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There is a lot of other info that will probably determine the best response to your question. Does COO matter? What's wrong with your current tools that you are wanting to replace them? New or used? Also consider what you will be doing with them. If you're just doing automotive work big box...

I regularly use 21, 22, 24, 27mm and 1-1/8, 1-1/2 wrenches and sockets. I use an adjustable for any larger wrench. I've used plenty of larger sockets but they are specific applications. Lots of farm equipment that the average joe doesn't work on day-to-day. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage...

I have a Snap on non-striking pry bar and the Wilde 3pc striking cap pry bars. The Wilde are better IMO. The snap on flexes much more. Never broke either but Wilde is better quality at a much cheaper price. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I never use my ratcheting wrenches for high torque applications. The long pattern is for reach, not leverage IMO. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Of the choices you listed I would go Williams, no question. The Dewalt and Husky are not near as good IMO. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Nice setup. Do you like the black oxide Proto wrenches? I have some SK and Allen brand in black oxide. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

No, I don't think the entire industry is bad. I've stated that numerous times. The notion that all these issues are because of "cheap" and "stupid" customers "who don't know how to run a business" just simply isn't true. The facts don't support those excuses. What do you say to the articles I...

What's laughable is your ignorance. You act like these issues are a "few bad apples" and not industry wide problems. https://www.fraudguides.com/cars/car-repair-scams/ https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2017/steer-clear-of-car-repair-ripoffs.html...

Both SK and Proto are great and I would throw Williams USA in there too. I have sockets, ratchets and combo wrenches from all three and you can't go wrong with any of them. Personally I love the SK roundhead ratchets but I know many don't. The SK blow molded cases are great if you have to...

The short answer to your question is that it's dishonest. Anyone who says "don't look at the details, just pay the bottom line." is hiding something. Again I would refer you to all the consumer agencies like the BBB, AARP, Consumer Report, and news agencies warning about these kinds of...

Exactly. This has been said over and over in this thread but some still don't get it. When a service business has to markup parts to make a profit what their really saying is "our service isn't good enough to turn a profit so we have to sneak in costs other places." It's a big red flag and I...

Which is what I've done. Not everyone has that option (just like you don't have the option to grow your own food). Are you saying that because someone can't fix their own car that's justification to exploit them? Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

This is such a tired excuse. You're basically saying "I know it's wrong but you can't stop me." You could live on a farm and produce your own food but just because you don't doesn't give the grocer the liberty to take advantage of you. You still expect them to operate with some integrity...

It's pretty obvious why the auto repair industry is in the state it's in judging by the responses here. You all think anyone who suggests an alternative to the way you run your business "just doesn't know how to run a business" but we do run businesses and quite successfully. And we don't have...

Would love to hear your justification for this. Remember, when people talk about computer scams they're talking about actual criminals... not the professionals in the industry. Lol. Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

The issue of bad customers has come up repeatedly. Why do you think there are so many 'bad' customers? Is this actually an issue with the customer or the industry? In my opinion, the average customer walks into a shop expecting to get scammed. That's the reputation the industry has earned. They...

You're talking opportunity costs vs. real costs. You calculate markup on real costs. Even if the call takes 10min. The shop's cost is still below retail. The "fix it yourself argument" is so worn out. It's just an excuse to support lazy business practices. As I've stated several times, I do...

Good info. Your first post touched on tool expense. I've seen estimates from different sources that estimate the "average mechanic" (whatever that is) invests $7,500-$24,000 in tools and toolboxes. Estimates for apprentice techs is more like $2,000 starting out. That's a big investment for...

I'm sure it's not an easy business but every business deals with the same or similar issues. Every retail or service business has to have internet, phones, computers and pay their taxes. Anyone who accepts credit card payments has to pay fees for doing so. This isn't unique to the auto repair...

You make a lot of good points. The one thing I always caution is that our perception is sometimes very different than reality. The industry has an obvious problem with quality and recruitment of techs. If everything was working fine this wouldn't be the case. Every tech and shop owner is going...