Snobbish tools mystery buster

[GrantCee]

Not true at all.

This is demonstrably wrong. From Snapon.com:

"This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned."

One of their tool truck franchisees can certainly elect to do more, but that's variable and therefore can't be relied upon.

 

[Xcursion88]

People on here literally have told me using a 9inch long 1/4 ratchet is abuse, because the handle is too long.... despite the fact the manufacturer made it that way. LOL

Not so much proud of tool death, just having a laugh at the people that NEVER break tools.


Edit - I pay cash for all my snap on stuff, unless they give my 60days same as cash or something. They'll give me a few hundred off if i sign up for financing, and i just pay in full the next week.

Something is off here....

Show me the post(s) of people stating just using a 9" 1/4 drive ratchet is abuse. With no cheater pipe or whatever...just because it's 9" as you say...show me those posts scolding you for using such.


"Not so much proud of tool death, just having a laugh at the people that NEVER break tools"
The poster who stated that is accurate. While I don't know your tone of text I can definitely feel this strange arrogance or boast of achievement. I'm not sure what is exactly so rewarding of breaking a tool unless you just had your first beer last week. Then that explains a lot.

I don't quite understand what's funny about any of it. You sound off on here using these bizarre strange but EXTREME examples of breaking tools...but then want to make fun because others who haven't done so. You keep saying about people(s) as in plural scolding you on here for breaking something...i say again I'd like to see these posts. Especially the ones you claim about just using a 9" 1/4" drive ratchet stand alone without any assist.


Lastly....
60 days same as cash? What are you talking about? It's all 60 days same as cash. The truck isn't charging you interest.
SO credit is charging you intetest if your purchase through them.

 

[GrantCee]

To add and echo...the SO ratchet returned $100 of $132 used.

The HF...nothing. So if you threw away the HF you're out $30.
If you got $100 of $132 back on a SO ratchet...you lost approximately $30.

No, the seller didn't "get $100 back".

Selling price: $99.99
Shipping cost (conservative estimate, and remember the seller covered shipping): $9
eBay fees (12.35% + .30): $12.64
Paypal fees (2.90% + .30): $3.19
Total cost of sale: $24.83
Net proceeds: $75.16
Ownership loss (exclusive of opportunity costs): $56.84

eBay selling prices are well known to be inflated over all classes of goods, and the chances of realizing $99.99 on a used ratchet from an in-person cash buyer are slim to none.

 

[Xcursion88]

This is demonstrably wrong. From Snapon.com:

"This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned."

One of their tool truck franchisees can certainly elect to do more, but that's variable and therefore can't be relied upon.

But you leave something out...

In REALITY...
If SO only warranted as you describe that would spread like a wildfire.

The business model SO has is protecting their dealers. They do a fine job of that I will say.

They use MAP...they will not cross over territories of each other...etc.
It's a business model that had worked for many many decades.

Back to the fine print. They are discouraging people from purchasing a tool not on the truck. Again this is protecting their dealers.
The warranty itself....I've never ever seen someone get denied a warranty because they had to prove being the original purchaser.
Not
Ever
Once.

If the SO dealer is lazy...that's different. (It costs them nothing to warrant a tool besides the hassle of shipping...if SO even wants it back. )

 

[Xcursion88]

No, the seller didn't "get $100 back".

Selling price: $99.99
Shipping cost (conservative estimate, and remember the seller covered shipping): $9
eBay fees (12.35% + .30): $12.64
Paypal fees (2.90% + .30): $3.19
Total cost of sale: $24.83
Net proceeds: $75.16
Ownership loss (exclusive of opportunity costs): $56.84

eBay selling prices are well known to be inflated over all classes of goods, and the chances of realizing $99.99 on a used ratchet from an in-person cash buyer are slim to none.

Oh jesus christ...i looked one ******* tool up and seen $99 completed sale.

It proved one thing. A buyer was willing to pay $99 to get that used SO ratchet that cost $132 new.

If someone had listed that on a buyers nearby Craigslist for the same...it sells and no fees.

Is that better for ya?

For god sake

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Something is off here....

Show me the post(s) of people stating just using a 9" 1/4 drive ratchet is abuse. With no cheater pipe or whatever...just because it's 9" as you say...show me those posts scolding you for using such.


"Not so much proud of tool death, just having a laugh at the people that NEVER break tools"
The poster who stated that is accurate. While I don't know your tone of text I can definitely feel this strange arrogance or boast of achievement. I'm not sure what is exactly so rewarding of breaking a tool unless you just had your first beer last week. Then that explains a lot.

I don't quite understand what's funny about any of it. You sound off on here using these bizarre strange but EXTREME examples of breaking tools...but then want to make fun because others who haven't done so. You keep saying about people(s) as in plural scolding you on here for breaking something...i say again I'd like to see these posts. Especially the ones you claim about just using a 9" 1/4" drive ratchet stand alone without any assist.


Lastly....
60 days same as cash? What are you talking about? It's all 60 days same as cash. The truck isn't charging you interest.
SO credit is charging you intetest if your purchase through them.

If you finance through snap on credit, you 100% do pay interest. Truck "credit" which is just offered by the dealer themselves, is interest free. The first requires a hard credit inquiry, paper work, filling fees, etc. The latter involves a handshake.


I made a thread about warranting a broken proto ratchet, and was told it was unreasonable to expect a tool with a 9 inch handle to last, despite proto making it. Guys on here claim "to never break tools", well when you do it for a living, 40+ hours, you will. That was my point. If tools aren't wearing out or breaking, one is likely not using them very often.

Call me a child if you want. I'm 30. Doesnt really matter to me my man. I simply feel silly that some people claim that quality tools will never fail, they all fail. It's simply a matter of time. Just having a chuckle at their statement, sorry if that offends. Doesnt match my experience at all. An anvil has a design life.

 

[M6erfan]

I can't recall ever breaking a hand tool. I've bent screwdriver shafts using it as a pry bar. I've broken teeth on a well used old ratchet (but not in many many years). FFS, a ratchet rebuild kit is what? $10-$15? Sometimes free if the manufacturer is being nice. But I try not to buy crappy tools unless I know going in that it is sacrificial. I don't live in the rust belt and I just have a hobby shop where I wrench on friend's & family member's cars, and vintage motorcycles. Never have I broken a wrench, ratchet, or socket.

As far as S-o warranty, I've never used it but there are posts here from members that tried to warranty an old S-o tool and were turned down due to no proof of being the original owner

 

[shawhite]

Or you could get SK 89040
Have both std and deep
And if you look hard enough I bet you could score for less than $200

I use them professionally every day and have already stated SK and Cornwell are the best 3/8 dr chrome sockets you can get. The undercut of both (different types of undercuts) makes life so much easier when changing sockets oily/greasy.

SO's are fine function wise but they're an absolute ***** to remove unless bone dry. The extra small ones I literally need a screw driver to pry them off. Maybe my digits are too big but I've no issues changing Cornwell or SK sockets. Both USA made. Both work great!!

Could always go with quick release ratchets

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I'm not muscles Malone , but I have broken tools, both at home and at work.

The best tool warranty is the one never used. You don't want a tool no matter how good the warranty is if it breaks while you are using it, then you get the hassle of waiting for the truck, mailing it off, or going to the store you bought it from. All the while you don't have i for work.. These are not selling points.

 

[Cruzan80]

But you leave something out...

In REALITY...
If SO only warranted as you describe that would spread like a wildfire.

The business model SO has is protecting their dealers. They do a fine job of that I will say.

They use MAP...they will not cross over territories of each other...etc.
It's a business model that had worked for many many decades.

Back to the fine print. They are discouraging people from purchasing a tool not on the truck. Again this is protecting their dealers.
The warranty itself....I've never ever seen someone get denied a warranty because they had to prove being the original purchaser.
Not
Ever
Once.

If the SO dealer is lazy...that's different. (It costs them nothing to warrant a tool besides the hassle of shipping...if SO even wants it back. )

What you left out is only the newest latest/greatest stuff seems to be willing to sell. I have some 30tooth SO ratchets, not worth $100... How about SAE, non flank-drive, etc?
Warranty issues (old thread from GJ), was second link on Google with "Snap On Refuse Warranty". https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/snap-on-right-to-deny-warranty-service.14037/

What is done vs what is written... I cant bank on what "may be done", but only if I am on a route/bought stuff/know a guy/etc.

I have some SnapOn, but the majority I find goes into the re-sale pile. For what I do, I don't need the 1% edge (if that), most of their tools have. But I am DIY, home hobby, etc. I also could care less about warranty after about a year, as so much of my stuff is vintage, it isn't able to be warrantied to begin with.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I'm not muscles Malone , but I have broken tools, both at home and at work.

The best tool warranty is the one never used. You don't want a tool no matter how good the warranty is if it breaks while you are using it, then you get the hassle of waiting for the truck, mailing it off, or going to the store you bought it from. All the while you don't have i for work.. These are not selling points.

Perfect description. I would like a warranty, but what I want first and foremost is a highly reliable tool. I need them to make my living, I have to know I can trust them to get the job done.

Now, if they DO fail, then the business needs to step up and honor whatever terms they extended. My wright-grip wrenches are a good example. They'll probabaly warranty a cracked box end, but I really doubt I'll be cracking one.

 

[Ralf11]

My general rule is that a quality tool, rarely, if ever, needs a warranty

unless you let a "friend" borrow it...

 

[Rinspeed]

You are dead wrong.I was told this by Snap-On Canada original purchaser . It was only a fleamarket finds, so it didn't matter to me. But it was enlightening.

I don't care what anyone told you. I have returned multiple Snap-On tools over the years and was never asked once if I was the original purchaser. If you think about it how the hell would they ever verify if you ever bought it new. Are you supposed to save every receipt for 800 tools. Sounds pretty stupid if you really think about it.

 

[Cruzan80]

So just because you were not asked, means they never do for anyone? Seems odd.Clear what the warranty posted is, everything else is goodwill.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I don't give a **** what anyone told you. I have returned multiple Snap-On tools over the years and was never asked once if I was the original purchaser. If you think about it how the hell would they ever verify if you ever bought it new. Are you supposed to save every receipt for 800 tools. Sounds pretty stupid if you really think about it.

She asked, I told her it was a fleamarket find . I believe in truth and light, I play the game straight up.

 

[Rinspeed]

So just because you were not asked, means they never do for anyone? Seems odd.Clear what the warranty posted is, everything else is goodwill.

What seems odd is you would take the word of someone that has tried to return one tool over someone that has returned multiple tools. I haven't broken a lot of tools over the years but some have just worn out from actual use, it does happen to people who actually use their tools rather than just polish them.

 

[Cruzan80]

No, what I was referring to is the part where you gave no background. Are you on a normal route? Have a balance with a driver? Or randomly called SO corporate for a warranty? This board is full of people who are not mainstream mechanics, and don't have a driver, reporting they have issues when warrantied.

I don't know you or Downwind, so I am not choosing to believe one or the other of you. You have said you haven't been asked. Not saying you are lying. He said he was asked. Not saying he was lying. Both of them can be true. But based off of your single sample size (You haven't been asked), it is hard to draw that out for everyone. Regardless of how many times you have used it.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have a Snap-On story. Earlier in my millwright career I was helping an older millwright assemble a leg of a bucket elevator at a feedmill. I was using my on sale Maple Leaf combination. A second tier Gray. He said try this wrench, a Snap-On. That evening on the way home I bought a 9/16" full polish Gray. The Gray was as nice as his Snap-On . Snap-On hadn't started copying MAC yet. I still have it and still use it.

 

[plinker]

Interesting what if scenario;

Say you buy a used/traded in Snap-on tool from a Snap-on dealer, Do you still get warranty coverage since technically you are not the original purchaser if you call Snap-on CS to warranty it?




It is a possible scenario if the dealer is unreliable or you no longer have dealer access/support and you need to warranty something. I would venture that if you talked to multiple S-O reps you'd probably get multiple answers as to what their policy is. Doesnt have to be Snap-on either, it would apply to any company or CS call. At work they have to call in to some fleet management places for repair authorization on certain fleet vehicles we deal with and this is the norm more often then not.

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[RoundedNut]

I think some people need to understand basic business concepts. The first is the "terms and condition of sale", which is the legally binding contract between seller and customer. For Snappy, it is:

https://www.snapon.com/Terms-and-Conditions-of-Sale

"This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned. To obtain warranty service contact the Snap-on Customer Care Center via telephone at 1-877-762-7664 or e-mail [email protected]. The following information will be required with the customer’s warranty request: (1) date and proof of purchase, (2) where customer purchased the product, (3) full name, (4) shipping address, (5) phone number, (6) e-mail address, (7) item number(s) or approximate weight of return package. Warranty requests that do not include all of the required information will not be processed."

Pro users may return items to the truck, if available, but have the additional clause:

"Snap-on warrants to Customers who purchase Product from authorized Snap-on distribution channels for use in their profession..."

The second is the concept of "goodwill". This is not legally binding but a seller may offer additional service but it is a calculated business decision based on the impact to the bottom line. IF the specific seller offers to go beyond the the legally binding contract, then they expect to recoup their loss through additional sales either directly or through reputation.

Contrary to what many think, Snappy and other professional brands do not have great warranties nor service. Many tool companies have this type of warranty processing:

Warranty

Warranty Our Manufacturer’s guarantee What’s covered: All Picquic handles and shanks are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship from the day they were bought and for as long as you own them. In the event of failure—caused by a manufacturing defect—your Picquic will be...

picquic.ca

"Have a warranty question or need to submit a claim? Please email our support team with a brief description and photographs of the fault or damage."

You do not have to be the original customer nor provide proof of purchase. This is legally binding and does not depend on goodwill. I did this recently with a 10+ year old screwdriver where the 2 part handle came loose. I sent a pic from my phone over email and they delivered a new screwdriver via amazon.

 

[Ricky Joe]

The trucks aren't necessarily going to do it, but my understanding is SO will honor a tool you mail in.

The written warranty specifically states that the tools are warranted for the term of the warranty to the original purchaser. As a matter of practical practice, I have had no trouble getting warranty work on items that I could not have purchased new, but the legal limit is to the original purchaser. Ratchets seem to be the main things I have warranties over the years. They used to fix them, but the last one I tried to warranty was a 3/8” drive quick release, which was replaced by the dual 80. I like it, but I also liked the quick release feature of the other one. I recently had an impact socket bust in two, only found half of it. It was warrantied no problem.

 

[Xcursion88]

What you left out is only the newest latest/greatest stuff seems to be willing to sell. I have some 30tooth SO ratchets, not worth $100... How about SAE, non flank-drive, etc?
Warranty issues (old thread from GJ), was second link on Google with "Snap On Refuse Warranty". https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/snap-on-right-to-deny-warranty-service.14037/

What is done vs what is written... I cant bank on what "may be done", but only if I am on a route/bought stuff/know a guy/etc.

I have some SnapOn, but the majority I find goes into the re-sale pile. For what I do, I don't need the 1% edge (if that), most of their tools have. But I am DIY, home hobby, etc. I also could care less about warranty after about a year, as so much of my stuff is vintage, it isn't able to be warrantied to begin with.

"What you left out is only the newest latest/greatest stuff seems to be willing to sell."

That's not true...
While some stuff that gets advanced tech leaves the old behind....
There are many things that haven't changed in 30 years and never will.

If you wish to use an extreme example like a 30 tooth ratchet not fetching $100...
Ok...hell i can't even find a used icon ratchet let alone the lower HF ratchets.?.

Just out of curiosity how much was that 30 tooth ratchet?

As far as the warranty...you can post whatever link you wish...I've yet to see a SO dealer turn someone away or ask for proof of anything.

That's the REALITY of it in lieu of some fine print you cite.

I echo again if the SO warranty was a problem it would spread like a brush fire.
That just hasn't happened.

 

[Cruzan80]

My point was simply the resale value changes over time. SAE sockets have dropped in value over the years, etc.

For warranty, see RoundedNut's post above. I understand most people see the "Goodwill" and think it will always be there.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

In my earlier post explained how nice tools feel so much better in the hand.But to some tradesmen if the tool works, it's a good tool. I've seen millwrights using old Westward wrenches, a crude raised panel wrench . Which he likely nicked out of some company's tool crib,BTW. He made a good deal more money pulling on those wrenches than an automotive technician does pulling on his fancy Snap-On wrench.

 

[JBH]

My 2020 Jeep was designed in Michigan and built in Toledo. It's about as American as a vehicle can be anymore

The most American car company currently is Tesla.

 

[clientgraphics]

To get this back on track in case you missed the follow up where the Koken ratchet was tested it actually just edged out the HF ratchet

 

[qqzj]

More evidence that the folklore in GJ has little truth w.r.t. to Allen wrench. The PB Swish Allen wrench does look the prettiest!

 

[seber]

I thought I'd like to try that experiment myself. I have a Snap-on dual 80 that I broke in with a drill for about 60 second each way. That made it butter smooth. So I picked up a Pittsburgh pro and did the same thing. Had to take it back due to the fact that it started slipping on the reverse after the break in. The next one did the same on forward after break in. I went ahead and got a third, but just threw it in the spare tool drawer. I'm not wasting more time on junk.

 

[Debcrow]

Harbor Freight Tool Trucks??? Since they are always coming up with new names for their tool lines, they would have to come up with a name for their tool trucks. How about Mobile Freight tools? Here comes the MF Tool Truck.

That said I have no problem with Harbor Freight Tools. Even though I am a gearhead, I am retired. I am not a person that uses tools in a work environment any longer.
When I reach in the tool cabinet for a wrench I look for the size...not the brand name. I do not abuse my tools and have rarely broken one no matter what the brand. If it gets the job done, it is a good tool.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I don’t care what brand is on the tools as long as they work. I don’t care for Harbor Freight ratchets though especially the Pittsburgh ones because the selector switch is backwards and the comfort handles always split in half. And they just don’t feel quality to me. But like I said I have no problem if it works for you. I’ve got plenty of lesser name tools in my box just ratchets are not one of those. Snap-on and Capri ratchets are my go to they feel so smooth and quality and I love the hard handle Snap-on.

 

[Walkers]

For the life of me, I can never understand why anyone would give a flying **** what brand of tools anyone else uses. Good grief.

Some people suffer from tool insecurity.

 

[M635_Guy]

So this thread made me wonder. A lot of people attribute USA craftsman demise to their free replacement for life. If harbor freight begins to get the same fan fare as the old USA craftsman will they ultimately have to raise prices or curtail their generous replacement policy?

The people you're referring to would be wrong. The Craftsman warranty didn't kill Craftsman, bean counters and modern accounting rules around accruals made it a less-attractive/harder-to-defend thing to the MBAs. Adding the kind of thing below and the magic of the internet did the rest (to the warranty). But the demise of Craftsman USA overall had zero to do with the business costs of the warranty itself. Sears, and thus Craftsman, is one of the definitive examples of an old company doing old and stupid things while the world changed around it, thinking they were immune to it all.

Interesting to see if HF's policy would mirror that of LL Bean, Nordstrom, and other retailers that were famous for their return policies only to have people abuse it or become too costly and have it changed. I think this is why you are seeing more and more "limited lifetime" warranties and the like in retail.

A few years ago a lady made the news for returning a dead Christmas tree to Costco after the holidays for a full refund. I haven't seen trees at Costco since. I vaguely recall a guy bragging on some internet forum that he'd worn out four pairs of LL Bean shoes and gotten replacements under warranty.

Those retailers changed their policies for two reasons: the accounting required to support that policy and the internet-driven surge of people blatantly abusing the policy. I'd guess that LL Bean and Nordstrom will still quietly do something for you outside of whatever their policy is (just like Snap On will), but in the face of a growing number of people who will purposefully thrash stuff and expect warranty coverage for life they had to create a hard out for themselves.