Snap on prices...
- Thread starter Tj-gord
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MainelyMechanics
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- Joined
- Nov 19, 2017
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The only truck I have coming to my work is Mac Tools and am very satisfied. Love the no questions asked warranty even on drill bits, which is unheard of to my knowledge. What I like about Mac is that since quite a large majority of their tools are rebranded, if there is a tool I'm not worried about warrantying out frequently and could save some cash, I can find the original product and buy online. My only gripe is how my guy almost never has what I have, but owns up to it and gives me discounts when he has to order it.
junkyardwarrior
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- Joined
- Nov 17, 2014
- Messages
- 174
I wouldn't give snap on a stick of gum.
We have two local snap on trucks. One is the big truck and the other a little truck. The little truck's driver is supervised by the big truck's owner. Actually come to think of it I think he owns both trucks and the little driver just works under him.
The bigger truck's driver goes to the bigger shops-the large dealerships that sort of thing. The smaller, goes to the small shops like where I work. He used to show up at our place. I have bought quite a bit from him and owed him about $1000. He quit showing up. I had to flag him down across the highway to pay him then he quit showing up over there too. So I let it go for a while to see how long he'd go without collecting what I owed. So far, he's never come back. And he owes me a $70 ratchet, that or $70 cash. Prefer cash so I can buy it elsewhere. Ain't seen the guy stop anywhere close in about 15 years, but still the same guy driving the truck. Prices are outrageous both online and on truck. Matco stops in weekly, I don't buy much from them but it's nice when he does stop in as he's got steak seasoning that I really like. I like Matco's tool boxes but could care less about paying that much for one. My old Masterhand (from TSC) is still kicking, about 20 years old now, used all day 6 days a week. Clean the slides about once a month, wipe it down and repeat again in another month. This is a dirty environment mind you, tractors and lawn equipment repair, so dusty and dirty all the time. Plus the 4 acre parking lot is all gravel and we haven't seen rain in 3 months now, so you can imagine what happens when the wind picks up even just a little bit.
The Matco truck changes drivers about once a year. Every one of them says same thing, they can't make any money. Mac same way. The Cornwell guy runs around too and he's got SOME decent stuff, and more reasonable than the rest, but seems like I never see them unless I've got the boat behind me headed to the lake....and at that point, I could care less about a tool truck.
Something I learned long ago about tool trucks is that you're still dealing with a sales PERSON, and they're equally imperfect as the rest of us are. And they're salespeople, some of them are good, others not so much. Our new Matco guy is a lazy salesperson and I guarantee he won't be around long.
There was a web site I found a while back that you can enter your name-brand tool number or description in and it'd give you the exact tool in another brand if available...and much of it was 1/4 of the tool truck price. Warranty? Sometimes you need it for like screw drivers and that sort of thing but some stuff not so much. I can't find the link on this computer...might be on the old one which took a dump. Friend of mine sent me the link, I'll see if I can get him to re-send it.
We have two local snap on trucks. One is the big truck and the other a little truck. The little truck's driver is supervised by the big truck's owner. Actually come to think of it I think he owns both trucks and the little driver just works under him.
The bigger truck's driver goes to the bigger shops-the large dealerships that sort of thing. The smaller, goes to the small shops like where I work. He used to show up at our place. I have bought quite a bit from him and owed him about $1000. He quit showing up. I had to flag him down across the highway to pay him then he quit showing up over there too. So I let it go for a while to see how long he'd go without collecting what I owed. So far, he's never come back. And he owes me a $70 ratchet, that or $70 cash. Prefer cash so I can buy it elsewhere. Ain't seen the guy stop anywhere close in about 15 years, but still the same guy driving the truck. Prices are outrageous both online and on truck. Matco stops in weekly, I don't buy much from them but it's nice when he does stop in as he's got steak seasoning that I really like. I like Matco's tool boxes but could care less about paying that much for one. My old Masterhand (from TSC) is still kicking, about 20 years old now, used all day 6 days a week. Clean the slides about once a month, wipe it down and repeat again in another month. This is a dirty environment mind you, tractors and lawn equipment repair, so dusty and dirty all the time. Plus the 4 acre parking lot is all gravel and we haven't seen rain in 3 months now, so you can imagine what happens when the wind picks up even just a little bit.
The Matco truck changes drivers about once a year. Every one of them says same thing, they can't make any money. Mac same way. The Cornwell guy runs around too and he's got SOME decent stuff, and more reasonable than the rest, but seems like I never see them unless I've got the boat behind me headed to the lake....and at that point, I could care less about a tool truck.
Something I learned long ago about tool trucks is that you're still dealing with a sales PERSON, and they're equally imperfect as the rest of us are. And they're salespeople, some of them are good, others not so much. Our new Matco guy is a lazy salesperson and I guarantee he won't be around long.
There was a web site I found a while back that you can enter your name-brand tool number or description in and it'd give you the exact tool in another brand if available...and much of it was 1/4 of the tool truck price. Warranty? Sometimes you need it for like screw drivers and that sort of thing but some stuff not so much. I can't find the link on this computer...might be on the old one which took a dump. Friend of mine sent me the link, I'll see if I can get him to re-send it.
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buffalobill
Well-known member
I totally agree about the salesman part, the guys I have dealt with have been at it for a long time, there's a reason. They are smart, knowledgeable, and friendly. Hell, we have a used Tool Truck guy around here that's a good dude, and he carries a bunch of the atd service kits, along with large amounts of sunex and astro pneumatic.
Btw, I have used just the number and basic description before to cross reference tools on google. Iirc, it's how I found out my snap on grease bucket is actually a mcnaught, made in Australia.
Btw, I have used just the number and basic description before to cross reference tools on google. Iirc, it's how I found out my snap on grease bucket is actually a mcnaught, made in Australia.
Farmall450
Well-known member
mudflap
Well-known member
You know....25yrs at the County garage, i have seen lots of tool trucks come and go. I mostly bought from the SO truck..and the day i bought my first SO box was a day i wont forget. I was so proud of that thing...yes...i made payments. I had a Wife, 1 kid, and 1 on the way to provide for. I traded up 3 times to the box i have now...and long ago paid off my tools and boxes...I have 3 of everything..im done buying tools, unless i just see something i want..but dont need.. The thing is..back when us old timers come out of Tech School...There was a huge difference in quality between Tool truck brands, and everything else.. We didnt have the internet, we didnt have Gearwrench or Carlyle. The new, and under 30 Techs at the County garage are different than we were..COO means less to them than it does us..they prefer to buy things online..and call out truck tools "vanity tools"...they dont understand that when we started out, we didnt have the high quality, affordable options that they have now.. So..with us old timers done buying tools...and the youngsters being so well taken care of by the NAPA/Carlyle guy that is at the shop every day..Our SO guy was wasting his time stopping here every week. If we call him to warranty something , or if we need an update done on diagnostic equipment..he will stop by...SO as a company will do fine going forward with their specialty tools, and selling hard line tools online..but i think the tool truck days are numbered, as the youngsters are going to make them have to compete price wise with the other quality options they have...
buffalobill
Well-known member
My napa is like yours, they will deliver their stuff to us. But I work on rusty old stuff covered in salt and fluid film, I trust the carlyle, but I'd chuck the gearwrench in a snowdrift, no comparison to most other serious use brands. I'd gladly go into debt on a snap on truck before trying to wrench for money with apex's diy line.
I have a funny feeling the guys you say that call good tools "vanity tools" , will have a change of heart, once they end up donating blood over their cheaper stuff.
derosa
Well-known member
Got to say the local guy seems nice enough, ran by his truck while looking around for an adjustable that could do 36mm, he only had a Blue Point and seemed fine when I said I prefer US or Euro on my tools. Was more then happy to help the next time I hopped on and asked for a 15mm ratchet wrench. I only work in my driveway on occasion and feel that for most tools Wright and SK are more then enough and the often the equal of SO, but the ratchet wrenches are an exception to me and worth the cash, as long as he's friendly doesn't mind my hopping on for a wrench a month I should be able to fill out the set at my leisure.
Although I would find having to track him down for an immediate warranty need to be a pain in the ***, the convenience of just being able to ask about a tool when I see the truck is kind of nice.
Furious Filipino
Well-known member
I’m in the high pressure gaseous fuels industry (CNG, H2), and as a Project Engineer, I don’t make my money turning wrenches.
We have a mix of Armstrong, Proto, SK, Williams, Wright for making prototypes and for the techs to do maintenance/service—I may not have a leg to stand on regarding SnapOn prices, but I don’t see the quality difference that warrants an additional 30-50% premium over the most expensive equivalent tool from any of the brands I listed. I don’t see, feel, or otherwise observe any discernible advantage that SnapOn has to warrant the premium save for the Truck and the brand.
I understand I am not in the target demographic, but no complaints or tool failures from our field techs, either (company supplies all tools). I suppose that if the truck came by on a regular basis (2x monthly minimum), and it performed good will services to my diagnostic equipment, checked all my torque equipment, and had all my orders on time, I would happily pay 30% above and beyond compared to any of the other USA made tools not sold on a truck. Caveat is, if I don’t have access to the truck and requisite services, and I just want to buy a tool online with no additional service, then offer the tools for less.
We have a mix of Armstrong, Proto, SK, Williams, Wright for making prototypes and for the techs to do maintenance/service—I may not have a leg to stand on regarding SnapOn prices, but I don’t see the quality difference that warrants an additional 30-50% premium over the most expensive equivalent tool from any of the brands I listed. I don’t see, feel, or otherwise observe any discernible advantage that SnapOn has to warrant the premium save for the Truck and the brand.
I understand I am not in the target demographic, but no complaints or tool failures from our field techs, either (company supplies all tools). I suppose that if the truck came by on a regular basis (2x monthly minimum), and it performed good will services to my diagnostic equipment, checked all my torque equipment, and had all my orders on time, I would happily pay 30% above and beyond compared to any of the other USA made tools not sold on a truck. Caveat is, if I don’t have access to the truck and requisite services, and I just want to buy a tool online with no additional service, then offer the tools for less.
mudflap
Well-known member
We work on mostly rusty plows, dump trucks, trac-hoes, etc.. Our light work is Maint on County vehicles.. Their Carlyle tools arent donating any more blood than my SO tools did when i was their age... Are you talking about wrenches that slip or break... nope. Are you talking about ratchets that let go....nope. Less blood donation comes with experience..not with more expensive tools.. I see it every day.. There are some hold outs like i was, and like you are...But SO is no longer the only anti blood donation tool company...As my SO TORX and bit sockets wear and snap off...i am replacing them with Carlyle...they are as good or better.. I wouldnt say that unless it was true.. Also noticed the younger guys are less inclined to go into debt for things..Thats not just bad for SO..but lots of other industries..They would rather keep fixing their paid for vehicle..than go into debt for a new one...they would rather rent than buy a house...and can make a good argument as to why.. The next gen is different.. Less social ..tend to have their small group of friends..and back on subject...lol.. Less likely to bow at the feet of a SO truck driver..or have to carry a balance on the truck to get him to warranty something...you know how it works....
buffalobill
Well-known member
Lol, I guess my point was fuzzy, I like carlyle as much as you do, but I would never put gearwrench at the same level. Carlyle stuff is great, we use it at work all the time. My goal is to never be pulling on a tool that I don't trust, and carlyle seems to be a pretty good mix of price, availability, and quality. If I had to build a complete box right now, I'd just go get one of those complete carlyle kits, I was flipping thru the napa flyer, iirc you can get a very detailed complete et of serious ools for 2500 or so, out the door.
Btw, I do the same as you, I work for a small town highway dept, get any snow yet?
mudflap
Well-known member
I would probably do the same... lol. No snow here yet.. Had some flurries come thru with that last clipper...so we set all the brine spreaders in.. and have all the plows hitched up. Do the guys with a CDL in your shop get to push snow when the regular drivers run out of hrs..?
Logante
Well-known member
I never cared for snap on personally. I am only 35 and have always thought that their chrome wrenches and ratchets to be over priced. After being in a shop for a couple years as a welder fabricator, I have found that their tools are better than my raised panel craftsman and have been slowly buying what I need as compared to dealing with warranty replacement from stores. I had a set of torx bits that were gear wrench and kept snapping off the T45. Fastenal only would exchange the whole set and after replacing them twice I was told I was abusing them. Snap On truck sold me my set I have now and after breaking the bit a few times my dealer gave me two back up bits and has no issues replacing them as needed. T45 bolts hold keepers on semi trailer doors and with rust the bolts tend to break the bits.
Now having tools that keep their value and are made in the US are a pride thing for me, but I know many people just use the tools they need to get the job done. I prefer tools that if I move on I can dump for 60-75% of what I paid for them as it is a huge investment.
I prefer cheap but also when it comes down to it having what you need when you need it makes a big deal. Also the ability to have my impacts (electric and pneumatic) rebuilt saves money in the long run. Instead of buying a new gun every year I can just have mine rebuilt and it's as good as new again. The convenience of the truck and service I get is why I am actually happy to have stepped foot on the truck.
Btw I have had to cut tools up and make my own wrenches to fit into spaces tools typically cannot go, glad I have my craftsman and gearwrench tools to do it to without feeling guilt. I have a wrenches cobbled together that work great. (Mostly craftsman)
Now having tools that keep their value and are made in the US are a pride thing for me, but I know many people just use the tools they need to get the job done. I prefer tools that if I move on I can dump for 60-75% of what I paid for them as it is a huge investment.
I prefer cheap but also when it comes down to it having what you need when you need it makes a big deal. Also the ability to have my impacts (electric and pneumatic) rebuilt saves money in the long run. Instead of buying a new gun every year I can just have mine rebuilt and it's as good as new again. The convenience of the truck and service I get is why I am actually happy to have stepped foot on the truck.
Btw I have had to cut tools up and make my own wrenches to fit into spaces tools typically cannot go, glad I have my craftsman and gearwrench tools to do it to without feeling guilt. I have a wrenches cobbled together that work great. (Mostly craftsman)
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buffalobill
Well-known member
Lol, we're a 2 man crew with 4 part time wingmen, we DO IT ALL, man! We are the mechanics, plow drivers, welders, electricians, equipment operators, laborers, and we put up the flags for the 4th and labor day, and hang up the christmas lights too!!!
I like and own some of their tools. Some of what they sell is simply the best and worth every penny. Most of what they sell is among the best with a ridiculous markup. While I like SnapOn tools, I don't feel the need for a box full of them and have saved tens of thousands of dollars by being a little more prudent with my purchases. I've yet to find something that I couldn't repair that I have had the proper tools to do so.
Seems like a lot of people are bashing Snap On truck dealers. They, too, have to make money and pay their bills just like the rest of us. If I were a Snap On truck dealer, I would focus on bigger dealerships where there are a lot of mechanics around. If Snap On prices are too high then you can also buy HF or Northern Tools instead. No one is forced to buy Snap On tools.
ronaldSwanson
Well-known member
I have had zero issues getting things warrantied just by calling, even though I am not the original owner. This is one of the reasons I continue to buy snap on as a non professional.
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