Snap-On Tool Chests Prices

[jacob_coulter]

I was looking at some high-end tool chests, and the prices of the Snap-On's astounded me. These chests are absolutely beautiful but expensive.

Snap-on's largest chest set would cost $25,000-$30,000. This is just the chest, no tools. How is it that GM can sell a new car, such as a Chevy Silverado truck, for less than a tool chest.

Think about all the money that goes into manufacturing a car. The Research and Development, the engineering, the patents, the environmental regulations, the federal department of transportation regulations, the warranty, roadside assistance, highly paid auto workers, healthcare and pensions. Plus all the raw materials, such as about 3,000 lbs of steel. Not to mention an automobile has so many moving parts that have to be precisely engineered and manufactured, such as the transmission, engine, computer controlled fuel injection, ABS brakes, airbag systems, and the list goes on.

A tool chest by comparison, is a very simple product to produce. The only moving parts are steel drawers, and the wheel casters There is nowhere near all the regulations, warranty costs, research and development, engineering costs in manufacturing a tool chest. The highest cost is the material used to make the chests, the steel. Estimating that steel is less than $1.00 a pound, the total cost of steel is probably about 10% of Snap-On's asking price for their chests.

I'm sure the Snap-On tool chests are probably the best money can buy, and their quality is unquestionable, but they must be making an enormous profit on these chests.

I would love to hear any comments about how Snap-On justifies this price.


Snap-On's Bottom Chest
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19718&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Top Chests
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=17799&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[ba614]

the answer is simple .... supply and demand ... they are the supply and if you demand their product you have to pay their price

 

[iiibdsiil]

Well, if you have enough tools to put into the 30K worth of chests, then the 30K is the least of your worries.

That bottom weighs over 2000 pounds, it's 12 feet long.

 

[SuperKid]

They can charge those prices because there are people that'll buy them. When I'm ready to buy a new toolbox (it's about time to toss out the old $100 Craftsman box), it'll be a Snap-On. Why? Because I've used them, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, and countless other brands throughout my short life, and I just like Snap-On the best. I like the way they feel in your hands, I like the quality of them, and I like how they look. When it comes to anything you enjoy, price is usually the last thing on your mind. If you're buying something because it's the cheapest, you might as well not buy it at all.

 

[wilbilt]

I think it's hard to justify $30K for a box, but I did pay for two Snap-On boxes that were $2000-$2500 each when I was working in the business. It seemed obscenely expensive at the time.

There were various reasons....they hold up, they hold the weight, the casters don't fall apart when moved frequently, and neither does the box. The "easy credit" from the tool truck fits in there somewhere, too.


The ones I bought weighed about 450 lbs. each, empty. That is some substance.

A box weighing 2,000 lbs. empty would be something to behold.

That being said, I can't imagine anyone paying $30,000 for a pickup truck.

 

[eschoendorff]

That being said, I can't imagine anyone paying $30,000 for a pickup truck.

You either?

 

[kartracer55]

I cant see one person using a box that big... maybe a bit raceteam of F1 or NASCAR caliber, but I mean seriously. I have never seen a box that big in my entire life, nor could I really see a demand for one. If I had tons and tons of disposable income, Id probably get one but since I dont have too much $$... Ill have to hold myself back.

I will hand it to snap on though... their boxes hold up!

 

[EdNJ]

I'll take Snap On (or even ballbearing Craftsman) over Lista. I have both,when we moved to a new service & parts building they wanted uniformity,so they supplied us with Listas. At least the better toolbox is at home now.

 

[jacob_coulter]

I have a mechanic friend that has a Snap-On tool chest similar to the big one mentioned. It is enormous. He loves to tell people how much money he has invested in his tools.

His house, however, is about one small step above a trailer. Go figure.

 

[Jared]

That being said, I can't imagine anyone paying $30,000 for a pickup truck.

I Agree!

Jared

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a mechanic friend that has a Snap-On tool chest similar to the big one mentioned. It is enormous. He loves to tell people how much money he has invested in his tools.

His house, however, is about one small step above a trailer. Go figure.

It's big enough.... maybe he could live in the damn thing!

 

[SuperKid]

That being said, I can't imagine anyone paying $30,000 for a pickup truck.

I couldn't imagine such a price either... until I started pricing what I want. I compared the big three for a 3/4 ton regular cab, long box, 4x4, turbo diesel. The cheast was the Ford F250 at around $32,500, next comes the Chevrolet 2500HD at around $33,000, then comes the Dodge at a whopping $38,000! AND, you can't even get a 4x4 with the regular cab! After comparing them with these qualities in mind (and in this order): Performance, features (aka, can I get it how I want), longevity, price, and fuel economy, the Chevrolet wins! So, it looks like I'll be one of those people you can't imagine. lol.

 

[wilbilt]

I couldn't imagine such a price either... until I started pricing what I want. I compared the big three for a 3/4 ton regular cab, long box, 4x4, turbo diesel. The cheast was the Ford F250 at around $32,500, next comes the Chevrolet 2500HD at around $33,000, then comes the Dodge at a whopping $38,000! AND, you can't even get a 4x4 with the regular cab! After comparing them with these qualities in mind (and in this order): Performance, features (aka, can I get it how I want), longevity, price, and fuel economy, the Chevrolet wins! So, it looks like I'll be one of those people you can't imagine. lol.

That's what I mean. Not everyone wants a luxury barge for a pickup. I'm with you...regular cab, long bed, no frills. I can spec one on the Chevy site that way (C-1500 gas 2WD) for about $18K, but try to find one on a dealer's lot!

It seems like everyone wants an extended cab, leather interior and a short bed. I think a 5 or 6-foot box on a heavy duty pickup is ridiculous.

Back on topic....I wonder what Lista cabinets in a similar configuration/capacity to those Snap-Ons would cost? $50K?

 

[PAToyota]

That's what I mean. Not everyone wants a luxury barge for a pickup. I'm with you...regular cab, long bed, no frills.

Hmmm...

Picked up my Chevy K2500 last year - regular cab, long bed, 4x4, cloth bench seat and rubber floor, and turbo diesel - all for the princely sum of $3575...

Of course it is a '93, the paint is peeling, and there are a few dents, dings, and other blemishes. But that is what a pickup truck is all about! Heck, these $30K+ trucks I'd be afraid to actually use!

 

[iiibdsiil]

Guys, how much do you think a pickup truck is that can haul that box around on it's bed?

What's a tow truck go for these days

 

[wilbilt]

Hmmm...

Picked up my Chevy K2500 last year - regular cab, long bed, 4x4, cloth bench seat and rubber floor, and turbo diesel - all for the princely sum of $3575...

Of course it is a '93, the paint is peeling, and there are a few dents, dings, and other blemishes. But that is what a pickup truck is all about! Heck, these $30K+ trucks I'd be afraid to actually use!

haha....mine is an '88 C-1500 with 290K miles on it. It cost me a whopping $800...but it hauls 8' sheets with the tailgate closed.

It would be dragging tail with that big toolbox on it, though.

 

[Bill K]

You can sleep in your truck but you can't drive your house.

 

[Willy Victor]

A Chevy Avalanche makes no cents to me, neither does a $16,000 tool box.

Willy

 

[wilbilt]

An Avalanche makes no sense?
What else do you call it when things are going downhill fast?
LOL

 

[Ign]

His house, however, is about one small step above a trailer. Go figure.

Good for him! I used to live in a 1000sq ft trailer w an 800sq ft shop, now I live in a 1500sq ft house w a 2000sq ft shop. Finally got the ratio on the right side!

Back to the question at hand, I think w Snappy you're also paying for the warranty. The boxes are pretty much warrantied against all failures for life.

But it is a bit baffling.............for $30k you can have a pretty nice CNC vertical mill in the 12x60" range I'd guess......and some tooling for it too. And there are certainly a lot more precision moving pieces in a mill.

Excuse me while I go adjust the gibs on my Snap-On toolbox

 

[ZRX61]

Snap-on's largest chest set would cost $25,000-$30,000. This is just the chest, no tools. How is it that GM can sell a new car, such as a Chevy Silverado truck, for less than a tool chest.

For the same reason idiots pay $20K for Harleys that only cost the factory about $1500 to build.... (or about $750 in the case of the Sportster...)

 

[Ironcrow]

Aside from all the jokes about Harleys and pickup trucks...Nobody pays list price for Snap-on boxes. Snap-on offers generous trade-in value on boxes, not even necessary to be Snap-on brand. I traded two used Waterloo boxes for what I paid for them new. Also, Snap-on has promotions and scratch-and-dent sales. You wait until the sale on last year's models, maybe in an ugly color, and catch your Snap-on guy in the last week of the quarter when he's trying to make his number...and make a deal. Listen, I KNOW they have lots of mark-up to be able to afford to give all these discounts. I'm not stupid. But, still, I'll play the game to put a $5000 Snap-on box in my garage for $2500 out-of-pocket.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Ironcrow is right. My Snap-on guy delievered a box from another customer of his. I paid I think 3 grand for it. He told me he would give me 6 grand trade in on it if I want something else.

 

[Fast Orange]

The last couple of guys are on the right track-the list prices on SO bowes are ridiculous-but it's like buying a car-there's room to haggle/play games with trade-ins,etc.
I bought my box as a trade-in,like new and less than a year old,no scratches and most of the drawers never had tools in them.List for the same set up is $4800-I traded my old box in for $750 (I had less than $500 in it and it was about 5 years old) against the $3250 price of my new box.Total out of pocket cost was $2500.
Something else to keep in mind-SO has two "series" of boxes-the krl series is the fancier boxes with the stainless trim,square corners,etc and the kra series that are plainer looking with round corners,no SS trim. In my opinion,both lines are of excellent quality and the difference is simply a matter of taste.There is quite a difference in price between comparable boxes -about 25% if I remember correctly.
Tool boxes and pick-ups are sold basically the same way-the 2WD stripped down 1/2 ton goes for $16,000,the fully loaded 1 ton 4X4 diesel crew cab with leather is gonna cost you $40,000. It all comes down to one thing-how thick is YOUR wallet?

George

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Aside from all the jokes about Harleys and pickup trucks...Nobody pays list price for Snap-on boxes. Snap-on offers generous trade-in value on boxes, not even necessary to be Snap-on brand. .

I have to disagree with you on that. There are TOO many idiots who get into (and out of) business, that just finance the whole shooting match. (knew one too well, as he bought the box, and asked to borrow the tools, box strapped him).

I also had to laugh, that I would rather have a home brewed wood tool chest, because, which one is a theif going to walk out with first? (maybe it's because I live in a higher crime area, but that is how I feel)

 

[TNToy]

I cant see one person using a box that big... maybe a bit raceteam of F1 or NASCAR caliber, but I mean seriously. I have never seen a box that big in my entire life, nor could I really see a demand for one.

The guy in the next bay over has a KRL1024 box. By it's self it's 9 feet long.

If you add the two lockers on the ends, the hutch, the overhead storage, and the locker on top of one end... it lists at over $18K and is the length of a fullsize pickup. And it's FULL. There are a lot of people out there with more money in their tools than you can imagine. He's got most of the snap-on catalog in that box, and most of the wrench & socket sets are doubled-up. He's though about trading it in on the 12-footer, but the longer one isn't as tall, and I have to admit his makes a pretty nice work bench.

I also had to laugh, that I would rather have a home brewed wood tool chest, because, which one is a theif going to walk out with first?

How do you "walk out" with a 2,500 pound box that's got 4 tons of tools in it?

When he moved over one building to the shop we're in now, it took twelve guys to push it up a gentle incline onto a low-deck trailer. You should've seen those axle bowing.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

How do you "walk out" with a 2,500 pound box that's got 4 tons of tools in it?

I know of things I shouldn't, from knowing scum and cops. A van and a tow truck, and that is as specific as I will get.

 

[supercharged]

as an owner of kobalt (lowes), craftsman, lista, matco and snap on KRL AND KRA series boxes i can attest to the differences in quality.. the snap on krl series are the top of the line made in usa units and the kra are made in canada. not quite as heavy as the krl but still much nicer than the craftsman/kobalt. have you checked the load capacity that the krl series are capable of? staggering actually. did i pay list price? no... would i? probably not. the lista are amazing units as well.. very solid.. as good as snap on? probably.. as cool? maybe not.. most auto techs that i come across have great pride in their pro (snap on / matco) boxes just cause of the name.

supply and demand is the ticket. besides, most techs float a note on these mega $ boxes so the price is not really an issue. it seems seldom that they are paid for in full..

a snap on, lista, matco is a lifetime investment.. buy it once and you will never need another one. unless you are upsizing. so, why not get the best?

oh yeah,, have you ever cut yourself on the edge of a lesser boxes drawer when it was left open? not fun! never a problem with the real deal.

 

[ThreeBay]

Remember that by the time you get done with the weekly payments for 5 +years that $30K box actually costs $75K.

 

[DIGGER_DAVE]

As an owner of an early KD ** series Snap-On base and top tool box; which I have owned for OVER 20 YEARS.
It is still going strong. It's used EVERY day. Gets moved around a lot, and it's "chock" full of tools. Slides still work perfectly.

**The early KD series - looks like a KRL series - is no longer made because the drawers do NOT have drawer interlocks on them. (you can have MORE than one drawer at a time open, and if enough of the drawers are open; the box could tip over)
But if the buyer was informed of this problem, and signed a waiver, they could get a VERY good price. (which I did)

My friendly Snap-On dealer stopped by the other day and tried to convince me to "Upgrade." (I'm running out of drawer space)
He offered a "trade-in" of almost 75% of what I had paid originally.
(VERY tempting!!)

Think you could get that kind of trade-in value out of a twenty year old car or truck??

Snap-On - You pay for what you get; they LAST FOREVER, and they keep their value!!

P.S. - No, I don't get anything for this testimonial!

 

[z28toz06]

I found both my top and bottom Snap on boxes in the paper or on ebay. Paid less than 1/2 of list and I dont think either one ever had tools in it. Shop around, look for a used box. There are hot dogs out there every day that want to be mechanics and they blow all this money on tools and boxes, six months later when they realized they would have to get their hands dirty they figured that was enough and they sell them for 50 cents on the dollar or less.

the worst thing you can do is be in arush. Save up some cash and look around for a deal. That's what I di and I have no regrets!