Snap on from a different perpective

[Empty Pockets]

An understood point.

Whether those who feel a $150 ratchet that lasts 7 years is a better value than a $65 ratchet that lasts 5 will understand is something else.

I have a lot of Snap On that came to me through my dad's estate. Much of it was my grandfather's. Over the years, I have only had to warranty 1 wrench.... seems that while expensive, they are a good value.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Plus HF allow you to exchange tools without question and receipt. Snap On requires receipt so their lifetime warranteer is pretty useless especially for a DIY that don't buy off of the truck (truck guy won't exchange).

Here's one thing on HF's website:

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Hand Tool Lifetime Warranty

Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools — We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. Harbor Freight Tools will replace any hand tool that fails to properly work during the lifetime of the original purchaser. In the event an identical item is not available as a replacement: Harbor Freight Tools reserves the right to substitute a substantially similar item in its place. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.


Then there is:

Limited Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools

Harbor Freight Tools makes every effort to ensure that our products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original purchaser that eligible products are free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. This warranty does not apply to damage due (directly or indirectly) to misuse, abusenegligence, accidents, repairs, alterations outside our facilities or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof–of–purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope or our warranty, then you must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. Harbor Freight's lifetime tool warranty is one of the strongest in the business, and one of the main reasons for millions of satisfied customers!

Warranty/Return Checklist for All Refunds
•Proof of purchase (e.g. receipt, invoice) is required for all returns.
•A valid, government-issued ID must be presented at the time of return (in store).
•High dollar items may be refunded with a check (in store).
•Items cannot contain oil or gas in them at the time of return for safety reasons.
•Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable.
•Generators and other specific items are subject to a 20% restocking fee.


Looks like you need a receipt and/or proof that you are the original purchaser.

 

[PugetDude]

He's also violating his agreement with Snap-On selling to individuals and could be terminated for it.

No wonder there are so many SO haters on the GJ...the fanboys don't want you in their "club"

 

[Steinmetz]

A lot of talk goes on here and on other sites about Snap On. Some love it and some can't justify the prices. I am a hobby guy and own no Snap On but I found it very interesting when I was watching one of my business investing shows and they interviewed the current president of Snap On. He was a very good spokesman for the company and the direction it is heading in the future.

So I looked up the stock. It is not on my normal investing radar. Here is a brief snapshot of what I learned and I thought it might be interesting to guys that buy their tools and use them daily.

If you invested $10,000 in 2005 in Snap On stock that stock would be worth $46,093.31 today and would have paid an additional $3,872.19 in dividends over that time. Not as good as some but not too bad either.

The president convinced me that the company is poised to remain on top of the tool market as technology becomes a more important tool in the professional mechanics arsenal. In all he made a very good presentation.

I wonder if they offer the same "lifetime guarantee" on appreciation and dividends…

Too bad HF is not public (it is privately held). That would be a stock buy!

 

[kv501]

I watch our oil changer struggle with this issue every few months. Keeps buying "lifetime warranty" junk from a local farm and fleet place. Guess what? You have to mail it in, pay the postage, and wait. Ooh the head was stripped out and handle bent a bit? Abused. Voided.
The guys got probably $200 in busted junk ratchets and still continues to buy them. Guys got rocks in his head or something.

How is your oil changer doing stuff that would shell out ratchets or bend handles? In shops around here the LOF guys do oil, tire swaps, and maybe (rarely) pads and rotors. None of which would involve breaking tools, even cheap ones. Those guys are normally the flunkies and could go all day with a 3/8" ratchet, 3 or 4 sockets, a prybar and a hammer.

 

[abvw]

How is your oil changer doing stuff that would shell out ratchets or bend handles? In shops around here the LOF guys do oil, tire swaps, and maybe (rarely) pads and rotors. None of which would involve breaking tools, even cheap ones. Those guys are normally the flunkies and could go all day with a 3/8" ratchet, 3 or 4 sockets, a prybar and a hammer.

Do a few of those newer Toyota 2ZRFE oil cartridge filters a week and you'll see why. Broke quite a few $10 1/2" breaker bars and filter wrenches.

I've seen a lot of hacks use standard length handled ratchets or wrenches on brake carrier bracket bolts with a hammer. My ex-boss goes through a socket set every quarter, he either break them or lose them, yet he doesn't care because "they're cheap".

I used to kill my FHLF80 every 6 months, the gear and pawls would strip or the handle would spread. Ever since I bought a 17mm and 19mm swivel impact my life have been much much easier.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

 

[Dmoen]

Diff plugs, oil cartridges, brake calipers

Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk

 

[christopher7390]

SO is so damn expensive but nice to have!
I had a ratchet that broke on me, I called SO and they sent e a replacement, no questions asked, and I didnt have to go anywhere, delivered right to my door.

I would pay a little extra for a no hassle customer service...
Dont get me wrong it hurts to pay a good amount for a tool but worth it in the end...just my .02

 

[oldtools]

Here's one thing on HF's website:

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Hand Tool Lifetime Warranty

Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools — We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. Harbor Freight Tools will replace any hand tool that fails to properly work during the lifetime of the original purchaser. In the event an identical item is not available as a replacement: Harbor Freight Tools reserves the right to substitute a substantially similar item in its place. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.


Then there is:

Limited Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools

Harbor Freight Tools makes every effort to ensure that our products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original purchaser that eligible products are free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. This warranty does not apply to damage due (directly or indirectly) to misuse, abusenegligence, accidents, repairs, alterations outside our facilities or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof–of–purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope or our warranty, then you must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. Harbor Freight's lifetime tool warranty is one of the strongest in the business, and one of the main reasons for millions of satisfied customers!

Warranty/Return Checklist for All Refunds
•Proof of purchase (e.g. receipt, invoice) is required for all returns.
•A valid, government-issued ID must be presented at the time of return (in store).
•High dollar items may be refunded with a check (in store).
•Items cannot contain oil or gas in them at the time of return for safety reasons.
•Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable.
•Generators and other specific items are subject to a 20% restocking fee.


Looks like you need a receipt and/or proof that you are the original purchaser.

When I return tools with their brands on it (Pittsburg, etc), no receipt is required and no question ask even on torque wrench. I admit I bought it (Snap On) used, but it is a design flaw, but SO does not want to replace it (I did not abuse the tool).