Mac Tools

[ngk22r]

i guess it's just another case of politeness and courtesy going to **** in our society. But then again, these drivers and their tools seem to be afforded godlike status by many so what's a little ridicule towards the unknowing (and possibly ignorant concerning quality tools) rube off of the street. Basically all I'm saying is that decency doesn't cost a thing and in most cases is better than being a ****. Obviously not a view held by all.

But its a two way street, the OP should have been courteous himself instead of mocking the dealer..

I do not give discounts to cheap asses and if someone wants to be an ******* I reserve the right to tell them to hit the road. I will save my time and energy to someone who is nice and cut them a deal when I can. See how easy that works?

I will gladly let an ******* "potential customer" find somewhere else to get work done as they will always complain about everything.


Perfect example:

Guy comes in the door and I great him in a friendly manner and ask how I can help him. He says he has a coolant leak and wants to know where it is coming from and how much it will cost.

I tell him no problem and as I go to take a step out to grab some info off the car he then says: "I know how people like you work so dont even think about screwing me over!"

I stop and turn around and say "what was that?"

He replies "every one of you F(insert full word)ing places are always out to screw me over."

At that point I told him I would not be able to help him and he should look for a different shop to help him. He was shocked and asked why, which I replied "I have not even touched your car, let alone even seen your car and your already accusing me of trying to screw you over. Sorry but I cannot help you."

Conversations dont always go so nice, sometimes you end up having to be rude right back to have the "potential" customer take a hike, and I have and in the long run saved me from a major headache.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I agree, and you bring up some good points. How would you have handled the situation, had this guy come into your place of business?

I would've simply responded "great, go to Harbor Freight then". I don't waste my time with cheap asses. I have more than enough business that I don't have to deal with his kind. I also don't tolerate people that run their mouths to my emoyees. If I don't like a customer's (or potential customer's) demeanor I send them on their way and let the next guy deal with them.

I'm not trying to sound like a tough guy, but I simply chose to avoid people that are a hassle. I had a guy call me the other day and told me to "f" myself and hung up the phone because I wouldnt cimply with his demands.........I put a freeze on his account and instructed my employees to tell him to take his **** elsewhere next time he comes in. He didn't realize I was the owner, which means he would've spoken the same way to my people. I won't tolerate it.

 

[ChrisPace]

Here's what we know for sure. This story will probably brought up in the next Mac Tool newsletter. And then again at the annual christmas party. I bet it happens more often than we think. Probably happens to the Snap On trucks too. Some guy carries in a HF coupon for a $3.99 8 piece screwdriver set that was made to look like Snap On instinct and cusses the driver out since he won't price match it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ngk22r]

1. No, its not different than a regular store, especially when you are willing to let them come on the truck and spend money.
2. Tell the MAC driver about the bitching and moaning.
3. You guys can come up with whatever kind of hypothetical nonsense you want. People keep saying he went on the truck to "waste time." Have you thought for just a second maybe his response was because he didnt have a clue the price would be so high and was that taken back by it? You know what it doesnt even matter. Forget that I asked. You dont speak to elders like that. Period. I don't care which one of you "men" think you are justified to do it. If you call yourself men and act like that then you sure as **** dont use integrity in your classification of "men".

For all of you who clearly need a brush up:

in·teg·ri·ty
inˈteɡrədē/
noun
noun: integrity

1.
the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
"he is known to be a man of integrity"
synonyms: honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness

And like that has been said again, the OP could of EASILY said "Thank you for your time," and went on his way...

So explain to me why someone has to take **** from another person?? Shouldn't the elder person have some sense about them to be courteous in the manner I just gave as an example?? Or is it really that hard?

BETTER EXAMPLE: if an elder man is being disrespectful to your wife do you just stand there and take it? Or do you stand up for her and yourself?

Just because someone is old doesn NOT give them a free pass to be an ******* or douche and get away with it.. Maybe the first person will just stand down, maybe the second person will as well, but the third person will not.

 

[2jz4me]

How did he take **** from the OP?!!!!!!!!!!!! The OP said he can get something from HF cheaper!!!! Who cares!?? He is well within his rights to say that. He didnt start making personal, offensive remarks to the driver. The driver did that to the OP! Its the OP that was being treated like **** because of something he said about a product! You yourself just said that after a customer actually cussed you out and said you were out to screw him over your response was "sorry but I cannot help you." The OP did NOTHING even remotely comparable to what your customer did and yet you think making personal stabs at him is ok?

 

[ssdave]

I had a similar strategy when I was in business. Once a year, we would all get together and compare thoughts on our customers. What we usually found is that there were a few (maybe 5 to 10%) that demanded discounts, spent hours of our time negotiating a few hundred dollar deal, always found fault, Took hours of our time on the phone or in person without being billed for that time, paid slow or late or strung out payment when they didn't have a legitimate need to or some similar thing.

We flagged those accounts that we identified, and the next time they came in, we told them we were unable to help them. We referred them to our major competitor.

The bottom line of the business went up tremendously, and after a few cycles of this, we had almost no customers that needed "fired" at the end of the year. My competitor complained a lot about how he had a lot of "problem customers". I wonder why!!!!

Similarly, when I had a customer come in and tell me he wanted to take over his account from one of my competitors, I'd ask him what was going on. About half of them would have a legitimate reason, generally our expertise vs theirs. The other half would complain at length about how they were losers, did poor work, and would brag about how they were going to sue them. I politely declined the business from that half. My attorney gave me this advice when I first went into business: Never work for anyone who tells you they sued the last guy they hired. Chances are, they will do the same to you.

There's no benefit to taking on loser customers. They will bad mouth you just as badly after you have tried to help them as they will bad mouth you if you refuse to help them. Either way you lose. But, at least they have very little credibility if their only complaint is that you were too busy to be able to work for them. A lot of the recipients of that complaint will interpret it as a recommendation of your services.

BUT. I'd decline the work POLITELY, and firmly.

 

[2jz4me]

For everyone that cant seem to find a way to be respectful in sales industry, let me draw out a very simple, specific scenario.

Customer: "I need a 4mm hex socket."
Truck Driver: "Ok, its $14."
Customer: "Whoa, I can buy a whole set at HF for that much."
Truck Driver: "Ha, yea they are pretty pricey, unfortunately those are the only ones I sell on the truck."

Oh my gosh, how is this simple exchange evading you people? That is how sales are done. Pretty difficult i know.

 

[ngk22r]

How did he take **** from the OP?!!!!!!!!!!!! The OP said he can get something from HF cheaper!!!! Who cares!?? He is well within his rights to say that. He didnt start making personal, offensive remarks to the driver.

And the point to say he could get something from HF was what now???

So its ok for the OP to make a jab at the dealer.. But not the other way around?

You dont see it as a jab but the dealer did. The OP got **** hurt and cried to corporate about it.

Take what you do for a living and then I am going to tell you that I can get the same thing from the cheapest place in your line of work when I ask you for a quote.

 

[2jz4me]

And the point to say he could get something from HF was what now???

So its ok for the OP to make a jab at the dealer.. But not the other way around?

You dont see it as a jab but the dealer did. The OP got **** hurt and cried to corporate about it.

Take what you do for a living and then I am going to tell you that I can get the same thing from the cheapest place in your line of work when I ask you for a quote.

That goes on everyday probably millions of times a day. That how sales work. See previous post on how to deal with customers.

 

[ngk22r]

That goes on everyday probably millions of times a day. That how sales work. See previous post on how to deal with customers.

Have you ever ran your own busines?

 

[2jz4me]

Please tell me what in the world that has to do with what I posted.

 

[ngk22r]

Please tell me what in the world that has to do with what I posted.

Have, you, ever, run, your, own, business?

 

[2jz4me]

Yes, now, Please, tell, me, what, in, the, world, that, has, to, do, with, what, I, posted.

 

[ngk22r]

Yes, now, Please, tell, me, what, in, the, world, that, has, to, do, with, what, I, posted.

Well then if you ran a successful business in which you run a very busy schedule and have a lot to fit in your day, you dont have time to deal with assholes. Your busy taking care of a customer who appreciates what you do for them.

Now every business needs customers to be successful but if you are bending over backwards to please someone who is an ******* the minute they walk through your door, then there is something wrong with your place of business.

Also, corporations follow the moto that "the customer is always right."

I am not a corporate business and the customer is not always right. When your business is booming (and you are honest with your work) you find that your customers will end up needing you more than you need them. Now before you get crazy thinking the wrong thing, the statement means that you have such a heavy work load and you are in demand that you dont have to take **** from an ******* and you dont need the assholes money. You save your time and energy for those that good to you. Discounts are saved for repeat customers, not the person who walks in for the first time and demands and discount. As such, you come in requesting a discount I save for my loyal customers, sorry but the answer is no, I dont need your money that bad...

 

[shanny19]

Chittenden Locks approaching

 

[2jz4me]

Well then if you ran a successful business in which you run a very busy schedule and have a lot to fit in your day, you dont have time to deal with assholes. Your busy taking care of a customer who appreciates what you do for them.

Now every business needs customers to be successful but if you are bending over backwards to please someone who is an ******* the minute they walk through your door, then there is something wrong with your place of business.

Also, corporations follow the moto that "the customer is always right."

I am not a corporate business and the customer is not always right. When your business is booming (and you are honest with your work) you find that your customers will end up needing you more than you need them. Now before you get crazy thinking the wrong thing, the statement means that you have such a heavy work load and you are in demand that you dont have to take **** from an ******* and you dont need the assholes money. You save your time and energy for those that good to you. Discounts are saved for repeat customers, not the person who walks in for the first time and demands and discount. As such, you come in requesting a discount I save for my loyal customers, sorry but the answer is no, I dont need your money that bad...

Now see once again all the hypothetical scenarios are being presented. If you could kindly tell me at what point I bent over backwards for this customer.


Customer: "I need a 4mm hex socket."
Truck Driver: "Ok, its $14."
Customer: "Whoa, I can buy a whole set at HF for that much."
Truck Driver: "Ha, yea they are pretty pricey, unfortunately those are the only ones I sell on the truck."

 

[ngk22r]

My response would have been "then go buy it at harbor frieght, have a nice day."

 

[PJNJ]

I'm 58 and I don't know why the concept of "elder" keeps coming up. I have always believed and was raised to be courteous to all persons whatever their age. I was also told that age doesn't always confer wisdom. Simply put people deserve initial courtesy and respect but that can quickly end when they show they don't deserve it.

The OP to me probably created the situation. First, he was the one to say he could get the entire set for the price of one piece at HF. I have a feeling that it was also stated differently than he is presenting it because later he went way overboard and sent a letter to corporate and also by his later post that he won't be disrespected. The OP asked about a hex socket and found out a set cost $86 and balked at that. Then he is told the single socket will cost $14 and balks at that along with throwing in the dig about HF. Do you really think he was going buy anything when $14 was too much for him?

And he is a 60 year old man who runs his own business repairing small gas equipment and he has no idea of the cost of tools? And he has been a member here for 2 years and hasn't learned anything about Snap On, Mac, Proto, Wright, SK, Gearwrench, Armstrong, Craftsman, etc. prices? I understand the concept of ignorance but at what point in his life is he going to learn?

I also doubt very much that there was a chance in hell that he would ever be a regular or return customer or even a one-time customer of this Mac dealer. And I think the dealer knew this.

 

[chris142]

Wait till you price those same tools on the SnapOn or Matco truck. Especially now that you burned the Mac bridge.

 

[ngk22r]

I'm 58 and I don't know why the concept of "elder" keeps coming up. I have always believed and was raised to be courteous to all persons whatever their age. I was also told that age doesn't always confer wisdom. Simply put people deserve initial courtesy and respect but that can quickly end when they show they don't deserve it.

The OP to me probably created the situation. First, he was the one to say he could get the entire set for the price of one piece at HF. I have a feeling that it was also stated differently than he is presenting it because later he went way overboard and sent a letter to corporate and also by his later post that he won't be disrespected. The OP asked about a hex socket and found out a set cost $86 and balked at that. Then he is told the single socket will cost $14 and balks at that along with throwing in the dig about HF. Do you really think he was going buy anything when $14 was too much for him?

And he is a 60 year old man who runs his own business repairing small gas equipment and he has no idea of the cost of tools? And he has been a member here for 2 years and hasn't learned anything about Snap On, Mac, Proto, Wright, SK, Gearwrench, Armstrong, Craftsman, etc. prices? I understand the concept of ignorance but at what point in his life is he going to learn?

I also doubt very much that there was a chance in hell that he would ever be a regular or return customer or even a one-time customer of this Mac dealer. And I think the dealer knew this.

Well said, /end thread.

 

[2jz4me]

My response would have been "then go buy it at harbor frieght, have a nice day."

Thats because your response would have been fueled by your ego just like the MAC truck driver. Now thats the long and short of it. /EndThread

 

[ngk22r]

Thats because your response would have been fueled by your ego.

Not at all. I am paid to do a job, not to wipe someones ***.

Its funny how those that really appreciate honest work and are nice people only want the work completed properly with out getting shafted.

I dont over charge and I am upfront about things before or when it happens. Its really cool to deal with people that are nice to you. And you find yourself bending over backwards to help them because you are pleased to do work for them...

 

[stihlntime]

Exactly why I won't buy tools off tool trucks, most,not all drivers have been grade A pri
cks in my experience. I've been blessed and price for the most part is of no consequence. However I won't pay overinflated prices for "image" brands. Warranty is not a huge deal,don't break many tools. Shop around buy premium European brands much more reasonable, or cherry pick the better tawainese brands. That same driver will go in and beat the hell out of a car salesman or expect the best price at the parts store. Get to know your Stihl /Echo/ Husky dealer, each brand has tools available at great prices to the dealer. Stihl has been Wiha based,with a few sourced from Stahlwille. If you need a truck brand just buy it new off ebay and deal with the company direct if the need arises. The only benefit of tool trucks is convenience and credit to those who need it. I see kids at the local vo tech get preyed on like sheep by wolves by tool trucks, getting them hooked on 20+ percent credit like a tweeker on meth.

 

[methomas70]

To all the people preaching about "integrity", the Mac guy should've done this or that, I would've done it this way, or that's not how you treat potential customers, etc.; have any of you idealists contacted the OP to sell him a 4mm on a 3/8 socket?

No?

Why not?

 

[chris142]

I'll go out on a limb and guess that the tool guys are tired of hearing about hf. Sure hf does sell a few decent tools at a very low cost. But with a tool truck you pay more for the name, gas,insurance etc.

When I'm in the op's position I will just say I will think about it or I'll have to ask my wife etc. No reason to whine about it.

I have been known to say walk onto the snap on truck with the Matco flyer and ask him if he will price match aples for apples. Sometimes he will other times he may meet me in the middle etc.

 

[martin666]

Cant comment on Mac guy's or OP's actions because I wasn't there and didn't see what happened. But I do find it odd that a 60 year old mechanic walked onto a truck and was surprised at the price of a socket

 

[09-JK]

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.

Does anyone else find a failure rate of 10% alarming?

 

[Ryan]

If you can't converse on a forum about tools and garages without defaulting to an argument, you ****!