Why truck brands

[-Brent-]

Hmmm... the stuff I bought from the "truck brand" is stuff I couldn't get comparable locally OR less expensively. Plus, everything I've gotten has been nothing short of my expectations.

 

[ajchien]

I'm a DIYer and I've never set foot on a tool truck.

But if I were a pro, there's no doubt I'd buy tool truck brands.

1) since its my business, it's tax deductible. Of course, this doesn't make it even, but it does close the gap.

2) yes, it is more convenient. It's not about turn around time of when the truck comes next or how fast the mail comes. It's about not having to go to the internet to find a phone number and to pick up the phone to make a call. It's about not having to go to the post office. 3 minute Internet search, 5 minute phone call, 15 minute drive to the post office, 15 minutes waiting in line, 15 minutes back to work. I'm not wasting my lunch hour to do that. If I'm a pro, there's no way 1 broken tool or a dozen broken tools stops me from doing my job. I've already got backup methods available. The broke tool just gets out aside until the truck comes.

3) there a real person I get to know and deal with. His livelihood is dependent on how much I like him. He wants to make me happy. That means certain things and benefits will happen in my favor the more I work with him.

4) how many other systems are there where I can obtain an item I can't afford right now, to make me money right now, and make payments slowly over time? Yeah, it's like having access to a business loan instantly without paperwork.





Now in my day job, I do have something equivalent to trucks. We call them vendors. Have I ever shopped outside of vendors to get a cheaper price? No. Why not?

In my cell phone contacts: Hey Kirstie (super hot blonde vendor, always wears skirts, I am perfectly aware that the skirts are there to prevent me from forgetting about her), I got this job next Tuesday. I know you have XYZ that would be perfect to get this done. Last time i did one of these jobs it took 2 hours. Can I sample one that day, and can you send someone to teach me how to use it? Next Tuesday, Kirstie doesn't come herself (damn), but sends someone else (fully competent) to bring me a sample and show me how to work it. It works like it should. Done in 15 minutes. Next week: Hey Kirstie, everything worked just perfect. I'm buying 10 of those, should last me 2 years. They come in 2 weeks later.

Basically 2 phone calls lasting 5-10minutes at most total ( got me a freebie sample, training how to use it while using it on the job, and ordered enough for the next few years) of what I needed to do a job saving me more than an hour and half over the previous way.

 

[Wamsutta]

Ok. I got to ask why are people so stuck on truck brands when they know they can get the same exact tool for a fraction of the cost.

I have seen several post where people have said the source that a truck company get a specific tool rebadged in their name. But people keep paying the inflated price for the same thing.

The thing is, they're not the same exact tool. Different brands of tools have different shapes. Different shapes have a different feel in the hands. And then there's the functional aspect too; they all function differently.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Ok. I got to ask why are people so stuck on truck brands when they know they can get the same exact tool for a fraction of the cost.

I have seen several post where people have said the source that a truck company get a specific tool rebadged in their name. But people keep paying the inflated price for the same thing.

They got **** calendars of wimminz!

To answer your question about rebranding...um well some people don't know it's rebranded (takes a decent amount of time to figure it out). Some guys buy enough that they can warranty the stuff they buy used from other sources with their driver but at the end of the day this activity usually results in a price raise in the future and potentially offshoring just like with craftsman.

Honestly, the quality of **** tools nowadays is so much better than it used to be. If I can't buy it anywhere else then I'll buy it from a truck brand (not necessarily a truck driver).

Runs away...far away.

 

[nickjj]

Ok. I got to ask why are people so stuck on truck brands when they know they can get the same exact tool for a fraction of the cost.

1 Because you can pay a small amount (each week for the rest of your life) and have the tool there and then.

2 Having a big SO toolbox is a bit of a pose.

3 If you break something they give you another one.

 

[Bruce57]

Guess you've never heard the phrase " It ain't the brand of tool in the hand of the mechanic that makes him good, it the brains of the mechanic holding it"

Well said. However, keep this in mind as well - “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin

 

[JDon99]

I am just a DIYer at home and I still order stuff online from the big three. I do this because of the quality and COO, so not everyone that buys from them work at a shop or dealership...

 

[cburnscrx]

2) yes, it is more convenient. It's not about turn around time of when the truck comes next or how fast the mail comes. It's about not having to go to the internet to find a phone number and to pick up the phone to make a call. It's about not having to go to the post office.

3 minute Internet search,
5 minute phone call,
15 minute drive to the post office,
15 minutes waiting in line,
15 minutes back to work.
I'm not wasting my lunch hour to do that.

If I'm a pro, there's no way 1 broken tool or a dozen broken tools stops me from doing my job. I've already got backup methods available. The broke tool just gets out aside until the truck comes.

Umm...

You're not too familiar with the postal service these days are you? No need to drive the post office at all

They supply the boxes/envelopes which they will deliver to your location
They pickup the package either at the mailbox or for a time you schedule
You can pay for and print the shipping label from your computer.

So why are you going to the post office again?

 

[Fretters]

The thing these type of thread always make me wonder is to why do people feel so inclined to defend their own or question someone elses choice? Whether it be homemade or import, shop or truck, cheap or expensive, each to their own. If a person is happy with their choices, why does it matter what someone else believes? Also, why defend a choice you're happy with just because someone else thinks differently?

If anyone can look at their tool collection and know they're sorted and happy, it should be irrelevant what anyone else thinks, has or chooses to do.

Well said. However, keep this in mind as well - “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin

That saying is quite right. Experience would be a nonexistent thing if people didn't continue to do these things though.

 

[jethro29]

you get the items delivered to your place of employment, you can get them swapped out if they break, you can finance them, etc.. There's added value to all that.

I just started working for a guy with a large so box filled with so's. I've had to use a few to fix some stuff around the office and warehouse there. They are sweet. My home box consists of 80% craftsman and 20% misc..

exactly. +1

 

[richfinn]

The thing these type of thread always make me wonder is to why do people feel so inclined to defend their own or question someone elses choice? Whether it be homemade or import, shop or truck, cheap or expensive, each to their own. If a person is happy with their choices, why does it matter what someone else believes? Also, why defend a choice you're happy with just because someone else thinks differently?

If anyone can look at their tool collection and know they're sorted and happy, it should be irrelevant what anyone else thinks, has or chooses to do.




That saying is quite right. Experience would be a nonexistent thing if people didn't continue to do these things though.

^^ This

THat said here's why Tool trucks survive.

1. Patriotic advertising/COO (which is lies)

2. Financing for the poor

3. They come to your door and take your money, you don't need to even own a car (probably wise since you ain't got no money left)

4. They only sell quality no one else sells (apart from the rebranded stuff and the stuff for sale on the website and eBay)

5. The driver is cute (it might be a reason for some of the hill billy customers )

6. The Internet??? What the f*ck is an internet??

7. "Ooh ooh ooh big shiny toolbox, only $15,000"



Just kidding, I have my fair share of truck bought stuff, although GJ has made me a better consumer and taught me other routes

 

[kiatech]

2 months = 8 weeks
8 weeks x $60 = $480
$480 < $500
...

i've had my tool man tell me "don't worry about it" if I didn't owe him a full payment.

 

[smogtech]

Until you work in the field you will never know. Tell me why do contractors, carpenters, electricians all use high end power tools. Hilti, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, and even then why buy the updated brushless and lithium stuff. Why not just ryobi after all a drill is a drill right? They will both make holes in stuff?
Own a resteraunt? Why use a POS system? Work in an office did you really need that swing line stapler or $40 papermate pen? Would you want your dentist buying tools made in China?

When replacing Shifter solenoids in mid 2000s Sienna it requires removal of several lower dash panels to access a hidden Bolt behind a trim piece. But by using 12mm 1/4 snap on chrome swivel you can access the bolt turning a 1.5 hour job into 15 minutes. We have tried other brands for shits and giggles. Most don't provide enough flex and rotation to loosen the bolt. The socket head literally is sitting at a 90 degree angle from the square drive is. The craftsman would fit but the pin was to weak and the socket gave before the bolt broke loose. So in the first job the $40 socket paid itself off. Doing 3-5 of those a day for the last two weeks. It's worth it's weight in gold.

 

[Bruce57]

The thing these type of thread always make me wonder is to why do people feel so inclined to defend their own or question someone elses choice? Whether it be homemade or import, shop or truck, cheap or expensive, each to their own. If a person is happy with their choices, why does it matter what someone else believes? Also, why defend a choice you're happy with just because someone else thinks differently?

If anyone can look at their tool collection and know they're sorted and happy, it should be irrelevant what anyone else thinks, has or chooses to do.




That saying is quite right. Experience would be a nonexistent thing if people didn't continue to do these things though.

You make some good points. Asking a question regarding tool preference will always generate subjective responses. I share my own subjective preferences based on my experiences as well as personal likes and dislikes. Others may have differing preferences and experiences. I may not agree with someone else's preference but I do respect their right to their opinion.

 

[volleyball]

Until you work in the field you will never know. Tell me why do contractors, carpenters, electricians all use high end power tools. Hilti, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, and even then why buy the updated brushless and lithium stuff. Why not just ryobi after all a drill is a drill right? They will both make holes in stuff?
Own a resteraunt? Why use a POS system? Work in an office did you really need that swing line stapler or $40 papermate pen? Would you want your dentist buying tools made in China?

When replacing Shifter solenoids in mid 2000s Sienna it requires removal of several lower dash panels to access a hidden Bolt behind a trim piece. But by using 12mm 1/4 snap on chrome swivel you can access the bolt turning a 1.5 hour job into 15 minutes. We have tried other brands for shits and giggles. Most don't provide enough flex and rotation to loosen the bolt. The socket head literally is sitting at a 90 degree angle from the square drive is. The craftsman would fit but the pin was to weak and the socket gave before the bolt broke loose. So in the first job the $40 socket paid itself off. Doing 3-5 of those a day for the last two weeks. It's worth it's weight in gold.

When a mfg, any mfg makes a tool you'll use a lot or the design saves you a lot of time, it pays to spend extra. I have a few different brand wrenches just because you'll need a different offset or pitch for that hard to get at nut. So a HF may be more valuable than a SO. Price doesn't always make it priceless.
I always buy tools that of better quality than it needs to be if I can.

 

[smogtech]

When a mfg, any mfg makes a tool you'll use a lot or the design saves you a lot of time, it pays to spend extra. I have a few different brand wrenches just because you'll need a different offset or pitch for that hard to get at nut. So a HF may be more valuable than a SO. Price doesn't always make it priceless.
I always buy tools that of better quality than it needs to be if I can.

Exactly For doing alignments I go to my Harbor Freight long handle wrenches. Why? Because surprisingly they are longer than snap on long handles. But If that tie rod lock nut is frozen and I have to put a pipe on the wrench you bet Im going to using a snap on wrench cause I know it won't spread the jaws.

As a Toyota tech I have at least 10 different 10mm sockets varying from harbor freight to snap on. Why they all work better in certain situations

 

[Finky198]

The most important thing is having the right tool for the job regardless of brand yes some are better then others but it's what you do with it that counts arguing over brands is stupid I like certain snap on tools there hard handle and ratcheting driver are awesom been using them since I started wrenching with my father also a mechanic but I use craftsman raise panel wrenchs I see no reason to replace them they work for me

 

[1cargarage]

8 weeks of payments, or if you like factor in your sales tax.

HA! I completely misunderstood your original post. My bad. I thought you were saying that a person was getting swindled by getting on the payment program by making the hasty decision to agree to a payment program before adding up all the payments.

 

[Hopalong604]

At work I have %80 snap on tools %20 Mac etc, but at home I have %100 non truck brand tools.

 

[adro815]

I personally own about 60%Snap On tools matco n a few cornwell tools n love the quality of the sockets of those brands but i also own nice craftsman tools in there. Craftsman is always a great buy as well quality is good just not amazing in certain areas.

Plus trucks come to you n always will save you time. They may rebrand but warranties are extended and they will give u deals on a handshake. I dont have a cc so them doing payments have done wonders for my box and tools.

If not for trucks alot of mechanics would not have at least 25-30% of those special tools that make us our money. We would lose money.

 

[87FoRunner]

I have a 25 year sentence as a mechanic where I work and plan on working on things for the rest of my life. Whatever it takes to make that easier.

 

[DodgeMech]

What happens to the tools the truck guys warranty? Do they send them to the factory for credit? Why wouldn't the truck guy warranty a tool?

hardline stuff he'll swap out with what he has on the truck or order it...electric/air they usually send out...and depending on your relationship with him he may give you a loaner

 

[Hiball]

What happens to the tools the truck guys warranty? Do they send them to the factory for credit? Why wouldn't the truck guy warranty a tool?

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet, I suspect based off the limited information that is normally presented in the poor warranty threads there is always more to the story. The way I understand it... The dealer stocks his truck with his own money, warranty claims aren't necessarily cut and dry and the dealer has guidelines they need to adhere to, and once they warranty a item they have removed that item from there stock to satisfy the customers need and must then pack the items up, send them in, and wait for reimbursement form the parent company. Regardless of what you read, tool truck drivers are just trying to make a living, there not in the business of driving around ******* off customers. Unfortunately.. Like all retailers there are bad apples out there and in my limited experience with tool trucks is that once they lose that drive to make/keep customers they are generally on the way out.

 

[Wamsutta]

When replacing Shifter solenoids in mid 2000s Sienna it requires removal of several lower dash panels to access a hidden Bolt behind a trim piece. But by using 12mm 1/4 snap on chrome swivel you can access the bolt turning a 1.5 hour job into 15 minutes. We have tried other brands for shits and giggles. Most don't provide enough flex and rotation to loosen the bolt. The socket head literally is sitting at a 90 degree angle from the square drive is. The craftsman would fit but the pin was to weak and the socket gave before the bolt broke loose. So in the first job the $40 socket paid itself off. Doing 3-5 of those a day for the last two weeks. It's worth it's weight in gold.

You'll have guys on here tell you the swivel sockets are all the same.

"GearWrench swivel sockets are the same as Snap-on."

"They look similar; they must be the same."

 

[Skin]

You'll have guys on here tell you the swivel sockets are all the same.

"GearWrench swivel sockets are the same as Snap-on."

"They look similar; they must be the same."

I don't see people saying that, generally the opposite. Any time one of those threads comes up at least a few people chime in that Snap-On makes the best, no one argues with it and few other brands are generally mentioned by name save what the OP asked about.

For the basic angles and infrequent uses that most people will demand of a tool like that though GW is certainly adequate.

 

[GTA Matt]

When I talk about rebrands, I'm referring to Lisle and OTC tools that just have labels swapped on the blow molded cases, or Mayhew or Ullman scrapers or pick tools that just have the name on the handle switched, things like that. I don't mind paying a bit extra for the service or ease of warranty, but some of these things are marked up over double or triple, which is just plain silly IMO.

 

[smogtech]

I don't see people saying that, generally the opposite. Any time one of those threads comes up at least a few people chime in that Snap-On makes the best, no one argues with it and few other brands are generally mentioned by name save what the OP asked about.

For the basic angles and infrequent uses that most people will demand of a tool like that though GW is certainly adequate.

Exactly for most people's demand it will prove adequate. Go into a professional environment and it changes things entirely.

Try telling the guy drilling holes 6 inch deep into concrete his hilti hammer drill was not worth the money.

 

[sberry]

Yes, everyone drawing a check working as a mechanic is a genius, a golden arm and a blazing flash of speed. Got to have the smoothest chrome for less wind resistance.

 

[Unmarked Bill]

I believe it was Jung who said a person's worth depends on his capacity for play. Boutique stuff turns lame chores into play, for me at least. I never thought I'd have even a craftsman set, now I've blown all my money on tools for a few years and I love it.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't see people saying that, generally the opposite. Any time one of those threads comes up at least a few people chime in that Snap-On makes the best, no one argues with it and few other brands are generally mentioned by name save what the OP asked about.

For the basic angles and infrequent uses that most people will demand of a tool like that though GW is certainly adequate.

I've been in situations where "basic angles" would have never been enough. One day while doing a heater core job, I had to use the full angle that it would swivel to, and that was with a 14 inch extension. One 5.5mm swivel socket made all the difference in the world. It made the difference between removing one screw, or pulling the whole dashboard out to get to that one screw. Snap-on swivel sockets have gotten me out of some bad situations when my other Craftsman swivel sockets locked up.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I buy what I want and like because it's my money. Do what you want with yours.

 

[volleyball]

I have very little truck brand. And I have a hundred stories of when 1 particular piece of tool made life a whole lot easier.
And I have a 1/2" wrench that has been heated and bent into a weird shape to fit a weird opening for what I don't remember. It was done by a co worker who had truck brand stuff. And it didn't cut it, so instead of malforming the expensive brand, my cheaper one got the hit. The boss paid me to replace it which I did and guess what, that weird wrench has been useful a half dozen times over the years when no other brand would work.
A truck brand may be good but a lot of it is like wearing Nikes instead of a store brand. A better shoe but in reality, people wear them not to their limit, but more to fit in or show off. To be one of the guys, to be accepted as a pro by others.
If you can afford it, go for it. It is no different than your woman buying expensive clothes or appliances. If that $300 purse is durable, then you should encourage her to buy it, maybe 2 or 3. Why not, it is the exact same thing.

 

[sberry]

I agree there is a market and a place for it all. There is a koolaid factor at work here though, other places too,,, the casino and the bar, the insurance co, etc But,,,,,,,, some of the margins are huge here and they go on for a long time with a lot of stuff that becomes idle.

If I truly broke a hand or wrench every time I used it, every week even in my heavy duty hard *** shop, now near 40 yr history then I would change it out but since I started the stuff has got better by a lot and its got a lot cheaper ,,, to the point that being cheap is a super advantage. While a golden arm thinks he is a speed demon and duty cycle is hi it isn't.

I see a Sears set 220 pc for 99$, its hard for me to imagine anyone can think there is a huge mechanical advantage between brands in a 3/4 wrench that he would want to pay over 60 times the cost. A young mechanic would be way ahead to have a short career with a few cheap tools and start socking that kind of money in the market, in 10 yrs would still have 99% of the usable tools that will sell for more than you paid.

This is how the guy at the flea can sell it, bust up the set. A guy should buy 10 sets and part it out.

As for service,, all that is not golden and why not,,,, you paid some astronomical price and only need a couple pieces changed out at cost. Walmart hates warranty. They don't bring ONLY the cheapest, you can go next door and buy an identical thermos or vise grip for more. Usually its only a small share so there is room for everyone and you can feel like you shopped up.

Tools on the other hand,,, and some appliances Walmart has buyers, they look for quality, I bet there is someone that will make a set of sockets cheaper then Stanley, but steel and process got better and very competitive, to the point saving a few pennies isn't worth it. The combination of Walmart and Stanley has done several things but one of them is a guy can take a couple 20's or even card debt to buy a couple world class wrenches to get something done.

I hate to see young peoples view skewed by absolute nonsense arguments of every shade to try to prove the hi end is significantly better by even a couple times let alone multiples of double digits. Its about like trying to prove religion, people believe way more about it than is the actual truth.

Same for some of the boxes, US general has revolutionized them, now half the cost of what a cheap box was 15 yrs ago and twice as good.
My neighbor is a pro among pro's, Cman box, a few truck end wrenches and sockets he horse traded some guy that paid retail for 25 cents on the dollar, all his 1/2 drive is Cman he started with and bought few extra pieces as he went, said he got on the truck when he had to or on occasion something special.
There isn't much real mechanical reason to pay some astronomical painful price in todays world especially if you really need it or need to earn a living with it.
I have never seen it make a difference in the skill of a mechanic. That's not saying the proper tool doesn't make it easier but you cant buy talent and it can become a lot of investment sitting idle for a long time.

 

[arms1970]

I'm 37 years old, 8 months into owning my own repair shop, and I see these tools as an investment into my business for the next 25 years. There is also a big difference in quality and service that comes with purchasing several thousand dollars worth of Snap On tools in these first 8 months. I need tools that fit right, function right, and won't fail under constant use. I don't need to spend time shopping for the cheaper "equivalent". I have an excellent Snap On truck, he has worked hard to serve me, and in return I take care of him. For example, learned about the Power Probe III on this sight and decided I wanted to try one, bought it off the truck. Maybe I could have saved $40 bucks by shopping online, but I don't have any problems seeing him make a few bucks. It's called loyalty and it's almost a thing of the past. I return he has made me some pretty damn good deals and warranty is never an issue.

Lastly I turn the wrenches, pay the bills, buy the tools, and clean the restroom! If I want to buy the best I will!

Good luck with the shop, with that attitude you will succeed. Treat your customers right, they'll come back. Good luck

 

[sberry]

I've been in situations where "basic angles" would have never been enough. One day while doing a heater core job, I had to use the full angle that it would swivel to, and that was with a 14 inch extension. One 5.5mm swivel socket made all the difference in the world. It made the difference between removing one screw, or pulling the whole dashboard out to get to that one screw. Snap-on swivel sockets have gotten me out of some bad situations when my other Craftsman swivel sockets locked up.

That is a good argument for buying a few things that are useful but I bet on the other 99 bolts brand wouldnt have made a difference. I got a small set of 6 pt FD I had forever. Well worth the money in the long run especially in a phase where rusted fasteners was a regular problem but I didn't need to shove a 10 k box full of 50k hard line "just in case"
Would rather have the 5K HF like John did and fill in what wouldnt work.

 

[yost69]

3) there a real person I get to know and deal with. His livelihood is dependent on how much I like him. He wants to make me happy. That means certain things and benefits will happen in my favor the more I work with him.

This is why I buy most tools off the truck.

 

[sberry]

Give examples?

 

[Finky198]

Exactly for most people's demand it will prove adequate. Go into a professional environment and it changes things entirely.

Try telling the guy drilling holes 6 inch deep into concrete his hilti hammer drill was not worth the money.

I agree 100%. It's the best Ice chopper I ever bought

 

[Hiball]

Are you guys still trying to convince each other that the tools and decisions you made are the Best for everyone?

Crazy interwebs..

 

[Hiball]

I agree 100%. It's the best I chopper I ever bought

Nice..