Previous owner's marks and tool value

[jgromada]

I'm a tool user not a tool collector so as long as the functionality is not being compromised I am ok with getting a tool. That being said i do think it diminishes the value of the tool a bit.

I think if you want to specially mark your tools so you know the tools that are your are easily returned to you then use colored electrical tape. I think that can work pretty well.

 

[toolmiser]

I would think all of us would prefer tools without previous owners marks. That said if they are purchased from a legit person, and I planned to use them, and was comfortable with the price, I have no issue.

Who knows what the resale will be in the future? Maybe it will go out of style (much better version is invented, gets lost, natural or un natural disaster, kids sell it (or throw it) after your last breath.

 

[bwringer]

I have a used tool store and it all depends on the buyer. OCD types want no parts of marked tools, mismatched logos, one snap on socket on a rail of macs to complete a set, and often tools that look used. They normally want perfection, so to that type of buyer, it makes a huge difference and often a deal breaker. But they will often pay a premium to get what they want.

Non OCD types often don't care, don't notice or will only need a minor price adjustment to deal with owner marks.

On ebay, (which I don't use) owners marks can devalue by 10 to 20% as Rickster stated, possibly more.

Thanks for the actual information!



My Dad's name was Ralph, and he engraved this cool little "RW" symbol on many of his tools. I love using tools with Dad's monogram. I'll admit that some were, uh, "acquired" when I was younger, and some I inherited later in life. Either way, they have a bit of added meaning.


A lot depends on context and situation, of course, but the one thing that would bother me about using tools with owner's marks is any possibility that the tools were stolen. If the owner or their heirs are the ones selling them, or I can otherwise be satisfied that they weren't stolen, then I wouldn't mind at all. But I'm a tool user, not a collector.

 

[finn]

If I am buying, marks are a bargaining point. I won’t pay much for any used tool though, so the marks are an asset to me, if I really need the tool. It gets them into the price range I am willing to pay.

In effect, a tool with no marks has no intrinsic value to me, because they are almost always overpriced....

Tools with personal information ground off are a no-no, though. I don’t support thieves, and grinding off marks to reduce traceability is a sure tip odd that the tool has a tarnished past.

 

[x1134x]

I don't like the looks of them, I wonder what in the hell people were thinking when they did it, and I wonder about how to go about "healing" them somehow, maybe sandblasting a stenciled logo over them or even a geometric shape or pattern. That being said since my Wright 3/4" drive socket set is autographed by the late (probably) great "J. Teeples," I obtained that socket set for $120. (7/8 thru 1-7/8 all 16ths, plus ratchet and 3"&6" extensions plus Williams USA 1 1/8 & 14" ext) on fleabay. So I guess I like the fact that the devaluing makes quality tools become affordable to me. The 1 1/4 worked perfectly as a 32mm on the axle nut replacing my wheel hub assembly. But seriously any other ideas how to go about erasing them other than knocking all the chrome off and re-chroming? Maybe we just need a paradigm shift:
Treat them like traveling trophies. Just grab your etching pen and add your name to the list!
I'll keep googlin'.

 

[ridervfr]

^ You have the actual, real deal "J. Teeples" etched tools? Holy cow, he invented the widget plugging chisel I believe. ha ha, kidding aside, think your kinda out of luck regarding getting rid of the etching (which I do hate) - short of grinding and re-chroming which is not feasible. I bought a set of 3/8 Mac sockets at the flea market and they had the original owners initials on them, over the years I have warrantied them out to the point where only a few left has p.o, initials on them.

I bought a used set of four Mac files on Ebay years ago (stupid to buy used files - almost as bad as buying pre-owned underware) Anyway, I got them and there was a hideous name etched into each handle (BART) sorry any Barts' out there. I returned them and ended up getting a nice set of Matco files.

My cousin bought a set of orange handle SO screwdrivers, best etching I have ever seen on something. Previous owner had a skull etched into each top of the handles along with his name on the handle ANIMAL 666. Thought that was a hysterical, some stuff stays with you. I got set of mini slip joint channel lock style pliers by SO, previous owner was SAL. Wonder where he is now, its kinda karmic.

I picked up an etcher at the flea market as I was using it regularly at work to etch day/date/year on pump housings I was working on and would not think of etching any of my tools with it, the pump housings only cost $20,000 US though. Peace

 

[seagullplayer]

My wife may have a different option, but I'm not a tool collector.

If my tools where a guitar one might call them "players".

 

[Ign]

This dead horse again?

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I buy and sell tools. I used to shy away from used tools with owner's marks but after a recent haul of an entire Snap On box worth of SO/Blue Point tools from a retired bus mechanic that were 90% engraved, it has opened up my eyes. I found that even the engraved ones will fly off the shelves if it's the right tool in good condition other than the marks. It's just reaching a different market-the user vs. the collector.

 

[M635_Guy]

This dead horse again?

Thank God you're here to gatekeep content and topics!!

For me, I missed it the first time around, and found it an interesting read

 

[demarpaint]

I guess it depends on the price. If it is a good tool at a great price I'd buy it with the PO's markings.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Adds value to mine because the names are my grandpa, father-in-law and my wife’s grandpa.

 

[PugetDude]

Of course you could engrave them with the name of some famous person (Boyd Coddington, Don Garlits, Jack Olsen, etc) and ask a fortune for them on eBay.

Works both ways.

 

[Greg5OH]

its ok to me if its not ground into a chrome plating. if its just rough cast or polished with no plating its ok.

 

[mikedodge]

You're not gonna want my tools. Everything is painted red or blue.

The last time I saw tools painted like that was in high school auto shop.

I've got some tools with last owners name or initials engraved on them and if the price was right i don't really care. If I was buying it to collect instead of use (??) that would be different.

 

[Highland]

I'm well past the point of buying used tools just to fill a toolbox drawer. I buy new or like new tools and if they have some illegible scrawl carved into them, I'll just pass. A better example will be along soon.

 

[seber]

I have a set of Snap-on sockets that came with a large auction buy. Every one of them has a deeply ground groove the full length of the socket. That owner's mark makes the sockets worth less than Chinese junk. I would expect every one of them to split if pushed hard.

 

[ecotec]

I usually do not buy any tools with owner’s marks. My 3/8” mid length Snap-on have a name engraved into them and my Mitutoyo dial calipers do, as well. The Snap-on sockets were a dollar each, and the Mitutoyos were $3. They were just too good of a deal.

 

[Sumboodie]

Zero loss in value to me.
I like being reminded that the tool I'm using was used by someone else. If it was a relative or someone I knew it brings back good memories.
If it's someone I didn't know I imagine them building or working on something they were proud of.
I think of a guy enjoying the work, unless it's a plumbing tool. Then I think of how creative they may have gotten with language.

We had a wrench at work that was etched "Walt"... a Walt at some point owned it I guess.

It was referred to as the Waltwrench.

Sort of like a sweeper that came with Holdwater '64 stickers on it. It became "Goldwater".
Then there was Crispy and Not so Crispy. 2 that burned.