Why does Snap-On continuously make people rage?

[Shoreline_]

Is it ignorance or jealously or what? Every time I come across a YouTube short or FB reel about a Snap-On product there is like so much rage against it it's almost comical. It's like the person has to tell everyone that harbor freight is cheaper for the "exact same product" lol. It's like oh thanks for the info I didn't know they existed (but I knew snapon did).

 

[gungatim]

Some of us don't think the premium charged on premium items is proportionate to the incremental value.

As a result, we feel insulted by the fanbois that need to reinforce their choice by constantly showing off.

It's not just Snap-On, go on any hobby forum. There is always the outrageously priced premium "whatever" that has a ********* group of fanbois. guns, knives, speakers, food dehydrators, vacuum's, coffee makers, motorcycles, computers, phones, etc.

 

[Shoreline_]

I've never seen someone "show off" their new snapon tools other than in the show your new tools thread. In real life I've had other mechanics be excited to show me new fandangle snapon tool because it'll help with a specific job or task. But I usually think about the job. I don't think about the price or brand. I'm like oooohhh that's slicker than dog ****. Not like "oh you paid too much for those. You can get that at harbor freight for yadda yadda" it just makes the whole crowd of haters look jealous.

 

[mike93lx]

Is it ignorance or jealously or what? Every time I come across a YouTube short or FB reel about a Snap-On product there is like so much rage against it it's almost comical. It's like the person has to tell everyone that harbor freight is cheaper for the "exact same product" lol. It's like oh thanks for the info I didn't know they existed (but I knew snapon did).

Its for clicks, and it's working

 

[seber]

Every tool made by Snap-on is among the very best. Note, they don't make everything they sell. If you search around you can find other brands that do one or the other tool as well or even slightly better, but no one does everything as well as Snap-on. So for those buying on line, Snap-on is not going to be your best deal as almost every other brand that does as well will be somewhat cheaper for the same quality tool. That is because the tool truck model and incredible guarantee results in high overhead. If that bothers you, buy elsewhere. I don't understand why it should trigger anyone. Personally, I have a lot of Snap-on because back in the day, the tool truck was the best way to get quality tools. But even then, I never bought anything rebranded by Snap-on. Today I only look to Snap-on for something no one else makes.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Couple things -

1) Some people inherently like to be contrarian. If Snapon moved their prices to the right on the decimal point (List price on an 84" epiq becomes $1800), people would still inherently hate on them just to be "different" or "against" what is popular. Plenty would be lining up to explain why spending more to get an Icon box, or whoever, would be better simply because they're against the status quo.

2) Holiness of reduced cost. While I enjoy a good bargain as much as anyone, some view lower cost as the goal above all else. Being that snap on is so expensive, that splits that group into 2. The first are those comparing similar performance, the second being price alone. An example of each would be a Proto ratchet (premium performance at a lower cost), and the 7.99 Hart ratchet at walmart (comparable base function, lowest possible cost). If you're talking social media, IMO you find more of the latter. GJ has much more of the former as a %.

3) Engagement. It gets attention. Why is it always snap on and harbor freight? The most expensive and the least. Easy comparisons, people know who they are. One has to become much more niche to find the Koken comparisons. Probably the next most engaged with tool-truck brand is Matco, due to all the rebranding. Not many people hating on the 88 tooth ratchets though.



I have been fixing cars professionally ~13years. I have lots of brands, most of the usual suspects. If they make tools in 2024 for the US market, odds are they're in my box. I was changing a wheel bearing in a subaru last week, and took a look at my filthy tear-down cart. Snap on hammer, Snap on electric ratchet with a snap on socket, 2 snap on torque wrenches, astro impact with a HF extension and a snap on swivel, an astro 498 air hammer, M12 stubby with a snap on swivel. I wonder if people think I'm a fan boy? Doesn't really phase me if they do, I just thought "Hmm I have a lot of this brand on this job". Would anyone judge me or think differently of me and my work? People have seen my tool boxes and assume I'm in a bunch of debt. I don't care for that assumption personally, probably the only one that gets under my skin a little bit. Of course they never say that looking at the cornucopia of brands inside, just the shiny snap-on logos on the front. You don't get very much "wow you've invested so much in your trade to be ready for any possible contingency which my arise", which is really the point of all the tools.

Oh, and for that wheel bearing job, I was wearing a Snapon hat. I was WAY overdue for a haircut. Post-hair cut, the hat is back on the dresser. Maybe people call me a fan boy. Doesn't hurt my feelings. I buy what I like, and want.

 

[Jim greengo]

Is it ignorance or jealously or what? Every time I come across a YouTube short or FB reel about a Snap-On product there is like so much rage against it it's almost comical. It's like the person has to tell everyone that harbor freight is cheaper for the "exact same product" lol. It's like oh thanks for the info I didn't know they existed (but I knew snapon did).

It's a free country,last time I checked.
Spend your money where ever you want.

 

[Hakeem]

Some of the Snapon fanboys give off the vibe of “if you were a serious tool user, you’d have Snapon” or “you can’t get any work done unless you’re using Snapon”, etc. That small group seems to give everyone else a bad name.

Another part is probably the phenomenon of “sour grapes” at play, ie: “well I’m not going to spend $480 on a set of combo wrenches, those come out of the same factory as ICON”.

 

[lardy1]

I've been hanging around this site for five or six years now and it still baffles me why anyone would give a rat's *** where and how anyone else spends their tool money. Not only does it not have any bearing on your own tools, work or lifestyle, but it's also none of your business.

I typically avoid these threads because every single one of them ends up off the rails and into the toilet of HF vs SO ********.

 

[johninct]

Last week my cousin broke his Craftsman T-27 torx bit. He borrowed my Snap-On bit and got the job done no problem.

 

[Snapped-off]

 

[MarkH]

When I give a talk or write an article in the medical world I HAVE to disclose any relationship I may have with anyone involved with selling something related to my content. Be it a medical group, pharmacological group or anything. If I am talking about something the people listening need to be able to judge what I say based on this relationship. If I say something is great and I am a paid advertiser or pilot site it means something different than if I am an unbiased user.

A very high percent of the content we view is provided by people who make their money by juicing their content to get maximum views. The more views the more money and gaining the name of influencer so people selling things, concepts, people, etc will contact them to influence people to buy their "product". Cash or equivalents exchange hands. Some of these make it very easy to see they are doing advertising, some are much harder to see through. Still the name of the game is influencing you to do something.

I guess the old man in me does not really like to be influenced to purchase, use or accept anything that I could not rationally justify without the influence process. I have seen too much lipstick on too many pigs in my years. Recognizing the influence process is part of the training that happens with our younger family members. Before getting triggered to buy or hate, what is the source causing you to say that and its bias. You just pitched the 4th unusable item in the 100 yard junk toss or was it from someone peddling influence. Four pieces of junk means do not buy a 5th, an influence peddler you need more input.

I wish like in medicine, the media creator would have to make disclaimers of involvement or pay by a competitor. It would be great to see this take down of competitor A was not done independently it was funded by competitor C.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Some of the Snapon fanboys give off the vibe of “if you were a serious tool user, you’d have Snapon” or “you can’t get any work done unless you’re using Snapon”, etc. That small group seems to give everyone else a bad name.

Another part is probably the phenomenon of “sour grapes” at play, ie: “well I’m not going to spend $480 on a set of combo wrenches, those come out of the same factory as ICON”.

I've always wondered if your first example is simply being prideful, and the negativity which usually accompanies that. From a desire to elevate ones self, they put down others.

 

[MovingAlong]

Some of us have dealt with significant debt in business before and find the idea of borrowing money for something that (if we got past the branding) we could own instead, well, that's just hard to watch.

Experienced, successful adults paying cash for Snap-On - sure, nothing but admiration there. They appear to be awesome tools and would be proud to have them!

But a brand new tech, borrowing money they shouldn't because they were "influenced" by others - that's just frustrating to watch...

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." Older folks try to help with hard earned wisdom and advice, but what can you do?

 

[MovingAlong]

A very high percent of the content we view is provided by people who make their money by juicing their content to get maximum views.

Ever watch The Price Is Right? Can you believe we used to schedule time to sit and watch a one hour commercial for dozens of everyday products? "Tell us about these prizes Johnny..." And then complain when that hour was interrupted for more commercials?

Making money from YouTube is the dream for most. I'm not immune to their efforts and have purchased many items due to being influenced. Sometimes I enjoy the process and end up learning about a product I was unaware of before. Sometimes I just get suckered...

Advertising is nothing new. And remember, as with anything on the internet, if you're not paying for the product then the product is you.

 

[f121]

But a brand new tech, borrowing money they shouldn't because they were "influenced" by others - that's just frustrating to watch...

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." Older folks try to help with hard earned wisdom and advice, but what can you do?

I would argue this situation has improved in the 20 years since I left the trade. Back then the assumption was you had to buy snap on/mac because everything else was junk and would break, and the old techs all had Snap on and would steer the young guys to buy it. Influencing didn’t get invented with social media.

 

[mreisner]

As dirty as the Harbor Freight owner is I find it pretty hard to believe that there isn't a whole lot of behind the scenes cash being spread around for influence on the so-called independent productions we see on YouTube. If you get the job done with what you have that's great, if something at a higher price point helps you get the job done better and faster that's great too. An awful lot of these independent productions are pretty far from it however. Harbor Freight has poached a whole lot of Snap-on executives, yet they don't produce single tool anywhere in the world, it's all contracted out. I was in a Harbor Freight yesterday and bought a few things, I also was on a Snap-On truck this morning and bought a few things. 40 years ago when I was starting out I first needed metric tools for a dirt bike and it was pretty hard to find them anywhere other than the flea market and the absolute **** they had there. A lot of times they maybe worked once before they started rounding Nuts and Bolts off. A few years later I moved up to Craftsman. They got the job done quite a bit better except for the ****** ratchets. Over the years import tools have gotten much better. I still use some, but I also have gotten a great appreciation for very well made tools and at this point in my life I can afford them. Some of it is for ergonomics and there are a few things I wouldn't trust to anything other but a top line tool. The venom and vitriol can a lot of times be traced down to jealousy, and some of it just plain ignorance. It's what you like and you can afford, simple as that. Timex still makes a pretty accurate watch, Rolex is better as far as intricacy and a status symbol for sure. They both get the job done and some people have both.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Is it ignorance or jealously or what? Every time I come across a YouTube short or FB reel about a Snap-On product there is like so much rage against it it's almost comical. It's like the person has to tell everyone that harbor freight is cheaper for the "exact same product" lol. It's like oh thanks for the info I didn't know they existed (but I knew snapon did).

They are probably being paid to do so by Harbor Freight or other brands or companies. Since Snap-On is known to be one of the best tools professionals use to make a living they are being referenced or targeted. I would also do the same even if I don't believe in the lower cost product as long as I get paid by the sponsors.

 

[four.cycle]

^ That "Snap-on" is a brand of hand tool isn't relevant. They are the de facto industry leader (unless you're talking sheer volume, in which case it's SBD.)
The person or party at the top of the heap is always the target of derision among the masses. Take your pick:

Chevrolet
Ford
Coca Cola
McDonalds
Taylor Swift

There is nothing new under the sun.

 

[MovingAlong]

Never mind...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I would argue this situation has improved in the 20 years since I left the trade. Back then the assumption was you had to buy snap on/mac because everything else was junk and would break, and the old techs all had Snap on and would steer the young guys to buy it. Influencing didn’t get invented with social media.

When I got into this, a bit over a decade, the internet tool game was just spoooling up. By the time I was doing real tech work, ~ 5 years in, I was buying tools online like crazy. Little to no warranty service, but hey you could get a lot of value.

It was tough to try and buy very basic tools from Lowes, harbor freight, etc. Although I probably spent a couple grand at HF.

 

[AEAdam]

Really insightful comments guys. Interesting. Agree, the comments I’ve seen aren’t about tools per se.

I think the desire to belong has a lot to do with the social dynamic on the internet. American men don’t really socialize with each other like they used to. Bowling leagues are gone, they don’t meet for poker night. Even the weekly pub night, doesn’t seem to be a thing anymore. Church groups, softball, other social group memberships are all down. They (we) do the same pathetic “social media stuff” we don’t want our kids doing.

I think what we read is our frail human need to belong, choose teams, root for our team and against the other tribe. For my part, I’ve risen above all that tribal nonsense. I don’t care what tools you buy as long as you aren’t a Dallas fan. GO BIRDS!

 

[P0234]

Last week my cousin broke his Craftsman T-27 torx bit. He borrowed my Snap-On bit and got the job done no problem.

Pretty sure its statements like above that seem to fan the flames.

 

[dr_clyde]

I don't see it any differently than any other higher priced "luxury" product.

The camp that bought the expensive thing wants to show off their nice thing, be proud of it and defend their purchase. The camp that didn't buy the expensive thing wants to feel justified in their position, so they make arguments to the contrary. Both sides can go way too far, sometimes partaking in ad-hominem attacks vs making an educated argument.

In general, the vast majority of luxury goods need to be in some way superior to the economy version. Most of the time you hit a point of diminishing returns pretty quickly and transition into higher price for the sake of status. Exclusivity via price.

Does Snap-on charge more simply because they can? Absolutely. Snap-on has never been a good VALUE, but some folks are willing to pay for luxury. They also happen to be extremely nice tools sold using a business model that can be abused or used irresponsibly.

In the end, the high price will just plain chap some people's *** the wrong way no matter how good the item is. Consequently, there will always be an argument about it.

 

[four.cycle]

and defend their purchase

it's called "confirmation bias" and we ALL do it. just mentioned it in another thread about 1/4" drive sockets

 

[isb cornbinder]

Is it ignorance or jealously or what? Every time I come across a YouTube short or FB reel about a Snap-On product there is like so much rage against it it's almost comical. It's like the person has to tell everyone that harbor freight is cheaper for the "exact same product" lol. It's like oh thanks for the info I didn't know they existed (but I knew SnapOn did).

Snap-On do not make anyone "rage". A person makes the choice to rage. I think the person doing the raging might have less to be annoyed about, if they had educated themselves on the product. If it is the price, don't shop there. I recognize SnapOn as a quality product seller, so I always call SnapOn for that special tool not available anywhere else.

 

[RivennHewn]

Maybe cuz people like y’all keep fanning the flame

 

[neophyte]

They are probably being paid to do so by Harbor Freight or other brands or companies. Since Snap-On is known to be one of the best tools professionals use to make a living they are being referenced or targeted. I would also do the same even if I don't believe in the lower cost product as long as I get paid by the sponsors.

Snap-On likely pays for advertising as well.
Snap-On is even mentioned in at least one of the Fast and Furious movies, by a character with a high end shop, who specifically mentions that “All his tools and Equipment are Snap-On”.

Snap-On dealers seem to have “Canned Demos” they use for customers to sell the various tools, that just demonstrate the advantages of the particular tool.
While I don’t necessarily hate “Canned Demos”, the best way to test a general purpose tool, is to use it for ultra difficult tasks, or to hand it to the 300lb. Weight lifting idiot you know, and have him try to use it, and probably in a way that was not intended.
This is what I mean about “Canned Demos”.

And a couple TikTok videos if they work.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7343668048689237294
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7234840506973293866
I personally prefer video reviews like this one, which isn't comprehensive, but also isn’t a one trick pony either.
Also, showing an older pair that has turned dark with age, and has lost its grips over the years, sort of shows the potential durability better than a brand new display pair does.

One or more of the videos from the major Automotive trade show showed that Harbor Freight is planing to release a version of these.
People were complaing about Harbor Freight “stealing” Snap-On’s IP because of this and some other items, But if you look up the history of these pliers, the design seems to go back to at least the early 1970s, and I couldn’t find a patent for the design so it likely wasn’t original enough in either function or aesthetics to be patentable.
It’s also far from the first or last “compound leverage” plier design.
Judging by the old pair in the last linked video above, the Snap-On version does seem durable.
I’m more likely to purchase the Harbor Freight version, if it ever comes out, first though, to determine if I find the design useful, since these pliers cost $90 from Snap-On.

 

[neophyte]

Snap-On do not make anyone "rage". A person makes the choice to rage. I think the person doing the raging might have less to be annoyed about, if they had educated themselves on the product. If it is the price, don't shop there. I recognize SnapOn as a quality product seller, so I always call SnapOn for that special tool not available anywhere else.

The tube bender looks a heck of a lot like the Ridgid 456 tube bender, but maybe with different castings to distinguish it from the Ridgid version.

 

[BrandonV]

The tube bender looks a heck of a lot like the Ridgid 456 tube bender, but maybe with different castings to distinguish it from the Ridgid version.

Looks more like these. I won't buy any Blue-Point tools, generally you can find something identical or equal for less.

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders - Imperial Tools

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders For soft copper, aluminum and thin wall steel tubing. For 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16” and 3/8” O.D. tubing. Makes up to 90°

imperial-tools.com

People raging against Snap-on it's usually fall in the camp of being irrationally jealous or they legitimately have a good opinion about a particular tool.

 

[neophyte]

Looks more like these. I won't buy any Blue-Point tools, generally you can find something identical or equal for less.

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders - Imperial Tools

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders For soft copper, aluminum and thin wall steel tubing. For 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16” and 3/8” O.D. tubing. Makes up to 90°

imperial-tools.com

People raging against Snap-on it's usually fall in the camp of being irrationally jealous or they legitimately have a good opinion about a particular tool.

Imperial might also be the OEM.
They do produce some other items for Snap-On.

 

[neophyte]

Looks more like these. I won't buy any Blue-Point tools, generally you can find something identical or equal for less.

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders - Imperial Tools

368-FH IMP™ Triple Head Benders For soft copper, aluminum and thin wall steel tubing. For 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16” and 3/8” O.D. tubing. Makes up to 90°

imperial-tools.com

People raging against Snap-on it's usually fall in the camp of being irrationally jealous or they legitimately have a good opinion about a particular tool.

I don’t hate Snap-On, I just get annoyed because certain people treat SO with a cult like following, similar to what happens with certain other brands, like Apple, etc.
I also can’t purchase Snap-On from a lot of the Industrial dealers I get other tools and supplies from, which means I can’t just add a Snap-On item to an order I’m already placing.

 

[BrandonV]

I don’t hate Snap-On, I just get annoyed because certain people treat SO with a cult like following, similar to what happens with certain other brands, like Apple, etc.
I also can’t purchase Snap-On from a lot of the Industrial dealers I get other tools and supplies from, which means I can’t just add a Snap-On item to an order I’m already placing.

There are a few tools from them I've really not impressed with but shocking you'll never find anything negative about them.

Klein is almost as bad. Milwaukee fan boys too.

 

[neophyte]

There are a few tools from them I've really not impressed with but shocking you'll never find anything negative about them.

Klein is almost as bad. Milwaukee fan boys too.

True about Milwaukee and Klein.
It seems every tool catagory, or at least industry, has “That Brand” that everybody puts on a pedestal.
For woodworking hand held Power Tools, it’s Festool.
For construction hand held power tools, it seems to be Hilti.

 

[rust in the eye]

Some just can't keep their opinions to themselves. The fanboys and haters amuse me equally. Get a grip, its just screwdrivers and wrenches.

 

[BrandonV]

Some just can't keep their opinions to themselves. The fanboys and haters amuse me equally. Get a grip, its just screwdrivers and wrenches.

I usually like to tell people that if you go to countries where Snap-on has no presence or little presence they're still working on million dollar equipment just fine.

 

[rust in the eye]

I usually like to tell people that if you go to countries where Snap-on has no presence or little presence they're still working on million dollar equipment just fine.

exactly!

 

[isb cornbinder]

The tube bender looks a heck of a lot like the Ridgid 456 tube bender, but maybe with different castings to distinguish it from the Ridgid version.

You are 100% correct. I have both. When the price is right, I jump on it in a New York Minute. Ridgid do not give their tools away, either.
The best small diameter tube benders come from Ridgid with their LAB series. Over time I have managed to collect the complete set of Ridgid Lab tube benders. Only one size came from NAPA.

 

[richfinn]

Maybe your choice of YouTube videos/Facebook Groups are aimed at creating divisiveness?

It seems like the Whole World has gone down this path in the past decade

 

[FigN⋅m]

Sheeeeet, I'm just glad there a plenty of choices and that
I'm free to make as many good or bad ones as I want.