Snap On is cheating us?

[magova1104]

I think SNAPON has ceased to be a honest manufacturer. I've noticed that most tools do not say USA like before. Why?
I think SNAPON is importing most of its tools from Asia. Some examples: Ratchets, most do not say USA like before. Although the website states that the country of origin is USA, why they not put COO in the tool? Legally, for a tool can take the word USA has to be made 100% in USA. Maybe they not. Another example, some screw drivers or drivers, including the classic ratcheting SSDMR4B, is now in a different material. If you have recently bought one try this: Approaching the shaft to a magnet and see if it is magnetic or nonmagnetic. Let me explain: The tip of the shaft has a magnet inside (obviously) but the whole shaft were made of 100% stainless steel (Non magnetic. Non magnetic= No rust. No rust= 100% Stainless) before. The new ones, not only makes a different noise when it turns, but the snap on logo is painted instead of marked and the shaft is not anti magnetic. I started collecting only USA marked tools. I know that some people can judge this as stupid non sense obsession, but I buy tools for collecting purposes, I have TOO MANY for every day use already and I noticed that the REAL USA TOOLS are getting more valuable for people like me. I am obsessed with GOOD TOOLS.

 

[454ragtop]

Well with a painted on logo that will probably wear off, the warranty will probably expire about the same time the tool does.

 

[USMCdodge]

Older is better. I never buy foreign tools... unless I really need a set of torx bits...

 

[nelstomlinson]

Who cares about Snapon? There are still a few outfits left that aren't ashamed to stamp USA on their products. I'll buy from them.

 

[magova1104]

Haha! Yes. And I think they are doing it just for reduce their manufacturing costs. Also, since they stop using the same materials (even the ratcheting mechanism looks made of different steel ( I am obsessed ?) they not longer shows all the US patents applied for that specific tool. Why, because the patents applies to US only. My ratcheting screwdriver shows 4 different patents in the handle.

 

[Tony N.]

I really don't see why they can't stamp USA on the newer ratchets. Some people here speculate that it's because they are trying to gear towards international sales, but I think that's just made up BS.

I really want to know the truth behind why they do not stamp USA on their tools when it's made in the USA.

 

[Big Johnson]

I think SNAPON has ceased to be a honest manufacturer. I've noticed that most tools do not say USA like before. Why?
I think SNAPON is importing most of its tools from Asia. Some examples: Ratchets, most do not say USA like before. Although the website states that the country of origin is USA, why they not put COO in the tool? Legally, for a tool can take the word USA has to be made 100% in USA. Maybe they not. Another example, some screw drivers or drivers, including the classic ratcheting SSDMR4B, is now in a different material. If you have recently bought one try this: Approaching the shaft to a magnet and see if it is magnetic or nonmagnetic. Let me explain: The tip of the shaft has a magnet inside (obviously) but the whole shaft were made of 100% stainless steel (Non magnetic. Non magnetic= No rust. No rust= 100% Stainless) before. The new ones, not only makes a different noise when it turns, but the snap on logo is painted instead of marked and the shaft is not anti magnetic. I started collecting only USA marked tools. I know that some people can judge this as stupid non sense obsession, but I buy tools for collecting purposes, I have TOO MANY for every day use already and I noticed that the REAL USA TOOLS are getting more valuable for people like me. I am obsessed with GOOD TOOLS.

Uh oh.... Your gonna regret this. People gonna start fighting watch.

 

[magova1104]

I really don't see why they can't stamp USA on the newer ratchets. Some people here speculate that it's because they are trying to gear towards international sales, but I think that's just made up BS.

I really want to know the truth behind why they do not stamp USA on their tools when it's made in the USA.

They do not stamp USA on their tools because they are NOT USA made! Simple as that. They are reducing costs ordering tools overseas and they not gonna take a chance to get sued like Leatherman Tools: Here is a part of the lawsuit they had in January 20, 2006: Officials at Portland-based pocket tool maker Leatherman Tool Group are celebrating after an appeal court reversed part of an $18 million verdict against the company. The plaintiffs alleged that Leatherman engaged in deceptive advertising by stamping "Made in U.S.A." on its popular multitools, even though they included pieces from non-U.S. manufacturers.
Legal wrangling, however, may not be over.
Still to be decided is how much of $6 million in attorney fees Leatherman will pay. The appeal court also upheld a ruling that the company must advertise it violated California laws.
Meantime, Leatherman's attorney is upbeat, in large part because the ruling means Leatherman won't have to pay $13 million in restitution to California consumers who bought tools during the class-action period.
"We are very gratified by this decision -- it remedies a great injustice: The multimillion award was quite literally, unsupported by any evidence," said Jerry Falk, an attorney with California-based Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin.
"We are not happy the court took away the restitution and are seriously considering an appeal," said Howard Rossbacher, an attorney with Los Angeles-based The Rossbacher Firm, which in 2003 filed the class action complaint against Leatherman. "But both sides have things they won and lost."
At the crux of the original complaint was deception in advertising.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged Leatherman violated California laws by labeling its tools with "Made in U.S.A."
The complaint asserted that because Leatherman tools include pieces from non-U.S. manufacturers, the company couldn't claim legally its products are "Made in U.S.A." Specifically, Leatherman imports five parts out of the average of 30 parts composing each of the tools in question.
"Made in U.S.A.," court filings allege, implies Leatherman products are higher-quality and worth their relative high prices compared with those charged for "Made in China" knockoffs made by competitors.
That's why Leatherman tools stop marking their tools as MADE IN USA. Instead they say: Intended for sale in USA, but they never shows where they really are made.
Snap on could be doing same thing. In the website you can see: Country of origin: USA, but not in the tool, they can allege that as a simply web mistake.

 

[geologist]

I've held off on buying some new Snappy because of the whole stamping thing. SK and Wright will be getting my cash. Maybe the gearing is made in Spain now or something?

 

[V70R]

Have you been drinking toilet water from the gas station bathroom? Apparently, all of us Dual 80 ratchet users have been getting screwed.

 

[magova1104]

Have you been drinking toilet water from the gas station bathroom? Apparently, all of us Dual 80 ratchet users have been getting screwed.

Hahaha! I didn't know that they changed that already. I did checked all the ratchets before and they shows USA. See, somebody did something to that. I just received a 1/4 ratchet and shows this:
And the ratchet didn't say USA.

 

[magova1104]

: I came from another country because I always admire the tools made ​​in USA. Incomparable quality. Quality proven by the very use of the tool. Now I'm here? Why the hell I would buy something from China or Korea?

 

[gbh]

Country of origin...North Korea? somebody has been playing with photoshop

 

[85FourEyedGT]

I really hope its all a misunderstanding, While I think that the taiwanese are currently making great tools, there is somethings special about seeing the "Made in USA" stamp on a hand tool, pride of ownership and citizenship I guess, I wish more tool companies understood that

 

[Big Johnson]

Have you been drinking toilet water from the gas station bathroom? Apparently, all of us Dual 80 ratchet users have been getting screwed.

How come I check it says USA?

 

[otis66]

They do not stamp USA on their tools because they are NOT USA made! Simple as that. They are reducing costs ordering tools overseas and they not gonna take a chance to get sued like Leatherman Tools: Here is a part of the lawsuit they had in January 20, 2006: Officials at Portland-based pocket tool maker Leatherman Tool Group are celebrating after an appeal court reversed part of an $18 million verdict against the company. The plaintiffs alleged that Leatherman engaged in deceptive advertising by stamping "Made in U.S.A." on its popular multitools, even though they included pieces from non-U.S. manufacturers.
Legal wrangling, however, may not be over.
Still to be decided is how much of $6 million in attorney fees Leatherman will pay. The appeal court also upheld a ruling that the company must advertise it violated California laws.
Meantime, Leatherman's attorney is upbeat, in large part because the ruling means Leatherman won't have to pay $13 million in restitution to California consumers who bought tools during the class-action period.
"We are very gratified by this decision -- it remedies a great injustice: The multimillion award was quite literally, unsupported by any evidence," said Jerry Falk, an attorney with California-based Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin.
"We are not happy the court took away the restitution and are seriously considering an appeal," said Howard Rossbacher, an attorney with Los Angeles-based The Rossbacher Firm, which in 2003 filed the class action complaint against Leatherman. "But both sides have things they won and lost."
At the crux of the original complaint was deception in advertising.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged Leatherman violated California laws by labeling its tools with "Made in U.S.A."
The complaint asserted that because Leatherman tools include pieces from non-U.S. manufacturers, the company couldn't claim legally its products are "Made in U.S.A." Specifically, Leatherman imports five parts out of the average of 30 parts composing each of the tools in question.
"Made in U.S.A.," court filings allege, implies Leatherman products are higher-quality and worth their relative high prices compared with those charged for "Made in China" knockoffs made by competitors.
That's why Leatherman tools stop marking their tools as MADE IN USA. Instead they say: Intended for sale in USA, but they never shows where they really are made.
Snap on could be doing same thing. In the website you can see: Country of origin: USA, but not in the tool, they can allege that as a simply web mistake.

Your correct. If you read the Snap On Warranty it states that Snap On is not responsable for typos.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I've actually seen quite a few snappy tools come from spain... I think alot of the screw drivers did. Some of the air tools fron denmark, some of the blue points from sweeden. maybe if we all boycott in a way, tell the truck driver to call and ask them specific questions about the country of origin for some of the tools, they'll get the hint.

" Hello snap on, this is blah blah... I have a customer here that was wondering where this blah was made... He said, unless all components were born in the Greatest country in the world, The United States of America, then might as well just go to harbor freight..."

imagine a few thousand calls like that??

 

[ChrisF250]

We don't trade with north Korea... Snap ons website has all the information you need about coo. If you want it stamped on your tool by another brand

 

[Joe B.]

North Korea! That was great V70R. Thanks for making my morning!

 

[xtremek]

Blue Points aren't the same as SO and a lot of them are made in other countries. I hope SO's are still made in the USA.

 

[gbh]

Aren't they made in Cuba also?
Gotta say I wasn't impressed when I received my adjustable spanner and it had, "Made in Spain" embossed on it. It might be good quality but it wasn't what I expected.

 

[RalloZ35]

Allen tools probably arent nice enough for you guys, but they're stamped USA.

 

[geologist]

Snap ons website has all the information you need about coo. If you want it stamped on your tool by another brand

I did, and not only do I have the benefit of not paying Snappy prices, I know my tool is US made, regardless of what happens in the future. Admittedly, if they offshore ratchets, it's going to be funny seeing guys try to prove their non-stamped Snappy is US made.

...US made from foreign components... maybe. Snappy kneecapped itself with this blunder.

 

[pacsguy]

Made in the USA of domestic and foreign components...

 

[str8axle55]

A lot of the Spain stuff is made by other companys that are owned by Snap on. They own Bahco, and rebrand there stuff as Snap on because they own them. I do agree that they should stamp the dual 80`s as made here if they are. My dealer explained to me that the newer generation of techs doesn`t care about the USA stamping, just us older guys.... I say BS, but they are selling them.

 

[magova1104]

A lot of the Spain stuff is made by other companys that are owned by Snap on. They own Bahco, and rebrand there stuff as Snap on because they own them. I do agree that they should stamp the dual 80`s as made here if they are. My dealer explained to me that the newer generation of techs doesn`t care about the USA stamping, just us older guys.... I say BS, but they are selling them.

Agree with that. The new generation of Techs doesn't really care where their tools are made. Snap on is making money on us and we are receiving less quality for the same money, and who never knows, some day, they just change the name and avoid to validate their LIFETIME WARRANTY. (I never thought that about Craftsman either and that's that will happen)

 

[BHH]

 

[magova1104]

Made in the USA of domestic and foreign components...

Right! Domestic and foreign components! Why? Because they're cheaper. Cheaper= less quality.

 

[magova1104]

LOL! You just made my day! Now, I don't care where Snap on tools are made! As long as they're green! Hahahahaha!

 

[BHH]

Right! Domestic and foreign components! Why? Because they're cheaper. Cheaper= less quality.

This actually isn't always true. For instance Jaguar and Maserati are notorious for being terrible. However they are expensive compared to a Honda Accord which will keep on trucking long past either of the two if driven daily.

 

[fordbroncodave]

the real test is to ask snap on headquarters if you can take a private walk through of the facility that manufactures wrenches, sockets, ratchets...

 

[magova1104]

This actually isn't always true. For instance Jaguar and Maserati are notorious for being terrible. However they are expensive compared to a Honda Accord which will keep on trucking long past either of the two if driven daily.

Kind of true. My every day car its a 2000 Honda Accord, I've had for 10 years now (I bought it used) And I never ever had a problem. I prefer a Japanese car over any American car. Sorry, but I work in cars every day and I noticed that Japanese cars have less issues.
I have to explain myself. I am not an USA proud guy. I am a USA tools fan, that's why I am in this place (GJ) But for me, every country has their own good stuff, Italy has fast and exotic cars,Mexico has the Tequila, Russia has nice girls,Japan has the sushi, Germany has good blades and great cars, and for me, USA has MUSCLE CARS and GOOD TOOLS.

 

[Talus]

Right! Domestic and foreign components! Why? Because they're cheaper. Cheaper= less quality.

That's quite a blanket statement. You believe this is applicable to everything in life?

 

[Talus]

the real test is to ask snap on headquarters if you can take a private walk through of the facility that manufactures wrenches, sockets, ratchets...

I concur. Maybe we can elect a GJ representative to go and investigate on behalf of the forum.

 

[magova1104]

the real test is to ask snap on headquarters if you can take a private walk through of the facility that manufactures wrenches, sockets, ratchets...

Maybe you'l be surprised if you find out that the manufacturing facilities are no longer that, they are just warehouses. Like many other US companies. These are hard times I understand, and we have to follow that in order to survive as a country and as a World. But I don't like to buy a tiger and receive a painted cat.

 

[terry603]

only (and all) imported items need to have coo attached to the imported item
is made in USA companies do not have to label item as such.

another conspirisy theory

 

[BHH]

only (and all) imported items need to have coo attached to the imported item
is made in USA companies do not have to label item as such.

another conspirisy theory

Exactly, my guess is snap on is much more global than it used to be and not everyone loves the USA so why alienate yourself by stamping it on there when you don't have to?

 

[purplezr2]

I really don't see why they can't stamp USA on the newer ratchets. Some people here speculate that it's because they are trying to gear towards international sales, but I think that's just made up BS.

I really want to know the truth behind why they do not stamp USA on their tools when it's made in the USA.

Bobcat only applies made in the USA stickers for the US market, all the EMEA units have no sticker with COO on them.

 

[magova1104]

the real test is to ask snap on headquarters if you can take a private walk through of the facility that manufactures wrenches, sockets, ratchets...

I have to say that I hope nobody misunderstand my point. I'm NOT saying that ALL snap on tools are imported. I am a Snap on fanatic, I have thousands of dollars in snap on tools and I love them.
My point is that snap on has been introducing more and more imported tools every day. Snap on still manufacturing tools in USA, but is definitely lowering their quality in some others.

 

[vintagefan]

A lot of the Spain stuff is made by other companys that are owned by Snap on. They own Bahco, and rebrand there stuff as Snap on because they own them. I do agree that they should stamp the dual 80`s as made here if they are. My dealer explained to me that the newer generation of techs doesn`t care about the USA stamping, just us older guys.... I say BS, but they are selling them.

They are selling them, but that's because they're still pushing the peer pressure party line of "Use Snap-on or you're not a pro" to beginner techs. OF COURSE they're still buying them... they could be stamped with "YOU ****" and they'd still buy them.

Quite frankly, I am too hooked on some of Snap-on's tools to quit right now, but I've considered it more than once.

Here's a little wrench to throw in the gears of this discussion: I recently put a down payment on a KRA4107. After many years of being made in Canada, Snap-on moved production to the USA, and continues to mark them so.

That's a new product (within the last year) that actually was moved TO the USA. Obviously Snap-on isn't trying to outsource everything. Although I feel that they don't have any remorse about outsourcing when needed, I also don't feel that they're doing it just for the hell of it.



As far as the Dual 80's go, I'm 100% convinced that the guts and cover plate are made in Spain. Why? Because the Bahco ratchet guts and cover plate are identical (when I say identical, I mean identical, not they kinda look the same) and that ratchet is marked made in Spain.

It makes NO sense whatsoever for a company to produce two small, high precision, easily shippable small parts like that, in two different factories. I think that Snap-on switched over to Spanish pawls, and possibly cover plate, and that is why they had to remove the USA marking.