What to do with that tool you didn’t end up needing?

I keep it, then I loan it out, then when I need it again I rebuy it.

Tyler H said:

I keep it, then I loan it out, then when I need it again I rebuy it.

this!

BTW, if you keep the tool, you will never need it.  But once you get rid of it....

Noddaz said:

BTW, if you keep the tool, you will never need it.  But once you get rid of it....

That has always been my theory.  Every time I had a parts issue on long trips, when I returned home I bought a replacement part and stowed it in the boot.  Ended up driving around with a bunch of parts (head gasket, ignition, water pump) but the Car Gods knew what I had back there and I never again experienced a failure of anything I had a spare for.

If you thought you needed it once, then didn't, you will surely need it again.  Keep it.

I always keep tools. That has lead to a lot of tools I don't use, and several cabinets full of tools, but it also means the number of times I have to stop working to go buy a tool has gradually reduced to nearly zero.

It would depend solely on the cost of the tool to me. If it's a $10-20 tool, I won't think twice about keeping it, but if it's up in the $50+ range I'll probably return it, unless it's something BMW specific that i might need again for one of my other cars...

I keep it and add it to my box of toys. 

Then I'll loan it out, but I require your full name, address, ss number, and the name and location of your eldest child or favorite car. (Not really)

I have a 4' wide x 6' tall shelf full of oddball tools bought for a purpose. I even keep the oddball tools that I don't buy. Most of them get used. I even have a Swench 750 that came with SanFord. 

If it wasn't really expensive I'll keep it around.

In reply to Toyman! :

The Swench is pretty cool. Whats up with Sanford these days?

I got a golden HF Icon ratchet for father's day and I love it. 

Not sure if it's destined for occasional use or as a tool bench trophy.