Snap-On Pricing Increase (Again?)

[Hiball]

I'd like *someone* to tell me what makes brand X better than brand Y. And no, 'shiny' doesn't count.

I guess I just don't get this "Age" old argument that seems to pop up here at GJ. Why.. Must people justify there purchases? I don't care if its ford, Chevy, Lg, RCA, snap on or Hf. If you think as a consumer your best option is brand X... Then buy brand X. If that makes you feel better than someone who chose Y, and feel the need to repeatedly justify your purchase.. Well, that's Silly.

 

[PavelK313]

My apolgies PavelK, but with that note that I was not tossing on your English, but the idea that Snap-On is over priced. You do not like it. Sadly, I do not think that anyone likes it.
But ,those of use that use them professionally still use them, like them and still use the service. Odd, huh?

Again, they are aimed at a target market.

As for Euro cars, BMW's still command a premium price where I live.
For you. maybe not so much.

I do have some snap-on tools and I like them. Do I feel a little dumb when I think how much I paid for them? Kind of. But I always think that the ones I have are better than same tools at sears. I have SO ratchets, screwdrivers, few extensions and adapter, torque wrench (yes, I actually bought SO TqW, thats before I found out about CDI) and few other small items.

 

[NissanTechWill]

so you guys with "credit", do they charge interest on your already high priced tools or does the higher price include the interest....?

If I pay may weekly payment for my Extended Credit account, there is no interest. If I don't pay every week, the APR is .9%.

Additionally, when you use your tool to make money, you usually don't even as how much something costs, you just tell your SO man to put it on your account.

-Will

 

[ianguilly]

I'll still pay if prices rise still only cost me $20 a week....

 

[neonnblack]

And thats why you'll pay for the rest of your life.

And anyways i heard the CM full polish wrenches are made by snap on.....

 

[85camaro]

A mechanic who buys and uses only SO tools could probably have used that same money to finance their way through law or medical school.

 

[sberry]

That's one thing the Taiwanese/Chinese cannot make and that's decent wrench. They got a long ways to go to catch up with Snap-on.

No they dont, they make some of the best in the world and when you consider it can be had for 3$ at a Walmart its almost revolutionary.

 

[Gregster]

I've seen those Wrenches go on sale for about 275$

 

[Mk4fool]

That set is on sale on my Industrial account for $140 right now.

 

[geologist]

Just when I think I can afford to start getting Snap-on, it gets pushed out of my reach yet again.

 

[CWP1616L]

Here's the video that shows how Snap-on combination wrenches are made:

 

[OveRReV]

i don't feel bad about buying my Snap On 3/8" flex head torque wrench & sparkplug gapping tool, got it used at a US surplus shop in my country for about a fraction it costs new. i use the torque wrench frequently over the Teng tools torque wrench, i just love how the torque wrench "breaks" when you hit the torque setting & yes they do look pretty nice.

but i do agree with some here that Snap On tools are a big rip off price wise, i was watching a video on youtube of a guy complaining how much a set of 3/8" allen head sockets costs over $700, wtf... for the price of that socket set i could buy almost every Unior tools i need to use at my motorcycle shop. LOL

browsing around at my local version of ebay i find some Snap On sockets & wrenches that are being sold at ridiculously high prices, "are these things made of gold" i ask to myself, for a guy like me who only makes very little compared to you guys in the USA i can't afford to buy new high end tools like Snap On or MAC because i still have other needs to attend to.

 

[redwrench60]

Totally different scenario, unless you do this job and understand it,a friendly suggestion is to no dabble in it.

I suggest you apply this very statement to what you have said about pro mechanics and their tool selection thought process.

Most long time techs know any tool can get A job done but good tools get THOUSANDS of jobs done. Every comment you make about how stupid we are for our tool preferences shows me that you know as much about pro machanics as I know about pro truck driving.

 

[CWP1616L]

$300 or $500 for some freaking combo wrenches? 10 freaking combo wrenches?

What else you gonna spend your money on?

 

[nato]

FYI: This months' "Hot Tools" flyer (for my regional area), has the MASTER puller/bearing service kit for a meer $2600 I think......lol....

To buy the shiney red cabinet ALONE, it'll set you back $643......

 

[Toolhorder]

I've been pretty happy with my Taiwanese Gearwrench flex wrenches. Of course, I don't think there's anyone in the US making modern ratcheting wrenches anyway. They were a whole bunch cheaper, for more wrenches, that flex and ratchet, too.

$300 or $500 for some freaking combo wrenches? 10 freaking combo wrenches?

Snap on makes them. I just bought a long pattern set, ratcheting one side box end the other side.

 

[Toolhorder]

FYI: This months' "Hot Tools" flyer (for my regional area), has the MASTER puller/bearing service kit for a meer $2600 I think......lol....

To buy the shiney red cabinet ALONE, it'll set you back $643......

Really? That's a deal the normal is over 3K for that set.

I'm building my own. I got the puller board at a car swap meet for $10 and been slowly adding from ebay the pieces I need. I had a lot of the pieces already.

 

[thejudges69]

Totally different scenario, unless you do this job and understand it,a friendly suggestion is to no dabble in it.

I suggest you apply this very statement to what you have said about pro mechanics and their tool selection thought process.

Most long time techs know any tool can get A job done but good tools get THOUSANDS of jobs done. Every comment you make about how stupid we are for our tool preferences shows me that you know as much about pro machanics as I know about pro truck driving.

Fyi I wasn't always a trucker I did my share of wrenching. So your preaching to the choir. Also I never said anyone was stupid I felt the comment was.

 

[tkonetzke]

My Snap-on guy hates me. I buy stuff used on eBay and warranty it through him.. or when I do buy stuff from him it's on sale or listed at some low introductory price. He'll try to sell me something else like a set of nice sockets but includes a ratchet with it that I don't need.. then gets all flustered when I stonewall him. It's pretty awesome

Pick and choose your battles.. if people stop buying their truly overpriced **** they'll charge less, stop making it or figure out how to build it cheaper. Either way, you (the customer) win!

I would expect him to hate you, Id tell you to pound sand. They guy warranties things for you that he does not have to. Throw the guy a bone, and remember he is not required to do business with you any more than you with him.

And if they stop making their product/ make it cheaper(outsource), then I do not win. I think many will agree, but sadly not enough do.

 

[thejudges69]

I would expect him to hate you, Id tell you to pound sand. They guy warranties things for you that he does not have to. Throw the guy a bone, and remember he is not required to do business with you any more than you with him.

And if they stop making their product/ make it cheaper(outsource), then I do not win. I think many will agree, but sadly not enough do.

I would agree, a lot of people I hear do this, not on here just in general, they'll buy a broken tool for a fraction of the cost online then take it to get warrantied. I personally don't think that's cool at all.

 

[PavelK313]

I would agree, a lot of people I hear do this, not on here just in general, they'll buy a broken tool for a fraction of the cost online then take it to get warrantied. I personally don't think that's cool at all.

Thatss just working the system. You will be surprised how many people do that.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

i agree

 

[thejudges69]

I know, I've bought tools offline but all in working order, I had a mac ratchet warrantied, I broke the pawl after I bought it, the dealer fixed it but he dropped his franchise before I could do more dealing with him.

 

[nato]

My Snap-on guy hates me. I buy stuff used on eBay and warranty it through him.. or when I do buy stuff from him it's on sale or listed at some low introductory price. He'll try to sell me something else like a set of nice sockets but includes a ratchet with it that I don't need.. then gets all flustered when I stonewall him. It's pretty awesome

Pick and choose your battles.. if people stop buying their truly overpriced **** they'll charge less, stop making it or figure out how to build it cheaper. Either way, you (the customer) win!

I'm going to very slightly drift to the left with you on this and stand in your shadow b/c I'm guilty of doing this once or twice. It's easier to understand if A)you REQUIRE the best possible tools to use professionally for you craft and B)you're on a budget. Here's the kind of ****** way I look at this scenario...

If you picked up a $150 Snap On ratchet on ebay for $75, then warrantied it out for a new ratchet, a couple of things play in here. I personally feel this way: at some point in time, regardless of the owner, that Snap On ratchet has its' premium price tag PAID FOR...most likely in full, 100% of what its' list price was. Who cares who currentyl owns it and what shape of condition its' in and the irrelevancy of how, when or why it broke. A broken tool with a lietime warranty is simply a broken tool with a lifetime warranty.

NOW, to take advantage of this, I say no. You'll develop a pattern. Tool dealer's aren't stupid. They'll figure it out. If you can't pass up the deal, then I say do it. BUT, try to be good to your dealer's at other times and they'll take care of you. A couple of mine don't seem to be too bothered about these types of deals as long as you don't **** the freedom of the warranty.

 

[thejudges69]

you said my comment was stupid,and snap ons cutomers base were stupid

No reread, I said the comment was stupid yes, I also said that snapon is not stupid but no offense to anyone but I think they think there client base is. Meaning they know that no matter how far they raise prices people will still pay for the name. I never said snapons customer base was stupid as in directly pointing a finger, I'm a customer myself of snapons but I'm a very frugal customer and I hardly spend any money with them due to there prices.

Your putting something there that's not you just didn't read the post properly

 

[thejudges69]

Nate I'm pretty certain we have the same dealer. Stops on Tuesday's?

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

i agree

 

[nato]

Nate I'm pretty certain we have the same dealer. Stops on Tuesday's?

Now Phillip right? Younger kid....20's maybe? I don't see him lasting long.....what do you think?

BTW: I keep forgetting Jim's #, lol, sorry....

 

[thejudges69]

I think this is a stupid comment, the resale value is depicted by the original value, if hf tools sold for the same price as snap on the resale value would be higher, no one can really truly answer the question of why are snap on tools so much better then the rest, the truth is they really aren't.

If you had 2 wrenches side by side, both snap on but one said snap on and the other did not, the value of the 2 would be a huge difference, because even tho there both snap on, the one does not say snap on people would not be interested in because people can't seem to survive in the tool world without that name in there box.

Bottom line, they could double there price and people would still pay it. Snap on is not stupid but no offense to anyone but I think they feel there customer base is.

Read the last sentence, I don't think anyone is stupid for buying these tools, I just think people have this company on a pedestal for the wrong reasons.

 

[thejudges69]

Now Phillip right? Younger kid....20's? I don't see him lasting long.....what do you think?

BTW: I keep forgetting Jim's #, lol, sorry....

Ya, tough call, mike was a strange one. Did you have him?

Oh no worries on the number whenever you remember, if I see him in town at the vittle I'll pick his brain then

 

[nato]

Ya, tough call, mike was a strange one. Did you have him?

You mean Wiley? That guy can wrot in a ditch. He f*cked me quite badly until Chris Whittenberger took over before Phillip. I had Phillip & Chris' dad, Scott at Fairway and he was the best Snappy dealer I've done business with thus far.

 

[Neuswede]

Can't go wrong with either the Wright, or Williams round head ratchets. I have a F80, Wright 3426, and Williams B-52, and they are all very similar in terms of feel and swing between tooth engagement. I dare say the Williams is the smoothest of them all, and I only paid $1 for it at a yard sale.

Most of the tool truck "advantages" went away when you could easily order, and have shipped straight to your door, any of the top tier industrial brands like Wright, Proto, Williams and Armstrong. So now you are just paying for what is an outdated business model and somewhat inefficient distribution system.

same day service is NOT an outdated business model. If you have time to plan your purchases and the use of them, then you are correct. HOWEVER, if you are a professional with deadlines and customers needing you to complete your work on time, hopefully you have a good tool dealer who can get you out of a jam when necessary. This goes for any brand of tool truck dealer, not just Snap-On.

 

[thejudges69]

You mean Wiley? That guy can wrot in a ditch. He f*cked me quite badly until Chris Whittenberger took over before Phillip.

Ya, he didny stop much. Wasn't reliable. There was a mac dealer in the area but I haven't seen him in a year. Cornwell goes to welshs and Anderson bros is around a lot too. And I talked to cam bros about sk he's in north Lima every Tuesday.

 

[RatchetMan]

Frankly, with all of this talk about people sending in rusty tools they found on the road and expecting a free replacement, I am fine if SnapOn does indeed start requiring proof of original purchase in order to warranty tools.

It's about the only way to keep costs down these days. The luxury of a lifetime guarantee should be reserved for the original purchaser because he paid a high price for that benefit. But like everything, people will abuse a system for their own gain until the system breaks or, in the case of tool prices, things get so expensive they can't afford to participate. Then they complain about it.

 

[wrenchr]

Knock it off guy's.....................

 

[nato]

Ya, he didny stop much. Wasn't reliable. There was a mac dealer in the area but I haven't seen him in a year. Cornwell goes to welshs and Anderson bros is around a lot too. And I talked to cam bros about sk he's in north Lima every Tuesday.

Was your Mac dealer Mike Herbert?? If so, he still stops at our place damn near every Wed.

 

[thejudges69]

He was he quit coming to ours and Snyders.

 

[thejudges69]

Oh wait mike the mac dealer ya, that was him, younger guy super cool, get me his number or give him mine.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

same day service is NOT an outdated business model. If you have time to plan your purchases and the use of them, then you are correct. HOWEVER, if you are a professional with deadlines and customers needing you to complete your work on time, hopefully you have a good tool dealer who can get you out of a jam when necessary. This goes for any brand of tool truck dealer, not just Snap-On.

Sadly not all of us have good dealers available. Still waiting on our Snap-On guy to drop in since I ordered some gloves and a socket 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. I'll have my sockets I ordered online tonight before he shows up again. Same/next day shipping has so far beat out all the truck dealers I've dealt with in the last couple of states I've lived and worked in.

Good on you for having someone that will provide same day service. I've tried to help out buying from the local Snap-On guy instead of online, and it's always ended up being more of a pain than it's worth (price mark up & waiting until they feel like showing up again). So for some of us, it really is an extremely outdated business model.

 

[Hootbro]

This thread has all the buzz words of economic jealousy. "Greed", "reasonable profit", "raped" and a few others.

Sounds like a bunch of clap trap whining about the haves and have not's.