Snap on prices...

[Tj-gord]

Been noticing for a while in my neck of the woods, that snapon is almist pricing themselves out of the market. And im talking apples to apples here, always higher than the mac and matco trucks. Anybody else seeing this as well? Or is it just my area (alberta) or just my rep?.. i like snapon, but its really hard to buy when mac is 10 to 20% cheaper and the same quality..

 

[Empty Pockets]

What's even worse, Snap-on has just raised their prices in the last few days. Over the years, I have acquired a lot of Snap-on tools, but in my case, they have priced me out of the market.

 

[earthmover1980]

My problems with Snappy are the following:
1. Prices on the truck are double that of equal quality industrial brands (SK, Williams etc).
2. I pay for tools as I go from Snappy, and strangely enough, they don't want to stop by since I don't have a revolving account, or owe them money.
3. They never ever drop by for warranty claims, or new purchasing, even though I have thousands invested in their brand.
4. Franchisee's change every 3-5 years, so they never ever know me.
5. If in fact I was to continue buying, the warranty process would be by mail anyway due to poor service.
6. Snap On offers me no advantage over other premium industrial brands, not performance related, nor monetarily.

Sorry boys the good old days of everyone buying tools off the truck are gone. The internet is here, and proves more loyal, convenient, economical, and easier overall than begging a truck brand dealer to stop by the shop 4 times a year. Rant over!

 

[Sycan]

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[WittHay]

Snap-on ain't getting any cheaper, with there yearly price increases.

Around here Snap-on sells at list. Whatever the price is on the Canadian website that is the price. Of course there is the monthly sale flyers and and other promotions throughout the year

Mac dealer price is higher than the website prices but they are more flexible on their pricing. Frequently discounting off list and they seem to have a wider variety of items on sale than Snap-on

 

[anndel]

I've been buying from my SO rep for the last 3 years and his prices are waaaay lower than the online prices.

 

[Guapo]

Could their increasing prices be due to increase cost of manufacturing in America and them trying to maintain there profit margins?

 

[Wamsutta]

It depends on the tool. I wouldn't say Snap-on and MAC are apples to apples on everything. The only thing MAC comes close to on quality are sockets. And as far as Matco goes, everything they have is rebadged GearWrench.

 

[packet]

Could their increasing prices be due to increase cost of manufacturing in America and them trying to maintain there profit margins?

Maybe, but probably not. Their gross margin has gone up from 47% in 2012 to 49.8% in 2016. Operating earnings for Snap On Tools Group are up 9.8% in the last year, offset a bit by currency fluctuations as well.

So, really the price increases are just to make more money. I skimmed through the annual report, but I didn't see any note that costs have risen significantly. They did mention they had cost cutting programs in place that were seeing results though.

 

[Firebrick43]

It depends on the tool. I wouldn't say Snap-on and MAC are apples to apples on everything. The only thing MAC comes close to on quality are sockets. And as far as Matco goes, everything they have is rebadged GearWrench.

I agree. Even at 20% lower prices your getting screwed worse than snap on. I would take sk or wright any day over Mac and Matco quality wise and over snap on but due to the cost/savings.

 

[dsimatt]

I agree. Even at 20% lower prices your getting screwed worse than snap on. I would take sk or wright any day over Mac and Matco quality wise and over snap on but due to the cost/savings.

Snap on is expensive but they all are and at least my Snap on guy knocks prices down and shows up.

Mac is very close in price but the tools ****, I feel bad for my dealer and he even admits he should have gone snap on

Marco last stopped by 2 months ago and we just found out he is done at the end of the year, the tools are cheap shot and they can't keep a dealer around.

 

[78C-10]

I buy SO once in awhile, he is the only one who shows up regularly like clockwork. I read the fliers and can't understand how people keep paying what they do for some of this stuff. Last month there was a medium to large sized 1/4" drive set for almost $1000! Wth?!

I don't buy much from him but when I do I feel it's a good deal and on occasion he'll knock a few bucks off. I wouldn't want to be starting out anymore. SO and Craftsman are what I started buying back in the early 90's.

Our Matco guy didn't last a year. I felt their tools were not the quality they were charging for. They were almost neck to neck with SO prices.

 

[winchman]

I bought a small assortment of Snap on 30 years ago, the trade I work in its unlikely I will buy more tools as I just don't need them, so I never see a Snap on dealer, I called and asked for a ratchet repair kit on 7th Oct, still no sign, so its not worth buying and paying the extra as when things go wrong they don't want to know.
Halfords a UK Motor parts shop sell a good range of tools all with the same warranty as Snap On, just walk in give them the tool they give you a new one no questions no paperwork, and they are cheap too.

 

[lilscorpion]

Maybe, but probably not. Their gross margin has gone up from 47% in 2012 to 49.8% in 2016. Operating earnings for Snap On Tools Group are up 9.8% in the last year, offset a bit by currency fluctuations as well.

So, really the price increases are just to make more money. I skimmed through the annual report, but I didn't see any note that costs have risen significantly. They did mention they had cost cutting programs in place that were seeing results though.

Does SOTG also include the industrial brands? I’d have to think the tool truck sales are down but the internet sales across all their brands are way up. If the earnings are for all brands, it makes sense actually.

To be a tool truck guy, not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[plinker]

It depends on the tool. I wouldn't say Snap-on and MAC are apples to apples on everything. The only thing MAC comes close to on quality are sockets. And as far as Matco goes, everything they have is rebadged GearWrench.

Not really, from what I've seen not a whole lot is Gearwrench. There is Astro Penumatic, Tool-aid, Trusty cook, Witte, Mayhew, VIM & some others I cant think of off hand.

Not saying good/bad, it pays to be an informed buyer (with anything or any brand).

 

[purplezr2]

I bought a small assortment of Snap on 30 years ago, the trade I work in its unlikely I will buy more tools as I just don't need them, so I never see a Snap on dealer, I called and asked for a ratchet repair kit on 7th Oct, still no sign, so its not worth buying and paying the extra as when things go wrong they don't want to know.
Halfords a UK Motor parts shop sell a good range of tools all with the same warranty as Snap On, just walk in give them the tool they give you a new one no questions no paperwork, and they are cheap too.

Wonder if you location has anything to do with that, if I call something in, I have it in about 3 days or less. The longest I have waited is 5 days

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I've had the opposites experience. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree that there are things not worth buying from SO, but it seems like a lot of things I try to price shop on a particular item, I'm unimpressed with the other offerings and I end up with the SO version. The other tool trucks don't stock anything I need and their prices are right on the same level as SO list pricing. But then, I have a good SO rep. I rarely pay regular list price for anything and he's even delivered tool to my house on the weekend.

 

[lugnut71]

I have a great dealer, always has specials and promotions, never pay list for anything, stops every week, doesn't blink at anything broken handed to him. tool life is good. No reason for me to buy elsewhere. Oh ... and he lets us drink beer on his truck also.

 

[TheEuronater]

I buy a decent amount of tools used, keep what I want and sell the rest. I don't even keep the Snap On because they wouldn't warranty a ratchet that had failed on me after I was honest and told them I wasn't the original purchaser. I feel as though they should stand behind their products whether or not the person with the broken (hand) tool is the original purchaser. Reason being, if people can buy used and expect a good warranty it will help resale prices, which will in turn make people more comfortable spending more on new knowing they can get a decent part of their money back if they need to.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I buy a decent amount of tools used, keep what I want and sell the rest. I don't even keep the Snap On because they wouldn't warranty a ratchet that had failed on me after I was honest and told them I wasn't the original purchaser. I feel as though they should stand behind their products whether or not the person with the broken (hand) tool is the original purchaser. Reason being, if people can buy used and expect a good warranty it will help resale prices, which will in turn make people more comfortable spending more on new knowing they can get a decent part of their money back if they need to.

So by using that logic a truck should have complete bumper to bumper warranty throughout the life of the truck? And if you were to sell it would still transfer right?

 

[WhiffySpark]

Does SOTG also include the industrial brands? I’d have to think the tool truck sales are down but the internet sales across all their brands are way up. If the earnings are for all brands, it makes sense actually.

To be a tool truck guy, not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Doubt it. Tool trucks aren’t going anywhere contrary to belief of the internet

 

[bcradio]

It depends on the tool. I wouldn't say Snap-on and MAC are apples to apples on everything. The only thing MAC comes close to on quality are sockets. And as far as Matco goes, everything they have is rebadged GearWrench.

 

[Dentaltec]

Just shows that like most things in this world the consumer wants to control the margins the business works on. Why do you think buying online at list still happens? People are lazy, the illusion that its the best ALLOWs SNAP to sell at what ever price they want.

As for the independent truck dealers discounting it just shows the margins that are on these things to ALLOW for this negotiating. Just makes me feel bad, seems you can always tell when they have had a poor month.

 

[Renchi]

So by using that logic a truck should have complete bumper to bumper warranty throughout the life of the truck? And if you were to sell it would still transfer right?

Forgive me, WhiffySpark, but that is a silly analogy. A truck has a factory warranty, and that factory warranty does transfer to other owners. Many aftermarket warranties can be transferred as well.

That trucks do not come with a lifetime warranty and Snap-on tools do is comparing apples to oranges.

 

[packet]

Does SOTG also include the industrial brands? I’d have to think the tool truck sales are down but the internet sales across all their brands are way up. If the earnings are for all brands, it makes sense actually.

To be a tool truck guy, not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Doesn't appear that it's any of the industrial brands:

"The Snap‑on Tools Group, our franchised mobile van network primarily serving vehicle repair technicians, segment net sales of $1.63 billion increased 4.2%, reflecting an $86.4 million, or 5.6%, organic sales gain partially offset by $21.2 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation. "

Net sales are up 4.2% year on year, profit is up 9.8%. Three ways to do that: Increase the volume of stuff you sell, increase prices, or decrease your costs. Looks like they're doing #2 and #3, not sure about #1.

 

[canuckian]

Are Snap On's tools expensive? For the most part and at retail pricing, they sure are. Is complaining about it going to change that fact? Nope. The only recourse one has is to bring their business elsewhere. Tool trucks will still be around long after many of us are dead and gone. Their target market hasn't changed for almost 100 years and business around that target market has remained profitable. If you don't have a truck guy and buy at retail from their website, you're most likely outside of their target market and are better off finding alternate avenues and brands.

Most of the negative opinions shared on this and the hundreds of other threads like it come from individual experiences. If someone is unhappy about a product or a company, they're more likely to voice it than someone who has been happy with the same product or company. With Snap On and pretty much any other truck brand, many different factors come into play when determining customer satisfaction. First off, if you have a crappy dealer, the experience is doomed from the start. Another issue is customers that think they have a right to be disappointed if they want to operate outside the company's terms of service or warranty policy. Having a good truck guy can allow for some coloring outside the lines with regards to those things but if one (for example) was to walk onto a tool truck on day one with a bucket of busted, rusty tools that are older than they are and expect the driver to hand them shiny new replacements under the "lifetime warranty" all while balking at the prices of their tools and asking for a free hat, then they'll likely be sadly disappointed with the results and shouldn't be surprised if the driver don't drop by to see them as regularly as some other clients.

The driver is in this business to make money. Good drivers are in it to make money and provide good customer service. If you're not profitable and sensible to do business with, they will avoid you. Sure, they'll come around regularly if you owe them money (wouldn't you?). But if you're hard to get payments from or act like an *** when they do show up, they'll be less likely to spend much time on you after your business is concluded. They have hundreds of good clients they can spend their time on. They're not going to chase you in the hopes you'll begrudgingly spend a couple hundred dollars a year with them.

Snap On isn't for everyone. They're just another brand that nobody is forcing anyone to buy.

 

[WittHay]

Mac USA quality is the sames as Proto. On some items, better than Snap-on. Also they have a lot of new offerings like Axis ratchets, Mac Grip screwdrivers and prybars and cordless tools that equal Snap-on.

Not sure how tool truck pricing works in Canada, if a rural area in Alberta is different than a industrial area in Ontario.

My area in BC has hundreds and hundred of shops in a relatively small area. There is only Snap-on and Mac. The variety of vehicles and equipment is huge. One area it is common to see Rolls Royces and Benleys, half a hour away you see large 4WD farm tractors out in fields and D10 Cats working in coal ports. Then there is the usual car dealers, bike shops, motor home and HD truck dealerships.

Instead of tool trucks dying, their business is increasing and in a lot of areas can pick and choose their customers

 

[Jtels85]

What do the truck brands do that my Carlyle, Craftsman, Gearwrench and Harbor Freight branded tools don’t do?

The answer: Not a ******** thing.

Another decade and tool trucks will be a memory just like the milk man. They need to find another way to market their tools.

 

[WittHay]

A whole other world out there, besides your home garage.

The guys that fix airplanes, D10 Cats and high end luxury cars all make minimum wage. On their day off they would gladly drive across the border, to pickup up some Chinese Craftsman and Harbor Freight for their work tool boxes to save money.

Ain't happening, nobody "has" to buy Snap-on but people still do and their sales are increasing

 

[Paco Pena]

My son is an automotive tech. He buys more Mac than snap on now. Snap on makes some tools that are the best and if you want them you will have to pay up but many of the Mac tools are as good or better at better prices. Dealer service level depends on who is the truck franchise owner.

Paco

 

[TheEuronater]

So by using that logic a truck should have complete bumper to bumper warranty throughout the life of the truck? And if you were to sell it would still transfer right?

Not sure how you got that impression from what I said. If Snap On is willing to warranty their hand tools for life to the original purchaser, why not to another person. Even if they interpreted lifetime warranty as 30 years or so thats better than the joke they have now. What Snap On says is if you buy a one month old ratchet from your buddy that didn't like it their warranty is no good. Nice try though.

 

[Aberdale]

Are Snap On's tools expensive? For the most part and at retail pricing, they sure are. Is complaining about it going to change that fact? Nope. The only recourse one has is to bring their business elsewhere. Tool trucks will still be around long after many of us are dead and gone. Their target market hasn't changed for almost 100 years and business around that target market has remained profitable. If you don't have a truck guy and buy at retail from their website, you're most likely outside of their target market and are better off finding alternate avenues and brands.

Most of the negative opinions shared on this and the hundreds of other threads like it come from individual experiences. If someone is unhappy about a product or a company, they're more likely to voice it than someone who has been happy with the same product or company. With Snap On and pretty much any other truck brand, many different factors come into play when determining customer satisfaction. First off, if you have a crappy dealer, the experience is doomed from the start. Another issue is customers that think they have a right to be disappointed if they want to operate outside the company's terms of service or warranty policy. Having a good truck guy can allow for some coloring outside the lines with regards to those things but if one (for example) was to walk onto a tool truck on day one with a bucket of busted, rusty tools that are older than they are and expect the driver to hand them shiny new replacements under the "lifetime warranty" all while balking at the prices of their tools and asking for a free hat, then they'll likely be sadly disappointed with the results and shouldn't be surprised if the driver don't drop by to see them as regularly as some other clients.

The driver is in this business to make money. Good drivers are in it to make money and provide good customer service. If you're not profitable and sensible to do business with, they will avoid you. Sure, they'll come around regularly if you owe them money (wouldn't you?). But if you're hard to get payments from or act like an *** when they do show up, they'll be less likely to spend much time on you after your business is concluded. They have hundreds of good clients they can spend their time on. They're not going to chase you in the hopes you'll begrudgingly spend a couple hundred dollars a year with them.

Snap On isn't for everyone. They're just another brand that nobody is forcing anyone to buy.

Nice write up. I agree 100%.

 

[lugnut71]

I have had several dealers over the years, they warranty anything and everything, never ask where or when you bought it. The dealers that make a fuss over warranty is NOT what snap-on is about. Those dealers are hurting themselves choosing to operate that way.

 

[TheEuronater]

I have had several dealers over the years, they warranty anything and everything, never ask where or when you bought it. The dealers that make a fuss over warranty is NOT what snap-on is about. Those dealers are hurting themselves choosing to operate that way.

I think Snap On makes some really nice stuff. But my only experience trying to warranty something was them denying it. I don't have a driver so I used their online chat and was denied, then I called and was denied. I could've lied and said I was the original owner, but Im not a liar. If you have a driver that works for you thats great. But it left me with a bad taste.

 

[Gmonkee]

As alluded by some it pays to be educated a bit on what is worth a premium and where just anything might work,

All brands have a place in the near future, all classes of tools. Time plays a big part in brand selection for some. No 80 hour week tech is going to be cruising Lowe's for a pliers Tuesday night. He is going home.

No Harry Homeowner is paying 85 bucks a wrench from a truck when he has three kids to feed and only a riding lawnmower to keep up.

HF has the casual tool user buttoned up. Harry H has a full stock of more than his dreams for a small price. Use it thrice a year it's still a lifetime tool.

Supertech grabs a soda when the truck pulls up, makes his payment and grabs something to ease through the next job. Then back to work.

Once well stocked both slow down buying and supertech pays off the balance and the truck feeds off the newer techs.

Everyone between the extremes can pick and choose as need be. I certainly do.

 

[3jakes]

What do the truck brands do that my Carlyle, Craftsman, Gearwrench and Harbor Freight branded tools don’t do?
The answer: Not a ******** thing.
.

Not true.
Just last week I was replacing the tie rod on my lawn tractor.
I was using a Craftsman 1/2" open end on one side & a socket on the other.
The 1/2" open end kept slipping & rounding.
(this is the side next to the ball, so it had to be an open end).
I went to my other box & got out a Snap-On plus (that has the grooves)
It held without slipping.
Looking closer at the Craftsman, the ends are starting to spread.
This is still one of their USA made wrenches maybe 15 years old.
I suppose I could have used a needle nose vise grips, but they don't always work either...

 

[Musicinabottle]

So by using that logic a truck should have complete bumper to bumper warranty throughout the life of the truck? And if you were to sell it would still transfer right?

Well, a truck has a lot more parts, more expensive parts, they fly down the road at any speed, over most terrain, where a ratchet........ not so much. A complete truck costs a million dollars. Ratchet? Not so much.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Not true.
Just last week I was replacing the tie rod on my lawn tractor.
I was using a Craftsman 1/2" open end on one side & a socket on the other.
The 1/2" open end kept slipping & rounding.
(this is the side next to the ball, so it had to be an open end).
I went to my other box & got out a Snap-On plus (that has the grooves)
It held without slipping.
Looking closer at the Craftsman, the ends are starting to spread.
This is still one of their USA made wrenches maybe 15 years old.
I suppose I could have used a needle nose vise grips, but they don't always work either...

You are comparing apples and oranges. I have had my 22mm SnapOn spread and slip on many inner tie rod end jam nuts. I have had regular SO wrenches slip where a FD+ would not have. Now there are a lot of other manufacturers that make wrenches with cutouts or grooves to keep the wrench from slipping.

 

[3jakes]

You are comparing apples and oranges. .

Well, didn't have any 1/2" OEX handy, so just used the "fruit in my bowl".
I see what you're sayin. Not a scientific test at all.

 

[Coach James]

Snap On has also been increasing their dividends for the last 9 years and increasing the payout ratio slightly for the last 2 or 3 years. I imagine the shareholders are happy to see that.

Coach