I don't use tools for a living, so my experience doesn't compare to yours.
A front end mechanic, and shop owner told me that he has pretty much all Snap On tools. He used them in school, accumulated them as an apprentice, and got a lot more of them when he opened his shop. They are expensive. He has craftsman tools at home. For a home owner they are fine. In fact he was a bit undecided on whether, if he were to open a new shop today, (15 years ago) would he get snap-on, or craftsman. He thought about it and said... probably snap-on. Primarily because of the service. If a tool broke, or he needed one he didn't have, he could make a call and have it delivered, or replaced.
When I was a kid I had a set of cheap "made in Japan" tools. Back then Japan steel wasn't of the quality of today. If my wrench started to slip, I would get my father's craftsman wrench, and it gripped much better. When I grew up, I got my own craftsman tools. I also picked up some Stanley tools just to keep in the car, or whatever. I think they are just as good. I also have some Husky tools... forever guarantee, like craftsman tools. My boss had a Husky ratchet that he managed to break, I brought it to Home Depot without a receipt and they swapped it out for me, no problem. With my brief experience with the Home Depot, and their Husky brand, and am very comfortable buying any of their branded products.
Years ago, I was told that Craftsman electrical power tools were "secretly" made by Black and Decker. I bought their cheapest reciprocating sander, and broke it. It was well after the 90 day warranty, but they gave me full credit for the price I paid, if I paid the difference for the next higher priced product. My roommate burnt it up. It was a poor design, without a bearing where there should have been one. SO again I paid for the difference in price of the upgraded unit. Therefore I do not hold Black and Decker products in high esteem, but I DO hold the Sears, stand behind their products, in high esteem.
While I consider Black and Decker at the low end of quality, I have a 1976 jigsaw, and a 1980 circular saw and reciprocating saw that still work perfectly about 40 years later. So my father's adage of buy the best quality of tool you can afford, I have modified to also include, if there is a reasonable expectation that its' difference in quality is worth the additional cost.
I have a few Ryobi 18V battery tools each bought at a near by Home Depot. They don't get the use they would if I was a tradesman, but for home use, I don't suspect they'll fail me any time soon. I expect the batteries will fail before the tools.