Went shopping thru Craigslist this weekend

[glenmore]

I spent an interesting weekend combing thru Craigslist looking for a gently used box or maybe even a brand new one. I had orginally come across this site after seeing the incredibly priced stainless steel boxes at COSTCO a couple of years ago. Tucked deep into every male cranial recess is the desire to someday have a nice box. Who hasn't lusted for a big box from SO or Matco? At the end of the weekend I realized why I was wrong in concluding that since a SO or Matco box were at such a deep discount to the truck price that they just had to be a bargain! A brand new KRL722 with SS top for $3500 versus the truck price of maybe $6000? What a deal! I found a miraculously brand new unused, made in 2006 Matco MB7525, the equivalent of Matco's current 6225R model for $2300. Current list is $7000! What I should have been doing was shopping with HF or International or Strictlytoolboxes prices in mind rather than ficticious truck list prices. Looking at it this way you soon realize how vastly inflated prices are for the big name boxes. It isn't hard to figure out why. There are so many professional discounts, student discounts, promotions, and generous tool allowances that work to inflat list prices. Trucks give high trade in allowances for old boxes which keeps list prices high and perpetuates the cycle. You can buy with interest free credit at a truck This must be a huge factor when box prices can reach into 5 figures. But none of these benefits accrue to an average buyer like me.

I'm faced with spending either 2000-3500 for ONE big name rollaway box or spending 1000-2000 on a generic and getting BOTH upper and lower boxes! Make no mistake, Snap Ons and Matcos are nice but let's be realistic.

I am looking for a 54 wide, 24 deep sized box. I only see 2 now that HF no longer carries that size. International makes a combo for about $1600 and Mountain at strictlytoolboxes has one at about $2250. Are there any other brands to consider?

Thanks,
glenmore

 

[Shocker]

There are lots of deals on Snap On, MAC and Matco boxes on CL. With a budget of $2500, you can get just about anything you want if you are willing to wait.

On that note, I was just at Sams Club and looked at the Steel Glide stainless top and bottom. 56" I believe for $1263. Made by CSPS (they made my Costco box). I think they are pretty great boxes for the price.

 

[rwhite692]

Glenmore you are correct, you can't pay attention to the list prices. I was able to purchase a brand new in the box, KRL-7023APC from the snap-on guy who serves the Mooresville, NC area where my family works for a Nationwide team and gets a huge discount as well as all manner of promotions.... I won't say what we paid but I have seen 10 year old used ones sell for more. It was well worth the $400 I paid to ship it out to CA. Take your time looking, and you will find a deal on your "dream" toolbox. Don't "settle", you will regret it (just my $.02)

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Don't overlook the Cornwell boxes; they've got some nice ones also.