I've got plenty of Icon, Tekton, Ko-ken, Wiha, Wera, Haset, Klein, and a bunch of other great tools made from all over the world. Not a single Snap-on. I have zero reason to hate them. I also have zero reason to buy them. There are plenty of great affordable options that are an Amazon click away. In my area, many of those tools arrive overnight. The only truck I really need has a big orange smile on it.
@@carnold.knowledge, It is killer that Amazon has started doing overseas shipping for free. I have nabbed some great Japanese tools with free shipping. Worth checking out if you haven’t seen that yet.
Should be noted that in a lot of countries you can buy Snap-On via their website too, so no truck involved. Majority of what they sell is still a rip off, but just throwing it out there.
I feel the same way, I just hate their fan boys that think cause they paid more and got ripped off somehow makes it of a better quality when it isn’t, not anymore at least. I’ve never had my icon, Tekton and capri let me down and I use it professionally every day mon-Friday. Had snap on right out the truck give up on me(ratchet, sockets explode on me, pliers falling apart) but I guess we’re paying for “quality” These online companies and harbor freight are up there if you use the right tool for the job
You just don't understand WHY the prices are different. U just look at a retail product price and compare it to a SnapOn product for industry that's backed with a proper warranty & service. SnapOn wants to sell tools, making them cheaper would sell more. They are dealing with professional daily users of tools, not homeowners that use a tool twice a year. If you can't afford them or hate the fact they are out of reach I get it, but move on, but some cheaper Asian made options and he happy. Calling SnapOn arrogant or greedy will is not based off actual knowledge or fact, it's just feelings. But today decent tools are more available and better value for money than ever. Deal with it.
The Snap-On boot lathering on this channel has always been at least slightly obnoxious, but that line is revolting. Debt destroys lives and livelihoods. This isn't a debate and it's gross that Doc would think that's okay to even put out in the world.
Debt is a tool and should be used for investments. It is (unfortunately) sometimes misunderstood and abused. If you're a small business owner it allows you to get equipment before you generate cash flow to pay for the equipment. If you're a starting mechanic with no money it acts in the same way. I believe the gap to be tool trucks (not just Snap-On) issuing debt to 18 year olds who do not fully grasp what they're getting into. This is not dissimilar from student loans. While it is great debt is an option for all, more education needs to take place surrounding the utility and risk with debt in high school, trade school, and to anyone filling out an application. Not just fine print which is largely ignored by those in need.
Debt can get out of hand, but imagine if you had a job that pays $500, but you need to put a $400 tool on credit card until you complete the job. It doesn’t seem so bad in that context, so debt has its place.
This is coming from someone with thousands of dollars in snap on tools 1: it’s expensive 2: given the high price, the product isn’t always the best of the best Especially their power tools. 3: the warranty can either be really easy, or a massive nightmare. Depending on if you have a dealer you have done business with for a while. Online warranties seem to be hit or miss as well From what I’ve seen, tekton has the best warranty process. Send a photo of a broken tool with a bit of helpful information, and then send you a new one. Aside from maybe harbor freight where you put the tool on the counter and they tell you to grab a new one off the shelf. But proof of purchase may be required for some tools. Which isn’t a huge deal. I’d prefer to not have to but it’s not the worst thing in the world.
Snap-On power tools come in at an absolutely ludicrous price point. Look at what their cordless screwdriver costs compared to the m12 fuel, which is *at least* as good. It's a straight up rip off.
If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. If it’s to expensive don’t buy it. There’s options for everyone, yet people complain and it has no effect on their life what so ever
There is a huge difference between people who use tools for a living and hobbyists and DIYers like myself. I worked in TV and videotape machines could cost £150,000 dollars or more, my friends didn't get why.
I think they’re great tools, the prices are not ridiculous if you get stuff on promo or off of eBay. If I had a choice I prefer snap on and I spend my money how I want.
When you see that some of Snap On tools are rebranded, and the original costs a fraction, you get the gist just how overpriced they are. Yes, you get a lifetime warranty, because you already paid for 2 or 3 tools when you bought 1!
Not a Snap-On hater, but we’re spoiled for choice. Most times I found a similar tool that I like better, is cheaper, or both. And I own a lot of PB Swiss & Knipex, amongst others. I think there was a time when Snap-On made tools that were a cut above, and the price was justified. That has changed, but the Snap-On prices haven’t. Another specific reason for hate might be that some of the tools they sell are rebranded, and the exact or very very similar tool can be had for less (I’m thinking Bahco adjustable wrenches as an example). I’m sure there are others, especially in the BluePoint line. I do own several LN47ACFs & LN46ACFs though. Because they are great and innovative and Knipex hasn’t copied them yet 😊
they own Bahco and the bunch of spanish manufacturers that made them so it's a good move to replace their previous subpar wrenches with superior swedish engineered Spain-made ones. beside they're _soooper shiny_ you know! 🤤👌
@@carnold.knowledge most important aspect, when you see a Master Mechanic™ opening his ±2 miles of deep Snappity drawers, it looks like discovering one of those sacred treasures in an Indiana Jones movie. best selling point ever i'd say. 🤤👆
@@carnold.knowledge snap on makes the tools 85% in America with American steel . 85000 sku . They do all the R and D , everyone else copies snap on for less.
Snap On is basically doing the same to the younger generation that the college system is: putting them in massive debt before their careers start. The quality of their tools isn’t in question, it’s their greedy and predatory business practices they use to exploit impressionable young men.
One shop I worked at hired a few young guys. The snap on guy absolutely loved them. They would be on the truck having a competition who could spend the most or buy the coolest tool. One owed 15k on his corporate account and another 5k or so on the truck. They were constantly borrowing tools from me. They all bought the socket set when it was on promo for $1,000. The biggest one was a 19mm I think.
@@aaadamt964 a dealer on Reddit said he sold a set of 8-24mm wobbles for $900 to a company and even he couldn’t believe how expensive they were. Meanwhile a set of 8-24mm Duratech wobbles goes for around $68 on Amazon and they do the exact same thing. Utterly ridiculous.
Snap On doesn’t force anyone to buy anything. They offer great American made tools . If you can’t afford them or don’t want to support American companies and families then just keep buying your cheap Chinese crap and don’t complain when all there is to buy is commission products
I don’t hate on Snap-On. Back in the day, I purchased my Snap-On tools back in the late 70’s and early 80’s when I was working as a machinist-millwright and could pay cash up front for individual tools or sets, one or two at a time. I also bought Williams, Armstrong and Cornwell as well. I never planned to buy a single massive tool assortment, just those specific tools for the task. So I never went into debt. As I moved along improving my skill set into the electrical / electronic trades, I acquired Xcelite, Vaco, Jenson, Klein tools, etc. I still have all of those. I’m long retired now but I still buy Knipex pliers. They are a joy to use.
I don't have any problem with snap on tools. But here in Europe there are other great options, Knipex, wera, pb swiss, hazet, stahlwille. I like quality tools, I pay the premium for them.
Yes, same here, I live in Europe and mainly buy the European quality brands. They have served me well over the years, which include the ones you mentioned plus Gedore and Facom.
@@jnmc-vx4fw Yes, these companies have very good ratchets, except knipex. And also I forget about Irega, they make very good adjustable wrenches in Spain, also rebranded for american companies. I like wera and pb swiss ratcheting screwdrivers.
I'm a die hard Snap-On fan and have been buying them for 42 years. I agree the prices are getting ridiculous. Products made in the US cost substantially more. If we hadn't outsourced 90% of our manufacturing to the far east, we would be a stronger country and products made in the US would be more competitive. This problem has escalated across all industries. People to go out to dinner (American made...mostly) even though it's costing twice what it did 2 years ago, and that meal only lasts several hours. A plumber charges $500 for a simple fix that should only cost $50-$100. Why do all things American cost so much, we are greedy. The current generations are being taught that everyone deserves to be wealthy. It's not a tool quality problem.
Except the USA cost part isn't true when companies like Mayhew, Tekton, Craftsman, Wright, CDI are offering amazing US made tools for a fraction of the cost.
let's have some evidence for the 'current generation being taught that everyone deserves to be wealthy' crap. The problem with your argument is that 'Made in the USA' doesn't carry the prestige you think it does beyond flag waving patriotic Americans. That's why so many US companies had to go overseas in order to survive - because there simply isn't enough people willing to pay a premium for Made in USA products which offer no better quality than made in Taiwan alternatives. That's the reality. Learn some basic economics.
It’s probably because its dealers have those attitudes that snap on is unquestionably the best when it is not. Lots of videos from various tool test channels and its tools are rarely the winner. I guess people just don’t want to hear the lies.
Snap on. Mac . Wright tools , American made and they are some of the best tools on the planet . If you don’t buy them or support American companies and families, your the problem
Everyone's saying the price and I agree. A good ratchet is indispensable, like you say, but the best ratchet for $500 still deals with the bolts a $45 ratchet can handle. Very rarely does the quality of the tool anymore determine whether I can achieve the goal it's purpose is set out for. Like the cheapest hammer still will drive a nail, but there's reasons why more expensive hammers exist.
My biggest issue with Snap On is their tendency towards predatory financing practices. It seems like the company pushes their dealers to push the finance options on customers, but when a customer fails to pay, the dealer is left holding the bag. I know this because a former student had used me as a reference, then skipped out on a couple of thousand dollars of tools. Had they called me first, I could have told them it would happen. However, company policy was to push the credit out as quickly as possible. Snap On got their money, the boy got away with the tools, and the poor dealer got left holding the bill.
I just took delivery of my first snap on tools today in the UK of some pliers and can't say I'm massively impressed for the cost. Dirty grips, super stiff, oil leaking everywhere. Wouldn't expect this from Knipex, Facom, Wiha or Tsunoda.
You’re admitting that you hate a tool company only because some people like it. Stop being so tribal and letting other people control how you think. Why are so many people so tribal? Be an individual and think for yourself.
@@motorpsykler They did not admit that they hate Snapon because people like it. Where did they say that? They told the truth. If anything you are doing the exact thing you're saying that they are doing, praising a company simply because others do.
@@Drakey_FenixI don’t praise anything unless I use it, or am involved in some way. I’ve never owned a PB Swiss as an example. I have no opinion about the company or the products they make. Does that make sense to you? Most who hate snap on has never, and most likely will never own a product from snap on. The internet has turned everyone into an expert, but without any research, or first hand experience to go with it. If you don’t know, don’t inject your opinion on the matter. Just as I refrain from anything PB Swiss. Never owned one, I have no experience and definitely not an expert. I’m ignorant when it comes to the product PB Swiss makes. I know about the company and what they’re known for. Once again I don’t own anything from them so I keep my mouth shut. I do own snap on though and yes overall they make a superior product that they are proud of (charge a lot for it). Some stuff isn’t worth the hype but a lot is.
It would sure be good if they offered some of the small pliers with corrosion resistant finishes. They’d be better suited to pocket use. Debt is only an investment if it makes you money. I’m pretty sure the main reason is now there are so many other brands that give 90%+ of the performance for a fraction of the cost. They still don’t offer 2 of the 44 series pliers in HiViz.
In my industry it’s rare to see anyone using snap on, so I had to go out of my way to get something from them. Just a simple 1/4 hard handle ratchet, cost me an arm and a leg but thought why not. As soon as I started using it I noticed it was having poor ratchet engagement when spinning bolts or nuts of quickly. I’ve had much cheaper ratchets that have never had this issue! Now I gotta go out of my way to warranty the damn thing.
They're like kirby vacuum cleaner salesman, over priced and target a rent to own demographic. Thats essentially what it is if your tools can be repo'ed.
Exactly. I've been comparing the trucks to rent to own for years. You're paying 5x what something is worth just to have a weekly payment. Some of these guys could buy a new truck with what they're paying the trucks every week. $50 a week sounds much better than $200/ month.
It's a business model that has carried over from the early 1900s. Part of the allure I think was buying into the relationship with the people of the company, which seems like a foreign concept in modern society. I would imagine that the truck model comes in very handy when you have a truck garage in the middle of nowhere, or have an industrial plant with a huge maintenance budget
Most of their stuff is way over priced but once you use a snap on ratchet for a while then try to use a husky ratchet, the husky gets chucked into the truck and only used in an emergency
In 1989 I bought a box fan and stand through the Sears Catalog. I remember this because it was at that time that I remember Sears announcing the end of the catalog business. I wasn't in technology at the time, but I was aware of all the changes I watched happen as a kid. I knew this was a mistake then, Sears couldn't see it. If they had 're-worked' the idea, there is no reason why Amazon exists today and Sears doesn't. Amazon is doing what Sears started. I don't 'hate' Snap-on, it just really has never been for anyone who's not 'a professional'. I can't drive down the street to get it, and buying it on the web is pretty inconvenient (their shipping is rough too). To me, they aren't very easy to deal with. I've got lots of tools, many with great warranties, many of them from other countries. Snap-on is making itself more and more exclusive while Wera, PB Swiss, and Knipex are selling into peoples homes.
Dont get me wrong. Some of their tools are great. I can afford it, but the part that threw me off was my personal experience with my tool truck guy. Unless I bought something every time. He refused to warranty. So I gave up, for that sole reason I turned to other brands. I dont have any regrets. But I also part out cars for a living. I take off thousands of fasteners a day. Not dozens. So far my other choices have served me very well. Only failures I've had is when I've lost a socket or tool.
They've finally fixed the issue with the high back drag on the 100 tooth ratchets. All it was, was the first runs of them used oil not grease, now they're going back to grease because it's so much smoother.
I own alot of everything. Snapon makes good tools. Great video. I would say price but most snap on haters are not pros/work with the tools everyday. Matco prices are as high if not higher than snapon. Icon prices are higher than many others that are made in same place with same quality. It is what it is. I can say snap on been around over 100 years not going anywhere and stand behind there product
Their prices have doubled in 4 years. Their customer support is getting worse. You can get equal or better tools these days for a quater of the price. I'm a mechanic of 17 years, I have lots of snap-on tools, they lost me as a customer this year when they tried to charge me $2600 to repair my Solus Edge because the wifi went bad and they can't update it so it's a brick. They can go suck balls.
I just bought a CATERPILLAR socket set 214-6620 for $52. The same set, built by the same company (Williams), with a 'snap-on' logo, PN 212FSMY is over $252. Both have lifetime warranty. Snap-on price gouging of $200
The Williams sockeys don’t have the finishing refinement of the same blank sockeys in snap on. The stamping (SIZE especially) is MUCH larger on the snap on. I own the WILLIAMS version in every size so I know.
There’s a company in Yakima, WA called Liberty that makes metal water bottles in Yakima and employ plenty locals, especially veterans. Their product is top notch but quality costs. A few yrs ago I was perusing a display of their bottles on a rack in a hardware store near Yakima. Another customer picked one up that he liked, saw the cost and said out loud “$30? I’ll stick to my $5 Wal-Mart one”. I mentioned they were made in Yakima. His reply : “I don’t give a f***”.
Those cheap frugal customers are stupid and see no value on things they just don’t get it. They are the same kind of people who buy the cheapest parts and than try to fix their car and end up costing more money and liability.
I like my snap on tools. Plan to buy more. I have some Tekton sockets, got me in a complete set of chromes quick and complete. I will only buy more snap when I need them, and when they do things no other tool will, just like their flank drive + and XL, or their 15 degree offset performance wrench. No other wrench comes close. Their ratchets are superb. Even the picks I just bought with instinct handles are awesome and strong. Their reversible double flex wrenches are like no other. ❤❤❤
There is no denying Snap-On makes some quality tools. The problems are Snap-On's pricing, and business practices. Then you ad in people making their preferred tool brand part of their identity, and then the comments start flying. 😂
I think you'll find most of the "hate" comes from non-Americans (I'm British) who don't have the USA made bias and don't understand the cult-like reverence for Snap-on. They're great tools but so are others at a much lower cost. The idea of a truck salesman is baffling.
Yea I'm also from the UK and have a similar view on the whole USA made thing. I think USA made tools are usually (not always) a sign of quality, but no more so that made-in-Germany / Switzerland / Japan etc. The truck model also makes little sense to me given that these days we have overnight shipping, stores all over the place, the whole idea that it's quicker to warranty via the truck doesn't make any sense in that context given the truck may only roll around once a week! The UK website also has plenty of dud info / wrong images, and not sure if you've ordered anything off the Snap-On website but in the UK at least my experience is the stuff comes poorly packaged and often filthy. Meanwhile we can get PB Swiss over here at a significant discount on Snap On if we really want premium options. Makes Snap On a hard sell here IMO.
The truck salesman thing just can't be a good model in Europe. I did find there's a franchisee near me in East London and I just can't imagine driving a truck around the north circular or M25 to be either enjoyable or profitable.
@@randomvariablenj On the one hand I'd agree, on the other hand how many people are going into similar level of debts for worthless degrees in subjects nothing to do with their subsequent career =/ Loads!
With all the other quality options, Snap On is facing the heat. I'm not a huge Snap On fan, I do want to get the 5" talon grip slip joint pliers, but it stops there for me.
I’m a Snap-On guy. All my tools are SO with a few Mac’s and Cornballs thrown in for good measure. I bought all my tools when I was a kid in the early 80’s. My parents wondered if I got paid at my job as I never had any money despite working 60hrs a week? Yes it all went to the trucks. My friends and even my dad made fun of me nonstop for "wasting " my money on those expensive tools! Well looking back I’m glad I did it. As I still have every tool I ever bought and they’re still good as new. Now I use the best tools ever made and most no one can afford them these days. If I was a kid today I’d never do it as if you were to buy the tools I have today? You’d never live to pay them off. I pity the young guys today. Doomed to using HF crap their entire careers. 😢😞☹️😁
I’m more of a DIYer than anything else but I enjoy collecting tools. (I rarely use them but I love having them when I need them) I do use the occasional hand tools at work such as a ratcheting screwdriver or a precision screwdriver and some pliers but I mainly use an impact and an m12 ratchet for all I need. I do however own a lot of Knipex, wera, gedore, Milwaukee (mainly power tools and socket sets), amongst others and I own a handful of snap on tools as well. Those needle nose slip joints are some of the handiest pliers that I’ve ever used! I probably use those just as much as my knipex cobras which are also amazing. Great quality tools overall and I don’t mind paying for great quality with any brand! I do feel like there’s many snap on tools that’s are ridiculously overpriced (socket sets, power tools, ratchets) but the pliers and the ratcheting screwdrivers that I own are some of my favorite tools to carry. I recently got the 3 pack of the small 4 inch pliers with the slip joint variations and I carry those in my EDC along with some of those pocket prybars! I think what also gets a lot of young mechanics is the ability to give payments rather than dropping all their money upfront. I personally prefer impact sockets and chrome sockets from Milwaukee because they sometimes have some crazy good deals on those and I love the square shape on the chrome ones. Very handy for the occasional DIY mechanic attempts that I’ve had recently! The M12 line is also great, especially all the fuel stuff. The color on the impact Milwaukee socket sets is also very nice and makes them easy to identify! I’ve had my snap on dealer try to sell me their impact wrenches and those are so darn expensive and I can’t justify the cost.
Im new in my aviation job after switching careers. I bought some Snap-on pliers, picks for warranty ease as he comes twice a week, and screw extractors as our tool crib switched to something cheaper. My combination wrenches and then 1/4 & 3/8 drive sockets and ratchets are Tekton because our use case is more minimal and thus snap-on generally isnt justified value. Now 12pt universal sockets are fewer and farther between and we need those to put brakes on...many guys own 1-2 sizes. Hammers are icon and a mix of some other stuff like knipex. I believe different trades will place different value towards certain tools. My wife agreed if i broke something then it could be upgraded.
@roninbushito not saying there aren't better ratchets but for having to outfit a new toolbox some concelations have to be made. We work mostly in 1/4" Drive so I spend a lot of time behind their stubby. If my tekton ratchets poop out I'll upgrade if applicable. I also haven't used any tool truck ratchets yet so I don't know what i may be missing.
Possible anger is toward the "percived" snootyness/doushiness that Snap On projects (deliberately or Not?) Perhaps because they simply can't afford it OR they will definity NOT pay the premium price for a premium product. Ditto - Rolex - cuz they are all a bit snooty Ditto - 911 - cuz they are all doush bags (& lots of other brands)
You saying they don't deserve the hate? If I find an old, broken, Craftsman, or other "Lifetime" warranted tool on the side of the road, I can take it to a seller of that tool and get a quick replacement, no questions asked. Try that with Snap-On today. F them! Better save your damn receipts fan boys.
@@Roger_Icce "ICON" is a scam, that gets noobs to think they're purchasing a premium product, for no other reason than a higher price. They aren't the only game in town.
I personally own a bit of snap on, but most of my collection is comprised of the older US made craftsman tools and newer tools that I’m buying tend to come from German manufacturers like Wera or certain Japanese manufactures that I think build similar or even better quality for lesson cost even if that cost is slightly less. I just think that the days of snap on and Matco tools being kings of the hill are over. That being said to your finer point, I think in general with human nature for quite a few people on things that might be out of their reach financially, and then as you’ve mentioned, there are those that use their tools for a living that I’ve had bad experiences with snap on products and have legitimate gripes and or hatred, so I think it’s a mixture of
Like any other comments section; most people are regurgitating something they heard elsewhere without forming their own opinion. People create a false narrative about this hypothetical “Snap On fanboy who hates all other tools, and has thousands of dollars in debt.” who rarely exists outside of collectors. Their pricing and business model doesn’t really make sense for the average joe, or DIY guy. And especially in today’s market where quality tools are more accessible. But they’re still some of the nicest tools available in certain categories. Pliers are excellently designed and overbuilt. They have the most comprehensive ratchet catalog of any tool manufacturer. Their business model is basically saying “These tools aren’t for everyone.” (Price and availability.) And I think people’s knee jerk reaction to that is “Well fuck you then! ___ is better anyway!”
There's absolutely no reason to pay the price when you can get the same exact tool for cheaper. In the few instances Snap On does edge out a competitor you won't notice that difference in the real world.
Because people are cheap and love cheap products. They don't care about any intellectual property, that only matters when it affects them. FYI i know you can't just patent a "wrench" or "pliers", but be at least honest. If you going to trash the company your ripping off, at least change the tool "look".
@@jameswalker5427 A yes Screwdrivers and wrenches. were not talking about generic out of date patents, or inventions that have been used since the 1800s to now. We talking about current innovation and brand identity. Snap-on holds a bunch of them and also from time to time innovate in the tool market. Same can be said for Knipex,. Manufactures that actually design, test, and bring to market new tools. HF doesn't do this, they don't design tools, just packaging. They go and purchase Asian copy designs down to the lettering/color. Then they claim they are better then the original. Well why did you copy the design if its better? HF should at least have its on brand identity. Anyway no one is holding a gun to your head, for you to purchase from Strap-on. Not sure why people hate on them, its not their money. I don't care if you spend 10k on a icon box. Just don't make dumb claims and deceptive marketing that propagates rumos and false claims.
These days "cheap tools" aren't so far away..the gap has been narrowed much closer to tool truck quality .. they simply aren't 10x better to justify being 10x more expensive..I have plenty of SnapOn..and when it makes sense I'll purchase SnapOn (or any other truck tools) but it almost always doesn't make sense anymore.... the ONLY real advantage is getting more from resale or trades of SnapOn tools as opposed to a Capri or Gearwrench or ICON..I personally focus on Proto, Blackhawk, Armstrong, Hazet and the like...SnapOn simply isn't number one.. but they're good...Most tools will do the same job for just as long..and that's a fact
My private work pays for snap on tools and bills, where as the main job pays just the bills and going out. So the tools pay for them selves, aint got a problem with that, if its going to save me 2-3 or more hours doing a job, why not? As I enjoy doing my job with pleasure using right tools to do the job properly.
Our shop is too small for tool trucks to waste their time. Snap on used to come. Bought nearly everything on the truck. Have not seen them in years. I remember once I was in a jam. Needed good crimps. Called the matco guy. He had what we needed. Told me it was not worth his while to come and sell it to us. Pawn shops, flea markets, estate sales and internet
No hate from me for Snap On, but no love either. Grew up with Craftsman (hand tools), when Craftsman was king (70's & 80's). I still have all the Craftsman tools I have purchased and they still serve me well, even the odd pieces and sets that haven't been made in decades. Newer tools that have been acquired (on occasion) have been from companies like Knipex, Wera, PB Swiss and even Icon and OEM Tools (Thank you for the video and recommendation), but never the desire for anything from Snap On. Your videos are great, love to learn about new tools, but honestly, when you start talking about Snap On, I tend to fast forward the videos. Thanks for all the great vids!!! 🔧🪛🔨
I don't hate Snap-on. But I just don't understand why people are willing to pay these ridiculous prices if you can get equal, if not superior quality from Hazet, Stahlwille, Koken, Nepros, Knipex, PB Swiss etc. for a lower price. Also, why would I ever want to buy exclusively from a tool truck? I buy online. Whenever I want, from wherever I want, for the best price available. Also, I read the financial report of Snap-On Inc.: It''s not a tool manufacturing and distribution company, but a finance business!
I don't really know the exact reason, because I have a answer for a lot things that people disagree with Snapon. One would be you don't need snapon on tools to do most jobs. However, like me where I am highly invested in what I do for a living as a professional Diesel mechanic, not a DIY. I want to use the right tool for the right job. From my experience using Snapon tools take away a lot of the quality control problems in the shop. I have seen time and time people using cheap tools and yes getting most jobs done, but sometimes their cheap quality can make a job turn into a nightmare because of the corner cutting in some alternative tools like icon, or tekton, ect. What I have seen is that when I buy a Snapon tool I am not buying a corner cutting tool I am buying a tool that was engineered to standards and high tolerances. I have seen that personally from a lot of the hand tools specifically. When I buy a wrench I am getting no defects from the manufacturing of a 10mm socket. I have bought a tekton set and they are loose. Still fits but that slight price cut in manufacturing now causes me to potentially slip off of a fastener round out a hex screw, improperly torque something, or waste time using a cheap tool that should get the job done in 1 go but because of cost saving I could have just used a higher quality tool like using an actual strong impact to cut time or prevent unnecessary damage to equipment. Not everything you buy needs to be the absolute best but being mindful of what to maybe spend the extra bucks on is worth considering as a professional. That is why I invest in Snapon tools or equivalent to it which are not many from my research. My go to is Snapon, Koken, Knipex some specific stuff from Mac, Vessel and Wera for hand tools. Power tools its a mix between Snapon and Milwakee on certain tools, most are not a quality issue but design in comfort and what feels good in the hand. Electronics FLUKE. For what I do if I were to make a list of Snapon tools to buy and it was going to be the master list of everything you would need for the next 5 or 10 years doing what I do it honestly would not be too expensive. I have already proven many specific tools to people what will really save you a lot of time hating your job if you invest in them. One other way I look at it before I finish my rant is if the 1st year 100,000$ in top of the line tools Saves you 4 or 9 years of unnecessary headaches and makes you back that money 2x over is the investment worth it or is buying the equivalent of that 50,000$ less in cheap tools but now having unnecessary headaches for the next 4, 9 years and making 2x less money and losing that 50,000$ down to half of that because they broke or did not get the job done worth it? Now I understand well what if you buy the premium tools and you lose that money and the tools didn't help. I would say that comes down to experience, knowledge and skill. Now my theory remind you is based of the fact that tools will help you be more successful and you take your career seriously. That is key. I think the key to why people hate Snapon is that people even in the professional setting do not want to invest in their career and don't understand that you need to work and have some money to plunge your self into success and make a good living. I think people don't understand what it means to be a mechanic. Just like being in the military is more than just holding a firearm. What you do with that tool and understanding how it will help you is what makes the difference. For me this worked out and I know many cheap tools would have made my days longer and cost me money. Choosing Snapon helped aid me in preventing a lot of this. Don't get me wrong however it didn't save me from every mistake, but most throughout the years.
S-O has promoted a cult-like following and then over the years as quality and warranty has increased among competitors, people are questioning why the loyalty some S-O owners have? I will add, I did buy two S-O ratcheting screw drivers over the last year or so and the one got dropped while taking the fuel neck off my box, landing three feet on the cap and actually locking up the ratcheting inside the screw driver. I had to wait a few weeks to find the dealer, warranted no problem, but I've treated import ones way worse and never had any of those break! It just seems we are pre-paying warranty repairs and replacements.
I think the hate comes from, if you don't use Snap-On than your not labeled professional and Diagnose/Mechanically inclined to do the job, seen by people that have Snap-On.
Hello again, Doc Thank you for another Great Video 👍 You make a good point. I wish, I had an answer, but I don't. For me personally, I used Snap-on Tools while on active duty for serveral years and was using Craftsman tools before that again serveral years. Total time, I used the Craftsman longer. So to me they feel almost the same. I guess that means I got spoiled. Again thank you 👌
The only reason I'm able to afford Snap on is because of the Student Excellence Program. I still love klein, crafstman, dewalt, proto, tekton, icon, and all those. But the tools for my career in aviation, I wanted to get tools that i know would last generations. As I have been gifted some of my dad's old snap on tools and even some of my grandpa's tools from the 60s, I was able to get rebuilt or have new shafts installed and they're like new now. Snap on guy said it was one of the oldest ratchets hes seen in a while, but still had a rebuild kit on hand.
I believe that some of it depends on your professional background. As a professional machinist, I will spend money on Starret, Mitutoyo, and Browne & Sharpe. Otherwise, Tekton and Gearwrench work fine for me.
I buy lots of Snap-on but some things grind my gears. When you look at the USA made Williams tools they are very similar or the same but less than half the price. I also think you should get a new tool for a warranty not changing out screwdriver shafts!
If I have to put a focus on it, I'd say that the hate comes from 2 places: The opinion that you're not a "professional" unless you have all SnapOn, including the 3 bed, 2 bath tool box, and the tendency of the fanboys to crap on any other tool brand. Puts a lot of pressure on new kids to look the part which leads a 19yr old to having 5 figure debt. As a DIYer, my 40+ yr old Craftsman tools and US General box serve me just fine. Plus, my Cornwell and Mac guys are way nicer should I need something only they have.
I have the ratcheting screwdriver and a few pliers from snap on, and i can only get them through ebay. And its expensive as all hell, but they take everything i through at them
Mmmm....perhaps it's because, for example, I can buy Snap-On built impact sockets at the CAT dealer for a savings of (sometimes) almost 60%. That's just an example.
I still have some snap on tool's from when I made a living with them.But these days I cannot justify the price when their are more affordable options for what I do at home.
I think the hate stems from a couple of directions. One is the fanaticism that folks have for the brand, when no singular brand does everything the “best”. The other is their sales model/pricing. It’s meant to be like a concierge service/boutique experience, and that’s where the price premium is meant to be. And I’m not sure how many folks actually have access to a tool truck or that type of experience when they do buy from them. So you get a situation where the tools are on par if not a bit worse than others, that’s priced at a price point to supposedly provide an experience that folks generally won’t get to experience, which just leads to people not seeing the value they tout themselves at. Especially these days when folks know or figure out where tools are being made and have accessibility to all sorts of competition…which means we know when they make the same OEM tool but slap a premium on it, can find brands that do better versions, or find clones at a fraction of the price.
Great question! I don't understand the hate, I have many snap on tools that are great and other things, Like diagnostic equipment, which I think is severely lacking, so I Don't buy it! I don't understand the mentality of blindly liking or Hating a company; they all have Pros and cons, and your job as the consumer is to decide what you want to spend your money on.
Snap on is Gucci for the mechanics. You dont invest with snapon you invest with the franchisee. If they dont take care of you there are other options out there. Im three for three for snap-on vendors being unwilling to work with a newer mechanic. 1st - he only works with established mechanics and doesn't sell to apprentices 2nd - kept trying to upsell me a $2500 tech-angle torque wrench set when my snap-on twin beam was out of calibration and kept snapping of studs and costing me flat rate time 3rd- different shop in a different part of town tried to upsell me the same set instead of sending my bad torque wrench for service.
Snap on make lots of tools that are really second to non, standard ratchets, pliers, prybars and screwdriver are definaly where they excel. They are also what everyone needs and early investment in them is a truly worth it so little to no hate for them. The spanner are also very good but you really can get compatable feel and performance for much less money now so there is going to start to be a bit of hate for things like that. Where it really is though is with things like the adjustable spanners that you can buy 6 almost identical ones from the same factory and still get change for the same price. There are a number on things they make like that and quite understandably they will get hate. I will say I use Snap On spanner everyday, as well as screwdriver, plier, prybars and much more, even the claw hammer! So I am a big fan but sometimes it dose seem unjustifiable how expensive some items are.
The argument for snap-on has always been "it's expensive, but you're buying the best," but with how prevalent alternative brands have become it's just not true anymore. Sure, you could argue that snap-on makes the best all around ratchet, and they definitely beat everyone else at pliers, but if you do just a bit of research you can find a tool that works nearly as well, or often times better, for a significantly cheaper price. Snap-on always ranks near the top in tool test videos, but there's always a couple tools that (by the their metrics) do it better. What snap-on really is at this point is a luxury brand. You're paying a premium to be able to hop on the truck and buy a tool that you know is one of the best, that looks and feels solid, without having to do any research.
Doc could you address Snap On tools sold on EBay? I've slowly been purchasing on Ebay quite a few tools over the last year out of accessibility and price. I do not have access to a truck currently. There are several sellers selling "New" Snap On on EBay. I never really thought warranty would be an issue but now I don't know. Are these sellers truck owners? Some of them have tons of new tools. Just thought it could be something you could address. I can't be the only one using ebay to aquire Snap On. Thanks for all the content.
What I see is a bunch of whining crybabies, why can't Snap-on make cheap tools like Icon... Short sighted people who don't see the correlation, between their decent paycheck, and the cost of American manufactureing.
The whining cry-baby is you trying desperately hard to justify your purchase of overpriced tools. No one expects Snap-On to be priced alongside Icon. Stop making up BS as it only weakens your argument further. People expect Snap-On to be priced around the same as similar products! And not everyone lives in the US. German, Swiss and Japanese tool manufacturing is superior to the US and they too pay decent wages, BUT unlike S-O they don't feel the need mark up their stuff to ridiculous ends offering crappy finance deals to naive apprentices who get trapped in debt.
So why are other Made in USA tools cheaper? Tekton USA made an angle wrench set with a lifetime warranty and better access than the snap on and is nowhere near the price of snap on despite offering the same warranty and more sizes in the set. Warranty gets there in 2 days, and I have only ever had to warranty 2 tekton tools, both due to severe abuse. Both were T30s on a double reducer on an impact. You sound like the whining crybaby now that people are realizing made in USA with lifetime warranty doesn't bring the price tag snap on is charging. And, the tools I have had to warranty the most when compared to how many I own, is Snap-on. The pliers that went viral for picking up a dime needed a warranty claim after 2 weeks from misaligned teeth. The teeth are misaligned again now, and I have to do another claim. My made in Germany Knipex pliers teeth are still perfectly straight after a year. My made in Japan pliers are still fine after a few months (recent purchase). My shitty Taiwanese pliers I received as a gift are still straighter than the Snap-on pliers. Snap-on used to be the best, and is nowhere near ever being the worst, but when other companies can offer the same product with the same warranty with the same country of origin with half the price tag, the Snap-on facade starts to erode. They don't make shit tools, they just don't make the tools that justify the price tag. And if you buy it because of the name, that's fine, but you can't try to justify it to others as the only option. You can't sit there and tell people who buy other brands that they are hurting the American industry. Some are, but lots of brands offer Made in USA. It's not 1980 anymore. You can buy other brands and still support American manufacturing
I don't hate Snap-on. They have great stuff. But I can get the same job done at a fraction of the cost of Snap-on. I go into a lot of different plants and machine builders shops and have only seen one Snap-on box it was in a transmission plant and the maintenance guy that owned it hated it because it was falling apart from rolling it from job to job. The boxes I see are US General and Craftsman. I also don't see Snap-on tools. It kind of seems like it's just mechanics. I've been working on machines for 51 years and have never needed anything from Snap-on. I think they pray on mechanics when they start out and they get shamed into buying for the rest of their lives.
I don't hate Snap On but I don't see them as a value when there are other less expensive, more available and better tools available especially when the user doesn't max out the capability of each tool. You can get so much more in total tools when you do research and buy accordingly. Good for anyone who wants them but I won't pay the excessive prices.
I've been curious about this myself and from observing and asking around it seems like it comes from the fact that when Chinese tools came on the scene they really were just terrible and if you were looking at a mechanic, industrial maintenance worker, etc. (Person that makes a living with tools) if they had crap quality tools they weren't taken seriously ( possibly their work wasn't good enough to gain enough business to afford quality equipment) and if you were going to be taken seriously you had to have the right stuff and Snap-on has been viewed as the pinicle of quality for a very long time. However now days cheap tools simply just last far longer than they used to and get the same job done where as back in the day they just couldn't cut it, leaning towards the question of " well why spend that extra money in a direction that honestly takes more money out of your pocket if you can do the work with a cheap set of tools that also has a warrantee or is just plain easy to buy new and cheap" the tool world is far more competitive nowadays.
I’m more than happy with Knipex, Wera, Engineer, Wiha and other excellent tool makers. The truck model doesn’t suit me, and I don’t abuse my tools enough to justify a warranty premium. I don’t hate Snap-On though, I’m just happy elsewhere
a machined tool is either in tolerance or it is not. To say that a snap on screw driver holds a screw better than any other misses this point. it holds a screw as accurately as any other accurately machined screw driver. and I think that that is part of the hoggwash that people smell. that there is a superstition that the more expensive tool is always the more precise tool is just not true
It’s simple, when you’re the standard you get compared to everyone. Just like the iPhone. Whether something is cheaper or more expensive, or has a better or worse camera, everything gets put up against the standard.
Earlier you showed a Snap-on pair of adjustable pliers and a ratcheting screwdriver. If you want an 8pc ratcheting screwdriver set from Snap-On it's $670(check the site, its on there). If you want a Blue point equivalent to a quick adjustable 10" cobra style plier its $145. Thats $815 for two simple tools for a tool garage... No thanks. I'll take Knipex Cobra for $30 and a Wiha, Wera, Megapro etc set w/stubby and bits for $30-$70. Thats $100 MAX for both. Thats using your examples of two tools. If someone could explain why I can get two arguably better tools from other companies and still have $715 left to buy tools for my tool garage, I'll buy the Snap-On versions. SO are EXCELLENT tools no doubt, and I'm sure you could negotiate those prices on a cash deal, but its insane to even put that on a website. Not to mention, what you'd pay if you financed those same tools. Its those type of things that I think irritate people.
Price shouldn't be an issue. In Australia if you use the tool for work, it is a tax deduction. The more you earn the more you have to spend. I believe this is what the general population doesn't understand and causes a lot of negativity towards the brand. The comment "my *insert other tool brand here* kit was only $500 and it does the same job" is something that I hear on a weekly basis. Which isn't wrong, however, if you are a professional and have to spend over $2k a year so you don't have to pay extra tax, it is a hell of a lot easier on a Snap-on truck.
They seem to be good tools. Probably overpriced for what they are. But thats not really what youre paying for, its the warranty and the tool store coming to you. I have some Snapon stuff, I dont have anything bad to say about the tools. I didnt buy them new though and I'm not sure I ever would.
Purely cost and for a DIY guy, the ability to buy it. They're great tools for the most part, but you can get the same or even better quality (Knipex & PB Swiss) for cheaper. I can see the benefit of a replacement system for commercial guys, but unless they park the truck outside my house, I'll not get the benefit.
I use to work for Ford. They would keep preaching you should never trash the competition. It's not professional and that has always been a erk for me. Tell me why you are better without trashing the other players. At the end of the day. I'll buy what I like and that works for me.
I've not been active in buying tools for too long, so Snap-On has never really seemed affordable to me(so I just never built up strong feelings about them one way or another). Maybe at some point they were affordable and people are reacting vehemently to the fact they just can't afford to buy the stuff anymore even though they really want to? Seems like everyone on the internet has some strong opinion over the price of things, but some get genuinely offended when something is out of their price range...just for the fact that it is out of their price range. Take vehicles for example, a youtube channel was testing a new RAM with the new turbo engine in a close-to-base model configuration and it had a sticker price of about $57k. Yeah that's an eye-watering amount of money for a truck, and especially one with very little options, but I would just not buy that truck. However, other people in the comments acted like Stellantis shot their mom. It's not just consumer goods either, dating is another one. There's so much content on the internet that is just basically people pointing their cameras at their faces and complaining about the people they want to date demanding a price that they're unwilling to or just straight up cannot pay. Stuff like they don't want to lose weight to be seen as attractive, they don't want to not be so abrasive to be seen as attractive, they don't want to learn to communicate etc. I think at the baseline there's an immaturity that results in people lashing out about the situation even though there are clear and suitable alternatives, but then they'll also hang out in groups of people who feel the same way and end up amplifying their own negative feelings among eachother. And that could be a non-issue if again, they had to maturity to realize that that isn't a big deal...but they don't, so Snap-On in this instance becomes the anti-Christ for price gouging.
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
You know it’s expensive when PB Swiss is cheaper
Totally nailed it
I've got plenty of Icon, Tekton, Ko-ken, Wiha, Wera, Haset, Klein, and a bunch of other great tools made from all over the world. Not a single Snap-on. I have zero reason to hate them. I also have zero reason to buy them. There are plenty of great affordable options that are an Amazon click away. In my area, many of those tools arrive overnight. The only truck I really need has a big orange smile on it.
Amen brother. Couldn’t have said it better. Are you my twin?
@@carnold.knowledge, It is killer that Amazon has started doing overseas shipping for free. I have nabbed some great Japanese tools with free shipping. Worth checking out if you haven’t seen that yet.
buy them from deadbeat meth head mechanics, it's even cheaper than the others... 😏👌
Should be noted that in a lot of countries you can buy Snap-On via their website too, so no truck involved. Majority of what they sell is still a rip off, but just throwing it out there.
I feel the same way, I just hate their fan boys that think cause they paid more and got ripped off somehow makes it of a better quality when it isn’t, not anymore at least. I’ve never had my icon, Tekton and capri let me down and I use it professionally every day mon-Friday. Had snap on right out the truck give up on me(ratchet, sockets explode on me, pliers falling apart) but I guess we’re paying for “quality”
These online companies and harbor freight are up there if you use the right tool for the job
The hatred comes from the pricing, plain and simple.
It’s got to the point where it reeks of arrogance.
Exactly take the red handled wrench. It's a bahco wrench . Not even made by snap on yet instantly hike the price. It's greed
You just don't understand WHY the prices are different. U just look at a retail product price and compare it to a SnapOn product for industry that's backed with a proper warranty & service. SnapOn wants to sell tools, making them cheaper would sell more. They are dealing with professional daily users of tools, not homeowners that use a tool twice a year. If you can't afford them or hate the fact they are out of reach I get it, but move on, but some cheaper Asian made options and he happy. Calling SnapOn arrogant or greedy will is not based off actual knowledge or fact, it's just feelings. But today decent tools are more available and better value for money than ever. Deal with it.
@@ks-hg5vo Snap On owns Bahco so in essence they did make the wrench.
@@donho3617 that sucks is nothing sacred anymore. Still made in Sweden tho???
@@ks-hg5vo I think those were always made in Spain by Bahco.
Debt is not an investment
Debt is an anchor around your neck.
You are so right. That is not an investment. It's a anchor around one neck. It's a sin really that puts people into total chaos
The Snap-On boot lathering on this channel has always been at least slightly obnoxious, but that line is revolting. Debt destroys lives and livelihoods. This isn't a debate and it's gross that Doc would think that's okay to even put out in the world.
@@midiannite8347 It's not docs fault people put themselves in debt with snap on, are you dumb?
Debt is a tool and should be used for investments. It is (unfortunately) sometimes misunderstood and abused. If you're a small business owner it allows you to get equipment before you generate cash flow to pay for the equipment. If you're a starting mechanic with no money it acts in the same way. I believe the gap to be tool trucks (not just Snap-On) issuing debt to 18 year olds who do not fully grasp what they're getting into. This is not dissimilar from student loans. While it is great debt is an option for all, more education needs to take place surrounding the utility and risk with debt in high school, trade school, and to anyone filling out an application. Not just fine print which is largely ignored by those in need.
Debt can get out of hand, but imagine if you had a job that pays $500, but you need to put a $400 tool on credit card until you complete the job. It doesn’t seem so bad in that context, so debt has its place.
This is coming from someone with thousands of dollars in snap on tools
1: it’s expensive
2: given the high price, the product isn’t always the best of the best
Especially their power tools.
3: the warranty can either be really easy, or a massive nightmare. Depending on if you have a dealer you have done business with for a while. Online warranties seem to be hit or miss as well
From what I’ve seen, tekton has the best warranty process. Send a photo of a broken tool with a bit of helpful information, and then send you a new one. Aside from maybe harbor freight where you put the tool on the counter and they tell you to grab a new one off the shelf. But proof of purchase may be required for some tools. Which isn’t a huge deal. I’d prefer to not have to but it’s not the worst thing in the world.
Snap-On power tools come in at an absolutely ludicrous price point. Look at what their cordless screwdriver costs compared to the m12 fuel, which is *at least* as good. It's a straight up rip off.
People love to talk trash about things they cannot afford. I find it hilarious. I like what I like most of which is expensive and I pay CASH!
If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.
If it’s to expensive don’t buy it.
There’s options for everyone, yet people complain and it has no effect on their life what so ever
Whenever I’ve paid cash my Snap-On guy literally knocks 30% sticker price.
Don’t finance your tools if you don’t need to!
I don't hate Snap-on. But I love Knipex, PB Swiss and Wiha more.
Crobra pliers are top notch👍
Well said
They don’t make wrenches, sockets and other tools.
There is a huge difference between people who use tools for a living and hobbyists and DIYers like myself. I worked in TV and videotape machines could cost £150,000 dollars or more, my friends didn't get why.
I think they’re great tools, the prices are not ridiculous if you get stuff on promo or off of eBay. If I had a choice I prefer snap on and I spend my money how I want.
X-2
Same people that hating Snap on will spend 80k on a new truck.
Spend your money how you choose
@@russellpottenger858480K? I see some guys spending 125,000K on a F450 that they use to drive to work and the super market. The bed never sees a load!
I love my snap on ratchets, pliers and adjustable wrenches. I also have a few of snap on screw drivers. And a ball joint press.
It’s always been pricey but worth it. Some of my sockets are over 50 years old and still grab on a bolt nice and tight.
When you see that some of Snap On tools are rebranded, and the original costs a fraction, you get the gist just how overpriced they are. Yes, you get a lifetime warranty, because you already paid for 2 or 3 tools when you bought 1!
@@tonyrulez69 over 85000 sku and 88% made in America
Not a Snap-On hater, but we’re spoiled for choice. Most times I found a similar tool that I like better, is cheaper, or both. And I own a lot of PB Swiss & Knipex, amongst others.
I think there was a time when Snap-On made tools that were a cut above, and the price was justified. That has changed, but the Snap-On prices haven’t.
Another specific reason for hate might be that some of the tools they sell are rebranded, and the exact or very very similar tool can be had for less (I’m thinking Bahco adjustable wrenches as an example). I’m sure there are others, especially in the BluePoint line.
I do own several LN47ACFs & LN46ACFs though. Because they are great and innovative and Knipex hasn’t copied them yet 😊
they own Bahco and the bunch of spanish manufacturers that made them so it's a good move to replace their previous subpar wrenches with superior swedish engineered Spain-made ones. beside they're _soooper shiny_ you know! 🤤👌
@@kittytrailI forgot about the Sooper Shiny feature!
@@carnold.knowledge most important aspect, when you see a Master Mechanic™ opening his ±2 miles of deep Snappity drawers, it looks like discovering one of those sacred treasures in an Indiana Jones movie. best selling point ever i'd say. 🤤👆
@@carnold.knowledge snap on makes the tools 85% in America with American steel . 85000 sku . They do all the R and D , everyone else copies snap on for less.
Snap On is basically doing the same to the younger generation that the college system is: putting them in massive debt before their careers start. The quality of their tools isn’t in question, it’s their greedy and predatory business practices they use to exploit impressionable young men.
One shop I worked at hired a few young guys. The snap on guy absolutely loved them. They would be on the truck having a competition who could spend the most or buy the coolest tool. One owed 15k on his corporate account and another 5k or so on the truck. They were constantly borrowing tools from me. They all bought the socket set when it was on promo for $1,000. The biggest one was a 19mm I think.
@@aaadamt964 a dealer on Reddit said he sold a set of 8-24mm wobbles for $900 to a company and even he couldn’t believe how expensive they were. Meanwhile a set of 8-24mm Duratech wobbles goes for around $68 on Amazon and they do the exact same thing. Utterly ridiculous.
I actually question the quality/longevity compared to their price. Do some research. Snap On does not make the best tools.
@@lf2334total BS
Snap On doesn’t force anyone to buy anything. They offer great American made tools . If you can’t afford them or don’t want to support American companies and families then just keep buying your cheap Chinese crap and don’t complain when all there is to buy is commission products
I don’t hate on Snap-On. Back in the day, I purchased my Snap-On tools back in the late 70’s and early 80’s when I was working as a machinist-millwright and could pay cash up front for individual tools or sets, one or two at a time. I also bought Williams, Armstrong and Cornwell as well. I never planned to buy a single massive tool assortment, just those specific tools for the task. So I never went into debt. As I moved along improving my skill set into the electrical / electronic trades, I acquired Xcelite, Vaco, Jenson, Klein tools, etc. I still have all of those. I’m long retired now but I still buy Knipex pliers. They are a joy to use.
I don't have any problem with snap on tools. But here in Europe there are other great options, Knipex, wera, pb swiss, hazet, stahlwille. I like quality tools, I pay the premium for them.
Yes, same here, I live in Europe and mainly buy the European quality brands. They have served me well over the years, which include the ones you mentioned plus Gedore and Facom.
@@fuloplehel ratchets?
@@jnmc-vx4fw Yes, these companies have very good ratchets, except knipex. And also I forget about Irega, they make very good adjustable wrenches in Spain, also rebranded for american companies. I like wera and pb swiss ratcheting screwdrivers.
@@fuloplehel gedore ratchets? No… no one makes ratchets like snap on, or sockets
@@jnmc-vx4fw I really don't care, I am happy with all the ratchets and sockets that I use.
I'm a die hard Snap-On fan and have been buying them for 42 years. I agree the prices are getting ridiculous. Products made in the US cost substantially more. If we hadn't outsourced 90% of our manufacturing to the far east, we would be a stronger country and products made in the US would be more competitive. This problem has escalated across all industries. People to go out to dinner (American made...mostly) even though it's costing twice what it did 2 years ago, and that meal only lasts several hours. A plumber charges $500 for a simple fix that should only cost $50-$100. Why do all things American cost so much, we are greedy. The current generations are being taught that everyone deserves to be wealthy. It's not a tool quality problem.
Except the USA cost part isn't true when companies like Mayhew, Tekton, Craftsman, Wright, CDI are offering amazing US made tools for a fraction of the cost.
let's have some evidence for the 'current generation being taught that everyone deserves to be wealthy' crap.
The problem with your argument is that 'Made in the USA' doesn't carry the prestige you think it does beyond flag waving patriotic Americans. That's why so many US companies had to go overseas in order to survive - because there simply isn't enough people willing to pay a premium for Made in USA products which offer no better quality than made in Taiwan alternatives.
That's the reality. Learn some basic economics.
Yea that whole USA made that's why it's expensive is BS. Wright grip 2.0 is superior wrenches are way less money
@@ShawnC8030 not true
@@svn5994 an amazing tool is still not a snap on tool that was made here with American steel. R@ D here. Others copy what snap on makes
It’s probably because its dealers have those attitudes that snap on is unquestionably the best when it is not. Lots of videos from various tool test channels and its tools are rarely the winner. I guess people just don’t want to hear the lies.
yep, that paired with how expensive they are compared to most other brands.
Snap on. Mac . Wright tools , American made and they are some of the best tools on the planet . If you don’t buy them or support American companies and families, your the problem
Everyone's saying the price and I agree.
A good ratchet is indispensable, like you say, but the best ratchet for $500 still deals with the bolts a $45 ratchet can handle.
Very rarely does the quality of the tool anymore determine whether I can achieve the goal it's purpose is set out for.
Like the cheapest hammer still will drive a nail, but there's reasons why more expensive hammers exist.
My biggest issue with Snap On is their tendency towards predatory financing practices. It seems like the company pushes their dealers to push the finance options on customers, but when a customer fails to pay, the dealer is left holding the bag.
I know this because a former student had used me as a reference, then skipped out on a couple of thousand dollars of tools. Had they called me first, I could have told them it would happen. However, company policy was to push the credit out as quickly as possible. Snap On got their money, the boy got away with the tools, and the poor dealer got left holding the bill.
The only thing stopping me is the price, been working on vehicles for 15 years and Craftsman, Dewalt, and Husky have done me quite well.
I love my Snap On Tools,but honestly in the hands of a good mechanic anything will work.
I present you with a banana. Now fix my truck!
Words to live by for anything. Not just tools.
Hahaha, you are right. Everything is a hammer, at least once.
I just took delivery of my first snap on tools today in the UK of some pliers and can't say I'm massively impressed for the cost. Dirty grips, super stiff, oil leaking everywhere. Wouldn't expect this from Knipex, Facom, Wiha or Tsunoda.
They're so heavily oiled, because its sandblasted carbonsteel. They rust like crazy, even if you keep them oiled they get black marks.
It's because people are brainwashed from their youth that Snap-On are the best, but now you have a choice of quality tools.
You’re admitting that you hate a tool company only because some people like it. Stop being so tribal and letting other people control how you think. Why are so many people so tribal? Be an individual and think for yourself.
@@motorpsykler They did not admit that they hate Snapon because people like it. Where did they say that? They told the truth. If anything you are doing the exact thing you're saying that they are doing, praising a company simply because others do.
@@Drakey_Fenix They said nothing about the tools or the company. Their opinion is based solely on reacting to what others think. That’s tribalism.
@@Drakey_FenixI don’t praise anything unless I use it, or am involved in some way. I’ve never owned a PB Swiss as an example. I have no opinion about the company or the products they make. Does that make sense to you? Most who hate snap on has never, and most likely will never own a product from snap on.
The internet has turned everyone into an expert, but without any research, or first hand experience to go with it. If you don’t know, don’t inject your opinion on the matter. Just as I refrain from anything PB Swiss. Never owned one, I have no experience and definitely not an expert. I’m ignorant when it comes to the product PB Swiss makes. I know about the company and what they’re known for. Once again I don’t own anything from them so I keep my mouth shut.
I do own snap on though and yes overall they make a superior product that they are proud of (charge a lot for it). Some stuff isn’t worth the hype but a lot is.
You're just talking out of your ass. Sorry the truth hurts. @@motorpsykler
It would sure be good if they offered some of the small pliers with corrosion resistant finishes. They’d be better suited to pocket use.
Debt is only an investment if it makes you money.
I’m pretty sure the main reason is now there are so many other brands that give 90%+ of the performance for a fraction of the cost.
They still don’t offer 2 of the 44 series pliers in HiViz.
@@gtcam723 they do
In my industry it’s rare to see anyone using snap on, so I had to go out of my way to get something from them. Just a simple 1/4 hard handle ratchet, cost me an arm and a leg but thought why not.
As soon as I started using it I noticed it was having poor ratchet engagement when spinning bolts or nuts of quickly. I’ve had much cheaper ratchets that have never had this issue!
Now I gotta go out of my way to warranty the damn thing.
I would not turn down a Snap-On tool if given one, but I cannot afford to buy them. I don't hate them.
They're like kirby vacuum cleaner salesman, over priced and target a rent to own demographic. Thats essentially what it is if your tools can be repo'ed.
Exactly. I've been comparing the trucks to rent to own for years. You're paying 5x what something is worth just to have a weekly payment. Some of these guys could buy a new truck with what they're paying the trucks every week. $50 a week sounds much better than $200/ month.
It's a business model that has carried over from the early 1900s. Part of the allure I think was buying into the relationship with the people of the company, which seems like a foreign concept in modern society. I would imagine that the truck model comes in very handy when you have a truck garage in the middle of nowhere, or have an industrial plant with a huge maintenance budget
Most of their stuff is way over priced but once you use a snap on ratchet for a while then try to use a husky ratchet, the husky gets chucked into the truck and only used in an emergency
In 1989 I bought a box fan and stand through the Sears Catalog. I remember this because it was at that time that I remember Sears announcing the end of the catalog business. I wasn't in technology at the time, but I was aware of all the changes I watched happen as a kid. I knew this was a mistake then, Sears couldn't see it.
If they had 're-worked' the idea, there is no reason why Amazon exists today and Sears doesn't. Amazon is doing what Sears started.
I don't 'hate' Snap-on, it just really has never been for anyone who's not 'a professional'. I can't drive down the street to get it, and buying it on the web is pretty inconvenient (their shipping is rough too). To me, they aren't very easy to deal with.
I've got lots of tools, many with great warranties, many of them from other countries. Snap-on is making itself more and more exclusive while Wera, PB Swiss, and Knipex are selling into peoples homes.
Dont get me wrong. Some of their tools are great. I can afford it, but the part that threw me off was my personal experience with my tool truck guy. Unless I bought something every time. He refused to warranty. So I gave up, for that sole reason I turned to other brands. I dont have any regrets. But I also part out cars for a living. I take off thousands of fasteners a day. Not dozens. So far my other choices have served me very well. Only failures I've had is when I've lost a socket or tool.
They've finally fixed the issue with the high back drag on the 100 tooth ratchets. All it was, was the first runs of them used oil not grease, now they're going back to grease because it's so much smoother.
I own alot of everything. Snapon makes good tools. Great video. I would say price but most snap on haters are not pros/work with the tools everyday. Matco prices are as high if not higher than snapon. Icon prices are higher than many others that are made in same place with same quality. It is what it is. I can say snap on been around over 100 years not going anywhere and stand behind there product
Snap-on remind me of Gucci releasing a £2000 coloured pencil set that was a $30 set rebranded with a nice case.
Their prices have doubled in 4 years.
Their customer support is getting worse.
You can get equal or better tools these days for a quater of the price.
I'm a mechanic of 17 years, I have lots of snap-on tools, they lost me as a customer this year when they tried to charge me $2600 to repair my Solus Edge because the wifi went bad and they can't update it so it's a brick.
They can go suck balls.
I just bought a CATERPILLAR socket set 214-6620 for $52. The same set, built by the same company (Williams), with a 'snap-on' logo, PN 212FSMY is over $252. Both have lifetime warranty. Snap-on price gouging of $200
The Williams sockeys don’t have the finishing refinement of the same blank sockeys in snap on. The stamping (SIZE especially) is MUCH larger on the snap on. I own the WILLIAMS version in every size so I know.
There’s a company in Yakima, WA called Liberty that makes metal water bottles in Yakima and employ plenty locals, especially veterans. Their product is top notch but quality costs.
A few yrs ago I was perusing a display of their bottles on a rack in a hardware store near Yakima. Another customer picked one up that he liked, saw the cost and said out loud “$30? I’ll stick to my $5 Wal-Mart one”. I mentioned they were made in Yakima. His reply : “I don’t give a f***”.
Those cheap frugal customers are stupid and see no value on things they just don’t get it. They are the same kind of people who buy the cheapest parts and than try to fix their car and end up costing more money and liability.
@@roninbushitoexactly!
Back when I had the option of like three tool trucks I found that they were all quite similar in price.
If it's an issue with their financing... are we trying to say that the other tool trucks don't do the same thing?
I like my snap on tools. Plan to buy more. I have some Tekton sockets, got me in a complete set of chromes quick and complete. I will only buy more snap when I need them, and when they do things no other tool will, just like their flank drive + and XL, or their 15 degree offset performance wrench. No other wrench comes close. Their ratchets are superb. Even the picks I just bought with instinct handles are awesome and strong. Their reversible double flex wrenches are like no other. ❤❤❤
There is no denying Snap-On makes some quality tools. The problems are Snap-On's pricing, and business practices. Then you ad in people making their preferred tool brand part of their identity, and then the comments start flying. 😂
I think you'll find most of the "hate" comes from non-Americans (I'm British) who don't have the USA made bias and don't understand the cult-like reverence for Snap-on. They're great tools but so are others at a much lower cost. The idea of a truck salesman is baffling.
I agree, especially about the truck sales model - it feels like a Tupperware sales model
Yea I'm also from the UK and have a similar view on the whole USA made thing. I think USA made tools are usually (not always) a sign of quality, but no more so that made-in-Germany / Switzerland / Japan etc. The truck model also makes little sense to me given that these days we have overnight shipping, stores all over the place, the whole idea that it's quicker to warranty via the truck doesn't make any sense in that context given the truck may only roll around once a week!
The UK website also has plenty of dud info / wrong images, and not sure if you've ordered anything off the Snap-On website but in the UK at least my experience is the stuff comes poorly packaged and often filthy.
Meanwhile we can get PB Swiss over here at a significant discount on Snap On if we really want premium options. Makes Snap On a hard sell here IMO.
The truck salesman thing just can't be a good model in Europe. I did find there's a franchisee near me in East London and I just can't imagine driving a truck around the north circular or M25 to be either enjoyable or profitable.
I also suspect apprentices or starter mechanics would rather go to the Middle of Lidl than go £50k+ in private debt
@@randomvariablenj On the one hand I'd agree, on the other hand how many people are going into similar level of debts for worthless degrees in subjects nothing to do with their subsequent career =/ Loads!
With all the other quality options, Snap On is facing the heat. I'm not a huge Snap On fan, I do want to get the 5" talon grip slip joint pliers, but it stops there for me.
I’m a Snap-On guy. All my tools are SO with a few Mac’s and Cornballs thrown in for good measure. I bought all my tools when I was a kid in the early 80’s. My parents wondered if I got paid at my job as I never had any money despite working 60hrs a week? Yes it all went to the trucks. My friends and even my dad made fun of me nonstop for "wasting " my money on those expensive tools! Well looking back I’m glad I did it. As I still have every tool I ever bought and they’re still good as new. Now I use the best tools ever made and most no one can afford them these days. If I was a kid today I’d never do it as if you were to buy the tools I have today? You’d never live to pay them off. I pity the young guys today. Doomed to using HF crap their entire careers. 😢😞☹️😁
I’m more of a DIYer than anything else but I enjoy collecting tools. (I rarely use them but I love having them when I need them) I do use the occasional hand tools at work such as a ratcheting screwdriver or a precision screwdriver and some pliers but I mainly use an impact and an m12 ratchet for all I need. I do however own a lot of Knipex, wera, gedore, Milwaukee (mainly power tools and socket sets), amongst others and I own a handful of snap on tools as well.
Those needle nose slip joints are some of the handiest pliers that I’ve ever used! I probably use those just as much as my knipex cobras which are also amazing. Great quality tools overall and I don’t mind paying for great quality with any brand! I do feel like there’s many snap on tools that’s are ridiculously overpriced (socket sets, power tools, ratchets) but the pliers and the ratcheting screwdrivers that I own are some of my favorite tools to carry. I recently got the 3 pack of the small 4 inch pliers with the slip joint variations and I carry those in my EDC along with some of those pocket prybars!
I think what also gets a lot of young mechanics is the ability to give payments rather than dropping all their money upfront.
I personally prefer impact sockets and chrome sockets from Milwaukee because they sometimes have some crazy good deals on those and I love the square shape on the chrome ones. Very handy for the occasional DIY mechanic attempts that I’ve had recently! The M12 line is also great, especially all the fuel stuff. The color on the impact Milwaukee socket sets is also very nice and makes them easy to identify! I’ve had my snap on dealer try to sell me their impact wrenches and those are so darn expensive and I can’t justify the cost.
It's all about cost versus performance. 5X the cost rarely gets 5X the performance.
Im new in my aviation job after switching careers. I bought some Snap-on pliers, picks for warranty ease as he comes twice a week, and screw extractors as our tool crib switched to something cheaper. My combination wrenches and then 1/4 & 3/8 drive sockets and ratchets are Tekton because our use case is more minimal and thus snap-on generally isnt justified value. Now 12pt universal sockets are fewer and farther between and we need those to put brakes on...many guys own 1-2 sizes. Hammers are icon and a mix of some other stuff like knipex. I believe different trades will place different value towards certain tools. My wife agreed if i broke something then it could be upgraded.
Junk ratchets
@roninbushito not saying there aren't better ratchets but for having to outfit a new toolbox some concelations have to be made. We work mostly in 1/4" Drive so I spend a lot of time behind their stubby. If my tekton ratchets poop out I'll upgrade if applicable. I also haven't used any tool truck ratchets yet so I don't know what i may be missing.
Possible anger is toward the "percived" snootyness/doushiness that Snap On projects (deliberately or Not?) Perhaps because they simply can't afford it OR they will definity NOT pay the premium price for a premium product.
Ditto - Rolex - cuz they are all a bit snooty
Ditto - 911 - cuz they are all doush bags
(& lots of other brands)
You saying they don't deserve the hate? If I find an old, broken, Craftsman, or other "Lifetime" warranted tool on the side of the road, I can take it to a seller of that tool and get a quick replacement, no questions asked. Try that with Snap-On today. F them! Better save your damn receipts fan boys.
Take that old rusty Icon wrench down to your Harbour Freight and hear them tell you you need to bring the rest of the set in...
@@Roger_Icce "ICON" is a scam, that gets noobs to think they're purchasing a premium product, for no other reason than a higher price. They aren't the only game in town.
Thank god “Val Tools” Snap On truck route is over a thousand miles away from my garage or I would be broke by now.
Some of that Snap-on stuff is totally insane as far as the price but no one's forcing anyone to buy it best deal on Snap-on used extensions
I personally own a bit of snap on, but most of my collection is comprised of the older US made craftsman tools and newer tools that I’m buying tend to come from German manufacturers like Wera or certain Japanese manufactures that I think build similar or even better quality for lesson cost even if that cost is slightly less.
I just think that the days of snap on and Matco tools being kings of the hill are over.
That being said to your finer point, I think in general with human nature for quite a few people on things that might be out of their reach financially, and then as you’ve mentioned, there are those that use their tools for a living that I’ve had bad experiences with snap on products and have legitimate gripes and or hatred, so I think it’s a mixture of
Like any other comments section; most people are regurgitating something they heard elsewhere without forming their own opinion. People create a false narrative about this hypothetical “Snap On fanboy who hates all other tools, and has thousands of dollars in debt.” who rarely exists outside of collectors.
Their pricing and business model doesn’t really make sense for the average joe, or DIY guy. And especially in today’s market where quality tools are more accessible.
But they’re still some of the nicest tools available in certain categories. Pliers are excellently designed and overbuilt. They have the most comprehensive ratchet catalog of any tool manufacturer.
Their business model is basically saying “These tools aren’t for everyone.” (Price and availability.) And I think people’s knee jerk reaction to that is “Well fuck you then! ___ is better anyway!”
There's absolutely no reason to pay the price when you can get the same exact tool for cheaper. In the few instances Snap On does edge out a competitor you won't notice that difference in the real world.
not really. Most people simply don't give a shit about Snap-On. There's so much choice now.
Why isn’t there ‘hatred’ for Icon for basically ripping off tool designs? Right down to the finish and colors.
Because people are cheap and love cheap products. They don't care about any intellectual property, that only matters when it affects them. FYI i know you can't just patent a "wrench" or "pliers", but be at least honest. If you going to trash the company your ripping off, at least change the tool "look".
My Exact thought. They are rewarding the copycat thief and demonizing the Originator.
@@andrestntor at least change your colors...
In all honesty, snap on copied tools just like everyone else snap on wasn't the first to make screw drivers or wrenches, etc.
@@jameswalker5427 A yes Screwdrivers and wrenches. were not talking about generic out of date patents, or inventions that have been used since the 1800s to now. We talking about current innovation and brand identity. Snap-on holds a bunch of them and also from time to time innovate in the tool market. Same can be said for Knipex,. Manufactures that actually design, test, and bring to market new tools. HF doesn't do this, they don't design tools, just packaging. They go and purchase Asian copy designs down to the lettering/color. Then they claim they are better then the original. Well why did you copy the design if its better? HF should at least have its on brand identity. Anyway no one is holding a gun to your head, for you to purchase from Strap-on. Not sure why people hate on them, its not their money. I don't care if you spend 10k on a icon box. Just don't make dumb claims and deceptive marketing that propagates rumos and false claims.
These days "cheap tools" aren't so far away..the gap has been narrowed much closer to tool truck quality .. they simply aren't 10x better to justify being 10x more expensive..I have plenty of SnapOn..and when it makes sense I'll purchase SnapOn (or any other truck tools) but it almost always doesn't make sense anymore.... the ONLY real advantage is getting more from resale or trades of SnapOn tools as opposed to a Capri or Gearwrench or ICON..I personally focus on Proto, Blackhawk, Armstrong, Hazet and the like...SnapOn simply isn't number one.. but they're good...Most tools will do the same job for just as long..and that's a fact
This is so true. Use tools that are half the cost or less and I agree that you'll find they last just as long.
My private work pays for snap on tools and bills, where as the main job pays just the bills and going out. So the tools pay for them selves, aint got a problem with that, if its going to save me 2-3 or more hours doing a job, why not? As I enjoy doing my job with pleasure using right tools to do the job properly.
Our shop is too small for tool trucks to waste their time. Snap on used to come. Bought nearly everything on the truck. Have not seen them in years. I remember once I was in a jam. Needed good crimps. Called the matco guy. He had what we needed. Told me it was not worth his while to come and sell it to us. Pawn shops, flea markets, estate sales and internet
No hate from me for Snap On, but no love either. Grew up with Craftsman (hand tools), when Craftsman was king (70's & 80's). I still have all the Craftsman tools I have purchased and they still serve me well, even the odd pieces and sets that haven't been made in decades. Newer tools that have been acquired (on occasion) have been from companies like Knipex, Wera, PB Swiss and even Icon and OEM Tools (Thank you for the video and recommendation), but never the desire for anything from Snap On. Your videos are great, love to learn about new tools, but honestly, when you start talking about Snap On, I tend to fast forward the videos. Thanks for all the great vids!!! 🔧🪛🔨
I don't hate Snap-on. But I just don't understand why people are willing to pay these ridiculous prices if you can get equal, if not superior quality from Hazet, Stahlwille, Koken, Nepros, Knipex, PB Swiss etc. for a lower price. Also, why would I ever want to buy exclusively from a tool truck? I buy online. Whenever I want, from wherever I want, for the best price available.
Also, I read the financial report of Snap-On Inc.: It''s not a tool manufacturing and distribution company, but a finance business!
Koken is just as much.
@@NewtonInDaHouseYo none of those brands are superior to snap on. Perhaps some equal to but not better
I have some Snap-on and I love it!! Yes it’s expensive! And I’m sure it could be less. But that’s life!!
I don't really know the exact reason, because I have a answer for a lot things that people disagree with Snapon. One would be you don't need snapon on tools to do most jobs. However, like me where I am highly invested in what I do for a living as a professional Diesel mechanic, not a DIY. I want to use the right tool for the right job. From my experience using Snapon tools take away a lot of the quality control problems in the shop. I have seen time and time people using cheap tools and yes getting most jobs done, but sometimes their cheap quality can make a job turn into a nightmare because of the corner cutting in some alternative tools like icon, or tekton, ect. What I have seen is that when I buy a Snapon tool I am not buying a corner cutting tool I am buying a tool that was engineered to standards and high tolerances. I have seen that personally from a lot of the hand tools specifically. When I buy a wrench I am getting no defects from the manufacturing of a 10mm socket. I have bought a tekton set and they are loose. Still fits but that slight price cut in manufacturing now causes me to potentially slip off of a fastener round out a hex screw, improperly torque something, or waste time using a cheap tool that should get the job done in 1 go but because of cost saving I could have just used a higher quality tool like using an actual strong impact to cut time or prevent unnecessary damage to equipment.
Not everything you buy needs to be the absolute best but being mindful of what to maybe spend the extra bucks on is worth considering as a professional. That is why I invest in Snapon tools or equivalent to it which are not many from my research. My go to is Snapon, Koken, Knipex some specific stuff from Mac, Vessel and Wera for hand tools. Power tools its a mix between Snapon and Milwakee on certain tools, most are not a quality issue but design in comfort and what feels good in the hand. Electronics FLUKE.
For what I do if I were to make a list of Snapon tools to buy and it was going to be the master list of everything you would need for the next 5 or 10 years doing what I do it honestly would not be too expensive. I have already proven many specific tools to people what will really save you a lot of time hating your job if you invest in them. One other way I look at it before I finish my rant is if the 1st year 100,000$ in top of the line tools Saves you 4 or 9 years of unnecessary headaches and makes you back that money 2x over is the investment worth it or is buying the equivalent of that 50,000$ less in cheap tools but now having unnecessary headaches for the next 4, 9 years and making 2x less money and losing that 50,000$ down to half of that because they broke or did not get the job done worth it? Now I understand well what if you buy the premium tools and you lose that money and the tools didn't help. I would say that comes down to experience, knowledge and skill. Now my theory remind you is based of the fact that tools will help you be more successful and you take your career seriously. That is key. I think the key to why people hate Snapon is that people even in the professional setting do not want to invest in their career and don't understand that you need to work and have some money to plunge your self into success and make a good living. I think people don't understand what it means to be a mechanic. Just like being in the military is more than just holding a firearm. What you do with that tool and understanding how it will help you is what makes the difference. For me this worked out and I know many cheap tools would have made my days longer and cost me money. Choosing Snapon helped aid me in preventing a lot of this. Don't get me wrong however it didn't save me from every mistake, but most throughout the years.
S-O has promoted a cult-like following and then over the years as quality and warranty has increased among competitors, people are questioning why the loyalty some S-O owners have?
I will add, I did buy two S-O ratcheting screw drivers over the last year or so and the one got dropped while taking the fuel neck off my box, landing three feet on the cap and actually locking up the ratcheting inside the screw driver. I had to wait a few weeks to find the dealer, warranted no problem, but I've treated import ones way worse and never had any of those break! It just seems we are pre-paying warranty repairs and replacements.
I think the hate comes from, if you don't use Snap-On than your not labeled professional and Diagnose/Mechanically inclined to do the job, seen by people that have Snap-On.
Hello again, Doc
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 You make a good point. I wish, I had an answer, but I don't. For me personally, I used Snap-on Tools while on active duty for serveral years and was using Craftsman tools before that again serveral years. Total time, I used the Craftsman longer. So to me they feel almost the same. I guess that means I got spoiled. Again thank you 👌
The only reason I'm able to afford Snap on is because of the Student Excellence Program. I still love klein, crafstman, dewalt, proto, tekton, icon, and all those. But the tools for my career in aviation, I wanted to get tools that i know would last generations. As I have been gifted some of my dad's old snap on tools and even some of my grandpa's tools from the 60s, I was able to get rebuilt or have new shafts installed and they're like new now. Snap on guy said it was one of the oldest ratchets hes seen in a while, but still had a rebuild kit on hand.
I believe that some of it depends on your professional background. As a professional machinist, I will spend money on Starret, Mitutoyo, and Browne & Sharpe. Otherwise, Tekton and Gearwrench work fine for me.
I buy lots of Snap-on but some things grind my gears. When you look at the USA made Williams tools they are very similar or the same but less than half the price. I also think you should get a new tool for a warranty not changing out screwdriver shafts!
If I have to put a focus on it, I'd say that the hate comes from 2 places: The opinion that you're not a "professional" unless you have all SnapOn, including the 3 bed, 2 bath tool box, and the tendency of the fanboys to crap on any other tool brand. Puts a lot of pressure on new kids to look the part which leads a 19yr old to having 5 figure debt. As a DIYer, my 40+ yr old Craftsman tools and US General box serve me just fine. Plus, my Cornwell and Mac guys are way nicer should I need something only they have.
When your product is 10-15% better but 5x the cost, the math just doesn't math.
I think it's this, plus the fact that other brands have really narrowed the gap in terms of quality in recent decades.
I have the ratcheting screwdriver and a few pliers from snap on, and i can only get them through ebay. And its expensive as all hell, but they take everything i through at them
Mmmm....perhaps it's because, for example, I can buy Snap-On built impact sockets at the CAT dealer for a savings of (sometimes) almost 60%.
That's just an example.
I still have some snap on tool's from when I made a living with them.But these days I cannot justify the price when their are more affordable options for what I do at home.
I think the hate stems from a couple of directions. One is the fanaticism that folks have for the brand, when no singular brand does everything the “best”. The other is their sales model/pricing. It’s meant to be like a concierge service/boutique experience, and that’s where the price premium is meant to be. And I’m not sure how many folks actually have access to a tool truck or that type of experience when they do buy from them. So you get a situation where the tools are on par if not a bit worse than others, that’s priced at a price point to supposedly provide an experience that folks generally won’t get to experience, which just leads to people not seeing the value they tout themselves at. Especially these days when folks know or figure out where tools are being made and have accessibility to all sorts of competition…which means we know when they make the same OEM tool but slap a premium on it, can find brands that do better versions, or find clones at a fraction of the price.
When you unquestionably the best in a sport or tools or tech company you wear a big target on your back.
Great question! I don't understand the hate, I have many snap on tools that are great and other things, Like diagnostic equipment, which I think is severely lacking, so I Don't buy it! I don't understand the mentality of blindly liking or Hating a company; they all have Pros and cons, and your job as the consumer is to decide what you want to spend your money on.
Snap on is Gucci for the mechanics.
You dont invest with snapon you invest with the franchisee. If they dont take care of you there are other options out there. Im three for three for snap-on vendors being unwilling to work with a newer mechanic.
1st - he only works with established mechanics and doesn't sell to apprentices
2nd - kept trying to upsell me a $2500 tech-angle torque wrench set when my snap-on twin beam was out of calibration and kept snapping of studs and costing me flat rate time
3rd- different shop in a different part of town tried to upsell me the same set instead of sending my bad torque wrench for service.
Pricing.
Snap on make lots of tools that are really second to non, standard ratchets, pliers, prybars and screwdriver are definaly where they excel. They are also what everyone needs and early investment in them is a truly worth it so little to no hate for them.
The spanner are also very good but you really can get compatable feel and performance for much less money now so there is going to start to be a bit of hate for things like that.
Where it really is though is with things like the adjustable spanners that you can buy 6 almost identical ones from the same factory and still get change for the same price. There are a number on things they make like that and quite understandably they will get hate.
I will say I use Snap On spanner everyday, as well as screwdriver, plier, prybars and much more, even the claw hammer! So I am a big fan but sometimes it dose seem unjustifiable how expensive some items are.
I don't hate the snapper. I just can't afford it, but I don't earn a living off mechanics tools.
The argument for snap-on has always been "it's expensive, but you're buying the best," but with how prevalent alternative brands have become it's just not true anymore. Sure, you could argue that snap-on makes the best all around ratchet, and they definitely beat everyone else at pliers, but if you do just a bit of research you can find a tool that works nearly as well, or often times better, for a significantly cheaper price. Snap-on always ranks near the top in tool test videos, but there's always a couple tools that (by the their metrics) do it better.
What snap-on really is at this point is a luxury brand. You're paying a premium to be able to hop on the truck and buy a tool that you know is one of the best, that looks and feels solid, without having to do any research.
Doc could you address Snap On tools sold on EBay? I've slowly been purchasing on Ebay quite a few tools over the last year out of accessibility and price. I do not have access to a truck currently. There are several sellers selling "New" Snap On on EBay. I never really thought warranty would be an issue but now I don't know. Are these sellers truck owners? Some of them have tons of new tools. Just thought it could be something you could address. I can't be the only one using ebay to aquire Snap On. Thanks for all the content.
the issue i guess is with the impact wrenches which are less powerful but more expensive
What I see is a bunch of whining crybabies, why can't Snap-on make cheap tools like Icon...
Short sighted people who don't see the correlation, between their decent paycheck, and the cost of American manufactureing.
The whining cry-baby is you trying desperately hard to justify your purchase of overpriced tools. No one expects Snap-On to be priced alongside Icon. Stop making up BS as it only weakens your argument further. People expect Snap-On to be priced around the same as similar products! And not everyone lives in the US.
German, Swiss and Japanese tool manufacturing is superior to the US and they too pay decent wages, BUT unlike S-O they don't feel the need mark up their stuff to ridiculous ends offering crappy finance deals to naive apprentices who get trapped in debt.
So why are other Made in USA tools cheaper? Tekton USA made an angle wrench set with a lifetime warranty and better access than the snap on and is nowhere near the price of snap on despite offering the same warranty and more sizes in the set. Warranty gets there in 2 days, and I have only ever had to warranty 2 tekton tools, both due to severe abuse. Both were T30s on a double reducer on an impact. You sound like the whining crybaby now that people are realizing made in USA with lifetime warranty doesn't bring the price tag snap on is charging. And, the tools I have had to warranty the most when compared to how many I own, is Snap-on. The pliers that went viral for picking up a dime needed a warranty claim after 2 weeks from misaligned teeth. The teeth are misaligned again now, and I have to do another claim. My made in Germany Knipex pliers teeth are still perfectly straight after a year. My made in Japan pliers are still fine after a few months (recent purchase). My shitty Taiwanese pliers I received as a gift are still straighter than the Snap-on pliers. Snap-on used to be the best, and is nowhere near ever being the worst, but when other companies can offer the same product with the same warranty with the same country of origin with half the price tag, the Snap-on facade starts to erode. They don't make shit tools, they just don't make the tools that justify the price tag. And if you buy it because of the name, that's fine, but you can't try to justify it to others as the only option. You can't sit there and tell people who buy other brands that they are hurting the American industry. Some are, but lots of brands offer Made in USA. It's not 1980 anymore. You can buy other brands and still support American manufacturing
You reap what you sow.
I don't hate Snap-on. They have great stuff. But I can get the same job done at a fraction of the cost of Snap-on. I go into a lot of different plants and machine builders shops and have only seen one Snap-on box it was in a transmission plant and the maintenance guy that owned it hated it because it was falling apart from rolling it from job to job. The boxes I see are US General and Craftsman. I also don't see Snap-on tools. It kind of seems like it's just mechanics. I've been working on machines for 51 years and have never needed anything from Snap-on. I think they pray on mechanics when they start out and they get shamed into buying for the rest of their lives.
I don't hate Snap On but I don't see them as a value when there are other less expensive, more available and better tools available especially when the user doesn't max out the capability of each tool. You can get so much more in total tools when you do research and buy accordingly. Good for anyone who wants them but I won't pay the excessive prices.
I've been curious about this myself and from observing and asking around it seems like it comes from the fact that when Chinese tools came on the scene they really were just terrible and if you were looking at a mechanic, industrial maintenance worker, etc. (Person that makes a living with tools) if they had crap quality tools they weren't taken seriously ( possibly their work wasn't good enough to gain enough business to afford quality equipment) and if you were going to be taken seriously you had to have the right stuff and Snap-on has been viewed as the pinicle of quality for a very long time.
However now days cheap tools simply just last far longer than they used to and get the same job done where as back in the day they just couldn't cut it, leaning towards the question of " well why spend that extra money in a direction that honestly takes more money out of your pocket if you can do the work with a cheap set of tools that also has a warrantee or is just plain easy to buy new and cheap" the tool world is far more competitive nowadays.
I’m more than happy with Knipex, Wera, Engineer, Wiha and other excellent tool makers. The truck model doesn’t suit me, and I don’t abuse my tools enough to justify a warranty premium. I don’t hate Snap-On though, I’m just happy elsewhere
It’s the price doc
Why even bother, when we now have Tekton, capri, and icon. solid tools and the easiest of warranty
All junk your not a mechanic
a machined tool is either in tolerance or it is not. To say that a snap on screw driver holds a screw better than any other misses this point. it holds a screw as accurately as any other accurately machined screw driver. and I think that that is part of the hoggwash that people smell. that there is a superstition that the more expensive tool is always the more precise tool is just not true
It’s simple, when you’re the standard you get compared to everyone. Just like the iPhone. Whether something is cheaper or more expensive, or has a better or worse camera, everything gets put up against the standard.
Earlier you showed a Snap-on pair of adjustable pliers and a ratcheting screwdriver. If you want an 8pc ratcheting screwdriver set from Snap-On it's $670(check the site, its on there). If you want a Blue point equivalent to a quick adjustable 10" cobra style plier its $145. Thats $815 for two simple tools for a tool garage... No thanks. I'll take Knipex Cobra for $30 and a Wiha, Wera, Megapro etc set w/stubby and bits for $30-$70. Thats $100 MAX for both. Thats using your examples of two tools. If someone could explain why I can get two arguably better tools from other companies and still have $715 left to buy tools for my tool garage, I'll buy the Snap-On versions. SO are EXCELLENT tools no doubt, and I'm sure you could negotiate those prices on a cash deal, but its insane to even put that on a website. Not to mention, what you'd pay if you financed those same tools. Its those type of things that I think irritate people.
Price shouldn't be an issue. In Australia if you use the tool for work, it is a tax deduction. The more you earn the more you have to spend.
I believe this is what the general population doesn't understand and causes a lot of negativity towards the brand.
The comment "my *insert other tool brand here* kit was only $500 and it does the same job" is something that I hear on a weekly basis. Which isn't wrong, however, if you are a professional and have to spend over $2k a year so you don't have to pay extra tax, it is a hell of a lot easier on a Snap-on truck.
erm, no. There's better alternatives for less money.
😂 what part did I say it's any good@@fookorf
🤯👏🙄
i love snap on tools yes they are expensive but nobody is forcing you to buy it !
They seem to be good tools. Probably overpriced for what they are. But thats not really what youre paying for, its the warranty and the tool store coming to you. I have some Snapon stuff, I dont have anything bad to say about the tools. I didnt buy them new though and I'm not sure I ever would.
Purely cost and for a DIY guy, the ability to buy it. They're great tools for the most part, but you can get the same or even better quality (Knipex & PB Swiss) for cheaper. I can see the benefit of a replacement system for commercial guys, but unless they park the truck outside my house, I'll not get the benefit.
Those brands don’t make ratchets
I use to work for Ford. They would keep preaching you should never trash the competition. It's not professional and that has always been a erk for me. Tell me why you are better without trashing the other players. At the end of the day. I'll buy what I like and that works for me.
I've not been active in buying tools for too long, so Snap-On has never really seemed affordable to me(so I just never built up strong feelings about them one way or another). Maybe at some point they were affordable and people are reacting vehemently to the fact they just can't afford to buy the stuff anymore even though they really want to?
Seems like everyone on the internet has some strong opinion over the price of things, but some get genuinely offended when something is out of their price range...just for the fact that it is out of their price range. Take vehicles for example, a youtube channel was testing a new RAM with the new turbo engine in a close-to-base model configuration and it had a sticker price of about $57k. Yeah that's an eye-watering amount of money for a truck, and especially one with very little options, but I would just not buy that truck. However, other people in the comments acted like Stellantis shot their mom.
It's not just consumer goods either, dating is another one. There's so much content on the internet that is just basically people pointing their cameras at their faces and complaining about the people they want to date demanding a price that they're unwilling to or just straight up cannot pay. Stuff like they don't want to lose weight to be seen as attractive, they don't want to not be so abrasive to be seen as attractive, they don't want to learn to communicate etc.
I think at the baseline there's an immaturity that results in people lashing out about the situation even though there are clear and suitable alternatives, but then they'll also hang out in groups of people who feel the same way and end up amplifying their own negative feelings among eachother. And that could be a non-issue if again, they had to maturity to realize that that isn't a big deal...but they don't, so Snap-On in this instance becomes the anti-Christ for price gouging.