Lending Tools...

[illmatyk]

I have 2 situations here, hopefully you guys can hook me up with some advice.

1st Situation:
About 2-3 weeks ago, my sister calls me and asks if i had a work light. I say yes,, and she asks if her husband could borrow it and I let them borrow.
Since last week, i have been trying to get it back as i need it to do some underdashboard work, Im told " i'll bring it". It hasnt come back. Then today, im told that it more than likely got stolen because its not in their garage!

2nd Situation:
I have some coworkers who sometimes go through my tool box without asking. There are times I freak out that tools are not where they are supposed to be and i find them in another persons box. There are times where i get so irritated that i tell them "hey! this isnt a community box!"

So basically, how should i handle these 2 situations or how would you handle them.
Thanks

 

[robin1731]

1. Sister owes you a work light. At least as good as the one that is missing.
2. Put a lock on your tool box. Even if you have to keep it locked during working hours. If someone needs/wants to borrow something they can ask.

 

[CarCrafter]

Not sure what you can do about your sister. $hit happens. I would venture to say that you may as well shrug it off to experience if this is how they are going to be, don't loan them anything ever again. Let her know that she won't be getting a Christmas present from you for the next year or two and we'll just pretend this light was it. "Hope you liked it, Merry Christmas!"

As far as things at work, you can always lock your box I guess although that is a real pain in the ***. I've worked at dealerships where we were in each others' boxes more than our own. I even had a entire drawer dedicated to food and snacks. Guys used to raid that all the time, but we had good camaraderie and it was a cheap price to pay. Some people you stayed away from, but some people you felt comfortable enough to just pull the drawer out and look. We used to kid around that we'd pay each others' tool bills, whoever had the smaller one of course, or "Look what we just got." Sometimes we bought different things so could have a bigger arsenal instead of repeats of the same thing. The point is to be respectful and bring things back, and let them know that you've taken something. Now, for me, it was usually people I was close friends with. I've loaned them my truck when they needed to hit the landfill and we all helped each other move. No one can blame you for being irritated about the feeling of losing something. If you don't mind letting people use things, tell them that you hate the "not knowing/ lost feeling" and have them hunt you down and tell you or leave a post-it note before they run off. You certainly don't want to rip a car apart to look for a tool that you thought may have fallen into an intake just to find the guy next to you had it all along. "Why you little $$%@ !!!!"

 

[southpier]

#1. let the brother in law keep the trouble light. cheap insurance you'll never have to lend him another tool. if he asks, tell him "gee, Joe, i'd really like to help, but i don't have one. Oh, by the way, are you through using my trouble light, yet?" After a couple of those he might get the hint. If not, reapply as needed.

#2. Put a sign on your box "NO TOOLS LOANED". If someone asks, tell him "gee, Joe, i'd really like to help, but i don't have one." After a couple of those he might get the hint. If not, reapply as needed.



and a lock. it doesn't even have to be locked. just its presence gets the point across.

 

[bry@n]

Right on. I would tell them they owe me a light.

Don't lend tools out.

1. Sister owes you a work light. At least as good as the one that is missing.
2. Put a lock on your tool box. Even if you have to keep it locked during working hours. If someone needs/wants to borrow something they can ask.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

1st issue. Email them a link which has a replacement light and tell them you need it to do your work. Ask them nicely. If you never get one, never loan to them again.

You never have to explain to anybody why you won't loan somebody something, nor do you need to lie (I.E. I don't have it, when they know you do), a simple no will do... They will know why. Many people think we owe everyone an explanation... The simple no, and changing of the topic of conversation or walking away will ring very loud.

2nd issue. Talk to each of your co workers individually. Tell them not to go into your box without your permission, ya don't have to be mean. Tell them (if you are so inclined) that if they want to borrow a tool, ask you first. Just be polite and most of all FIRM..... Talking to them one on one in a calm manner says a lot about you. The worst thing is to lash out....

JMHO.

-BWP

 

[djd99]

1 st right off the light, I have a brother in law that had my test light for 2 years. Next time they want to borrow something now you don't have one.

2nd Politely tell your co workers your sick of searching for items they have borrowed and if they have to borrow something come directly to you and ask and that's the only way they can take any item out of your box at least that's how I would do it.

 

[hyisbm]

1. I have to replenish any missing tools just about every spring when I let family/friends borrow them. I only do this because I have a disability and depend on lots of help but they have gotten much better as I have been stressing about losing tools more and more.

2. I guess it would depend on how you look at it. I guess if everyone gets along then borrowing may not be an issue. But, my brother does get really irritated when people just take or borrow his tools without telling him. Especially when he used to get paid by a percentage of the amount of the jobs he brings in.Got even worse when he was only given the cheap jobs and those without tools got the more expensive jobs yet all they have are a small box of craftsman tools to use and tries to come to him for the right tools. Sometimes they even went crying to the boss saying they don't have the tools and he does.

 

[volvo420coupe]

I have worked with both types, some guys I worked together with very well and we enjoyed mutual respect for each others tools.

Then the other guys.

As the one mechanic in a body shop, I had guys ALWAYS needing to borrow tools. There were two guys (with a similar sized tool investment) that I trusted.
But the rest of them I made ask me every time for ANY tool, and when they returned it I insisted on them setting it on the top of my box so that I could put it away (properly) myself. It's amazing how someone can put a wrench back on a rack upside down and backwards when the rest of them are all set the same way.

 

[HandyManny]

1. Kind of a sticky situation, especially if you normally get along well with your sister. Tell your sister casually that they owe you a new light. If it never materializes then from now on, lesson learned. Some people are a lot like 2 year olds when it comes to other people's belongings. If they can't be respectful of what you have the kind heart to lend to them then they can just go buy their own stuff next time. I mean Home Depot sells work lights for a little as $4.99 sometimes.

2. Just going to have to start locking things up when you are not around. Or bring this to the attention of a supervisor. Sad, but it does happen from time to time.

 

[HandyManny]

You never have to explain to anybody why you won't loan somebody something, nor do you need to lie (I.E. I don't have it, when they know you do), a simple no will do... They will know why. Many people think we owe everyone an explanation... The simple no, and changing of the topic of conversation or walking away will ring very loud.

Well said. Totally agree. Being upfront about things is the best policy. When I've been stiffed by some deadbeat and they come asking again I always like to just look them inthe eye and politley say "I don't think so buddy", then change the subject. If they have the nerve to ask why or are too stupid to know why, then I'll explain it to them. If they take offense....oh well!!!

 

[HandyManny]

I guess I just never understood this whole "borrowing common tools" thing. I mean I understand that someone may want to borrow something like a specialised tool or a tool that most people will only ever need once in a blue moon, but common stuff that most people should already have or stuff that can be had for cheap...I don't get it. I'm the type of person who will just go buy something if I need it. Anything I need to borrow I can just go buy in the time it takes me to go find someone who has it or go borrow it. There's always that one person who seems to always be relying on everyone else to supply them with stuff.

 

[nate379]

All depends. I borrowed a bunch of common stuff from my friend (which I need to return now) before I could unpack my stuff. It was stupid to go buy stuff like drill bits, hammer, wonder bar, shovel, step ladder, etc when it's all stuff I have, just not in my possession.

 

[chadster1]

I have some stickers that I give out that say:

Warning

Need to borrow a tool?

The last guy that touched this box is in the bottom drawer.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

i have some stickers that i give out that say:

Warning

need to borrow a tool?

The last guy that touched this box is in the bottom drawer.

lol.............

 

[scottg1952]

If your BIL is anything like my kids, just go to where he used the light and get it back.
It will be laying on the ground 3 inches from where he last used it.
Grumble under your breath and give dirty looks as you schlep it back to the truck.
Next "borrow" request just rise your eyebrows and give a direct hard stare.
You don't need to say a thing.

Work is the worst. If you figure that out, the real solution for the long run, please share.
your Scott

 

[BackTracker]

Keep a sign out list of the tools. Make them sign out the borrowed tool with a time, then sign it back in. In fine print on the bottom have a paragraph about how there signature is a binding contract and if the tool is not replaced in "X" amount of time, you shall be compensated in kind your loss. Namely from their from there toolbox, at equal or lesser value based on the "replacement cost" of the tools loaned.

Invariably something will go missing. At this point you can go rummage through their box for whatever you might need. I guarantee they will either not make that mistake again, or stop bothering you for tools because it's such a pain in their ***.

 

[HandyManny]

All depends. I borrowed a bunch of common stuff from my friend (which I need to return now) before I could unpack my stuff. It was stupid to go buy stuff like drill bits, hammer, wonder bar, shovel, step ladder, etc when it's all stuff I have, just not in my possession.

Sure I suppose there are exceptions. I'm sure you made sure that you returned them.

 

[JD6619A]

Why would someone need to borrow a work light in the first place, they are cheap enough the person needing one can buy one at any hardware store, not to sound like a ***** but seriously a work light isn't expensive at all.

Also I don't lend my tools and the answer is flat out no.

 

[Danglerb]

You can replace a work light, not a sister, get over it.

I'm not saying be a doormat, but once you let people treat your box like the public tool room its going to be hard to turn it around. Is it going to be worth the effort?

HF means never having to say your sorry.

 

[Da Bull]

Same here, sister calls and asks to borrow my Porter Cable circular saw. I say sure no problem. A month later my bother-in-law returns it totally mangled and with no blade. I tell him to keep it and he is ecstatic. Then I told it was my birthday next month and I wanted a circular saw. He got the hint, but was pissed when he found out the price! Never asked to borrow my tools again!!

 

[Frank Elson]

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I Had these printed out as posters and put by my box.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Sticker-for-tool...rage?hash=item1c0cecd7a3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.ca/FUNNY-STICKERS-D...rage?hash=item1c0cd6585c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

GO TO SEARS - see if they will loan you the tool

 

[old salvage]

At home I have tools just for lending out. Real junkers. If they get lost, who cares. If they break then I become known for having crappy tools that break and people are that less likely to ask again.
At my last job (assistant to land surveyor and occasional building maintenance) I used to bring my own tools and no one was allowed to borrow. I remember the little Makita cordless drill we had finally succumbed to years of negligence and abuse at the hands of imbeciles. After weeks of hand drilling we finally got a new 14.4 volt Ryobi . I knew it wouldn't last long but kept my mouth shut. In less than a month performance started to lag.
I remember my gender confused, insta-mood swing supervisor drilling a hole in a granite bound. She was using a masonry bit for concrete. Not only was it the wrong kind of bit but the thing was dull as heck so of course it wouldnt cut.
After a while the drill starts lagging even more. I stood there smirking, watching her get more pissed. Her thoughtless solution was to bear down with all her weight. She was built like a tank so the cheap little, beaten to submission motor stopped almost completely. She swore, threw the Ryobi down and finished with the hand drill.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Most of the time i just say no, i won't lend out tools except to close friend who i know will look after them. My mate who i work with knows that at any time he needs one of my tools he's welcome to go into the box and take it without asking. He still asks every time though.

If people get offended/pissed when i won't lend them tools i explain that they're my livelihood and i don't want to lend them out. I don't bother having a loaner box with cheap tools, i just don't lend tools out to people i don't trust entirely.

 

[pjcforpres2020]

1. Keep the waters calm with your sister and brother in-law. She should offer to replace it if she is worth lending to in the future, if she doesn't offer just don't let them borrow stuff anymore. Still help out with this or that, but lending is off the table.

2. I would do like some others said, and have a one-on-one talk with each guy in your shop. Be calm and cool, just make it clear they need to ask first, and need to return the item. If they keep doing this after the talk, make note of who, and talk to them again, using others as examples "hey, john has been asking, and I haven't said no yet, same will hold true for you, but if you don't start asking, then it is going to be a 'no' whether you ask or not"... if they don't start asking after that and keep taking stuff, go to a supervisor, and get more hardlined about it.

Taking a tool without asking, and not returning it until you track it down is theft. And with how much some of these tools cost, grand theft. Of course, like I said, don't start off on that approach with them, but if they can't respect you enough to ask and return it, then they do not deserve any slack.

 

[caper]

Normally the guys in our shop will ask if they need something but a couple days ago I was out on a service call and when I returned I noticed The largest of my Snap on Bel air flatheads wasn't sitting properly in the tray.Taking it out I realized the shaft was bent to the point of not being able to fit in the tray.Nobody would admit to using it so I took it in and dropped it on the bosses desk and told him what happened and to have Snap on replace the shaft on the companies account.I'm thinking that one of the linemen or a stockroom guy may have come in and used it and put it back because all the guys in the shop have their own big flathead screwdrivers and have no need to use mine.

 

[illmatyk]

Thanks for all the different replies guys.

1: On the issue with my sister and BIL, I would like to let slide, but Im still debating. Yeah, its just a work light but its something that is hard to come by(for a decent 1 that'll last).

2: I dont mind lending out tools to my coworkers, but I'd like to hear them ask for a change(mainly 1 person). There was a time when the guy borrowed my 21mm socket and i needed it at the same time. The idiot broke the socket while tightening lug nuts, laughed and said "cheap sh!t!"....That really pissed me off, cuz Napa wouldnt warranty it and I had to force the guy to pay me back for a new 1.

Basically, with these 2 situations, I guess I just want people who use/borrow my tools to treat it with the same respect I treat my tools.

 

[rsanter]

next time you find your tool in someone elses box, take it back and take one of their tools as well. then after they miss it for a while you can ask them how that felt and tell them to remember that feeling because its the same feeling you get when you cant find your stuff

bob

 

[HankMurphy]

For the sister situation, live and learn.

For the work situation...sacrifice the top drawer of your box to loaner tools. Go to garage sales and pick up the cheapest, most mistreated tools you can find. (Haggle, pointing out the numerous deficiencies in the tools. Look for screwdrivers with bent shafts and rounded blades. A bent ratchet, or better yet one that needs rebuilding is a good choice. If you can find cracked sockets, they are the perfect match. Bent extensions are hard to find, but at least look for one with a stuck retainer ball. Rust is nice. Line your loaner tools drawer with cardboard. Avoid USA tools, unless they are well used.)

If you can't lock everything but that drawer, look for a well-used tool box. Maybe paint LOANER TOOLS on it...or have a four-year-old do it for you.

Toss in one or two decent quality used sockets so you can't be accused of only loaning complete junk.

Total expenditure should be less than the retail price of one Snap-on swivel impact socket.

They will get the hint.

Good luck,

 

[Metal-Marc]

Don't be a tool, don't lend your tools.

 

[Brookesy]

Got a nice bix sticker across the front of my box "DO NOT CONFUSE WITH A HIRE SHOP"

 

[nissan_crawler]

I would flat out, no questions asked, DEMAND that my light be returned to me THAT day. Do not give them any windows out, or they'll take them.

As for the rest, I have a strict policy on loaning tools at work. guys on my crew can, as they're good on getting them back in clean condition, but everybody else has 4 options:

1. Leave me a tool of equal or greater value.

2. Leave me cash equal to value of tool.

3. Leave me their driver's license and credit card.

4. Piss off.

Last time I caught somebody digging in my box without asking, I kicked the drawer shut on his fingers. He stays away now.

If I had a coworker take stuff without asking, I would go to the boss and demand it was dealt with immediately. If he didn't, I would report the coworker for theft.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

There was a time when the guy borrowed my 21mm socket and i needed it at the same time. The idiot broke the socket while tightening lug nuts, laughed and said "cheap sh!t!"....That really pissed me off, cuz Napa wouldnt warranty it and I had to force the guy to pay me back for a new 1.

Crome socket? he lucky, he is alive.......

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

You can replace a work light, not a sister, get over it.

So what's going to happen the next time sis and BIL want to borrow something...esp. something more expensive? If OP doesn't deal with this now, they'll be walking all over him whenever they feel like it. I doubt it's intentional...they just don't have any respect for his property and feel like they can borrow whatever they want with no consequences.

1st issue. Email them a link which has a replacement light and tell them you need it to do your work. Ask them nicely. If you never get one, never loan to them again.

You never have to explain to anybody why you won't loan somebody something, nor do you need to lie (I.E. I don't have it, when they know you do), a simple no will do... They will know why. Many people think we owe everyone an explanation... The simple no, and changing of the topic of conversation or walking away will ring very loud.

2nd issue. Talk to each of your co workers individually. Tell them not to go into your box without your permission, ya don't have to be mean. Tell them (if you are so inclined) that if they want to borrow a tool, ask you first. Just be polite and most of all FIRM..... Talking to them one on one in a calm manner says a lot about you. The worst thing is to lash out....

JMHO.

-BWP

Amen!

 

[Stick Figure]

As for the rest, I have a strict policy on loaning tools at work. guys on my crew can, as they're good on getting them back in clean condition, but everybody else has 4 options:

1. Leave me a tool of equal or greater value.

2. Leave me cash equal to value of tool.

3. Leave me their driver's license and credit card.

4. Piss off.

Last time I caught somebody digging in my box without asking, I kicked the drawer shut on his fingers. He stays away now.

If I had a coworker take stuff without asking, I would go to the boss and demand it was dealt with immediately. If he didn't, I would report the coworker for theft.

I had a boss for a very brief time that got tired of the other techs leaving his scan tool laying around the shop so he started asking for a drivers license when they needed it. Worked great until i pointed out he had a tech out on a test drive w/ no drivers license.

Personally i will loan something once or twice just let someone know what they are missing. Beyond that they can buy it themselves if they need it that often. I don't need to borrow a tool very often and feel like loser even asking, and usually put a note on my tool box that i borrowed something so i know to buy it next time the tool truck comes around. Might work out if you are on one of the trucks with some of the guys that constantly borrow, just point out the things that they need to buy. They might take the hint. Or maybe not like being embarrassed being called out in front of others about them having to borrow something all the time.

As far as the light, buy a new one .. next time they call to borrow something the answer is: "i had one and loaned it out, but never got it back .. sorry... try ___insert favorite store here___" again maybe they will get the hint.

 

[quattrojon]

One of my customers has a sticker on his box that reads-"I value my tools like you value your wife. You keep out of my drawers and i will keep out of hers!"

 

[illmatyk]

There was a time when the guy borrowed my 21mm socket and i needed it at the same time. The idiot broke the socket while tightening lug nuts, laughed and said "cheap sh!t!"....That really pissed me off, cuz Napa wouldnt warranty it and I had to force the guy to pay me back for a new 1.

Crome socket? he lucky, he is alive.......

No, not chroem. Industrial....It broke cuz his maind was in lala land thinking he was pit crew for a nascar team and was tightening the lug nuts with out even seeing if the socket went on properly....

 

[illmatyk]

So what's going to happen the next time sis and BIL want to borrow something...esp. something more expensive? If OP doesn't deal with this now, they'll be walking all over him whenever they feel like it. I doubt it's intentional...they just don't have any respect for his property and feel like they can borrow whatever they want with no consequences.





Amen!

yup, thats whats on my mind too, if they borrow something again and it costs more, how am i supposed to trust them with that?