So today I'm standing behind this guy at the counter at Napa and he needs a
tool. He has a bolt in his hand that takes a rather large torx or similar
bit (can't see it that well) and it's nearly stripped apparently because he
was using the wrong tool on, or in it. This guy looks to be anything but a
wrencher. He decides he wants a 3/8" drive ratchet handle with a flex head,
a 3" extension and the bit. Guy behind the counter is telling him it's
expensive but it's an A-1 superior tool. $85 after tax. Guy whips out his
Amex, makes a joke about the price of tools these days and moseys on his
way. I found the whole thing kind of astounding. I wonder who he's gonna
leave it to in his will. It would take a minimum-wage earner two days of
work to pay for that tool.

About four years ago I grabbed a common-brand lifetime-warranty (roughly)
165 piece combo socket set in a case on clearance at Walmart for $65 bucks.
It was relatively cheap, I needed something like that right then and I was
tapped for cash. I've used that thing 2-3 times a week or more ever since
and the only problem I've had with it is that I left a piece behind at a job
once, and certain sockets are starting to fall out of the case 'cause I take
them out so much. Of course they're not flex-heads but I can't remember the
last time I felt a burning neeed for one. I have other sockets sets on rails
in my toolbox but that thing weighs a ton and the case is usually much more
convenient- for one thing, it lays flat out on the ground under the vehicle
with me, which makes certain things easier.

I just gotta wonder sometimes.

Cya,
Robert