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Funny conversation with Mac Tool Technical department

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mrholeshot

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Contacted Mac Tools today about getting ratchet replaced and to see what my options are. Turns out the they no longer offer the Facom style round head and all they offer in a steel handle is an XRP9 45 tooth pear hear that bears a strong resemblance to the Stanley, Husky push button head ratchet but with some knurling on the handle. I ask where it was built and was told it was assembled in the USA but the parts come from all over the world. I was then given the news that Matco was the first to start importing tools, Snap-On is starting to build toolboxes in Taiwan and the insides of a Dual 80 was built in France. The entire time with this very nice gent he kept telling me that building in Asia was the only way they could sell tools. I laughed my *** off when I got off the phone. Can't wait to get my new XRP9, doesn't look like much.
 
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mrholeshot

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CharlieJ said:
Sounds like the Mac guy was knowingly slamming their competitors. France? Really...
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I don't know where he was getting his information. The best thing was asian built Snap-On boxes. 15 minute conversation and about all I said after the discussion about the ratchet was "really" about 40 times.
 
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MrMark

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Why would MAC tools bring up the insides of a Dual 80? How did that get worked into the conversation if all you said was "really"?
 
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mrholeshot

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MrMark said:
Why would MAC tools bring up the insides of a Dual 80? How did that get worked into the conversation if all you said was "really"?
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I asked where the ratchets were made and after I got the all over speeh he went into detail on all the other brands as if he was saying MAC wasn't doing anything the others wernt. He also went on to tell me after I asked (during the ratchet conversation) that they went with 45 teeth were so much better because the fine tooth Dual 80s were so easy to strip. I basicly just listened after that. I just found it incredible they only offer one steel handle ratchet. My only other option was to get a credit of what the ratchet cost new and was told it was 6 dollars. Ive been buying MAC for a long time and never bought a 6 dollar MAC ratchet.
 
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Damian

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It's natural for a company to slam it's competitors. After all, one is trying to beat the other one.

My Amsoil rep is actually a good guy to know. This guy has dirt on EVERYBODY. He tells me all kinds of juicy stuff.
 
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D9H 90V

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Well IF the dual80's aint made in the US and said to be made in france thats fine, france is way more respectable then anywhere in asia, thats still saying IF the dual80's aint made here,
 
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Skin

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i'd guess it was a stanley rep as opposed to MAC. For any real rep. of a truck tool brand to be spouting off like that would just be piss poor.

I'd of been interested to his reply on why someone should spend 10x as much for the same tool as GearWrench. Heck even the local corner hardware store is stocking the decent imports.
 
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Fedwrench

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The 45 tooth Proto premium pear head ratchets are sweet!!! A little on the heavy side but, very tough. I wished they had a flex head version.
 
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mrholeshot

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Stuey said:
Husky does not = MAC.

Also, this is all just hearsay and could be nothing more than a customer service rep's speculation.
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Just so it's clear the CSR never said the Mac was the same as the Husky. I said the XRP9 bears a strong resemblance to the Stanley/Husky. Personally I found the CSR gossip about all the other brand humorous and took it as such. I'll give the MAC XRP9 a fair assesment no matter who made it. Sometimes things surprize me and turn out better than expected. Not having any expectaion of quality turns out to be a good thing. I did think it was in poor taste to rip at every other tool truck brand to justify Stanley works decision to send parts production to asia. At least he was pleasent to talk with and not some PMS induced bitchy smart *** like I got on the phone at Gearwrench.
 
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Stuey

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mrholeshot

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Fedwrench said:
The 45 tooth Proto premium pear head ratchets are sweet!!! A little on the heavy side but, very tough. I wished they had a flex head version.
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I looked that one up, slight differance in the handle but other than that the same
 
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mrholeshot

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Stuey said:
I realize that, but you and oldtools were drawing parallels between the two lines.
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Just tonque and cheek remark, so much disappointment in the tool world lately and you just begin to think the worst. With Stanley Works it's just tough to have much faith as their ever changing (not for the better as a rule) tactics induce sarcasm.
 
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poprockcrusher

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yeah . mac dealers all went bankrupt ..they must have very low sales volume . but one ratchet snappy makes might have french guts . nice
 
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wchamberlain

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On the contrary, one guy on this board was hesitant to buy a S/O ratchet because it didn't say made in USA on it. I realize some of us are die hard patriotic and we want to see made in USA on it. However if S/O a ratchet has guts from France does it really matter, when it breaks replace it or have your dealer rebuild it at no cost. Same with Mac or Matco. Back to the O/P I think that was CSR just ranting about the product he is representing. I've called Mac and said the reason I don't buy your ratchets is because I think their ugly, just my 2 cents
 
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Sterff

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wchamberlain said:
On the contrary, one guy on this board was hesitant to buy a S/O ratchet because it didn't say made in USA on it. I realize some of us are die hard patriotic and we want to see made in USA on it. However if S/O a ratchet has guts from France does it really matter, when it breaks replace it or have your dealer rebuild it at no cost. Same with Mac or Matco. Back to the O/P I think that was CSR just ranting about the product he is representing. I've called Mac and said the reason I don't buy your ratchets is because I think their ugly, just my 2 cents
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Im pretty sure there are more than 1 person...
 
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treasureseeker

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I realize there is a reason for Snap On not putting USA on the dual eighties and guess a part is not made in the USA or some of the machining or finishing (not that uncommon for a company to have someone else finish a product such as the polishing and chroming) is done elsewhere but don’t care as it is a great ratchet. I don’t buy Snap On chooses not to put USA on their ratchets to appeal to a global audience if that was the case more of their tools would have no COO.
 
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nato

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wait a minute!!!!!!!! So what your saying is that "Dual 80's" aren't 100% made in America????
WTF?!?!?!?!?!!
 
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chadster1

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nato said:
wait a minute!!!!!!!! So what your saying is that "Dual 80's" aren't 100% made in America????
WTF?!?!?!?!?!!
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The packaging says Made in USA.

a31bb2ea.jpg
 
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Lump

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This debate is never going to won by one side or the other. I have so much experience with this kind of because of my job, and my time involved with SEMA. But the debate is a waste of time, so I'll stay out of it.

I will, however, suggest that we should all buy whatever we feel is the best choice for ourselves, based on utility, cost, effectiveness, comfort, patriotism, weight, looks...or whatever else might float your boat.

We all need to support our own nation as much as we can. But the facts are that with our EPA restrictions on things like chrome plating, metal hardening, etc, etc, etc...such things are going overseas, where they have no such limitations...regardless of what they say in UN meetings.

Drop the argument. Buy what you like. You can bet that this is EXACTLY what I am going to do.

Good luck.
 
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