Snap-On current practice is not to stamp COO on their tools (unless it is USA) which left buyers wondering about their tools COO. Now that Snap-On is slowly moving all production to China, should Snap-On stamp COO on their tools (such as "CHINA" on their wrenches). If so, would anybody still buy them? Would people prefer Snap-On to be honest about ther tools COO or would they prefer to know they are not USA made and care not to know the exact country.
Snap-On COO Disclosure
- Thread starter oldtools
- Start date
Sloper0204
Well-known member
Would definitely like Snap-On to be honest about Country of Origin, but I'm sure some beancounter somewhere realized that if "CHINA" is stamped on it, it won't sell as fast.
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
SO has put COO back on the website if not the tools.
As soon as COO is other than USA on any tool with the SO brand I personally will not buy it. I might, or might not, buy non USA BP, Williams or Bahco but never SO.
As soon as COO is other than USA on any tool with the SO brand I personally will not buy it. I might, or might not, buy non USA BP, Williams or Bahco but never SO.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
thats a large assumption. there is no hard evidence that they are moving ALL production to china. i agree though that the tools themselves should be marked with COO.
american lockpicker
Banned
Its deceptive not to be marked. Also I won't buy any chinese tools.
Mickey O
Well-known member
I can't understand why they wouldn't proudly stamp the country of origin, if China is good enough to produce some of their "high quality" tools they should proudly stamp Made in China in a conspicuous place for all to see. Bunch of f___king hypocrites, on one hand they're putting out videos bashing the other tool companies foreign products and stressing that their product is US built ensuring the highest of quality on the other hand they're importing cheap Chinese junk and trying to charge premium prices.
06wt
Well-known member
i dont mind "cheap" chinese tools, but i do mind expensive ones. cheap chinese tools are good to have around when you have to modify/make the tool for the work for the job. but as many have said theres no way ill pay $20-30 each for a chinese snap-on wreanch
Those are my thoughts too.
Joe Homeowner may need a tool for a one time job and I'm not going to knock them if they buy a chinese tool if the alternative is several times more expensive.
I'd never buy a Snap-on Chinese hard line tool with their price structure and I would venture to say most of current Snap-on customers wouldn't either.
I would probably be so mad at Snap-on I would discontinue buying from them totally unless I had absolutely no alternative.
blackice
Well-known member
I am sure most companies would take a hit from say made in china, but with Snap-on's cult following, they could stamp "made with child labour, and profits directly fund terrorism " and most people would still line up at the truck every week...
I recall there are several threads on this forum about Snap-on dual 80 ratchet lacking a COO. People were debating who made them for SO. I also have an SO screwdriver with no COO. SO may put COO on the packaging in very fine print, but that doesn't help once the packaging is tossed especially for second hand buyer. Eventhough it is not US made, I still want to know the country (it could be from Germany).
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Heres a look into what coporate america does do, once upon a time, I had a part time job driving truck, I lived in a city whos main stay was making fasteners. There was this "All American" Fastener Company who sold bolts and screws to your local hardware store under their "consumer products divsion". They proudly labled all of it "Made In America", news flash, at night, I would take a truck, pick up a load of Chinese made screws in cardboard "kegs" and take over to the "All American" manufactures packaging division, where a skeleton crew would work all night packing these screws. This went on for years.
In other words, they where doing it in secret within their own company. The warehouse they used was rented (they had their own massive warehouse but didnt keep the screws there?) and all it ever contained was Chink screws, nothing else, and not even a lick of english on any of the boxes. Stuff only moved at night and on the weekends. Said company has been bought and sold so many times now, I dont even know if they are still in business, I do remember when Clinton signed NAFTA, they left town and moved most of it to Mexico. I have not since seen any of their product in any home store or hardware store, so it appears they got out of the consumer product business.
So this all happened almost 20 years ago. Just dont always assume because it says "Made in America" that it really is. This was a publicly traded corporation, that was also an OE supplier to the car makers, HONDA included! (been to Marysville!) I do remember they got bought up by a multibillion dollar technology conglomerate/consolidater. So it wasnt Tom and Joes screw company putting the screw to someone, it was big business. I dont much trust anything anymore, a little jaded, a little paranoid. Keeps the suprises to a mininum.
On this same subject, I tried to by a american made 14" chop saw recently, and could not find one. So even when you want to buy american, its getting hard to find anything american.
I have found myself buying used american made tools on ebay in liue of new. I do have Snap On ratchets, wreches, sockets, scope, scanner, and so on, it makes me sad they are following the rest to Asia. Its a sad day to be an American (my personal feeling). I miss the good old days.
So Caveat Emptor! Take Care, Bill
In other words, they where doing it in secret within their own company. The warehouse they used was rented (they had their own massive warehouse but didnt keep the screws there?) and all it ever contained was Chink screws, nothing else, and not even a lick of english on any of the boxes. Stuff only moved at night and on the weekends. Said company has been bought and sold so many times now, I dont even know if they are still in business, I do remember when Clinton signed NAFTA, they left town and moved most of it to Mexico. I have not since seen any of their product in any home store or hardware store, so it appears they got out of the consumer product business.
So this all happened almost 20 years ago. Just dont always assume because it says "Made in America" that it really is. This was a publicly traded corporation, that was also an OE supplier to the car makers, HONDA included! (been to Marysville!) I do remember they got bought up by a multibillion dollar technology conglomerate/consolidater. So it wasnt Tom and Joes screw company putting the screw to someone, it was big business. I dont much trust anything anymore, a little jaded, a little paranoid. Keeps the suprises to a mininum.
On this same subject, I tried to by a american made 14" chop saw recently, and could not find one. So even when you want to buy american, its getting hard to find anything american.
I have found myself buying used american made tools on ebay in liue of new. I do have Snap On ratchets, wreches, sockets, scope, scanner, and so on, it makes me sad they are following the rest to Asia. Its a sad day to be an American (my personal feeling). I miss the good old days.
So Caveat Emptor! Take Care, Bill
american lockpicker
Banned
Who needs any new Chinese tool when the used market is saturated with old american tools and used Chinese ones.
I recently sent SO an email on this very subject after discovering my video bore scope was made in china. I called out the video out on the undisputed champ and told them that I felt it was a load of ****. I have for the last several years bought snap on and CAT tools exclusively and told SO that from now on I will be looking for COO and if their tool is non USA I will pass and save the coin in my pocket not theirs. I belong to the USA labor pool and as such want to keep my chances of working at home as high as possible. Anyone that would like to read the email pm me your email address.
Tim
gerryw
Well-known member
i recently got some open end/ ratcheting wrenches as a gift, no COO, i emailed SO and they said they were made in the USA but on some wrenches they don't stamp them:
gerry
gerry
Merkava_4
Banned
If I'm not mistaken, no one can legally own their own property in China - all the property is owned by the government. I'm wondering what Snap-on would think if they went and built a factory in China, and then all of a sudden the Chinese Government decides to seize the property it sits on. 
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
If I'm not mistaken, no one can legally own their own property in China - all the property is owned by the government. I'm wondering what Snap-on would think if they went and built a factory in China, and then all of a sudden the Chinese Government decides to seize the property it sits on.
That's basically what happened in Russia under the Soviet Union. When a business because large and profitable, the government seized it and took over. Of course, being the government (and somewhat corrupt) they were tax exempt and all profit was pure.
It's communism. Everyone's equal, but some are more equal than others.
i recently got some open end/ ratcheting wrenches as a gift, no COO, i emailed SO and they said they were made in the USA but on some wrenches they don't stamp them:
gerry
That is what I mean. Everybody in this forum know that without "USA", it is not made in the US. SO should be honest about it and tell you the true COO.
China is quite different from Russia. China is more capitalistic in their economy than Russia. I am pretty sure you can own properties in China. Doesn't the US also seize properties if it wish (eminent domain). US also seize foreign-owened US properties in time of war.
bgott
Well-known member
We owe China a **** pot full of money. How long do you think American corporations are going to remain in possession of their plants and properties if our country defaults on our debt or de- values our money significantly?
american lockpicker
Banned
Where not seriously planning to ever pay them back right?
JohnFreeman
Well-known member
"I have found myself buying used american made tools on ebay in liue of new. "
Me too.
It's good to vote with your wallet.
Me too.
It's good to vote with your wallet.