Snap On - Easy to deal with?

[atomant48]

Hi all. Not wanting to have the "are they worth the money etc" debate, but i have had alot of trouble (a) finding out who the SO rep for my area is, (b) getting in contact with him and (c) arranging to meet/purchase stuff.

Does anyone have any experience good/bad? Is it likely because i am not a "professional" and may be being seen as a small fish?

 

[rikrobson]

i would have thought that in this economic climate any sale would be a good thing little or large (but they were sh*t though)

 

[wheresmejumper]

call to a few local mechanics?they will tell you if area rep is okay or a nightmare to deal with.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

As above, I used to be a mechanic so have an account but best ring a garage near you and ask what day he normally turns up on. You'll be lucky if he'll come to you tbh.

Dan

 

[Shox Dr]

Call head office. I was on the same position a few yrs ago. They gave me a few contacts, and asked what I was after. Two days later the bits turned up, and to this day I've never had an invoice.

 

[wristpin]

When I was in business we got a monthly visit, more often if one of the guys had stuff on "tick". Since retiring and living in a different "van area" have both phoned and emailed my local man with a specific order by part number and been totally ignored, but Snap-on do have an on-line shop.
The suggestion about talking to a local garage is probably the way to go - I gave up and bought what I wanted from Teng by mail order - less than half the price of Snap-on and perfectly adequate for the use I will give it.

 

[markjabber]

I buy all mine online never had an issue, some items are never in stock but they get them quick

 

[Shox Dr]

When I was in business we got a monthly visit, more often if one of the guys had stuff on "tick". Since retiring and living in a different "van area" have both phoned and emailed my local man with a specific order by part number and been totally ignored, but Snap-on do have an on-line shop.
The suggestion about talking to a local garage is probably the way to go - I gave up and bought what I wanted from Teng by mail order - less than half the price of Snap-on and perfectly adequate for the use I will give it.

Ain't that the truth

 

[brianblock]

I used to meet my local rep in a car park. i would ring him and he would tell me where he would be in 1/2 hour.

 

[500e]

Same here Shox.
I run our business from home office Snap-on call at one of my old garages 100 yards away but however many times I request a visit they never call.
I suppose because it is a private address they think there is no order worth their while.
We still have construction & machine shop, +the electronics Co.

 

[brightspark]

not that i buy the overpriced gear much but had the phone number of the local guy who lived up the road . i just rang him up and went round his house

 

[atomant48]

Ta for all the advice. I have already been in contact with the guy but no joy keeping arrangements to meet which is frustrating. One of the earlier posts was spot on - surely any sale in the current climate (i like to think any climate) is worth having, and it certainly shouldnt be assumed that a "non professional" is only wanting to spend a few pence!

 

[dan.taylor.1]

They don't sell anything for a few pence!!

 

[atomant48]

Good point, well made!

 

[MrFluffy]

Snap on vans are a franchise, so it all depends on the quality of your local franchisee how he runs his business, not the main company.
http://www1.snapon.com/franchise/uk

 

[wheresmejumper]

id ring him back and enquire about a 48" toolbox?
that should get his ass in gear

 

[Sean]

They don't sell anything for a few pence!!

they make money selling you the money to buy the product.

hell they even sell you the money to buy in to selling the product!

I have 3 SnapOrn items: a timing light, a 3/8 ratchet and a 1/4 drive 13mm socket - i bought the light off e-bay and found the others rummaging about in the boots of scrapyard cars.

 

[tedmagnum]

We have snapon coming to our place every week. To be honest, unless you're a professional and need a lifetime guarantee from a rep who visits weekly I'd spend your money on teng or britool etc. Snap on is very expensive and its not THAT much better than stuff half the price.

 

[500e]

Even the Halfords professional is fair quality with waranty

 

[atomant48]

Well i finally managed to catch up with the rep and turns out to be a nice chap.

BTW as said in the first post, didnt want to get into THAT debate..... I work hard to earn it, I get to enjoy spending it!!