GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

03-05-2003, 07:56 PM

In article ,
says...
In misc.rural Keith R. Williams wrote:
In article ,
says...
(regarding SnapOn)
That is true; some of it is branding. But, they did get a reputation
for a valid reason.

Sure, though the reason isn't the tool. Snapon service sells the
tools.

Sorry, but I disagree. The current line of Craftsman has good service
too, but they're not as robust or comfortable as the snapon tools.

I didn't know Sears went to mechanics to sell tools. I didn't
know they came around to the mechanics and replaced defective
tools.

The service is fine, but the service doesn't help on a sunday night when yet
another craftsman ratchet goes stupid on you. I have only had one failure
of a SnapOn ratchet, and that was my own fault.

I've never had a Craftsman drive fail either. I've one for
thirty years. One of my screwdrivers has closer to 40 years on
it. I've used a friend's Snap-ons. Snap-on makes good tools no
doubt, though Craftsman *hand* tools are not that bad.

The geometry of their sockets is novel and quite effective as well...there
are real differences, not just in sales.

The major difference is the snap-on sockets are thinner while
being at least as strong. They're finishing is somewhat better
too. However, it's the service that sells Snap-on. Their
customers aren't home-owners and weekend mechanics.

IIRC, Snapon killed a lot of their business by allowing
too many franchises. Wasn't there a class-action suit against
them by their franchisees?

Dunno about the corporate end of things, I just recognize and use good tools.

--
Keith