Tool Truck Guys

[lewis]

I know there are a few guys working for/with truck brands that lurk on these boards, and I have a few questions for you (if you feel comfortable answering).

1. How much did you have to put up initially?
2. How long did it take for you to start making money?
3. How is your personal business doing in this economy, and how is your company doing overall?

 

[Merkava_4]

I think I can answer question #1 without being a dealer: You need about 80K to start. And if you don't have to make a lease payment on the truck, you'll be in a MUCH better position to make money.

 

[mrshaun]

I work for my uncle who owns 3 routes. I run one of them. I am doing ok right now. averaging 10097 as of today. last year I averaged 9700 and the year before that was almost 11000. So the numbers tell you what is going on. the past 4 weeks have been slower, but this is common this time of year and it will pick up next week or so and stay good for a few months.
when i first started I had the really bad parts of an industrial type city. companies bought cheap tools and the guys made less than 10 an hour. so I averaged 2800 a week ( that is paid sales not take home in you were wondering) Until I gained more ground after a dealer quit It was touch and go.
I love it now and do not want to do anything else.
I cant answer 1 and 2 very good for you.

 

[daveblank]

I know there are a few guys working for/with truck brands that lurk on these boards, and I have a few questions for you (if you feel comfortable answering).

1. How much did you have to put up initially?
2. How long did it take for you to start making money?
3. How is your personal business doing in this economy, and how is your company doing overall?

1. You can finance your starting inventory & get in for about 10-15k out of pocket.
2. About 2 weeks. Matco has a program that is set up to help in this area.
3. I'm doing good

 

[fatfillup]

My SO guy started a year ago on a program where it is kind of a trial. He didn't pay a franchise fee and has to make certain sales numbers within 2 years or so. I don;'t think he put a lot down. I believe he has to have about 7.5 or 10K per week in sales for them to keep. My figures may be off but the concept is accurate (I think).

 

[Billin21]

I know there are a few guys working for/with truck brands that lurk on these boards, and I have a few questions for you (if you feel comfortable answering).

1. How much did you have to put up initially?
2. How long did it take for you to start making money?
3. How is your personal business doing in this economy, and how is your company doing overall?

1. All the companies have a program to finance your initial inventory.
OOP, you'll need 10-20,000 depending on the company
2. With Cornwell, I was immediately breaking even, but stayed there I expect to do much better with Matco
3. I'm in between companies, so Im not doing a whole lot right now

 

[chadster1]

I think with Snap-on you can get started with about $15k. They will finance the rest. I started making money within 2-3 weeks. I have been doing this for about 6 years now and with the exception of the new tool truck I just bought, I am 3 months away from paying off the loans I got to getstarted in this business. My business is a little off, maybe 10% in this economy but I run a solid business so I am in no way hurting. Getting into Snap-on has been the the best thing I have ever done. Feel free to email or PM if you want more info.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My old Snap-on dealer told me i should become a dealer. I wish i had..

 

[volvo420coupe]

I want to start a Genius tools route. I just don't know how well they would be received as a "new" tool brand. Most other tool companies are selling imported stuff, why not sell the stuff at imported prices too.

 

[chadster1]

I want to start a Genius tools route. I just don't know how well they would be received as a "new" tool brand. Most other tool companies are selling imported stuff, why not sell the stuff at imported prices too.

You could make a killing as an independent selling Genius as your hard line. I sell some Genius on my truck and the margin is better than anything esle out there. Your biggest hurdle would be brand recognition.

 

[volvo420coupe]

I have owned several sets of their sockets for almost 10 years and have been very impressed.

I REALLY want to get my hands on a set of their full polish wrenches to see the quality, they have a really awesome 44 piece master wrench set.

 

[mrshaun]

chad how do the tools hold up compared to snap on and other brands(genuis)

 

[chadster1]

chad how do the tools hold up compared to snap on and other brands(genuis)

Their round head ratchets ****. Their sockets and torx bits are awesome. I have yet to warranty a socket and the Torx bits have a VERY low warranty rate. I have to warranty more Blue Point torx than I do Genius Torx. Send me a PM if you want more info.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

why not resell HF tools ? if you double the price it is still super cheap

 

[mrshaun]

one of my customers did that on ebay for a year or so until people caught on. He is now in prison for an unrelated fraud charge.....
He made a lot of money on all sorts of products..

 

[volvo420coupe]

why not resell HF tools ? if you double the price it is still super cheap

If you only sold the best of what harbor freight has to offer then you wouldn't have much issue.

But the goal is to have a COMPLETE line of tools all with lifetime warranties on a truck and even though they're made in Taiwan they are great quality tools, with some really nice storage solutions and good deals on all different sizes and styles of sets. And we all like matching sets.

I first found out about Genius tools when I ordered some sets of "Ingersol Rand" impact sockets from harbor freight, whey showed up and were all Genius brand, and of noticeable quality.

 

[caper]

If you only sold the best of what harbor freight has to offer then you wouldn't have much issue.

But the goal is to have a COMPLETE line of tools all with lifetime warranties on a truck and even though they're made in Taiwan they are great quality tools, with some really nice storage solutions and good deals on all different sizes and styles of sets. And we all like matching sets.

I first found out about Genius tools when I ordered some sets of "Ingersol Rand" impact sockets from harbor freight, whey showed up and were all Genius brand, and of noticeable quality.

If you check out Genius's web site you'll find they are based out of southern Ontario Canada.They have some programs to start as a dealer as well if I remember right.

 

[longroof63]

1) My Cornwell franchise cost me 10K out of pocket.
2) Making money...I was cutting a payroll check to myself in 2 weeks.
3) My business has been steady and constant since I began last Sept.

Genius would be a nice line if you were going to be a INDY truck...To say you were thinking of buying a route from them....Annnhh...Don't think they have the support of the Big 4.
I love my Cornwell Route. I love my job. I love my customers and I love my BRAND! I wish I would have done this years ago. Now heed this warning....You will not get RICH at first. It takes around 5 years to pay out your debts and becoming TRULY profitable....But you will pay your bills. I got 3 babies at home and my wife is a stay at home mommy. We have a house note, car note and the usual expenses. We don't live like hermits. We do stuff and are comfortable. But we DO see the light at the end of the tunnel. In 5 years, the bank will not know who I am! I will have no debt!

The tool business is what you put into it. PERIOD! If you work, you make money if you slouch, you starve. No exceptions.

 

[Vinko]

I'd be interested in hearing from all you truck guys about your experiences collecting payments. Problems, methods, solutions, etc.

Also I wonder what the Snappy franchise program says about collecting. Do they give you tips when you go to their dealer classes when you are starting up?

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I'd be interested in hearing from all you truck guys about your experiences collecting payments. Problems, methods, solutions, etc.

Also I wonder what the Snappy franchise program says about collecting. Do they give you tips when you go to their dealer classes when you are starting up?

I would like to hear about this also.

 

[chadster1]

The tool business is what you put into it. PERIOD! If you work, you make money if you slouch, you starve. No exceptions.

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[Joe69]

Our Snap-On dealer went through a divorce a few years and his business suffered greatly. For example, it took a month to get a 9/16 impact socket replaced. He's a great guy, but I don't think his heart was in it for a couple of years. I quit buying much from him for a while, because I need the tool now, not in a couple of months. He seems to back to his old self now, and I'm glad.

Joe

 

[walrus]

I want to start a Genius tools route. I just don't know how well they would be received as a "new" tool brand. Most other tool companies are selling imported stuff, why not sell the stuff at imported prices too.

We have a store in my area that sells Genius, folks have told me to go in and check them out. Most of the guys I've talked to like the tools.

 

[boogerboy72]

Truer words have never been spoken.

this is what ive been told by every tool truck thats come by.