are the last of the USA made tools. You don't see the last of the USA made Kobalt or Husky getting listed for stupid money. In fact it goes pretty cheap.

 

[logical]

I have a 75 year anniversery gold colored craftsman ratchet i just dug out of my box which is in a wooden display box of some sorts..never used..has the now sought after V code..whatever that means..wonder what the lil pup is now worth...truly amazes me what some are wanting for a dang sears scredriver...

Less than you might imagine, maybe less than it went for new. The 75th anniversary was only a dozen years ago and 99% of those gold plated ratchets (are you sure it is -v- marked?) are still untouched in the wood boxes in sock drawers all over the country. They may never rare in our children lifetime, maybe never.

The reason someone pays up for a NOS 1940's Craftsman tool is because it is rare. They weren't sold as collectibles so 99.9% got well used if not destroyed. Its the same story for old toys, old cars, old coins..you name it. Value = desirability + rarity + CONDITION.

 

[snooter]

Less than you might imagine, maybe less than it went for new. The 75th anniversary was only a dozen years ago and 99% of those gold plated ratchets (are you sure it is -v- marked?) are still untouched in the wood boxes in sock drawers all over the country. They may never rare in our children lifetime, maybe never.

The reason someone pays up for a NOS 1940's Craftsman tool is because it is rare. They weren't sold as collectibles so 99.9% got well used if not destroyed. Its the same story for old toys, old cars, old coins..you name it. Value = desirability + rarity + CONDITION.

Yep VR made in usa 22k gold plated. Certificate says made in usa in spfld mass by danaher associates...my post is all tongue in check and i had this given to me basically...it really is not a bad ratchet all things considered...god speed

 

[logical]

-vr- is not -v- or =v=, vr came much later and from a different source

regardless, they bring $50 on a good day.