Tool price increases. How are you coping?

[Samuel D]

I moved country recently, which meant:

• I had to get rid of some of my tools
• I moved lots of them
• I had new uses for tools
• I’m reorganising my boxes
• I explored new hardware shops.

Between all of that, I’m buying a few new tools. And the prices have gone crazy since I last paid attention.

I can tell because I have notes from just two-and-a-half years ago with prices of tools that interested me:

Quite a few speciality bicycle tools have doubled in price.

Toptul prices are up on average over 50% at motointegrator.de. They used to be cheap!

Snap-on spanner price increases in the last 2.5 years, US list prices although I’m in Europe:
XDHFM606 set: $322.00 > $382.00
XBM605A set: $242.50 > $286.00
XDHM606 set: $312.00 > $370.00
XSM608A set: $319.00 > $381.00

Price history (trend chart) for small set of Hazet 610N spanners at Amazon Germany over the last few years:
https://de.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B001C9VCX2

Luckily my income has gone up even more … wait, it has actually gone down!

And if I don’t buy this stuff now, it’ll probably be another 20% more expensive the next time I look. Sheesh.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Buy used? Buy an alternative brand?

 

[Dave455]

Snap On prices in the U.K. have increased considerably more than that in recent years.

Most German tools, on the other hand, have increased by relatively little. You can’t read too much into the Amazon price history, as it’s so variable anyway.

If you’re in Europe now, Snap On, and other U.S. tools are going to be a lot more expensive. Your best bet would be to look at European tools. You will, for example, be able to get prices on tools like Hazet, Stahlwille, Knipex, PB Swiss, etc etc, that folks in the U.S. could only dream of!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

And here I was just yesterday opininng that the price of knipex cobras hasn't gone up much, as I remember, in the last 10 years I've been buying then. Mid 30s, to low 40s.

I'm 32, so since I entered the industry 10 years ago my income has gone up roughly by 4X. Which insulates me from a lot of economic shock vs when I started out.

Buy these tools you need to make money, justify the ROI, don't buy the rest.

 

[finn]

Just say no to SnapOn. There are plenty of less expensive, quality brands out there and the fasteners don’t GAF what brand tool is twisting them.

You’re paying the ego tax by insisting on Snapon, so this one’s on you.

 

[woody 73]

I cannot talk much about tool prices because I buy used whenever possible but...I can tell you I am in sticker Schock at the food store. 99% of the time my wife does the food shopping, but while she is visiting her family and I am on my own as they say, until she gets back. Holy **** just for a few items its crazy, a wheel barrel full of cash just for a few items.

 

[Kasal]

Oh yeah, I used to buy a lot of Toptul tools (at Motointegrator) the prices have skyrocketed. I usually buy a tool every month (every time I get paid) and little by little I fill my box. Making a big purchase has become almost impossible.

 

[Walkers]

Most of my tools were bought 30 years or more ago. I just buy whatever I need new right off the truck, but just don't need much. Then my son turned 18 and my father died leaving him his SO box and tools. All the tools are SAE, not a metric tool in the box. I was shocked at the price of a set of wrenches and a rail of sockets. I ended up going through my drawer of extras acquired over the years and filling them out buying SO tools on ebay. The most effective strategy I found was buying in small lots instead of full sets. I was paying an average of $10 per socket or wrench this way. Buying individuals was often more expensive than right of the SO site. I also joined a SO buy/sell site on FB and made a couple purchases there by putting up a WTB ad.

 

[m6z]

If it's not on sale I don't buy it.

I really haven't bought anything over the last year though.

 

[ecotec]

I have barely bought anything new in the last two years.

I have very few “needs”, anymore. I still have “wants”, but I mostly bottom feed the secondary market.

On top of this, I am running out of space.

I only buy the best of the best for the least now. I still buy plenty, but I have gotten ridiculously picky and cheap about tools. Only truck and industrial brands… in pretty much perfect condition… for as little as possible.

Once you have more than enough… just keep your head on a swivel… and you will still keep finding more than you need.

 

[MovingAlong]

Probably some good reasons for folks to buy SnapOn and I don't know your situation or trade.

Probably some good reasons to buy sets rather than building up just what you need. Again, no idea about your work.

But since you asked how I'm coping - I buy what I need when I need it. Also, I balance the quality level between what is required for the job and what money is available for it. Sometimes it's an expensive specialty tool straight from Japan or a boutique supplier, sometimes it's a Harbor Freight purchase.

My money, my work, my choices... Wishing you the best with yours.

 

[AA/FC]

Rising prices ****... You could enter a drawing to win a FREE tool. It's bout 1.5 days left before the entry period closes. The drawing will be this Friday. Sure, it may not be a Snap-on, but it IS a free scan tool. lol.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I anticipated massive inflation several years ago and coped in advance by pre-buying stuff I didn’t need At the time but knew I would likely need in the future.

I spent $2k on proto tools at Zoro before covid, before they started charging sales tax. I plan to get into hobbyist car repairs in the future when I have a house and garage so my strategy is pre-buying stuff before it gets even more expensive.

I’m still buying stuff now because in a decade we’ll look back and wish we could get stuff at 2023 prices. Especially if we go to war with China and they scoop up Taiwan.

 

[dchawk81]

Fetal position, **** thumb, cry.

That's how I cope.

 

[Odd-job]

OP I think the Euro relative to USD along with inflation is working against you, on the flip side its making German tools cheaper for us in the US

 

[zendriver]

deleted

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, I don't see how you young techs/newbies afford tools to do mechanical work these days. The prices on HVAC tools and supplies has gone thru the clouds. You basically have to take out a mortgage to get a set of tools. Unless you buy repairable stuff and restore it yourself.
Automotive, diesel, and industrial work is similar. I'm thinking of donating my A/C tools to a local trade school just so the students have something to use to learn the trade.

 

[tarbellb]

pre buying tools in fear of rising prices is pumping INFLATION

you ARE the problem

 

[Meursault74]

If I need something I'll get it.

If I want something or think it may be useful in the future, I'll wait for a sale or a deal or a HF 25% off.

 

[nadogail]

My tool buying has really slowed down, not because of the prices, but because my tool boxes are very nearly full.

 

[dchawk81]

My tool buying has really slowed down, not because of the prices, but because my tool boxes are very nearly full.

Need more boxes.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

So many tools being made today are cheap **** and American-produced toolmakers are gradually going under. In 20 years you might not be able to find high quality used tools at flea markets for a good price. Stock up now if you’re under your 40s!

 

[finn]

My tool buying has really slowed down, not because of the prices, but because my tool boxes are very nearly full.

Same here. Might have something to do with getting old, though.

one can only deal with so many different variants of what is essentially the same tool.

There really haven’t been many quantum leaps in hand tool design and innovation over the past twenty or thirty years, and I don’t seem to be wearing the base tools out.