Recently applied for a new position as a mechanic at a Toyota dealership, i asked the manager where I could put my toolbox. He Said that's not needed, we have built in toolboxes. I looked around and they're pretty huge. Looks like the huge snap on workspaces, just wasn't snap on. And there's no way people weren't sharing them. Don't know if they even had locks. Kinda freaked me out. Wondering if anyone else works at a place where they have their own toolboxes sorta "built in". I'm used to my toolbox and am picky about the way it is organized. Should be a weird experience. But at least I didn't Go for a snap on tool box that my dealer almost convinced me to get.
Can't bring toolbox to work?
- Thread starter Sugarfryz
- Start date
mjoekingz28
Well-known member
They don't want you to get it one piece at a time.
Ive seen these at a local dealership I worked at not long ago, of course the mechanics got all the perks and that included the boxes and the polished floors but anyway the boxes were theirs to use, no sharing and they did have locks.
Jim Diesel
Well-known member
If you have to fill the boxes with your own tools and without locks, that would be a deal breaker for me. Hate the thought of not being able to secure my own gear.
MushCreek
Well-known member
I've seen machine shops where you weren't allowed to have any of your own tools. Usually really fussy work, and all of the tools had to be calibrated and in their system. I don't think I'd like that; my tool box is my 'home-away-from-home'.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
Not a mechanic, but electronics tech/broadcast engineer for the state. We are also not allowed to bring in our own tools. If the work requires it, the University has to provide it. Yea, right! LOL!! I've had to bring in a few tools on occasion.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
IMHO this is an all or nothing deal...
On one hand, If they want to provide me with ALL the tools, and QUALITY tools...fine..I'll keep mine at home. If they provide crappy tools, I'd walk.
There is no way on gods green earth I would put MY tools into someone else's box, locked or not. I mean I guess if I were just starting out right out of college, I'd just go spend $300 bucks at harbor freight and load those disposable tools up into their shiny nice workstations and consider it all disposable and slowly build myself a real tool collection which I could use elsewhere.
IMHO being from the automotive world, I've heard that this setup "forces" tech retention cause if all the other dealers in town require tools, those guys with nothing are much more "stuck"... I've seen it way too often...tech saying F-U to the SM/GM, calling a dealer down the road and 20 mins later that shops rollback was in our shop picking up the toolbox & the tech..LOL
On one hand, If they want to provide me with ALL the tools, and QUALITY tools...fine..I'll keep mine at home. If they provide crappy tools, I'd walk.
There is no way on gods green earth I would put MY tools into someone else's box, locked or not. I mean I guess if I were just starting out right out of college, I'd just go spend $300 bucks at harbor freight and load those disposable tools up into their shiny nice workstations and consider it all disposable and slowly build myself a real tool collection which I could use elsewhere.
IMHO being from the automotive world, I've heard that this setup "forces" tech retention cause if all the other dealers in town require tools, those guys with nothing are much more "stuck"... I've seen it way too often...tech saying F-U to the SM/GM, calling a dealer down the road and 20 mins later that shops rollback was in our shop picking up the toolbox & the tech..LOL
jb3
Well-known member
Great system. The number one source of debt for techs eliminated and provided by the dealer. Id put up with a lot not to owe thousands and thousands on tool purchases
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Not everyone needs debt to buy tools... That's a personal choice made by individuals. I know just as many people who owe thousands on Best Buy Credit cards, or whatever...
Simple math..Some people don't understand the power of interest or payments. I've bought all my SO/MAC/Etc tools "cash" and was able to take advantage of significant discounts to do so.. Its funny, I don't hear many people crying & bitching about financing a new car? Yet I think that's probably even more crazy then paying your SO guy 20.00 a week for a new ratchet.
Paying interest on a depreciating asset?
Apparently Snap On offers tech's the choice to pay for their tool purchases on a weekly basis. Not sure if interest is accrued after some time though. Then comes, paying weekly for life. 
Whatever happened to retirement? That's for the techs to answer. I'm just a DIY'er 
Whatever happened to retirement? That's for the techs to answer. I'm just a DIY'er redwrench60
Well-known member
They're not providing everything to do the job, or even close to it. They are just providing the toolbox to the tech. Company storage for your own tools.
There is no way in blue hell I would go for this. Not no, but hell no! Locks or not no way. Service manager having access to my tools? Uhhhh no. Salesman needs a screwdriver to install a plate after hours? **** no! My toolbox and contents are sovereign redwrench territory and not subject to access by anyone but me.
There is no way in blue hell I would go for this. Not no, but hell no! Locks or not no way. Service manager having access to my tools? Uhhhh no. Salesman needs a screwdriver to install a plate after hours? **** no! My toolbox and contents are sovereign redwrench territory and not subject to access by anyone but me.
APEowner
Well-known member
I'm more concerned about the fact that the OP apparently hasn't talked with any of the other techs at the dealership. I'd never take a job without at least chatting with my future co-workers.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It makes for a very clean, professional, and organized looking shop. The cabinets could be from a bunch of different vendors ranging from shure to others.
No one shares and the cabinets lock.
http://www.shureusa.com/
To me, it's a great concept and if the dealership/shop can afford the shop set up, they can usually afford to pay you.
It's only bad for the tool truck dealers as they don't sell many boxes at these shops.
No one shares and the cabinets lock.
http://www.shureusa.com/
To me, it's a great concept and if the dealership/shop can afford the shop set up, they can usually afford to pay you.
It's only bad for the tool truck dealers as they don't sell many boxes at these shops.
RRmech
Well-known member
We had to 'sign out' and 'sign in' company tools, when I worked in aviation maintenance.
They want to make sure that a tool isn't inside the aircraft by accident.
Steve
They want to make sure that a tool isn't inside the aircraft by accident.
Steve
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
If they supply the tool boxes, do they also supply the tools?
If so, then it makes sense - hopefully they have a tool inventory control system (to keep others from "borrowing" your tools, so you get charged for their lightfingeredness) or at least way to secure them, and that's fine. I'd STILL have my own box (whether it's SO or CM or HF) with my own tools in it... maybe just not at work.
Even IF they say you provide the tools, we supply the workstations, you still want your own box, for when they hire a shop manager who should have a pushbroom moustache and wear an armband. Or if you find the place is horrible (which, sadly, happens more frequently in dealership shops for some reason).
My only concern - is if they require you to supply your own tools, and they have no way for you to secure them. If THAT'S the case, I'd think about employment elsewhere - they may have the most honest people in the world working for them... or not. You have no way of knowing unless you've been there for years, or your stuff starts vanishing.
As long as it's not used to hold you hostage (as above)... THAT'S why I'd have my own toolbox, at home if need be... Because you just never know what may happen.
If so, then it makes sense - hopefully they have a tool inventory control system (to keep others from "borrowing" your tools, so you get charged for their lightfingeredness) or at least way to secure them, and that's fine. I'd STILL have my own box (whether it's SO or CM or HF) with my own tools in it... maybe just not at work.
Even IF they say you provide the tools, we supply the workstations, you still want your own box, for when they hire a shop manager who should have a pushbroom moustache and wear an armband. Or if you find the place is horrible (which, sadly, happens more frequently in dealership shops for some reason).
My only concern - is if they require you to supply your own tools, and they have no way for you to secure them. If THAT'S the case, I'd think about employment elsewhere - they may have the most honest people in the world working for them... or not. You have no way of knowing unless you've been there for years, or your stuff starts vanishing.
As long as it's not used to hold you hostage (as above)... THAT'S why I'd have my own toolbox, at home if need be... Because you just never know what may happen.
WhiskeyRanger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2015
- Messages
- 398
We were issued toolboxes that locked and no one else had access to. No one borrows tools, no one else goes into the box. They want everyone to have the same boxes so the shop doesn't look like **** with a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors of box. I'm good with it, I get to keep my box at home.
I like this. This is solid advice honestly. Thank you all for replies
It's strange. I'm talking MASSIVE boxes. Maybe each person has their own compartment. Gonna freak me out but I guess I'll have a nice at home toolbox. If I can't lock it, I wot use that box. Also, maybe it's more secure. The boxes are bolted to the ground. 10yrs ago at my dealership someone broke in and stole ALL of our tools. If your box was locked, they just rolled it onto our box truck. If it wasn't they just took all the tools. You can imagine the horror we had when we walked in. Even had to tell customers to go home, we had no
Tools to even complete work.
Tools to even complete work.
First, most of the people here do not know what they are talking about... So dont take their advice since they have not actually worked at a dealer which supplies the tool box...
New dealers being built are going the way of having built in tool boxes in the shop. There are two keys for the box, you get one and the other is held onto by the foreman or manager which is to be used if: A.) you forget your key or B.) lose your key.
Each tech get there own box and they are locked, I worked at a dealer that had this set up and it was nice. We each got two tool boxes, they were big so we used one for tools and the other we kept parts in. Nothing went missing. Sales was not allowed in the service dept. No one else was aloud in your box except YOU.
No body that worked there had a single complaint and there was plenty of room to store all your tools needed to do the job there.
I swear some of you need to take off your damn tin foil hats... Or atleast know what the hell your talking about.
QwikKotaTx
Well-known member
I would at least take pictures of my tools with a date stamp occasionally.
Most physical assets depreciate. That's why they have depreciation in accounting. The only question is whether or not the asset is also generating revenue.
jfcasey
Well-known member
I work at a Toyota dealer with this set up. Only me and the foreman have keys to my box. It's a great perk. I have a cart, locker, hutch, and 60 inch wide box all provided at no charge. I went right to work here out of school, it saved me thousands not needing a box, although I'm screwed if I ever leave hahaha.
Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
my old work place have all matching snap-on box (huge). of course no sharing tools boxes.
I have a question for you casey. Are you guys flat rate and if so for any of the longtime wrenches with serious collections is there enough space or is that a problem?.
bmk
Well-known member
I agree!
Local Toyota dealers have this. One has SO boxes, the truck dealer not too happy since the dealership did it all through SO coporate ahd he didn't get anything out of it. The other dealer has Listas. I don't know about the key arrangements. I'm sure the tools are the techs.
Re comments about other personal tools. I don't know any techs that didn't have another set of some kind of tools at home, well, maybe one. I'm not a professional mechanic but I have more than one set of tools. I'm going to the flea market tomorrow and might come home with more. Except for air sockets and 3/4 inch drive tools most of my tools could be used professionally. I understand about not having a big SO or other professional tool box at home, but a lot of techs have them at home too.
KEH
Re comments about other personal tools. I don't know any techs that didn't have another set of some kind of tools at home, well, maybe one. I'm not a professional mechanic but I have more than one set of tools. I'm going to the flea market tomorrow and might come home with more. Except for air sockets and 3/4 inch drive tools most of my tools could be used professionally. I understand about not having a big SO or other professional tool box at home, but a lot of techs have them at home too.
KEH
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
My buddy is an aerospace machinist and isn't allowed any personal tools. My understanding is that it is less about precision or fussy work, as his tolerances aren't any tighter than what I work to, but more of a liability issue. They need to be able to provide records that all tools were recently calibrated, should anything happen with a landing gear being machined in their facility etc.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
Catmochanic
Active member
NGK22R is correct....I worked at a Toyota dealership with this exact same setup. It worked out great. Working on just Toyota's it's not like you need a lot of tools. There is plenty of room for tools, parts. Plus we each had our own computer!
jn50308401
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2015
- Messages
- 315
The local Chevy store that I deal with on a work basis just built a new shop and it has built in boxes, a tool crib for special tools and a "clean" area for interior removal and the like.
To me, it's good use of space, a uniform appearance and boon to the used tool box market. Craigslist is full of ads with folks dumping big boxes because their employer provides tool storage.
Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk
To me, it's good use of space, a uniform appearance and boon to the used tool box market. Craigslist is full of ads with folks dumping big boxes because their employer provides tool storage.
Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk
Brownsfan
Well-known member
It does seem to be the way some are going. Two of the Toyota dealers I do work for are like this. One is all Matco boxes and carts the other is Lista or something similar. The third dealer is not like this. And it has gone through the most recent renovation. Seems Toyota wants all the dealership stores to look the same. All of of the Toyota dealers near me have gone through a recent renovation.
JKady
Well-known member
Agreed, I have a good buddy that worked in a dealer like this for years. Built in storage, SM has the only other key to your stuff, they even provided service carts. Then they decided to move him to another dealer in the group and he had amassed far too many tools to fit his former box and had to go out and buy a new box. Real **** part is they moved him back after a couple months and with no garage, he had to sell that box and take a loss on it.
I'd love a place with built in storage instead of my Snap On credit payment, I'm very near the end of paying my box off, with the issue of being very near it being at max capacity.
I will say the HUGE benifit is you spend more money on tools and less on a box. Downside is if you dont have a tool box and move to another dealer that doesnt supply tool boxes... Good luck and hope all goes well for you!
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
I worked with a master Toyota/gym tech that left the dealer after 20 years. He had a 2 bay top and bottom snap on with a locker. He was no where near even close to having it full. It was amazing how much he did with how little he seemed to have. And he very rarely had to borrow anything
Wasn't cheap junk, all truck stuff. But he just had it down to exactly what he needed
Wasn't cheap junk, all truck stuff. But he just had it down to exactly what he needed
bthucknall
Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2016
- Messages
- 14
There are two keys for the box, you get one and the other is held onto by the foreman or manager.
Sales was not allowed in the service dept.
That means for this system to work you have to trust your foreman or manager, which I've never seen a shop manager who had his own tools there or who even came out of the shop at a dealership.
Also, never worked in a dealership where the GM and owners didn't think their salesmen were allowed to do whatever they want, much less simply come into the shop.
Sales was not allowed in the service dept.
That means for this system to work you have to trust your foreman or manager, which I've never seen a shop manager who had his own tools there or who even came out of the shop at a dealership.
Also, never worked in a dealership where the GM and owners didn't think their salesmen were allowed to do whatever they want, much less simply come into the shop.
redwrench60
Well-known member
It isn't a matter of not knowing what I'm talking about. It's a matter of I've been working out of my own toolbox for 21 years, most of which has been at dealers so I know exactly how they operate. I know what I like and I know I would not like that arrangement. I wouldn't have to try it to know I wouldn't like it. The OP implied there was no way techs weren't sharing toolboxes and they may not even have locks. Piss on that. Nobody but me has access to my tools and if they piss me off......well my toolbox has wheels so I can roll it the hell out of there when I want.
tatra
Well-known member
If it is true that management has a second key, I would imagine it would not be too difficult to replace the lock on the sly with out them knowing. One concern eliminated. As for wanting to leave on a moments notice and empty the box quickly, have all tools in tool trays so instead of gathering up handfuls and throwing in a box to be resorted later, you can just grab the tray handle and done. I have seen the size of these stations and no reason one could not utilize the space for the tray method. Do they also supply carts ? Or a place to park and secure one ?