How buying Snap On may actually cheaper than Harbor Freight

[Parabellum]

Since when has Taiwan(ROC) been funding the Chinese(PRC) military? I mean, we are talking about the HF ratchets which are made in, wait for it..... Taiwan.
Especially, since the ROC lost the Chinese civil war in 1949 and was relegated to the island of Taiwan. I'm sure the ROC is funding the PRC's military.

For all those who don't get it, let me spell it out in big bold letters. Taiwan is not the same as China

I NEVER said Taiwan is the same as China



What an idiot by the way, I would rather buy Taiwan than China.

 

[RAYJAY]

SO is cheaper than HF because everytime you use a SO tool it pays for itself.

really............................... the HF i have makes me mony every time i use it and it cost soooo much less...........$$$$$$$

 

[Jacobson]

Of course there is a market. Yard Sales, Estate Sales, Flea Markets, eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji, Habitat for Humanity's Restores, and all the Used Tool Stores spread out all across the country. At any one of these you can find new and used "dept. store tools" on display for sale right alongside the truck brands.

It's the very same market that you alluded to in your original post when you proposed selling your SnapOn tools to recover costs. That same market also generates profits from lesser brands and no-name tools as well.

The market I was referring to was Ebay. I don't do garage sales or flea markets since they blow up the model entirely, based on lifetime and time value. I have never seen generic tools being sold on Ebay. But yes, maybe people buy used HF stuff at garage sales for $1.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Each to thier own, but i do not buy particular brand tools for resale value. I buy them to make a living and or fix things around my property. When i make a purchases, its based on value at the time, quality, warranty and customer service. I also pick the brand which is best at that particular product. Alot of the times its not the most expensive option and resale value is never in the equation

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Buy snap on for $100
Keep,it and use it for a bunch of years.
When you sell it many years later because you are too damn old to use it anymore...
The new price will then be $300 for a similar ratchet.
You sell for 1/2 price of new, or $150
You just made $50 so it's like,you got paid $50 to have bought and used it

Bob

Buy HF, invest the savings, not have to go through the effort of selling off your tools. Its like you got paid to buy and use the cheaper tool and take opportunity cost into account!

 

[kctyphoon]

I NEVER said Taiwan is the same as China



What an idiot by the way, I would rather buy Taiwan than China.

Did YOU actually just call HIM an Idiot? Have you read your own posts?

 

[crbnfbr]

What an idiot by the way, I would rather buy Taiwan than China.

So, you do buy Chinese goods and support their evil empire, but you'd rather buy Taiwanese? At least that's exactly what you just said.
You should have said "I would buy Taiwanese."

I won't respond to the name calling as I'm a grown man typing on a Chinese made keyboard, and I don't want to type something that may accidentally cause China to launch a nuke at either of us. Since, I'm sure they are monitoring everything that's typed on Chinese made PC's, phones, tablets etc. You know, because they're evil.

Did YOU actually just call HIM an Idiot? Have you read your own posts?

I laughed a bit myself at that. This thread was specifically referencing the HF ratchets which were being compared to Snap on, and I know all the HF "Pro" and composite ratchets are Taiwanese. I'm not sure about their other ratchets.

 

[OSULemon]

I'll throw OP some support here. I've purchased tools with the mindset that "this is a lifetime tool, buy once cry once, I'll never need to buy another."

But then, I look at some of the advancements in technology in the last five years, and boy I wouldn't mind having a set of wright-grip wrenches instead of my old SK's, or maybe a locking flex-head Dual-100 ratchet just came out that makes my old 36 tooth Snap-on look positively prehistoric. Does that mean I absolutely need these new tools? No, but if you're the kind of person who likes to keep up with the times, following OP's model isn't too far fetched.

I bought a Milwaukee drill/driver set for the last Home Depot $150-off promo. The new Fuel stuff. I expect to sell it in the next year or so and pick up the new models. I might lose $100 or so, but I keep excellent care of them so it won't be much. It's worth the $100 loss to not use a Harbor Freight drill/driver in the last two years, and it would likely be dead by then (because I've done that, and it was).

OP mentioned Ebay for re-selling. That's the easiest way IMO; I don't have time to Craigslist individual tools or sell them at a garage sale. Buyers on Ebay are not searching for HF tools, and most are not looking for, nor will they pay much for a worn-out Ryobi. What they ARE searching for is "Milwaukee Fuel"

Many will disagree with this and claim their $100 drill/driver combo is working perfectly for them for the last 10 years. Fair enough. Is there opportunity cost involved? Probably. Personal preference.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I love the backwards logic of this entire thread, including the incessant pointless bitching between members over differing opinions. What happened the live and let live?

Do you guys make your car purchases on the basis of its resale value for when you decide to change it?

 

[ngk22r]

I NEVER said Taiwan is the same as China



What an idiot by the way, I would rather buy Taiwan than China.

Wait, is that a Chinese made Craftsman socket you are selling on ebay?!?!?!?!

http://m.ebay.com/itm/331850685333?_mwBanner=1

Supporting that Chinese army one socket at a time I see... Tsk tsk

 

[kctyphoon]

Wait, is that a Chinese made Craftsman socket you are selling on ebay?!?!?!?!

http://m.ebay.com/itm/331850685333?_mwBanner=1

Supporting that Chinese army one socket at a time I see... Tsk tsk

too funny. But if he's gonna come in here and talk the talk....

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The market I was referring to was Ebay. I don't do garage sales or flea markets since they blow up the model entirely, based on lifetime and time value. I have never seen generic tools being sold on Ebay. But yes, maybe people buy used HF stuff at garage sales for $1.

Still see people selling brand new Pittsburgh Pro stuff on Ebay for double the sale coupon price.

 

[jakemac]

Still see people selling brand new Pittsburgh Pro stuff on Ebay for double the sale coupon price.

Heck, some sellers are too lazy to even bother to go to the store for items to sell.
They're selling the coupons !

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=harbor+freight+coupon&_sop=10&_frs=1

And people are buying them !!!!!!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_sop=10&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Ftype%253D3%2526campId%253D5337012794%2526toolId%253D10001%2526customId%253Dio4ojqu9v70025g300004%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fsch%25252Fi.html%25253F_sacat%25253D0%252526_nkw%25253Dharbor%25252Bfreight%25252Bcoupon%252526_sop%25253D10%252526_frs%25253D1%2526srcrot%253D711-53200-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1029028967518&_nkw=harbor%20freight%20coupon&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

 

[bfm336]

Wait, is that a Chinese made Craftsman socket you are selling on ebay?!?!?!?!

http://m.ebay.com/itm/331850685333?_mwBanner=1

Supporting that Chinese army one socket at a time I see... Tsk tsk

too funny. But if he's gonna come in here and talk the talk....

LOL. Hey he is at least pawning off the PRC stuff on people who don't care about our country, right?

Likewise I had a socket warrantied and got a PRC one, I almost let them keep it except that they would profit one someone else buying it

 

[1982fxr]

All the folks spouting off about logic...should google logic to find out what it actually means. If bored also google the definition of context...mkay...i'm done.

 

[Adam.C]

I love the backwards logic of this entire thread, including the incessant pointless bitching between members over differing opinions. What happened the live and let live?

Do you guys make your car purchases on the basis of its resale value for when you decide to change it?

I do. And unsurprisingly, the best car purchases I've made have been the used Porsches and Mercedes. Worst buys were new American cars.

I think there have been a few good points raised here if we separate out some of the off topic baloney. And it's cause me to think about my tools, my screwdrivers, and new new hammers. I paid about $25 each for them and they are worth far more than that on eBay. I may sell some of them and buy different models or colors.

 

[OSULemon]

I love the backwards logic of this entire thread, including the incessant pointless bitching between members over differing opinions. What happened the live and let live?

Do you guys make your car purchases on the basis of its resale value for when you decide to change it?

Yes.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I do.

Yes.

Odd. I buy what i want, much the same as i do with tools.

 

[martin666]

This thread cracks me up. I by Snap On tools because they're what I like. Same reason I only buy Carolina work boots, Bulova watches, Branded ( made in USA )Leather jackets and vests etc etc, because they're what I like and have proven themselves to last the longest. Never a thought of what will this be worth down the road, that's my son's problem not mine hahaha

 

[Empty Pockets]

I kinda get it, your moving money instead of spending money. But it only works if you sell the Snap on at some point. I don't think you will get 75 dollars for the SO ratchet in 25 yrs though.

You might be able to get $75 for a Snappy ratchet in 25 years, the only problem is that a Big Mac is likely to cost $49 and a Bottle of Pepsi $25 from the vending machine. Welcome to the world of inflation.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

This thread cracks me up. I by Snap On tools because they're what I like.

That is outrageous. You're going to upset lots of guys in here by not buying what they like.

 

[Loscaldazar]

That is outrageous. You're going to upset lots of guys in here by not buying what they like.

Ding ding ding!

I think this is the first post to score a point Hiball

 

[ngk22r]

That is outrageous. You're going to upset lots of guys in here by not buying what they like.

But who are we supposed to appease????

I have an idea... If someone wants me to have a certain tool then they will jave to buy it and send it to me if that is what will make them happy!

 

[turfgnome]

I have bought a few snap on tools used for less then I could buy the same tool at harbor freight... does that count?

 

[GTA Matt]

So which side is winning? The fate of my next tool purchase rests solely on the outcome of this thread!!!

 

[Gmonkee]

This thread will be deemed worthless and deleted.

Thus you will never truly know what you should have bought to please the rest of us. Sorry dude.

 

[Jacobson]

You might be able to get $75 for a Snappy ratchet in 25 years, the only problem is that a Big Mac is likely to cost $49 and a Bottle of Pepsi $25 from the vending machine. Welcome to the world of inflation.

That's wrong. Assets appreciate partly due to inflation and cost of substitute goods.

Did you ever think why your house went up in value? If not because it's now a collectible antique.

 

[Jacobson]

I have bought a few snap on tools used for less then I could buy the same tool at harbor freight... does that count?

Absolutely. And resale is higher.

 

[kctyphoon]

LOL. Hey he is at least pawning off the PRC stuff on people who don't care about our country, right?

Likewise I had a socket warrantied and got a PRC one, I almost let them keep it except that they would profit one someone else buying it

Actually what he's doing is selling those same "cheap Chinese tools" to help put money in his pocket for his own gain, instead of "supporting all those American companies and workers" like he's been slamming everyone else about. It's the same thing the store is doing. His store is just on eBay..

I said it earlier - many of these guys love to go online, shame and criticize other people, but yet don't even follow their own advice.. I'm suppose to spend 5 grand on a snap on toolbox despite me not even being a mechanic, cause "I'm too selfish to not do my part" - but he can't even pull an add for a single overseas wrench or a socket cause that $8 is too important to him.

 

[dogdog]

Absolutely. And resale is higher.

really it's pointless if Snap-On re-sell higher or lower or at all, unless you are collecting it to re-sell.... the initial investment put into a tool that needed for the job and the amount of usage the owner get out of it, matters. If I am a professional mechanic where I will use the tool day in an day out, I would want to get something nice and comfortable or industrial grade quality.... not necessary have to be snap-on (there are other brands you know?). If I am a weekend Joe, it's pointless to have a snap-on, unless you have $$$ to fling. It doesn't make economical sense. If I buy a tool, sells it, I still have to buy another to replace it? Another new snap-on at higher price?

Snap-on is not targeting Joe Smack shadetree mechanics or the dingo weekend warriors.... if they do, they would have price their tools at the right price for them. It's more of a snub breed, they want to keep it that way. They want their franchise truck fleet to sell for them. They want to create that illusion or Prestige ownership. If it is such a lucurative trade on re-sell.... their wouldn't be any mechanics using tools , but lots more snap-on traders?

Most people don't realized owning a snap-on set don't make you a better mechanic or anything. So buy what you needed for the job to get it done and stop thinking about the re-sell value.

 

[B_Bimmer]

If my only options were snap on or harbor fright, I would buy snap on and consider them vastly cheaper, especially when the combine is broke down and there are a thousand acres of beans in the field. Time is serious money. I tried harbor fright, it turns out in the real world their failure rate is to high. Not on everything, but on enough for them to be completely not worth it.

Fortunately those are not the only two options or snap on would be able to get away with charging three times more than they already do to people who need tools that do more than look pretty in a drawer.

To clarify for those who want to believe in harbor freight, I am not saying they can't work, I am just saying they don't work for ME.

 

[Jacobson]

The logic of SO not being cheaper unless you actually sell is wrong. It's called "accounting".

You're telling me that having $20 in your pocket doesn't mean anything unless you spend it? It's the same as not having $20 in the first place? No, it means you have $20 you can spend, which is a whole lot different than not having the $20 in your pocket. Your house is worth $0 unless you sell it, so you might as well be homeless, right? Same thing?

If you believe that Snap on has resale value, and the others do not, beyond $1 garage sale, then the user SO is cheaper, because it holds value, while the others are instant worth $0 or half, regardless of if you sell it or not.

This is the same bad logic people employ when they buy a stock that crashes. It's not a loss until you sell. Really? Go check what your account statement says. The money is GONE, ostrich...

 

[Hiball]

Just let it go....

I never in a million years would have believed that people could get so worked up over a hand tool brand. I've read every statement that one could feasible argue in regards to SO versus HF. Regardless of ones belief, SO doesn't mean your a better mechanic and HF doesn't mean your fiscally responsible. It takes more than the stamping on wrench to acquire the skill sets to excel in either one of those areas, end of discussion.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Admit it, has anyone tried to pass off this logic to their wives?

Hey Jake, if you could come up with a formula like this for booze and strippers, you would be known as "The Genius of the GJ."

 

[turfgnome]

in all seriousness snap on can be cheaper then harbor freight. for example in my case I bought a harbor freight socket set because people kept telling me they were good enough. I broke the ratchet the first time I used it, and busted my knuckles so bad I had work with bandages for a week. Snap on was cheaper then dealing with that.

I have bought a bearing separator, seems I can not get threw a single job without breaking it as well, my $400 proto set is cheaper as it gets the job done.

Now I do have a few harbor freight tools that seem to work for me, the tire changer seems to work fine as well as the tire spoons. the wheel chocks, magnetic trays and gloves seem to be great deals. And even the multimeter does most of what I need and keeps my expensive one for more detailed jobs.

You have to remember at harbor freight it is buyer beware, and you do get what you pay for.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

When I buy a new tool, reselling it isn't part of the equation. Hurts to even think about it.

 

[bcradio]

Snap-on is not targeting Joe Smack shadetree mechanics or the dingo weekend warriors....

hmmm... can't decide if I'm a Joe Smack shadetree or a dingo weekend warrior...

 

[justanengineer]

If you're buying and selling tools as a source of income, you value them a lot differently. You are trying to maximize your income, so you focus on higher profit items since your time has value. It's the same for someone trying to sell off their stuff. I'm never going to get around to selling all my tools when I'm too old to use them. If I do, I'll dump them all cheap since it isn't worth the time to sell things individually.

Correct. Chasing a profit tends to make folks a bit more realistic about real-world value and average return on investment which is where folks arguments about HF anything having good resale doesnt hold water with me, bc usually those folks are selling only a few items.

For me its not so much about profit as it is for many, I primarily flip tools bc I enjoy the buying&selling (esp the 1st) aspect and it allows me to offset my hobby expenses. When I get into a situation where the sales are great, frequent, and easy (2008-09) or I NEED money I do a bit more, but mostly it lets me have nice shop that might be considered as having zero or even a negative net cost.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

hmmm... can't decide if I'm a Joe Smack shadetree or a dingo weekend warrior...

Definitely a Dingo weekender......

 

[ngk22r]

Definitely a Dingo weekender......

I second this motion