Craftsman ratchets flea market

[dolfans]

Hi guys. I am thinking about going to a flea market Saturday and wondering how much i should take. I am mostly interested in Craftsman ratchets maybe sockets, Black hawk tools, screw drivers wood handles. Those who go to flea markets usually how much are these items? Would i be better off ebay or pawn shops? Thanks

 

[Coach James]

At the flea markets around here, you wouldn't have to take anything. The only tools I see at the ones around here are antiques, rusted up junk and stuff you would see in the bargain pile at Big Lots.

Coach

 

[jb3]

Traditionally, take lots of money, then return and describe a situation where you paid a fraction of the true price.

 

[fatfillup]

Prices could be all over the place depending on yhe vendor. If you are talking the standard Cman raised panel ratchets, $10 to $15 for 1/2, $8 to $12 for 3/8 and $6 ,to $10 for 1/4.

Lower end of price scale or less, good deal. In my store, I am in the middle of those ranges


Sockects shoukd go from $1 to $4 each

The secret to buying good tools cheap is to continuously look for them. Thinking you can hit one flea market and fill your box cheap is unrealistic.

 

[ATC]

At the flea markets around here, you wouldn't have to take anything. The only tools I see at the ones around here are antiques, rusted up junk and stuff you would see in the bargain pile at Big Lots.

Coach

Same...or you find what you want and it's priced at retail or higher.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Bring a lot and hope for the best!

 

[JeepYJ]

The secret to buying good tools cheap is to continuously look for them. Thinking you can hit one flea market and fill your box cheap is unrealistic.

If you’re wanting good tools leave the Craftsman RP ratchets behind.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The secret to buying good tools cheap is to continuously look for them. Thinking you can hit one flea market and fill your box cheap is unrealistic.

This is the key, along with having cash on hand, to finding great deals. Always be on the lookout for them.

 

[Davefr]

If you’re wanting good tools leave the Craftsman RP ratchets behind.

B.S. The RP CM ratchets are just fine for all but everyday professional use. In fact the RP RHFT is still one of the best ratchets ever made but he probably won't find one at a FM.

 

[fatfillup]

If you’re wanting good tools leave the Craftsman RP ratchets behind.

Haha, you get no argument from me. I don't like them but I do sell a fair number of them. And lots of folks like them as I often see them sell at auctions for the prices I quoted

 

[39 LaSalle]

At the flea markets around here, you wouldn't have to take anything. The only tools I see at the ones around here are antiques, rusted up junk and stuff you would see in the bargain pile at Big Lots.

Coach

Same here in TN. Oh, I found a Blackhawk 3/8 drive a year or so back for $7, but tools in general seem to have dried up. About the only thing you find (if anything) is useless old timers, or rusty, neglected no-name junk that was bought for $0.50 for the whole pile at auction, and has been picked through over and over because the dealer keeps trotting out the same junk week after week at the same flea markets. If there ever was any good stuff to begin with, it's long gone.

 

[fatfillup]

When looking for bargains at flea markets, especially tools that are desirable, couple of hints,

1. get there early. Any bargains will be snatched up quickly, especially by resellers like me.
2. avoid the pro flea market vendors, they try to sell for what a tool is worth. Find the folks who are retiring, downsizing or liquidating an estate.
3. I have better luck at flea markets that are once a month or couple of times a year. The weekly ones tend to have mainly pro vendors
4. Keep going, don't let one bad flea market sour you on all of them.

 

[seber]

I sell dozens of Craftsman ratchets every year. Unless they are brand new because I warranteed them, I charge $10 each regardless of size or type. They don't move fast at that price but they do sell. As far as quality, lets just say I don't use them either.

 

[lardy1]

I put all mine in the local auction. The local flea market tool guy said he would give me six dollars apiece for them and I thought I would do better. I was dead wrong. lol.

 

[gearhead1]

Short answer - depends. I’ve had my best luck at flea markets. I’ve gotten some good deals at pawn shops and eBay, but sometimes both are just downright absurd what they’re asking. If I had to rank them, 1-flea markets, 2-eBay, 3-pawn shops. With 2 and 3 closer together and not close to 1.

On eBay, it depends on who is looking for what at the time. I‘ve seen things go for a crazy amount of money then a couple months later, the same thing is very reasonable if not a good deal.

I‘ve been in pawn shops and gotten killer deals. If you find a place that is reasonable, then some of them will let you leave your name and number and will contact you when the item comes in. Keep going back to a good place, forget the places that don’t want to work with you. I’ve been in pawn shops where everything was so high and no wiggle room, for not much more, I could buy it new.

Like fatfillup said - The secret to buying good tools cheap is to continuously look for them. Then you will find the deals.

Where in NC are you? I sent a PM……

 

[dolfans]

Thanks guys. I have to work tomorrow Saturday and thought i would go to one about 15 mins from work. I guess i will pass for now. Maybe go sometime soon on a Saturday earlier

 

[Rickster]

You should be there so early you need a flashlight!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

All depends on the vendors. There could be nine vendors specializing in cheap Chinese but one vendor with reasonably priced American tools. I filled out most of my original Craftsman tool set at a flea market 25 years ago. Luckily, I found a good vendor and became a regular customer of his.

 

[Marsman]

I agree, get there early, make friends with the dealers. People over look tools, clean them up on a wire wheel, little polish and they are good to put back into service. Old ratchets that are stiff or do not move, take them apart clean them and give them some lubricants.