So I made a thread a while ago regarding williams sockets or something else because snap on is too expensive, I decided I would like to get the williams and some people recommended tools delivered, the problem I'm having is many of the items I want are out of stock, I have found them for slightly more on another site, toolsource but I have read they don't keep inventory on the site so it could also be out of stock, are these sites still active and replenishing inventory? Is there a better outlet to buy williams tools? The very fact that it's so difficult to get williams is kind of offputting, and no I do not want to buy them off amazon, they are twice the price in some instances and many items are marked incorrectly. Thank you for any advice
Toolsource and tools delivered.com
- Thread starter Tom.C
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Carquest
Well-known member
Noticed the same thing about toolsdelivered.com, plus I tried calling them for two days without getting anyone to answer. Very curious about other guys experience with them.
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Hello I'm also interested in Williams sockets and finding it hard to find a distributor having all the sets I want and or having to wait a long period of time because of being out of stock. I'm looking into other brands such like NAPA Carlyle brand as well. I have a NAPA store distribution center in my area and counter guy says they have all the socket sets in stock. No wait .
Just also be careful with warranty. If they are this hard to get your hands on when offering $$$, what's going to happen why you are sking for them without the $$$ payoff. All that aside, I would call the phone numbers (after the holidays). They may or may not be able to give you more advice. eg, if they are drop shipppers or whatnot who knows.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My assumption would be any warranty claims would be handled directly through Williams...
Yeah, I don't see tool source or tools delivered warranting anything.
I've ordered from both over the years. Tool source is a drop ship storefront that to the best of my knowledge maintains no inventory. Tools delivered in the past has been the best way for me to buy Williams tools but, at times hard to order from. It may be though that Williams itself, is out out the items you want
I think toolsdelivered drop ships as well. When I ordered some deeps sockets and a breaker bar, they were shipped from an address that matches the distribution center for Snap-On Industrial Brands. Weird thing is they came as separate shipments.
They often have the best prices for Williams tools, but with stuff going in and out of stock like it does, you don't want to count on getting what you need right away. Not a big deal if it's something I'm in no hurry to get, but if I'm making out an order for multiple items and I want it all in short order, I usually just go with Proto stuff at Zoro. Shame since Williams sockets are often cheaper than a lot of other US brands.
They often have the best prices for Williams tools, but with stuff going in and out of stock like it does, you don't want to count on getting what you need right away. Not a big deal if it's something I'm in no hurry to get, but if I'm making out an order for multiple items and I want it all in short order, I usually just go with Proto stuff at Zoro. Shame since Williams sockets are often cheaper than a lot of other US brands.
Yea it seems like snap on doesn't really push williams much, but why would they when they can sell the same thing at 3x the price 
I looked at carlyle but they cost more than williams 
on top of that williams is the only place I could get certain things from for instance https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobi...e-Tools-3-4-Inch-Drive-Chrome-SAE-Socket-Sets these have the quiklok button that works with my snap on breaker bar, all other sockets are a pain in the keister
I looked at carlyle but they cost more than williams on top of that williams is the only place I could get certain things from for instance https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobi...e-Tools-3-4-Inch-Drive-Chrome-SAE-Socket-Sets these have the quiklok button that works with my snap on breaker bar, all other sockets are a pain in the keister
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scissorman
Well-known member
I was going to suggest Amazon as I've seen alot of Williams stuff sold through them and it seemed cheap to me but then seen you don't want to buy from Amazon. I also see alot of Williams being sold on E-bay as well.
My assumption would be any warranty claims would be handled directly through Williams...
I'd double check all of this is all I am saying. The industrial brands like to verify you are working through the correct channels (ie, authorized dealers). This is not like snap on, where you call the HQ to get better service. When you call Snap On industrial brands HQ, they are not all that helpful or friendly. So just make sure you've crossed your T's and dotted your I's ... is what I'm saying.
scissorman
Well-known member
Something else to think about is that Snap-on Industrial DOES NOT carry a warranty at all. Williams was (maybe still is) a Snap-on Industrial brand.
No kidding. Once I ordered a Williams service set off Amazon and a wrench component (1-5/16" through 2") was missing. Amazon wasn'the being helpful at first and wanted Williams in on trying to get me my missing wrenches. It looked like it might have been a packing error on the part of Williams, so I tried working with them. They were not helpful and I think were hoping I'd just give up on working with them. Which I did. Eventually, Amazon made things right. Maybe that experience shouldn't reflect bad on Williams since I don't know who screwed up, but the way Williams handled things did not impress me. I still buy their tools, but do so assuming if there are issues, I'm on my own.
SMKS
Well-known member
There's a lot of misinformation being posted in this thread.
Williams and the other Snap-on Industrial Brands tools do have a warranty and you can warranty them by mail, according to their warranty document:
http://m.snaponindustrialbrands.com/51/mobile-service-and-support.htm
I've warrantied a couple Williams items by mail in the past by doing what this document says.
Williams and the other Snap-on Industrial Brands tools do have a warranty and you can warranty them by mail, according to their warranty document:
http://m.snaponindustrialbrands.com/51/mobile-service-and-support.htm
I've warrantied a couple Williams items by mail in the past by doing what this document says.
SMKS
Well-known member
I was just poking around on the Tools Delivered site looking at ratchets and many were listed as in stock. I think the set the OP is considering is probably not a fast-moving item so TD doesn't keep them on hand.
Carquest
Well-known member
Ok, I just assumed toolsdelivered.com was owned by Williams and was their online store. From some other posts, this is not the case?
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SMKS
Well-known member
No, that is not the case.
Not all Williams is made in USA, or wasn't the last time I looked. How about SK, that is definitely Made in USA.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What is it that you want that toolsdelivered doesn't have?
Mostly sockets and drive accessories some Taiwan made some usa made. I'm emailing snap on industrial to see about some alternative options that I will disclose at a later time, and if anyone is interested I may compile a group order list and go straight through SOI
Sounds like Seinfeld's soup nazi. If you hesitated, you lost your place in line. I am the customer. If they are not grateful for my business, I will go elsewhere. I bought all my Williams when it was Williams and not Snap On's brand for those that won't spring for the big bucks. When in doubt I have called a company just to see how they handle customers. If they can't answer a simple question, how will they handle a warranty claim?.
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kythri
Well-known member
The Williams stuff I ordered from toolsdelivered was drop-shipped from Snap-on Industrial.
Almost all my Williams stuff is US made and I always check the COO when ordering their products. Toolsdelivered is good about letting you know what's US and foreign made.
I should give SK more business, but when I compared prices on the sockets I was looking for, usually US made Williams at toolsdelivered was cheaper. However, SK will likely be getting my business when I get around to buying a set of metric deep sockets in 1/2" drive, since SK makes them in 6 point. I think Wright and Williams only offered 12pt in that size.
Williams has 6 and 12 from 3/8 to 1-1/2 and 10mm-36mm
wafrederick
Well-known member
I have ordered from Tool Source before.I am waiting on a Grey Pnuematic impact socket which is on backorder from Grey Pnuematic for at least 2 weeks.Emailed me back on this.Sent the rest of my order out last week.I ordered an IR die grinder from them once,called me and said it was not available anymore.Sent me a King Tony for a replacement on the order which I was happy with.Snap On does not warranty tools with the E and G year marks on them including a capitol V in the part number.The United States government and the military made an agreement during WWII in 1944 and 1945.One part of the agreement was there is no warranty on them.I recently read on Facebook a guy tried to warranty a broken Snap On tool with the capitol V in the part number and his dealer told him no warranty on it.Came out of a military set is the reason why.
I'm looking at their catalog and the only way I can get 6pt metric deep sockets in 1/2" drive is to buy from their Taiwan line. I would like to stick with US made.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you want us made chrome 1/2 drive deep six point metric sockets not from a tool truck, see SK.
That was my plan since I live far from tool truck service. Plus I would like to throw some business SK's way.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
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You have fun with that.
Their focus is on manufacturing and industrial maintenance contracts. Big orders for big sets of tools, not the individual customer. Hence why they don't sell direct to individuals and small shops, that's what Snap-on is for. Same reason many folks have trouble with individual warranty claims with Proto, it's an industrial brand, not a consumer brand.
I've had a few backordered tools through Toolsdelivered, usually back in stock within a month, and they let me know the ETA when I emailed them.
I've never thought much about warranty, since I'm yet to break or wear out anything from Williams. I've lost a couple of pieces, but for the price it wasn't a big deal to just buy another.
You have fun with that.
Their focus is on manufacturing and industrial maintenance contracts. Big orders for big sets of tools, not the individual customer. Hence why they don't sell direct to individuals and small shops, that's what Snap-on is for. Same reason many folks have trouble with individual warranty claims with Proto, it's an industrial brand, not a consumer brand.
I've had a few backordered tools through Toolsdelivered, usually back in stock within a month, and they let me know the ETA when I emailed them.
I've never thought much about warranty, since I'm yet to break or wear out anything from Williams. I've lost a couple of pieces, but for the price it wasn't a big deal to just buy another.
Yep, the "customer" for williams is not the DIy or sole prop Auto Tech. They are set up to deal with POs and thousands of dollars per year customers. Its not their business model to handhold individual small-lot purchasers after the sale. That is the job of the distributor/point of sale for the product.
Hence my earlier commet--if you have a hard time getting people to take your money...you're gonna have a harder time getting them to take your warranty returns...just the nature of life.
The upside is you hopefully get a decent product for a fair price, and you don't need to warranty very often--which after all is sort of the best kind of warrantee.
FMC1959
Well-known member
IIRC, toolsdelivered is operated by a GJ member. Also have seen numerous posts about it being the best place for Williams, price, haven't heard much if service is good or not.
A while back I wanted to get some Williams USA socket sets and found them to be out of stock and backordered for at least 4-6 weeks according to every authorized dealer I checked. I think for the most part drop-shipping is standard practice with Williams stuff from the various authorized dealers and they don't actually stock the stuff. I just checked Toolsdelivered again and it seems like they are still showing "out of stock" of most of the USA socket sets.
I ended up getting some used but good condition Snap-on sets on eBay for about the same cost as the new Williams would have been. Not very worried about warranty, even if I pay for the occasional replacement myself. since Snap-on is technically original owner only. I'm just a home user so there's a good chance all of my sockets will outlive me.
I ended up getting some used but good condition Snap-on sets on eBay for about the same cost as the new Williams would have been. Not very worried about warranty, even if I pay for the occasional replacement myself. since Snap-on is technically original owner only. I'm just a home user so there's a good chance all of my sockets will outlive me.
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It doesn't sound like Snap On is promoting Williams very energetically. I'm glad you found what you needed but you can't always count on finding the Snap On pieces you want at a decent price and in clean condition, when you want it. It seems that it comes down to an alternate quality brand at a decent price that is more available. SK comes to mind. I even have a local distributor near by.
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SK is a good option for Made in USA stuff which is readily available at affordable prices.
That said, I think the Snap-on (and USA Williams) sockets are notably superior in that they have slightly thinner walls and less chamfer. Obviously Snap-on sockets are extremely expensive compared to SK, but at Toolsdelivered prices, the Williams sockets are only a bit more expensive than SK, and if you could actually get a hold of them, I'd say they could not be matched for the money. SK is probably a bit easier to deal with when it comes to warranty, though.
I forgot to mention before that I have seen a handful of listings for various USA Williams socket sets on eBay recently. I don't think I've seen any priced quite as low as TD, but I've seen some reasonably priced and some much higher priced from various sellers. I don't know for sure that they actually have them on hand, but I don't think eBay allows for sellers to just sell stuff that's backordered without clearly stating a shipping delay. They also might not be authorized dealers which might invalidate the factory warranty.
That said, I think the Snap-on (and USA Williams) sockets are notably superior in that they have slightly thinner walls and less chamfer. Obviously Snap-on sockets are extremely expensive compared to SK, but at Toolsdelivered prices, the Williams sockets are only a bit more expensive than SK, and if you could actually get a hold of them, I'd say they could not be matched for the money. SK is probably a bit easier to deal with when it comes to warranty, though.
I forgot to mention before that I have seen a handful of listings for various USA Williams socket sets on eBay recently. I don't think I've seen any priced quite as low as TD, but I've seen some reasonably priced and some much higher priced from various sellers. I don't know for sure that they actually have them on hand, but I don't think eBay allows for sellers to just sell stuff that's backordered without clearly stating a shipping delay. They also might not be authorized dealers which might invalidate the factory warranty.
That is the least of what goes on, on ebay. Sellers copy ads from Amazon and substitute their name and increase the price. When an order comes in they give Amazon the buyers address and pocket the difference.Those buyers are pissed when the see the Amazon box and realize they over paid.Nobody but the buyer cares, The seller, ebay and Amazon all made money.
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Ah yes, I've heard of that happening before. Well I guess one should be careful with the eBay listings then. OP mentioned some issues with Amazon to begin with, so if the eBay sellers are drop-shipping from Amazon, you'd be paying extra and still be gambling on getting the right items. Some could be legit, though, so it might still be worth checking out and running some searches each day.