Snap On Truck Prices?

[Professional Tool User]

Paying full retail is normal. Unless you're a big spender or you are making a big purchase like a tool box, you are unlikely to get a discount or be able to bum free stuff off the Snap on guy.

 

[chrismenke]

I've got to say that based on hearing the stories, it must be the driver that 'drives' the pricing.

I've consistently paid 75% of retail for tools and much less for boxes over the course of my buying. I had 3 different driver's during my stint being on a route, and all were very similar in approach.

Some things that may have changed the equation:

I always paid cash in full for the tools, day of purchase. This meant I could leverage the fact that I was never going to default.

I was a business owner who did some technician work, not an employee tech. This meant that if I had financed, I was likely to be there next week, and also that I was helping his non-owner customers pay their weeklies (cause I paid their weeklies).

I was never a guy who needed it. I upgraded my tools from pro-sumuer to pro, but I focused on sales and BOGO. My dealer knew that I didn't need to upgrade, so he made an effort to show me things that would make me want to upgrade, and sold the value by discounting.

Unfortunately, like many things in life, those with the greatest need and the least ability to pay are charged the most, and those with disposable income get the best pricing. As a cash buyer, my driver's knew I was a value add to their bottom line and priced accordingly. Some of my techs, not so much.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I've been told Franchisee's buy tools at 25-35% off list. Any franchisee want to chime in?

They Do. they also own every tool that is on the truck. they also have to cover the warranty money. They also have to pay for all those Freebies everyone expects. Then they have a truck payment to make.

if a dealer buys tools at 25% off list and throws in a hoodie and you expect 25% off, how is he ever going to make any money, let alone pay the franchise expenses?

 

[rijndael]

they also have to cover the warranty money.

Don't they just float new/replacement tool cost until reimbursed from SO?

 

[Mr_B]

^
Not for everything
If you a customer friendly driver doing easy warranty snappy pick up on return quantity to sales quantity and driver got ballache . Newer drivers have pretty rough contracts and snappy just throwing them a few crusts .
Do feel for the drives but reality is it an old game no longer viable in world of online shopping and shipping plus are all the tools really any better for 5x the cost ! and the service is slipping as drivers struggle/change more than street corner hookers .
Snapon reps in my area useless to point warranty done on line and if want a favour I got phone a relative and use his related dealer and then get it posted .
I don't waste my dollar on 'service' with any tool company, I don't want waste time on trucks for a t-shirt or baseball cap or candy bar, I want nice design proper tools quick and easy without the bull, I only trust myself do proper lifelong service and warranty with equal quality and efficient speed and it 5x cheaper and better variety of tools/equipment . Snapon weekly trucks soon be a thing of memories .

 

[WhiffySpark]

Don't they just float new/replacement tool cost until reimbursed from SO?

Doesn’t happen over night. Some drivers only send things back quarterly. Mine said he pays $400 to ship stuff back. I am not sure if he gets reimbursed

 

[Mr_B]

My driver was always complaining over warranties as he getting pulled and refused credit returns on items as snappy saying they been exchanged outside of conditions and he been trained and should know better !
Old drivers seem only ones with contract conditions and business strength make it workable .
Old MAC man and Napa only ones I use which decent no hassle fast warranty, wish carlyle range was bigger as my Napa are superb, I had warranties delivered to my unit in 2hrs of a call or a flyer tool deal ordered and delivered in under 48hrs and same day if stocked .
No free t-shirt just good friendly business and service is standard protocol not a 5x markup ...
If the parts stores really upped the tool side for the pro then tool trucks would be in big trouble as parts companies run to us daily not once a week lol plus easier for home gamers use over chasing ever changing truck drivers around .

 

[CR888]

Video killed the radio star...internet with free fast postage killed the tool truck business. Prior to the rise of smartphone's linked to the www, sourcing high end tools outside the tool truck business was time consuming, costly, risky and down right hard work. Today within minutes you can have whatever tool you want at very competitive prices headed your direction with postal tracking, insurance and warranty. I wouldn't get into the tool truck business for quids these days. I love the concept, I love the tools but its just about the most expensive way to fill a tool box. Sure it will be sad when their gone but the model just don't stack up in today's world like it used too. Tool trucks in tye 50's-60'-70's-80's-90's-2000's used to make a LOT of sense.

 

[WhiffySpark]

You guys have been saying tool trucks have been going away for the last 15 years. They’re not going anywhere.

 

[GTO]

You guys have been saying tool trucks have been going away for the last 15 years. They’re not going anywhere.

Not as long as there is 0% interest from the driver/owner....

 

[Wamsutta]

Video killed the radio star...internet with free fast postage killed the tool truck business. Prior to the rise of smartphone's linked to the www, sourcing high end tools outside the tool truck business was time consuming, costly, risky and down right hard work. Today within minutes you can have whatever tool you want at very competitive prices headed your direction with postal tracking, insurance and warranty. I wouldn't get into the tool truck business for quids these days. I love the concept, I love the tools but its just about the most expensive way to fill a tool box. Sure it will be sad when their gone but the model just don't stack up in today's world like it used too. Tool trucks in tye 50's-60'-70's-80's-90's-2000's used to make a LOT of sense.

Gee thanks, now I got that song playing in my head.

 

[kythri]

if a dealer buys tools at 25% off list and throws in a hoodie and you expect 25% off, how is he ever going to make any money, let alone pay the franchise expenses?

I'd imagine most dealers would like you to believe that their markup is that low.

 

[lugnut71]

My last dealer was in business for 18 years, he owned an apparel business before, didn't know anything about tools. That being said he wasn't really personable, but he did know how to run a business. He didn't run promos and buy sale flyers,etc . If you didn't try to haggle he would give you a break once in a while. But he sold tools for 18 years and retired. We used to drink beer on his truck and one of my buddies, asked for a price on something, then said holy cow u trying to get rich ? His dry humor said: Well yeah . Fast forward, now my new dealer is in early 30's but had worked at carquest since high school and was manager when he quit. He has business sense also, already knows all the mechanics from the parts store. But he has sale flyers, bogo deals, free shirts hats etc. Has good prices, selling a ton more tool boxes, moving a ton of inventory. But he is running his *** off from 7 am to 9pm most days.

 

[Mr_B]

new contracts and old dealer contracts are different . New guys have targets they got meet and that can be tough if your customer base not the best hence need for flyers and deals and selling more for less .
Reality is snapon needs lower the prices a bit on hand tools and massively on boxes and support dealer better as poor dealer experience is a poor snapon opinion and eventually another lost customer.
When worldwide world class tools can be had in minutes and shipped direct to home or work a small tool truck suddenly looks a lot smaller

 

[lugnut71]

We are in rural Wyoming , small towns, and I cant believe how many tools he moves every week, I have been thinking for years that his market is got to be getting flooded, but even with the world wide web, he keeps moving tools and doing well at it.

 

[WordMan]

I'd imagine most dealers would like you to believe that their markup is that low.

"Hardline" (stuff made by the name on the side of the truck) has a higher gross markup, while "softline" (branded stuff not made by the company) is not much higher at all. But that's gross markup. Out of that you have the truck payment (those things are not at all cheap), fuel, maintenance, bad debt, shipping (for returns, special orders, warranty), etc. Oh, and somewhere in there the guy driving the truck is supposed to pay his mortgage, by his food, and all that stuff.

 

[Lassen Forge]

What Lugnut said. Part of that is the small local rural thing... if I'm a "two-guy" shop, I don't have time to run into town (an hour each way) to get somrthing - that's where the tool truck pays off.

And get burned on Amazon or eBay or wherever you buy your work tools on line, and realize your job you promised to the pastor up the road tomorrow will now be delayed 2 weeks because you are waiting on a replacement tool...

Out in the sticks, your profit margin is generally pretty tight; you chunk a job or delay it, and the word gets out, and now people are having their breakdowns towed to the city an hour away. Doesn't matter if it was a one time deal; your reputation out there is as good as your word, and you break it once (even for reasons beyond your control, which your customer neither wants to hear or cares about), that word about "Two Slugs Garage" that can't keep their promises gets out.

THAT'S the strength of the tool trucks... Not in a city where you can have a socket **** out, and go to the store and buy a "cover-ya" until your new one shows up from Snapon dot com, but out in the middle of nowhere where you call your truck and likely he'll have one to you by the next day, and you can keep on working while you're waiting for him or her to show up.

 

[scubadoober]

I've been told Franchisee's buy tools at 25-35% off list. Any franchisee want to chime in?

Boy I hope they are not operating on those margins. I feel bad if they have that much overhead with that slim of a margin opportunity. There has to be a back end volume rebate. That is what most manufacturers are moving toward now.

 

[Mr_B]

Don't they just float new/replacement tool cost until reimbursed from SO?

What Lugnut said. Part of that is the small local rural thing... if I'm a "two-guy" shop, I don't have time to run into town (an hour each way) to get somrthing - that's where the tool truck pays off.

And get burned on Amazon or eBay or wherever you buy your work tools on line, and realize your job you promised to the pastor up the road tomorrow will now be delayed 2 weeks because you are waiting on a replacement tool...

Out in the sticks, your profit margin is generally pretty tight; you chunk a job or delay it, and the word gets out, and now people are having their breakdowns towed to the city an hour away. Doesn't matter if it was a one time deal; your reputation out there is as good as your word, and you break it once (even for reasons beyond your control, which your customer neither wants to hear or cares about), that word about "Two Slugs Garage" that can't keep their promises gets out.

THAT'S the strength of the tool trucks... Not in a city where you can have a socket **** out, and go to the store and buy a "cover-ya" until your new one shows up from Snapon dot com, but out in the middle of nowhere where you call your truck and likely he'll have one to you by the next day, and you can keep on working while you're waiting for him or her to show up.

So does your snapon truck also bring your parts !
If you in vehicle repair even in the sticks you got tool options as quick as you got the parts/consumables options.
Generally any tool you can't get easy get-bye replacement ain't going be on the truck so won't be with you that quickly .
Generally you also likely have a second tool option or a borrow option that the real fast way save the day and keep things trucking ...

 

[Evan(CA)]

Boy I hope they are not operating on those margins. I feel bad if they have that much overhead with that slim of a margin opportunity. There has to be a back end volume rebate. That is what most manufacturers are moving toward now.

That's what the district industrial manager told me when I asked who got better pricing, students or franchisees.

 

[M6erfan]

Wow. 25% off list and they have to pay fuel/insurance and deal with warranty returns? Tough grind!

 

[fluxdeity]

The snap-on SEP is a good program to get tools discounted heavily. Only downside is they don't have every tool for snap-on students, only a few. But they do have good sales.
SHRLF80A for $106.90
FHLL80 for $71.26
112TMMSY for $102.52

You get the point.

 

[kythri]

That's what the district industrial manager told me when I asked who got better pricing, students or franchisees.

He had a vested interest in telling porkies. Let's say you were successful in haggling a comparable deal from a franchisee - that industrial manager wouldn't have made a commission on the sale.

 

[WordMan]

Wow. 25% off list and they have to pay fuel/insurance and deal with warranty returns? Tough grind!

It's an average, would be my guess.

Hardline is a fair amount more that a 25% discount off list, while softline discounts range from just a bit over that figure to well under it.

And it's not just fuel and insurance, it's also CC fees, the payment on the truck itself ($100K or more), maintenance, warranty float, warranty shipping, bad debt, etc.

 

[M6erfan]

It's an average, would be my guess.

Hardline is a fair amount more that a 25% discount off list, while softline discounts range from just a bit over that figure to well under it.

And it's not just fuel and insurance, it's also CC fees, the payment on the truck itself ($100K or more), maintenance, warranty float, warranty shipping, bad debt, etc.

Why even bother?

 

[Evan(CA)]

He had a vested interest in telling porkies. Let's say you were successful in haggling a comparable deal from a franchisee - that industrial manager wouldn't have made a commission on the sale.

Online/Industrial/Francise's are all separate entities within Snap On.

 

[scubadoober]

Why even bother?

I agree! That "might" be the ultimate death of the snapon truck. The franchisee that does not renew his agreement. Why would anyone invest that much for so little?

 

[kythri]

Online/Industrial/Francise's are all separate entities within Snap On.

Yes, I know.

So, like I said - the industrial rep/manager has a vested interest in having you buy your student discount tools from him, rather than go to a franchisee (assuming you could find a franchisee willing to discount to match the student discount).

 

[kythri]

I agree! That "might" be the ultimate death of the snapon truck. The franchisee that does not renew his agreement. Why would anyone invest that much for so little?

Because the majority of the stuff they're selling is high markup - there is no 25% "average" - sure, there's less markup on some stuff, but if it's branded Snap-on or Blue-Point, it's got a 100% (or more) markup.

 

[jimindm]

I have had dealers for thirty years or more. Been to to many going out of the business, inventory reduction sales. I would guess that the hardline tools are close to that 25%. Just because that is the price they want when they are getting out.

On other soft brand stuff I think it can be that or more. I would also say that many companies that sort of make SO tools, are owned by them in whole or part. I would guess many would not even think about what is in SO empire.

I think SO makes great deals to the dealers. It is in many ways though. They have a toolbox of the month. Much like the flyer deals, and a lot of other stuff. Sign up on a program to buy so many and get a better price.

I would also say that SO as a corporation does a lot for the dealers. They have the diagnostic truck, the toolbox truck, show trucks. All out there helping their dealers sell tools.

I had a dealer for twenty years, and became great friends, outside of work. He did not quit SO, but he went from a dealer with a franchise, to the industrial side. Paid by corporate. I asked him once what was the biggest difference. He said the difference was throwing darts. As a dealer he talked to many about buying tools, and you threw a dart at the wall hoping a few stuck, that sold tools.

As an industrial rep, he did not see the guy that bought an impact today, screwdrivers in a week and whatever next. He sold fifty impacts at a time. He sold ten scanners, fifty sets of screwdrivers. His new stops were farther apart, but he sold much more.

Another difference was what he could sell. He thought the lines he sold for years was what he would be selling. Not the case. He sells much more, and much of it is never even offered to the franchise sector. Of course it may say sioux tools or a host of any of the companies snap on owns.

His biggest stop is by far a manufacturing facility. There is a keep fill tool room and he stops every week. He told me once that the biggest seller was band saw blades there. Of coarse I am thinking about a band saw I am used to. A blade half an inch thick and maybe several feet long. He had one snap on them and asked me if I could cut the weld out of it so he could ship it back, which is where is broke. This thing was a few inches, by something like twenty feet.

I think it is funny how SO thread go. All of you wondering about COO on everything you buy, where do you think it comes from. I am not saying everything SO sells is USA, but a lot of it is, and they have plants all over employing americans.

I can also tell you, you will never get more return for you dollar than buying SO tools. You buy them and use them, and when you need to sell, you get premium prices compared to other brands. You only have to look at used tools for sale forums. Take in a few tool auctions and see what a rack of SO whatever sells for compared to any other brand.

I can tell you I get deals from my dealers. Always have. I own a shop and I buy what makes me money. I buy it once, and never worry about it. I spend enough they want me as a customer, and I like being a customer. To be honest I have never used their EC and have always had a truck account.

You guys expecting discounts and free stuff(dealer bought), for spending a couple of hundred dollars is funny. If you want deals get up into the $4-5k a year. You will get the service most of you complain about not getting or being able to get elsewhere.

 

[Davefr]

I can also tell you, you will never get more return for you dollar than buying SO tools. You buy them and use them, and when you need to sell, you get premium prices compared to other brands. You only have to look at used tools for sale forums. Take in a few tool auctions and see what a rack of SO whatever sells for compared to any other brand.

^^^I disagree. If you buy new SO and sell them as used you take a huge $ hit and that's what counts.

example:
Buy a 10 pc SO metric combo wrench set for $379 and sell it 5 years later and you could probably get around $200. (ie approx. 50-75% of new). You just lost $179.

Buy a roughly equivalent 12 pc SK set for $150 street price and you could totally throw it away after 5 years and be $ ahead!!

Even more so with CM, Gearwrench or Pittsburg Pro.

SO may retain a high % in resale but it's a huge $ loss because they're so overpriced to begin with.

 

[minytrker]

I bought all my snap-on tools cash and have never paid retail or close to it. Couple years ago I called a snap-on guy by my other house who I have never bought anything from and asked if he would deal if I paid cash, he said I can help you a little. I met him a shop and gave him a very long list and pulled out cash and he changed his mind...he helped me ALOT since I had cash right then and there. I would not buy snap on for retail, not worth it to me. The current snap on guy by my shop will not come off the price any even with cash so I just use him for warranty and wont buy anything from him.

 

[jimindm]

You can disagree, and many others may too.

As already noted by the many SO thread here, their customer is the professional.

You buy them and pay on time for them. You are earning with them from day one.

I have used a lot of tools, and I am not sure you will find an half price equivalent to SO. Most have no idea what it is like to hold them every day and used and abuse them everyday. Wipe them off and get ready to use them tomorrow.

There are half price tools as you mentioned that will get the job done, and as you said you will throw them away, because they are what they are. In the case you mention, for the service and the quality of just five years. For five dollars a year, I will choose SO.

Intesting you chose five years. Is that all the longer your half price tools are good for?

Use your same logic, but expand the time out say twenty years. That set of wrenches I bought for $200 new back then. I will still sell them now for that, and have earned a pretty good living using them

 

[Mr_B]

You can disagree, and many others may too.

As already noted by the many SO thread here, their customer is the professional.

You buy them and pay on time for them. You are earning with them from day one.

I have used a lot of tools, and I am not sure you will find an half price equivalent to SO. Most have no idea what it is like to hold them every day and used and abuse them everyday. Wipe them off and get ready to use them tomorrow.

There are half price tools as you mentioned that will get the job done, and as you said you will throw them away, because they are what they are. In the case you mention, for the service and the quality of just five years. For five dollars a year, I will choose SO.

Intesting you chose five years. Is that all the longer your half price tools are good for?

Use your same logic, but expand the time out say twenty years. That set of wrenches I bought for $200 new back then. I will still sell them now for that, and have earned a pretty good living using them

I've been a professional for 40yrs and do appreciate snapon tools but anyone who think half the cost can't buy equivalents is delusional or simply not looked very hard on a worldwide scale. I got select tools that actually exceed the snapon equivalent and probably 3rd of snappy price.
I got stahlwille and facom wrenches that far better in design and durability over snapon, premier hammer thru engineer screwdriver set that pretty much equal yet massively cheaper .
Some lines they truly are the best option for daily use but for 80% of it equal and better can be had 3rd of the cost no bother .
Lot of pro techs around the globe never even seen a snapon truck yet still got pro tools . Take a look in europe and japan/taiwan/singapore for true reflection on what available and the cost ...

 

[Davefr]

I have used a lot of tools, and I am not sure you will find an half price equivalent to SO.

SK, Wright, Proto, Williams, Carlisle to name just a few.

Where SO really shines is their breadth of product offering vs. any major difference in their core/hardline tools and those of their pro grade competitors.

If someone doesn't need onsite dealer support or financing then there are usually equivalent or better choices for hardline tools at huge price savings.

The value proposition for SO becomes much more compelling when you can buy them used after most of the depreciation has been taken.

 

[Skin]

Because the majority of the stuff they're selling is high markup - there is no 25% "average" - sure, there's less markup on some stuff, but if it's branded Snap-on or Blue-Point, it's got a 100% (or more) markup.

You're way way off. Having been allowed a glimpse of dealer costs i can state that most things are indeed 20-30%. Hardly anything is 100%.

Best markups are through show packages, like buying a special on 100 ratchets. Then they have a little more wiggle room. The more you buy and sell the more profitable you are on a per item basis. Its like this in most retail operations.

The guys doing industrial and tech school sales are salary/commission. The actual pricing is direct from Snap-On. Its basically like cutting out the middle man (franchise dealer).

 

[Wamsutta]

I've been a professional for 40yrs and do appreciate snapon tools but anyone who think half the cost can't buy equivalents is delusional or simply not looked very hard on a worldwide scale. I got select tools that actually exceed the snapon equivalent and probably 3rd of snappy price.
I got stahlwille and facom wrenches that far better in design and durability over snapon, premier hammer thru engineer screwdriver set that pretty much equal yet massively cheaper .
Some lines they truly are the best option for daily use but for 80% of it equal and better can be had 3rd of the cost no bother .
Lot of pro techs around the globe never even seen a snapon truck yet still got pro tools . Take a look in europe and japan/taiwan/singapore for true reflection on what available and the cost ...

I buy most my the Snap-on tools for their physical shape. Only a Snap-on wrench is shaped like a Snap-on wrench. They are easily maneuverable within my fingers; especially their smaller sizes. Only an FHF80 ratchet is shaped like an FHF80 ratchet, but also the mechanical function of the ratchet is second to none. Their sockets may seem like any other socket, but their detents line up with my Snap-on extensions perfectly; that's one detail I'm especially sensitive to. Basically what I'm saying is I can use my Snap-on tools without getting aggravated; that's worth the price to me.

 

[kythri]

You're way way off. Having been allowed a glimpse of dealer costs i can state that most things are indeed 20-30%. Hardly anything is 100%.

My glimpses would seem to contradict yours.

None of this is to suggest that the job is easy, or that franchisees are sleeping on beds covered with Benjamins, mind you.

 

[trackwelder]

I've been a professional for 40yrs and do appreciate snapon tools but anyone who think half the cost can't buy equivalents is delusional or simply not looked very hard on a worldwide scale. I got select tools that actually exceed the snapon equivalent and probably 3rd of snappy price.
I got stahlwille and facom wrenches that far better in design and durability over snapon, premier hammer thru engineer screwdriver set that pretty much equal yet massively cheaper .
Some lines they truly are the best option for daily use but for 80% of it equal and better can be had 3rd of the cost no bother .
Lot of pro techs around the globe never even seen a snapon truck yet still got pro tools . Take a look in europe and japan/taiwan/singapore for true reflection on what available and the cost ...

How are those wrenches far better in design or durability? I’m a tool pack rat, and have well over a thousand wrenches in every flavor. Nothing feels or works better than Snap on in my opinion.

 

[Mr_B]

^
next to no chrome chipping as the plating almost one with the cr-v (stahlwille excels at this along with surface hardness and long term wear resilience) , soft satin finish gives far better dexterity which very useful on wrenches , good curved edges for reduced fatigue in hard usage .
less tool bulk making them fit in tight clearance positions .
Snapon wrenches are good but it not something they truly excel at .