Curious as to how much of new price you pay for used Snap-On tools. I know Snap-On stuff tends to hold its value and tool condition is a major factor. Pre-Garage Journal my thoughts of Snap-On was it's very very nice stuff, but too rich for my blood. Now after finding GJ and the classifieds I'm starting to re-think that position. As of lately I have taken a liking for Snap-On ratchets and have collected a few from the classifieds, but now find myself eyeing other Snap-On items.
Used Snap-On pricing
- Thread starter enrare
- Start date
It will usually be different for each person but the general will be around 50% for used in good condition. The percentage will continue to go down as the condition of the tool goes down. But if the item is rare etc then that rule goes out the door.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
As a general rule if I can buy a SO tool for less than half of retail and the condition is good I feel that I got a good deal. If it has owners marks I won't exceed 25% of retail unless it's something I really need.
Thanks for the link, I tried a search but mostly was finding posts for the classifieds.
After reading the linked thread I started to wonder what criteria does one use to determine if a tools condition is excellent, good, etc? Seems like it might be pretty subjective. So far it looks like new/unused goes for 65-75% new price, great condition 55-65%, good condition around 50-60% and anything with personal markings around 25% new price. Does this sound about right for general stuff like ratchets, breaker bars, sockets, etc. and not vintage or rare collectable type items?
colt zantop
Well-known member
I wont buy a snap on tool unless its 50% of retail UNLESS I really really want it. Ive never paid full price for snap on and never will......
Packard V8
Well-known member
Yes, pretty much.
No, if one is only interested in functionality, not bothered by less-than-pristine condition, owner's markings, not being complete sets. Over the years, watching estate sales, garage sales, I've picked up a lot of Snap-on at bottom feeder prices.
Maybe, decide if you want it now, want it nice. Or, if you're willing to watch, wait, work, trade up over a lifetime, you can have all the Snap-on you will ever want at used tool prices.
jack vines
Anything over 50% and I think I am better off to pay the truck price and get the goodwill to warranty other items etc. Most of the good condition no engraving, but plenty of signs of use, normal tools I pay 25% or less of truck prices on.
Need4racin
Banned
Do these percentages you guys are naming have the shipping cost calculated into them?
im pretty much in agreement unless its something that i know i wont wear out or break. Especially with Snap-On enforcing mail in warranty on certain items.
Contract_Pilot
Well-known member
My tool buying without engravings has been an average of 25-35% of retail. If it had engravings I usually will not buy it unless it is something I really want.
I did get an ebay item recently and said no owners marks well it got here with the owners marks scratched out I paid 75% of retail, I was pissed but i needed the item but a pneumatic scotch bright pad and a new engraving with my info (not where I normally engrave so still an odd ball) looked good as new.
I did get an ebay item recently and said no owners marks well it got here with the owners marks scratched out I paid 75% of retail, I was pissed but i needed the item but a pneumatic scotch bright pad and a new engraving with my info (not where I normally engrave so still an odd ball) looked good as new.
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JeremyManning
Well-known member
up to 50% of new price if it is in nice shape with no initials
Man of Many Vices
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 366
Thanks for the link, I tried a search but mostly was finding posts for the classifieds.
After reading the linked thread I started to wonder what criteria does one use to determine if a tools condition is excellent, good, etc? Seems like it might be pretty subjective. So far it looks like new/unused goes for 65-75% new price, great condition 55-65%, good condition around 50-60% and anything with personal markings around 25% new price. Does this sound about right for general stuff like ratchets, breaker bars, sockets, etc. and not vintage or rare collectable type items?
Enrare:
I think you started something here. Coins and comic books are rated on a precise numeric scale (according to Pawn Stars), so why not tools?
Keep in mind that retail prices are often discounted 40 percent or more. Later, if a tool ends up on the bargain table or outlet store, it can drop another 20 percent or more.
In my view, 50 percent of retail should be the absolute highest price paid for any currently available tool. Once production ceases, the value should hold as long as the condition and appearance remain. As described above, some defects really diminish the value of a used tool, personal markings apparently being the most egregious.
Other factors that influence the desirability/value of a used tool include:
Objective criteria:
Damage: defects, wear, repairs, rust, flaked chrome/finish, appearance.
Functional issues: present usefulness, performance, quality/strength.
Immediacy of need, intended use, ability to obtain a substitute tool
Subjective criteria:
Design, appearance, Snap-on handle color
Uniqueness, scarcity, collector value
Age, history, provenance
External factors:
Shipping and transaction costs
repair/restoration
warranty/replacement
storage, display
I personally don't pay more than about 33 percent of retail price for any used tool, and usually a lot less: 25 percent and below, sometimes WAY BELOW. But I am not shopping for a specific tool, and don't really have a particular need. I am simply trying to acquire what I don't already have too many of at a price that will later allow me to sell it to the next guy without losing money.
Someone else might stumble across a rarely encountered tool in good condition that is no longer made, and is unavailable at retail. The tool will help complete a collection. He might be willing to pay 75 percent of former retail, or much more. That's OK, too.
I have bought newer Wilton vises in near new condition for about 15 percent of retail price, and paid probably 1,000 percent of original price for 100-year-old vises that were in fair to good condition.
Despite all the numbers and formulas, it boils down to "desirability" and "timing."
Toolhorder
Well-known member
I try for 45% or less as my Ebay rule. Getting harder and harder to stay under that figure though. Plenty of buyers willing to pay more...
I tend to stick to sale items on the truck unless I really want something.
I tend to stick to sale items on the truck unless I really want something.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i just warrantied a couple items through the website last week without a problem.
no questions asked.
even cornwell is replacing a ratchet they cant locate a kit for...
Why do people devalue a tool so much over engraving? It's not like they are rare collectables. Just tools. I think 50% off of msrp is average but engraving wouldn't bother me much unless there is a short story engraved on it.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
crewchief888
Well-known member
IMHO
a lot of people that devalue a tool because of owner markings arent buying that tool to use, most seem to be collectors.
most of the used tools i do buy have some type of owners markings on them, it doesnt bother me at all.
but i'm not a "collector"
I guess it depends on the career field you work in and what you wrench on.
For one thing, I do not like looking at someone's name or initials on my tools. I have pair diagonal cutters right now that have "Felix Rodriquez" etched in it and every yahoo at work is asking me if I stole it from him. Secondly, depending on how much they dug into the tool engraving, it will leave a bigger mess to remove it or the original engraving is past the chrome layer and causing the chrome plate to flake.
With the above in consideration, I price accordingly of what I will pay. I will also overlook tool ID engraving if it is just Tool box ID numbers and is not a short novel engraved on the tool.