Mac Tools

[Fedwrench]

I am a disabled veteran and I will not have someone treat me with disrespect.End of conversation, Ken

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

I noticed this as well and totally agree!
This reminds me of my great grandmother always playing the fiddle about being a "Poor old widow woman" when she seen fit.

 

[MJD1]

The truth of the matter is that Mac tools has turned into a rolling Harbor Freight store. Very little is USA anymore. Lots of chink and Taiwanese **** at USA prices. With that being said, 14$ for a bit socket really isn't all that bad of a price. I have no problem calling them out on items that are cheaply made or overpriced.

 

[redwrench60]

Im losing faith in this forum. Anybody on here defending this ***** acting that way to a 60 year old man needs to do a little soul searching. Who freaking cares if said he can get it cheaper at HF? Tool trucks are in the sales business if you cant handle a comment like that then wipe your vag or find different work. Anybody here ever tell a car salesman they saw a better deal somewhere else for the same car? Im so sick and tired of the damn grandiose attitudes about these f@!ing tool brands. Id love to hear the price comparisons of all the korean made tv's hanging on your walls. Where I come from its the truck guy that should have said no thanks and moved on and not started running his pretentious little mouth. People need to start having respect. Period. I dont care how he felt about the customers comment.

Wow. Only thing missing from this rant is get off my lawn.

Seriously though, if I walked into your place of business and told you your stuff was too high and I could buy it cheaper at Home Depot it would be hard for you not to lash out at me. Look at the way you lashed out in this rant. We also have only one side of the story.....

 

[G-Ram]

So you walk on his truck, his place of business, having never purchased a tool from him (correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how it sounds), proceed to heckle him about the price of an item, and somehow you feel you're a victim in all this? Get a grip.

 

[Derek1387]

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

Thank you for your service, and thank you for saying that. I respect every individual who serves our country. But I dont respect the fact that they use that as an excuse or reason as to why they deserve "X".

I chose my line of work. You chose your line of work. I didnt choose for you to do that.

Ugh. /endrant

 

[bsaint]

My mom once went into a used book store with me, found a rare book (not realizing it) and asked the owner how can it be so expensive when its "just paper." This guys life is books. He was a good sport and you could see he was miffed but explained to my mom and she realized what she said and apologized.

The point is the owner had every reason to flip out on my mom but didn't. Owning a business means you deal with strong opinionated people or dbags like the OP and how you deal with them means a lot about your customer service. The MAC guy needs to step up his game about how to counter the HF card.

 

[rhandwor]

To whom it may concern. Hello. My name is Kenneth .I now live in Lebanon Missouri. Last week I stopped into my local Stihl dealer as I noticed one of your associates van in the parking lot.To cut to the chase I asked if he had a 4 mm on a 3/8 drive socket. He showed me the entire set. I asked the cost and was told $86. I mentioned to him that I did not want the entire set. The one that I requested was like $14. I told him that I could purchase the entire set at Harbor Freight for this cost. . Well he went off the scale, telling me that if I use harbor freight tools that I was a poor mechanic.He told me that he would never bring anything to me to be repaired.He was totally out of line. I am 60 year old and on disability. My funds are limited. However this man insulted my integrity, along with my self pride. By the way, on my repairs to lawn mowers, chainsaw ext, I have a 90% success rating. I do not appreciate this behavior from anyone.
Granted that Harbor Freight has some tools of a lesser quality but with some common sense one can spot this and make purchases else where.
In closing, your sales associate was out of line. I will mention that I also have tools from Snap On, Craftsman, Stanley along with a few others. I trust that you will give this matter some attention. Thank you for your time, Kenneth

I have since received a call from the Mac Tool district in my area.We talked about the incident.He was apologetic.The individuals name was mentioned and I was assured that a proper response was forthcoming.
I am still awaiting an outcome. Thanks for listening, I needed to vent, Ken

I checked on http://www.ebay.com/ You can purchase a 3/8 drive Craftsman 4mm hex socket for $3.99 with free shipping or a Husky for $4.99 which would serve you much better than a Harbor Freight socket.

 

[fatfillup]

We only hear one side of the story. The Mac guy may have been out of line, may have been justified or possibly somewhere in between. The OP comparing Mac's price and service to HF was also out of line. Obviously, the OP wasn't going to get the service value out of the Mac dealer but that is built into the price regardless.

My guess is it was handled poorly on both sides of the equation to some degree.

Writing the letter was over the top IMO, but that is just me. After an incident like that, I would have walked off the truck and forgot about it.

I do wonder about some of the posters who bemoan the poor customer service of the Mac dealer and suggest how it should have been handled or as one said "wipe your vag", if they have ever owned a business. I say this because its real easy to say how someone else should run their business, but if they have never done it, their advice doesn't carry a lot of weight with me. When a customer tries to tell me how to run my business, which I have had for 27 years, I often ask them if they would like to buy it. No takers yet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,darn it

 

[G-Ram]

My mom once went into a used book store with me, found a rare book (not realizing it) and asked the owner how can it be so expensive when its "just paper." This guys life is books. He was a good sport and you could see he was miffed but explained to my mom and she realized what she said and apologized.

The point is the owner had every reason to flip out on my mom but didn't. Owning a business means you deal with strong opinionated people or dbags like the OP and how you deal with them means a lot about your customer service. The MAC guy needs to step up his game about how to counter the HF card.

The difference is though, you were a kid (I assume) and the OP is a grown *** man...


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[mjoekingz28]

That's what I was thinking. I'm sure guys who want a mower repaired that come into your shop and insult you by telling you how out of line your prices are and how they can get the same work done by unethical child labor for cheaper, would be well received.

And then complain to corporate.....or in this case, BBB.

 

[falcon88]

The truth of the matter is that Mac tools has turned into a rolling Harbor Freight store. Very little is USA anymore. Lots of chink and Taiwanese **** at USA prices. With that being said, 14$ for a bit socket really isn't all that bad of a price. I have no problem calling them out on items that are cheaply made or overpriced.

I'm not sure what's your point,i didn't find any Taiwanese **** at USA prices.all the made in USA has 2 time price than Taiwanese ****

 

[jacked_72]

From this thread I have learned that tool truck drivers have a thin skin and that most people here think it is OK for them to have a thin skin. Myself, I would have walked away if the price were too high, but the the response the OP got was not warranted.

 

[sleepy127]

The Mac guy, should have shown the customer the value of what he had, instead of going on a rant. Poor business practice. He should have explained why his product cost more, so the customer can see if the value, is worth the customer purchasing, the product from the seller.

This is what a good salesman would have done, never let pride get in the way of a sale.

 

[Kenskip1]

You basically went into the man's house and crapped on his carpet. No possible positive outcome there.

Does your 90% success rate mean one in ten repairs you perform results in a comeback?

Sir, your query is valid and I thought an answer would be appropriate. There are many things that I would not attempt to repair. A bent crankshaft on a lawn mower is but one.
How about bad seals on a chainsaw that are not available for a saw made back in the 70"s.
Stripped threads on the flywheel side of a saw is a third.
A carburetor that"s passages are corroded beyond repair is but a forth.
An ignition coil with a hairline crack in the secondary windings.These are a few of the items that I am unable to repair. Low compression is another, but this should cover your request.Ken

 

[Hootbro]

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

+1

The vet card should not even be in this discussion.

 

[ssdave]

This whole episode to me looks like a potential life/learning experience for two adults who should have learned this stuff in their teens.

Both parties should reflect back on what they said and did, and plan to hold their tongues and temper next time.

The tool truck driver won't be successful in business if he behaves like this very much. That sort of behavior is destructive to a reputation and a business. He needs to explain the value of his services and the benefits, not demean his customers.

The OP needs to recognize that none of this occurred because he is a vet, or should have been avoided because he is a vet. It should have been avoided because he is a person, regardless of his previous job experience. The driver would never know you are a vet, if you don't bring it up, so how is that even relevant to how he treated you? If you need harbor freight tools, buy them the next time you're in the 70 mile away town, and don't go on the tool truck again. That will teach the man! If you need his services, then you should expect to pay the price he needs to provide those services. The fact that the services aren't of value to you personally, doesn't mean that they don't have a cost to the man providing them.

Again, both of the parties need to man up, recognize their behavior is uncalled for, and go on with their lives a little wiser.

 

[1930]

Im losing faith in this forum. Anybody on here defending this ***** acting that way to a 60 year old man needs to do a little soul searching. Who freaking cares if said he can get it cheaper at HF? Tool trucks are in the sales business if you cant handle a comment like that then wipe your vag or find different work. Anybody here ever tell a car salesman they saw a better deal somewhere else for the same car? Im so sick and tired of the damn grandiose attitudes about these f@!ing tool brands. Id love to hear the price comparisons of all the korean made tv's hanging on your walls. Where I come from its the truck guy that should have said no thanks and moved on and not started running his pretentious little mouth. People need to start having respect. Period. I dont care how he felt about the customers comment.

He said wipe your vag..... hehehaha, wheres that beavis and buthead emoticon

Too FN funny, thanks, i needed that

 

[ngk22r]

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

+1

The vet card should not even be in this discussion.

That and your age... Just because your older doesnt mean you instantly get respect... How do you know if the Mac dealer didnt serve as well? You dont.

Either way if you didnt think the price was right you could have easily said "thank you for your time."

Really that hard???

 

[Tejaas]

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.

Amen, and thanks for your service (from another combat vet.)

It ain't 'selfless service' if you use it to try and get everyone to tilt ****** to you every time you want something.


~Tejaas~

 

[PJNJ]

The tool in question was a 4 mm Allen wrench on a 3/8 drive socket. Just prior to the truck visit I went to my local Oriells, then Auto Zone. The nearest HF is about 70 miles one way.What ever happened to customer courtesy?My monies are used as green as anyone else.His van was parked in a parking lot at my local Stihl dealer.I insulted him? Get real. He is working with the general public. He should have enough experience working with the public.How many mechanics use tools bought from Lows, or Home Depo? Simply put this individual was a total jack ***. I am a disabled veteran and I will not have someone treat me with disrespect.End of conversation, Ken

Well then drive the 140 mile round trip and buy the HF set. You already went to O'Reillys and Autozone - I guess they didn't have it. So waste a few more hours going to HF. You're in business - how much do you charge per hour? The time you waste looking for a tool is time lost from making money - simple accounting.

As for the claim that the Mac dealer works with the general public. No he doesn't. His target customer is the mechanic who knows his/her tools; what tool brands are good/bad; how much the tool that will get the job done costs; and the connection between time wasted looking for tools/parts and loss of income. You are not in that zone for him. He won't mourn his loss of your business.

Don't throw the Vet Card. Your Military Service has nothing to do with buying a hex bit or tool truck pricing. As someone who spent 25.5 years in the Army at the pointy end of the spear, I cannot stand it when people tie their military service into every aspect of daily life when they're unhappy.
At the end of the day, you're not going to buy MAC tools and the dealer lost a sale. Move on, there's nothing to see here.

Have to agree with Fedwrench. Further, to the OP - why the comment about being 60 and disabled? What does age or physical ability have to do the situation? Age and physical disability doesn't confer special status to insult people or make you immune from return insult.

On top of everything, instead of walking away and forgetting about it, you go over his head and complain to corporate. WOW. OP, you really must have too much time on your hands. I guess your not busy enough in your business. Time to get a hobby. Their response to you was just a corporate "********" to appease you. The rep probably started laughing after he hung up the phone with you. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the dealer to offer his personal apology.

 

[1950mercury]

Basically the Mac district guy got a hold of the driver and they both made fun of you and how dealing with some people *****

 

[Greg85mcss]

Well then drive the 140 mile round trip and buy the HF set. You already went to O'Reillys and Autozone - I guess they didn't have it. So waste a few more hours going to HF. You're in business - how much do you charge per hour? The time you waste looking for a tool is time lost from making money - simple accounting.



As for the claim that the Mac dealer works with the general public. No he doesn't. His target customer is the mechanic who knows his/her tools; what tool brands are good/bad; how much the tool that will get the job done costs; and the connection between time wasted looking for tools/parts and loss of income. You are not in that zone for him. He won't mourn his loss of your business.







Have to agree with Fedwrench. Further, to the OP - why the comment about being 60 and disabled? What does age or physical ability have to do the situation? Age and physical disability doesn't confer special status to insult people or make you immune from return insult.



On top of everything, instead of walking away and forgetting about it, you go over his head and complain to corporate. WOW. OP, you really must have too much time on your hands. I guess your not busy enough in your business. Time to get a hobby. Their response to you was just a corporate "********" to appease you. The rep probably started laughing after he hung up the phone with you. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the dealer to offer his personal apology.

I didn't want to be the one to bring that up but I consider it a slap in the face to my family, friends & others who have served our country. I equate it to pulling the race card. I'd be pretty pissed & know this wasn't someone who was going to spend money at my business. Just because you walk into a business doesn't make you a customer.


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[MattVette89]

I have to echo the majority of the sentiment here. Flip the roles around....the Mac guy comes to your shop. You say it's $100 to repair his mower. He complains that a guy on Craigslist can do it for $20 and your prices are ridiculous. You are offended and tell him his tools are ****...

I'm not saying he handled it like a professional. Maybe he was having a bad day, or maybe he is a jerk. But when you go on the attack, the natural reaction is to become defensive and fire back.

 

[organ]

The tool in question was a 4 mm Allen wrench on a 3/8 drive socket. Just prior to the truck visit I went to my local Oriells, then Auto Zone. The nearest HF is about 70 miles one way.What ever happened to customer courtesy?My monies are used as green as anyone else.His van was parked in a parking lot at my local Stihl dealer.I insulted him? Get real. He is working with the general public. He should have enough experience working with the public.How many mechanics use tools bought from Lows, or Home Depo? Simply put this individual was a total jack ***. I am a disabled veteran and I will not have someone treat me with disrespect.End of conversation, Ken

What does that have to do with anything? You can be all that AND an *******...

 

[1930]

Where else can someone get entertainment like this for free, thanks G.J (Ryan)

 

[1930]

Im a veteran to by the way too, got shot right in the *** and have the hole to prove it.

Seriously though, noone twisted my arm behind my back and said I had to serve my country like they did in the old days and I have little sympathy for the crybabies we have today using the veterans card just to gain some sympathy.

Deal with Nam and then come home and cry about issues Ok.

 

[Lassen Forge]

ANYONE walking on a tool truck knows they're paying a premium, because he's *right there* with what you need *right now*, and it's A+ #1 quality goods.

So if you're gonna snivel that his (damned fine) tools cost so much, then you pay for your discount with inconvenience of going into town.

I'll still walk onto a tool truck when there's something specific I want (and I haven't turned a wrench as my primary living making fun for years), knowing they will charge me for being there when I need it, like right now, and what I get will be of excellent quality, and if it breaks, I can catch the truck next week to make it right.

OK... Scenario Time:

Buyer: (Walks on tool truck) "Hey. I was wondering if you'd sell me a single separate allen drive socket. I need a 4mm x 3/8, Can you do it?

It goes one of 2 ways:

Truck guy: Nah, can't break a set to do it, sorry, bud, but I got a screaming deal on a full set. You interested?
Buyer: (either) That's OK, thanks. (Leaves truck) -or- "Let me see the set, and how much?"

OR...

Truck guy: Yeah, I can do that. $14 bucks, and I'll throw in the tax"
Buyer: (Pulling out wallet) "You want cash, or will you take my plastic?"

 

[B_Bimmer]

Where else can someone get entertainment like this for free, thanks G.J (Ryan)

It's true.

 

[MJD1]

I'm not sure what's your point,i didn't find any Taiwanese **** at USA prices.all the made in USA has 2 time price than Taiwanese ****

You obviously haven't been on a Mac tools truck in the past 5 years. There are some USA made products, but the vast majority of the newer products are Asian. I can't see paying snap on prices for Asian products.

 

[ngk22r]

You obviously haven't been on a Mac tools truck in the past 5 years. There are some USA made products, but the vast majority of the newer products are Asian. I can't see paying snap on prices for Asian products.

What about the Snap On tools made in China??

 

[panknuckshovel]

This is not true. You cannot get the same set at Harbor Freight, period. You can get a cheap, inferior copycat version at Harbor Freight.

For the $86 the OP mentioned you can get an entire aisle of cheap, inferior copycat version **** *** garbage at Harbor Freight. Make it a C-Note and you can have a franchise.

 

[Wamsutta]

I mentioned to him that I did not want the entire set. The one that I requested was like $14. I told him that I could purchase the entire set at Harbor Freight for this cost. .

Let's pretend at the time Harbor Freight didn't exist, would you had then been happy with that $14 price?

 

[Parabellum]

Buy a Proto socket off the internet, same as MAC

 

[MJD1]

What about the Snap On tools made in China??

And how does that pertain to Mac Tools?

 

[Wamsutta]

Buy a Proto socket off the internet, same as MAC

He wants the whole set for $14 even though he only needs one size.

 

[Brownsfan]

If you would have bought the $86 set you would have a metric hex bits that will last forever and you could have asked for a cash discount. All the tool truck guys I have ever had gave cash discounts if you paid cash outright instead of truck credit or card.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Sorry but the Mac guy was plain out of line. I was brought up to respect my elders. And I don't know why anyone would defend him. It's called customer service, it's a big part of running a business. I do acknowledge that this may not be the whole story but if it is the op should be angry.

 

[flmng42]

At this point, the horse is dead, but.....

Would you go to a Mercedes dealer and complain about the cost difference between their product and, say, a Kia?

Likewise, would you expect to buy a Rolex for the cost of a Timex?

In both instances I would assume the answer is "no".

 

[AutoTeck84]

You're right but should the Mercedes dealer call the guy a worthless piece of trash peasant? The sellers are supposed to be the matures ones. People are all different with a lot with zero common sense. It's just nature of the business.