Getting ignored from the tool truck guys

[Hiball]

This thread is hilarious. Some serious fan boys and people who don't understand sales all in one. If a guy in sales isn't out hustling sales then they're in the wrong career, period.

Also what's with the people calling bs on other members stories because they had a different experience with different people? I have thick skin and could care less but I thought this was supposed to be a forum for people who enjoy tools not for elites to look down on people.

It’s a lose/lose situation, Tomorrow there will be a thread about how “pushy” there local tool rep is, Forcing people to ruin there financial future for buying a $100 ratchet etc.

We used to have a variety of tool truck dealers who frequented here, The **** they had to put up with for simply answering questions was sad.

I don’t work in a shop, I’ve never had a ounce of problem taking the time to pick up my phone, search thru the directory and push send. Where would you like to meet? OK see you there.. Bye.

 

[WordMan]

start asking snap-on if they have harbor freight sockets, then tell them... well matco offers them...lol

seriously buy it online, its cheaper anyway. then you can take what ever breaks to them and they have to replace it anyway. i walk up to random snap on trucks with broken wrenches and they swap it out all the time

He doesn't have to warranty your tools if you never bother to buy from him. If you always buy online, warranty it online. That guy has hundreds of thousands of dollars ******* in his business.

 

[M6erfan]

Wow! Thet tool truck guys will not survive long at that rate! They need to polish up on thier sales and at least walk around and say "Hi, what can I help you with!"

"Hand me that wrench a get me a sandwich?"

 

[WordMan]

When I sold tools, I always introduced myself to the new guy...

Okay, most of the time I did. If it was shop where there tended to be a revolving door save for one or two anchor guys, I wouldn't. Otherwise, I did.

As for @gmcgeo above, those warranties cost the dealer money. First, he's out the money of the tool or part until he can send in the broken tools, then he's out the shipping. Not to mention the float time between taking in the tool and getting credit for it.

The tool truck owner is a businessman, a salesman, a loan officer, tool technician, and the person who extends the monies for "truck credit" accounts. He's the one who floats the loans and who takes the hit when a tech decides he'd rather buy a new TV than py his truck payment that week.

To get into the tool business (based on what it cost back when I started in 1996):

He's going to spend somewhere between $30K for a used truck to $100K (or more) for a new truck.

His initial tool "starter pack" is going to run him $50K to $100K (depending on brand and size), maybe more.

He'll need $50K to $100K cash to put money "on the street" (to sell to new customers with a 20% down payment while he buys the new tool)

Plus, he needs whatever monies cash it will take to pay his bills, insure the truck, pay his truck note, pay his new tool note, etc, while he works to grow business without being able to take any money out for his house payment, car payment, etc.

 

[Two Speed]

First of all, because they’re salesmen and it’s their job. Secondly, I’m in my stall working. I have no idea what time he decides to park his truck out in front of the building. Lastly, if I’m paying a premium for the best tools, I expect a little service to go along with it. I’ve had mostly all good tool truck guys my entire career.

What have the other tech got to say about the tool truck situation? If the tool truck guy is parking out front of the building and you guys can't see him, sounds to me more like management has told them to stay away from the shop area. Toss in a dose of covid paranoia, and from my own experiences, management doesn't want joe public to randomnly enter buildings.

 

[Outnumbered76]

Prices over list? Sorry. Calling BS

Yes, stood on the truck and was looking at the website, he was almost 30$ more. His excuse was the site hadn't been updated. And yes he didn't last long before he stopped showing up.

 

[Outnumbered76]

Hence you can't buy on their site cheaper than a truck and vice versa

Hummmm, all my current tool trucks sell cheaper than the website or monthly fliers, sometimes it a few pennies and sometimes its 10 to 20%. The key here is to pay them on time and when they come around I hand them cash, and if I'm out in the field or on a road call I have them charge my debit card and still hand them cash as soon as I see them during the week.

The 2 way street to making money is taking care of the people that take care of you. But if 1 of them screws me over on something and there not willing to make it right, I will never deal with them again and make sure everyone I work with knows about my experience.

 

[Outnumbered76]

Right. Because a bus driver needs 1 bus, and it’s hard to steal a bus. That’s my point.

I use to work on transit busses, and trust me. You would want to get on any bus those drivers owned.

 

[Xcursion88]

And there you go

 

[Zewnten]

If I speak with them, yes. I thank my tool dealer every time I see him. I appreciate him and his business. He thanks me as well and tells me how much he appreciates my patronage.

I thank the cashier, the waiter/waitress, the movie-ticket seller, the delivery guy, the lady who brings the mail.... Hell I thank someone who returns something they borrowed. It's just a common way of ending a transaction. Although I have a good relationship with my tool dealers and I do legitimately appreciate them and the service they provide.

I should have used a different word than "thanks", more treating a business transaction as a blessing. I'm polite and friendly to everyone I deal with but I've had several dealers that were just useless salesmen. Called them up to find a time to meet up, even driving to them and they couldn't be bothered to return a call. One complained that he showed up to meet each week for a month and no one came out to the truck, turns out he parked at the wrong business each time and didn't bother going into the building or calling me.

I don't expect dealers to beg me to buy their tools but I am not actively looking for them to arrive. There's a happy middle ground. To the OP maybe it's like others said and the shop has a bad rep for high turn over of new guys?

 

[Xcursion88]

Hummmm, all my current tool trucks sell cheaper than the website or monthly fliers, sometimes it a few pennies and sometimes its 10 to 20%. The key here is to pay them on time and when they come around I hand them cash, and if I'm out in the field or on a road call I have them charge my debit card and still hand them cash as soon as I see them during the week.

The 2 way street to making money is taking care of the people that take care of you. But if 1 of them screws me over on something and there not willing to make it right, I will never deal with them again and make sure everyone I work with knows about my experience.

I'd be willing to bet there was a discount going on.

Mac and Matco have a touch of leniency but they aren't supposed to.

SO freaks out if word got out someone was selling below MAP. It's a business model that is proven over decades.
No cut throat of thine neighbor rep.

 

[bsaint]

Very strange thread to me.

How many Amazon / Epstein / Channellock / Home Depot etc sales reps have come and talked to you first? Yet you still spend your money there.

The only people upset in this thread must have a personal attachment to their money so they need a personal attachment where to spend it.

 

[Formula]

Very strange thread to me.

How many Amazon / Epstein / Channellock / Home Depot etc sales reps have come and talked to you first? Yet you still spend your money there.

The only people upset in this thread must have a personal attachment to their money so they need a personal attachment where to spend it.

Maybe because you’re never been in the business and never worked in a shop before? This is how the tool truck business model operates. You pay a premium for the best tools available, and there is a certain amount of personal customer care expected.

90% of the junk on Amazon or Home Depot doesn’t compare to what the tool trucks offer. Especially specially tools you won’t find anywhere else.

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

Maybe you give off a vibe they just dont like.

 

[toolenthusiast]

Why not offer a wage and working conditions where you're not hiring thiefs?

There’s a word this. It’s “victim blaming”. You can set yourself up as the highest-paying shop in the county and people will still steal if they want to.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have been retired for 17 years. The MAC tool truck guy visits me at my home at random times. He often calls ahead and always shows up if I call. He even remembers how I like my coffee.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

There’s a word this. It’s “victim blaming”. You can set yourself up as the highest-paying shop in the county and people will still steal if they want to.

So fire them. Inventory once a week while on probation. If they miss tools, deduct from their paycheck. Easy. I don't understand how this is so challenging. Once you acquire non-garbage employees, don't treat them like trash and they'll never leave. I couldn't imagine stealing tools from an employer. How could it even benefit me? I'm gonna go pawn some proto ratchet for $20? Come on my job ain't worth that. Same deal as people offering to pay cash and bypass my employer. No thanks, I make enough that your $350 offer ain't worth this job.

 

[CS454]

Maybe because you’re never been in the business and never worked in a shop before? This is how the tool truck business model operates. You pay a premium for the best tools available, and there is a certain amount of personal customer care expected.

Need I remind you you're entitled to nothing in this world? Including a nod and a wink from the Snappy Happy Fun Van Man.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Need I remind you you're entitled to nothing in this world? Including a nod and a wink from the Snappy Happy Fun Van Man.

May not be entitled, but a "hey how are ya" is a nice touch? Even if there was turn over issues previously at the shop, the truck owner could say cash-only for XYZ amount of time. A dealer once told me "I give everybody the time of day, they may be my best customer one day".

It's a personality thing, I would feel a bit snubbed if I was OP, but if they truck offered something attractive to me I would simply seek it out.

 

[bsaint]

Maybe because you’re never been in the business and never worked in a shop before? This is how the tool truck business model operates. You pay a premium for the best tools available, and there is a certain amount of personal customer care expected.

90% of the junk on Amazon or Home Depot doesn’t compare to what the tool trucks offer. Especially specially tools you won’t find anywhere else.

Okay let's go one step further and up the "quality of tools" (even tho mac is dewalt from HD and channellocks makes the pliers for most of the tool trucks) and say Grainger (Proto, Knipex, etc etc) / MSC (Martin, SK, Wright) / McMaster Carr (Williams). How many of those sales reps come to you personally? How many of those places are hurting for sales. I've actually been in shop life for 24 years. 85% of my box is Snapon that was purchased for me by my employer. I never expect anyone to come to me if I want something from them. But that's just me.

 

[guitarbutt]

Maybe you give off a vibe they just dont like.

It certainly comes across like that on here, I'm sure the tool guy thinks the same thing

 

[pizza]

i guess it's cool that you guys have tool shops that come to you...

Listen...
Go get on the truck and start a relationship

The personal touch/interaction comes later after

but am i the only one that doesn't want a "relationship" with a trucker? don't need that "personal touch" either.

i'm cool with ordering good **** from japan and europe, thanks.

 

[Firebrick43]

Maybe because you’re never been in the business and never worked in a shop before? This is how the tool truck business model operates. You pay a premium for the best tools available, and there is a certain amount of personal customer care expected.

90% of the junk on Amazon or Home Depot doesn’t compare to what the tool trucks offer. Especially specially tools you won’t find anywhere else.

I have never worked at a shop that they come in, not a single one. They show up at a certain time and normally someone yells the truck is here and people file out to have their wallets lightened. I am not sure that its a regional thing or that the shops I work at don't want them inside, but I have never seen one come in.

I always thought the customer care was excellent with the warranty service and time saved not having to go somewhere and buy it. Why cant you just talk to the man, or are you just going to continue to pout?

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Well this thread escalated quickly.I don't think the OP is saying that these tool guys need to come in to him every week and kiss his ***. I'm taking it as he's a new guy in the shop and they haven't even come over to introduce themselves and let him know what they're all about. When I worked in shops the tool guy would always at least introduce himself to the new guys and let them know about them and their products/services. Every week after that was just a hello and do you need anything. That's it. I know personally if a tool guy didn't at the very least introduce himself I wouldn't buy from him. We had 3-4 trucks a week coming in-MAC, Snap On, SK, MATCO, some independent guys etc. and if the guy was too lazy to even introduce himself then I take that as they aren't going to do anything for me when I need something-ie: warranty, get a difficult to find tool etc., and I would buy from the other guy or find it elsewhere. You can definitely tell from this thread who has and hasn't worked in a shop environment and if you haven't then it makes it difficult to understand it from that standpoint.

 

[JeepYJ]

Some of you guys should try being a farmer. You’re too catered to. I’ve dealt with 2 Snap On guys and a Matco guy. I want something I’ve got to seek out them. No big box stores in town. Just a few auto parts stores and 2 farm and home stores. You want something specific or something good you’ve got to track down the tool trucks.

The Matco guy is fine. But I’ve had to either go meet him at his house in the evening or meet him at a business on his route through town.

The old Snap On guy would go out of his way to drop things at the farm for me. He’d meet me in town anywhere.

The new Snap On guy *****. Doesn’t carry anything besides the basic stuff. Has no clue what Snap On even has to offer. The only stuff he knows about is stuff the little car guys use. You need anything heavy duty he’s lost.

But regardless not one of these guys were going to come introduce themselves and kiss my *** for business. They’ve got plenty of places to go. I don’t have a shop of 10 guys that will buy whatever the Snap On guy has so they can get a “free shirt” or whatever kind of **** he’s trying to get rid of. So I don’t get any special treatment. If you’re at a place that they show up to you, then you shouldn’t be crying about anything.

Snap On truck owners are like any other salesman, some are good, some not so good. I look at it this way: I saw a Snap On truck stopped at a local garage, he finished up with the mechanics there which are his bread and butter, I'm not. I respect that, I was however looking to buy a 1/4" drive ratchet, not kick tires I knew the price and what's fair. This guy was rude and didn't want to be bothered. He asked if I worked at the shop, I said no and told him what I was looking for. He had it said it was expensive and he was in a hurry. No price quote, no haggling on my part. His loss in my book. A few days later and a few towns over I tried again on a different truck. This guy had a brain, and gave me a good deal, what the trade was paying and was happy to do cash business. I'll be seeing him again. There is no way on God's green earth I'll beg someone to take my money. I'll walk away and spend my money elsewhere.

Why chase down a truck? Just order from their website and have it shipped to your location.

90% of the junk on Amazon or Home Depot doesn’t compare to what the tool trucks offer. Especially specially tools you won’t find anywhere else.

On Amazon you can buy all kinds of brands from all over the world and have them in a day or two usually.
Home Depot has some good stuff in store and more available online.
Online retailers are going to offer more selection than a truck.

 

[demarpaint]

Why chase down a truck? Just order from their website and have it shipped to your location.

On Amazon you can buy all kinds of brands from all over the world and have them in a day or two usually.
Home Depot has some good stuff in store and more available online.
Online retailers are going to offer more selection than a truck.

I wasn't chasing down a truck, I saw it and stopped. I've done that before, and the price was better than the site. The guy I referenced was a ****, his loss not mine. I do a lot of business on AMZN too. Sometimes I'll buy SO on Ebay if the price is right.

 

[JeepYJ]

I wasn't chasing down a truck, I saw it and stopped. I've done that before, and the price was better than the site. The guy I referenced was a ****, his loss not mine. I do a lot of business on AMZN too. Sometimes I'll buy SO on Ebay if the price is right.

I don’t get sales people that ignore someone who is interested in your product. You never know what that person does or who they’re connected to. Sometimes a simple interaction can lead to big things and opportunities down the road.

 

[demarpaint]

I don’t get sales people that ignore someone who is interested in your product. You never know what that person does or who they’re connected to. Sometimes a simple interaction can lead to big things and opportunities down the road.

Me either. It is very easy to build or blow a sales relationship. Neglecting customers looking to spend money is just stupid!

 

[Davefr]

Let's not forget that many of the traits of the most successful sales people are more or less something you're born with. I'd be willing to bet that most guys that buy into the tool franchise think it's more about the tools then it is about people, business acumen and successful sales traits/qualities.

There's huge difference between a sales person and an order taker and I'd bet a large portion of tool dealers fall into the later category.

 

[WordMan]

Why chase down a truck? Just order from their website and have it shipped to your location.

On Amazon you can buy all kinds of brands from all over the world and have them in a day or two usually.
Home Depot has some good stuff in store and more available online.
Online retailers are going to offer more selection than a truck.

When you're looking for that special tool you don't know the name of, or a part for some tool, all those online places aren't going to do a thing to help you.

When you have a job on the rack and you discover there is a special tool needed to do the job, none of those online places is going to drive that tool over to you right now.

Just as with old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the tool truck offers much all those big box and online places cannot; service. And one day, just as with those old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the trucks will be gone, and people will ***** about how they just don't understand what happened to them and the service they provide.

 

[WordMan]

Let's not forget that many of the traits of the most successful sales people are more or less something you're born with. I'd be willing to bet that most guys that buy into the tool franchise think it's more about the tools then it is about people, business acumen and successful sales traits/qualities.

There's huge difference between a sales person and an order taker and I'd bet a large portion of tool dealers fall into the later category.

As with any skill, it's something you can learn. But yes, just as most small repair shop owners think it's all about working on the car or so many carpenters think it's all about building good cabinets or homes, so many technicians who become business owners do not understand anything about how to manage a business, how to manage employees, how to give good customer service, or how to be a good salesman.

 

[JeepYJ]

When you're looking for that special tool you don't know the name of, or a part for some tool, all those online places aren't going to do a thing to help you.

When you have a job on the rack and you discover there is a special tool needed to do the job, none of those online places is going to drive that tool over to you right now.

Just as with old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the tool truck offers much all those big box and online places cannot; service. And one day, just as with those old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the trucks will be gone, and people will ***** about how they just don't understand what happened to them and the service they provide.

So your truck guy can always make it to you on the same day you need a specialty item? And he has it in stock? And there is absolutely no way the customer just waits for their car to be fixed?
Most places can get things to you overnight at worst, possibly same day.

 

[WordMan]

So your truck guy can always make it to you on the same day you need a specialty item? And he has it in stock? And there is absolutely no way the customer just waits for their car to be fixed?
Most places can get things to you overnight at worst, possibly same day.

So you drill down to find the absolute worst case scenario and use that as an argument?

For shits and giggles, we'll address it anyway. Always? Of course not. Just the online guy can't always overnight something (hell, most of them drop-ship and frequently "overnight" means the the day after the factory gets 'round to shipping it).

As a "truck guy," I carried a lot of specialty tools on the truck. When I didn't, if a customer needed something right away, I would find the tool, ensuring it was a good quality item, and have it shipped overnight (if that's what the customer wanted). Remember that service thing? I did that so the customer (the mechanic, the shop owner, etc) didn't have to spend an hour on the computer or phone tracking down the tool.

And that was the whole point of what I said (you, of course, understood that--you just ignored it). The tool truck guy provides a service. The customer who understands that "supports" the tool truck guy in his regular purchases because it benefits him when he needs that extra service.

 

[Zewnten]

When you're looking for that special tool you don't know the name of, or a part for some tool, all those online places aren't going to do a thing to help you.

When you have a job on the rack and you discover there is a special tool needed to do the job, none of those online places is going to drive that tool over to you right now.

Just as with old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the tool truck offers much all those big box and online places cannot; service. And one day, just as with those old fashioned hardware stores, electronics shops, etc, the trucks will be gone, and people will ***** about how they just don't understand what happened to them and the service they provide.

At my last place we had 3 dealers stop by, not one of them would make a special trip to drop off a needed tool. Most of the time they didn't even have it on the truck. Might be a regional thing though, it seems routes in the west are much bigger than on the east side so maybe the dealers aren't ever that far away?

 

[WordMan]

At my last place we had 3 dealers stop by, not one of them would make a special trip to drop off a needed tool. Most of the time they didn't even have it on the truck. Might be a regional thing though, it seems routes in the west are much bigger than on the east side so maybe the dealers aren't ever that far away?

Some of the "fly over" routes are so big the dealer stays overnight at a hotel. Obviously on a route where a special trip might take an hour the dealer can't go out of his way. I've also met people halfway when they were way over on the other side of my route.

And, of course, when a dealer doesn't want to give provide service commensurate with the price of his goods, to buy from someone else makes a lot of sense!

 

[CS454]

May not be entitled, but a "hey how are ya" is a nice touch? Even if there was turn over issues previously at the shop, the truck owner could say cash-only for XYZ amount of time. A dealer once told me "I give everybody the time of day, they may be my best customer one day".

It's a personality thing, I would feel a bit snubbed if I was OP, but if they truck offered something attractive to me I would simply seek it out.

Far as OP puts it, the dealer didn't grovel/place pocket screwdrivers and freebie lights at his boots despite having zero buying history or real attempts to say hello so that dealer is DEAD to him. So much so he created an entire thread to memorialize him.

Like you said, if you want/need something off that truck then you're going to seek it out anyways. It's the nature of the trade.

 

[Formula]

Well this thread escalated quickly.I don't think the OP is saying that these tool guys need to come in to him every week and kiss his ***. I'm taking it as he's a new guy in the shop and they haven't even come over to introduce themselves and let him know what they're all about. When I worked in shops the tool guy would always at least introduce himself to the new guys and let them know about them and their products/services. Every week after that was just a hello and do you need anything. That's it. I know personally if a tool guy didn't at the very least introduce himself I wouldn't buy from him. We had 3-4 trucks a week coming in-MAC, Snap On, SK, MATCO, some independent guys etc. and if the guy was too lazy to even introduce himself then I take that as they aren't going to do anything for me when I need something-ie: warranty, get a difficult to find tool etc., and I would buy from the other guy or find it elsewhere. You can definitely tell from this thread who has and hasn't worked in a shop environment and if you haven't then it makes it difficult to understand it from that standpoint.

Yep, you nailed it. It basically comes down to this.

I’m not looking to make best friends and I’m not looking for a free pocket screwdriver, hat, t-shirt or handout. If I want something I’ll pay for it.

But geez, like you said, I think a most of these people have never worked in a shop environment and don’t get it.

If I’m buried up to my elbows in parts and grease and look over to try and make eye contact with the tool guy, and he doesn’t acknowledge that I’m there week after week, that makes me the bad guy LOL?

 

[Formula]

At my last place we had 3 dealers stop by, not one of them would make a special trip to drop off a needed tool. Most of the time they didn't even have it on the truck. Might be a regional thing though, it seems routes in the west are much bigger than on the east side so maybe the dealers aren't ever that far away?

It depends on the dealer. I’ve had guys in the past I could call and they would order an item and overnight ship it. They would either direct ship it or drop it off ASAP.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Why chase down a truck? Just order from their website and have it shipped to your location.

On Amazon you can buy all kinds of brands from all over the world and have them in a day or two usually.
Home Depot has some good stuff in store and more available online.
Online retailers are going to offer more selection than a truck.

I’m not always chasing down a truck. But also, for example, I thought I was going to need a zero degree 12mm wrench to take out the 12 point bolts on a hydraulic pump. Text the Matco guy, he had one. I had to make a trip to town anyway so I met him and got it.

I needed to get the pump off so I needed the wrench. If I can get it same day I’ll absolutely drive to town over waiting a week for it to show up.

There isn’t a place in town that has a zero degree wrench of any kind, especially just a single. You walk into O’Reilly’s and tell them you need a flat or zero degree wrench they don’t even know what you’re talking about.

 

[slowtwitch73]

The whole tool truck/tool guy model sounds ****** and outdated. Bunch of egotistical buffoons selling over priced tools.

It's 2021, buy what you need, when you need, from where you want and bypass the tool clowns. They are dinosaurs.