What the hell is the world coming to, when Snap On isn't made in the USA anymore!?!?

[ssyork]

And there's where you're wrong. Have you priced in comparison AT ALL in the last 10 years? Price a set of mac or matco sockets, and then price the same set of sockets from Snap-on. You'll find the Snap-on set generally has more pieces in it, and is SLIGHTLY more expensive. A fair trade off for the only company that makes their own tools.

We could argue this all day. But if you want facts, I'll be happy to share what I can.

Cold forged steel is stronger than heat stamped steel. Snap-on steel is Pittsburgh Steel coated in soap for transport, to eliminate rust, and prevent failures. Did I mention, the only company that makes their own tools. Mac is a division of Stanley (someone say walmart?). Matco is made by Danaher (low bidder, Craftsman say what?). As far as their screwdrivers? Cornwell and Matco use WHITTE brand screwdrivers with their name on it. Makes sense, right? Use another company, put your name on it, double the price.

Pliers that are made as a matching pair? Yep, they last longer, fit better and work better that way, instead of making them on a big line of left and right.

What else ya wanna know?

He's not wrong, it depends on the dealer. One dealer here sells for 15% over list. Another one in town will make deals all day long. Matco is a Danaher owned company. Google it and see what else Danaher group owns. Might surprise you. So you are saying snap on makes all their own tools?
How many months have they been brain washing you? I mean been a dealer?
I'm not out to bash snap on but let's be realistic here. This is no different than the age old ford/Chevy debate.

 

[Confedneck]

He's not wrong, it depends on the dealer. One dealer here sells for 15% over list. Another one in town will make deals all day long. Matco is a Danaher owned company. Google it and see what else Danaher group owns. Might surprise you. So you are saying snap on makes all their own tools?
How many months have they been brain washing you? I mean been a dealer?
I'm not out to bash snap on but let's be realistic here. This is no different than the age old ford/Chevy debate.

Don't worry, I won't get dragged into another battle of words with someone over this. I know the facts, and your opinions are your own. You can twist words to start arguments, but they'll be with yourself.

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

He's not wrong, it depends on the dealer. One dealer here sells for 15% over list. Another one in town will make deals all day long. Matco is a Danaher owned company. Google it and see what else Danaher group owns. Might surprise you. So you are saying snap on makes all their own tools?
How many months have they been brain washing you? I mean been a dealer?
I'm not out to bash snap on but let's be realistic here. This is no different than the age old ford/Chevy debate.

Pricing really does depend on the dealer.

I believe that SO makes more of their product than the others do. Some of the stuff is made to their spec by other manufacturers and is not to be copied, or features moved to a competitor.

Saying someone is being brainwashed and then saying I'm not bashing, is a passive aggressive bash.

Confedneck is passionate about his business, thats his right and I'd guess he's a good dealer. Not all (insert tool truck brand here) guys are good dealers. In my area (Minneapolis) a few years ago Snap on had hell getting and keeping dealers. Right now its Matco.

 

[Confedneck]

Pricing really does depend on the dealer.

I believe that SO makes more of their product than the others do. Some of the stuff is made to their spec by other manufacturers and is not to be copied, or features moved to a competitor.

Saying someone is being brainwashed and then saying I'm not bashing, is a passive aggressive bash.

Confedneck is passionate about his business, thats his right and I'd guess he's a good dealer. Not all (insert tool truck brand here) guys are good dealers. In my area (Minneapolis) a few years ago Snap on had hell getting and keeping dealers. Right now its Matco.

Our prices, in accordance to our franchise agreements, are set by the Corporation. If anyone here has a dealer who doesn't follow that policy, contact corporate.

We are the only industrial tool manufacturer that produces ANY of their own product. Over 90% of our product is produced by us, or by companies that we own (see: one in the same). The rest is produced to our tolerances, often times with dies that we create, or machines that we own, but outsource the labor elsewhere.

I can lay out any facts to combat the outrageous opinions some people hold, but there are those so vehement in their convictions, you could hand them 10, $100.00 bills and they still wouldn't believe it was $1,000.00.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

don't blame Snappie for using overseas vendors, they've been a long holdout against it... the majority of companies have been doing it for decades... blame the gubment, unions, american consumer must have ultra cheap shop at Wallyworld products, etc...

Best quote there. And another way to look at it is this. These companies have to do what they have to do to stay alive due to the above.

IN THEORY. You purchase a high quality tool from a company that will last you a lifetime, with a lifetime warranty. That company has now just done business with you for the very first, and last time. It's not like a TV or something you'll upgrade in 5-10 years and return business with that same company or even another.

For example, every mechanic's hand tools in my dads toolbox in his garage, are the very same tools I remember seeing ever since I was little, and are the very same tools he still owns today. Now times that by 30 years (and more) by countless people. No repeat business, over the course of a buyers lifetime, for every customer you sell to AND a lifetime warranty. You have to make money some how.

And like Ryoken's quote above, gotta do what ya gotta do. Oh plus I didn't mention someone kicking the bucket and their kids getting those same tools, or reselling them to new people who now don't have to purchase them new. If you're no longer making money by high volume of new sales, then you have to cut costs. Otherwise your new 1/2" drive ratchet will start costing you $90. So no longer being made in the USA, is the PRICE we now pay, instead of cash money due to these companie's inflation costs.



Edit: Just Googled a 1/2 drive snap-on ratchet for S&Gs. Not even from dealer amazon/ebay/etc $90. And I thought my above post for $90 as an exaggeration to prove a point, and I was STILL under price.

Snap-On website: Ratchet, Quick Release Head, Standard Handle, 10 5/16"Stock#: SR80A $145.00
Sears website: Craftsman Evolv 1/2 In. Drive Teardrop Ratchet Sears Item# 00910032000 | Model# 10032 $19.99

Just as a comparison, I own quite a bit of this Evolv chinese crap stuff from Sears, it will NOT last a lifetime. But so far it has all lasted me a year'ish, and who knows how much longer. I could buy 7 of those evolve ratchets for every one Snap On.

 

[ARAMP1]

Snap-On website: Ratchet, Quick Release Head, Standard Handle, 10 5/16"Stock#: SR80A $145.00
Sears website: Craftsman Evolv 1/2 In. Drive Teardrop Ratchet Sears Item# 00910032000 | Model# 10032 $19.99

Just as a comparison, I own quite a bit of this Evolv chinese crap stuff from Sears, it will NOT last a lifetime. But so far it has all lasted me a year'ish, and who knows how much longer. I could buy 7 of those evolve ratchets for every one Snap On.

And for comparison (even though I've never owned either and never will).

Ferrari 458 Italia: $270,000
Hundai Sonata Limited: $28,000

 

[yellowK20]

Ok so we've had this whole big discussion. has anyone verified wether or not the new Snap-On ratchets are actually made overseas or not??

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

I think most of the ratchet is still made here, maybe even all of it. Yes SO has bought and built production facilities in china/asia pacific. Don't blame them for trying to maximize the profit for the stockholders.

I'm guessing that by removing the made in america stamp it may make it easier to sell in other countries. I can understand that logic and reasoning if thats what is happening.

 

[Confedneck]

Ok so we've had this whole big discussion. has anyone verified wether or not the new Snap-On ratchets are actually made overseas or not??

Yes, someone has.

 

[Confedneck]

I'm guessing that by removing the made in america stamp it may make it easier to sell in other countries. I can understand that logic and reasoning if thats what is happening.

Nailed it.

 

[ssyork]

And there's where you're wrong. Have you priced in comparison AT ALL in the last 10 years? Price a set of mac or matco sockets, and then price the same set of sockets from Snap-on. You'll find the Snap-on set generally has more pieces in it, the other side of the coin is that you include sockets that will never be used by the normal mechanic. and is SLIGHTLY more expensive. I just priced a set of 1/2 chrome, sae and it was $194 Matco and $249 for SO, on the web site. To me this is more than SLIGHTLY for 2 more sockets. A fair trade off for the only company that makes their own tools. This is a pretty broad statement for a company that doesn't make their own diag tools, used to not make the KRA seiers boxes, made in Canada. I can dig out old photos if you like. ALso drill bits and easy outs just to name a few.

We could argue this all day. But if you want facts, I'll be happy to share what I can.

Cold forged steel is stronger than heat stamped steel. Snap-on steel is Pittsburgh Steel coated in soap for transport, to eliminate rust, and prevent failures. How does this get the job done faster or better? If I ask a matco or mac dealer they will also have a line about thiers. Did I mention, the only company that makes their own tools. Already talked about. Mac is a division of Stanley (someone say walmart?). Matco is made by Danaher (low bidder, Craftsman say what?). So a huge company owns more than one company, thats very common place in this world. Stating that mac is stanely and matco is craftmasn is like saying all fords fiestas and all chevys are geo's. Or all snap on is blue point. They have different lines just as most any other manufacture does. Matco is not made by the low bidder, they are made by mainly Danaher group companies, to their specs just like you have mentioned on what snap on out sources. Basically Matco is the distributor for Danaher group. The crafstman comment is just funny too since the new big billy bad ass snap on box is using t eh same style detents/latches. Since lock and roll was not working out to well. As far as their screwdrivers? Cornwell and Matco use WHITTE brand screwdrivers with their name on it. Makes sense, right? Use another company, put your name on it, double the price.

Pliers that are made as a matching pair? Yep, they last longer, fit better and work better that way, instead of making them on a big line of left and right. Trying to tell me snap on's are better than a pair of knipex? Matco has branded pliers, that are ok, also they have branded knipex fro 2 different lines. I will take knipex over anything out there, and I know a lot of others that would too.

What else ya wanna know?

Our prices, in accordance to our franchise agreements, are set by the Corporation. If anyone here has a dealer who doesn't follow that policy, contact corporate. Thats just funny too, because anyone that has ever called corporate know s that a tool dealer turning good numbers isn't going to have squat said to them.

We are the only industrial tool manufacturer that produces ANY of their own product. Depends on how you want to look at it. Technically Danaher makes a handful of their own tools and just sells them under the matco name, hence their distributor company. Fluke wiuold be one to pint out, guess who owns it. Over 90% thats a pretty good stretch, when you include stuff I already have mentioned and Blue point. of our product is produced by us, or by companies that we own (see: one in the same). Same as Danaher The rest is produced to our tolerances, Same again. often times with dies that we create, or machines that we own, but outsource the labor elsewhere.

I can lay out any facts to combat the outrageous opinions some people hold, The facts you have told are great, its snap on's version of life, thats why I said lets get some reality here. Each tool compnay will have the numbers turned to make them look better and they teach this at the school you goto when you become a dealer. They are all great and sound/look good. Nothing you have stated will help a flat rate dude make more $$$. but there are those so vehement in their convictions, you could hand them 10, $100.00 bills and they still wouldn't believe it was $1,000.00.

Pricing really does depend on the dealer.

I believe that SO makes more of their product than the others do. Some of the stuff is made to their spec by other manufacturers and is not to be copied, or features moved to a competitor.

Saying someone is being brainwashed and then saying I'm not bashing, is a passive aggressive bash. I agree after reading it and I apologize for that. It was not a bash against the op, meant for all this big companies.

Confedneck is passionate about his business, thats his right and I'd guess he's a good dealer. Not all (insert tool truck brand here) guys are good dealers. In my area (Minneapolis) a few years ago Snap on had hell getting and keeping dealers. Right now its Matco.

I fully agree, he has to be very passionate to make it in the tool game, and for any small buiness for that matter. But passion is what gets you pregnant, reality is when the bill comes in. To make it in the tool game you need the reality of what is going to help on jobs and make more money for the guy's using the tools. The stuff he has said is all great, but it equals blah blah blah, to the guy with the tool in his hand if he isn't going to be able to produce better.

 

[ssyork]

You can twist words to start arguments, but they'll be with yourself.

I fully agree with this too. Thats what I feel you are doing when stating what you have. Then knocking on anybody who has matco=craftsman and Mac= stanely comments, which both equals twisted words. All three make good tools or they wouldn't be around. Yes snap on has been around the longest. Matco is over 30 years now and I don't know about mac.
So how long ave you been a dealer?

 

[Confedneck]

And yet every one of your red replies is nothing more than an attack at me. Listen, you call it what you want, you can twist it any way you choose, I refuse to get into a game of words with you. What you're doing is no better than a race-baiter in an argument about Obama. Simply repeating "lets get some reality here" does not make anything you say any more true than what I say. I have the real-life and real-world experience, day in and out with this company, you don't. That is a fact.

Nobody argued that the KRA line isn't made in Canada, in a Newmarket plant.
I'd love you to cite some of your arguments, and back them up, but you won't, you'll keep saying "lets get some reality here".

Want to talk diagnostics? BALCO is a Snap-on company, not sure how that's not making their own diagnostics. Maybe you have some other definitions of the word "making" or even "own".

Want to talk about clean, virgin steel? It reduces failures, guess what, that helps get the job done faster, surely even you could admit to that.

Knipex is a great line, I sell plenty of them as well. However their line is not as broad as ours, and ours doesn't contain some of the specialty pliers that theirs does. 6 one, half dozen the other.

You're right, your comment about brainwashing wasn't meant for the OP, it was meant for me. I believe in what I do, and what I sell. There are Snap-on items you won't see on my truck, some I won't even order for a customer, because they aren't worth the price, or hassle for parts when it fails.

I gather that you typing in red, and A LOT of it, makes you right, so no matter what I counter with, you won't see it for what it is.

 

[Confedneck]

I think most of the ratchet is still made here, maybe even all of it. Yes SO has bought and built production facilities in china/asia pacific. Don't blame them for trying to maximize the profit for the stockholders.

I'm guessing that by removing the made in america stamp it may make it easier to sell in other countries. I can understand that logic and reasoning if thats what is happening.

Here. This might help, excuse my crappy cell phone camera.

That's a parts repair kit for a ratchet.

 

[Confedneck]

I fully agree with this too. Thats what I feel you are doing when stating what you have. Then knocking on anybody who has matco=craftsman and Mac= stanely comments, which both equals twisted words. All three make good tools or they wouldn't be around. Yes snap on has been around the longest. Matco is over 30 years now and I don't know about mac.
So how long ave you been a dealer?

What you feel, and what are fact, are so far, two very separate things. All I did was open the information for others to see a difference. Unlike you, I haven't singled anyone out for owning something.

 

[bigjbear]

Ok so we've had this whole big discussion. has anyone verified wether or not the new Snap-On ratchets are actually made overseas or not??

I know their adjustable wrenches are. Spain, to be exact.

 

[bigjbear]

...and since everyone in this thread wants proof:

Notice it didn't stop me from buying.

 

[82355]

The origin of a crescent wrench isn't what prevents me from buying them.

Martin

 

[ryoken]

tell ya what, that wide opening, thinner series they came out with a few yrs back... red handle... are killer.... i keep one in my rigging bag, very handy....

 

[bigjbear]

That is the one. I use them in combination with a pair of Knipex parallel jaw pliers for AN and MS lines/fittings. Use them once or twice a week. They are a lot slimmer than any of my other adjustables.