The Craftsman Socket Curse

[ssdave]

I know this is self inflicted, but I'm cursed with Craftsman sockets.

I sorted out my personal tools a couple of years ago; and found that I had about 3000 extra Craftsman sockets. I've replaced them with Proto over the years; and with some Snap-on. I'm determined that I'm going to get rid of the extras; and in fact have been selling them for two years, mostly on ebay. I'm actually down to under 1000 as of a week ago. The problem is that in the two years that I've been trying to sell them down, I've acquired probably as many as I originally had, that I also have had to sell. So, to sell down 2,000, I've probably sold 4000 or more of them overall. Every time I buy a tool assortment, it has some CM mixed in with the ones I want.

I put a few sets out here on GJ last week; and sold several sets. Then, went to an estate sale last weekend, and bought a tool box, and it had about 100 CM sockets in it. I sorted through those, added others to make sets, put them out in the Classifieds, and sold about 80 of them. I threw in another 15 or 20 on the deal when the buyer met me to pick them up. All said and done, I sold over 100 sockets, and ended up with about the same amount I had started with. I also sorted out the rest of the toolbox tools, and sold them off, and sold off the toolboxes. So, spent time getting rid of tools, but didn't end up with less than I had started the week with. Then, went to a yard sale to day, the seller had a box of Snap-on sockets and SK ratchet and extensions. But, it had about 4 times as many CM in it too. He would only sell as a set, and the price was certainly right, so I took them.

The result is that I have spent time selling over 100 sockets in the past week; have spent time getting rid of excess other tools and a toolbox set; and have spent time sorting out more Craftsman socket sets to sell. And, have ended up with more Craftsman sockets than I started with. Something wrong with this picture.....

I'm going to have to exercise more restraint in buying.

 

[DTuck]

I know this is self inflicted, but I'm cursed with Craftsman sockets.

I sorted out my personal tools a couple of years ago; and found that I had about 3000 extra Craftsman sockets. I've replaced them with Proto over the years; and with some Snap-on. I'm determined that I'm going to get rid of the extras; and in fact have been selling them for two years, mostly on ebay. I'm actually down to under 1000 as of a week ago. The problem is that in the two years that I've been trying to sell them down, I've acquired probably as many as I originally had, that I also have had to sell. So, to sell down 2,000, I've probably sold 4000 or more of them overall. Every time I buy a tool assortment, it has some CM mixed in with the ones I want.

I put a few sets out here on GJ last week; and sold several sets. Then, went to an estate sale last weekend, and bought a tool box, and it had about 100 CM sockets in it. I sorted through those, added others to make sets, put them out in the Classifieds, and sold about 80 of them. I threw in another 15 or 20 on the deal when the buyer met me to pick them up. All said and done, I sold over 100 sockets, and ended up with about the same amount I had started with. I also sorted out the rest of the toolbox tools, and sold them off, and sold off the toolboxes. So, spent time getting rid of tools, but didn't end up with less than I had started the week with. Then, went to a yard sale to day, the seller had a box of Snap-on sockets and SK ratchet and extensions. But, it had about 4 times as many CM in it too. He would only sell as a set, and the price was certainly right, so I took them.

The result is that I have spent time selling over 100 sockets in the past week; have spent time getting rid of excess other tools and a toolbox set; and have spent time sorting out more Craftsman socket sets to sell. And, have ended up with more Craftsman sockets than I started with. Something wrong with this picture.....

I'm going to have to exercise more restraint in buying.

Donate to somebody who could use them, it'll make you feel good about buying something you don't want at least

 

[Jtels85]

I know what you mean. I had a bad habit of buying G1, G2 and G2D Craftsman sockets, but only in 1/4” drive and USA made. I’ve accumulated hundreds of them over the years. I keep telling myself to build sets and sell them off, but I never get around to doing it.

 

[skruft]

Even if you try, you end up with a hundred sockets that are missing sizes.

 

[protegeV]

3,000 sockets?

I've been a professional mechanic for 15 years and have gotten by just fine with probably 200 sockets. Damn...
.

 

[crf450x]

I don't see the problem....sounds to me like you are selling the extra sockets and, by doing so, you wind up with less money in the tools you actually wanted.

 

[NotOrganized]

Easy solution. Get another tool box and start filling it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'd be selling those by the "medium flat rate" box at a time...or large...that'd be nice and heavy.

 

[Mick56]

Yes, they multiply!

 

[jonesg]

Donate to somebody who could use them, it'll make you feel good about buying something you don't want at least

There IS hope for humanity.

 

[intillzah]

3,000 sockets?

.

Yea, my mind just kinda stopped right there.....

 

[ssdave]

I don't see the problem....sounds to me like you are selling the extra sockets and, by doing so, you wind up with less money in the tools you actually wanted.

The problem is time. I'd rather spend my time doing something else, but also want the other tools that these get thrown in with. I could stop buying, and that would solve the "problem". The amount I get paid per hour to get rid of the extras doesn't add up to much.

As for the comments about 3000 sockets, I think I was starting to get into somewhat of hoarder behavior, with multiple duplicates that I'd never have any conceivable use for. Now, in my toolbox, I have about 550 unique sockets. That's getting to be about topped out, there's not too many unique configurations left out there that I don't already have. They might not all be usable by me, but at least they're not really duplicates.

I've also given away many to friends and family and co-workers that could use them. And, the ones I sell go to guys that can use them, so there's a recycling factor going on there. I sell some to the local buy and sell shop, but he's limited on how many he wants.

Overall, I'm going down in quantity and will eventually run out. Just this week seemed to be going the wrong way!

 

[jumbojak]

If it's not worth your time you might try putting up an ad for "free sockets" on Craigslist. They'd disappear pretty quick and wind up someone else's problem.

 

[ssdave]

If it's not worth your time you might try putting up an ad for "free sockets" on Craigslist. They'd disappear pretty quick and wind up someone else's problem.

True enough. I could also throw them in the scrap metal where I put the rusted, busted, asian, and mismatched old USA ones that are of low value. Or haul them down to the Salvation Army and let them make a bit on them. Or, continue passing them along like I am, a set or two at a time, and I'll eventually get out of them. And, continue to use the money to buy things I really do want. My post was more about the irony of having too many, working diligently to get rid of them, and ending up with more than I started with this week.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I'd be selling those by the "medium flat rate" box at a time...or large...that'd be nice and heavy.

Probably the easiest way

 

[honza.vosalik]

I'd be interested in some if you are willing to ship. Do you have any of those old little socket set boxes?

 

[Parrothead]

I'm going to have to exercise more restraint in buying.

^^^THIS^^^

3000 sockets!?! You’re a hoarder. Stop.

Sell them in bulk in flat rate boxes on eBay and be done. Let someone else sort them and make sets.

 

[Ji m]

Answer is easy,
you need a partner.

I'm sure someone would love to take any CM sockets you come across,
for a reasonable price,

$**.** per pound,
or $x.** per socket, or whatever.

Once the deal is set,
every time you can fill a flat rate box,
you ship your "new partner" the full box,
and the partner pays.

Sockets are gone as they come in,
partner is happy and making money,
and you have a few $$$ to buy more stuff.

You just need to find the right person and your problem becomes their way to make $$

 

[Old Man Roger]

Is there a local flea market? Sell them all to the tool guy, in bulk.

 

[cherrybomb]

If you didn't have this problem before joining Garage Journal ,you don't have to blame yourself.Meds might help.I'm not a Dr.but I did stay in a Holiday Inn once.

 

[Wamsutta]

My post was more about the irony of having too many, working diligently to get rid of them, and ending up with more than I started with this week.

I caught that right off the bat. The other guys didn't catch it.