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frustrated with Snap-On and Blue Point

carterbeauford

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Oct 2, 2011
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NW PA
I thought my winter project, a 1941 John Deere tractor, would be a good excuse to stock up on tools. it has been a frustrating experience.

I bought a $27 Blue-Point tubing cutter to do the crankcase vent line. it arrived with the sticker peeled off revealing it's an Imperial tubing cutter which sells elsewhere for $11. I paid $16 for a sticker. since I did not even get to enjoy looking at my expensive Blue-Point sticker, I got an RMA from Snap-On and mailed it back. 2 weeks later they mailed it back to me, citing "insufficient packaging" ...does anyone else buy from Snap-On.com? do they use packaging? every order I've ever received comes in a plastic bag inside a box. this really pissed me off. they eventually told me to keep the tool and gave me a credit.

I ordered a $220 Blue-Point service cart in October. it ***** trying to work on a narrow front tractor with nowhere to put your tools. I got ahold of the Snap-On truck that serves my area because I didn't want to pay $70 shipping. the rep was friendly enough and I appreciated him being willing to stop by my home shop on a Saturday to deliver the cart when it came in, as I'm never home during the week. a few weeks go by, no phone call. called him up, no carts in stock, due the end of October. no problem, I'd really like to rebuild my engine using this cart but I can wait. almost 2 months go by, I remembered hey, didn't I order a cart? called him up and they're due the end of January. cancel the order, I don't need it that badly.

I bought a $52 cylinder hone and it lasted 5 minutes. in those 5 minutes I was able to hone both cylinders, but it self destructed inside the #2 cylinder with a Milwaukee 14.4v cordless drill powering it. I paid more for the Blue-Point hone with the idea that it would last and I'd be able to use it on future tractors, these tractors have large cylinders and some standard size cylinder tools are too small. I made sure to include the plastic bag this time, I hope they don't mail it back to me.

I still hold that Snap-On tools are the best you can buy, but everything Blue-Point lately has been overpriced junk. I apologize for my bad attitude, but if you were me, would you keep buying from Snap-On? I try to buy made in the USA, but a part of my made in Taiwan Gearwrench ratcheting tap and die set broke, and after a 5 minute phone call I had a new one being sent out no questions asked.
 
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ricleh

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I try to buy made in the USA, but a part of my made in Taiwan Gearwrench ratcheting tap and die set broke, and after a 5 minute phone call I had a new one being sent out no questions asked.

You are aware that Blue Point tools are not made by Snapon aren't you? Most Blue Point tools are not made in the USA either. That is not to say they are not good tools, but if you are trying to buy tools made in the USA, then Blue Point is not the way to do it.
 

fivespdcat

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Oct 25, 2011
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To me, if you're buying cheap Taiwan or Chinese tools you may as well buy them as cheap as possible. That's why I never buy bluepoint. It's all rebranded with a mark up, so why bother as a homeowner? Mechanics at least get delivery.
 

fordbroncodave

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Sep 15, 2009
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i haven't had any bad luck with them, although i do not buy any bluepoint tools.

i wish snap on would get their act together and alert dealers on stock quantities and if its on back order when that will be available.

a couple weeks ago it took 3 weeks to get a socket that they had 2900 of in stock. no excuses. my dealer makes an order once a week. and it should not take any longer then 5 days to get it. 5+7= 12 days MAX!!!!!!
 
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carterbeauford

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Oct 2, 2011
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NW PA
You are aware that Blue Point tools are not made by Snapon aren't you? Most Blue Point tools are not made in the USA either. That is not to say they are not good tools, but if you are trying to buy tools made in the USA, then Blue Point is not the way to do it.

yes I knew that, and both tools I bought were made in the USA:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1339&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1589&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
 

fordbroncodave

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Sep 15, 2009
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You are aware that Blue Point tools are not made by Snapon aren't you? Most Blue Point tools are not made in the USA either. That is not to say they are not good tools, but if you are trying to buy tools made in the USA, then Blue Point is not the way to do it.

economy line is a better way to phrase it. good tools, just not top performers
 

Ed_EOD

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Dec 4, 2009
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North Pole, AK
I thought everyone knew Blue-point is mostly rebranded stuff? Lots of "made in the USA" by other companies, but a LOT of China/Taiwan also. The cart you ordered is made in China.
 
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carterbeauford

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To me, if you're buying cheap Taiwan or Chinese tools you may as well buy them as cheap as possible. That's why I never buy bluepoint. It's all rebranded with a mark up, so why bother as a homeowner? Mechanics at least get delivery.

right but my entire principle is that I try not to use cheap Taiwanese or Chinese tools in my shop, tractor restoration requires higher than standard homeowner grade of tools.

I worked as a heavy truck mechanic for years before I lost my business, if I can qualify my preference for quality tools, I have a whole box full of good stuff, it's just in my home shop now instead of my truck shop.
 
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mudflap

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cincinnati,ohio
SUPERIOR TOOL is the way to go for made in USA tubing benders/cutters, FLEX-HONE, for the cylinders. Use these tools on a regular basis , its the good stuff.
 
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fivespdcat

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right but my entire principle is that I try not to use cheap Taiwanese or Chinese tools in my shop, tractor restoration requires higher than standard homeowner grade of tools.

I worked as a heavy truck mechanic for years before I lost my business, if I can qualify my preference for quality tools, I have a whole box full of good stuff, it's just in my home shop now instead of my truck shop.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were buying only that stuff. But just about everything bluepoint makes is rebranded. If you find something from bluepoint check amazon or an industrial shop like grainger. You'll find it and cheaper!
 

plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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Northern Wi
Some Bluepoint stuff is re-branded Lisle or other US made brands, but for the most part overseas origin. Unless it's easier to warranty through Snap-on (or has a better warranty through them) you may be better off buying the OEM instead.
 

jjjrmx5

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Dec 30, 2010
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Cincinnati, OH
right but my entire principle is that I try not to use cheap Taiwanese or Chinese tools in my shop, tractor restoration requires higher than standard homeowner grade of tools.

I worked as a heavy truck mechanic for years before I lost my business, if I can qualify my preference for quality tools, I have a whole box full of good stuff, it's just in my home shop now instead of my truck shop.

Keep in mind that not everything labeled Blue Point is Asian made. It has gone more that way as of late, but my Blue Point ratcheting tap wrenches were German made by Schroeder for example.

I;ve had several BP service sets and have had no issues. Use the BP combo ratcheting reversible wrenches all the time with no issues.

They have been going the slippery slope way of moving things to Asia, but it's a case by case examination.

I;ve always had a weekly truck that is more than happy to solve my warranty needs, but many are not so fortunate.

Don't hate the playa , hate the game. :9
:lol: LOL.
 
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oilslick

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Feb 19, 2011
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Central illinois
I am a tightass who tends to buy twice when saving a buck and I feel your pain just remember another sucker is born every day. What pisses me off is china **** with bluepoint prices, that is why I buy and use some harbour freight **** at work,earhquake gun and a couple angle grinders needle scalers etc. Actual snapon tools are great and I tend to buy them when absolute dependability is needed like wreches and air hammer, pliers etc. It does seem like we cannot get a good salesman that lasts on our route at work although the matco guy is great I have trouble justifying purchases on his truck due to questionable quality to price ratio!! I love the redback boots he sells and matco has thee best flex impact sockets! Off topic sorry
 

afazz

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Nov 25, 2007
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Pittsburgh, PA
There are many reasons people buy Blue Point tools:

-Truck financing. You can make weekly payments at 0% interest.
-Free delivery directly to your workplace
-Excellent warranty. Some things, like locking pliers made by Grip-on, have a better warranty with blue paint than they do with orange paint. And they're the same price!
-You need it NOW. A lot of the Blue Point tools are not available locally in any store from their original manufacturer. I bought a Blue Point windshield knife, which I could have purchased online from the manufacturer for $10 less, but I needed it and my guy had it on his truck.
-Paying a premium to have Snap-on do the thinking and shopping for you. If you didn't have the time to research the product you need, you can buy a Blue Point and know it's a decent product. If you have the time to research it, you can probably figure out the original manufacturer and save some cash.

If you don't need these things, then you really have no reason to ever buy Blue Point. Almost everything from Blue Point can be purchased cheaper elsewhere.
 
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Now Leaving , NJ
To me, if you're buying cheap Taiwan or Chinese tools you may as well buy them as cheap as possible. That's why I never buy bluepoint. It's all rebranded with a mark up, so why bother as a homeowner? Mechanics at least get delivery.

usually in stock on the truck , and the tool costs less than my usual 50 dollar a week ROA payment
 
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