When I started out wrenching, I could not afford name brand tools. I bought whatever bargain brand tools I could fit into my box. What I started to realize is that trying to turn wrenches professionally called for tools of better quality. I didn't turn into a MAC or Snap-on junkie because I realized that a lot of the little items like curcuit testers, pnunches, pliers, hammers, etc. could be bought down town with some of the same quality and/or warranty. It just wasn't brought to my door by a salesman. My toolbox is a conglomeration of brands. As far as the sockets and open/box end wrenches, I will happily stay with my Snap-on. I believe there is better quality there without question.
When I think back to the other guys in the shops I worked in, they always had beautiful toolboxes and Snap-on was the choice. The tool boxes were always the piece that held their heads up high among the other mechanics. Customers had a tendancy to drift towards the largest and pretiest toolbox too. The tol man would show us demonstrations of a truck parked on top of 4 Snap-on toolboxes to show how sturdy they were. I've never had to come close to puting a vehicle of any sort on top of my toolbox. Great gimmick to show its strength. Shiny also sells.
For myself, I bought second and third hand toolboxes but always upgraded over the years, but while those guys were struggling to pay off those toolboxes, I was buying the tools that I needed to get my job done. After I gave up wrenching for a career, I decided that a nice toolbox was in order. I shoped around at all the name brand toolmakers and felt like I was buying used car with the $7-10,000 toolboxes that would fit my needs. I found another second hand toolbox for less than half the price of new and spent a day driving to get it. It was 1 year old and nearly perfect and shiny. At a 1000 lbs empty, it's a lot of toolbox. I got home and started putting tools in it and found that my old toolboxes made a great storage place for some of the tools used not so much and/or traveling. I don't have customers that see my toolbox, but I sure get to admire it when I use it.
I think there is a place for all quality of tools. The tools that are in your hands the most are the ones that need to be the best quality, as long as safety isn't compromised. Even expensive tools can wear out, but a warranty is worth it weight in a new replacement.
