One thing that comes to mind when talking about Snap On or Harleys.. resale value.
I've been shopping (tire-kicking) for a new-to-me big box for the last couple years, trying to find the right deal (both in price and in layout), and, quite honestly, I'm not seeing that any brand holds it's value better than any other brand.
What I am seeing is that just about every box/brand has the same realistic resale value: 33% to 50% of original price, with 50% being at the extreme high end. As much as some of these Craigslist kiddies don't want to admit it, a one year old KRL722 in immaculate shape isn't worth any more than a five year old KRL722 in immaculate shape.
Certainly, there will always be exceptions to this. Some buyers will pay more, either out of ignorance, out of perceived value, or out of impatience, but for every person trying to sell their box for 90% of retail, there will be another with an identical box priced in that 33% - 50% range.
(Of course, there will also be that clown that thinks his finance charges turn a $10K retail box into a $14K used box. Sadly, these folks pop up more often than you think.)
In relation to original/retail purchase price, the it seems size is a better indicator of what will hold it's value as the smaller a box is, the BETTER it holds it's value - and that, again, goes for any brand.
The smaller Snap-on/Mac/Matco chests or carts seem to maintain about 50% - 75% of retail. The "homeowner" combos (that we see on sale every Christmas from Sears, Home Depot, etc.) seem to maintain about 50% - 66% of retail.
Old/classic Snap-on and MAC boxes regularly command prices comparable to newer used stuff.
Quite frankly, resale value is one of those things that a buyer should be rationally considering when looking to buy a utility item (i.e. something that they NEED for some kind of use).
Items that depreciate are NOT an investment, and most any tools are going to depreciate.
