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re: Is the tool truck business still profitable?
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:02 pm to Shexter
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:02 pm to Shexter
quote:
I don't think you can buy Snap-On online.
You can, Mac and Matco too.
If you do need or can't use the value added benefits of the truck (coming to you and credit) then you can often buy the same tools for much less.
I buy sockets and some other tools (Snap-On) from Cat (the equipment company). Snap-On makes them and brands them Cat. You have to pick them up at a Cat dealer parts counter but they are 40% or so cheaper.
My Williams screwdrivers are Snap-On hard handles, the only differences are the Williams imprint and you only have black as an options where Snappy lets you surf the rainbow. Rouchly 1/3 the price.
I have Witte screwdrivers that are the same ones they make for Matco, made in Germany. About 1/3 the price.
I have Proto screwdrivers which are the same as Mac, about 1/2 the price.
I only use high quality tools, life is to short for cheap ones. That said I know every angle to get them as cheap as possible,
For anyone wondering about the amount of screwdrivers, I have over 500 fixed screwdrivers and about 40 bit holders/ratcheting screwdrivers. I have a fetish. All of them are from Europe, USA or Japan. Still serching for the perfect screwdriver but I have tons that are close.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:11 pm to doublecutter
Snap-on charges a lot for tools because they make many one-off specialty tools specific to manufacturers. Those tools are can't be purchased off the shelf, but are indispensable to mechanics using the tool frequently.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:39 pm to doublecutter
I've heard no, but I've also heard of ex mechanics buy into one of these and make a killing because they had so many contacts in the industry.
Kind of seems like your just buying yourself a sales job (with not much of a territory restriction).
Kind of seems like your just buying yourself a sales job (with not much of a territory restriction).
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:44 pm to Shexter
A friend and one of his sons are mechanics in the same shop. They get the Snap-On tools on the reg. 
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:47 pm to doublecutter
You’d have to be a true idiot to think that’s profitable and of course there’s some slobbering idiots on here that thinks it’s a great idea
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:38 pm to Macfly
I used to work for Snap on Industrial a million years ago. I would go into a plant that had a need for a special tool and would check out the application, draw it up, send it to corporate, and they would come back with a quote.
If you think Snap-on is expensive normally, you won't believe what custom tools cost. I toured the plant in Wisconsin that was making pliers and sockets back then. If they still do it the same way I can safely say nobody makes better pliers although some might be equal, because they are matched pieces all the way through the process. The tips are hardened so you will break it maybe but you're never going to bend it. Most places make pliers that are just thrown in a box and matched up after they're all done. Those rarely line up perfectly. The sockets back then were still under the flank drive patent so that was primarily what you were getting them for. That and the chrome was thicker than anyone elses. They're really good at hardening tools.
But the margins on those tools are insane. Chrome is probably 60% mark up. I wasn't a truck guy but I dealt with them. Some of the other industrial reps had started as truck guys. Some made a lot of money. Others did not.
If you think Snap-on is expensive normally, you won't believe what custom tools cost. I toured the plant in Wisconsin that was making pliers and sockets back then. If they still do it the same way I can safely say nobody makes better pliers although some might be equal, because they are matched pieces all the way through the process. The tips are hardened so you will break it maybe but you're never going to bend it. Most places make pliers that are just thrown in a box and matched up after they're all done. Those rarely line up perfectly. The sockets back then were still under the flank drive patent so that was primarily what you were getting them for. That and the chrome was thicker than anyone elses. They're really good at hardening tools.
But the margins on those tools are insane. Chrome is probably 60% mark up. I wasn't a truck guy but I dealt with them. Some of the other industrial reps had started as truck guys. Some made a lot of money. Others did not.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:44 pm to 3deadtrolls
quote:This.
They make a great product to this day but where the problem lies is the quality distance from cheaper options isn't as far as it used to be.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 7:31 pm to doublecutter
Tried a jury case in Lake Charles in 2023. Guy in the front row of the jury wore his Snap-On shirt every day. He was the best of the bunch. Defense verdict!
Posted on 8/31/26 at 8:05 pm to jbgleason
quote:
When seeing those trucks driving around, I always envisioned them pulling up to plants at lunch break and baws perusing the goods
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