rust in the eye
Well-known member
I've heard of Harbor Freight boxes tipping over if the open drawer contains all the cash saved by not buying a Snap-On box.
lolI've heard of Harbor Freight boxes tipping over if the open drawer contains all the cash saved by not buying a Snap-On box.
Imagine paying tens of thousands of dollars for a Snap-On franchise, only to find that one or mire of the potential customers already purchased one of the potentially most expensive products you sell elsewhere, and from a different brand.lol
I seen the odd snapon dealer almost tip over flat on his back when walks in a shop full of cheaper boxes lol .
My new snapon guy was not over impressed with my row of stout used matco boxes doing a mr big for not big money lol .
Doing loans for expensive toolboxes tends to work out bad for the buyer ...
It's always the same pointless back and forth. No one changes their mind/position, it pisses Ryan off and threads get locked.These types of threads make my brain hurt…
Just buy whatever the **** you want.
??It's always the same pointless back and forth. No one changes their mind/position, it pisses Ryan off and threads get locked.
There is more in this thread than you... But either way, every thread starting with harbor freight and snap on ends this way. All of them??
I was pointing out stupid **** people are doing to measure their tool dicks. I had no intention to try and change anyone's mind or sway a purchase.
Great idea, in theory. Doesn't work that way in realityIt’s important to have open communication and sharing of ideas.
The world is a better place when underpaid tool users have their eyes opened to the reality that there is not a 5 x improvement in usefulness of a Snap-On box that costs 5x what a Chinese or Asian box costs.
Until financial literacy as a form of decision making is taught in trade schools, these discussions should be had.
Great idea, in theory. Doesn't work that way in reality
That’s why scan tools have become the big push for the drivers. Expensive and less cheap competition to battle with.Imagine paying tens of thousands of dollars for a Snap-On franchise, only to find that one or mire of the potential customers already purchased one of the potentially most expensive products you sell elsewhere, and from a different brand.
For sure. With 6 month or yearly updates, they have you on the hook forever.That’s why scan tools have become the big push for the drivers. Expensive and less cheap competition to battle with.
For sure. With 6 month or yearly updates, they have you on the hook forever.
“Financial Literacy” isn’t routinely taught in high schools or regular universities either in many cases.It’s important to have open communication and sharing of ideas.
The world is a better place when underpaid tool users have their eyes opened to the reality that there is not a 5 x improvement in usefulness of a Snap-On box that costs 5x what a Chinese or Asian box costs.
Until financial literacy as a form of decision making is taught in trade schools, these discussions should be had.
Good idea!It’s important to have open communication and sharing of ideas.
The world is a better place when underpaid tool users have their eyes opened to the reality that there is not a 5 x improvement in usefulness of a Snap-On box that costs 5x what a Chinese or Asian box costs.
Until financial literacy as a form of decision making is taught in trade schools, these discussions should be had.
Good idea!
Class #1 might be cost of ownership. In so many documented cases, the cost to own high end products is often lower than low priced goods.
Class #2 might be taking advantage of 0% loans to preserve capital and opportunity cost. Couple that with rapid inflation, and that sounds like a sound business move. If I was starting out, I might buy the biggest most expensive EPIQ I could and wait for that thing to appreciate. Use it for 10-15yrs then sell it for what I paid for it. Sounds like a winner.
It's a common trope here that entry level tradesmen are poor, under privileged dummies. Because their answers are different from ours, that must mean they are wrong.
I apologize if my sarcasm meter is borked, but I legit can't tell if this is a joke or not. There is no universe where buying an Epiq and counting on its appreciation as an investment makes any sense at all - firstly because you're still having to buy something to replace it and work out of at the 'appreciated' market price (if you're still working), and secondly because buying the less expensive thing and using the rest of the money that would go to pay for the "0%" products would be better in a ROTH IRA or other tax-advantaged retirement vehicle.Class #1 might be cost of ownership. In so many documented cases, the cost to own high end products is often lower than low priced goods.
Class #2 might be taking advantage of 0% loans to preserve capital and opportunity cost. Couple that with rapid inflation, and that sounds like a sound business move. If I was starting out, I might buy the biggest most expensive EPIQ I could and wait for that thing to appreciate. Use it for 10-15yrs then sell it for what I paid for it. Sounds like a winner.
I don't think that's an accurate portrayal of how entry level tradesmen are perceived here.It's a common trope here that entry level tradesmen are poor, under privileged dummies. Because their answers are different from ours, that must mean they are wrong.
I apologize if my sarcasm meter is borked, but I legit can't tell if this is a joke or not. There is no universe where buying an Epiq and counting on its appreciation as an investment makes any sense at all - firstly because you're still having to buy something to replace it and work out of at the 'appreciated' market price if you're still working, and secondly because buying the less expensive thing and using the rest of the money that would go to pay for the "0% lo" products would be better in a ROTH IRA or other tax-advantaged retirement vehicle.
No universe. Show me the math if you're going to argue that point.
Even accounting for the fact that Epiq boxes and SO tools will have a relatively high residual value post-career (and Icon/etc. will have none), the process necessary to recover that investment is arduous if you're going to capture as much of that value as possible. People buying someone's whole setup are going to want a discount.
A 22-year old with enough cash to put just $100 a month somewhere consistently for 35 years would have something close to (and possibly more) $300K (tax-free if put in a Roth). That would make that person in a pretty decent position to retire (and, of course, anything over $100/mo...), and accessing that money is as easy as clicking some buttons on a website and typing in an amount.
As far as documented cases of the cost of high end products being lower than low-priced goods, I'd very much like to see the cases you're referring to, especially any that are directly aimed at this current topic. The productivity of those products needs to be significantly correlated to the price or that model is going to fail.
Seriously - where can I find this documentation?
I don't think that's an accurate portrayal of how entry level tradesmen are perceived here.
I do think most twenty-somethings as a whole have a very low level of financial literacy - their options, how much a consistent savings can be worth, etc. etc. The problem new tradesmen have is they are:
When there are guys showing up at their worksite in trucks with everything and offering "0%" loans (which doesn't mean they aren't paying a cost for the capital to buy the tools - I'd argue a significant one) while many coworkers around them are saying "they're the best, it's what you need!", the opportunity to make a decision on something other than the financial math is pretty high. And as we've said in these threads over and over, 30 years ago the world was very different and the value prop made a bit more sense because the alternatives were a lot more limited and harder to get.
- typically young, and thus likely to not have much financial literacy
- going to need tools to do their jobs - and in the US the likelihood of an employer providing those tools is very low
- likely having consistent income for the first time in their life.
But today? Today that math doesn't close because the alternatives are easy in just about every way and of significant quality. Maybe not 100% SnapOn/etc., but legitimately close in many cases.
We should probably stop talking about the "investment" math of Snap On unless those documented cases of the high-cost vs. low(er) cost can be examined in the light of day.
Then we go from Common Sense, to Snap-on tools from flea markets, LOL.So well said. Thank you for your abundance of
Common Sense in the presence of the absurd.
Not trying to be argumentative or defensive. Just saying, the world is a big complicated place. Try to keep an open mind. And details matter.
I would not say “buying snap on tools is a smart financial move”. Buying a McLaren might be, however. One certainly can buy nice tools and have them cost next to nothing over their life span. I’ve done it. And cars, and furniture, and art…. The cheap disposable world isn’t always low cost.
And the overall cost will still be less in "opportunity cost" than Snap On. Also, you are ignoring aton of middle ground between the literal "lowest" and Snap On.Buying lowest possible price tools seems like a smart financial move. But you need whatever money is needed to actually purchase them to buy them. When you are done with them, it’s possible or likely their value will be zero.
What does he do once he sells them, and needs wrenches? Ebay takes 15-20% so he maybe makes 30% of the MSRP, if he can sell them for that (doubtful). If he hangs on to them, in what world does he make money (not counting inflationary rise in prices)? Selling for "multiples" only works if you don't count the buying power of the dollar. Also, where is he getting the 50% off of he doesn't have the "whatever money needed to buy them" in your first example?Conversely, if you are smart, an entry level tech could buy a set of wrenches 50% off, use them for a week and put them on eBay and make money. He could hang on to them until he’s a service manager and sell them then, possibly for multiples of what he paid.
Nothing similar to wrenches here.i drove a fairly rare Porsche for 12 yrs and 100k miles and sold it for what I paid for it. It was the cheapest car I’ve ever driven. Cost of ownership was only maintenance.
How much would you be ahead of you bought a cheaper box 8 yrs ago and invested the money instead? Much higher than re-selling a used box. And you still have the box to work out of in this scenario.I bought my KRL 8 yrs ago for $800, which may have been close to its original price. What do you think my Kenosha red, stainless topped 56” KRL is worth now?
Nothing to a mechanic that is using them, as to realize any money means that he wouldn't have tools to use. But even if you sold in packaging, the net increase from using them still doesn't beat out regular investing, or the initial price differential between Snap On and a mid-range brand.Maybe chrome 1/2” dr 12pts aside, I know I never paid more than $100 for a set of snap on sockets. I’ve used my tools, but I take care of them. All the sets are in their original packaging, some have their lids. What do you think they are worth? Maybe it’s just COVID that caused all these prices to jump.
And all of the other colors that didn't hit the lottery are selling at what kind of prices?I bought yellow hard handled ratchets because my first snap on screwdrivers were yellow. Yellow was the porsche club sport color back in the day. They stopped making them and I have a couple ratchets I just don't use, maybe have never used. Turns out they are collectible. eBay completed listings are astronomical.
Nobody is arguing that spending a bit more to get quality isn't worth it sometimes. But there is a large range you are immediately skipping over.There are plenty of utilitarian items one can buy that provide good utility and hold their value. They might have a higher initial purchase price but can be smart buys. Buying cheapest often results in lowest residual value.
Yes, but the details don't actually mean what you think they do.Not trying to be argumentative or defensive. Just saying, the world is a big complicated place. Try to keep an open mind. And details matter.
Just because they "don't cost anything" at the end doesn't mean you have "made money". Buying a $100 tool, and selling it in 5yrs for $100 doesn't beat buying a $50 tool, saving the $50, and 5 yrs later, you have both the tool, and the money you invested. You only "gain" your money back if you don't need the item.I would not say “buying snap on tools is a smart financial move”. Buying a McLaren might be, however. One certainly can buy nice tools and have them cost next to nothing over their life span. I’ve done it. And cars, and furniture, and art…. The cheap disposable world isn’t always low cost.
I think there are tiers:Buying lowest possible price tools seems like a smart financial move. But you need whatever money is needed to actually purchase them to buy them. When you are done with them, it’s possible or likely their value will be zero.
Conversely, if you are smart, an entry level tech could buy a set of wrenches 50% off, use them for a week and put them on eBay and make money. He could hang on to them until he’s a service manager and sell them then, possibly for multiples of what he paid.
i drove a fairly rare Porsche for 12 yrs and 100k miles and sold it for what I paid for it. It was the cheapest car I’ve ever driven. Cost of ownership was only maintenance.
I bought my KRL 8 yrs ago for $800, which may have been close to its original price. What do you think my Kenosha red, stainless topped 56” KRL is worth now?
Maybe chrome 1/2” dr 12pts aside, I know I never paid more than $100 for a set of snap on sockets. I’ve used my tools, but I take care of them. All the sets are in their original packaging, some have their lids. What do you think they are worth? Maybe it’s just COVID that caused all these prices to jump.
I bought yellow hard handled ratchets because my first snap on screwdrivers were yellow. Yellow was the porsche club sport color back in the day. They stopped making them and I have a couple ratchets I just don't use, maybe have never used. Turns out they are collectible. eBay completed listings are astronomical.
There are plenty of utilitarian items one can buy that provide good utility and hold their value. They might have a higher initial purchase price but can be smart buys. Buying cheapest often results in lowest residual value.
Not trying to be argumentative or defensive. Just saying, the world is a big complicated place. Try to keep an open mind. And details matter.
I would not say “buying snap on tools is a smart financial move”. Buying a McLaren might be, however. One certainly can buy nice tools and have them cost next to nothing over their life span. I’ve done it. And cars, and furniture, and art…. The cheap disposable world isn’t always low cost.
We’ve had this conversation before. All I’m saying is, the new techs aren’t dumb for doing what they’re doing. @CGarage made a pretty big statement about the financial acumen of young tradesmen. My son Adam is a young tradesman, and a sharp cookie who never went to college. I’m not defending him, it just so happens, I’ve crossed paths with auto techs.Also, where is he getting the 50% off of he doesn't have the "whatever money needed to buy them" in your first example?
I take this seriously and this saddens me. Especially from someone posting this is this very thread.Please remind me to, in perpetuity, avoid following your opinions and points of view. As evidenced by this post, you are living in a pleasant fiction.
I don’t know if this is a concerted April's fools joke or irony engineers don’t get…It’s important to have open communication and sharing of ideas.
But to bring it back to the tools, you just don’t see Zoomers being infatuated with tools like the rest of us. These guys just want the cheapest thing that will get the job done so they can move on. My Matco guy has commented on it and the Snappy man has already been making changes to his inventory.
I noticed the same thing at a large tool rental shop. There were about 10 service bays, and all of the techs had Harbor Freight tool boxes and the tools that were visible were also from Harbor Freight.I’ve noticed the same thing in my 18-24 year old classmates. Huge HF fans. I tell them to take advantage of their Snapon/matco student discounts while they still have them and they say “why? Icon gets the job done just as well”. And you know what? They’re not wrong, really.
I wasn't trying to say anything about techs or any specific personWe’ve had this conversation before. All I’m saying is, the new techs aren’t dumb for doing what they’re doing. @CGarage made a pretty big statement about the financial acumen of young tradesmen. My son Adam is a young tradesman, and a sharp cookie who never went to college. I’m not defending him, it just so happens, I’ve crossed paths with auto techs.
At this point, Snap On (specifically) has left the conversation. What you are describing is a generic "Able to buy at a discount and resell" ability. Nothing special about SO in this example, if the person is not planning on holding them long at all.How it CAN work is, a tech gets a line of credit, @ 0% interest that he or she might not otherwise qualify for. They can buy tools, tool boxes etc at deep discounts as students. A $300 wrench set might be discounted to $150. The student puts $30-50 down and walks off the truck with the wrenches.
For those of us who occasionally buy Snap on tools on eBay, like new tool sets sell for over list price because ordering online doesn’t offer free shipping. Inexpensive items like ratchet repair kits or replacement handles can be 2x MSRP, due to unavailability, shipping, or whatever. You can look this up.
This actually makes my point. To realize the "profit" from Snap On, he has to sell the item (and can't buy multiple times). So he is left with a (theoretical) "inferior" brand to work with.So the tech with the wrenches he just paid $50 for can turn around and sell them for close to list, maybe list, maybe a bit more, on ebay and put $100 profit into his pocket easily. I’ve seen it happen first hand. They might need the cash.
Theoretically, that kid could then invest the hundred, has the rest of the balance in his bank earning interest, while he makes payments. He could invest $75 and buy Pittsburgh wrenches for $25 or whatever.
This doesn't address the idea that even with a BOGO discount, Snap On may still cost more than another brand of sufficient quality. Not saying techs shouldn't try and get discounts, just that the "resold" BOGO stuff tends to be the less desirable portion.Same with buy one get one deals. They take the set they don’t need, turn around and sell it, so the set they wanted cost them very little. Sometimes the driver does it for them. I’ve bought half of a BOGO and walked away with cheap sockets, iirc.
Again, while teh tech is working, it isn't a "realized gain" on his investment. Buying an expensive toolbox now, only to resell after 20 yrs isn't worth the gain.The toolboxes aren’t entirely different. The drivers cut deals with their customers. I personally have not paid full price for much in my toolbox. And they take in boxes on trade and that can work for people.
I don’t know what the market is for used HF toolboxes. Snap on boxes fetch pretty good money second hand. I was lucky with mine. But like desirable cars, convertibles, etc, they hit a rock bottom and don’t really depreciate much further. And as prices continue to rise for new boxes, the price of the used boxes climbs. You sell the box when you upgrade or you switch careers and buy a piano or whatever.
Sure, I agree with that. But young techs frequently are not in the position you are describing here, without outside investment.Not suggesting that people should invest in tools to fund their retirement. Only that the details are complicated. Depending on people’s situation, different scenarios can work out for them.
Agreed, but generally not when first starting out in the job market.s
Maybe like you guys, I never thought a new car lease was a good deal for the consumer. I have never leased a car. I’ve always advised against it. It’s like renting a car. But I’m getting older and more curious and open minded and can see how a lease could be a smart move for people in certain situations.
I am an engineer by training, and teach engineering, woodshop, and business. Not targeting you or belittling, just that the ideas you are mentioning are not applicable to most people in the position you are talking about.I take this seriously and this saddens me. Especially from someone posting this is this very thread.
I don’t know if this is a concerted April's fools joke or irony engineers don’t get…
You guys can have the last word/laugh at my expense. This was a weird thread from the start and I’m moving on.
They don't have to be dumb to make a serious financial mistake. You keep insisting it's not and saying there's documented examples of that - I'd like to see them.We’ve had this conversation before. All I’m saying is, the new techs aren’t dumb for doing what they’re doing.
They can get similar financing from HF on the store card. The interest rate is less important than the total outlay - 0% on a $150 ratchet is going to be a lot more than 10% on a $50 ratchet. And if you pay the $50 ratchet off more quickly, you save the interested. The $150 ratchet has the cost of the financing built in. And if the person in question just buys the $50 ratchet and puts $100 in an investment/retirement account, they'll wind up far ahead on their $150 than if they'd counted on the residual/accrued value of the ratchet.How it CAN work is, a tech gets a line of credit, @ 0% interest that he or she might not otherwise qualify for. They can buy tools, tool boxes etc at deep discounts as students. A $300 wrench set might be discounted to $150. The student puts $30-50 down and walks off the truck with the wrenches.
This is a pretty convoluted case to make money, and requires a lot of moving things around to achieve profit.So the tech with the wrenches he just paid $50 for can turn around and sell them for close to list, maybe list, maybe a bit more, on ebay and put $100 profit into his pocket easily. I’ve seen it happen first hand. They might need the cash.
Theoretically, that kid could then invest the hundred, has the rest of the balance in his bank earning interest, while he makes payments. He could invest $75 and buy Pittsburgh wrenches for $25 or whatever.
Same with buy one get one deals. They take the set they don’t need, turn around and sell it, so the set they wanted cost them very little. Sometimes the driver does it for them. I’ve bought half of a BOGO and walked away with cheap sockets, iirc.
Leases are generally a terrible deal for an individual consumer. They're useful for a business to avoid capital expenditure and keep money on the Expense line, people who can write it off, or for people getting an allowance from an employer. But too many people see it as a way to get a more expensive car for the payment they can manage. Terrible idea financially. If they do it knowing that, it's their money and IDAF. But if someone was espousing a lease as financially smart to an individual, I'd want to see the math (and the justification for the likely more-expensive car).Maybe like you guys, I never thought a new car lease was a good deal for the consumer. I have never leased a car. I’ve always advised against it. It’s like renting a car. But I’m getting older and more curious and open minded and can see how a lease could be a smart move for people in certain situations.
I'm really not trying to pick apart everything you say (and I'm guessing you might have me on Ignore anyway), but:
They don't have to be dumb to make a serious financial mistake. You keep insisting it's not and saying there's documented examples of that - I'd like to see them.
They can get similar financing from HF on the store card. The interest rate is less important than the total outlay - 0% on a $150 ratchet is going to be a lot more than 10% on a $50 ratchet. And if you pay the $50 ratchet off more quickly, you save the interested. The $150 ratchet has the cost of the financing built in. And if the person in question just buys the $50 ratchet and puts $100 in an investment/retirement account, they'll wind up far ahead on their $150 than if they'd counted on the residual/accrued value of the ratchet.
This is a pretty convoluted case to make money, and requires a lot of moving things around to achieve profit.
Leases are generally a terrible deal for an individual consumer. They're useful for a business to avoid capital expenditure and keep money on the Expense line, people who can write it off, or for people getting an allowance from an employer. But too many people see it as a way to get a more expensive car for the payment they can manage. Terrible idea financially. If they do it knowing that, it's their money and IDAF. But if someone was espousing a lease as financially smart to an individual, I'd want to see the math (and the justification for the likely more-expensive car).
Again - honestly not trying to take potshots/swipes.
I agree with all parts of your post.
My one caveat being leasing. With the combination of the complexity of the modern automobile, the vast majority of technicians who are poorly trained / don’t have the tools / couldn’t care less about quality / strained automotive supply chain that still has not recovered fully from Covid period- it is my personal belief that it is a risky proposition to plan on long term ownership for a modern vehicle in year 2026, and I am not sure I would want to finance a vehicle that will likely depreciate, that may be difficult to care for after a few years.
Perhaps they don't understand the difference between a good price on those choice items SO does better than anyone and an apartment sized toolbox with a mortgage.I’ve noticed the same thing in my 18-24 year old classmates. Huge HF fans. I tell them to take advantage of their Snapon/matco student discounts while they still have them and they say “why? Icon gets the job done just as well”. And you know what? They’re not wrong, really.
They claim they can “get the job done” with what they have.Perhaps they don't understand the difference between a good price on those choice items SO does better than anyone and an apartment sized toolbox with a mortgage.
What's the model # of this KRL?I bought my KRL 8 yrs ago for $800, which may have been close to its original price. What do you think my Kenosha red, stainless topped 56” KRL is worth now?
But would you buy Harbor Frieght if it was priced the same as Snap on?I'd buy all Snap On and defend it to the end - if it was priced the same as HF.
But alas, life goes in a different direction.
KR-761. Note this doesn't have a KRL model number. But this IS a Lock n Roll box, and maybe a yr or 2 before the model number switch. I think I traced this serial number to 2001?What's the model # of this KRL
