Snap-on store has opened
- Thread starter Justin1776
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OP
Justin1776
Well-known member
Not sure exactly but the owner has been with Snap-on for over 25 years with truck and management positions in corporate Snap-on so I am sure it is okay. I know that you can't sell tools in other people's route domain, so as long as the store front is in your domain I am sure it's okay.
Probably because it's a bad business model. Techs aren't going to spend their Saturdays shopping for SO tools and 99.7% of the public will puke when they see the prices.
It sounds like there are a lot of extenuating factors involved in this guy's store.
Makes sense to me. Place to store all the big stuff, and a time where you can service all the independents and GJ types at once. My SO guy has me come to his house after dinner, I'd like this so much better as would he.
Givl Reggin
Banned
I have long said that Snap=on would do good with a retail store in the mall... or even partnering with someone like Macys would be a good move. I know for a fact that I would own a lot more Snap-On tools if I had better access to them. Not being profession wrench turner, thus no tool truck stops at my door, but a homeowner that appreciates good quality/USA made tools I went with primarily Craftsman when I wanted to outfit my shop simply because of availability.
Gregg33
Well-known member
A friend of mine claims that in Toronto, ON there was a Snap On store in a high-end mall. The idea was why the ladies shop at designer clothing stores the (presumably yuppie do-it yourselfer) men can look at and buy tools. Apparently the store closed up. Not sure if it was corporate or a franchise (who also has a truck?) or if he's totally mistaken. I also have read that in Mexico there are SO outlets.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
There was a Snap On store in Sherway Gardens, I even went there once 10-12 years ago. I remember being unimpressed, didn't buy anything and never went back.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
I think that a Snap On retail store as a full time establishment would struggle and likely fail. There's just such a limited market for their product. The professional mechanic will get the visit from the Snap On truck, and the average shade tree guy isn't going to pony up the dough for Snap On products. If you put it in the mall where wifey is shopping...what is she going to say when hubby plops a $45 pair of long nose on the counter. Haha, that should go over well.
As a once a week open to the public where the storefront is a secondary purpose it could work very well...but as a full time store...no chance.
As a once a week open to the public where the storefront is a secondary purpose it could work very well...but as a full time store...no chance.
pilotman81
Well-known member
It's a good thing that there is nothing like that in my area or I would be sorely tempted to make a first born son.
mailpup
Well-known member
Several years ago there was a Snap-on retail store near my house about 1/2 mile away. It was in the Los Angeles area near Torrance and it was open to the public. If you happened to have a regular dealer, you could buy your tools at the store and your dealer would get credit for the sale. He was the one who told me about it and, in fact, took me there. Unfortunately, it closed after being open about a year or so. I can't remember how long exactly.
Snap-on had some kind of dealer training center close by too, I think.
Snap-on had some kind of dealer training center close by too, I think.
Chuck122
Well-known member
''and I told to myself:this could be heaven or this could be hell''
Gregg33
Well-known member
That would be an arera he frequents so it makes sense. What did the store carry? Was it corporate or run by a dealer. Anything else you remember about it?
carcajou
Well-known member
Where?
I was there this winter and never seen it. I did find a Mac store there that has lots of inventory, good people.
No need. I heard that Snap-On also accepts arms and legs too...
honcho
Well-known member
A while back, I read the Snap-On franchise agreement and it's very restrictive as to how, where and to whom a franchisee can sell. As the OP described the store and it's operation, it appears to be more of an addition to the dealers tool routes as a showroom for large items. Both the limited hours and the types of items on display are probably to stay in line with the franchise agreement.
I rent a storage unit and a Snap On dealer has a unit near mine and he keeps his boxes and big items in it. He also parks his truck in front of it at night. I see him on weekends doing inventory and paperwork.
I rent a storage unit and a Snap On dealer has a unit near mine and he keeps his boxes and big items in it. He also parks his truck in front of it at night. I see him on weekends doing inventory and paperwork.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I got the impression it was corporate owned, and was designed to cater to people who normally weren't serviced by a truck, i.e. d-i-yers. I just remember being very unimpressed by the selection that was available there.
DirtRoad
Well-known member
Snap on has a very strange business model that for some reason works when it shouldnt.
Think about it. They have no store front, sell out of trucks only which means they decide who they sell to, when they sell, how they sell, have prices way beyond logic and reason and to top it off they sell to an industry where most working in it cant afford a pot to piss in.
Think about it. They have no store front, sell out of trucks only which means they decide who they sell to, when they sell, how they sell, have prices way beyond logic and reason and to top it off they sell to an industry where most working in it cant afford a pot to piss in.
kiatech
Well-known member
Because people are deluded into thinking that anything other than a truck brand tool is garbage. Even if that 10 piece socket set is $200 ITS OK CAUSE I ONLY PAY $20 A WEEK!
picshooter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2008
- Messages
- 76
I have no knowledge other than being local....but. Could it have anything to do with the guy being successful (he runs multiple trucks in the area) and uses the affordable building to store his supplies, and the store is somewhat secondary?
He sounds like a decent guy. I wish him luck.
He sounds like a decent guy. I wish him luck.
richfinn
Well-known member
They should set up a Snap On theme park. That would be cool.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
That's what I thought from the beginning...the storefront is just serving a secondary purpose. Since he has the storage, why not try to make a few bucks on the side? I suspect if he sells nothing he probabaly doesn't really care all that much.
rustyproject
Well-known member
I used to travel alot for work. I was driven to the Canadain Snap On store by a customer. He knew I was going to be shocked to see a high end tool store in a mall. I was running a high end woodworking store along with a wholesale lumber buisiness. I think he wanted my feedback because his company was "VERY" interested in the Snap On in a mall idea. There were and still are high end woodworking stores that "LOTS" of people travel to. His company went another direction and nothing ever became of their interest. I know if it was promoted well it could work. Heck I might do the long drive to the Fla. Snap On store myself. Snap on has been good to me on replacing broke tools so I could justify the trip expenses. I'm excited this idea might be coming back.
FoMoCoPower
Well-known member
I am buying a house and there is a Harbor Freight down the street....wish it was one of these stores instead.
Gregg33
Well-known member
Oh ok thanks for the info. Lately I've been dealing with SO through the website. I'm never in one area regularly so dealers are shy when it comes to helping me. There was a good corporate dealer when I was working in Niagara Falls, he was a fellow racer, but then he went to work for corporate (no longer on the truck) and the guy that was his replacement....well I told him 2 times to order me stuff and I never heard back from him. Not worth my time.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
You're not the only one with bad experience with a Snap on truck. I ordered a tool box with a custom drawer configuration back between Christmas and New Years. I've got the box with the standard drawers, but still not the extra drawers. He avoids my calls, when I do get him, he gives me a story, I get him to promise to find out what's happening and call me back, and he never does. I don't understand it - what's so hard about ordering stuff for a guy who's going to pay in full on delivery of the product?
I've certainly bought my last tool from him.
jteck75
Well-known member
I wish there was one close to me too! I knew my old Snap On guy real well and just dropped by his house on the weekends to make my payment and pick up a few things. There wasn't a truck route where I work,since I'm a maintenance tech in a plant,and it worked out real well for me. Then my old dealer,got out of it and this new guy is like the sasquatch,sometimes people might get a grainy picture of him,but that's about it lol! My auto tech buddies where he's supposed to run regular routes even have trouble locating this guy! Maybe the History Channel will look for him on the next episode of Monster Quest lol!
desert
Member
I like the idea. But lets check back a year from now and see how he is doing.
My guess is he is mainly using the shop for inventory purposes, but this way he can get a little exposure out of it.
I remember that store. Sherway Gardens was (and is) a relatively high-rent mall, and it seemed like a rather strange location for a shop selling wrenches etc.
As I recall, tool selection was somewhat limited and there was a fair bit (i.e., too much) of Snap-on branded clothing etc. In any case the retail store didn't last long, only about three years. Here are a couple of relevant news bulletins:
(1) Snap-on debuts retail store";
(2) "Snap-on retail store closing".
Hope this is of some use.
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