Free technician toolbox!

[wornoutoldman]

So I was perusing the web this morning when this article caught my eye:

http://www.autoserviceworld.com/new...ir-toolboxes-and-learn-to-love-it/1000909007/

I know there are many of you that work under this type of arrangement however


As a former/retired dealership technician with 20 years spent in the trenches.I would NOT be happy with that arrangement. Looks great for the dealership however you can bet (or maybe I'm just paranoid ) management holds the "master key" to those boxes and can and will use it (access tools NOT owned by them) anytime management desires. This would include after hours when a salesman "just needs to install some small accessory or put a set of plates on a car". Anytime a technician is suspected of infractions pertaining to "dealer policy" and certainly if they are being released from service, fired or retired.

My feeling is my toolbox, its contents and access to, like my underwear drawer belong to me alone.

What say you?

 

[Jamesbbh]

What is the poll all about? It looks like they are getting rid of tool boxes...not giving away free ones.

 

[wornoutoldman]

What is the poll all about? It looks like they are getting rid of tool boxes...not giving away free ones.

Dealerships that are telling techs to take their toolboxes (but NOT their tools) home. Since the dealership will now provide (and I believe * will now have unresricted access to a technicians personal tool inventory) the toolboxes.

* I do not know if this a true statement. I suspect it is. If anyone can offer an opinion with basis in fact it would be appreciated.

 

[G_P]

No way. Like oldman said I would not want a toolbox where there is an unknown number of keys to it floating around the shop.

I would want my section of the box to have new locks installed that only I have the key to.

If they expect you to trust them with leaving 10k+ worth of your tools in their shop then they should trust you to have the only key to your tools.

 

[Jamesbbh]

Ohhhhhh, yea that's not cool. While I work in an office with no way to lock your office/desk I could understand expensive tools "walking" off with this system in place. That's like telling cops/firefighters that the bosses will have access to their lockers where they change into uniform if needed. Makes no sense.

 

[2fat2fly]

My tools stay in my tool boxes. Period. That's the way it is no matter where or what I'm working on. If management wants to provide a box that is not secure then they can supply the tools.

 

[RVDan]

That looked like nothing more than an infomercial for lista

 

[Zeke]

All I saw was this: "Each technician has his own section with a dealership-provided toolbox holding his own personal tools. In between is a shared work bench with a stainless steel top,...."Nowhere did I see anything about any keys. Same went for the now empty "night shift" cabinet.

Ohhhhhh, yea that's not cool. While I work in an office with no way to lock your office/desk I could understand expensive tools "walking" off with this system in place. That's like telling cops/firefighters that the bosses will have access to their lockers where they change into uniform if needed. Makes no sense.

They don't?

 

[ptschram]

I worked for a wire manufacturer.

Every person who entered the building was subject to search on entering and leaving.

Every vehicle that entered was searched on entering and leaving.

Mechanics used boxes provided by the employer to keep their tools in. Those who used their own boxes knew their boxes were subject to being opened (potentially in a manner that might damage the box).

The office I worked in, while I had a key to it, others did as well. The key to my desk was likewise held by others.

This same company had a precious metals department where everyone disrobed and wore company uniforms and were required to disrobe and shower before changing when leaving the facility.

When I worked for AEP, entry to the D.C. Cook Nuclear plant required one to walk through metal detectors, bomb detectors and drug detectors. You were subject to body cavity searches.

Given some of the circumstances under which I worked, this just doesn't seem to be that big a deal to me.

If you don't like it, you can go look for work elsewhere.

 

[wornoutoldman]

All I saw was this: "Each technician has his own section with a dealership-provided toolbox holding his own personal tools. In between is a shared work bench with a stainless steel top,...."Nowhere did I see anything about any keys. Same went for the now empty "night shift" cabinet.




They don't?

Personally I am hard pressed to believe that management would not have access to a techs personal belongings/tools and exercises that access (keys that get used) every now and again under the guise of "it's their property" meaning of course the boxes. Also I would suspect that this would be a condition of employment. I admit to a bit paranoia. I would be very interested on the written policy regarding this. You know the dealership has one.

Waiting to hear from some techs working under this arrangement.

 

[Copytech]

A bit paranoid are we?
The tools boxes would fall under the same rules as lockers at a local school. Just because they (management) have access to them does not give them the right to do so. Same would go for company owned vehicles, They have a key but the are not allowed to just jump in and drive whenever they want, they would have to ask permission. I know this from experience.
Company supplied boxes would be a great perk to a new technician that doesn't have his own box. I also helps moral as everybody is the same.
I really don't see the downside.

 

[Nhrabill]

Most technicians purchase quality tools and they even hold sentimental value in some cases. When a mechanic is sick and someone borrows a wrench and replaces it with same make and model wrench but not the original it is NOT o.k. in my book.
With that being said This seems to be a way to control the tech when it is quitting or firing time. Your tools are your livelihood when I quit one job many moons ago I had a friend help load my box in my truck and drove off that was it 5 minutes I was out of there in this case what if the night before you are canned they swap a lock on your box? I trust no one especially with over $10k of your hard earned tools.

 

[Copytech]

Most technicians purchase quality tools and they even hold sentimental value in some cases. When a mechanic is sick and someone borrows a wrench and replaces it with same make and model wrench but not the original it is NOT o.k. in my book.
With that being said This seems to be a way to control the tech when it is quitting or firing time. Your tools are your livelihood when I quit one job many moons ago I had a friend help load my box in my truck and drove off that was it 5 minutes I was out of there in this case what if the night before you are canned they swap a lock on your box? I trust no one especially with over $10k of your hard earned tools.

Denying you access to personal property is theft!
You are worried they may change the lock on you? They could just as easily chain or even move your box to a locked room. In either event a call to the local authorities would take care of the situation.

 

[Zeke]

Well, this thread is taking a dive. Tools are a personal thing, of course. So are the pics of your family on your desk. If you get fired, they have you load up your personal stuff and walk you out. I assume the same would be true if a tech got fired.

What comes to mind is that everyone who has his own tools locked at a place of employment, whether in his box or theirs, should have a written and visual (video) inventory of everything.

As for the extra keys, they should be in the company safe with access to the general manager and his deputy only. If anyone's box is opened in their absence, it should only be done by these two people and for good reason. That should be part of the employee/employer agreement which is mandatory these days.

If things were run in that manner, I'd welcome an employer provided box and work station. You can buy a hell of a lot of tools for the price of a middle of the road box.

 

[evildky]

I know at least one guy that worked at a shop that kept a spare key to everyones box, not sure if this was required but it also never seemed to be a problem, same guy later worked at a place with the built in maching boxes and had no complaints about it, I guess if you cant trust the manager to hold a key to your box how cna you trust working for them?

 

[twincam00]

I wouldnt trust it with keys just floating around. besides most techs have their own box already

 

[junk4dummies]

I worked for GM the US Navy and Boeing Aircraft as a machinist and tool maker.
The Navy supplyed all tools.
I served a tool and die apprentiship with GM back in the 60's and They supplyed the basic tools but I was expected to get my own as time went on.
I still have the Boeing sticker on my Kennedy tool boxes and chest.
I got chewed out more than once for not loaning my tools to the forman.

I worked night shifts for the Navy and Boeing.
I ran a small construction business during the day.
I got so tire of feast and famine with Boieng. They hired when they had work then layed you off. I walked in the door one day went up to the office crib and told the boss I was quitting that was in 1975 and I am glad I did. I never have worked for anyone other than myself sense.
You can only make a limited amount of money working for someone else unless you are in sales.
I paid cash for my house here in California That was 33 years ago. I bult my home and financed it myself. I had homes before this one. I have only rented for 9 months in my life and that is while I was remodeling a home. I have never had a car payment. I have 81 machines in my hobboy shop and I own a fram and rentals. I would never have had any of it if I had kept working for the Man. I made my living with my tools as does every blue collar worker. For some strange reason sometimes we love our tools more than our wives. LOL I got lucky, I was an orphan and was adopeded into a very nice family. My father was a professor and was upset when I dropped out of collage the first time.

I do not even loan tools to my neighbors. I will go do the job for free but I will not loan my tools. If I did not have the only key my tools would not be in their work stations. I know they must have a spare back up or master but that that does not give them the right to use your tools on deman even if you don't want to loan them out. That is form the Communiest Manifesto.

I grew up in Detroit and saw what was happening to the auto induastry in the 60's with more automation. That is why I left then. I was right. I just did not figure it would take management so long to sink the auto industry. I thought it would have happened years ago. My father had a couple of good friends that were vice presidents of Ford and GM I sat around the dinner table and learned a lot form them. I still have scroll saw that belonged to the VP of Ford moter porperties.

I can understand the clean looking shop. It does cut down on wasted time and motion. It also makes a better apperance to the public. Boxes all over the shop get in the way. The nice shop does drive up the cost of a car. Cars are all over pirce by 25% or more but that is another subject. Time is money and in the long run I am sure it penciles out in favor of the dealership. It is not a bad idea. The only draw back is that no one should have the right to take or use your tools. I did not read that in thier statment. I read it fast but I did not see it.

It was an ad for the storage box company.

I went back to collage at age 41 and received a BS degreen in Architecture with a minor in math. I made enough money that I could take 5 years off and live. As a contractor and architect I am here to say that 40% of the construction cost are casued by government regulations on all levels. Shop space is cheap to build. You can add more square footage to a house becasue all the basics are in the house. Empty space doe not cost that much on a home.
The cost is in the property. If you don't have or can't obtain more space you really start looking to alternatives. The cost of the cabinets is staggering. They cost more than adding cheap bays. The bottom line is if you don't have the property to expand you don't have many choices. Image is good for business and I am sure it will give the right impression.

The bottom line. I would tell them to go to..... and pick up my tools and go down the road. I did it and never have regreted it.

I have busted knuclkes and my arms are scared to the elbow. Hard work does pay off. I would rather build than sit in the office and deal with clients. As I get older I am glad I can afford to stay in the office. The old bones are not what they use to be. LOL

Just my 3 cents worth. An extra penny for Governemental inflation.

 

[Lotek]

It seems to me that in this area at least, the dealerships that go this route tend to want to micromanage the techs more, treat them more like peons, "Look at all we've done for you, be happy in your work." I applied at one place, they offered a buck less than the going rate.

 

[wnstwolf]

Ok they had me worried when the dealer is working on MB and Hyundi side by side? wo seems like a different pairing that what we see in this area..

 

[kesslerbmw]

They did this in a Mercedes Dealer in KC, and I'd be up for it. I made some custom matched touch up paint for the manufacturer that was installing them. The cabinets, and tables they were installing were literally the nicest I've ever seen. Nicer than every tool company sells, nicer than Lista, etc etc.

I can't remember what the company was called off the top of my head, but the quality was amazing. All the tech's in this case still had their own locks and keys though...

 

[Zeke]

I don't see where this thread is about someone opening someone else's box to loan a tool. Where was that? If you keep drugs in your box, they have a right to open it, period.

If it belongs to them in the first place and you are allowed to use it, fine, but it is theirs.

This reminds me of another profession, hairdressing. Often times hairdressers rent a chair, or station, in a shop. They have to buy their own supplies like shampoo and color. They lock it up because if they didn't others would help themselves. They keep their very expensive scissors locked as well as blowers, ect. But, all of the fixtures belongs to the shop owner, the space, the cabinet, the sink and the chair.

The shop owner has the last say. I guess if you don't like it, you can go the employee route or open your own shop.

 

[6768rogues]

I was the facility director for a large public school district (now retired) and I had keys for everything. Every room, tool box, electrical panel, locker, cabinet, cooler, etc. When we put in new casework in a school, I got a copy of any key entering the facility. I had a locked key cabinet in my office with hundreds of keys inside, all logged in a log book that was also in the cabinet. There were special locks on server rooms and food storage rooms that could not be opened with a grand master key. I carried a control key and a grand master key. If I came upon a lock that the grand master would not open, I could remove the core with the control key, swap it for a core in a nearby door the worked with the GM key, and I was in. Then I would swap the cores back. I was the only one with universal access, they paid me very well and they trusted me.

 

[Nowater]

Personal tools come under the old English chattel law, which means they are used to earn your living. Maybe a lawyer member could end some of the confusion. Just my two cents, but there are numerous laws pertaining to them.

 

[Ocho]

How would you like to be a tech with a couple of years left to pay on an empty toolbox?

The MB dealer by me did the same thing when they moved. I talked to a couple of the techs before the move and they were told the locks would be individualized. Don't know if there was to be a master key. The guys I talked to didn't particularly have a problem with it. At some point you have to trust the folks you work for. They trust you not to rob them blind. Shouldn't the relationship be reciprocal? You trusted them to lock the doors every night and provide reasonable security when you had your own personal box there, right? If tools were routinely being "borrowed without permission" or walking off that would be extremely bad for the dealership. The Service Department is the biggest money maker in the dealership and those technicians are printing money for the place.

And as for salesmen "borrowing" tools - that is a huge no-no. Maybe at a small mom and pop dealer it would happen, but at a place on the scale where they are providing Lista cabinets for everyone, I don't see it. A place like that is the major leagues and all departments would be equipped with whatever they need.

One more thing to remember is anything requiring more tool than a screwdriver or a small socket set (which the salesmen have in their desk) has to be run through the Service Department...you know, for - ahem - safety reasons. Of course, anything going through the Service Department has a repair order and "someone" is paying for it.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

They did this in a Mercedes Dealer in KC, and I'd be up for it. I made some custom matched touch up paint for the manufacturer that was installing them. The cabinets, and tables they were installing were literally the nicest I've ever seen. Nicer than every tool company sells, nicer than Lista, etc etc.

I can't remember what the company was called off the top of my head, but the quality was amazing. All the tech's in this case still had their own locks and keys though...

I remember reading about this in Professional Tool & Equipment News. Even had a custom paint code made specifically for Mercedes.

 

[Britwrench]

This has been going on for several years with European manufacturers; Porsche, Audi and Mercedes supply tool boxes as this is part of the "corporate look".
The coporate tool boxes are the only ones allowed in the shop.
In Europe the tools are supplied by the manufacturer.
This is also part of the ISO rating, where everything can be traced back.
Any measuring tool, which includes torque wrenches to multi-meters has to be calibrated and recorded, so the vehicle makers supply the relevant tools which are the only ones allowed to be used.

 

[RobSmith]

At my place of work we have our own tool lockers (abundantly stocked by the company) but there is also a tool store full of stuff we need to use but not regularly. There is always complaints of people not returning tools to the store and unavailability when they are needed. As well there are 'drop-in' contractors that use the tool store tools and seem to forget to return them before they leave. I believe in starting out with a decent basic tool kit and "enhancing" it over time and NOT letting any one borrow stuff at all. If they need that tool. Go and buy it. They will never have to borrow that tool again. These communal tool boxes are lovely in theory but add the human factor and they are empty in a couple of months !

 

[brownbagg]

talk about loaning tools, dont know why but I have never got a tool back without chasing after it couple days later. I think loaning tools mean "gimme your tool for keeps"

 

[logical]

How dare the owner of the business dictate how his business will operate.

 

[71flh]

The world is changing all around us. It doesn't matter what industry you're in. You have to keep up and do your homework, figure out what the politics are, where the raw materials are, etc.

Its worse for us old folks, so be young; adapt...

Sadly, I won't say I'm adapting well.

 

[G_P]

A bit paranoid are we?
The tools boxes would fall under the same rules as lockers at a local school. Just because they (management) have access to them does not give them the right to do so. Same would go for company owned vehicles, They have a key but the are not allowed to just jump in and drive whenever they want, they would have to ask permission. I know this from experience.
Company supplied boxes would be a great perk to a new technician that doesn't have his own box. I also helps moral as everybody is the same.
I really don't see the downside.

Umm. Schools have the right to search anything a student brings onto school property. When I was in HS they searched all the lockers a few times a year and if they felt like it they would search your backpack or car. If you gave them a hard time they just called the cops who would forcibly search you and your car.

My last job provided me with a locker to store my stuff in. They also kept a master log of all combinations and would do periodic locker inspections to search for company property that was not returned to its proper place. No notice was given most of the time. you would just come in one morning and notice all your stuff was a jumbled mess in your locker and half the time they would forget to relock them...

 

[dayid]

Schools have the right to search anything a student brings onto school property.

They may have the power to, but they certainly don't have the right. Now, the lockers issue they're searching their own property; backpacks, cars, etc, however are completely different. If police "forcibly searched" thereafter, it's a shame that an entire school lacks any students (teachers, or parents) with the backbone to end that after the first time it (illegally) happens.

I'm not a mechanic or anything near-to, but my company does provide me with a locker that has my own lock on it. If I ever came in to find my lock cut off or my personal belongings accessed that would be the last day I'd choose to be employed there.

I understand their (company in OP) want for uniformity - it does look neat and professional. I still don't understand why places don't provide mechanics with the proper tools to complete their duties. I had never learned that before being on forums. I've never worked a job that didn't provide me with all the things necessary to do my job (from welding to computer server administration). It's a strange world out there.

 

[RobSmith]

I has a personal locker in a remote room away from daily traffic and put a sign on the door "DANGER ACID" The room was in an acid content place. I booby trapped the locker with a spring loaded tray full of water to throw it's contents out of the locker when the door was opened. There was a safety shower with an alarm attached nearby. My locker was broken into once. The thief was exposed when he panicked and used the safety shower. My locker is still there and has never been touched again.

 

[Thruxton]

At my place of work we have our own tool lockers (abundantly stocked by the company) but there is also a tool store full of stuff we need to use but not regularly. There is always complaints of people not returning tools to the store and unavailability when they are needed. As well there are 'drop-in' contractors that use the tool store tools and seem to forget to return them before they leave. I believe in starting out with a decent basic tool kit and "enhancing" it over time and NOT letting any one borrow stuff at all. If they need that tool. Go and buy it. They will never have to borrow that tool again. These communal tool boxes are lovely in theory but add the human factor and they are empty in a couple of months !

At the machine tool company I worked at in college and in a GE plant I worked in after I got out of the army there were tool stores, but you had to use a personalized marker to check out a tool. If you didn't return it they came and got it and you only let that happen once or twice...

And I learned at both of these places (this was back in the 60's) that it was the height of bad manners to ask a machinist to borrow a tool from his chest. You only did that once or twice, too.

As a result, I never lend tools.. Not to friends, not to neighbors. Like a previous poster I will sometimes do things for free, but loaning tools is something I was virtually trained not to do.

 

[Copytech]

Umm. Schools have the right to search anything a student brings onto school property. When I was in HS they searched all the lockers a few times a year and if they felt like it they would search your backpack or car. If you gave them a hard time they just called the cops who would forcibly search you and your car.

My last job provided me with a locker to store my stuff in. They also kept a master log of all combinations and would do periodic locker inspections to search for company property that was not returned to its proper place. No notice was given most of the time. you would just come in one morning and notice all your stuff was a jumbled mess in your locker and half the time they would forget to relock them...

Laws must be different there as I live in the USA where search and seizure laws exist.
Sure they can search lockers and desks that the own, but you have to present, and give permission. If you don't they would have to show probable cause and obtain search warrant. That is why they use drug sniffing dogs on random search days, but they can only go after lockers that the dog "hits" on.
A landlord cannot enter your apartment just because he owns it.
I understand they have the right to periodic inspections but notice has to given in advance.

 

[Tunger]

I have worked in dealerships for most of my adult life, I have always worked out of my own box which was handed down to me from my dad when I decided to go into this line of work. This box is my pride and holds a certain sentimental value to me, it may not be pretty but it gets the job done and I like it. One of the sister stores of my current shop has dealership provided toolboxes and while they look nice I don't care for the concept, there is no personality to them. But this transition to a "dealership experience" for customers is where it all stems from and Saturn of the '90's is to thank for pushing this trend into the mainstream. Now all the new shops are going to huge windows in the waiting area where customers can watch you work on their vehicles, matching tool cabinets, and fancy uniforms. I for one do not care for it, not that I have anything to hide from the customers, I just can't stand customers staring at me as I work on thier rides. I used to deal with that enough with corvette customers insisting on camping out in our stalls while their cars were being repaired and spineless service advisors allowing it against company policy. Sorry for the rant, but to wrap up the dealerships can keep their toolboxes, I'd rather work out of my 32 year old snap-on.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

NO FREAKING WAY would I have done than when I was at the dealership, OR TODAY!

Capt. Chrysler

Shared bench, HUM l lets see. Your Fing ****** fluid ran on my side and F'ed up my body computer on the bench. Or the night crew moved lost parts to my ****** overhaul!

Looks like a time bomb waiting to go off. Or all their tech are passive class B types.


Capt. Chrysler

 

[Britwrench]

I have worked in dealerships for most of my adult life, I have always worked out of my own box which was handed down to me from my dad when I decided to go into this line of work. This box is my pride and holds a certain sentimental value to me, it may not be pretty but it gets the job done and I like it. One of the sister stores of my current shop has dealership provided toolboxes and while they look nice I don't care for the concept, there is no personality to them. But this transition to a "dealership experience" for customers is where it all stems from and Saturn of the '90's is to thank for pushing this trend into the mainstream. Now all the new shops are going to huge windows in the waiting area where customers can watch you work on their vehicles, matching tool cabinets, and fancy uniforms. I for one do not care for it, not that I have anything to hide from the customers, I just can't stand customers staring at me as I work on thier rides. I used to deal with that enough with corvette customers insisting on camping out in our stalls while their cars were being repaired and spineless service advisors allowing it against company policy. Sorry for the rant, but to wrap up the dealerships can keep their toolboxes, I'd rather work out of my 32 year old snap-on.

Tunger is right, delaerships are now controlled in what they do and how they do it by the manufacturer, because it is all part of the "corporate image"
If you look at most European and Japanese dealership names, they are named as the brand and then location, so "Bob Smith's Toyota" has gone away to be replaced by "Toyota of Sometown" or similar.

The days of dealership technicians using their own tool box are going away as vehicles become "own under warranty, buy extended warranty and don't own once it has expired". Disposable vehicles in other words.
Therefore the dealership does not want out-of-warranty vehicles in their building.

Repair shops that have always dealt with older or specialist vehicles are still there and will remain.

 

[BigAl62]

My tools stay in MY tool box! If they tell me to take my tool box home, my tools go with it! I've had tools walk off, "borrowed" by people in other departments (and NEVER returned!). When my box was by the entry door to the shop I had to lock it any time I wasn't in my bay to keep stuff from walking. The biggest problem where I worked was we also had "off lot" vendors (locksmith, PDR and airbrush touch up guys) who had access to the shop, too. Plus departments that worked hours that the shop wasn't "open". Several guys had tools that they left out overnight disappear (impact guns and other expensive tools). After that all the techs were very careful to make sure ALL their tools were locked up at the end of the day and if someone left something out by accident, someone would lock it in their box and give it to the tech the next day (we watched out for each other).

 

[carhunter]

Sounds great for the next generation of technicians - the poor kids who come out of school and go 10k into debt for a tool box. I never understood that, and its one of the reasons I never went the technician route (back in my day it was still called shoprat LOL).