I have been a service technician for almost 30 years.  I also teach Automotive, small engine and metal working for over 10 of those years.

I would like to share some knowledge I have with my fellow Ebayers who shop for value on tools on Ebay.  I see a lot of shady advertisment and double talk.  I see a lot of people manipulation or outright lying about tools on Ebay and taking advantage of unexperienced buyers out here.  If you look at my feedback, you will see that I have a lot of background in hand tools, diagnostic tools and metal fabrication equipment like welding and manufacturing equipment, both buying and selling.

First of all, regarding hand tools:

New Holland, Bahco, and Harley Davidson tools ARE NOT the same as Snap on.  Just because the same foundry that makes Snap On tools makes those others does not mean they are the same.  Snap on tools conform to a much higher Rockwell Hardness than that other garbage, even though they look similar and have a similar finish.  Am I just saying this or do I know it for a fact?  I KNOW IT FOR A FACT!!!!!!!! 

I teach metal working at a local college and have several Rockwell hardness testers at my disposal.  Snap on tools are significantly harder than those imitation tools that some of these folks out here are trying to sell you.  The jaws on a open ended wrench will "spring" on you and round a fastener so much easier than an authentic Snap On tool will it will astonish you!  Consider the price for a minute.  There is a reason that other garbage is so cheap.  I have a set of wrenches in my shop from JC Penny that were made by the company that makes Snap On tools that are better than the junk for New Holland, Bacho and Harley Davidson.  If your going to buy a tool at a value because Snap On is too expensive, buy Craftsman. At least when they break you can get them replaced with no problem.  The New Holland stuff as well as the others offer no real warranty.  Sure, they say they do, but who are you going to get new tools from?  The guy who sold that crap to you? 

Next thing you need to be aware of is that Blue Point is NOT SNAP ON!  Just like the others, its a cheaper and less quality version marketed by Snap On for people who dont want to spend the big bucks.  So many people out here are advertising Blue point as Snap on fraudulently or semi-fraudulently its terrible.  Sure, the tool truck guy will exchange your broken Blue Point tools but chances are you will be waiting for it because they carry 1/10th the Blue Point replacement items as opposed to Snap On.

Most of Snap On's air tools are made by Ingersoll Rand or Chicago Pneumatic.  If you want to save a ton of money, your better off buying directly from Ingersoll Rand and stay away from the Chicago Pneumatic stuff all together.  Many of Snap On's battery operated power tools are made in Taiwan and China.  Makita and Dewalt are, by in large, far better in quality. 

There are a lot of items that are bought by Snap On and sold at inflated prices.  I have seen a lot of OTC and Lisle tools repackaged by Snap On.  Watch your step and if it looks like someone elses stuff, it probably is! 

Also, look out for those guys selling Chinese garbage like sockets and putting them on Snap on tool rails and advertising them as Snap On tools.  I see this all the time and see people fall for it quite often.  Read the small print and if it looks too good to be true, IT LIKELY IS too good to be true!

Finally, If your shopping for Snap On tools always ALWAYS check the Snap On web site first before bidding on Ebay.  Every day I see people spending more on Ebay that it costs to buy directly from Snap On.  Dont get carried away bidding when you can get an item for the same money or less right from Snap On.  If you are trying to replace old tools with the old school lettering, thats a different story but if your just trying to replace lost tools, take a look at the Snap On web site before you pay too much to someone selling second hand tools on Ebay.

Best of luck to you all and be careful out there!