Just so you guys know.

[american lockpicker]

Are there Asian girls on those calendars?

I would buy one if they are.

 

[chadster1]

I use to pay 1200 dollars a month for a radio spot, whats your point? Are Snap-On dealers suppose to be free of advertizing? I mean you are a business owner

You must be in a small market. $1200 a month does not buy a lot of airtime in DFW. I am sure you are familiar with the idea of targeted marketing. A guy walking up to the truck when I am getting diesel and asking for free stuff is not the market I am looking to target so I am not going to spend any of my advertising dollars (no free stuff).

 

[jeffk14]

I am sure you are familiar with the idea of targeted marketing. A guy walking up to the truck when I am getting diesel and asking for free stuff is not the market I am looking to target so I am not going to spend any of my advertising dollars (no free stuff).

A very reasonable position on your part. I think what a lot of us find ABSRUD is that SO doesn't have a certain allowance for freebies that the dealers can hand out. I know I'm one of the most sarcastic people on here when it comes to SO but it's not because I think their tools are garbage or the dealers are a-holes.

They make great tools. I'm sure some of their dealers are great guys. Their business practices however, were fine in 1975. Today, not even close. The absolutely hideous (gross understatement) prices that SO charges (IMHO) is an attempt to "prop up" those outdated practices. I feel for the dealers. I suspect that the dealers are not getting rich. SO should pony up for a few calendars.

To the OP FWIW, I did not know that dealers had to buy all their own promotional items. Doesn't surprise me though. Over the years, I've personally known a couple of MAC dealers and a MATCO lady who were treated badly by their companies and eventually ended up going out of business. I have no reason to believe that SO treats their dealers any better.

 

[JeremyManning]

I am not a mechanic, just fix me and friends atv's, but the snap on truck in my area was stopped on the side of the road, the guy let me on the truck showed me around, I bought an 3/8 extension with the cash in my pocket and he gave me his card and let me know what days he was in town it was a cool experience.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

snap on does not give us calendars for free. drives menuts every year when people try and flag you down for a free calendar. i had two try it this morning. have a good monday guys/gals

I figure that would fall under advertising expenses you could write off of your business taxes...

 

[bad daddy]

When I used to build boats at a shop in Vancouver, people would come in asking for replacement decals or logos...for free, because "hey it's free advertising"...

Gee, when you're restoring your Ford Mustang, do they give you the chrome MUSTANG letters, because it's "free advertising".... no they do not...

 

[Az Scooter]

I figure that would fall under advertising expenses you could write off of your business taxes...

Uhm, I would rather make money then write it off. Say Shaun was an uber successful SO dealer. He orders a bunch of hats for $10. He gives one away, and writes it off, it is still going to cost him $7. The cost to him will go up as his tax bracket is lower. A deduction is not a credit.

 

[rsieracki]

Are there Asian girls on those calendars?

ya... just wait till you see what the girls are doing with the hard handles

 

[Red Green]

I have pieces of charcoal with a ribbon tied around it on the truck to give out to people who complain about the christmas gifts I am giving out.

Coal might be popular if you were up here in the north.

Do you walk into Home Depot and ask for free stuff?

I do at Napa. My buddy that works there tells me when they have the free hat trade in deal.

I use to pay 1200 dollars a month for a radio spot, whats your point? Are Snap-On dealers suppose to be free of advertizing? I mean you are a business owner

I would think the Snap-on Sale Flyers should be provided by Corporate. Like the Catalogs.

 

[dankicksass]

My Snap-On guy must be about ready to come out of hiding, I got a Christmas card from him today with one of those little tearoff stick-on calendars and a magnet with his new cell on it. My parts stores and Chevy, Jeep and VW dealers have all sent over calendars, got a Jeep cooler and hat too. It's not the level of free **** I'm used to for the most part, but I'm a one man operation over here. Seems the good old days of swag are behind us; when I worked heavy equipment there were free jackets and hats from the manufacturers and tool trucks every season.

 

[Wanna Ride]

It works at Harbor Freight

Seriously I started asking for discounts and freebies a long time ago. I never expect it, and I'd never flag someone down to ask. It's mostly a joke, and has only worked a few times. Got an employee discount at Texas Roadhouse just by asking once. Got a discount on a torpedo heater for my garage because it was too big. I wanted the 55K BTU and they only had the big one (180k?, 150? not sure). Asked for a few bucks off, he marked it from $398 to $150. I woulda been happy with $350. The price tag and his correction are still on it for proof, lol. That was at Lowes. So anyway, my point is, it never hurt me to ask, but it has helped.

You may be right, but the way I see it... my dignity and his respect is worth more than a discount. Fair business is fair business.

Without going into too much detail... I too work in an industry where everyone is hammering us for free swag. We charge a very fair price for our product and MANY people we come in contact with, hit us up for free stuff BEFORE they even ask/know our name.

As a business manager, I can assure you the best way to get something for free is not by asking for it. Business owners and managers appreciate respectful customers more than most people are aware of.

 

[Skin]

You may be right, but the way I see it... my dignity and his respect is worth more than a discount. Fair business is fair business.

bartering use to be a very common practice. it was killed off by retail chains.

Try it next time you purchase anything in bulk or are looking for that new flat screen TV. Even though its hardly done anymore i think you'll find managers more than happy to help you out with the price if it means the difference between making the sale and not. Really what it boils down to is that consumers have become complacent.

Add me to the list of people who are disgusted with SO charging their dealers for avertising swag. If anything i'd think they'd use a system of X amount of dollars in merchandise purchased = free advertising swag for dealers then they can do with it what they like.

 

[therealwormey]

all i know is if the SO guys in my area depended on me they'd be in the soup line,mac and cornwell guys are nice but those SO guys are arrogant jerks who act if they could care less if they sell anything.i know that all are not like that or SO would be outta business.the guy at the last shop i was at came around at Christmas with pocket screwdrivers,i told him thanks but no thanks,i dont want to be treated nice once a year.i own a mac box full of mac & craftsman and a snap on box full of snap on,i like nice tools as well as nice people,i feel bad i wont be getting a SO calendar

 

[canuckian]

My SO guy gave me a few hats on my very first purchase from him (pliers set for me and a couple of ratcheting screwdrivers for gifts). I was a walk on customer (no shop) , paid cash (debit) and asked for and expected nothing for free. maybe he was baiting me as a new customer so I'd buy more tools but I thought it was a nice gesture anyways.

 

[Stick]

I must be a hell of a customer then. My Snap-on driver gave me one of the neon clocks that they had for that torx set deal when I told her I wanted the clock, but already had all of the sets of torx sets they had for sale. She's also given me four hats, two sweatshirts, and a winter jacket this year as well.

Of course there is also the fact that I paid cash for my Vantage Pro I bought last year, and I've probably spent the better part of $5k on her truck this year as well.

 

[Hiball]

I must be a hell of a customer then. My Snap-on driver gave me one of the neon clocks that they had for that torx set deal when I told her I wanted the clock, but already had all of the sets of torx sets they had for sale. She's also given me four hats, two sweatshirts, and a winter jacket this year as well.

Of course there is also the fact that I paid cash for my Vantage Pro I bought last year, and I've probably spent the better part of $5k on her truck this year as well.

Theres No doubt in my Mind that Chad/Shaun take care of there Regular Customers with Free Memorbilia. I think Shauns emphasis was intended for the guys who are only looking for a Free Ride with "ZERO" Intensions on ever stepping on there Truck.

 

[big g]

my snap on guy would not take my money this week.twice this year he has done this to me.i owe him 44 cents .

 

[gReves]

If I was a truck dealer and someone walked on the truck for something free I would tell them they are x dollars or free if you buy something. Might be a good way to get a new customer and sell something.

Quoted cause this man speaks the truth. This is exactly how I would treat this situation.

 

[Az Scooter]

my snap on guy would not take my money this week.twice this year he has done this to me.i owe him 44 cents .

He is waiting for the interest to pile up. Serve him with (bogus) bankruptcy papers.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

i got a free hat when i signed up for credit, did not end up getting the box though. only reason i got a free hat was because i was in the truck with a guy from work, who has bought many things over the years, and just spent like 500 bucks. He got a free inspection mirror i think...told the snap on guy to give me a hat. haha. i still have the hat..looks like hell now. but i think if you would name a price alot of people would buy them. they want to look like they know what they are doing when they go check the oil in their car. there was a guy that used to work at the quick lube...claimed to be the best mechanic ever...and he would wear a snap on hat that looked brand new. the snap on guy did not stop there, all they had were cheap HF tools, so idk how he got it. he dont work there no more...

 

[mooman]

When I worked for Makita and drove my company truck, I was constantly hounded by guys looking for free stuff. Makita wasn't big on the give aways.
The Japanese thought the tools should sell themselves and leave the give aways to Dewalt with a free Black and Decker toaster if they bought a tool.
We did at least have cool "Miss Makita" calendars every 6 months.

Chadster & shaun, I feel your pain.

 

[stock z/28]

Personally, I think its borderline ridiculous that Snap On or any large company dosent do more to offer marketing aid to grass root associates.

I certainly would not blame the dealer for not just handing out various promotional items for free to anyone who asks.

If it were me, I would display and price about all of the promotional merchandise at "cost', and offer it for sale to any one. Then I would offer the items to whom I ever decided, for what ever reason free of charge. It may seem to be a gift of some value that way?

Personally I have mixed emotions about selective gifts when doing buisiness. I dont think it takes a whole lot to cause some people to feel slighted.

This actually happened back in the late 80s or 90s. Around here (central Indiana) the month of may used to be very special for the Indy 500. Lots of events taking place at the track. Snap ON had a promotion that was basically an open house at the track with food, beer, pop etc, as well as track tours-you get the idea. To be "invited" you needed to spend "x" amount of dollars in March and April. A good friend of mine who has a shop close by had bought (in December and Jan) a new large tool box, several large side cabinets, a Snap On (century back then) 175 amp mig welder, a Plasma cutter, and quite a bit of other tools and equipment. I had actually give him a hard time about the welder/plasma, because I would have looked at Miller etc.. Apparently his purchases in the March-April, months were not enough and he was not invited to the event. It kinda hurt his feelings a bit, and he hardly spends any money with Snap On to this day. The dealer back then was a friend of mine and mentioned the drop in sales, and I explained the reason. He explained that the reason the March April months were specified was to entice customers to buy. I told him that was quite obvious, but what was maybe not so obvious was that previous customer loyalty may be a fragile commodity.

I know I try and treat all customers and/or potential customers with a lot of respect, regardless of what I perceive they "may" spend with me.

I try and avoid any "free" promotion unless I am prepared to "happily" give it to all who desire.

In my opinion being a Snap On dealer is a very hard job.

 

[Vinko]

People complain about you giving them free gifts for christmas?

I've seen it happen. Most of the stuff my driver used to give out (mug, large calender, pocket screwdriver), never got used, so he doesn't give out much anymore. Maybe socks which is a good, useful gift actually.

 

[Vinko]

It's the walk up guys that ask for **** and I am the greedy ******* when I don't want to give away something that I had to pay for to a total stranger.

What I think is sort of interesting is how psyched a guy will be to get a free hat or shirt after he's bought a box. You can sell all kinds of stuff to a guy and at the end of the day, he just wants that one little freebie. I don't get it. But it seems to be true.

 

[Vinko]

u r very right chad.... flyers cost 80 a month.

Crazy. To what extent do these flyers and whatnot help your business? Have you been able to measure? What do you think SO Corp's mark up on flyers is? Or are they giving them to you at cost to help along their sales as well?

My dealer used to have the Tech magazine. I wonder if he had to pay for that?

 

[Vinko]

On a slightly related topic, I've found that emailing sales/customer service of lots of companies can result in a nice hat/calendar/stickers/etc. Most appreciate a note saying how much you enjoy their products. I sent one to PB last year telling them how many knuckles PB Blaster had saved and asked if they could hook me up with a couple of stickers for my tool box... They sent me a whole case of mixed products and a cool hat and a letter from the president thanking me for my business.

I've had people write to me or call and they were fanatical fans of something we made. Or they had a really old product and needed a part or a replacement thing or other. Sometimes I've sent it for free. Just because they weren't completely insane, and I liked talking to them.

That said, I've written letters to Proto and Mac telling them that some idiot in our shop ruined (abused) a tool and that I realized it wouldn't be under warranty. I got the tool warrantied. I told Cornwell that I bought a wrench used and it broke first turn (true) and they sent a brand new replacement.

 

[Vinko]

Yes its a different situation, but still a good story. Better one is one of the local loggers broke a skidder. This guy was a big operator but also got out on the mountain and got dirty. So he drives ~80 miles to Portland to the Cat dealer (Pape) to get another one. It was a cold day and he went into the showroom, muddy boots and coveralls and went to the coffee pot. One of the young salesmen informed him that this was for cutomers and there was a shelter down the road. Well the logger walked into the office and ask one of the owners if he could have the boy for the afternoon. He hauled to boy up to the top of his mountain and explained that all the timber he could see was his. He did buy a skidder from the kid and the boy learned to not judge a book by its cover.

lg
no neat sig line

I don't believe this story.

 

[Vinko]

Seems the good old days of swag are behind us;

Recession, eh?

 

[chadster1]

Crazy. To what extent do these flyers and whatnot help your business? Have you been able to measure? What do you think SO Corp's mark up on flyers is? Or are they giving them to you at cost to help along their sales as well?

My dealer used to have the Tech magazine. I wonder if he had to pay for that?

Tech magazine was free to the dealers. It was advertiser supported. They no longer print it.

 

[canuckian]

What I think is sort of interesting is how psyched a guy will be to get a free hat or shirt after he's bought a box. You can sell all kinds of stuff to a guy and at the end of the day, he just wants that one little freebie. I don't get it. But it seems to be true.

true for me anyways. I got a little charge out of it when my SO guy handed me a few hats the other day. on a related note, every new vehicle I've ever purchased came with a hat.....and not the cheap dealer advertising ones...the nice ones in the showroom showcase that people actually opay for . Sometimes the salesman offers it (every VW i've ever bought) and sometimes I get them to agree to it right before I sign the deal (every GM i've ever bought). I figure if i'm spending tens of thousands of my hard earned dollars the least they can do is pony up for a $20 hat!! Chevy dealership actually has a Z71 hat on order for me now from when we bought the Tahoe!

 

[Dewaynep]

I think it is ludacris to think that someone (Small Business owner) should give you something for free when they have to pay for it. These guys don't work for corporate Snap-on, they work for themselves. People are spending less and less, that means he/she has less profit to be able to put into freebies. It's been mentioned before that if someone buys something they will freely give them a calendar or hat, etc... If you don't buy something and never have (walk-on customer) why should you feel as though you should get anything for free? The only thing I expected to get from my Snap-on guy when I first met him was a catalog. That's all, nothing else. I was extremely surprised when, after I made a purchase, he gave me a couple of T shirts and gave my son a very nice Snap-on pocket knife. The next week he gave my other Son a BP flashlight. I didn't expect that and therefore purchased more from him. It's called customer loyalty. Those customers that are loyal to you, you are loyal to in return. That's how it is supposed to work.
By the way, the NAPA hat promotion costs the independent franchisee's for the hats. They are not provided for free by NAPA corporate. Same goes for any NAPA promotion. If you deal with a NAPA franchisee and not a corporate store those "giveaways" cost that store quite a bit of money. They don't have to participate, but are forced into it if they want to be able to piggyback on the national advertising. The idea is to get people in the store to buy parts.

 

[mooman]

I don't believe this story.

I was thinking the same thing.....

 

[I can fix anything]

Got the new calender today, gonna look good under my snap on clock