dr_clyde
Well-known member
I agree. I'm honestly surprised they still have online sales at all.
Snap-on.com new shipping policy?
- Thread starter wxm
- Start date
I agree. I'm honestly surprised they still have online sales at all.
WittHay
Well-known member
Websites are for information not buying stuff from. They are used for pricing and technical details
Some of the fastest parts availability are from equipment dealers. They have stock orders that are free and overnight shipping at a price. Everything is available on the websites pricing, brand crossover information and dimensions. They last thing these warehouses. would do is ship individual parts out to individuals
I have never bought anything from Amazon or Ebay. use websites on a daily basis and telephone order almost daily from various brick and mortar stores. The Snap-on site is fine the way it is and there are 3,500 dealers in the US to buy stuff from
Lastly I dont think Craftsman or HF has ever been mentioned in Snap-on advertising or marketing. Two different markets
Some of the fastest parts availability are from equipment dealers. They have stock orders that are free and overnight shipping at a price. Everything is available on the websites pricing, brand crossover information and dimensions. They last thing these warehouses. would do is ship individual parts out to individuals
I have never bought anything from Amazon or Ebay. use websites on a daily basis and telephone order almost daily from various brick and mortar stores. The Snap-on site is fine the way it is and there are 3,500 dealers in the US to buy stuff from
Lastly I dont think Craftsman or HF has ever been mentioned in Snap-on advertising or marketing. Two different markets
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Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
In Canada I tried to go on their Canadian online web site to find a tool price and contact phone number. No luck with tools, I had to use the American web site.
WittHay
Well-known member
Online ordering was not available in Canada for over a year. The website has been down for months hat a time. It is currently available with prices and free shipping
Last Monday in Cloverdale, BC the local Snap-on dealer was delivering a new Zeus diagnostic tablet to a customer, Canadian retail price according to the website is $12,895.00.
I think we are lucky in Canada, that nobody really buys online from Snap-on. So they offer free shipping to the few that do
allinon72
Well-known member
Sir, um, how do I put this...perhaps you would have been right 25 years ago.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As a DIYer, I can't buy from them. Don't have a dealer cruising my neighborhood (Damn those HOA gates and those pesky CC&R's) and they've sent us a message loud and clear that they don't want web business. So can those of you worthy enough to buy from them quite rubbing it in the face of all of us unwashed masses that can't?
Or is that some kind of secret ring-knocking insider sales qualifier?
Where I used to work I would see the Snap On guy twice a week. The new place I'm at I would see him once a week sitting in this truck but now that the Harley-Davidson dealer close by me I don't really see him at all. I called him once to buy a torque wrench and the rest of everything else I have bought I got off the website. I'm sure if I got a new toolbox and had to make payments I would see him all the time. I don't really need a whole lot anymore mostly metric. Been buying more and more SK tools on their website what little I do get.
allinon72
Well-known member
Snap On's business model, like so many others in this economy, is ripe for disruption because of a change in the way consumers purchase goods. Amazing that Snap On would willingly discourage online purchasing in order to save their "buggy whip"-esque model.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
As a DIYer, I can't buy from them. Don't have a dealer cruising my neighborhood (Damn those HOA gates and those pesky CC&R's) and they've sent us a message loud and clear that they don't want web business. So can those of you worthy enough to buy from them quite rubbing it in the face of all of us unwashed masses that can't?
Or is that some kind of secret ring-knocking insider sales qualifier?
I'm not saying I like it, nor am I taking SO's side in this. All I am saying is "I understand".
There are lots of companies who's target market isn't the general public. Shoot, some of the nicest, most well made products in the world are only available though a dealer network or only to industry. They're just not as popular as Snap-on.
Its not like they're saying you can't buy from them. They just don't want to horse around with small orders online. If you want one or two little things, either find a dealer or **** it up and pay the shipping and handling.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Does it really need saving though? It seems to be working just fine.
allinon72
Well-known member
"Working just fine" doesn't equal profit maximization. While we don't care about that, Snap On certainly does, but this policy is likely to result from complaints by the drivers. Discouraging online sales in an effort to make the drivers happy may work in the short term, but long term? They may be leaving a lot on the table.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have several wholesalers I deal with for locks and parts.
Supplier 1 and 2 have no free freight, always pay regular UPS charges. Website does not show freight cost, don't know the price until it ships.
Supplier 3 has a 100 dollar minimum but they messed up so many orders that I get free ground shipping.
Supplier 4 any online order ships free but if you call it in, you have to pay shipping
Suppliers 5 and 6 will ship USPS or FedEx or UPS
Supplier 1 and 2 have no free freight, always pay regular UPS charges. Website does not show freight cost, don't know the price until it ships.
Supplier 3 has a 100 dollar minimum but they messed up so many orders that I get free ground shipping.
Supplier 4 any online order ships free but if you call it in, you have to pay shipping
Suppliers 5 and 6 will ship USPS or FedEx or UPS
I disagree. I bet 99% of the drivers embrace having online sales available so they don't have to waste time with "looky lou's", DIY'ers, warranty claims from non regulars, guys that spend <$100 and waste 30 minutes of time deciding or those that phone/email to try and make rendezvous appointments for a nominal purchase. They also get a piece of the online sales pie.
There have been plenty of stories here that some tool dealers even send random walk-ins "packing" if they want on the truck.
Is that a quote from Sears a few years ago??
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plinker
Well-known member
The website was nice to have when this area was in between Snap-on dealers so to speak, the old dealer got to the point of being unreliable about a couple years before he retired. The new dealer has been hit and miss at times. The Matco guy that came in just before the first Snap-on guy retired has been doing very well in this area, a good dose of customer service goes a long way (and does vary by dealer regardless of brand) .
I tend to want odd ball stuff at times and it'll take about two weeks to get anything it seems. I know if I order online on a monday/tuesday, I'd have it thursday/friday.
With the shipping volume that all of the large business have, the shipping cost is rather a lot. They should have a better handle on it, but that is up to them and I doubt they really care too much. I have not ordered much lately from their web site, mainly as I have not really needed anything in particular since the new dealer has been around. It is annoying to say the least when he shows up at random and doesnt seem to have a routine (at the moment anyway).
There are some tools specific to Snap-on that I buy and prefer, but a lot of business goes to other brands as warranty turn around time can be a lot quicker and price is always a factor. Twenty dollars is still 1/5th of one hundred dollars.
I tend to want odd ball stuff at times and it'll take about two weeks to get anything it seems. I know if I order online on a monday/tuesday, I'd have it thursday/friday.
With the shipping volume that all of the large business have, the shipping cost is rather a lot. They should have a better handle on it, but that is up to them and I doubt they really care too much. I have not ordered much lately from their web site, mainly as I have not really needed anything in particular since the new dealer has been around. It is annoying to say the least when he shows up at random and doesnt seem to have a routine (at the moment anyway).
There are some tools specific to Snap-on that I buy and prefer, but a lot of business goes to other brands as warranty turn around time can be a lot quicker and price is always a factor. Twenty dollars is still 1/5th of one hundred dollars.
finn
Well-known member
Not sure I agree. First of all, Snapon’s customer is the industrial and commercial user of tools, not the typical happy homeowner casual consumer. Most industrial sales for non commodity items are still made .with face to face contact, albeit with internet support. Pretty sure I can’t order parts for my Deere excavator over the Internet directly from Deere. I have to go through a legitimate dealer. I can access technical information (although I can’t confirm that as I have never tried, except for out of production equipment).
The other thing to consider is state franchise laws. Ford, for example,can’t sell product directly to the end user without running afoul of franchise laws.
You can’t order a Hamburger from McDonalds, either. You have to go through a franchisee.
In some neighborhoods you would only want to let employees of known business on, places like Coney Island and Bedford Stuyvesant or you will not have much left.
It seems the ones most upset by the policy do not buy much from SO anyway. I can think of a few firms that will not sell you parts unless you have a service contact with them.
Most people are unhappy when a company will not do what they want and there are many companies that will only do business to business and they do not care about the DIY or home owner or the small guy.
At times there is more bother than profit with dealing with a DIY or home owner type. You can not fault them for focusing on a profitable target.
I am currently targeting small business for work, I do not aim for home owners or DIY'ers. The last thing I want to do is harness or connector repair for somebody working in his driveway. I would send him to one of the shops I service. For one thing shops have normal business hours been there done the meet the DIY'er at 7:30 because he just got out of work.
I've ordered parts from Jdparts.com. You place an online order and pick up the parts at the dealer. (no shipping charges added)
Maybe SO should do that. Place an online order and pick up the items from the dealer's truck at a specific time and location. I bet the dealers would love that.
Indexmill
Well-known member
**** them. Buy nearly new from eBay for half the money. Assholes.
finn
Well-known member
I've ordered parts from Jdparts.com. You place an online order and pick up the parts at the dealer. (no shipping charges added)
Maybe SO should do that. Place an online order and pick up the items from the dealer's truck at a specific time and location. I bet the dealers would love that.
Yup. They aren’t cutting the dealer out of the picture, Snapon has been alienating its own franchisees by selling direct, so I understand why they would move to the new model. If someone really wants a tool, they now either go to a dealer, or pay a penalty.
The issue with the franchise business model is that they not not accessible for the weekend wrencher/ the DIYers, most of who have a day job at the desks in the offices. The trucks are just not there for them in weekends. So this is not exactly the same as McDonald or Ford where large scale of dealership has made it more accessible to the average consumers.
WittHay
Well-known member
Just trying to show the differences between 2 countrys. There is no McMaster-Carr, Zoro or Rock Auto. The cheapest places to buy parts and tools are from Canadian companys that barely have websites, They do not list prices or items for sale, never mind online ordering.
Some stores like Napa and Greggs Distributors will show prices and let you order for pickup at store but will not accept payment by computer
Thats why Snap-on's website can be down for months and nobody really cares
Snap-on USA changed from over 50 warehouses to just 4 in the early 90's. Before online shopping was a thing. An Amazon warehouse is setup up to deliver to individuals and a Ford or John Deere parts warehouse is setup to do delivery's to a set number of customers on account
A Snap-on warehouse has to do both and I think there is some conflicts or issues when the volume of small online orders are more than anticipated. Wasn't Amazon not profitable for years
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
I'm sure the guys buying off the truck and reselling on Ebay are happy. ...though they might be full of fake rage on the internet.
Ebay started charging sales tax for most states that have a sales tax for consumer goods. Although my state sales tax would marginally increase the overall price of the above Ebay example, it's something to take into consideration overall.
I found some screaming deals on new or like new Snap-on and other truck brand tools on Facebook Marketplace. Maybe it's students who bought the stuff with their student discount and are looking to offload the stuff for what they paid for it
For the home DIY-er who is not in a real rush to buy a specific Snap-on tool, Facebook Marketplace is a good source to find some deal. If you live out in the middle of nowhere, maybe not so.ovilla
Well-known member
This is exactly my issue. I’m an IT guy and with my crazy daily Chicago commute I’m leaving early and getting home late. I have 4 Snap-on truck contacts on my phone but it’s a hassle trying to remember at what dealer/shop a truck will be at any given day or time, so I can run out during lunch to meet up. Then half the time they don’t have the tool I want and have to place an order. Now I have to wait a week to get it and then carve out time to meet up again. That’s wasting two full lunch hours and a bunch of gas trying to find the truck.
The website was always great for quick stuff. I’ve been ordering replacement 10mm sockets, as needed, and now triple squares for a new car I just picked up. I just went to order a 6mm triple square last night and saw that it would be $20 shipping to order my single $28.75 socket. Hell no! That’s just crazy! I love Snap-on tools but I’m not paying $20 to ship, when I can get this same SO tool off eBay (even brand new) for easily $30 with free shipping.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
on top of the shipping change there has now been a price increase. I guess that's their "fix", make it easier for you to spend $200
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Every year there is a price increase.
Ratcheting screwdrivers are up about $10 in 2 years.
ovilla
Well-known member
Yeah I don’t get that. It’s not like they don’t have all the info on parts that they manufacture. This info is needed, especially when ordering screwdrivers or even ratchets. Pictures just aren’t enough when you need to validate the exact size of a tool.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
A clue: Remember when shipping was free up to $500? The bitching isn't by people who were spending over $500.
Funny how eBay sales are better when you wrap shipping into free shipping sales listings.
When you sell to those who are price shopping, your average sales, and legitimate purchaser interest are demeaned. Your overhead servicing the loss leader products is greater.
This whole topic is nothing more than business economics. Many points of which are counterintuitive without study of underlying reasoning.
Funny how eBay sales are better when you wrap shipping into free shipping sales listings.
When you sell to those who are price shopping, your average sales, and legitimate purchaser interest are demeaned. Your overhead servicing the loss leader products is greater.
This whole topic is nothing more than business economics. Many points of which are counterintuitive without study of underlying reasoning.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
If you truly need something, you will buy it. If you truly need something, you will seek it out in an efficient manner.
Scraping the web and maybe considering something if it meets your perceived criteria isn't done by someone who is a true buyer of a high-end business model.
Buy the tool, grind it to fit, get the job done, is.
Ummmm....what?
Wait until you find out they just enacted the "no receipt, no warranty" policy at Crystal Lake corporate. This isn't just about shipping costs, and handling fees off the website.
The new warranty return policy will be a kick in the teeth to most of you. They aren't even telling customers on the phone when they send them a label. They're just returning shipments with paperwork stating proof of purchase required. Went into effect a week ago, give or take.
... and it's about time
The new warranty return policy will be a kick in the teeth to most of you. They aren't even telling customers on the phone when they send them a label. They're just returning shipments with paperwork stating proof of purchase required. Went into effect a week ago, give or take.
... and it's about time
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I disagree. The point isn't that they are charging shipping, it's that it's at least $20 to ship anything. that's absurd. Furthermore, their prices are already overly inflated vs just about everyone else and they just raised them. They have room in their products not to have to charge $20 to ship a screwdriver, ratchet, or pretty much anything else under $200. The ratchet I was looking at for 155 is now 160. the cost increase alone covers the money it costs them to ship it. but they want to charge another $20 on top of that. that doesn't make sense no matter who you are.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wait until you find out they just enacted the
"no receipt, no warranty" policy at Crystal Lake corporate.
This isn't just about shipping costs, and handling fees off the website.
The new warranty return policy will be a kick in the teeth to most of you. They aren't even telling customers on the phone when they send them a label.
They're just returning shipments with paperwork stating proof of purchase required. Went into effect a week ago, give or take.
... and it's about time
^
This will make things interesting around here for awhile.
Thanks for the info.
You're right. Of course they have room to subsidize shipping. Primariy because a buyer at SO.com pays MSRP. If the same buyer tracks down a dealer, SO's actual piece of the pie is only dealer cost.
On a $200 purchase that difference is probably around $80 to SO. That can pay for lots of shipping costs.
Not too mention, I bet the dealers will be squawking if they have to waste time dealing with the general walk in public wanting to make nominal purchases.
It's simply a stupid move by SO. If they don't want to be bothered with retail business, they should simply shut down the website's shopping cart.
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mrjaw14
Well-known member
so companies offer a lifetime warranty until it gets too inconvenient/expensive for them and guys who don't have receipts for things bought years ago are screwed? What about cash deals with a dealer? Are they having some financial troubles or something that's causing all this screw you to the customers?
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Question, if we bought direct from corporate, wouldn't they have a record of our purchases? I'm talking about those of us who are like in the corporate or student purchasing programs...
Well... "Snappier" from Kenosha? What's the skinny?
Well... "Snappier" from Kenosha? What's the skinny?