New Snap-on

[Fly YX]

Not trying to bash Snap-on. I have a lot of their tools mostly stuff from when I was in service. One of my friends at the hangar let me use his student discount so I picked up a few things I wasn't too worried about it until I got to the wrench set. 5 position ratcheting screwdriver it goes smooth one direction but not the other. The 1/4 extension chrome is messed up. And one of the wrenches in the set is bent probably when I was stamped. Not a tool polisher and I wasn't going to worry about the other tools until I got to the bent wrench. I have about 10 other things coming hopefully they're okay but knowing my luck it'll probably be Harbor Freight quality lol. Oh and one of the ratchets around where they stamped the part number the chrome was sharp I just knocked down a little bit and I'll probably just put some electrical tape around it. Like I said before not trying to bash Snap-on and I will definitely buy more Snap-on tools more of a FYI and how crappy my luck is.

 

[Fly YX]

Don't know if something got on the the handle before plastic coating or not but it doesn't affect the functionality at all just a cosmetic defect.

 

[Wamsutta]

My list:

1. F936 came with a cover plate below the body. Supposed to be flush.
2. OEXM120B came with a box end broached off center.
3. OEXM170B came with an extreme square beam; more so than usual.

I warrantied them all and moved on. Still a happy Snap-on customer.

 

[M6erfan]

OP, for the price of S-o I would expect better than cheap import quality too. You should have no problems warrantying that stuff.

 

[Ton ton]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. What kind of wait time do you experience with ordering tools from Snap On?

 

[Fly YX]

I only ordered one thing that was not in stock Pwcs9afc on the 23rd but everything else has only been a few days shipped by ups. I ordered a long diagonal cutters about a year ago and that took 6 months to get.

 

[chrisnazzy]

That many different items with issues almost makes me wonder if SO is filling student discount orders with blems.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Tallpilot]

That many different items with issues almost makes me wonder if SO is filling student discount orders with blems.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I was having similar thoughts. I was under the impression the student program had a local rep at each school and wasn't directly fulfilled from the main distribution centers. In any case even at half off that stuff doesn't reflect well on the brand. Plus the program is supposed to hook impressionable youngsters on high quality tools. How does sending them factory second junk promote that?

 

[Fly YX]

That's what I was thinking. When I called them on Friday about a item that was not in the box just to see maybe it was backordered but the paperwork showed that it should have shipped the lady on the phone told me Snap-on doesn't make mistakes don't know she was just joking or not. She was acting like she was mad because she had a ship me another one it was only a screwdriver. Probably thought I was lying to her. That was the only time I've ever called Snap-on directly I've always used the trucks.

 

[M6erfan]

That many different items with issues almost makes me wonder if SO is filling student discount orders with blems.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I was having similar thoughts. I was under the impression the student program had a local rep at each school and wasn't directly fulfilled from the main distribution centers. In any case even at half off that stuff doesn't reflect well on the brand. Plus the program is supposed to hook impressionable youngsters on high quality tools. How does sending them factory second junk promote that?

Me too. That they got past QC is surprising.

 

[GrayEngineer]

That many different items with issues almost makes me wonder if SO is filling student discount orders with blems.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

This is an interesting theory. I have access to the student program currently, and I've noticed that most of the tools I have ordered have blemishes or could be deemed second quality. Based on the various issues I've dealt with since ordering through the SEP program, my opinion of Snap-on has tarnished greatly. In contrast, everything I've purchased from Tekton has exceeded my expectations.

 

[Fly YX]

I just thought about this on the wrench set when I opened it up and took the wrenches out they had oil all over them I just a protective film on it but I don't remember last time I bought a whole set from Snap-on at the time not have that.

 

[Tallpilot]

This is an interesting theory. I have access to the student program currently, and I've noticed that most of the tools I have ordered have blemishes or could be deemed second quality. Based on the various issues I've dealt with since ordering through the SEP program, my opinion of Snap-on has tarnished greatly. In contrast, everything I've purchased from Tekton has exceeded my expectations.

I think if Tekton could get stocked by a national retailer they could be the next Craftsman. Lifetime tools for DIY people and an entry level set for poor techs until they get past entry level positions. I don't know if they could scale up that big without problems. Their QC is excellent right now.

 

[Fly YX]

I like Tekton I buy them for the general toolboxes at work.

 

[E430Driver]

I think if Tekton could get stocked by a national retailer they could be the next Craftsman. Lifetime tools for...

I think a lot of people feel burned by Craftsman. People buy it for decades, knowing its just a trip to Sears. Sears starts cheaping on the build quality, off-shoring the bulk of it.. tools and other things and eventually they close their doors leaving millions high and dry. Sure they may be here or there, but not the full line-up at all those locations and not as widespread as before. And people don't want to wait or hassle with shipping. They want it NOW. To be honest, I buy quality tools with a Lifetime Warranty that I KNOW will be in business way after I'm gone. And right now, looking at History that means the Tool Truck pro stuff.. because they live and die by their reputation with people that use them for a living. They cheap out, they'll die a quick and painful death. Social Media is the equalizer, no hiding your warts anymore.

 

[Volvotechdude]

I think a lot of people feel burned by Craftsman. People buy it for decades, knowing its just a trip to Sears. Sears starts cheaping on the build quality, off-shoring the bulk of it.. tools and other things and eventually they close their doors leaving millions high and dry. Sure they may be here or there, but not the full line-up at all those locations and not as widespread as before. And people don't want to wait or hassle with shipping. They want it NOW. To be honest, I buy quality tools with a Lifetime Warranty that I KNOW will be in business way after I'm gone. And right now, looking at History that means the Tool Truck pro stuff.. because they live and die by their reputation with people that use them for a living. They cheap out, they'll die a quick and painful death. Social Media is the equalizer, no hiding your warts anymore.

Unfortunately, social media is only as good as the person posting. And we all know people tend to fudge facts whether it's Harbor Freight or Snap on.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks, tool man for bringing me up to speed on the Snap On website.

 

[mr.lemons]

When you buy from the website Snap-on is sending you truck returns.

Are there really enough truck returns to fulfill all the sales on the website? Does not sound plausible but I have no info or experience to go off so speculating here.

 

[ryanx0r]

If it were defects in the factory, the items in question would not be used. We can rule that out.

I don't believe the website generates any significant purchase revenue to begin with, and therefore any returns would be a small percentage based on those minimal transactions. We can rule that out.

Therefore, I have concluded in my own mind that there must be a certain amount of tools returned to, or repossessed by Snap-on trucks which are then returned to Snap-on for "new" tool credit (rather than a warranty item which would be reissued to the truck in question). Snap-on may not check these sufficiently when they return and automatically consider them "new" stock when they are not.

It's the only plausible explanation I have. I've never received a used tool from a warranty with Crystal Lake.

I've never received anything that looked "used" or "returned" from my many orders from the SnapOn website... Sounds entirely like speculation to me.

 

[measuredtwice]

The receipt policy exists because people abuse the system. You don't have to look far to find examples... the OP is abusing the student program. Not saying he's a bad guy but I'm pretty sure the student program isn't around so that people can sell tools to their friends and then give them bad press online--haha. And there are guys buying up buckets of old junk to have it replaced with new from Snap-On. If people didn't abuse the system, then nobody wouldn't have started asking for receipts. It would also lower their costs. It's just cause and effect.

I've never received a used tool from the Snap-On website. Not saying it couldn't happen but they're certainly not just fulfilling internet orders with returns. I have received used and damaged tools from other brands on Amazon. And I've seen returns repackaged and tools from other brands put back on the shelf at brick and mortar stores.

 

[Rinspeed]

I've received many, many, many tools that were used from the Snap-on website. Enough that I stopped purchasing anything from them long before they included a mandatory $20 shipping/handling fee.

What did you do with them, did you bring it to their attention.

 

[Handyandy23]

I think a lot of people feel burned by Craftsman. People buy it for decades, knowing its just a trip to Sears. Sears starts cheaping on the build quality, off-shoring the bulk of it.. tools and other things and eventually they close their doors leaving millions high and dry. Sure they may be here or there, but not the full line-up at all those locations and not as widespread as before. And people don't want to wait or hassle with shipping. They want it NOW. To be honest, I buy quality tools with a Lifetime Warranty that I KNOW will be in business way after I'm gone. And right now, looking at History that means the Tool Truck pro stuff.. because they live and die by their reputation with people that use them for a living. They cheap out, they'll die a quick and painful death. Social Media is the equalizer, no hiding your warts anymore.

Except now going from Craftsman to tool truck brands, you're paying like 500% more for that warranty. I've never broken enough tools to justifying spending that kind of money on a warranty. If you use an inexpensive-but-still-decent-quality socket, ratchet, etc. just use it until it breaks and then go buy yourself another one.

The amount of time and hassle it takes to take a broken tool to get warrantied isn't worth it in most cases IMO. Buying the regular non-truck brands you can break the same tool 4 or 5 times over. If you work in a shop and can take advantage of the tool trucks coming to you on a regular basis, that might be a different story, and I can see how that is convenient. For the rest of the public the tool trucks don't have time for individuals, and corporate / online greatly reduces any 'convenience'.

The way Craftsman went might also be a sign that business model isn't sustainable. I know it was Sears that went out of business, and not Craftsman, but the fact that they changed their line to "import garbage" over the years shows a struggle between quality and cost. Pretty hard to offer US-made quality hand tools at a cheap price and with a no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty, it just doesn't add up.

I have quite a lot of Tekton hand tools, but not for the warranty. I like that it seems as though they do a good job with warranties and will replace tools with just pictures and an online claim. But I'm also not naive enough to think I'm buying a $20 ratchet that's going to last me for a lifetime, and then get passed down to my children and grandchildren. I hope Tekton does well and continues to do well as a company, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over analyzing their long term forecast to decide if I think I'll be able to warranty these tools in 30 years from now.

 

[ryanx0r]

I've received many, many, many tools that were used from the Snap-on website. Enough that I stopped purchasing anything from them long before they included a mandatory $20 shipping/handling fee.

I've never paid a "mandatory" $20 fee either. Are we ordering from the same SnapOn?

 

[ChevyEFI]

It's tough to find waders in my size, but I guess I should start my own thread instead of hoping Jason doesn't hop out of Crystal Lake due to all the cattle runoff reaching his grave.

 

[jimindm]

I can not say whether the website offers returns or not. I buy everything from a truck.

I am not sure about some of you guys. I would have never seen the defects some of you are showing. I put them to work.

 

[ryanx0r]

Snap-on offered free shipping on any item you purchased for as long as they had an active website. As of December 2019 or thereabout, they changed that policy entirely.

Any purchase now is subject to shipping, plus a minimum handling fee of about $10. It's an additional $15-$20 per order.

If you spend over $200 it's free shipping, but they still charge a handling fee.

My orders have all had free shipping and no handling charge (all over $199). The last order I made was on 4/28/2020 and I paid nothing extra but tax?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

You paid for beautiful new Snap-on tools. If You received anything less; they should make it right.

 

[purplezr2]

I want you guys to consider what I'm about to say from the perspective of someone with an inordinate amount of Snap-on tools.

When you buy from the website Snap-on is sending you truck returns. I personally think it's borderline fraud, but there it is. They don't inspect the tools being returned (or they're doing it deliberately), and they resend out these tools to anyone who buys off the website.

I received used hammers, used screwdrivers, battery boots with grease on them, and worse ordering through the website.

I would never, ever order off the website --- only because if you call them to complain about it they will actually stop warrantying items for you through corporate. They will replace any item you call about (normally without sending it in) but they count it against you as a "warranty" item. Do it two or three times and you'll become "receipted" on any item you send in. If you have receipts, and send them in they still return your tools and claim you didn't send in a receipt.

Whereas dealing with the trucks is usually nothing but a joy in my experience. I've never had a bad Snap-on truck experience.

I personally think Snap-on makes the best tools available, and I also think they're not worth the money they're charging for them. If you're paying retail, they better damn well deliver perfection.

Not my experience at all.

I have had two wrong orders from online. One was a pick set instead of something which I don't remember now. The other was a organizer tray that was the wrong color, order green and pink, received green and orange.

Both times they didn't want the incorrect items back. All the items looks new and in good shape.

Once I did have a tray that was crack on an online order, they sent me a couple trays free of charge.

I have had no issue with warranty through the 800 number. Call and tell them my parts number and a week or so later new tools arrive. I have warrantied a number of broken sockets, ratchet, snap ring pliers, regular pliers, and screw drivers. I have had to send a 1/2 drive ratchet back.

There online service was great for the 2-3 years I didn't have a driver.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Using a student discount when you're not a student and getting a defective tool seems to fall under karma IMHO.

With that being said, the price of Snap-On demands that the products are flawless. If there are ANY issues, even cosmetic, I'd contact them and have them make it right.

There's nothing particularly special about Tekton. Out of all of the mid-range tool companies I would put Sunex up at the top of the list behind Snap-on and MAC Tools (USA only).

I think it's far fetched to say that the Snap-On website sells used tools, returns and/or seconds. Everything I've ordered on the site, because I don't have access to a truck, has been perfectly fine.

With that being said, I agree that Tekton is so overrated. They make good looking stuff with decent quality at that price point, but they don't live up to the mass hype. I'm pretty sure they are riding a social media/influencer/hashtagging hype train campaign. If you're in any group on FB you will see the people I'm talking about. "OMG this product is life changing!" followed by hashtags of the company and their fanboy slogans.

 

[purplezr2]

I've received many, many, many tools that were used from the Snap-on website. Enough that I stopped purchasing anything from them long before they included a mandatory $20 shipping/handling fee.

Pictures or it didn't happen,

Even it if did, a simple phone call should take care of it.

I have received a few used or core items from other retailers, and it was fixed instantly.

 

[Fly YX]

Weird because when we talked to the rep that services the account before I purchased anything he didn't care as long as I didn't go over 10k. On the student program. I was able to put in my information address and cc. Without a problem. I know I'm the worst when I get home I'm going to punch my dogs in the face and drowned kittens in a bag down by the river.

 

[Handyandy23]

There's nothing particularly special about Tekton. Out of all of the mid-range tool companies I would put Sunex up at the top of the list behind Snap-on and MAC Tools (USA only).

What Sunex tools do you own that makes you think so highly of them? Aside from their impact sockets being decent, every other Sunex tool I've touched has been pretty bad. A ton of their tools are sourced from the cheapest places they can find, like China and India.

Tekton sources their ratchets, sockets, and wrenches from Taiwan, who generally produces better quality tools. And they continue to expand US-made tools like their pliers and hard handle screwdrivers.

With that being said, I agree that Tekton is so overrated. They make good looking stuff with decent quality at that price point, but they don't live up to the mass hype. I'm pretty sure they are riding a social media/influencer/hashtagging hype train campaign. If you're in any group on FB you will see the people I'm talking about. "OMG this product is life changing!" followed by hashtags of the company and their fanboy slogans.

I don't frequent much social media, but I've never seen a Tekton advertisement anywhere. I doubt you get a bunch of middle aged men on a tool forum excited about tools through "social media influencing" if the tools aren't good quality.

Curious what other mid priced brands you prefer to Tekton? I really like their ratchets for the price. And as I previously said, not many companies in this price range are introducing USA made tools like Tekton is. Gotta give them credit for that.

 

[Ign]

Yeah.... while this is full derail I've managed to miss this mass media hype on Tekton. I actually think Tekton along with AP are two of the most under-rated and unknown (or forgotten) brands out there doing relatively good things.

Tekton is putting out above average hand tools with minimal fanfare and AP is doing some really innovative things like Nano impacts and sockets, specialty pullers and an alleged new BJ press (the latter is unfortunately vaporware to date)

I guess it's just perspective but I'm not seeing the Tekton Kardashian effect - then again I don't do much on FB and do nothing on Twitter or Instagram

 

[WittHay]

Selling online is expensive unless you have a factory like Amazon. Any business can ship out goods, usually a new guy at the back of the building picking whatever and boxing it up.

I am sure the pecking order at Snap-on is dealers first, industrial next and the online sales are whatever.

All online sales have a 30 day money back guarantee. How many times have you read on GJ that somebody buys 2 to 4 brands of ratchets or wrenches to try and then return the ones they dont like. Why wouldnt these used tools get shipped out to the next online customer.

 

[M6erfan]

...
Why wouldnt these used tools get shipped out to the next online customer.

Because the wrench is bent and chrome chipped?

 

[dutchgray]

Me too. That they got past QC is surprising.

I have a theory that Snap-On QC is actually quite lax compared to many manufacturers, it doesn't need to be as good when you have the dealer network and lifetime warranty that they do, the dealers and customers between them can cull out the minor defects and finish issues that arise without too much difficulty, something that is costly to do in the factory if you want to pay somebody to closely inspect tools all day.
QC procedures normally only inspect a representative sample of any batch and you do require the bodys on the production line to pull out really obvious defective tools.

 

[Tallpilot]

...
With that being said, I agree that Tekton is so overrated. They make good looking stuff with decent quality at that price point, but they don't live up to the mass hype. I'm pretty sure they are riding a social media/influencer/hashtagging hype train campaign. If you're in any group on FB you will see the people I'm talking about. "OMG this product is life changing!" followed by hashtags of the company and their fanboy slogans.

There's nothing particularly special about Tekton. Out of all of the mid-range tool companies I would put Sunex up at the top of the list behind Snap-on and MAC Tools (USA only).

Sunex? What? Swap your Snap-on wrenches for Sunex for a week and come give us a report.

Yeah.... while this is full derail I've managed to miss this mass media hype on Tekton. I actually think Tekton along with AP are two of the most under-rated and unknown (or forgotten) brands out there doing relatively good things.

Tekton is putting out above average hand tools with minimal fanfare and AP is doing some really innovative things like Nano impacts and sockets, specialty pullers and an alleged new BJ press (the latter is unfortunately vaporware to date)

I guess it's just perspective but I'm not seeing the Tekton Kardashian effect - then again I don't do much on FB and do nothing on Twitter or Instagram

That's what this board is supposed to be about. Finding the obscure companies that put out great stuff for reasonable prices. Identifying tools (flare nut wrenches) were the truck premium actually buys you something. You are right to lump Astro in with Tekton.

The amount of polarization Tekton generates on this board is really interesting and hard to understand. 5 years ago Tekton was a bog standard importer of generic Taiwan tools with some Chinese garbage thrown in. In the years before that they were MIT and the stuff was worse.

News flash, companies can change business models. Craftsman (Sears) went from decent to utter garbage. Tekton went the other way. Critically, they are pushing USA manufacturing. Is Sunex doing that? VIM? Capri?

One doesn't need to be a fanboy to see their angle wrenches are an excellent offering for far less than tool trucks. Crowfoots are next. Both made in USA.

Sockets and combination wrenches? Yes, they are generic. Another news flash, sockets and wrenches are pretty generic overall. Tekton is simply one choice (if you want fancy sockets and wrenches there are other choice, all more expensive) but they do have very good customer service.

I just don't understand the frothing at the mouth hatred every time someone mentions them.

 

[Ryan]

Fellas... Please stop arguing over tool brands. Discussing them is fine, but if you find someone that has a difference of opinion on a tool brand and it hurts your sense of being, maybe get help somewhere else instead of calling them names and what not.

Seriously... It's kind of crazy behavior.