i just bought an OTC ball joint press!
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chadster1
Well-known member
Welcome to the new world economy
That is what my Cornwell guy says. I hand the stuff back to him, and say welcome to me buying online or at Harbor Freight, because I won't pay top dollar for China "Pro tools". Why purchase off the truck for China re-labels? OTC front end service kit, is the SAME one sold at HF for chump change
If the big tool companies lose their USA hardline, they will lose all of my business.
Cornwell does not even sell USA made toolboxes anymore, so why would I buy a Cornwell box over say.....Extreme tools, or Montezuma? for 3 times the money....................EXACTLY!, I won't.
If the big tool companies lose their USA hardline, they will lose all of my business.
Cornwell does not even sell USA made toolboxes anymore, so why would I buy a Cornwell box over say.....Extreme tools, or Montezuma? for 3 times the money....................EXACTLY!, I won't.
Makes sense to me.
Cornwell truck pulls in...............great
1)I need to upgrade my ratcheting wrenches
- These Cornwell ones are made in Taiwan, like the Gearwrench ones I have, but they are 3 times the money, oh well pass.
2)I need some rim protector sockets
- Made in Taiwan, look just like the HF earthquake protector sockets, but for 4x the money, oh well pass
3)I need some long reach pliers
- made in China, look pretty cheap, except for the price, pass
4)I need some new torx sockets
- made in ? Taiwan, look like Northern Tool Co. sockets, but for alot more, geez.
I'll take this fine set of USA long pattern wrenches for 380.00 bucks, but you can keep the rest. I'll check Matco, MAC, and Snap-on, but if it is all China or Taiwan, I'll just buy Gearwrench or HF for cheap, since it is really the same thing. Have a nice day.
If the new "global customer" does not think this way yet, they will once they realize they are buying Kirsty Alley for Jennifer Aniston prices.
1)I need to upgrade my ratcheting wrenches
-
These Cornwell ones are made in Taiwan, like the Gearwrench ones I have, but they are 3 times the money, oh well pass.2)I need some rim protector sockets
-
Made in Taiwan, look just like the HF earthquake protector sockets, but for 4x the money, oh well pass3)I need some long reach pliers
-
made in China, look pretty cheap, except for the price, pass4)I need some new torx sockets
-
made in ? Taiwan, look like Northern Tool Co. sockets, but for alot more, geez.I'll take this fine set of USA long pattern wrenches for 380.00 bucks, but you can keep the rest. I'll check Matco, MAC, and Snap-on, but if it is all China or Taiwan, I'll just buy Gearwrench or HF for cheap, since it is really the same thing. Have a nice day.
If the new "global customer" does not think this way yet, they will once they realize they are buying Kirsty Alley for Jennifer Aniston prices.
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nelstomlinson
Well-known member
Send it back. Tell him why.
If it's made in China, might as well buy this one. It's $39 versus (I'm guessing) $300+ from Matco.
I just bought an OTC ball joint press from NAPA. I checked to make sure it was U.S. made before I paid top dollar for it. Now it looks as if I must have gotten old stock? ****! That means if I ever break it, NAPA will probably be replacing it with Chinese.
No it wasnt 300+ it was $130, i havent used it yet but i think i'll just keep it, but i think that wil be the last made in china tool i will get! An another note i also got the mayhew hose clamp pliers and a 1/2 swivel! what do you guys think of matco in general?
SocketDeviler
Well-known member
With the exception of basic hand tools (ratchets/wrenches) most of the Matco and Mac tools we got at the pawn shop were rebranded imports. I almost always found the non labeled Matco/Mac version online for less. Most of the OTC tools were imported.
TangoFoxTrot
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
- Messages
- 1,961
These premium brands are slitting their own throat. They might get away with slapping their name on imported generic tools they don't actually manufacture for a short time for a few extra bucks, but eventually people are going to get wise.
I know on a lot of tools I've come to the same conclusion. If it's going to be imported from some place like China or Taiwan, I might as well just buy from Harbor Freight and skip the expensive label. Harbor Freight is also really good about warrantying things to boot.
I have a sneaking suspicion it's all the exact same anyway. I would be willing to bet they're all from the same manufacturer.
I know on a lot of tools I've come to the same conclusion. If it's going to be imported from some place like China or Taiwan, I might as well just buy from Harbor Freight and skip the expensive label. Harbor Freight is also really good about warrantying things to boot.
I have a sneaking suspicion it's all the exact same anyway. I would be willing to bet they're all from the same manufacturer.
fatfillup
Well-known member
If the new "global customer" does not think this way yet, they will once they realize they are buying Kirsty Alley for Jennifer Aniston prices.
Yeah but you get a lot more for your money with Kristy Alley
sberry
Banned
I just bought a ball joint press and went the China route, 30 or 40$ or something like that, seems as nice as my Bud's hi dollar one. If I was buying from the truck I would expect USA too. I spend up to get the Lisle cam brg tool, only about 50 difference, dont look much different than the imports though.
SocketDeviler
Well-known member
caper
Well-known member
Can you tell me why?
I wish when i was starting out i could have bought off the trucks. That Wasnt the case, I didnt associate going into debt and financing tools and "value" in the same sentence. I dont question you buying your press from matco, its a good investment in your relationship with your truck guy along with warranty replacement if something does happen to it. I think where the problem lies is "ALL" of the major players are re-branding tools and charging way too much and capitalizing on there once good name, Its just kinda sad.
I owe the matco guy $594, my degree in the automotive field cost me $25,000.
i think the cost of my tools, as it stands is not going in to debt. My weekly payments are $60 and i bet if i wanted my matco guy would give me credit for up to 1000 for that weekly payment!
Im not questioning your business plan, If your gonna be using tools everyday in the automotive field there is nothing wrong with buying truck tools. You get the convenience of buying on time along with warranty service. Just dont be suprised when you start seeing more re-badged items, Evidently you was concerned with your purchase because you started a thread, there is lots of good information on these re-branded tools on this site if you do want to save some money. The easy pay feature is nice but keep tabs on it, dont end up with a large charge account because those easy payments will get harder. If there is one thing ive learned over the last few years is that i am addicted to tools and i buy.. buy.. buy and if i did have a truck account it would be bad.
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sberry
Banned
But, for one weeks payments one could have bought the off brand and a spare? Or for 1/4 the purchase price from the truck it could have been free and clear.
As a side note I have been working at trying to buy USA tires when I can, thats a challenge all its own. I bought a couple sets of Deans, as far as I know they are made on the old trendsetter line that has since shipped to china. My tire Bud says the USA stuff seems to balance better. I bought a tractor tire a while back, used a different dealer, when they came back with the bill I knew something was up, 115 vs one I bought for another unit a month ago that was slightly over 200$, I look, sure as sheet China. Cooper is shooting itself in the foot with this too.
I work at buying from here when its practical, I will pay more for it, not always 3 or 4 x though and I am not going to buy brand name import, when it comes to that I start shopping price, hence the 35$ ball joint tool.
As a side note I have been working at trying to buy USA tires when I can, thats a challenge all its own. I bought a couple sets of Deans, as far as I know they are made on the old trendsetter line that has since shipped to china. My tire Bud says the USA stuff seems to balance better. I bought a tractor tire a while back, used a different dealer, when they came back with the bill I knew something was up, 115 vs one I bought for another unit a month ago that was slightly over 200$, I look, sure as sheet China. Cooper is shooting itself in the foot with this too.
I work at buying from here when its practical, I will pay more for it, not always 3 or 4 x though and I am not going to buy brand name import, when it comes to that I start shopping price, hence the 35$ ball joint tool.
We should start a "sticky" thread of (What the truck tool brands sold out on). With truck tool companies especially, Harbor Freight tool re-labeling at high prices won't be accepted, by me anyway. I goto the tool trucks for top notch products, and expect to pay alot. I goto HF for junk yard crawl second set of tools, and tools to modify, etc...........When they become the same thing, truck tools will lose their luster to me completely.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I want a Snap-on ball-joint press.. All i need now is the money and a need for it..
They are sweet but very heavy to handle. Keep an eye on ebay they run about $300.
Merkava_4
Banned
Something needs to be made in the U.S.A.
Where are we all going to work if nothing is made here anymore?
Where are we all going to work if nothing is made here anymore?
Merkava_4
Banned
Service industry!
"Would you like fries with that?"
Either that or the construction industry I suppose. But how are people going to afford homes if there's no place to work?
Well, that's the rub.
They can't!
Tool manufacturing will come back to America eventually, out of necessity. Maybe (hopefully) sooner than we think.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
What really chaps my ***, is American made product companies closing up to produce their product in China.
I have no problem with an original company say like Toptul from Taiwan, that is just healthy competition, etc...
From Vise Grip, all the way through the infinite list, closing up to move over there is just b.s.
Forget about USA vs. whatever. I will not buy a product that used to be made here, that went elsewhere. Vise Grip, non-USA I will never buy. I would rather buy Toptul "vise grips" than support a traitor company. Then the USA traitor company would fold for it's foolishness, or come back to it's roots.
johnny1290
Well-known member
Yeah, I have to agree about the traitor company thing, I'll never buy import vicegrip if I can help it.
***** to lose them like that though.
And I'm with you guys, in my mind a china tool is a china tool, a taiwanese is a taiwanese, I may as well buy them from the retailer that charges less, because I don't think the box is gonna make the product any better.
If anybody knows of different 'grades' of chinese tools, I'm all ears.
The scary thought is, remember when 'made in Japan' meant the same thing as 'made in China' does today?!? and all that changed soooooo quickly!!!
***** to lose them like that though.
And I'm with you guys, in my mind a china tool is a china tool, a taiwanese is a taiwanese, I may as well buy them from the retailer that charges less, because I don't think the box is gonna make the product any better.
If anybody knows of different 'grades' of chinese tools, I'm all ears.
The scary thought is, remember when 'made in Japan' meant the same thing as 'made in China' does today?!? and all that changed soooooo quickly!!!
Back then, not everyone and their brother picked up USA production and moved over there, these days made in China is an epidemic.
I emailed Irwin Vise Grip, and told them I would rather but a Toptul/Taiwan locking plier over endorsing a USA convert China product. Toptul is a competiton company, and that is fair marketplace. Irwin closed shop and moved it to China (bad). Toptul has not put Americans out of work, or ruined a USA production tradition, Irwin has.
I have enough stuff to get by for quite a while. I am really going to pull the belt in, on China sell out products. It is not avoidable 100%, but it is a viable decision to spend smarter, or just do without.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
What really chaps my ***, is American made product companies closing up to produce their product in China.
I have no problem with an original company say like Toptul from Taiwan, that is just healthy competition, etc...
From Vise Grip, all the way through the infinite list, closing up to move over there is just b.s.
Forget about USA vs. whatever. I will not buy a product that used to be made here, that went elsewhere. Vise Grip, non-USA I will never buy. I would rather buy Toptul "vise grips" than support a traitor company. Then the USA traitor company would fold for it's foolishness, or come back to it's roots.
The really annoying part is that they could keep the same quality, go foreign, and charge less...but no. The quality goes down, and the price stays the same. Wtf is that? Pick one.
I got some Mountain brand (fairly cheap price wise) vise grips from global72. They're no worse (no better either, I would say, but still) than Irwin's are now, and 1/2 to 1/3 the price. If the quality is the same, they're both foreign, why in the hell am I going to pay 3x as much for the Irwins? Now, if Irwin kept the Peterson quality, went foreign, and dropped their price some from where they used to be, then I might still buy them.
johnny1290
Well-known member
From reading on here and other forums, it sounds like China has the capacity to do good work, but is just used to produce mostly inferior products cheaply.
I've said it before, I think the problem is in the management of publicly owned companies(dunno if Irwin is or not). These horrible a-moral b-school scums go to a company, do whatever it takes to increase short term profit(regardless of consequences), then collect their bonuses and skate off to the next company saying they increased profit ** percent.
I always thought companies should keep the long term in mind, but I don't think that happens anymore.
I've said it before, I think the problem is in the management of publicly owned companies(dunno if Irwin is or not). These horrible a-moral b-school scums go to a company, do whatever it takes to increase short term profit(regardless of consequences), then collect their bonuses and skate off to the next company saying they increased profit ** percent.
I always thought companies should keep the long term in mind, but I don't think that happens anymore.