Value on this box with tools

[nutsnbolts]

I am wanting to dip my toes into used tool reselling. I like the idea of buying a box full of tools, selling off some and maybe keeping some targeted items.

Here is an older Snap On box full of mostly Craftsman tools. Please tell me whether you think this would be a good candidate, what you think possible resale value might be if parted out, and any other thoughts you might have.

I was thinking somewhere in the $400 range might make this a good deal.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/5428188613.html

 

[1982fxr]

meh.

I don't know that market but that box seems like $500 empty and may take a few weeks to sell.

So all the time getting it, load, unload, take pics, a couple no-shows from cl waste your time before someone with cash shows, to get some meh tools that you probably already have to "make" $100? And that's if he takes $400.

I would look for another candidate but that's just my opinion.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Absolutely not.

If half of that were Snap on and complete sets, then yes. But Craftsman just doesn't make enough money.

I don't think I see one complete set of anything in there. Maybe the flare wrenches.

EDIT: those 3 Blue Pearl snappy drivers catch a pretty penny, but they look pretty beat. And what's all this goo on everything?

I do a lot of tool flipping. My best come ups are when you go to a CL buy and end up buying a truckload of all kinds of **** for $250-400 bux. Usually make a decent penny of that. Small loads are harder to make money off of.

EDIT: NOT A TACO> MY BAD. I'd pass unless you want the taco box, get it all for 400 and MAYBE get 200 back for tools. Then you gotta taco for 200ish. Not bad. Do you have a walk around area for a taco? (If you were thinking about keeping it that is)

 

[nutsnbolts]

Thanks for the feedback guys. All in the education.

I don't know what a taco box is...does it open on both sides? Also, I get the feeling like this box is older. What value would you put on the box alone? I was thinking it might be worth something like $300-$500, maybe less because it needs new locks.

Dave, if you happen to think of it, next time you spot what looks like a good deal on this sort of thing in your area, would you mind posting it here and telling me what makes it attractive to you?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

(A Taco Box, Taco Wagon, Etc...just a nickname for those. They open on the front as seen, then the other drawers open from side, and then on the back there is two large doors that open for ~5" deep shelves. I guess the A&P guys used/use them. (Airframe/airplane mechs). They have walk around room in a hangar. But that's not a taco. my bad. Here are tacos...https://www.google.com/search?safe=...6.0..2..0...1.1.64.img..0.16.1077.A0q0PIE8aI0)

That box is exactly as seen. some doors and some drawers. Probably worth 300 to the right person, IF the slides are good, frames not bent, paint condition in person??? IDK the Part Number off hand.

I'll look for a potential ad right now and see if I can come up with something....

 

[Mohawk Dave]

ok, not a perfect example because this is his dad's storage units, but may work the same. Look at this ad: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5422641815.html

You see how he hasn't taken the time to lay out every item, list every item, etc. Just a blanket statement: TOOLS. Either the seller is just sick of dealing with this stuff or is just plain lazy. Either way I'd take $500-1000 because no telling what is in there. And the more you buy the cheaper it gets.

I look for lazy ads on CL. Where they take pics of stuff without cleaning it, it's still halfway under the bench, made no attempt to pull it out in the light. Lazy people are just that and often $100 bill(s) speaks louder than words.

What I do try to avoid, unless it's an obvious deal, is ads like this: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5414014764.html This dude is not lazy. He took time to clean and set up for the camera, list each item....that means if you get there and find a million items, he will pull out a phone and look every one up.

Obviously, sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. But this is just speaking from experience. I think I've recycled maybe $100-150k on tools in the last 3 years. Some of that has bought other tools, some paid for bills when work was slow, some went to other hobbies.

I stick to small items for the most part. Stuff you can carry...easier to ship. I only do ebay now. Buy on CL and sell online. I hate selling on CL. Used to do it all the time.

 

[DBendr]

Resell. No. But I'd buy it, drag it in the shop for 3 days and when you saw it thurs you'd be drooling.
I'd pay the $500 for it.
Just think. If snap still made them you could get one off the truck for$2850

 

[Davefr]

I am wanting to dip my toes into used tool reselling. I like the idea of buying a box full of tools, selling off some and maybe keeping some targeted items.

Here is an older Snap On box full of mostly Craftsman tools. Please tell me whether you think this would be a good candidate, what you think possible resale value might be if parted out, and any other thoughts you might have.

I was thinking somewhere in the $400 range might make this a good deal.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/5428188613.html

At $400, you won't have much meat on the bone for resale IMHO.

I see about a $200 box and maybe $150 worth of tools. You might net about $100-200 profit if you piece mean everything out. It'll take a lot of time and patience.

 

[gte718p]

I've also been doing this for close to 15 years. For hand tools, if it doesn't say SnapOn, Mac or Matco on it its basically worthless.

I have never made anything selling craftsman or no name tools. I used to have a connection with a guy who had a booth at the local flee market and I would dump them on him cheap. He would sell them for dollar a tool on his table.

You have to account for your time. It takes time to drive out and inspect them, pick them ups, market them, and then either meet the buyers or ship the tools. Partial sets are hard to do. It is a lot of effort to sell 1 or 2 sockets.

Toolboxes are also hard. Depending on how bad it is that one might not be a bad deal. They move sllllllooooooooowlllllllllly and take up a huge amount of space. I ended up sitting on my last box for over a year taking up space in my garage. I'm honest with the people I buy from and I don't pay **** for toolboxes. Your better off selling it back to the Snappy dealer or listing it yourself. I just don't have room to store them.

I think it is probably priced about right. The wild card is the tool holders. Depending on the brand of the socket tray it could bring decent money. I think there is $600 dollars there mostly in the box, (that is in my market, I don't know Seattle) but there is also 20~30 hours of work to move everything. Selling online you assume you are going to loose 10% to scams and postage. You may also not see all of that money for months. Do the math and see if your time is worth it.

If you do decide to jump, take everything out of the box. Clean everything. Check and lubricate the slides and wax the box. Finally get good pictures. Group the tools in logical groups and get good pictures. Take detailed pictures of any mark/engravings.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

The only value I see is the box itself and the three pearl blue Snapon screwdrivers. It's not worth the asking price

 

[nutsnbolts]

ok, not a perfect example because this is his dad's storage units, but may work the same. Look at this ad: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5422641815.html

You see how he hasn't taken the time to lay out every item, list every item, etc. Just a blanket statement: TOOLS. Either the seller is just sick of dealing with this stuff or is just plain lazy. Either way I'd take $500-1000 because no telling what is in there. And the more you buy the cheaper it gets.

I look for lazy ads on CL. Where they take pics of stuff without cleaning it, it's still halfway under the bench, made no attempt to pull it out in the light. Lazy people are just that and often $100 bill(s) speaks louder than words.

What I do try to avoid, unless it's an obvious deal, is ads like this: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5414014764.html This dude is not lazy. He took time to clean and set up for the camera, list each item....that means if you get there and find a million items, he will pull out a phone and look every one up.

Obviously, sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. But this is just speaking from experience. I think I've recycled maybe $100-150k on tools in the last 3 years. Some of that has bought other tools, some paid for bills when work was slow, some went to other hobbies.

I stick to small items for the most part. Stuff you can carry...easier to ship. I only do ebay now. Buy on CL and sell online. I hate selling on CL. Used to do it all the time.

Wow, this is great insight, I hadn't really thought about it this way. I am always looking for ads with great pictures so I can see what it really is. But it makes sense; if the guy is too lazy to clean and organize, then he probably just wants to be rid of the whole mess. Good stuff Dave.

 

[nutsnbolts]

I've also been doing this for close to 15 years. For hand tools, if it doesn't say SnapOn, Mac or Matco on it its basically worthless.

I have never made anything selling craftsman or no name tools. I used to have a connection with a guy who had a booth at the local flee market and I would dump them on him cheap. He would sell them for dollar a tool on his table.

You have to account for your time. It takes time to drive out and inspect them, pick them ups, market them, and then either meet the buyers or ship the tools. Partial sets are hard to do. It is a lot of effort to sell 1 or 2 sockets.

Toolboxes are also hard. Depending on how bad it is that one might not be a bad deal. They move sllllllooooooooowlllllllllly and take up a huge amount of space. I ended up sitting on my last box for over a year taking up space in my garage. I'm honest with the people I buy from and I don't pay **** for toolboxes. Your better off selling it back to the Snappy dealer or listing it yourself. I just don't have room to store them.

I think it is probably priced about right. The wild card is the tool holders. Depending on the brand of the socket tray it could bring decent money. I think there is $600 dollars there mostly in the box, (that is in my market, I don't know Seattle) but there is also 20~30 hours of work to move everything. Selling online you assume you are going to loose 10% to scams and postage. You may also not see all of that money for months. Do the math and see if your time is worth it.

If you do decide to jump, take everything out of the box. Clean everything. Check and lubricate the slides and wax the box. Finally get good pictures. Group the tools in logical groups and get good pictures. Take detailed pictures of any mark/engravings.

Good to know about tool brands. While I do see some things from Proto, Williams, Wright, etc get decent money on Ebay, in general I have to agree with you. And I never thought about the value in things like the trays.

FWIW, when I posted this my thought was that maybe I could get it for like $400, sell off most of the tools to recoup much of that cost, and keep the box. I didn't realize that it opened in the front and back, so it wouldn't work well anyway.

As far as the time spent, personally I don't see that as an issue. Tools have become my hobby, so it is time that I would spend willingly. That being said, it is a lot more fun spending that time doing well with a good purchase than stressing out trying to get back out from underneath a bad purchase.

 

[zkling]

That's borderline fair as is. Box is just a 26" with built in side cabinet. Tools are mismatched.

If you are looking for money, get a part time job $/hour wise you will be ahead.

 

[MattVette89]

I'd say it's priced at the resale value for everything included. Probably $300-400 for the box and $200-300 for the tools top end. You can still sell Craftsman on Ebay pretty well, but not for anything near retail being used.

 

[nutsnbolts]

One thing that dawned on me is, if l couldn't sell it, would l still want to own it? While Craftsman in decent stuff, there really isn't much in this kit that l would be happy getting stuck with, especially after finding out that the box was different than I originally thought. So I move on. There is always another deal out there.

 

[four.cycle]

There is always another deal out there.

true.
which means that few deals are too good to pass up.
you could piece it all out on Ebay and sell each piece individually and get your money back out of it, but it would be a tremendous investment of your time.
as for market prices: Craftsman can be had fairly cheap down here on CL. no idea what the Seattle market is like.
couple examples from CL I purchased:
full set CM 1/2" dr. 12-pt SAE deep-wells all -V- no owner marks clean 1/2" - 1-1/4" - $20 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr. 12-pt SAE shallow all G no owner marks clean 7/16" - 1" = $20 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr 12-pt deep-well metric no owner marks clean = $25 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr 12-pt shallow metric = $20 cash
(* can't recall production codes on the metric .... believe they were both V )
CM 1/2" dr. VH oval-head ratchet - immaculate - $15 cash

all the stuff above looked almost new.

and then there was the guy I met late one night who needed money for cigarettes:
full set CM metric combination wrenches, two 1/4" wobbly sockets, set of 4 picks, one 3/8" V ratchet, and a couple screwdrivers (all US made, don't recall production codes) = $27 cash

but this is T-town, where money gets tight for a lot of people toward the end of the month - might be a different story up there.
as others have said, too much cash out of your pocket on a speculative bid.

I would pass or beat him down to maybe $350 - $400 (IF I really really wanted the box for myself, which I don't). and don't forget you gotta hassle I-5 up to Lynnwood and back.

 

[malykaii]

Sorry, but I don't see how you could make money on that. Sure you could sell the box for $400 when cleaned up... But the tools? Even if all the sets were actually complete, the average craftsman buyer can very easily but that study new from the store. No one is really going to seek you out. What does a c.m. wrench set sell for now, $20 new?

Maybe not a perfect example....
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/tls/5438773269.html
At least here it's mostly premium tools and complete sets. Plus it's way easier to sell kits, sockets, and wrenches still in the original box.

What you posted would make sense for a yard sale or,flea market setupm

 

[nutsnbolts]

true.
which means that few deals are too good to pass up.
you could piece it all out on Ebay and sell each piece individually and get your money back out of it, but it would be a tremendous investment of your time.
as for market prices: Craftsman can be had fairly cheap down here on CL. no idea what the Seattle market is like.
couple examples from CL I purchased:
full set CM 1/2" dr. 12-pt SAE deep-wells all -V- no owner marks clean 1/2" - 1-1/4" - $20 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr. 12-pt SAE shallow all G no owner marks clean 7/16" - 1" = $20 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr 12-pt deep-well metric no owner marks clean = $25 cash
full set CM 1/2" dr 12-pt shallow metric = $20 cash
(* can't recall production codes on the metric .... believe they were both V )
CM 1/2" dr. VH oval-head ratchet - immaculate - $15 cash

all the stuff above looked almost new.

and then there was the guy I met late one night who needed money for cigarettes:
full set CM metric combination wrenches, two 1/4" wobbly sockets, set of 4 picks, one 3/8" V ratchet, and a couple screwdrivers (all US made, don't recall production codes) = $27 cash

but this is T-town, where money gets tight for a lot of people toward the end of the month - might be a different story up there.
as others have said, too much cash out of your pocket on a speculative bid.

I would pass or beat him down to maybe $350 - $400 (IF I really really wanted the box for myself, which I don't). and don't forget you gotta hassle I-5 up to Lynnwood and back.

I have bought most of my tools on Ebay so I guess I couldn't give you a fair description of the tool market in Seattle. I grew up in the Edmonds/Lynnwood area and have spent my whole life in the north end. I always end up gravitating to ads in the north end because I will know how to get there and my way around. That being said, I always see ads for good deals in the south end, Tacoma, Burien/White Center, Tukwila, etc, so I am pushing myself to be more open minded and venture outside my comfort zone.

Those deals you got are pretty darn good

I have been looking around for other places to get tools, like pawn shops, etc. Do you know of any good ones down in Tacoma? There are also a bunch of those Habitat for Humanity reStores in the south sound area. And I see a lot of deals in Bremerton, from individuals as well as a place called Trader Magee's. I am guessing that is due to the navy base and the ship yard.

Tonight I change shifts from days to graves. I will be working 4-10's and have Fridays off, so I plan to take advantage and get to know the tool market in western Washington much better.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Sorry, but I don't see how you could make money on that. Sure you could sell the box for $400 when cleaned up... But the tools? Even if all the sets were actually complete, the average craftsman buyer can very easily but that study new from the store. No one is really going to seek you out. What does a c.m. wrench set sell for now, $20 new?

Maybe not a perfect example....
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/tls/5438773269.html
At least here it's mostly premium tools and complete sets. Plus it's way easier to sell kits, sockets, and wrenches still in the original box.

What you posted would make sense for a yard sale or,flea market setupm

How about this one?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/5437840281.html

 

[malykaii]

How about this one?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/5437840281.html

Better I say.

I say let it marinate on C.l. for a month and begin with the offers.

I

 

[Bobcat753]

How about this one?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/5437840281.html

That one is a little better but the $2000 it's posted for is all it's worth.

I've been working at a pawn shop now for 3 years and can see the value of something very quickly. I price all the outcoming tools and one thing for sure is you must take retail value and take 50% off. Most of the time in the used tool market you will have a very hard time selling something for 70% and up of the retail value. When it comes to selling Snap On and other "truck brands" a lot of seasoned mechanics will say they can get it off the truck for x and that they can pay $20 a week on that tool. I always price Snap On and other truck brands for 50% of retail too start off and go down from there based off condition,age, and if there are engravings. For tools in like new or brand new condition I price them at the 60%-75% range. When it comes to craftsman,SK, or similar brands the prices are always around the 15-40% of retail value again based off condition and the like. Also for tool boxes it takes time to sell large boxes. At the pawn shop we've had some good sized Snap On boxes and they usually sit for a year before we can move them.
Hopefully that gives you an idea of the used tool market.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Better I say.

I say let it marinate on C.l. for a month and begin with the offers.

I

Yeah, that was my thought too. Sometimes the best way to get a deal is to do nothing for a while.

 

[nutsnbolts]

That one is a little better but the $2000 it's posted for is all it's worth.

I've been working at a pawn shop now for 3 years and can see the value of something very quickly. I price all the outcoming tools and one thing for sure is you must take retail value and take 50% off. Most of the time in the used tool market you will have a very hard time selling something for 70% and up of the retail value. When it comes to selling Snap On and other "truck brands" a lot of seasoned mechanics will say they can get it off the truck for x and that they can pay $20 a week on that tool. I always price Snap On and other truck brands for 50% of retail too start off and go down from there based off condition,age, and if there are engravings. For tools in like new or brand new condition I price them at the 60%-75% range. When it comes to craftsman,SK, or similar brands the prices are always around the 15-40% of retail value again based off condition and the like. Also for tool boxes it takes time to sell large boxes. At the pawn shop we've had some good sized Snap On boxes and they usually sit for a year before we can move them.
Hopefully that gives you an idea of the used tool market.

Thanks for the insight. Just curious...how much would you say these boxes would be worth alone?

My thought was that this could possibly be had for something like $1200-$1500 with plenty of patience.

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd say $1000 for the bottom roller and $250 for the top box. The top box is an older MAC. The bottom is a Snap On with an odd drawer configuration. It lacks a full width top drawer which is a drawback in today's market.

 

[gte718p]

Thanks for the insight. Just curious...how much would you say these boxes would be worth alone?

My thought was that this could possibly be had for something like $1200-$1500 with plenty of patience.

If everything in the box was snappy that it might be a decent deal. The wrenches and ratchet shown are raised panel craftsman and pretty much worthless. The box is good quality but not an in demand style. I would have to see what is not pictured but $1000-$1200 is my best guess

You mentioned the other pro brands. Proto etc. I've found them to be extremely hit and miss. I have a good collection of people who buy from me regularly and ask me to lookout for things. I have never been asked for anything other then the big three. I've occasionally gotten good money for them, but most of the time they languish or go cheap. It's a mater of connecting with the right buyer at the right time. Ebay is good for that, but as a small seller you are going to lose 20%+ in fees to ebay/paypal.

 

[Bobcat753]

Another thing to mention is pay close attention to the ratchets and air tools. If the ratchets/ air tools are Snap On or Truck Brand then the rest should be of good quality. Also for air tools make sure you test them if possible. They can be what makes you the most money the quickest especially if you get the Ingersoll Titanium's or the Snap-On MG series impacts.

 

[nutsnbolts]

I'd say $1000 for the bottom roller and $250 for the top box. The top box is an older MAC. The bottom is a Snap On with an odd drawer configuration. It lacks a full width top drawer which is a drawback in today's market.

I think this set has a huge wildcard and that is the fact that there are23drawers and he shows photos of half a dozen. The other drawers could be full, they could be empty, they could be full of junk. If these photos are simply examples of what is found throughout the box, then it could be much better than it looks at first glance.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Another thing to mention is pay close attention to the ratchets and air tools. If the ratchets/ air tools are Snap On or Truck Brand then the rest should be of good quality. Also for air tools make sure you test them if possible. They can be what makes you the most money the quickest especially if you get the Ingersoll Titanium's or the Snap-On MG series impacts.

Good to know, and it makes sense.

 

[ssdave]

You have to do a lot of looking to find gems on CL. Most of the boxes of tools I see are really ratted up piles of miscellaneous junk. Or, guys that are trying to get 70 to 80% of retail for their stuff, ignoring what they've lost or broken over the years, ignoring the stuff that is obsolete, and ignoring that they got BOGO or discount deals on much of it.

Good case is a nice snap on box I looked at last week. 52" box, a lot of snap-on, a lot of blue point, some pittsburg, some other junk, a lot of miscellaneous stuff like carlyle and other house brands filling in the missing pieces. All SAE, only one set of metric wrenches and one 3/8" standard metric socket set.

The guy starts out by telling me that he figured it out, and he has invested $140,000 in the tools over the past 15 or 20 years. OKAY....... Where are you hiding them? Nice box, probably has $20,000 max retail in it if it was all Snap-on. It's maybe 1/4 snap on, 1/3 blue point, and the rest is miscellaneous and plain junk. He also tells me he paid $6500 for the box. Current retail is $5600 from Snap-On, and resale value is $1500.

Anyway, he starts out that he wants $14,000 to $18,000 for the tools and box. After a while, he's down to maybe $7000??? I told him we are too far apart to do much; he says to think about it and make him an offer after a while.

I go home and build a spreadsheet, and put in ebay prices to give a baseline for real world value. I come up with $4495 current used resale value for the tools and box. Okay, given that I end up paying 15% of total sale for ebay and paypal fees, now we're down to $3820. About 35 major sets/items, and about 35 other auctions to sell the stuff if I was to sell it all. Say 30 minutes to sort, take pictures, list, and ship the items. So, I'd have 35 hours in getting rid of it. I'd like to make $1000 for a weeks worth of work and risking that much money. So, have to buy it for about $2820 to make it even worthwhile. Now, I'd like to have some of that stuff, so I'd pay a premium to get it, and hope to sell some of the misc and junk to get it back. I'd pay $3000 to $3200 for the lot. If I was trying to make money, I'd want to buy it for $2500.

We're a long way apart.

Here's another fantasy seller; I can't believe he claims to be a retired mechanic:

http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/tls/5447150557.html


I wouldn't be wanting to try to make a living off of buying from craiglist and reselling!

 

[Jeepster425]

I always look for lots of tools, I bought a bunch of stuff in seatac from a retiring locomotive mechanic, spent 200$ for a bunch of stuff, and sold 200$ worth of stuff I didn't need, and still had probably 500+$ in stuff I use. All of it was snap on, except for the harbor freight wrenches and socket sets.
Didn't have no tool box, still an awesome deal though, just an example

 

[four.cycle]

nutsnbolts:

on the box: you have to really spend a lot of time doing searches on CL for a decent box that you're going to get at a good price, but they ARE out there now and then.
I was poking around in the "tools" section about a week or so back and found a listing for top and bottom Craftsman boxes - matched set - maybe a little older but both were absolutely immaculate. they'd be very well taken care of.
guy had them posted for $350 for the pair.

most of the boxes I see locally on CL are way overpriced for what they are and what's actually inside of them. I usually start laughing when I see photos of a big fancy-schmantzy box and then the photos of drawers filled with Pittsburgh and other offshore garbage.

you asked me before about pawnbrokers - the 1/2" CM SAE deep-wells ($20) and the 1/2" VH ratchet both came from American Pawnbrokers 5414 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408.
the other three socket sets I got from a kid out in Puyallup.
the $27 for cigarette money deal (all the CM was virtually new on that one) was a guy I met up in Milton at about 11:30 pm on a week night. (very weird deal, but I don't spook too easy.)

the Habitat for Humanity outlet here is over on South Tacoma Way between 38th and 56th. I've never been there but a buddy of mine told me they had some lawnmower parts way cheap. haven't ever gotten over there to check it out, though.

no shortage of pawnbrokers out on Pacific Hwy SW out near Bridgeport and Ponders Corner. couple of them out on Pacific Avenue - way out - Spanaway area.

just stay out of the east side and you'll be fine - keep west of Pacific Avenue.
east of there is low-life central - worse than Rat City up there.

 

[nutsnbolts]

You have to do a lot of looking to find gems on CL. Most of the boxes of tools I see are really ratted up piles of miscellaneous junk. Or, guys that are trying to get 70 to 80% of retail for their stuff, ignoring what they've lost or broken over the years, ignoring the stuff that is obsolete, and ignoring that they got BOGO or discount deals on much of it.

Good case is a nice snap on box I looked at last week. 52" box, a lot of snap-on, a lot of blue point, some pittsburg, some other junk, a lot of miscellaneous stuff like carlyle and other house brands filling in the missing pieces. All SAE, only one set of metric wrenches and one 3/8" standard metric socket set.

The guy starts out by telling me that he figured it out, and he has invested $140,000 in the tools over the past 15 or 20 years. OKAY....... Where are you hiding them? Nice box, probably has $20,000 max retail in it if it was all Snap-on. It's maybe 1/4 snap on, 1/3 blue point, and the rest is miscellaneous and plain junk. He also tells me he paid $6500 for the box. Current retail is $5600 from Snap-On, and resale value is $1500.

Anyway, he starts out that he wants $14,000 to $18,000 for the tools and box. After a while, he's down to maybe $7000??? I told him we are too far apart to do much; he says to think about it and make him an offer after a while.

I go home and build a spreadsheet, and put in ebay prices to give a baseline for real world value. I come up with $4495 current used resale value for the tools and box. Okay, given that I end up paying 15% of total sale for ebay and paypal fees, now we're down to $3820. About 35 major sets/items, and about 35 other auctions to sell the stuff if I was to sell it all. Say 30 minutes to sort, take pictures, list, and ship the items. So, I'd have 35 hours in getting rid of it. I'd like to make $1000 for a weeks worth of work and risking that much money. So, have to buy it for about $2820 to make it even worthwhile. Now, I'd like to have some of that stuff, so I'd pay a premium to get it, and hope to sell some of the misc and junk to get it back. I'd pay $3000 to $3200 for the lot. If I was trying to make money, I'd want to buy it for $2500.

We're a long way apart.

Here's another fantasy seller; I can't believe he claims to be a retired mechanic:

http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/tls/5447150557.html


I wouldn't be wanting to try to make a living off of buying from craiglist and reselling!

Thank you for all this great info. I like your system of figuring the value, that is very helpful.

That box you posted is beat to hell. I am sure there is some value in it to someone, that someone just isn't me.

FWIW, I don't have any grandiose dreams of making millions reselling used tools (although that wouldn't be half bad!). What I would like to do is buy boxes full of tools and resell enough to get my money back, and keep the rest. Or sell all the tools and get a free or cheap box out of the deal. That sort of thing. I am a tool junkie and I have resorted to dealing to feed my habit

 

[nutsnbolts]

nutsnbolts:

on the box: you have to really spend a lot of time doing searches on CL for a decent box that you're going to get at a good price, but they ARE out there now and then.
I was poking around in the "tools" section about a week or so back and found a listing for top and bottom Craftsman boxes - matched set - maybe a little older but both were absolutely immaculate. they'd be very well taken care of.
guy had them posted for $350 for the pair.

most of the boxes I see locally on CL are way overpriced for what they are and what's actually inside of them. I usually start laughing when I see photos of a big fancy-schmantzy box and then the photos of drawers filled with Pittsburgh and other offshore garbage.

you asked me before about pawnbrokers - the 1/2" CM SAE deep-wells ($20) and the 1/2" VH ratchet both came from American Pawnbrokers 5414 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408.
the other three socket sets I got from a kid out in Puyallup.
the $27 for cigarette money deal (all the CM was virtually new on that one) was a guy I met up in Milton at about 11:30 pm on a week night. (very weird deal, but I don't spook too easy.)

the Habitat for Humanity outlet here is over on South Tacoma Way between 38th and 56th. I've never been there but a buddy of mine told me they had some lawnmower parts way cheap. haven't ever gotten over there to check it out, though.

no shortage of pawnbrokers out on Pacific Hwy SW out near Bridgeport and Ponders Corner. couple of them out on Pacific Avenue - way out - Spanaway area.

just stay out of the east side and you'll be fine - keep west of Pacific Avenue.
east of there is low-life central - worse than Rat City up there.

Sounds like I need to take a trip down there. One of my fears has always been going into neighborhoods I don't know with a pocket full of cash on me, so those little bits of info are handy. Are you ever available on weekdays? I have Fridays off and I would love to hit some pawn shops with you sometime if you're interested.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Thanks for the tips Oliver!

Honestly, this is really just a hobby for me. I currently have a pile of sockets covering my entire work bench that is ready for me to sort and create sets, and put away in bins. When I have time to play, it is generally in my little shop. So time isn't a huge factor. I am doing okay financially and I don't need the income.

I can tell by your suggestion of using a "sprinter" car that gasoline is expensive where you live. I have a little Toyota pickup that gets 25 mpg and gas is a couple dollars a gallon, so it isn't a huge expense. And I don't have a huge bottom line I am trying to meet. All I really want to do is learn more about different tools and brands, buy stuff and sell enough to recoup my investment and be able to keep some of the tools, or maybe get a free tool box. I especially like the possibility of getting free oddball tools; homemade tools, punches, old stuff...all the little things that are really useful that one could glean from another's tool chest.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

This is probably a good one to check out. He has "lots of tools" with no pics. Old shop=cool stuff that hasn't been used for years.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5446240722.html

I see a trippy looking vise on a really overbuilt stand. No telling what's in there.

 

[zkling]

Yeah, that was my thought too. Sometimes the best way to get a deal is to do nothing for a while.

Been deleted, must have been a good deal.

 

[nutsnbolts]

This is probably a good one to check out. He has "lots of tools" with no pics. Old shop=cool stuff that hasn't been used for years.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/5446240722.html

I see a trippy looking vise on a really overbuilt stand. No telling what's in there.

Yeah, that place looks like it could hold all kinds of goodies. In fact, I can see the conversation unfolding...

Him: "Feel free to look around and if you see something you like, make me an offer."

Me: "What about this?"

Him: "Damn, I forgot I even had that thing..."

 

[nutsnbolts]

Been deleted, must have been a good deal.

Musta been some cool stuff in those other 15 drawers

Still, that ad was a good deal for me. I learned lot from it, and I am now more prepared for the next one. Besides, I wasn't ready for more tools yet anyway. I still have that pile of sockets on my work bench to sort through!