Can't bring toolbox to work?

[Hpozzuoli]

I wouldn't stress about the boxes. I have seen lista workstations at my ford dealer. They are huge, have dedicated laptop stations, and all match. The only sticking point I would have is the ability to lock it.

 

[justme-]

... 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.

First, the OP doesn't know for sure if there were locks...many setups have hidden locks or latching the blends in... Streamlined design. A quick glance on a walk through may not see them just like it may not be apparent which techs drawers are which or a tech helping another. In short, unless the OP finds out the specifics everything here is guessing. Not every dealership is the same.

If I were the GM or service manager I wouldn't want a second key to the boxes...tech leaves/locks the box or keeps key a drill and a few minutes is all it takes. I've opened plenty of lists and vidmar cabinets that way.

 

[ngk22r]

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.

Dealers I worked for if a sales person came into the shop, let alone your work area we told them to go pound sand. Most were smart enough to know "borrowing" tools was a big no. One dealer had a salesman who was looking through a roll cab (shop did not provide toolboxes there) well the tech told the salesman who was going to beat his ***, the salesman cried to the GSM, management came down and asked what went on and thats when we all backed up our fellow tech and said the salesman was going through the tool box without permission. No one heard him say a thing about him threatening the salesman and the sales person was told to stay out of the shop. I have seen that dealers that do not provide toolboxes are more prone to this kind of behavior. Hell I work at one now that is like this. But we tell anyone not allowed in the shop to leave.. They typically have a car they pull up in that is about to be delivered so we block the car in to piss them off. They learn quick and no longer give us a problem.

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.

Has the OP confirmed they were sharing these toolboxes? Also he said it "looked" like they had no locks which some setups look like they dont but really they do.... Assuming much aren't we?

No one said you had to go work in a shop with supplied toolboxes and you are obviously set on not working at one, the OP is going to be working at said dealer and was asking questions about that setup, not much of your opinion in regards if your tool box is better or if theirs is.. Get off your damn high horse, you have not worked at one of those dealers so how the hell do you know what you are talking about???

 

[redwrench60]

Has the OP confirmed they were sharing these toolboxes? Also he said it "looked" like they had no locks which some setups look like they dont but really they do.... Assuming much aren't we?

No one said you had to go work in a shop with supplied toolboxes and you are obviously set on not working at one, the OP is going to be working at said dealer and was asking questions about that setup, not much of your opinion in regards if your tool box is better or if theirs is.. Get off your damn high horse, you have not worked at one of those dealers so how the hell do you know what you are talking about???

Taking me kind of personally, aren't you?

I'm only repeating what the Op wrote in his post. Not assuming anything. Smart *** much?

Op asked for opinions on this setup, I gave mine. I'll ride my damn high horse all I want. I paid for it.

 

[ngk22r]

Taking me kind of personally, aren't you?

I'm only repeating what the Op wrote in his post. Not assuming anything. Smart *** much?

Op asked for opinions on this setup, I gave mine. I'll ride my damn high horse all I want. I paid for it.

Have you worked at a dealer that has the provided tool boxes and have actually used them?

 

[Sugarfryz]

Thank you for all the replies. im going to describe the set up as best as I can, as I was rather vague. When I meant "sharing" toolboxes I meant more along the lines of a massive toolbox, like the toolbox also serves as its own workstation. I would post a pic but I don't know how. And it looked like each tech had their own section. This was at a glance from the managers office. I'm sure they each had their own locks. I don't see the techs complying with others, even co workers having free access to their tools. I don't imagine we'll be sharing drawers and stuff. There was a huge space for me to work on top of. It is just a strange concept to me, and it will take some adjustment to get used to. I'm sure it's not bad, I just personally would prefer to have my own toolbox in their. I have it organized how I want and have all my organization trays etc to fit that box. Not a big deal I'm sure they'll fit in this box as well. It just was bizarre. Looked to be about 7 techs, and 2 massive toolboxes with side lockers and huge workspace in the middle. Not sure of how that worked and was looking for anyone's opinion, or if they have been or currently are in that situation. Thank you for all replies, makes more sense to me now.

 

[redwrench60]

Have you worked at a dealer that has the provided tool boxes and have actually used them?

Nope.

 

[ngk22r]

Nope.

So how do you know how good it is or not?

 

[ngk22r]

Thank you for all the replies. im going to describe the set up as best as I can, as I was rather vague. When I meant "sharing" toolboxes I meant more along the lines of a massive toolbox, like the toolbox also serves as its own workstation. I would post a pic but I don't know how. And it looked like each tech had their own section. This was at a glance from the managers office. I'm sure they each had their own locks. I don't see the techs complying with others, even co workers having free access to their tools. I don't imagine we'll be sharing drawers and stuff. There was a huge space for me to work on top of. It is just a strange concept to me, and it will take some adjustment to get used to. I'm sure it's not bad, I just personally would prefer to have my own toolbox in their. I have it organized how I want and have all my organization trays etc to fit that box. Not a big deal I'm sure they'll fit in this box as well. It just was bizarre. Looked to be about 7 techs, and 2 massive toolboxes with side lockers and huge workspace in the middle. Not sure of how that worked and was looking for anyone's opinion, or if they have been or currently are in that situation. Thank you for all replies, makes more sense to me now.

Each tech gets their own work space and tool box

 

[ngk22r]

Picture attached of a Toyota dealer with supplied tool boxes, not shared between techs, each tech gets there own..

 

[redwrench60]

So how do you know how good it is or not?

I'm a smart feller. I can noodle on an idea for a bit and decide for myself if it tickles me or not. Even the OP says he would just rather bring his own toolbox.

We don't have to agree on this. Seriously, it's ok I can take it.

 

[thefoobag]

I have heard of this concept and find it very interesting, keep in mind Toyota has never had a standard fastener so only having to buy metric reduces need quite a bit (none of the GM 1/2 standard 1/2 metric of the late 90's early 2000s). I'd likely have amassed a much larger tool collection quicker without buying the box second hand. Not to mention it keeps a shop looking damn crispy, nothing better than a uniform looking shop!

 

[Formula]

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.

Lighten up Francis

 

[rednotch]

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

Most dealers built or remodeled around 2006 or so started doing this, you get a lockable box built in and a work station in your bay. Not a big deal, you can still bring in your own tool carts. You own the tools, they just provide a place to store them / work out of.

 

[alexigtivr6]

I don't think I would work in a dealership now with out built in work stations. Pretty much every new higher end dealer has gone this way. I work at a porsche dealer and everything has its place. Some times a little ocd but never have a problem finding any specialized tools . I have 2 hoist with way more tool storage then I need. Only I have the key for my work stations and the GM has access the spares that are locked up. No worries about people going in my drawers.

 

[brownsmustang]

The last three places I worked, as a manufacturing mechanic, they supplied boxes and tools. It sucked because we are at their mercy to buy us tools and they get the cheapest **** fastenal carries. And we're expected to make it work.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[crewchief888]

i work at a const eq dealership,
we are provided with a cart to use in our shop.
my understanding was every mechanic, including field guys got one.

my "toolbox" weighs in at 12.5K lbs, has six wheels and is 4 wheel drive
my "working" boxes are sitting in my garage

 

[ToyotaTech]

I don't think I would work in a dealership now with out built in work stations. Pretty much every new higher end dealer has gone this way. I work at a porsche dealer and everything has its place. Some times a little ocd but never have a problem finding any specialized tools . I have 2 hoist with way more tool storage then I need. Only I have the key for my work stations and the GM has access the spares that are locked up. No worries about people going in my drawers.

Porsche Center Langley?

 

[ToyotaTech]

Finally after about 12 years, my dealer is renovating our shop. I'm not too thrilled, since I only purchased my snap on box an year and a half ago, but the built in boxes are pretty nice. The shop foreman and I had Rousseau mock up the box based on the dimensions and drawer configuration of my KRL1022. The shop is going to look so much better once it's all finished.

 

[LXCam]

That's sweet looking. And I guess they're pretty serious about not stocking stuff on top of the cabinets eh?

 

[ToyotaTech]

That's sweet looking. And I guess they're pretty serious about not stocking stuff on top of the cabinets eh?

Precisely!

 

[jfcasey]

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?.

Mostly flat rate, and no for the most part we have a lot of space. Our set up is much larger than the one posted above. The only serious downfall is its hard to run multiple bays when you can't just roll your box around. We have very small carts to use and they don't hold a ton of stuff.


Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

 

[MadTinkerer]

I don't think I would work in a dealership now with out built in work stations. Pretty much every new higher end dealer has gone this way. I work at a porsche dealer and everything has its place. Some times a little ocd but never have a problem finding any specialized tools . I have 2 hoist with way more tool storage then I need. Only I have the key for my work stations and the GM has access the spares that are locked up. No worries about people going in my drawers.

Are you on dubberz?? I recognize the name. What Porsche dealer do you work at?? I'm at Mercedes on Terminal

 

[oilslick]

Man ,this seems crazy to me. I work on everything from a john deere gator to a medium duty truck at my job. I love the variety, keeps me interested. This standard one size fits all toolbox would never work out here inthe rural midwest. Things are changing for sure, cars need repair far less often but I hope a general wrench like me stays relevant too.

 

[William Payne]

Man ,this seems crazy to me. I work on everything from a john deere gator to a medium duty truck at my job. I love the variety, keeps me interested. This standard one size fits all toolbox would never work out here inthe rural midwest. Things are changing for sure, cars need repair far less often but I hope a general wrench like me stays relevant too.

I think you will it's more the difference between one brand dealership shops and shops that fix anything.

 

[smittyjones]

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.

Over the years, I've found some junk screwdrivers and socket/ratchet sets in used car trade ins. I put them on a little shelf for salesmen/detailers/lot porters and such when they need one.

 

[bodyguy16]

2 of the 12 dealers the group i work for are newly built and have provided tool boxes/workstations forr the techs, the rest will follow. The tools you provide are insured by the dealer as long as you have proof: bills pictures etc... i wouldn't be too hesitant of using they're boxes as long as you know your insured and the company is reputable. It will become the norm someday.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk