Hello everyone,
Socrates here with a brand new overlooked treasure idea.
Before I get into this exciting item I discovered, let me
say a BIG THANK YOU to Scott Foster for the honor to
let me take over this Great blog with such an exciting
audience.
Scott has done a tremendous job on the blog and I
want to congratulate him for that.
I know he will be watching closely so I have to stand
up to the expectation 
So, back to the new item I want to talk about today…
I actually discovered this thing by accident the other
day at a yard sale.
Let me tell you how it happened…
The other day, I needed to drill a couple of holes
on my wall in order to hang something heavy, so
I went to my local home depot and I bought a
drill bit set for $19.95 and I did what I had to do.
Now, next day was a saturday and I was driving
around town, when I saw this very small yard sale
and I stopped.
The guy had only a few things for sale, including
a couple of boxes full of tools (note, I ve seen tools
in almost every yard sale I ve ever been to, but did
not pay any attention)
So, I looked through the tools and there I saw the
SAME drill bit set I bought the day before for $19.95.
I asked the guy how much he wanted for both
toolboxes (these were actual metal toolboxes
filled with a ton of tools). the guy says $20.
I almost jumped…
Then I say, how about $15?
We settled at $17 for both boxes knowing
that JUST the drill bit set was worth more.
So, I got home and got this idea to look those
tools up on eBay.
Here is ONE of the things I have in my toolbox
that could bring up to even $100
its called: The Craftsman Ratchet.
It seems that old tools of the CRAFTSMAN
brand are very desirable and sell very well
on ebay.
Who would have thought?
I actually analyzed this opportunity with
my ebay analysis tool (you can see screenshot
below) and I found out some interesting facts:
These Craftsman ratchets sell 73.23% of the time
at an average of $23.23 (this includes sellers
that dont know what they are doing. You should
be getting more than that.)
Here are some examples:
Vintage Craftsman 3/8″ Speed Speeder Ratchet sold: $116
Vintage Craftsman Speeder Ratchet : Sold: $90
VINTAGE CRAFTSMAN BE RATCHET 1/2 : Sold: $85
Here is the screenshot of my Analysis Tool:
(click image to open full size in new wndow)
You can find these items at:
- YARD SALES: you can get them for a few
dollars each or in complete toolboxes like I did
(God knows how many times I passed these
items up at yard sales)
- Pawn Shops
- Get them on eBay, then optimize the listing and resell
Please Post your comments and ideas below
Partner to YOUR Success,
-Socrates Socratous
P.S. Stay Tuned! More overlooked treasures on the way 
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68 Responses to 'Craftsman Vintage Tools on eBay - Hidden Treasure'
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- May 2008 (1)
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- December 2007 (4)
- November 2007 (2)
keep this stuff coming
I found the same, that Craftsman tools sold well. But other brands of old tools not so well. They did sell, but not for as much as I’d hoped….
Hi i really appreciate the blog, I presently have a vintage am/fm record player with 8 track recorder in it. I have it on ebay presently listed for $52.00. It will cost approx $150.00 to ship it somewhere half across the country unless you have a better idea for me. I was hoping to get at least $100.00 for the console. There are 3 watchers right now with 2 or 3 days left to bid. i started the auction off at $99.00, no bites. A gentleman in CA had a similar console without the 8 track for $77.00 no bites. Thats why I lowered my price and posted the approx. shipping. Any suggestions
Thanks for the info.I knew tools usually sell well but who would of thought the old Craftman’s ratchet are worth that much.If any readers know how to tell the age on these tools it will be a big help on finding them.
Thanks for the great ideas!!! I have a garage full of old Craftsman that I am getting posted right away!!!
Wow, I have an old box full of Craftsman tool. I will be putting them on e-bay this week. Thank you.
Jan
wow wow wow wow…I didn’t know…who would of thought.
Boy, I’m becoming a well informed girl.
Hi there,
…….I figure that this latest entry was another clever way to get my attention (!!?!?!!!)….and get me to ask (like everybody ELSE!!) ….how do I learn more about/GET that ‘Analysis Tool’ ?? (is it some form/similarity to HAMMERTAP ?)
Dave
I have a bunch of old tools from garage sales, I bought them so I wouldn’t have to pay to much money for new ones.
Wow I am off to look them up and see what I can sell them for.
Thanks
Barbara
Wow, go figure, I’ll be locking for these tools at garage sales, thanks
I pick up craftsman, snap on tools piece meal. Some times sell all the screw drivers together.. etc.. I will look at tools even more now.. Thanks much!!!
Guess what I’ll be looking for now???
Hitting those yard sales now for sure!
Thanks for the great tip.
Wow! We go to a lot of garage sales. We never find many tools though and my husband really looks for them but we did not know that the old (vintage) ones sell that well. I think he passes on the tools he already has. Thanks for the great info! Jennifer
Hi, I absolutely LOVE this newsletter. I look forward to getting it everytime. You always have something interesting to look at. I have never seen one of these Craftsman tools, but I go to garage sales on a regular basis and now will look for them. Thanks and please keep up the good work. Princess
Thanks for the great insight. I have loads of my grandpop’s old tools. Going to check them out asap. Thanks for all the info regarding overlooked items. I just love hearing about them.
Thanks
Linda
Thanks for the tip! Another thing for my items to watch for notebook
Linda
I have noticed that in the back of my local paper there are lots of sales going on where someone hasn’t paid the rent on their storage unit.
I am sure some of these units will have some old tools in them.
Paul
Good one,thanks
Hello,
Great job Socrates.
As always, this website comes up with beautiful ideas to turn old
things into NEW money!
I am stopping at all tag sales I see from now on, looking for TOOOOOLS!!
Ed
You got lucky finding two tool boxes filled with tools for $20 at a yard sale
I live in a rural area. Tools command a much higher price around here. Individual tools can sell for $20 at our yard sales.
Having said that, I got my start on eBay selling tools and small engine inventory. I use to fix lawn mowers and had tons of parts and tools. Found out that they sell very well. If you’re looking for tools, the trick is to get the specialty tools. Average things like hammers and simple wrenches won’t bring much IMO. Do the research on eBay and try and find the unusual speciality items.
Thanks again. Appreciate all this great information.
I can’t wait until garage sales start up again here in MI !!!!!! So many GREAT ideas to look for this year thanks to you guys !! Keep it up !
Donna
Its easy to wind up with a lot of junk if you go around buying old tools. I have learned this from experience.
I have bought and sold a lot of hand planes for example. The more common planes in “user” aren’t worth your time to list generally - just because there are so many listed at any one time.
On some occasions I have picked up more sought-after tools and made some profits though. My background is in furniture making so I know what to look for in terms of woodworking hand-tools - garage sale sellers often overvalue their tools and you wouldn’t be able to turn a profit by flipping them on Ebay.
Unusual or specialized hand-tools are a good bet. With the flood of cheaper imports sometimes the bottom falls out of a market for a certain type of tool within a few years. If people are buying tools to use rather than collect the value of the old “collector” tools sometimes falls discouragingly when a cheaper Chinese version is introduced. After all - guys buy tools mostly to get a job done.
Learn the tools of the trades well enough to spot the incredible bargains in specialized tools. I picked up a $2000 Oliver portable timber-framing bandsaw for $50 last year.
Socrates, great idea in the tradition that Scott started. I’m have to start paying more attention to the tools I see often.
Regards
Thanks for the Great tips. I will have to go yard sales more often
I also live in a rural area where tools can go high at yard sales. It’s nuts, but, at auctions, many go for more than retail.
However, I have found old tractor wrenches that have sold quite well for me. I like all the little oddball tools too. I bought an odd box once for $5 and had no clue what the tools were for. Turned out they were old watch makers’ tools. Some of those pieces went for over $100 each. Wow, what a stroke of luck.
Luck is great, but knowing what you are doing is even better. Craftsman tools are now sold at Kmart (since Kmart merged with Sears). I don’t know if they are continuing the lifetime warranty that Sears always offered on Craftsman tools. Craftsman quality was always second to none, so it’s no surprise to me that the old Craftsman tools will sell at a good price.
Could it be that Craftsman tools are to this generation’s collectors what primitive tools were to the last couple of generations?
And Socrates… you’re a busy guy these days, aren’t you. I’m seeing your name popping up all over!
Wow Socrates,
I would never have thought of almost any of the items you both have come up with as being great seller material on Ebay. I love “junkin” and these items are right up my alley! Thanks for the great article! I know you have “done Scott proud”. 
You and Scott are 2 of my favorite people! You both think a lot alike
Jackie
Thank you, Socrates, for taking the time to let us know about your find. I also appreciate the helpful comments from the posters.
1. How or where do you find a listing of yard sales’ locations?
2. What time of the year is best for yard sales?
Great stuff Socrates! What’s best is I buy all my goods for eBay at yard/estate sales, auctions and so forth. A quick story > found a bunch of old tools at an estate sale, some were screwdrivers. Got a lot for about $10. Now, my husband who has tons of tools is thinking I’m nuts because his are all new. Well, there were 2 screwdrivers, can’t remember the name, I placed on eBay. Well, they sold for a whopping $76.00!!! Not bad for a $10 investment on a whole bunch of tools, right? Gosh - wish I could remember the name :-). Now, I finally convinced my husband that old tools aren’t garbage and we are constantly going through the rusty stuff at yard sales and not passing them over, especially old advertising, and yes, definitely Craftsman. Thanks again and keep the good stuff, especially vintage, coming! Hilary
Regarding the value of the Craftsmans tools, consider that Sears guarantees all their hand tools, & if you break one, just take it back to the Sears store & it will be replaced free of charge. That could have a whole lot to do with the price their vintage tools bring on eBay.
That’s just the beginning. Some of the most inane types of objects bring big bux on ebay. Garage sales are gold mines, but the problem is the time spent coming and going. However, never skip going to one if it’s just down the street though!
i look forward to these ideas as most of the items are right under your nose and you dont even know or think about it ,keep up the great work and ideas
Great Idea! I also tend to pass over the tools for “bigger and better” items to sell on eBay. Can’t wait for next weekend to put it to the test. Thanks for the info.
Great idea Socrates. I’m in the UK and a guy I used to work with used to buy rusty old Stanley planes from flea markets for a few pounds. His Dad, who was retired, would clean them up for him then they would sell them on eBay for £50-60 or even more.
Regards
Lynn
http://www.onlineauctionideas.com
Hubby better lock up his tool box.
great information, keep it up.
Great ideas! My list of items to look for reselling on eBay is getting very long! BTW - What tool do you use for your eBay analysis?
THANKS!
What auction analysis software are you using? Please share.
Hey, thanks for the great info! Since there is a market for craftsman on ebay I decided to search on my video site to see if there are any video’s about Craftsman out there. Boy was I surprised at how many there are.
For those of you interested in Craftsman you might want to take a look at some of the video’s at my site.
My ex took the Craftsman tools my Dad left me. Boy was I upset to see how much they could be worth if auctioned off. I always just figured they were only worth a lot in sentimental value but boy was I WRONG!
Just goes to show you that you never know the value of some of the stuff you have.
Thank you all for sharing your comments!
this is what makes this blog a great place to be.
I am using a few different tools for eBay
analysis and automation and I will talk about them
in future blog posts.
The specific tool I used for this screenshot
is called hammertap powerdesk edition.
They have a 10 day free trial if you are interested
here:
http://mydigitaldispatch.com/recommends/ebayanalysis
Thanks again and keep those comments coming.
Partner to YOUR Success,
-Socrates Socratous
used snap on tools especially the power tools sell great
Hi everybody,
Thanks a bunch for the tips on the Craftsman tools. i appreciate it.
LARRY,with the 8 track. i don’t know where in the country you live, but on real heavy items you might try Greyhound Bus. You can ship by them for about 1/3 the cost of regular freight haulers. The only drawback is you have to take it to the bus station and your customer has to go pick it up. In a case like yours I would go quite a ways for $1oo. bucks.
Just a suggestion
Perry from Az
Hi Everybody,
Another important thing to remember is Craftsman tools have a lifetime guarantee, so of you find a broken one or a ratchet that doesn’t work. Take it to sears and get it replaced or repaired (repaired would be better) for free and then sell it.
Happy hunting,
Perry from Az
Hi,
Great post!
With spring here in Ohio the yard sales will be starting again. I have a few more items to add to my want list.
Thanks so much,
Randy
… and now so many of us will be listing them that the price will plummet…
Wouldn’t it be a better idea to teach folk how to find the treasures themselves so that we don’t all go running after the same products?
Just an idea…
Char
Having been in repair work for years I have done this very thing for a long time.Any tool company that will replace their tools without question makes buying their tools, even if they are broken, very profitable to anyone buying them.Not only are they antiques but they can give you new tools free.Some other companies you will want to look out for are, Mac, Pronto, Snap On.
just starting to check eBay out for the a near-future
business and have plenty of Craftsman tools (may now
buy some more at garage sales ! Thanks…..
Yet another class of items I will be on the lookout for and luckily the yard sale/flea market season is about to start up again here in PA.
Thanks for the info. Got to look in my tool box.
Fantastic as usual. Glad you’re back. I missed seeing Scott Foster as a sender in my emails. Looking forward to more. PS I knew about the tools. My husband was sure they would sell. He is a craftsman and knows what to look for.
I didn’t overlook this; I’ve been selling vintage power tools whenever I can find them.
There is a secondary market for most vintage items.
I sold a Cuisinart food processor found in a FREE box at a garage sale that didn’t work on eBay for $115 bucks.
I try and overlook nothing, by doing HOURS of research.
Good Luck Everybody!!
I’ve returned broken Craftsman tools that I’ve purchased at various sales to Sears for new, mint in the box replacements (their tools have a lifetime warrantee) and then sold the MIB item on eBay too!!
Talk about trash to treasure!!
Absolutely wonderful ideas in here.
I’ll be looking at this stuff a lot more carefully when I go to yard sales from now on.
Thanks Socrates for the great tip!
Howdy ‘Soc’, welcome aboard and great ideas. Thanks.
Great to have Overlooked Treasure back again! Good tip on the Craftsman–I’ll be looking as soon as the weather gets a little warmer.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Socrates,
Great Idea, I do have one quick question though, In what city did you purchase?
Just curious,
Thanks, and keep on keepin’ on!
Susan
Boy, I’ve got to brave the depths of my husbands workshop.
Great info on the Craftsman vintage tools niche!
Thanks so much for all the information.I really appreciate.I have a notbook that I write down all the good information that you give us.Thanks a million,Dee
Thanks for the advice, I had a look and can’t find any craftsman tools in my country wonder why, is it one of the top brands for tools in the USA.
Tell us more about your ‘analysis tool.’ Is it your own creation? Is it available via another site? Thanks, Charlie
Love these newsletters! Keep them coming!!
Who knew??? Spring has sprung! Bring on the yard sales!
Good on you. Garage sales can be sometimes opportunity to money making ideas. I find lot of stuff to sell from these places.
[…] Craftsman Vintage Tools on eBay - Hidden Treasure […]
Good Stuff, Keep It Coming.
Nice to know,I think I might be able to gather up a few of my own.