99.9 percent of their customer base resides outside of GJ so that's possibly true
Icon tool box pricing
- Thread starter Oldgloryfirearms
- Start date
99.9 percent of their customer base resides outside of GJ so that's possibly true
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
It's being modeled after the KRL 722
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Wamsutta
Well-known member
I'm wondering what HF did to make it 144 pounds heavier.
The Kia K900 is supposedly a good luxury car. I can't spend Lexus money on a Kia, though.
So I called my Snap-on rep just now and he said he can beat the ICON "complete system" price by over $1,000 using a KRL722 as the base.
So FWIW. YMMV.
So I called my Snap-on rep just now and he said he can beat the ICON "complete system" price by over $1,000 using a KRL722 as the base.
So FWIW. YMMV.
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bobcatdan
Well-known member
I almost wonder if that is the shipping weight of the Icon since that is what people will see on the freight slip. At 633 lbs its supposedly the same weight as a Krl 1022 which is 4" deeper. Being that the Icon is another bank of drawers taller, it would make sense it would be heavier than a 722. For comparison of pretty close to the same size box, a mac mb1850 which is 57 wide by 43 tall by 25 deep is 620 lbs listed.
michelin
Well-known member
So if I understand correctly, your Snap On driver can offer a KRL722 system for 1/3 of the original Snap On price? If that’s so, it’s shocking how ridiculous Snap On catalog pricing is. On the other hand, it’s a great news for SO fans. All it took was one HF box.
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michelin
Well-known member
They didn’t clean the spatter after the welding.
Yessir. It's not a huge secret in the trade that Snap-on MSRP for tool boxes is a delusional fake number that they can use to their advantage more often than not, but the fact remains, nobody who knows pays anywhere close.
I've been buying from him for many years. Somewhere in another thread I itemized my sub-$5,000 KRL1033 w/ riser and stainless top.
There are many ways they do it, but part of it is marketing. They can get that big Snap-on box in a shop, where people see it. Marketing marketing marketing. Be at the right place at the right time with money to spend and the Snap-on catalog becomes a buyer's market...
trouble is you need good driver and preferably good trading with a snapon rep get above average good box deal with snapon, about only thing HF actually does better is not **** about with prices too much and anyone anywhere can get the price/sale coupon .
snapon should of improved pricing/advertised pricing on boxes and run of the mill tools a decade ago .
snapon should of improved pricing/advertised pricing on boxes and run of the mill tools a decade ago .
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Or buy them used for even cheaper. A new Chinese box vs a used and probably like new condition USA built box--whoever the mfr is--to me is a no-brainer.
I have Harbor Freight stuff here and there, but my primary cabinets will be American built garage furniture. Especially when the Chinese price points start getting this high.
Which company was the class action lawsuit about "sales pricing" on again? lol
There is no venom in this question, honestly looking for your opinion as it sounds as if you have good knowledge on this topic.
What could a home gamer expect in the way of toolbox pricing if he approached a random Snap On driver in the grocery parking lot?
I realize that driver personalities vary, but on average?
I guess im pretty skeptical that i could get a KRL for anywhere near the Icon price. I think that delusional fake number is probably real for many of us.
Yeh but that class action actually better than what snapon do
snapon just don't put any lower prices in advertising and have unrealistic values and you either haggle or get over charged .+1 on used truck boxes, I got 2matco boxes that do me till death, bought and flipped few used boxes over the years and made money rather than spending it .
WittHay
Well-known member
Shouldnt HF be comparing their new boxes to Extreme and Homak made in China instead of Snap-on US made. Extreme sells them for $1707 and the new HF Icon retails for $2500. If there are not enough sales, is this particular HF brand even going to be around in a few years.
A local company called TCA has been importing heavy duty Chinese sourced boxes for a while. I dont think they are getting rich from it. Too high priced for the average diy and too close to tool truck discounted prices for the serious buyer.
A local company called TCA has been importing heavy duty Chinese sourced boxes for a while. I dont think they are getting rich from it. Too high priced for the average diy and too close to tool truck discounted prices for the serious buyer.
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In my brief moving shop to shop experiences, and watching coworkers do the same, most of the tool trucks will move a customer’s box gratis as long as the new shop is on the dealer’s route, and most of them will move a loyal customer’s box even if it’s not their brand.
In the simplest way to describe it. You know that Rolex watch your favorite celebrity is wearing? He probably got it for free. Your price is probably going to be much higher than that. Most likely that delusional Rolex MSRP.
Heck if I walk up to a random Snap-on dealer in a grocery store parking lot I’ll probably get quoted MSRP too. But if I lived on his route, bought stuff, paid my bill, and built a relationship, even as a home gamer the deals are available, too.
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HF enjoys using Snap-On because its the complete opposite end of the pricing extreme. It would be like Toyota doing a value comparison of a Prius or Corolla to Maybach or Rolls Royce.
Completely dealer and corporate sales dependent and how hungry they are to sell product. Snap-Ons best deals are through shows. Second to that is deals through Finance (credits and incentives). A dealer on their own that never attends shows? You wont be seeing steep discounts.
A lot more guys have nearly MSRP balances on truck boxes than you think.
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michelin
Well-known member
This is so true. After my SO driver quit the business and we had nobody on route for a while one guy at work wanted to buy a new box so called Mac. Mac guy in our area is a complete d1ck. Never once visited even though we called and asked a number of times both him direct and his office. We have 4 shops on our estate but to no avail. Anyway my co-worker was a bit desperate as he didnt want a Chinese box from Costco so called him up and asked him straight what deals he currently had on a Macsimizer top and bottom. $20k was the answer. No ifs no buts. We then joked for a bit that he should have agreed just to get the Mac driver out to our place.
I'm surprised they haven't introduced one already. Put them out at a lower price than the Sunex, Homak, ATD, etc. offerings and they'll sell the **** out of them.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm not sure if that's happening. I asked about one and the guys said they were bringing out a 36 inch wide version of the Icon. I was hoping for a cart with a deep top till too. I've outgrown my cornwell 700 series but, don't really have that much time left in the trade to upgrade to the larger model. Time will tell.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I don't think the guy looking to spend $7k on a box is looking to do so at Harbor Freight. FWIW, my boxes are the old 44's.
MountaineerMiner
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2012
- Messages
- 44
I am convinced the push for new brands at HF is a response to the tariffs, not a “what will happen when they hit”. They got out in front and rather than raise prices on existing products released “new, better” products at a higher price.
Grizzly has always been one of the lower priced “ok” (on some stuff) import tool brands and sells a large amount of the same products Jet/Baighley/Powermatic (now, sigh..). They didn’t have the margin these others did to absorb the tariff and had to raise their prices. They clearly stated they are adding 20% to all their Chinese produced tools because of it. I think they have taken that off the website.
Grizzly has always been one of the lower priced “ok” (on some stuff) import tool brands and sells a large amount of the same products Jet/Baighley/Powermatic (now, sigh..). They didn’t have the margin these others did to absorb the tariff and had to raise their prices. They clearly stated they are adding 20% to all their Chinese produced tools because of it. I think they have taken that off the website.
xin
Well-known member
Wharf Freight customer base is disposable flash lights and throw away tools.
All that Icon appears to be is just another 're-branded' CHINESE box/tools with UNION prices....
NO THANKS.
All that Icon appears to be is just another 're-branded' CHINESE box/tools with UNION prices....
NO THANKS.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
"Wharf Freight" 
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Pretty sure $7k gets you a 72” box from Strictly toolboxes. I believe you can get lockers and a hutch or upper box for that price too
2,500 is pretty spendy for a chinese unknown box .
Ideally wanted be under 2K until establish a brand reputation .
For people who want that sort of layout quick and easy and shiny new it will appeal .
Personally i'd take the 2.5K and put in some effort on the used top brand market before buying anything new of any make .
I'm guessing quality be as good as better end strictly tool boxes offerings .
Ideally wanted be under 2K until establish a brand reputation .
For people who want that sort of layout quick and easy and shiny new it will appeal .
Personally i'd take the 2.5K and put in some effort on the used top brand market before buying anything new of any make .
I'm guessing quality be as good as better end strictly tool boxes offerings .
There are threads on just this site going back 10 years spelling out how the deals get done. If someone is in the trade and paying retail or anywhere close, that’s their own fault.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
"Wharf Freight"
Bay Backpack
anndel
Well-known member
Sorry pass on the Icon. I love my Snap-on Heritage Box both designed and Made in USA – Algona, Iowa. My driver delivered it and set it up in my tiny home garage shop. If I were to move he’ll pick it up and deliver it to where I’ll be.
HF's logo is "Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices". Guess that's going to change to "Poor Quality Chinesium Tools at Ridiculously High Prices."
HF's logo is "Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices". Guess that's going to change to "Poor Quality Chinesium Tools at Ridiculously High Prices."
DavidB
Well-known member
I was in HF and saw the new Icon tool box. They also had prices listed and I thought I'd share. The guy there said they'd just brought them out and they weren't on sale yet. I played with it some and it seemed nice. I didn't give it an in depth looks cause it's out of my price range.
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ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Overhead cabinets sure seem like a helpful storage addition, especially in a small garage. I can't imagine the height of it being right for someone taller than the opening.
I just don't see these toolboxes selling at the prices that they are offering. For starters the majority of people that purchase these large toolboxes are doing it on credit which I don't see HF doing. Plus with a purchase this big I would want some reassurance that the company will be around when I need parts for it. The prices that they are charging are high for what has to be assumed to be a disposable product. Back in 1996 I purchased a new Matco MB8525 off the tool truck. A couple of years ago some of the drawer slides were starting to become stiff so I pulled a few of the draws out and the ball bearings from the slides fell all over the place. So that following Monday I called Matco and talked to a representative, she asked me if I purchased it new, for the model and serial numbers and how many sets of drawer slides in the toolbox. She said that due to the age of the box most of the slides should be about in the same condition and that she would send me out a complete set of slides for the box. A couple of days later the UPS man showed up at my door with three very heavy boxes of slides. So not only did they support parts for a twenty something year old box they honored the warranty that it was sold with. Call me a pessimist but I somehow doubt that you will be hearing stories like this about Icon toolboxes in ten years let alone twenty.
kythri
Well-known member
So, what you're saying is, you've managed to completely avoid educating yourself on most of the advertising HF has been doing around the Icon line?
Had you read a bit, instead of launching into another "Let's wax intellectual about how much I think HF suchs" tirade, you would have learned that HF is rolling out a credit program associated with the Icon line.
Strike 1.
HF has been around since 1977, and shows no signs of going anywhere.
Matco has been around since 1979, and, quite frankly, if I were to put money on which company would be around in 50 years, it wouldn't be Matco.
Has Matco ever fulfilled all of those ratchet backorders and replacements, or did people just finally give up on Matco ever doing so, and went with a different brand?
Only a fool would make such an assumption. HF's US General line of boxes is quite well regarded, and aren't considered a "disposable product".
You probably won't - even though these Icon boxes have a life-time warranty, and HF isn't going anywhere, my prediction is that they're going to be better built than your Matco box was.
Wow, got someone's ******* in a bunch. I never said anything about HF being around in the future. My point was about the support of their products and the product line in general. With the way HF changes brands I would be surprised if Icon is around five years from now and is HF going to warranty and support a line that they don't sell anymore? And what does "life-time" warranty mean anyway? The life-time of the owner, product, manufacturer? Just like contractors, give a warranty on the work but change the name of the business every year so that you can't go after them.
Oh ya. About educating myself about HF's advertising, I take all advertising with a grain of salt and believe almost none of it. Most is a bunch of half truths and some outright lies.
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albaran
Well-known member
I just went into a Harbor Freight store yesterday and saw the Icon cabinets on display and I have to admit they are very impressive. This discussion so far has been very interesting. I would think if you took the HF image out of it and were in a neutral store with the Icon and Snap on cabinets next to each other and saw the prices offered for both, you would be hard pressed to not think the Icon was the better choice. Realistically, I don't think that most of the readers of this forum would buy either one.
Being in the middle of my 7th decade of existence on this planet, my ownership of home tool boxes goes back almost half a century. I joked to my wife that I should start a toolbox museum. Back in the day, Craftsman was the box of choice. They had 3 levels of quality and when you have no money the bottom priced cabinet (which I still have) served its purpose. Through the years, I worked my way up to their top level series. The last box I bought was the HF 44" cabinet and side mount. This is a great box for the price. However, the new 44" are now deeper which for me is a disadvantage. My boxes are along the wall and are the right depth to enable access into the cars. I don't even think the narrower cabinets are available anymore.
Being in the middle of my 7th decade of existence on this planet, my ownership of home tool boxes goes back almost half a century. I joked to my wife that I should start a toolbox museum. Back in the day, Craftsman was the box of choice. They had 3 levels of quality and when you have no money the bottom priced cabinet (which I still have) served its purpose. Through the years, I worked my way up to their top level series. The last box I bought was the HF 44" cabinet and side mount. This is a great box for the price. However, the new 44" are now deeper which for me is a disadvantage. My boxes are along the wall and are the right depth to enable access into the cars. I don't even think the narrower cabinets are available anymore.
dagofast
Well-known member
Just for the hell of it, I kicked the tires (okay, okay, the casters) on an Icon box yesterday and it seemed pretty dang nice to me. It is pretty tall with the top cabinet on top of the hutch. The side lockers were quite nice. Not sure about 1k nice, but then I'm not sure what the big truck side lockers sell for either. Whoever assembled this one did a nice job. Nothing loose, misaligned or out of whack. Everything worked smoothly.
That said, I'm old, retired and cheap so hands down I'd buy a US General if I was in the market for a new toolbox today. But if I was a young wrench monkey, I'd give the Icon the same consideration I would any other brand of toolbox. And in the end, it would come down to which box was the most suitable for my needs at the best possible price with the best possible terms. Same as it always has for anything I've ever bought.
That said, I'm old, retired and cheap so hands down I'd buy a US General if I was in the market for a new toolbox today. But if I was a young wrench monkey, I'd give the Icon the same consideration I would any other brand of toolbox. And in the end, it would come down to which box was the most suitable for my needs at the best possible price with the best possible terms. Same as it always has for anything I've ever bought.
Handyandy23
Well-known member
This seems pretty presumptive for a tool box you've never even seen. The Icon boxes are made of heavier gauge steel and rated for more weight than your Heritage box, so must be some pretty decent "Chinesium".
Not trying to bash your box or anything, but not sure why you feel the need to bash the Icon box just because you bought something different. It's a novel concept, but maybe both boxes are actually decent quality.
Also seems like a bit of a fairy tale that you could move presumably anywhere and your SO driver will come move your box for you. But maybe you have an exceptionally good one in your area.
Parrothead
Well-known member
Well, there’s whole industries outside of mechanics who use tools. In a past life I worked in food production, and I can tell you the tool trucks aren’t visiting. Well at least none that I worked at, or have a good working knowledge. As an example, I know of a facility that’s over a million square feet, running a huge variety of machines...tool truck? Nope. Never been there. All of those maintenance workers are using Duralast, Craftsman, Husky, or Stanley or whatever they can buy locally. All those tools made fun of here are used professionally every day. While generally not dealing with rust, you are dealing with time. Every minute counts, literally. Bread in an oven an extra 2 minutes? Trash. We’re not talking about a dozen loaves, but hundreds. You want to see mechanics work fast, watch food production. I’m not talking about local small facilities, but national and regional manufacturing.
A Harbor Freight tool box would fit right in. Throw in some financing, and I can see these being a hit.