On 2010-09-29, jack > wrote:

> Ah, thanks. Are they the 'We know what looks 'shiny' and what
> people buy, actual usability notwithstanding type'?

I'd say more like market brilliance. They pioneered (I think) the
concept of a huge van full of tools stopping, on a weekly basis,
anyplace that had working mechanics that might need/buy their tools.
Each van, basically a rolling store/franchise, had a territory and
they would "carry" accts, customers buying and paying as they were
financially able. It was a awesome concept and saved my ass more than
once. As for their actual tools, Snap-On basically contracted with
other major vendors to supply them rebranded tools. Some tools were
the very best, some where junk, all were pricey.

Another major advantage, they covered the whole spectrum. When I had
a toolbox stolen, only Snap-On and Mac Tools (their primary
competitor) could replace every single item I'd lost from one catalog.
I pretty much stopped using them when I moved on from being a
professional mechanic and, much later, when they started carrying
poorer quality items.

What's the old saying, a good mechanic knows his tools? I knew when I
could do better than Snap-On. Bascially, the same as building your
own computer systems rather than buying off-the-shelf.

nb