Replace tools

[bgunter418]

I just lost all my tools in a shop because former friends did not pay the shop bills. Now i am looking to replace all hand tools, storage boxes, power tools, jack and jack stands. I am on tight budget any ideas or suggestions would be great.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

At first glance, my suggestion would be to weigh the cost of replacing the tools vs the cost of hiring a lawyer.

By what manner did you lose your tools because of someone else not paying bills?

 

[Monte]

if the tools belong to you nobody can take them away...

 

[jjjrmx5]

I just lost all my tools in a shop because former friends did not pay the shop bills. Now i am looking to replace all hand tools, storage boxes, power tools, jack and jack stands. I am on tight budget any ideas or suggestions would be great.

I agree with the above.

If they are YOUR tools and paid for or you have an active tool or bank account to which you are paying on them, they are still yours. No different than if I left my car to be repaired at a shop and the shop went out of business. They can't sell MY car, but they can require payment for any service done so I can reclaim it.

Still doesn't mean they own my car because the door are now shuttered.

Sounds like a lawyer is in order if the tools are worth over $250, which is pretty easy to get to these days.

 

[Monte]

or take your gun and visit your former "friends"

 

[bgunter418]

I have tried to get them back with no luck i was young when i brought everything i have no written or visual proof of the tools. Yes i was dumb in putting my tools in someone else shop. Now i am just looking for some suggestions and ideas on hand and power tools and tools storage.

 

[woody 73]

If you are on a tight budget look for Craftsman special tool deals or pick up a few HF 20% off coupons. If you have some time look at CL in your area for some good used tool deals.

Older Craftsman tools are fantastic tools along with that you can search the GJ for some great used tools; look for some SK tools as they will hold up over time.

Not passing any judgement on you because I don't know all the facts in your case, but as the others have said if you paid for your tools they should give them back to you. If those are your good friends I would be looking at finding some other new friends.

 

[plinker]

S-K , Williams ( some is USA, some import), Wright, Channellock, Crafstman (be picky about what you look at getting), Gearwrench, plus some others.

Are all decent brands for the money, some have better items then others, some are if you want specfics on what tools are best from what brand a list could be made. What did you have before brand wise?

Harry Epstien, Cripe distrubting, Tool topia, the Classified here are all very good sources to buy from, ebay is too, if you know what your buying (watch pricing mostly). If you can wait for sales at Sears or other "box" stores thats another option.

Menards has Masterforce tol boxes that are really good, Harbor freight also has some nice boxes for a decent price. Used truck brand boxes may be available on craigs list as another option.



I would still try and see about getting your tools if possible though, there should be some recourse. (witness's ? co-workers?)

 

[nsherman2006]

Right now the Craftsman 33300 is on sale under $300. Buy that, go to HF to buy a tool box, jack, stands, breaker bar and specialty sockets, grab an Equus multimeter off Amazon, and Channellock pliers (Home Depot if you have one close) and you're in pretty good shape for the basics

 

[crewchief888]

or take your gun and visit your former "friends"

i'd be looking for my EX friends.

might want to pay a visit to the landlord, and see if you can get them back.

option #2 has to be done in a nice way.
no screaming, yelling or threatening

 

[american lockpicker]

or take your gun and visit your former "friends"

Thats what I would do.

 

[bgunter418]

Trying going to the landlord expained everything to him nicely he told me nicely i could not my tools until they payed the bill.

 

[bczygan]

Trying going to the landlord expained everything to him nicely he told me nicely i could not my tools until they payed the bill.

Get that on tape or in writing. That admits that they are yours. Next step is shake a lawyer at the landlord.

 

[str8axle55]

Stinks about your tools, also check Craigslist, seen a lot of good deals around me for full sets.

 

[Mmfh]

I'd tell the landlord nicely you have nothing to do with the bills at the shop, just a former friend storing his tools their out of convenience. Maybe ask the landlord if he needs anything repaired? I would be really, really, nice to the guy who holds the tools!

If you really need to, CL can really be a goldmine if watched closely and move quickly when you see deals.

 

[shanker]

somestates have laws so that tradesman's tools cannot be held in lein or by landlords because it is their means to make a living...check that too!

 

[crewchief888]

Get that on tape or in writing. That admits that they are yours. Next step is shake a lawyer at the landlord.

I'd tell the landlord nicely you have nothing to do with the bills at the shop, just a former friend storing his tools their out of convenience. Maybe ask the landlord if he needs anything repaired? I would be really, really, nice to the guy who holds the tools!

or go have a talk with the DA or police.

if your name wasnt on a lease with the landlord, therefore you dont owe him any rent, but someone else does, legally he probably cant hold your tools for ransom.

or tell your ex friends to man up and pay whats due, so you can get back whats yours.

 

[PinkLinc]

If your name isn't attached to the unpaid bills, I'd show up at the landlords place with a police officer. Sounds like theft to me.

 

[jrsulo]

A mans tools is how he puts food on the table....my dad taught me long ago,dont **** with a mans tools !!....He was a hard assed ex-marine,and told me if he ever caught me stealing someones tools that would be the last thing i did.....this is what this man is doing to you....stealing your tools,i would not let this one go !....Go get whats yours by any means !

 

[wreckerman5357]

Don't let this go. I would first call the local police and tell them what the situation is. Hopefully they can assist you in recovering your property.

 

[byoungblood]

Trying going to the landlord expained everything to him nicely he told me nicely i could not my tools until they payed the bill.

Tell the landlord to turn the tools over unless he wants to be paid a visit by the police. YOUR tools are not your "friends" property, and there's no way he can hold them hostage for a payment that you don't owe him. That's more or less theft.

I know the landlord's mentality is that you may be trying to recover your "friends" equipment, but really his only legal recourse is an eviction. He can't hold their tools and other property hostage for rent any more than he can hold yours.

 

[Hootbro]

You can call the cops but unless your (ex) friend, landlord and you can all agree what is yours, the cops are just gonna tell you it is a civil matter and drop it.

 

[mudflap]

Thats crazy, just call the police, tell them the jackass has stolen your tools, they will go over there with you, and you will have your tools back. He cant confiscate your property because somebody else owes him money.....

 

[mudflap]

Or anonymously mail him pictures of his kids at the bus stop, he will do right by other people for a while after that, Chicago style, works every time LOL.......

 

[Mmfh]

The Cops might not be able to do anything, knew of a guy who had his shop locked up by the IRS, didn't pay his taxes. All the employees wanted their tools, I don't think anybody was allowed in, everything went to auction and they lost out.

Now granted this is the IRS, but it may work in a similar way.

 

[SMKS]

Police likely won't help you.

I had a similar problem with a bike recently. I bought it from a used merchandise shop and it turned out to be stolen. The police were basically no help in dealing with the issue.

 

[pop pop]

Make a detailed list of your tools with any identification marks (SS#?). Provide the landlord and the Police a copy and request YOUR property be returned. If the Police can't identify your property from your description, how can they help you?

 

[Patrick Boyle]

You need to act quickly on this and tread lightly. A lot of times in these situations, the tools being held are the first things that get sold to make up for the money that's owed, regardless of who's they are.

Don't let this go so easily, you've probably got a lot of money in those tools. If I were in your shoes and all else failed, I'd break in to the damn place and take my tools back.

 

[rocco]

land of the free, do like some others have suggested, go over and politely ask for whats yours and make sure they know you won't leave until they make it right.

 

[Roots]

I'd really recommend that you contact the police, if your former friend will vouch that they are your tools and not his, you'll really be in the clear.

If no progress is made with that, I'd either hire an attorney or go to small claims court against the landlord, depending on how much money we're talking about. A small-claims judgement against a commercial landlord, would likely be one of the few times a small-claims judgement will be deemed collectable. Chances are though, he'll voluntarily give you your stuff back when he hears you're not going to roll over on that, as you will win in small claims court barring somethings unsaid here.

 

[jrsulo]

Go bang his wife !!

 

[BigRed390]

^Took 31 posts, but we finally have an answer!

 

[wasfuzz]

Don't let this go. I would first call the local police and tell them what the situation is. Hopefully they can assist you in recovering your property.

As a retired Police Chief, I can tell you no cop is going to be able to help you out. It is a "Civil Issue" - not criminal, so Police have no way to help you out. I would seek out an attorney and have them write a nice letter explaining the situation and request they allow you to recover your tools, you might even offer to pay a "storage fee" to them for "keeping your tools safe". Then if all else fails file in small claims court against them.

Good Luck, oh and was your tool box locked and do you have the key? Might help in proving ownership.