gdocktor3
Well-known member
Saw a gw tool truck for the first time today. Is that a common thing? Do they sell strictly gw tools or do they carry other Apex branded stuff as well?
Gearwrench Tool Truck
- Thread starter gdocktor3
- Start date
Spoiled Bradt
Banned
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- Apr 3, 2016
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- 46
If they're like the Mac guys they can get anything from their conglomerate, perhaps Armstrong items too. Nicholson, Cooper,Wiss. Crescent. It could be a very easy franchise to do well with. Chase the guy down if you see him again.
TK-421
Well-known member
Was your's like an actual tool truck or just a big box truck? I saw one a few weeks ago that was a big box truck rather than a tool truck you could walk into and buy stuff from. Granted, I only saw the driver's side of it, so maybe the passenger side had a door or something.
I'd presume they mainly carry Gearwrench stuff but will have the ability to order anything Apex.
I'd presume they mainly carry Gearwrench stuff but will have the ability to order anything Apex.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Some background for you.
http://www.apextoolgroup.com/gearwrench/gearwrench_tool_trucks
APR 4, 2016
Benefits of being a GearWrench Street Team member
http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/article/12176316/benefits-of-being-a-gearwrench-street-team-member
JUN 10, 2014
GearWrench launches Street Team mobile driver program
http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/p...ch-launches-street-team-mobile-driver-program
malykaii
Well-known member
I'm not too sure how they'd make it work. I was an independent mobile tool dealer for a moment. So the problem I found is the wholesale cost of g.w. and other similar products is literally penny's less than what Amazon and ToolTopia sell for. I can't see a fanchise driver having any room for profit. I don't see gearwrench selling their tools to a driver for a significant discount. In turn the driver would have to sell these tools at list price.
A gearwrench 81210P 3/8 flex ratchet online can be had for under $50 while list is $107. At that sort of list price, Snap On makes more sense to a buyer, especially since snap on works hard to convince the public their ratchet is worth over $100. Gearwrench, however, is very obiously cheaper online.
I don't see it working out too well.
shockwave
Well-known member
I can see them making it but like mentioned before Amazon vs truck retail apex would have to give dealer incentives and apex truck would be better since you have Armstrong which is Usa made currently
It was like a small cab over box truck. I saw it from a distance parked on side of road and it had a big wind deflector thing on the roof and I was like "oh god wtf is this corny thing" and when I passed I saw gearwrench all over it. Next time I see one I'm gonna stop.
I really wish a gw truck dealer was on here to tell us more. It said they get discounts and free promotional stuff after they reach a certain quota every month. That discount must be really good, because as mentioned, you can buy that stuff online and have it shipped to you for free in 2-3 days.
wafrederick
Well-known member
There are a couple on Facebook,Nathen Arnold and Nick Morello III from New Jersey.Nathen Arnold used to be a Snap On dealer before he became a Gearwrench dealer.They ship out and are pretty good with the shipping
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
No tool truck dealers like competition in any form. However, MATCO isn't really selling that much Gearwrench clone stuff these days. Most of their stuff seems to be coming from KABO. As for MAC, I think they're coming out with more US made tools than in previous years. There new screwdrivers hail from South Carolina, their new 90 tooth Axis Ratchets are made in Texas and their Knuckle Saver wrenches are also US made. There are still a lot of foreign made tools in both brands but, who is going to pay list price for Gearwrench from a truck?
redwrench60
Well-known member
We have a full fledged GearWrench dealer that comes by the shop. He's officially an independent tool dealer and stocks many brands but his flagship brand is GearWrench and his truck is all done up with GW logos. He uses nationwide tool distributors like Medco and others to get wholesale pricing bulk deals and very often meets or beats Amazon or tooltopia. He stocks tons of GearWrench, Armstrong, OTC, Ingersoll, nitrocat, Milwaukee, Mayhew, Knipex, Channellock, ATD, Astro Pneumatic, S•K, Trusty Cook, Old Forge, Streamlight, really just too many to mention. His sales and promo deals are sometimes impossible to beat and he's a good guy to deal with.
drink
Well-known member
Does it mean the beginning of the end of made in USA tools delivered via tool truck and the beginning of cheaper offshore tools taking the market with lower prices? Who will buy cheaper offshore truck tools and who will continue to buy USA tool truck tools? Will the offshore trucks be allowed to compete in the same zones as the USA tool trucks?
Ram Hemi
Well-known member
Sounds like a good question for the city of Detroit.
redwrench60
Well-known member
I think it offers more choices to tool buyers. He has plenty of Made in USA and imported tools alike. I bought my complete Milwaukee cordless tool collection from him because he has the best promo deals and does whatever it takes to get my business. He bends rules to take care of his customers and we wheel and deal and trade. He's a true blue tool man. I don't think it spells the end for any other tool trucks. Everybody has their niche.
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fireeqpsrv
Well-known member
there are 2 guys that I buy from that have a FB page and sell from their trucks there. They are Gearwrench "street team" dealers. One of the is in NJ and the other is in MO
drink
Well-known member
Being able to sell all brands, or more brand names does sound interesting. The thought of causing some people to possibly go out of business doesn't sound good.
redwrench60
Well-known member
He's been coming to the shop for a long time along with all the other tool truck brands and he has yet to put anyone out of business. People still buy what they prefer. Me, I'm more of a tool ***** in that I like lots of different tools and buy what I like best from each one. Sort of like a salad bar......take what you want and leave the rest.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I wonder if they are employees or a franchise?
Having all those brands multiples their chance at success, you got quality tools in every category, usually cheaper than snap or mac. I can't see a gw only truck working if they sold at their list like many have already mentioned.
From what little I read about their program, it doesn't require a franchise. I wonder if you have to buy the stock?
Seems like the driver should just be responsible for buying the truck and maybe a credit/background check to make sure he isn't going to rob the co. of $200k worth of product and then load the dude up and let him sell, sell, sell.
Seems like the driver should just be responsible for buying the truck and maybe a credit/background check to make sure he isn't going to rob the co. of $200k worth of product and then load the dude up and let him sell, sell, sell.
They definitely have to buy the truck and I'm sure a credit/background check is necessary, but I feel like there has to be one additional circumstance. Probably a very serious law binding contract of some sort. You must have to sign something valuable over to them in exchange for all that shiny chrome stuff. Your freedom?
No tool truck dealers like competition in any form. However, MATCO isn't really selling that much Gearwrench clone stuff these days. Most of their stuff seems to be coming from KABO. As for MAC, I think they're coming out with more US made tools than in previous years. There new screwdrivers hail from South Carolina, their new 90 tooth Axis Ratchets are made in Texas and their Knuckle Saver wrenches are also US made. There are still a lot of foreign made tools in both brands but, who is going to pay list price for Gearwrench from a truck?
My point was less about competition but more about where the competition is coming from. Apex already has mobile tool dealers selling their premium brand. Why not sell more Gear wrench on Matco trucks as a more affordable alternative? This would be like SnapOn selling BluePoint franchises in the same territories as established SO dealers, or the same with Mac and Expert.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Apex does not own Matco. Danaher still does.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nathen Arnold - Tool Dealer - Missouri
Independent Distributor of GearWrench Tools.
http://nathenarnoldtools.com/pages/about-us
FB-
https://www.facebook.com/GearWrenchKC/?fref=photo
Oops, my bad. I thought they were still owned under the same umbrella. So in that case I would say good luck with the gearwrench venture. I'm not sure how well they will be able to compete with internet sales of the same tools.
ZRX61
Well-known member
The reason it's over $100 is because when you buy it you are also paying for it's replacement when it breaks sometime in the future....
Sorry, this is a little OT, but do any of you guys frequent a Matco truck? What do they have on the truck as far as ratchets these days? I work for a company that supplies the techs matco, but they deal with corporate instead of the trucks. We had ratchets on order for months and never got them. After about the third month, the department in charge of buying the tools sent us a box of various Wrights.
If there isn't a supply for the matco/armstrongs right now, I can't imagine that the truck owners are riding around without any ratchets onboard.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
If there isn't a supply for the matco/armstrongs right now, I can't imagine that the truck owners are riding around without any ratchets onboard.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Brownsfan
Well-known member
There is a problem at the US factory for ratchets. They switched facilities then there was a flood at the new one. Every Matco truck and Armstrong dealers have had ratchet shortage.
Thank you. I knew about the ratchet shortage and the supply issues, but I wasn't sure if the truck owners were just without ratchets for the time being or if they had something in place to hold them over until the supply issues are sorted.
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LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Head over to the thread started by warmpancakes......
So Matco is backordered on all ratchets
10-13-2015
Just spoke to customer service, I have a ratchet there for warranty, The got it Aug 18th, I was told it would ship Oct 12th due to backorder, Now that date is moved to Dec 14th.so 16 week backorder for a simple 3/8 ratchet, Im sure the "distributors" are loving this
03-02-2016
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306641
Mastermind
Well-known member
Exactly. As in we need gw trucks in detroit! Lol. There is one, but not the best reputation for the driver. He was a Mac guy, then switched to an independent, and I guess made a lot of shady deals. No one I know will buy from him anymore. I just need to find a financial partner and do it myself.
Seems like a good opportunity then. Looks like this GW program doesn't require a franchise agreement signed in blood like the other truck brands.
I'd pick up a retired bread truck and put the GW logo on (vinyl graphics) and go to town. But they probably want to inspect the truck. Also, it seems teaming up with a 2nd person might be logical. As in, pay them a commission (so no salary for you to have to meet every week), and they can use their car to deliver product to outlying shops. That's save you time/gas. Maybe an attractive 25 year old woman.
For example, a guy who's on your route, but you were just there 2 days prior and have no time to go back to service him. So send the 2nd person to deliver him his tools. And they can carry some basics with them in case of other sales while they're there.
Maybe put neat little signs on the side like an ice cream truck has the stickers for each flavor or version of ice cream. Sort of tug at our memories of the ice cream truck. ha ha
But instead of Push Ups and Sidewalk Sundaes, there's ratcheting wrenches and the other line.
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TheMadMech
Well-known member
Sorry for the potato quality picture but was a few cars behind this guy at a stop sign. Thought I'd snap a quick pic and post it here!
This is my clever signature.
trialrun
Well-known member
How much you think these dudes pull in a year?
Selling and playing with tools all day doesn't sound like a bad gig, doubt you could next a crazy profit unless they were marked up
Selling and playing with tools all day doesn't sound like a bad gig, doubt you could next a crazy profit unless they were marked up
TK-421
Well-known member
Wish I could find one like that in my area, I'd like to step on board and see what prices are like. The one I saw was a full on box truck, like a Penske truck, and seemed more like a shipping truck than a walk-on truck.