Is anyone else annoyed with tool salesman?

[mrshaun]

I used to bring my dog with me on the truck just to get her out of the house, I would tell the guys that if they did not buy or pay that she would bite them in the azz on the way out.
She is a pit bull and some poeple thought I was seriuos and got scared, then I told them I was joking. but they would come back to the truck each looking for her. She loves people and if they would not pet her she would grab them by the belt loops with her paws and drag them to her ( she sat in the driver seat when I was helping customers.)
I also didnt have to worry about someone stealing it while I was out of the truck. Most were scared to see her, even though she is scared to even bite herself

 

[wreckercologist]

well merk there are plenty of " snap on in front door, customer run out back door" and the infamous " I ll double up next week" If I hear that and you do not double up, I cut you off from buying and tell you I will let you buy double next week. They usually see how irritating it is and do what they need to.
Or you leave the shop and watch the customer tell you they are broke and see them at the store buying lottery tickets and cigs.

It works the same way for coworkers sometimes. "Oh, I was gonna buy my own______ but the baby needs_________". The same clown that's been borrowing the same tools from me for a few years now keeps saying "I'm gonna get one of those when the Snap-on guy shows up. Then the day after payday, guess who shows up with new tires on their car or a new bow for deer season. Gee, their son got a 125cc four wheeler for Christmas. Just don't lie to me, that's all I'm saying. I'm guessing you dealers would prefer the same.

I know you guys are just trying to make a living like everyone else, and in general, I don't have too much trouble with my dealers now. The really useless ones usually go out of business or quit when they can't seem to make it work. The only guy I won't buy from is my Matco dealer due to a past attempted screwing over.

It's unreasonable to expect a dealer to know everything about every tool, but it would be nice to have one that's at least current with new products. Half the time I know about new stuff before my dealers do off of this site.

I wish all the dealers here on GJ a good business year in 2010.

 

[truckdriver]

I forgot to tell a good tool man story. I pulled into a truckstop on I-57 in Gilman,il and the SO truck was pulling out another drive. I watched him go to the Burger King so I went inside and told him I wanted to buy some stuff. He started to get up and I told him I had no problem waiting for him to eat and that I'd wait next to his truck. I bought a few small items and he asked if I had a dealer at home. I told him he was a PITA and we started BSing and he asked if I had anything I needed warranteed. I had a flex head ratchet and a couple of screw drivers that my own driver wouldn't mess with and he put 2 new blades on and replaced the ratchet with a new one. I've called him 2times since when I was going through the area and spent some real money. He was an older man who knew that courtesy is often the best sales pitch.

 

[bgott]

How many of you mechanics know people that buy stuff off of the trucks and immediately pawn the tools so they can get some cash? Those shiney new tools don't end up in the pawnshop by accident.

 

[byrd]

my snapon dealer is a great guy! he stops in and just likes to bullsh!t with me, the only bad thing about him is my boss gets pissed sometimes cause i will be on the truck for 20 min. or so. when i buy something from him he always tells me if i dont like it he will buy it back, he says he will never sell me something i dont need or like. i guess this is his way of keeping a long term relationship with his customers and it works, i wont buy from other dealers anymore.

 

[komobu]

It seems to me like the business model is more based on financing than tool quality. Every time I'm on the truck I think of Homer Simpson..."Spend 99 dollars get a free pen... Free Pen!!! Free Pen!!! I'll take it!" An example is a fluke multimeter. The 88v kit was 530 off the snap on truck. I bought it brand new on ebay (still in the plastic shrink wrap) for 330. Why would I want to purchase it from him and have to pay weekly when I could put it on my credit card and pay monthly? Oh, I know....the dreaded finance charge. The truck offers free interest! Well, if my card has 10% interest, that would cost me 33 dollars for one year of interest. A 20% interest card would only cost me 66 dollars. It's amazing how they tout the free interest to me but are jacking up the prices by two hundred dollars!

I pay all of my bills monthly. I hate having to pay a tool guy every week. That is more of a nuisance to me than anything else. Typically, if I buy something from him I put it on my credit card so I dont have to pay him weekly. On big ticket items, I would rather find it on ebay or something and use my credit card to pay for it. More often than not, I feel pressured to buy something from him because there are only two techs in our shop. The Owner and me. The owner bus a lot from him, and I rarely do. I feel like if I want this guy to warrant my broken sockets, I better buy some stuff from him.

When the palm PDA's came out, they had the best warranty plan going. You called there 800 number and told them the problem. They overnighted to you whatever you needed. Then you had thirty days to send them the broken part. If they did not receive it, they charged your card. I wish they had something like this for tools. You call them up, tell them you need a 19mm socket. They overnight it to you. You then have thirty days to mail them the broken socket back. I would love to see a system like that.

 

[scofo]

I've had pretty goodluck with toolpushers thru my career. My current SO dealer is green as grass in the spring and clearly no mechanical background, so I think he is doing what he was instructed to do by corporate. The first time I set foot on the truck he was getting my info, well okay, then he asks my SS number and I ask what for, he says for a credit app.I tell him the last 3 SO dealers I used and to call them for my reference. WTF I haven't even touched or inquired to buy anything yet. I tell I don't want my credit dinged for the app. he says it wont be bad, I repeat NO credit app, he still ask again for the SS #. I start to lose my composure and start to walk and he finally back off.

Last week he says to come out to the truck he's got a suprise, Mother F'r started in again on the credit **** I just walked. He may have pushed me too far this time.

 

[vssjim]

At our shop we always look out for a tool guy, we always make sure they get payments or let them know if someone is leaving or on shaky ground so then its up to them how to handle stuff upfront. We even call them if someone does the disapearing deal so they can come get stuff before the tool boxes fly away.

 

[crewchief888]

I've had pretty goodluck with toolpushers thru my career. My current SO dealer is green as grass in the spring and clearly no mechanical background, so I think he is doing what he was instructed to do by corporate. The first time I set foot on the truck he was getting my info, well okay, then he asks my SS number and I ask what for, he says for a credit app.I tell him the last 3 SO dealers I used and to call them for my reference. WTF I haven't even touched or inquired to buy anything yet. I tell I don't want my credit dinged for the app. he says it wont be bad, I repeat NO credit app, he still ask again for the SS #. I start to lose my composure and start to walk and he finally back off.

Last week he says to come out to the truck he's got a suprise, Mother F'r started in again on the credit **** I just walked. He may have pushed me too far this time.

my latest SO dealer pulled the same thing with me. had a ball end allen that was broken, same thing, name, addy, phone ok i can see that info for his records i refused to give him my SSN. i walked back inside to grab a phoen call, came back out and he was gone. with my allen bit no less.
i'm a field tech, no i'm usually not around, the following week, i happened to be pulling out just as he pulled in, i blocked him in with my service truck, and confronted him and his boss as they got out of the truck. he convienently didnt remember taking the allen bit, and went through the same BS and wanted me to buy a new one. after a few heated words, his boss said i'll just give you one to make you happy. the top of my head nearly exploded

he showed up one more time after that, havent seen him in months now. last 3 mac guys lasted a couple months and ****. at least the matco guy stops by every couple of weeks just to BS for a few minutes. he's always been the one that went out of his way to help, even with non matco products.
if i need anything from snappy, i'll find it used, or have a friend order it for me.

maybe i'm gettin' crabby in my old age, but.......

 

[mrshaun]

most times when a customer will not give his social to me when I add him in the pc, is because he owes another dealer a pile of money. I do not run your credit unless you are fully aware of that.
I do not pre check customers until we start talking about the big stuff. then by that time you are once again fully aware that your credit score is vital to the financing of more expensive items.
Only 1 guy in 8 years has refused the social security number and he did owe a dealer about 1500 bucks from 5 years previous. it did match name and dob eventually.
I didnt know a lot about turning wrenches, but I adapt very well and have actually learned a lot of stuff over the years. I ask questions about what guys are doing if I do not understand it. I will not attempt to rebuild a motor anytime soon.

Just tell your dealer that your credit is the owrst he has ever seen and he will leave you alone.

 

[engineboy]

*Shaun beat me to the post, but Ill add my 2 cents*

I take all info including SS numbers but I DO NOT run credit checks. The SS number is for me only in case I have to find you at a later date to get my money.

If I dont get full info including a SS#, your truck credit will be less. I have only had one guy not want to give his to me and I found out later he owed another dealer out east big money.

Like I said, its encrypted on my laptop and I do not call in the app unless YOU want me to. its strictly for collection purposes at a later date if needed. There will be no ding on the credit.

Unfortunately its the way of the world anymore....way more people are flaking on the bills and skipping out on us tool guys, so we have to protect our investments a lot more carefully than in the past.

Thats my money out there you guys have in your hands, not company money....mine from my pocket. I own every tool on the truck and when they dont pay for them it comes straight out of my a**. The least my guys can do is trust me with a SS number.

We also have a coast to coast program that tracks names and SS #s to see if someone comes into my area and owes another dealer, so I can collect the unpaid bill for the other dealer. That way techs cant just move and not have to pay the other dealers. You would be amazed how many I get in my area, and I always ask if they owe another dealer......they tell me no, but then they pop up on the skips and then they are like "oooo....wow....I thought I paid that 1000.00 off before I left"

The SS number in my case is strictly for my protection, not to see if you have open credit.

 

[mrshaun]

the only way to get someones info out of my pc is to copy it while I have my snap on program running. they would have to look over my shoulder and you cant see the ss without clicking on a couple of buttons very safe and secure.

 

[engineboy]

the only way to get someones info out of my pc is to copy it while I have my snap on program running. they would have to look over my shoulder and you cant see the ss without clicking on a couple of buttons very safe and secure.

Ditto.

 

[vssjim]

Never asked or given a SS# to a dealer and I have never skipped on a bill in my life. Right now and 95% of the time I have a positive balance over $250.00, a couple weeks ago it was $600.00 plus with the only tool guy we have and I didn't ask him for a SS# what if he skips on me.

 

[jeepnut24]

I just wish there were truck brand brick and mortar shops. No offense to the dealers here, but it would help us weekend warriors get our tools and service more promptly. I doubt a dealer would stop by my place....

 

[engineboy]

Never asked or given a SS# to a dealer and I have never skipped on a bill in my life. Right now and 95% of the time I have a positive balance over $250.00, a couple weeks ago it was $600.00 plus with the only tool guy we have and I didn't ask him for a SS# what if he skips on me.

We are usually a little easier to find then the customers. I would play hell trying to hide that truck.

 

[Merkava_4]

There has never been a pushy truck dealer in my neck of the woods; always quite the opposite actually: "Mr. Toolman, may I please please buy some tools from you?"

 

[flashpuppy]

I take all info including SS numbers but I DO NOT run credit checks. The SS number is for me only in case I have to find you at a later date to get my money.

Not trying to be a *****, but how do you get you're money in the future? You have no signed contract, right? Just a word of mouth agreement. I'm not saying you shouldn't get payed, but legally is there anything you can do?

 

[scofo]

As I said this SO dealer stated it was for a credit app. not to see if I bailed on any prior responsibilities, I also named the last three SO dealers I've done plenty of business with. If I need to give a SS# to step on the SO truck, well I guess I'll deal with Matco or Cornwell as never asked for more than an address.

 

[Fedwrench]

There has never been a pushy truck dealer in my neck of the woods; always quite the opposite actually: "Mr. Toolman, may I please please buy some tools from you?"

Oh come on, you're not that nice stealing air from the local tire shop's service bay. When's the last time you actually bought something off of a tool truck?

 

[vssjim]

We are usually a little easier to find then the customers. I would play hell trying to hide that truck.

I always am kidding my tool man with how much my payment has to be next week as it doesn't say on the receipt, and he always has the same reply that he owes me money.

 

[Fedwrench]

Not trying to be a *****, but how do you get you're money in the future? You have no signed contract, right? Just a word of mouth agreement. I'm not saying you shouldn't get payed, but legally is there anything you can do?

Not every tool dealer does it but, many dealers have you sign the receipt. On the back side of most receipts is leagaleese about the tools belong to the company until paid off etc.

 

[flashpuppy]

Not every tool dealer does it but, many dealers have you sign the receipt. On the back side of most receipts is leagaleese about the tools belong to the company until paid off etc.

Mucho clearer now.

 

[vssjim]

I think you will find most people know dealers are searching for a little past history to try to find where you came from to try and get some history as to do biz. alittle easier when first meeting you. But on the other to give you the full body cavity search for a warranty replacement is a alittle over the top, I think he said he was not looking to buy at that time.

 

[engineboy]

Not trying to be a *****, but how do you get you're money in the future? You have no signed contract, right? Just a word of mouth agreement. I'm not saying you shouldn't get payed, but legally is there anything you can do?

The first purchase I have them sign the bottom of the receipt, it states on my receipts that all tools are my property until the account is paid off. They sign it, thats the deal. Obviously Im not going to repo 1000 dollars worth of tools if the guy owes me 25 dollars, but they know what it implies.

I really dont have any problem collecting, most my guys are good and most the people in this industry understand that the money they owe me is how I pay my bills.

I do have however someone in my.....employ we will call it....that does go door knocking at 5AM on sundays if needed Its a rare occasion, but unfortunately it has its place.

 

[engineboy]

I think you will find most people know dealers are searching for a little past history to try to find where you came from to try and get some history as to do biz. alittle easier when first meeting you. But on the other to give you the full body cavity search for a warranty replacement is a alittle over the top, I think he said he was not looking to buy at that time.

Yeah, for something like that its over the top AFAIC, I warranty stuff when people just walk up to the truck with tools in hand....customer or no customer of mine, everybody gets the same fair treatment.

 

[econoaddict]

I just have to pop in and say that after all of the stuff that has been posted (from myself included) about dealing with tool truck guys the truck owners that join in on this forum are awesome.

I honestly can say I wish you guys were stopping at my shop.

Some of these posts would have raised our truck guys blood pressure to the point of heart explosion.

 

[autoace]

My Cornwell dealer never tries to sell me anything, until I ask about a product. he shows up, I pay him, get anything that he got in for me, tell him what I am interseted in if anything that day, that is it, no flashy in my face sales, just what i ask for.

 

[Merkava_4]

I warranty stuff when people just walk up to the truck with tools in hand....customer or no customer of mine, everybody gets the same fair treatment.

That kind of attitude is unheard of around here. If you're a dude off the street and you want tools warrantied, it's not gonna happen. You're the scum of the earth. The earwig under the stepping stone is like God compared to you.

 

[engineboy]

That kind of attitude is unheard of around here. If you're a dude off the street and you want tools warrantied, it's not gonna happen. You're the scum of the earth. The earwig under the stepping stone is like God compared to you.

Thats too bad. Guys like that give us all a bad name.

I might be breaking the rules here, but I even warranty bent screwdrivers

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just wish there were truck brand brick and mortar shops. No offense to the dealers here, but it would help us weekend warriors get our tools and service more promptly. I doubt a dealer would stop by my place....

Find a dealer that lives near you and visit him at the house. I looked, and found two Snap-On dealers within about 5 miles. If I need something I usually go to his house after dinner and get what I need. Now I have his phone number and call before I drop by.

I used to work in a shop where the guy with the biggest Snap-on tool box and the biggest shiniest new truck would disappear into the bathroom whenever the Snap-On truck showed up. I can't imagine living like that, especially when all of your co-workers know that you are a deadbeat.

Chris

 

[quattrojon]

At our shop we always look out for a tool guy, we always make sure they get payments or let them know if someone is leaving or on shaky ground so then its up to them how to handle stuff upfront. We even call them if someone does the disapearing deal so they can come get stuff before the tool boxes fly away.

I could do with someone like you in all the garages i visit! Hope your tool guy looks after you, as well as you look after him.

 

[quattrojon]

well merk there are plenty of " snap on in front door, customer run out back door" and the infamous " I ll double up next week" If I hear that and you do not double up, I cut you off from buying and tell you I will let you buy double next week. They usually see how irritating it is and do what they need to.
Or you leave the shop and watch the customer tell you they are broke and see them at the store buying lottery tickets and cigs.

I have a few customers that like to play hide and seek with me. Trouble is i never get a turn to hide!

 

[Joe69]

How many of you mechanics know people that buy stuff off of the trucks and immediately pawn the tools so they can get some cash? Those shiney new tools don't end up in the pawnshop by accident.

I used to work with a guy that would do that for beer money. He didn't last very long.

Joe

 

[autoace]

That kind of attitude is unheard of around here. If you're a dude off the street and you want tools warrantied, it's not gonna happen. You're the scum of the earth. The earwig under the stepping stone is like God compared to you.

If that is true and SO is still number one in everyones' book, there lies a problem, don't you think?

 

[mrshaun]

If i have the tool or the parts to warranty your broken tool I will fix it. I do not care who you are.
I have made a few good customers by helping the guy off the street.
I get calls weekly asking to go to peoples houses to warranty tools. I just ask them to meet me at one of my shops at a specific time.
Works well for both of us.
I have a guy every tuesday morning on fort hood that brings me warranty items. Not sure where they come from, but I still warranty them.....

 

[walrus]

If that is true and SO is still number one in everyones' book, there lies a problem, don't you think?

Its not true in my experience. When I see a Snap On truck and I have the time I stop and get my stuff fixed. The guys don't know me at all and I've never had an issue. Sometimes I buy stuff also so maybe that helps. When you work on the road and have no set hours its pretty hard to have a Snap On guy come visit

 

[paramudduck]

I have had the experience of being treated like **** for trying to get a ratchet with a broken tooth warrantied. The attempts have been made in several states while I was in the military. As well as over most of Ohio since.

There are a few good dealers. However to make a blanket statement that it does not happen is blatantly false since even the dealers will admit that this occurs.

 

[mrshaun]

The dealer that we bought out 6 years ago would not fix anything. he told everyone it was their fault.
So I fixed all the ratchets in town, and when we took over his area the guys were happy to see me coming.

 

[Vinko]

I turned around and repoed a bunch of tools from him that week and drove away. (this game had been going on for a couple weeks)

I'd be interested in hearing some stories about Repo'ing tools from customers. I saw that video floating around youtube where the SO guy is trying to get that tweaker to pay him the $1500 he owes.

My dealer at about 6 ft 6" and who lifts at the gym, physically just would grab boxes and throw them on his truck. Of course that was before the bigger boxes were out there But chests and smaller rolling cabs were fair game.