Snap-On Elitisim

[Gary]

We all know it, the tool trucks push it and technicians with exclusively Snap-on tools, coats, hats etc who bash anyone who uses anything but. This…to me is unacceptable. These people who push Snap-on they are more elitist than any other. I cannot say I have encountered a MAC, Matco, Cornwell or Craftsman elitist to the same degree. The Snap-on guys make it seem like their tools are forged of divine steel by Hephaestus himself. Look, Snap-on is no better than any other top tier tool brand out there. In fact, Snap-on is just as guilty of outsourcing and re-branding just like any other tool maker. At my previous workplace, the Snap-On truck guy was cool sure but I didn’t really buy much from him. Mainly bought from the SK truck. When you charge premium prices for a brand name that you can get with MAC, Matco, or Cornwell for much cheaper, I feel obliged to go to the “underdogs”. Elitism is not a good thing. I know some people on here prefer Snap-On and that’s fine but being exclusive to one brand because it is “the best” is not healthy for you or your wallet. I have Snap-On tools, MAC tools, Gearwrench, Craftsman Pro, Craftsman and Dewalt. Being brand loyal is one thing, being a brand Elitist is another.

Topic

[Gary]

[quote=”andrewbutton442″ post=130008]Yea, I am just kiddin around. As I said, I cannot see the link. There are not that many good deals for SO on ebay that I have seen. Maybe something small and insigficant, like I found a black hardhandled wrench to adjust points for 10 bucks, but it would not have to have been a Snap on. Its old and beat up, but I didn’t pay more because it was an SO. Had it been a Mac or Matco, I wouldn’t have cared. Sears never had that tool, only trucks.[/quote] I really don’t actually buy much on the bay..not much at all. Guy just had a good deal on brand new MAC stuff so I couldn’t refuse. Normally I use the trucks or buy direct. Some good deals do come along on the bay from time to time, it’s good to keep your eyes open.

[Andrew Button]

I am home and got to look at the link. That is a whole lot of junk there, and if a person was to try to take that to the snap on truck, the tool guy would laugh and tell you to go home. Some folks compiling scrap wrenches thinking they that SO is going to honor a warrantee is just laughable. They may do one, or two but 78, not a chance. This bunch is worth about 40

[Gary]

[quote=”andrewbutton442″ post=130044]I am home and got to look at the link. That is a whole lot of junk there, and if a person was to try to take that to the snap on truck, the tool guy would laugh and tell you to go home. Some folks compiling scrap wrenches thinking they that SO is going to honor a warrantee is just laughable. They may do one, or two but 78, not a chance. This bunch is worth about 40[/quote] Exactly! Ya, I guess it ended for $745…which is crazy. Are these people complete morons or am I missing something?

[Scott conner]

I guess the people work with are really good in the elite area. There is one guy who has an eipiq 90th anniversary, he basically begged me not to buy a big new SO box because it wasn’t really worth it. I did buy one only because I got a killer deal on it. And when it comes to sentimental value it’s worth more than anything. I have a wide range of tools but the old hand me downs of my father and grand father are my prized possessions. If it came to it I would give away all my new tools and box to keep the old tools from my family. SO is a name just like many others, what is important is how you use it and how it works for you.

[Gary]

[quote=”deadred24″ post=130317]I guess the people work with are really good in the elite area. There is one guy who has an eipiq 90th anniversary, he basically begged me not to buy a big new SO box because it wasn’t really worth it. I did buy one only because I got a killer deal on it. And when it comes to sentimental value it’s worth more than anything. I have a wide range of tools but the old hand me downs of my father and grand father are my prized possessions. If it came to it I would give away all my new tools and box to keep the old tools from my family. SO is a name just like many others, what is important is how you use it and how it works for you.[/quote] Very well said!

[wafrederick]

You do have to watch with tools being sold on Ebay,maybe hot aka stolen.There is a guy going into Mac and Snap On’s foundries and stealing the broken tools selling them on ebay.Have not caught the guy doing it yet.My dad was looking at an used Snap On Modis scan tool,the serial number was not shown.I sent the guy a message regarding the serial number.Response was what serial number,this told my dad and I it was hot or Snap On Credit is looking for it.Used Snap On toolboxes,have a Snap On dealer run the serial number first.The seller might own money on it and you don’t get your money back if you buy it and gets repoed.One scrap yard in my area got a whole bunch of Snap On tools a few years ago that were in a fire and someone bought them.Came out of a closed down machine shop that burned down.I bet they had a hard time getting them warrantied.Snap On Credit is a waste,My brother Scott was put on it and he had to get a loan to pay it off using his truck as collateral.If the customer does not pay it off,the dealer eats it by paying it off themselves.

[Rick]

We’ve hired three new techs. They’ve all rolled in and have huge SnapON boxes. They see me with my blue point cart and mix of craftsman/SnapON tools and they love to talk shit.

Then I show them the flag hours I turn versus the flag hours they turn and they quickly become quiet.

Wearing a NASCAR jumpsuit doesn’t make you a professional wheel man.

[Gary]

[quote=”Pitt” post=151667]We’ve hired three new techs. They’ve all rolled in and have huge SnapON boxes. They see me with my blue point cart and mix of craftsman/SnapON tools and they love to talk shit.

Then I show them the flag hours I turn versus the flag hours they turn and they quickly become quiet.

Wearing a NASCAR jumpsuit doesn’t make you a professional wheel man.[/quote] Yup, the tool is only half of the equation.

Bad tech with HF tools: worst case
Good tech with HF tools: only at 50% of what he could be
Bad tech with SO or MAC: Can’t use the tools to their potential and faces a serious loss of efficiency as a result
Good tech with SO or MAC: Best case

It’s not that black and white though as there are alot of variables. However, putting on a show with fancy gear and tools is only good if you can back it up with results.

[Greg]

I think we can all agree that shiny tools haven’t made any money.

[Jason White]

Snap-on makes wonderful tools. I have a US General (harbor freight) tool box with lots of Snap-ON tools. In my experience their tools do work better than the others, outside specialty which goes to Kent-Moore. You get what you pay for, but at a premium. Do some research, many of their products are re-badged products you can get for much less. Some items, like their tool boxes, really aren’t worth the extra money. I had a Snap-on box, and the two happiest days I had with it were the day I got it, and the day I sold it. Getting out of the $6,000 I owed on it at 16% interest was better than having it.

Two times that are really annoying: The Elitist, and the ones who argue their knock off made in china tools are “just as good”. My US General box is NOT near as nice as a Snap-on box, but it is heavy duty and holds tools, and cost a fraction of a SO box. Every couple years I could buy a new one with the interest I would have paid for a SO box.

[James O’Hara]

Once again SO is good for the warranty, never doing your homework ie researching tool manufacturers, and making money off of the backs of people with little. Other then that in my book they are above average in most areas and rarely if ever in the lead in any category of tools. I can buy a SO ratchet for $$$ or buy an industrial one for $$ and the SO will break before the industrial one. This is almost always the case. One thing I have to give to them is the FD+ is awesome. Are they the best I would say wright grip is probably slightly better but, only if they flex less. Then you have to consider warranty but, then again how many people actually break a non ratcheting non flex combination wrench from a high quality supplier?

[Author]

Replies