I bought a new 1/4 drive Snap-on ratchet and the first time I go to use it the socket fell off. So I returned it no problem as the ball was missing. When I went to put it in the tool box I noticed it did not say made in USA as all my other ones do. Seeing I am always being accused of being controversial I phoned Snap-on to get the story on this. Was the MADE IN USA missing stamp also another slipup or have they changed locations. The very nice lady on the other end of the phone informed me that they have factories all around the world and could not say where the ratchet was made. So I asked her is it possible it was made in CHINA and she could not answer that either. I informed her I would no longer buy Snap-on seeing I got a defective tool and I am assuming the manufacturer is the same production line as the much cheaper third world factory tools but at 10 times the price. I was in having wings (that I bought) with Steve at Steve's Diesel when the Mack guy happened to come in so I asked him the same question about Snap-on and he said he refuses to talk about that subject. I did not ask him where Mack is made as he is only the distributer and is having a tough enough time making a living and I did not want to wreck his day. I could see the perspiration beads starting to form on his forehead so I changed the subject.
Now I started thinking about why Snap-on tools are still so expensive. What is the chance Snap-on moved its plant to a unionized factory in Canada and that is why the prices never came down. Or am I wrong and they are made lets say by twelve year old kids in Bangladesh earning $0.25 per Hr. and one of them got tossed in the street for not installing that ball in my ratchet. Does anyone have the real scope on this subject????
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Yes they are all crazzzy but me and you........... and I am not sure about you!!!!
Yes they had an auction a couple of years ago to sell off some of their equipment rather than move and through every on in the street it now that you mention it.
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Yes they are all crazzzy but me and you........... and I am not sure about you!!!!
I liked the look of a new Cragar wheel (a couple of years ago). Before spending the coin, I emailed the company, asking where their product is being made. Did not get an answer. I emailed them again, stating that due to their refusal to respond, I was going to assume they were made in China. This time I did get a response ... they were being made in 'Asia' (so he didn't exactly identify the country) then continued that 'in order to put bread on our table and remain profitable, we don't have a choice'. (I did NOT buy from them, which would be basically paying a premium price for their name alone, while receiving a run-of-the-mill Chinese product that can be purchased cheaper elsewhere).
I used to HATE dollar stores (going off on a little side rant), but I have changed my views lately. I was in a Canadian Tire store and saw those electric bug-zapping tennis rackets for something like $8. I can find the EXACT product for $2 at a dollar store. Canadian Tire paint brushes .... made in China and priced between $5 and $7 .... I can find (what I consider to be the same quality if not the same brush) paint brushes for $1 at a dollar store. Needless to say, if the stuff is all coming from the same plant, I'll be buying it from the store with the cheapest price.
If Snap On won't (or claims they can't) answer your question as to where a specific product they sell is being made .... it's not too hard to read between the lines
-- Edited by Barchetta on Tuesday 9th of June 2015 08:56:47 AM
This is why I quit shopping at Sears. Made in Canada prices, for made in "Asia" goods. This " Free Trade " thing has been a bonus for big business and stock markets and a loss for the working class.
My box is Snap On , Mac and Professional Series from Canadian Tire
CT sells good stuff at decent prices but it's tough to be specialty tools.
I was never a fan of Matco
I'll buy princess auto if I need to use it once and toss it away.
If I get the chance I'll buy used old snap on off kijiji.
I been very happy so fair.
Got a 1/2 impact gun rebuilt for $50 and it's been great.
To bad stuff now is made in Chinada
It is all about the shareholder, corporate profit & executive bonuses…
I have been told a number of times…don’t blame the company, blame your government.
The Canadian government has made it too difficult to manufacture here (i.e. 48% - 50% manufacturing tax vs. 0% - 5% elsewhere) and way too easy for companies to leave then import their off-shore crap.
Sadly it is in every industry, including healthcare. You will shutter to know that most of your pharmaceuticals are made right beside the same plants that now make Snap-On wrenches...
Google "Snap-On manufacturing plants" and you can get the rundown on them world wide. The only thing mentioned about Canada is Wheeltronics in Mississauga ON. The one in Mexico was the plant that came to mind when I was reading the first part of this thread, if I remember correctly the Canadian production was dropped here, and is now done out of there. Cheap labor, cheap land, relaxed government demands etc. Pretty hard to compete. But then on the other hand, as a manufacturer, why even try to compete. Just make it someplace else for less, and sell it here for the same inflated price as always. We have no one to blame if we agree to do just that for not much more than a name.
I say we nuke china.......... one big bowl of fried rice.
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Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
it's all about the same old....$$$ and the greed for it. no morals left when they manufacture off shore and still charge their already inflated prices.
i need something, i go to lowes, cheap, made the same place, guaranteed...no waiting a month, 2 months for the replacement.
My box is Snap On , Mac and Professional Series from Canadian Tire CT sells good stuff at decent prices but it's tough to be specialty tools. I was never a fan of Matco I'll buy princess auto if I need to use it once and toss it away. If I get the chance I'll buy used old snap on off kijiji. I been very happy so fair. Got a 1/2 impact gun rebuilt for $50 and it's been great. To bad stuff now is made in Chinada
GhostPost,
Your doing it all wrong.
Never toss that Princess Auto made in China Junk out, you have to take it back after you use it to get your money back.
Snap-on removed the "Made in the USA" due to let me see if I get this correct "Customers in certain asian countries did not like seeing "Made in USA" on their tools".
This started a few years ago. They actually reversed the decision on the main 88 tooth ratchets due to the up roar.
The ratchets are still made in the US, you can go on the snap-on website and they will tell you where they are made. The Williams brand is mostly offshore now, which sucks, blue-point is almost all off shore. But you can still find the Williams made in the US stuff, for 1/2 the price of snap-on and its the exact same tool.
I am by no means a snap-on fan boy, I mostly own Wright tools they are all made in the US, in Ohio.
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