No love with Snap-On...

[Matt in Va]

Gentlemen,
I've bought a bit of Snap-On in the last 5 or 6 years, including a HD Road Chest, however I have always paid cash to one dealer in particular and his prices have always been 35-40% off the retail price. At any rate I stopped at the guys house, he lives right down the road, and asked about possible used storage AND buying a FEW F80 3/8" Ratchets. This is before I read the whole not marked "Made in the USA" bit on here... At any rate we walk into his truck and there are 20+ F80s overhead. Even some that have been discontinued. I'm thinking three 3/8" Ratchets for most situations as I have cash in my pocket. Might even buy a set of six point sockets in the short configurations. I don't need them, however, I love good tools...

In short he, for the first time in ten years, just about quotes me Snap-On Retail for the FOUR F80s I had in my hands. Not in my hands fumbling them but in my hands together ready to be paid for.... This price killed my desire to even look at the sockets. My facial expression changed, I looked at $450 worth of ratchets, and I decide my business will wait for another day. I gave everyone of the bastards back to him and thanked him for his time. Given what I've read I would probabely regret having bought all four. A shortie, standard, flex head, and an interesting looking bent flex head...

What blows my mind is my father was always a good cash customer and I spend a few grand a year with the guy myself. I ALWAYS bought my dads gifts from this guys and paid in cash.

Dunno what gives but it occurred to me how quickly you can kill a 15 year multi-generational business relationship with a 5 minute transaction. In all honesty I MAY give him another chance but it is far from a certainty and will depend on pricing as always.

Have given the interaction some serious thought and come up dry other than things are tight and he needs retail but folks in hell need the proverbial glass of ice water. Would have thought about catching him at home, however, he has told me on MANY occasions to stop in anytime he prefers to do business without leaving the yard.

All in all my 35-40% off Snap-On Guy went a long way to lose a reliable customer and I lost my ability to buy Snap-On at 35-40% off retail. Lose/lose situation that makes little to no sense...

Thoughts?

Regards, Matt
Chesapeake, Virginia

 

[doctorschmullus]

Dodgy,
That's all I can say,
If a shop you are loyal to starts charging more I'd give it the flick and go find someone else.

 

[southpier]

his family needs to eat, too

 

[mrholeshot]

I don't see where your complaint is. This cat has been giving you 30-40% off for years and in one transaction where he charged almost retail you go off the deep end? I've never had a Snap-On man charge me anything but retail on new tools. Maybe his business is starting to suffer a bit and he needed to price them at retail so he could make some profit. You should look at how much money he has saved you in the past before complaining. Some of the used stuff I have sold on ebay sells for more than 60% of retail.

 

[Merkava_4]

You're expecting 30-40% off retail?!!?

The guy's markup is only 30%. I suppose he should just give you the tools then huh?

 

[Mickey O]

I know what you are saying, I went to Shell today to get gas and they expected me to pay the price on the pump, talk about outrageous, next time I'm going to take off without paying, tha'll teach 'em.

 

[Underdog]

You're expecting 30-40% off retail?!!?

The guy's markup is only 30%. I suppose he should just give you the tools then huh?

I guess you should of bought more tools when the price was right. I've never heard of 30-40% off retail except for student discounts. Always buy my SO tools off the SO web site, funny they always charge me retail.

 

[mojo_13]

I'm not familar with Truck Brands is it common practice to get a discount?

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm not familiar with Truck Brands is it common practice to get a discount?

If I don't have to pay sales tax, I'm thrilled.

 

[arkangel06]

WTF does that guy thinks hes doing making you pay what everyone else does?

F*cking *******!

 

[dkroth]

Did you try talking about it with him? In a friendly, candid manner that's appropriate for two people who've been doing business for years?

 

[GTO]

I don't think this thread is turning out the way the OP thought it was going to.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't think this thread is turning out the way the OP thought it was going to.

Nope, he thought we'd all join in with him and start hating Snap-on for charging him list price.

 

[mrholeshot]

If I don't have to pay sales tax, I'm thrilled.

Amen to that!

 

[lipadj46]

I'm happy if I get 40% off retail buying second hand here in the classifieds. That would be for a "like new" snap on F80 but still.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Did you try talking about it with him? In a friendly, candid manner that's appropriate for two people who've been doing business for years?

Exactly. I think you'll find more satisfaction out of direct and polite conversation with your dealer than looking for what others think of your situation.

 

[Davefr]

Are you sure the previously discounted tools weren't used or repos?

There's no way a dealer can stay in business selling new tools at 35-40% discount.

 

[Merkava_4]

When this guy wakes up and sees his thread, he's gonna flip his lid.

 

[Bull]

Fellas, I think we've had our quota of sarcastic responses in this thread. Let's change gears, if you don't mind.

Perhaps the OP is not only concerned with the money issue, but also why a long-term business relationship that had operated on a certain principle for a long time abruptly changed.

I have no horse in the race, just don't want an endless string of negative posts.

 

[afdavey]

30% is what I have been told also. I have a fairly new (past 1 1/2 yr) business relationship with a truck dealer, I pay cash and see a 17% disc. From day one this is what was negotiated between use.

I'm not a professional, home garage mechanic who likes quality tools as you do. Bought my first SO when I was 17yrs old, and lets say I have accumulated a nice set over the past 40yrs.

 

[caper]

Ouch! He got no love from Snap on and none from the GJ either!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I'll try not to add any "negativity" to this thread but I always pay cash on the truck, the dealer is my friend, I get a small discount (+/- 10%) on SOME items (not all) and in addition to that, he sometimes "forgives" the tax.

After saying all of that, even though he is a friend, he still needs to make a living for his family. His markup on most items at full list is roughly 30% and if you buy on truck credit, you will pay list for his tools and service. Have a talk with your dealer and let him know that you realize that times are hard for a lot of people right now and that you appreciated the discounts that you have received in the past and were wondering if the cash discounts would continue in the future.

You might have caught him after a major battle with the wife or kids, after getting a large bill, figuring his taxes or something else. After all, everyone is cheerful all of the time, right????

 

[Merkava_4]

I'll try not to add any "negativity" to this thread but I always pay cash on the truck, the dealer is my friend, I get a small discount (+/- 10%) on SOME items (not all) and in addition to that, he sometimes "forgives" the tax.

A 10% discount + no sales tax is too much; I might be feeling guilty about that. If the guy leaves the sales tax off and then rounds it off to the nearest nickel for me using cash, I'm thrilled.

 

[bonneyman]

I took the OP not as complaining so much about the price but the change in service, especially after the established business.
I myself frequent places that treat me right. Even if I have to pay more. But I find that being a "regular" at most places usually (but not always) translates into better deals.
Then I've had places I went to for awhile, and then, in one visit, you get a whole different attitude. Maybe new management, new policies, etc. But the mood is different. And it makes you reconsider your patronage.

 

[t100]

did the guy even tell you why this time he didn't give you rhe "usual" discount?

 

[blown94conv]

It amazes me that after a multi year relationship, you will give it all up over 1 transaction. Where is your loyalty for all the years he took care of you? I hate to say it, but in this case you are in the wrong. Maybe he might be better off not having customers that he makes zero money on, and then try to throw him under a bus when he charges retail.

 

[Fedwrench]

So did you ask the dealer if since you were paying cash up front and buying 4 ratchets if you could get a better deal? It never hurts to ask. Remind him of past purchases. Unless it's been awhile since your last purchase, sometimes tool dealer deals are based on the what have you bought from me lately and no I don't remember that chest you bought two years ago...Even though the dealer had set a previous precedence by selling you stuff at a huge discount, things may have changed since your last purchase. 30-40% is probably the margin for most Snap on stuff. I can't see where a dealer could afford to sell tools at cost and keep his bills paid and his truck on the road. At any rate, nothing is accomplished by simply putting the tools back and leaving. I would talk it out with the dealer and either come to a amicable arrangement or part ways.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I probably spend $3-5 K per year with my snap on dealer, always paying either up front or at the time of purchase. Never carrying a balance, and rarely paying with a debit card. She has NEVER given me any price other than list.

Adam

 

[ImportTuner]

A 10% discount + no sales tax is too much; I might be feeling guilty about that. If the guy leaves the sales tax off and then rounds it off to the nearest nickel for me using cash, I'm thrilled.

I'm with Merk on this one ..

 

[Shadowdog500]

See if he will take one of these!

 

[walrus]

The guy might figure you don't buy enough or often enough. If he always give you a discount,how does he make money? I'd haggle with my Snappie dealer, sometimes he'd win, sometimes I'd win, seemed fair to me. He has to make a living also

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

A 10% discount + no sales tax is too much; I might be feeling guilty about that. If the guy leaves the sales tax off and then rounds it off to the nearest nickel for me using cash, I'm thrilled.

Merk,

Re-read my post. I said he gives me a small discount on SOME items. There have been other times that he did not charge me tax on SOME items.... I didn't say they were the same item.....

Like I said, he has to eat also.....

 

[Matt in Va]

Guys,
Regarding the "OP not getting the response he wanted" you are correct. I had NO IDEA so many of you pay retail. That you are happy to do it makes me wish I were a Snap On Dealer... I was not looking for affirmation or a group hug. I was, as another poster pointed out, looking for a reason that our "deal" went from one extreme to another. Dunno what is spending enough or too little. Last purchase was a Brutus Torque Wrench three months ago...

I sell for a living and I think the last thing on my customers minds is "his family needs to eat to". Could be wrong on that but it simply is not there. I have repeat customers on $2500-3500 items come back ONLY because of price. I evidently don't have SO's margins, however, what I have gets cut a hell of a lot tighter. That said I've seen this with Tractors, Trucks, and now Tools. If you are selling at reasonable margin volume is key. Make someone a very good deal and he'll bring his son, buddies, and neighbor back to see you when they are ready. It makes up for retiring on each customer atleast for me...

I will say that I would love to have the attitude of "glad to pay retail" in my business. Guys like that could not help but make a dealer smile... I know I would...

The take home question was answered by a few previous posters. I should have asked why we went from evidently deep discounts to retail pricing. I should have just asked him what was up with the pricing change. The sad part is I knew this before asking the question. The whole deal just took me by surprise. Failed to handle it as I should have. NOT that his answer would have lead to a sale or all four F80s and two sets of sockets(SAE and Metric). That said I would have known where he was coming from or why I needed to reevaluate my purchases...

I appreciate everyone's reply. Even the "negative" ones. I don't consider them negative but rather it gives me a bit of insight on the status quo between MOST Snap-On Dealers and their customers. In the end it comes down to what you are willing to pay for a widget. Snap On has a very effective advertising campaign that puts them up there with a very few companies were people seem to be willing to pay through the nose and thank them for the ride. Good for them? Probably. Good for the customer? A question only the cutomer can answer...

I will admit this post kinda makes me chortle. My dad employed a full time mechanic for his own trucks. Heavy diesel repair is a hard and often thankless job. My reason for mentioning this however is that the guy lived, ate, and slept Snap-On. As a teenager I was always impressed with his tools. Enough to become a customer of a few things that I could not afford just to get genuine, no kidding, sure enough Snap-On tools.

Fast forward twenty years and it became painfully obvious that this guy was drinking the coolaid for lack of better term. He even made a case for why his rebranded Snap-On Air Compressor was somehow worth what, at the time, seemed like a sky high premium. Dad used the big quiet Quincy Units and looked at the mechanic like he was slightly daft when he found what he paid for a cheap, high rpm, plastic cased, air compressor that is nearly identical to dozens of different cheap brands but without the red paint and Snap-On Name. I suppose he was in deep hock to his dealer because everything was paid for on credit and prices were generally retail.

That is why I thought I had hit a good thing with my Snap-On guy. And to be honest I probably have. I'll just give him a visit on another afternoon, know what I want, and ask him what he can do on pricing. Best case scenario is we can come to an agreeable price and keep the business relationship alive. That said if we can't, especially after reading the Dual 80 Chronicles, I'm not going to really worry about it. Snap-On is my general choice for some tools, however, there are other fish in the sea...

Thank you for your time...

Regards, Matt.

Btw, the other "experience" that keeps me from committing seppuku for questioning the great and good Snap-On Dealer came from an experience as a spectator of a transaction I witnessed with a Matco Dealer some years back. My uncle lives next to a Matco Dealer. When he first built his house he had a pig picking and he introduced me to the guy. Nice fellow or so I thought for an hour or so. In short a guy comes up the Dealer's Driveway and gets out having clearly been working in what seemed like elbow deep grease(Guy might beat his wife, dog, and children but I have a respect for men who have to work that hard especially on Sunday. Largely because I saw my father(RIP) do it almost all his life) The guy turned out to be an old customer and the Dealer, just happened, to have the part on hand. Could not tell you what it was for the life of me. What I remember was this guy, who was very polite and apologetic for interrupting the barbeque paid the Dealer, said his good buys, and quickly left... What followed is what was engraved in my mind to this very day. My Uncle said "First Name, is that not a bit steep for that "widget"? Dealer turns around, takes a puff on his Montecristo, smiles and says "Yeah it is... But I never give a sucker an even break." End quote

That ended the 90 minutes of respect I had developed for the guy. Granted he does not treat my uncle like that, however, they are neighbors, live in homes knocking on a million dollars a piece, and my uncle owns the 75 acres of property that was adjacent to the development. The dealer has since built a garage that is the full equal of any I have seen, short mind you of The Ultimate Garage Guy with the Ferrari and 100K plus worth of sound and video...

It was an eye opener for me and I would not buy a pencil from the ***** if he was the last game in town.

NOT MAKING ANY COMPARISONS TO MY SNAP-ON GUY. NONE WHATSOEVER... Just passing on true story that has colored my views of the "Golden Rule" forever since...fwiw & imho

 

[cronic]

Are you sure you were getting a 30 to 40 percent discount? That doesn't sound right based on dealer markup.

 

[Hiball]

Im failry sure that 30-40% off Hand tools is close to dealer cost, We have a few Snappy dealers here and im sure they can chime in. I do know there is a fairly good markup on Tool boxes but i feel 30-40% might be getting close to cost on them also. Ive bought tools off the truck and i always pay cash and ive never gotten more than 10%. For the guy that posted that he spends 3-5k in Cash a year and pays retail... You need to brush up on your negotiating skillz or find a new dealer unless your relationship with your dealer is that he warrants every piece of SO tool you hand him. If thats the case continue paying retail and everyone is happy.

Steven

 

[mrholeshot]

The only thing I ever tried to haggle the price on was something used on the tool truck

 

[Moose-LandTran]

If I don't have to pay sales tax, I'm thrilled.

My old dealer used to always knock the tax off when i bought from him. My current dealer never has, so i'm less willing to buy from him. (Both are employees of Snap-on, not franchisees.)

Makes more of a difference here. Sales tax (VAT) is now 20%.

 

[crewchief888]

ive had a couple dealers that always dropped prices well below suggested retail. they werent in business very long.

The only thing I ever tried to haggle the price on was something used on the tool truck

i pickup used/trade in/ repo'd tools from SO once in a while, and haggle a price. if it's not what i want to pay for "used" tools, then i walk away

 

[supertooljunkie]

I had the same Snappy dealer for ten years and always paid retail, unless it was on sale,or an overstock.I had an RA, but sometimes paid cash. Every so often I could get him to drop a price. I still buy from him every so often and pay cash, and retail. I would take any discount ofered and be very happy.

 

[woody 73]

Matt Hi,

Welcome to the GJ.

Sometimes the other members forget their manners...