Selling his life away....
- Thread starter JMLangford
- Start date
That would be hard to do if I were still alive and was just too ill health to be able to use them. But once I'm gone, the wife can do whatever she wants with the tools.
My professional tools will be well-used, and my home stash is virtually all used and bought cheap. Nothing to cry about if it doesn't sell for a mint.
Though it is sad he doesn't have a child to pass it on to.
My professional tools will be well-used, and my home stash is virtually all used and bought cheap. Nothing to cry about if it doesn't sell for a mint.
Though it is sad he doesn't have a child to pass it on to.
logical
Well-known member
A few out of focus pictures, an ad that sounds like it was written by a third party helping him sell and people have decided he's wistful, dying, broke, childless, sad and possibly delusional. Maybe he's just done working, has no need for a giant box of tools and wants to buy a fishing boat.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
I also agree with the idea of it being pushed for by the wife, or maybe it's just "If I could 35K in one lump sum, I'd sell it in a heartbeat and go buy xxxxx" or somewhere in between.
If he really wanted to sell it all, he'd do it in pieces. - most likely with the help of his SO man. My last double bank KRL w/locker was sold fairly fast for around 8k by my SO dealer -- rolled out of my shop, on his truck, and immediately unloaded right across the street to a tow truck company.
If he really wanted to sell it all, he'd do it in pieces. - most likely with the help of his SO man. My last double bank KRL w/locker was sold fairly fast for around 8k by my SO dealer -- rolled out of my shop, on his truck, and immediately unloaded right across the street to a tow truck company.
malykaii
Well-known member
If the guy wants to sell it to fund a boat, Harley, or classic car...
List if FOR TRADE. It will be gone in no time. Sure you might have to settle for a mustang rather than camaro, but better than a dusty box.
List if FOR TRADE. It will be gone in no time. Sure you might have to settle for a mustang rather than camaro, but better than a dusty box.
malykaii
Well-known member
That drawer is 40% empty...
picshooter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2008
- Messages
- 76
Interesting thread. I downsized quite a bit after I retired. I sold my big box and many of the tools I once made a living with. I kept the basics even though I rarely use many of those.
In my case my philosophy worked as I have not needed one tool I parted with.
As far as keeping them for my kids, I have purchased them all basic tool kits. They didn't want or need them. Kind of like deciding what to do with the wife's antiques and knick knacks after we are gone
Same thing with photo equipment. A former pro, I sold everything and walked away after retirement. Why let it sit in storage when someone can make good use of it?
I wish that gentleman and anyone else retiring who made a living with their hands a wonderful life. Hopefully the tools will find a deserving home and continue to provide a living for someone else
In my case my philosophy worked as I have not needed one tool I parted with.
As far as keeping them for my kids, I have purchased them all basic tool kits. They didn't want or need them. Kind of like deciding what to do with the wife's antiques and knick knacks after we are gone
Same thing with photo equipment. A former pro, I sold everything and walked away after retirement. Why let it sit in storage when someone can make good use of it?
I wish that gentleman and anyone else retiring who made a living with their hands a wonderful life. Hopefully the tools will find a deserving home and continue to provide a living for someone else
TLCObsession
Well-known member
I agree - we all need a plan. At some point I will get rid of the major tools I own and get down to a pretty simple set of tools. As of right now, my boys are not wrenchers or builders, so best to sell it myself.
As for no one dropping the cash - I think many of you are wrong. I have seen 2 guys do it - they finally come into some real money and like many of us have always wanted a big box with a nice set of Snappy tools. A good deal comes along and they buy it for $0.50 on the dollar. One guy I did some work for made some dough, bought a storage condo, built a man cave including a loft with a home theater and full bar, filled it up with motorcycles and jet ski's and then bought an auto shop owners full boxes for around the same money as being asked in the CL ad. He doesn't even know what half the stuff is, but he bought it as a lot. Its a really nice setup, and I doubt he has bought a tool since. BTW - the boxes cover one of the walls under the loft and its 30' long.
As for no one dropping the cash - I think many of you are wrong. I have seen 2 guys do it - they finally come into some real money and like many of us have always wanted a big box with a nice set of Snappy tools. A good deal comes along and they buy it for $0.50 on the dollar. One guy I did some work for made some dough, bought a storage condo, built a man cave including a loft with a home theater and full bar, filled it up with motorcycles and jet ski's and then bought an auto shop owners full boxes for around the same money as being asked in the CL ad. He doesn't even know what half the stuff is, but he bought it as a lot. Its a really nice setup, and I doubt he has bought a tool since. BTW - the boxes cover one of the walls under the loft and its 30' long.
454ragtop
Well-known member
There's been a similar ad on the local CL here for literally years. I can understand the desire to sell it all in one shot, sadly don't think it's really a viable plan. Just aren't many buyers that have that kind of cash and a desire for that kind of a tool collection. A tech starting out has the need but not the cash, a guy who's been around and may have the cash already has a significant collection himself.
Jim
Jim
panknuckshovel
Well-known member
miketyler
Well-known member
I would bet more the rule than the exception. How many hacks do you know that prefer doing their hacking with Snap-on tools? If a guy is willing to spend $10-$30k on his tools, chances are very good he knows how to use them.
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Model A Fan
Well-known member
dkroth
Well-known member
His best bet is an auction.
Get it to a local auction house. They will split it up into box lots. The huddled masses will turn out because it's Snap On and each lot will sell for the best possible price. Auction house will take 20-30% and the guy will have his money.
Easy-peasy.
How much will he net? Dunno.
Get it to a local auction house. They will split it up into box lots. The huddled masses will turn out because it's Snap On and each lot will sell for the best possible price. Auction house will take 20-30% and the guy will have his money.
Easy-peasy.
How much will he net? Dunno.
Model A Fan
Well-known member
finn
Well-known member
Not sure about that. The common tools in the lot have a wide market appeal and will bring good money at an auction.
However, when you are looking at a large collection like this, there are a lot of oddball or specialty tools that, while pricy new, have a tiny market in the real world (which drives the new price). That tiny market means they are slow sellers even new, so what are the chances they will be "must have" tools to at least two buyers in an auction?
panknuckshovel
Well-known member
Maybe he sold them too?
Well hell, if they are already gone this is not a good deal and worth a buck two ninety eight MAX!!!!
I have never worked as a mechanic and have always wondered why the techs have to provide their own tools. Why doesn't Joe Blow provide the tools for the techs at Joe Blow Ford, etc? Is this an industry wide practice?
Thanks, always appreciate the insights this forum provides.
Thanks, always appreciate the insights this forum provides.
shampoop
Well-known member
+1
Can't imagine anyone would buy that whole lot. Probably wouldn't be hard at all to sell tools individually or in groups though. Seeing as how he's now retired with all the time in the world doesn't sound like too difficult of a task.
DocsMachine
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,860
Sure is a lot of speculation going on. 
As for getting rid of a collection, why not? Years ago, a family friend was working at a local industrial plant. He in turn was friends with an old timer machinist, who'd been working at similar plants since he was old enough to cash a paycheck.
Finally the old timer retired, and offered his 50's era Gerstner wooden machinists' chest, packed full of tools to the family friend, for the whopping sum of $30. (In the late 70s/early 80s.)
He was happy to accept, but had to ask- why so cheap? Even back then the box alone was worth a couple hundred.
The old timer said, in essence, that while he didn't want to throw the tools away, he never wanted to see them again just the same.
You have to remember that not everyone that has a huge collection of Snap-On stuff like that, is an enthusiast. The guy very likely may hardly ever turn a wrench outside of work. He might have no real hobbies beyond fishing or tying his own flies, and may not own anything he 'tinkers on' after hours.
I know a lot of guys like that. One's a fantastic machinist, is the company's go-to guy for weird or difficult jobs, but has no machine tools at home- point in fact, he hardly has any tools, period. I know a couple diesel mechanics that are similarly very good at their work, but at home, they only have a rudimentary set of tools, and often as not, if they have any issues with their personally-owned diesel trucks, they take them in to a shop for service.
The way I read that guy's CL ad, and going by the pictures, he's recently retired and no longer needs the tools. He likely doesn't wrench for fun at home, or does so little that a basic set of personal tools is plenty.
So he's selling the tools simply because he doesn't need them anymore.
I am not, however, going to speculate on whether or not he has *******.
Doc.
As for getting rid of a collection, why not? Years ago, a family friend was working at a local industrial plant. He in turn was friends with an old timer machinist, who'd been working at similar plants since he was old enough to cash a paycheck.
Finally the old timer retired, and offered his 50's era Gerstner wooden machinists' chest, packed full of tools to the family friend, for the whopping sum of $30. (In the late 70s/early 80s.)
He was happy to accept, but had to ask- why so cheap? Even back then the box alone was worth a couple hundred.
The old timer said, in essence, that while he didn't want to throw the tools away, he never wanted to see them again just the same.
You have to remember that not everyone that has a huge collection of Snap-On stuff like that, is an enthusiast. The guy very likely may hardly ever turn a wrench outside of work. He might have no real hobbies beyond fishing or tying his own flies, and may not own anything he 'tinkers on' after hours.
I know a lot of guys like that. One's a fantastic machinist, is the company's go-to guy for weird or difficult jobs, but has no machine tools at home- point in fact, he hardly has any tools, period. I know a couple diesel mechanics that are similarly very good at their work, but at home, they only have a rudimentary set of tools, and often as not, if they have any issues with their personally-owned diesel trucks, they take them in to a shop for service.
The way I read that guy's CL ad, and going by the pictures, he's recently retired and no longer needs the tools. He likely doesn't wrench for fun at home, or does so little that a basic set of personal tools is plenty.
So he's selling the tools simply because he doesn't need them anymore.
I am not, however, going to speculate on whether or not he has *******.
Doc.
In the US its widely regarded as a trade and like any trade you provide your own same as you would if you were a carpenter or an electrician. The issue that has effected automotive mechanics unlike other trades is the enormous increase in complexity of vehicles over the last 30 years. Most garages do provide a community box, but good luck finding what you need when you need it. Time is money, so most guys just buy their own. The best you can hope for is access to shop owned scan tools and specialty tools but you often face similar problems of things growing legs and not being returned. Shop provided boxes and tools for each man is really only found in high end luxury or racing shops.
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logical
Well-known member
Sure is a lot of speculation going on.
................
So he's selling the tools simply because he doesn't need them anymore.
Doc.
That or he has Ebola Virus and will soon die alone... you know because he's childless and sad and all. it's 50-50.
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dave89iroc
Well-known member
if I had the cash I'd offer him $25k including shipping to michigan, though I would go down there to inspect it first
jimindm
Well-known member
I have to say I am surprised there is 4+ pages and no one has compared HF tools or mentioned drinking the SO kool aid yet.
I bought my first tools off of a SO truck at age 16. Went to work at a small engine repair shop that was located at an equipment rental on a coop job program, through a technical high school that I attended.
I am now 48 years old and still buying off of the SO tool truck. Yea when I was younger it was $10-$20 a week. Now it is five times that weekly. Instead of hard tools, much of my purchases are now electronic diagnostic equipment, or upgrades for equipment that I already have.
I have spent a considerable amount of money on SO tools off the truck. I have also bought many at garage sales, flea markets, swap meets, auctions, pawn shops, and many other places. I have bought repossessed, trade ins, new and used, right off the truck. I have bought the latest and the greatest, and I have bought the old and the antique.
I have thought about my tools when I decide to call it quits. I have told my wife and kids to take what they want, and sell the rest. Call an auctioneer that does advertising, and knows tools. To be honest any auctioneer, good or bad, will have a great auction if advertising is done. If a large amount of SO is offered, people will come. I have told them to bargain with the auctioneer on percentages to sell it. While I have cooled my jets a little about moving it to an auction hall, simply because there is so few left in the area.
I have many friends that would come and sort them out, so they are sets. They would likely have to explain to my family what some of it is and and what some of it is worth. There are so few auctioneers in the area that many do not specialize in anything and sell everything.
I would want it all sold in one day, so it is just gone, and the family would not have to deal with it. Lets be honest most items could be carried out by hand or loaded in the back of a truck very easily. They would get a check at the end of the sale and everything is gone.
We have also discussed selling somewhere else, than by auction. I have to say if it was on an auction website I would drive a ways to go to the auction. I likely would not drive across town to a craigslist ad. I would not entertain the idea of selling the good stuff early, and auction what is left. I think you would get better money and a better deal selling it all.
I would want her to sell everything at auction. I have been to to many auctions that have been picked over or the prime stuff has sold before hand.
Speaking of auctions I go to every one close that has SO tools for sale. Although I have many tools, I still do not have them all. Although it is hard to find something that I do not already have, I will absolutely go after anything that I do not have or want.
My buys at auction are mostly stuff that I do not use enough to buy new, off the truck. A few years ago I bout a 3/4 inch drive set. I have bought a complete puller set on the boards, the larger wrench sizes and sockets to name a few items. Much of it basically comes down to, you have to find it, to buy it. So when you do find it you better make the most of it.
Many of you would be surprised at what that set of tools would sell for, parted out in the auction setting. Myself I am always after specialty stuff. Some one above mentioned how that never sells very well. Can not say I have found that to be true.
Personally I have bid on three or more of the larger SO tool boxes at auction. Remember you have to find it before you can buy it. Unless you are buying new, how do you get the biggest box SO makes. Very few trade them in for smaller boxes. I can say in all my years of tool buying, that I have only seen a dealer have one used one. It was a deal that he traded for, as the guy was going into the management side and wanted to split his tools up between shop and home. I bid those three up to several thousand, and still did not bring them home.
As far as the warranty is concerned I think it is a moot point. I have thousands of dollars in tools and yet less than a handfull is busted. Now if you were trying to warranty half of the box, you may have a hard time. I would bet that there are very few, if any busted, in this guys collection. I have had absolutely no problem warranty wise with any of my dealers, on tools that needed warranty that I have not bought from him.
I have written all of my tools off on my taxes, I have made a pretty good living using those tools. Many that I bought new years ago, will likely sell for close to what I paid new for them. I consider them all an investment.
Last but not least I would say that I could be that guy in the OP some day. Many of the comments that have been made are simply not true. I have never been one to trade tools or even sell them for that matter. I just keep buying. I would say that when my tools are auctioned I will have something for anyone wanting SO tools. From the guy that is just starting out, or the weekend warrior that just wants to upgrade his tool set. I will also have something for those guys that think they have it all to.
I bought my first tools off of a SO truck at age 16. Went to work at a small engine repair shop that was located at an equipment rental on a coop job program, through a technical high school that I attended.
I am now 48 years old and still buying off of the SO tool truck. Yea when I was younger it was $10-$20 a week. Now it is five times that weekly. Instead of hard tools, much of my purchases are now electronic diagnostic equipment, or upgrades for equipment that I already have.
I have spent a considerable amount of money on SO tools off the truck. I have also bought many at garage sales, flea markets, swap meets, auctions, pawn shops, and many other places. I have bought repossessed, trade ins, new and used, right off the truck. I have bought the latest and the greatest, and I have bought the old and the antique.
I have thought about my tools when I decide to call it quits. I have told my wife and kids to take what they want, and sell the rest. Call an auctioneer that does advertising, and knows tools. To be honest any auctioneer, good or bad, will have a great auction if advertising is done. If a large amount of SO is offered, people will come. I have told them to bargain with the auctioneer on percentages to sell it. While I have cooled my jets a little about moving it to an auction hall, simply because there is so few left in the area.
I have many friends that would come and sort them out, so they are sets. They would likely have to explain to my family what some of it is and and what some of it is worth. There are so few auctioneers in the area that many do not specialize in anything and sell everything.
I would want it all sold in one day, so it is just gone, and the family would not have to deal with it. Lets be honest most items could be carried out by hand or loaded in the back of a truck very easily. They would get a check at the end of the sale and everything is gone.
We have also discussed selling somewhere else, than by auction. I have to say if it was on an auction website I would drive a ways to go to the auction. I likely would not drive across town to a craigslist ad. I would not entertain the idea of selling the good stuff early, and auction what is left. I think you would get better money and a better deal selling it all.
I would want her to sell everything at auction. I have been to to many auctions that have been picked over or the prime stuff has sold before hand.
Speaking of auctions I go to every one close that has SO tools for sale. Although I have many tools, I still do not have them all. Although it is hard to find something that I do not already have, I will absolutely go after anything that I do not have or want.
My buys at auction are mostly stuff that I do not use enough to buy new, off the truck. A few years ago I bout a 3/4 inch drive set. I have bought a complete puller set on the boards, the larger wrench sizes and sockets to name a few items. Much of it basically comes down to, you have to find it, to buy it. So when you do find it you better make the most of it.
Many of you would be surprised at what that set of tools would sell for, parted out in the auction setting. Myself I am always after specialty stuff. Some one above mentioned how that never sells very well. Can not say I have found that to be true.
Personally I have bid on three or more of the larger SO tool boxes at auction. Remember you have to find it before you can buy it. Unless you are buying new, how do you get the biggest box SO makes. Very few trade them in for smaller boxes. I can say in all my years of tool buying, that I have only seen a dealer have one used one. It was a deal that he traded for, as the guy was going into the management side and wanted to split his tools up between shop and home. I bid those three up to several thousand, and still did not bring them home.
As far as the warranty is concerned I think it is a moot point. I have thousands of dollars in tools and yet less than a handfull is busted. Now if you were trying to warranty half of the box, you may have a hard time. I would bet that there are very few, if any busted, in this guys collection. I have had absolutely no problem warranty wise with any of my dealers, on tools that needed warranty that I have not bought from him.
I have written all of my tools off on my taxes, I have made a pretty good living using those tools. Many that I bought new years ago, will likely sell for close to what I paid new for them. I consider them all an investment.
Last but not least I would say that I could be that guy in the OP some day. Many of the comments that have been made are simply not true. I have never been one to trade tools or even sell them for that matter. I just keep buying. I would say that when my tools are auctioned I will have something for anyone wanting SO tools. From the guy that is just starting out, or the weekend warrior that just wants to upgrade his tool set. I will also have something for those guys that think they have it all to.