Snap on tools on Ebay
- Thread starter Woodlewi
- Start date
Because some people get caught up in the craze of the auction.
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
Not everyone knows what the retail price is and don't know or want to use the SO website. Used stuff still on the website is sometimes way over retail. I speculate if some of the buyers are out of the US and that is their only or easiest venue.
With respect, don't think yo've hit the nail on the head.
Snap On used to offer free shipping. Shipping is now $25 on orders under $250. So you can save the $25 by purchasing on eBay. Sometimes listings are over MSRP, yet <MSRP+$25. Other listings are for rare or out of stock items- limited colors, etc.
I've seen some black ratchets recently that look really cool with HHs on them. Some may not even be available from SnapOn.com. I think the black ratchets may only come with black handles.
In case anyone is tempted, I have a bunch of black Snap On. The "Black Chrome" isn't chrome and it wears and rusts. Beware.
Snap On used to offer free shipping. Shipping is now $25 on orders under $250. So you can save the $25 by purchasing on eBay. Sometimes listings are over MSRP, yet <MSRP+$25. Other listings are for rare or out of stock items- limited colors, etc.
I've seen some black ratchets recently that look really cool with HHs on them. Some may not even be available from SnapOn.com. I think the black ratchets may only come with black handles.
In case anyone is tempted, I have a bunch of black Snap On. The "Black Chrome" isn't chrome and it wears and rusts. Beware.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I've bought used stuff, thermal imager, fuel system master tester, for 1/3 or 1/2 off on Ebay. I'm normally bargain hunting on there. I've bought a tech-angle on there as well, because all my dealer had was black/orange and I didn't want that at all. I paid maybe 50 bucks less than his price off the truck, but got something I preferred visuals on.
To pay retail - backorder, or shipping cost, would be the two main reasons to pay Ebay. No longer available stuff is a different story as SO doesn't actually sell it anymore.
To pay retail - backorder, or shipping cost, would be the two main reasons to pay Ebay. No longer available stuff is a different story as SO doesn't actually sell it anymore.
SO shipping is $20? unless you spend $250? If you just want a $70 pair of pliers, and don't have a dealer, what would you do? Sure, maybe chase down a dealer, but most people have jobs.
I have bought new SO stuff on ebay but for 25% off or more
I have bought new SO stuff on ebay but for 25% off or more
Same - small stuff for sure, but it's out there. Just have to be patient!
GX460DIYguy
Well-known member
Auctions is where you see the true values. I’ve won some stuff for cheap and was surprised it actually shipped. Just won most of a snap on sae 3/8s shallow set for $43. I’ve also won auctions with low bids only for the seller to never send it and block me after saying it was lost in the mail. You also have to watch out for low prices plus insane shipping costs to make up for it.
Yeah, auctions can give you some great deals. Figure what you want to pay, and then use a service like Esnipe to put in a bid for you near the end of the auction. I got a new SO 1/4" 72 tooth long handled ratchet in an auction for 45% off MSRP, including tax and shipping. Nobody was bidding on it for whatever reason; my max bid was probably 25% off MSRP, so I was surprised that I got it so cheaply. The few other SO ratchets I got on Ebay were more like 30% off MSRP including tax and shipping- still a great deal.
We've discussed the math before, but the reality is that it's difficult to sell new lower cost items on Ebay at much below MSRP and make any money. If you have a great dealer, let's say he gives you 25% off a $100 item. Then add tax and it's $80. To make any $ on Ebay you have to sell it for at least $100 shipped because Ebay takes ~10%, plus at least $8 you'll pay for shipping; and even at $8 shipping, and it's tough to ship anything for $8, you made $2 on the item- not worth the time.
We've discussed the math before, but the reality is that it's difficult to sell new lower cost items on Ebay at much below MSRP and make any money. If you have a great dealer, let's say he gives you 25% off a $100 item. Then add tax and it's $80. To make any $ on Ebay you have to sell it for at least $100 shipped because Ebay takes ~10%, plus at least $8 you'll pay for shipping; and even at $8 shipping, and it's tough to ship anything for $8, you made $2 on the item- not worth the time.
I bought a new pair of LN46ACF pliers on Ebay and paid MSRP. The reason was the seller charged a modest $6 for shipping yet SO rapes you on shipping by charging $25.
I assume the guys that sell new SO on Ebay are either dealers or guys with a house account that get with a big corp. discount. Or maybe students that are on the SO education discount program.
canuckian
Well-known member
iMHO the days of getting great deals on Snap On tools on eBay are all but gone. You may get lucky on auctions from time to time but that’s even rare. When I was buying on eBay, 40-50% off retail for new or almost new was somewhat common. The older rarer stuff was often tougher to find cheap but it could be had for a decent price if you were patient. The best deal I ever got was 6 or 8 (it’s been a while I don’t recall the exact number) hard handled 1/4” snap on ratchets for south of $25 on a BIN sale. I originally thought I had gotten one but the seller shipped all of them. Turns out the guy bought a bulk lot and didn’t know what he had. The next group of stuff he sold was priced a little more aggressively but still reasonable.
I think part of it is more sellers are getting more familiar with snap on (and Mac and Matco and…) tools and the prices people are willing to pay to get them. The rare/older stuff is even worse than the new items.
I think part of it is more sellers are getting more familiar with snap on (and Mac and Matco and…) tools and the prices people are willing to pay to get them. The rare/older stuff is even worse than the new items.
For people selling new stuff they could be buying at a discount then selling them full price, or as another has said they now require a minimum order online for free delivery so someone buying under that value could save buying on eBay.
Personally I prefer being patient and buying second hand which has snagged me loads of great deals.
Personally I prefer being patient and buying second hand which has snagged me loads of great deals.
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WNYflyer
Well-known member
I've always assumed a majority of Snap-On tools that are priced like that have sellers willing to ship overseas to folks who will pay the higher prices simply because of lack of availability in the purchasers home country. I wish E-bay would let you filter out items where the seller is willing to ship overseas but that is never going to happen.
What I've seen is a big price increase in used Snap-on on eBay over time. Like probably 2:1.
I don't bother looking anymore. Now that I think of it, the European stuff isn't cheap either. Assuming you actually need socketswrenchesratchetsscrewdrivers (who does, really?) I think the best way to go is simply keep an eye open for deals on Amazon. Sometimes things pop up (example: the Amazon 'Japan Store' had a bunch of Koken socket sets for super cheap for about a week. Didn't need them, didn't buy them, but was sorely tempted).
edit: just noticed this
"iMHO the days of getting great deals on Snap On tools on eBay are all but gone. "
Absof'inlutely.
I don't bother looking anymore. Now that I think of it, the European stuff isn't cheap either. Assuming you actually need socketswrenchesratchetsscrewdrivers (who does, really?) I think the best way to go is simply keep an eye open for deals on Amazon. Sometimes things pop up (example: the Amazon 'Japan Store' had a bunch of Koken socket sets for super cheap for about a week. Didn't need them, didn't buy them, but was sorely tempted).
edit: just noticed this
"iMHO the days of getting great deals on Snap On tools on eBay are all but gone. "
Absof'inlutely.
Who ever called it "black chrome"? That's normal industrial finish, aka black oxide.
The only black plating I have seen would be Nepros or Asahi ion plating on special edition models.
I like oxide myself, it's an honest finish that wears with use but will never suffer from irreparable flaking or gouges like plating will.
Funny you mention this. I have been "watching" an item for months. A Gnat Vac (for sucking bugs and debris out of automotive paint jobs, specifically clear coat). Listed at $50.00 obo. I did a little searching online and they are $39.99 with free shipping from the company itself. So I offered the ebayer $25 shipped and even sent a link to the website. Within minutes my offer is declined and the item is ended miraculously after being listed for months. Oh well, I guess I will buy it right from the company.
Good question! Yes the ratchets in the pic I posted are indeed industrial finish. But to quote a great movie.."There is another..."
All of the tools above are just the normal Snap On industrial finish. They look a little shiny in this picture only because I wiped them down with oil, part of a regular maintenance one should do to this finish. But the ratchets, were "black chrome". They are smooth and shiny, not like std black oxide. But it must be some sort of black oxide. It sure as heck isn't a chrome plating. Maybe GJ still has some SO drivers participating who can clarify the difference?
To the point, I bought all these sockets on eBay. I have personally found prices to be all over the place on eBay, without rhyme or reason to them. These black oxide tools often show poorly and sell for cheap.
In industrial settings, where tools like these are often purchased, sizes required can be VERY limited. In the case of my 1/4" drive set, the shallows were missing the most import sizes (3/8" and 9/16" IIRC) and the other sockets seemed unused. So this set was super cheap. I patiently waited until I found the missing sizes. Sometimes individual sockets like a 9/16" could be as much as a small incomplete set. 2 can play at that game- I bought the small set and sold off the extras as individuals. I didn't ask much, but didn't need to.
Unlike chrome, the black oxide finish can be repaired to look almost new. This set of FD+ metric wrenches is in my tool cart in my unheated garage, which is not ideal. I try to wipe these down every time I work out of that box, which has unfortunately been weekly (so many unexpected car repairs lately).
I used Brownell's Oxpho Blue (cold gun bluing solution) to "repair" the black oxide. You don't want to strip the original finish, because I think the cold blue isn't as durable as the factory finish. If the tools are rusty, you may be tempted to dump them in evaporust. Evaporust will remove the black oxide. DAMHIKT
You can kinda make out that the 10mm looks a little different, newer than the others. Same story here. Bought this set minus the 10mm for cheap. The white is crayon and holds up remarkably well and really helps me see what I'm reaching for.
Ebay fees are getting out of hand for a seller esp if you start tacking on ad promotions, etc so your item gets some visibility. I think min base fee is now 13.5% on most items. Throw in another 10% ad promotion and you're over 20%. Plus shipping. I have no idea what that vac you're talking about is but let's say Seller paid 40% of retail or $16. You offered $25 shipped. So $16 +10 he's already underwater. Now throw in fees, let's call it $5. So total cost is $31 and you're getting offers of $25. Of course all the figures are made up but it wouldn't surprise me if they were close. In this case he has item listed for $50 let's say 10% discount for best offer he sells for $45 his cost is $16+$10+$9 (20% of SP) or $35. He's making $10. Not saying selling for $50 when you can buy direct at $40 is a good (or fair) idea but I can see why he decided to price it like that.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
If you boil the wrench for 10 min and use 0000 wool to card it off you convert the rust into rust blueing and its much more durable than cold blueing.Good question! Yes the ratchets in the pic I posted are indeed industrial finish. But to quote a great movie.."There is another..."
All of the tools above are just the normal Snap On industrial finish. They look a little shiny in this picture only because I wiped them down with oil, part of a regular maintenance one should do to this finish. But the ratchets, were "black chrome". They are smooth and shiny, not like std black oxide. But it must be some sort of black oxide. It sure as heck isn't a chrome plating. Maybe GJ still has some SO drivers participating who can clarify the difference?
To the point, I bought all these sockets on eBay. I have personally found prices to be all over the place on eBay, without rhyme or reason to them. These black oxide tools often show poorly and sell for cheap.
In industrial settings, where tools like these are often purchased, sizes required can be VERY limited. In the case of my 1/4" drive set, the shallows were missing the most import sizes (3/8" and 9/16" IIRC) and the other sockets seemed unused. So this set was super cheap. I patiently waited until I found the missing sizes. Sometimes individual sockets like a 9/16" could be as much as a small incomplete set. 2 can play at that game- I bought the small set and sold off the extras as individuals. I didn't ask much, but didn't need to.
Unlike chrome, the black oxide finish can be repaired to look almost new. This set of FD+ metric wrenches is in my tool cart in my unheated garage, which is not ideal. I try to wipe these down every time I work out of that box, which has unfortunately been weekly (so many unexpected car repairs lately).
I used Brownell's Oxpho Blue (cold gun bluing solution) to "repair" the black oxide. You don't want to strip the original finish, because I think the cold blue isn't as durable as the factory finish. If the tools are rusty, you may be tempted to dump them in evaporust. Evaporust will remove the black oxide. DAMHIKT
You can kinda make out that the 10mm looks a little different, newer than the others. Same story here. Bought this set minus the 10mm for cheap. The white is crayon and holds up remarkably well and really helps me see what I'm reaching for.
mjdarg
Well-known member
Yeah, I only use eBay as a last resort to get the most visibility if other options like FB sale groups or FBMP don't work out for items.