Off the street customer for Snap-on Truck

[orangefury]

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before. I've been thinking about expanding and filling some holes with wrenches and sockets and came across a truck the other day. I waited patiently for the driver to finish with his regular customers and I approached him. I asked if could buy some tools and had cash money. I was flat out denied. I was a bit perplex because the Matco and Cornwell guys were more than happy to sell me stuff. I hope this isn't the norm for drivers as I would like to buy off the truck and build a relationship. I do like to support the small business if I can.

 

[purplezr2]

Wow, suprising, never had an issue buying off a truck, one guy said call him anytime and he would make it work.

 

[franzdom]

Wow! Most drivers would have invited you on their truck.

 

[warmpancakes]

I dont work in a shop my driver loves when i show up I pay list price and pay in full cash

 

[theamcaddict]

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before. I've been thinking about expanding and filling some holes with wrenches and sockets and came across a truck the other day. I waited patiently for the driver to finish with his regular customers and I approached him. I asked if could buy some tools and had cash money. I was flat out denied. I was a bit perplex because the Matco and Cornwell guys were more than happy to sell me stuff. I hope this isn't the norm for drivers as I would like to buy off the truck and build a relationship. I do like to support the small business if I can.

Who was the driver? Name?

 

[jjjrmx5]

I've had it happen before. Even to the point where I went on the truck, the driver ordered the tools , and then went missing for 6 weeks. When asked 6 weeks later, the order was not in the system.
And I saw him type it in.

I ended up going thru the website.
You wanna piss away cash income Mr. Driver, go ahead. You must be doing pretty f&&*ing good that you don't need my money.

Not ALL drivers are good businessmen and many think they don't need walk-ons or new clients.

Not "big picture" thinkers a lot of them. 80/20 rule maybe. But not big picture.

 

[74craig]

Wow thats crazy the driver here invites you in and gives you a cataloge.

 

[canuckian]

I was a walk on 2+ years ago with my current driver. Chased him on his lunch hour. He delayed his lunch and invited me on board. Gave me a catalogue and I've met up with him a couple times a month since. In fact I'm meeting him in about 30 minutes. ***** that that guy treated you like that. I'd either try abother truck or buy online. Wouldn't waste my time with him.

 

[transittech]

Buy 'em on Snap On's website, keep your receipt.

 

[netcaretaker]

I just went to the snap on web site and asked for a driver. They hooked me up and I meet him every 2 weeks to see what he has at the end of his run on his way home. He stops in a parking lot and I drive over to see him, works out great, sorry to hear you had a bad time, I would try again.

 

[orangefury]

Who was the driver? Name?

I don't recall the Driver's name, the location was in West Denver,CO. I had $300 in my pocket, went to Matco guy today.

I haven't had to buy tools in years, because I work on Dirt bikes (mostly suspension) on the side, but my suburban project is requiring a new assortment of tools.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

5+ years ago I tried to get ahold of the snap-on and matco drivers, I heard they were out of Laramie Wy., I called for 3 months, left messages, never heard a word back form either of them, now I'm kind of glad, I cant imagine how many thousands I would have spent had they not forced me in to true-value, then napa, then HF.

 

[ptschram]

I have a few customers wo come to my house on Friday afternoons.

With some advance notice, I don't mind it a bit. OTOH, if somebody drives up and knocks on the door, I might not be aspleased, but I'm here to sell tools and if I'm not selling tools, I'm not going to do very well in this line of business.

 

[Skin]

I can understand declining a random person who tries to buy things with truck credit, and even credit card or check (both of which can be cancelled/disputed later), but not someone with cash in hand.

 

[rsanter]

Unless he has had some very bad experiences,,,,,that was stupid.

A couple of years ago I called sears industrial division, I told them who I was with and told them that I had a $25000 budget to outfit a new program and wanted to put an order in for some stuff.
I was told "'we're not interested".
What a bunch of idiots

Bob

 

[91bronc300]

So what was his reason?

I only sell to technicians?
I don't have the time?
My colostomy bag just ruptured and I have to go?

 

[jeffmoss26]

I think it all depends on the driver. I called SO, a dealer got in touch with me, and he calls me when he is at a stop near my office. He's ordered a few things in for me, and I pay cash or CC. Really nice guy, he gave me all the catalogs too.

 

[Imcrazy]

I had an experience where the old SO guy retires, new guy takes over. Kind of makes it clear on my first meeting that he doesn't feel that I will be a big enough customer or he is not interested in my business. I offered to meet him on his route just like I did with the old guy. He tells me that he never knows where he will be and blows me off. (And FWIW I was not asking him to warranty anything with or without a receipt, either.)

I hadn't bought anything off a truck for several years. Got in touch with a dealer through this forum, asked if he wanted a little business from me. He said sure bring it on. Met up with him a month or so ago and was a great guy to do business with. I have already bought several hundred $$ so far.

Like everything else it depends on the personality and desire of the franchisee.

 

[orangefury]

So what was his reason?

I only sell to technicians?
I don't have the time?
My colostomy bag just ruptured and I have to go?

I did get the I only sell to techs line and it could have been his last stop as the time was 5:30 pm.

I think I will give SO a call and see what they can do.

 

[honcho]

This is not Snap-On specific but a general business truth

It would seem that every business would relish every penny they can **** out of the wallets of customers--especially customers who want to spend money with them. However, the reality is that some customers, both individual customers and groups of certain types of customers, are just not worth the time and effort it takes to service them. Of course, ignoring real and potential customers is a dangerous game and I'm surprised that a Snap-On route franchisee can play that game and come out on top in the long run.

The customer is NOT always right but they ALWAYS have the right do do business with other vendors.

 

[RCStocker]

Between Detroit, Indianaoplis and Southern California all my friends who have shops have had different problems with the snap-on trucks. Some have taken money and not delivered. Most will not give you a new tool when there really is a bad one that was not abused. This is just another case of bad service. The someone else on this post had bad service as well. I like Snap-on tools. They are way over priced and not on the free market but they make tools that I don't want in anyother brand. I really do hear a log of complaints about Snap-on sales and service. I know the stories to be true.

It is a very sad day when the most expensive tool truck in the country will not sell someone a tool. Every order is paper work. I get it but a business in not based on large sales. Everyone counts. The driver is the little guy in the chain. It is not only hard to get good service anywhere but no one no longer know what they are doing in most places. It is the guy working in the back room that has the answers. The busines owners and jerks with collage degrees that cause the muck up. I know, I know I have 9 yars of collage and I am here to tell you that in most fields the poeple are clueless including many Doctors. My father had his Ph D in bussiness and was a total dumb *** when it came to business. He did not have a clue. I rest my case.

When you have a jerk for a drive call the company and tell them who it is and what they are doing. I have done it many times with different businesses.

When you get great service with a smile and someone goes out of their way. Write a letter thanking them and let them or the owner of the business know you are pleased with thier service. So many good people go un-noticed and are never thanked.

 

[Hiball]

Definitely not "Normal operating Procedure" based off my experiences, my Matco/snappy guy is always ecstatic when I call them. It doesn't matter if I'm buying, wanting to check out the hot deals or just shoot the ****.

 

[PT Doc]

I don't recall the Driver's name, the location was in West Denver,CO. I had $300 in my pocket, went to Matco guy today.

I haven't had to buy tools in years, because I work on Dirt bikes (mostly suspension) on the side, but my suburban project is requiring a new assortment of tools.

Fred Farmer is the so guy in the Littleton area. You could look him up. He is at the south broadway mb and ford on Friday afternoon. Super nice and he gladly took my cash.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Like anything, there are bad apples out there. I've met a couple **** brain snappy dealers, However the dealer I work with now is golden. I'll give him a call when I want something and meet him at one of his stops or at lunch.

I say find a better dealer, they are out there and would like to do business with you.

 

[Jeff]

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before. I've been thinking about expanding and filling some holes with wrenches and sockets and came across a truck the other day. I waited patiently for the driver to finish with his regular customers and I approached him. I asked if could buy some tools and had cash money. I was flat out denied. I was a bit perplex because the Matco and Cornwell guys were more than happy to sell me stuff. I hope this isn't the norm for drivers as I would like to buy off the truck and build a relationship. I do like to support the small business if I can.

I had the same thing happen to me.

I was at my friend's shop when the SO guy showed up. He wouldn't let me on the truck. Didn't matter that I had cash and knew the shop owner.

 

[DFW-LSX]

That is incomprehensible...I am a weekend warrior and put in my contact info on the website and the dealer called me not 10 minutes later and we arranged a meet at a shop he goes to. A couple days later we met up and we shot the **** for a while and since then we have became pretty good friends, I have bought around $4000 from him the passed month and a half (most of which was a toolbox) I helped him stock his truck when I was bored one day and even went on a dealer ride this passed monday. I say all that to say that their are good dealers out there, dont let that dumb jackass turn you away from a good brand.


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[kiatech]

Haven't seen my SO guy in AT LEAST a month. GJ classifieds and epay gets my money.

 

[KEH]

SO trucks have never turned down my cash and I'm not a pro mechanic and now am retired anyway. Stopped at a truck today and the first thing he said to me was about SO going back to putting USA on ratchets. We had discusse it before, in fact I bought a 936 ratchet from him with push button release rather than a dual 80 because of that issue.

Businessmen need to realize that small sales add up and may lead to large sales. Most do.

KEH

 

[archirelic]

Not saying this makes it right, but maybe one too many times he's had people show up, cash in hand, saying they're ready to make a purchase & then just walk off the truck w/o ever actually buying anything.

Like I'm saying, I'm not advocating his actions, b/c obviously even if he's been burned in the past, he should've handled the situation better

 

[Imcrazy]

So what was his reason?

I only sell to technicians?

I know I am a little dense but what is the logic here? "If I dont sell him a wrench he can't work on his own stuff and will always have to pay techs to do his work?"

That only works if he is the only guy in the world that sells tools .

Please enlighten me?

 

[monster1]

Years ago when my family owned an RV sales/repair business, the snap on guy had a sign onboard his rig that read "professionals only aboard this truck. Diy'ers see Sears." The guy was **** though.

 

[91bronc300]

I know I am a little dense but what is the logic here? "If I dont sell him a wrench he can't work on his own stuff and will always have to pay techs to do his work?"

That only works if he is the only guy in the world that sells tools .

Please enlighten me?

I think post #31 has your answer.

 

[DFW-LSX]

Businessmen need to realize that small sales add up and may lead to large sales. Most do.
KEH

This. I started out with a $40 mini pick set my first day and the guy was polite and professional, then a $65 F80 he had on sale the next week same attitude. Then I busted out and bought a box when the R&R express came through. If he would have been a **** because I made a few small purchases there is no way I would have spent that kinda cash with him. So very true, you never know.

Years ago when my family owned an RV sales/repair business, the snap on guy had a sign onboard his rig that read "professionals only aboard this truck. Diy'ers see Sears." The guy was **** though.

Im sure he was a HIGHLY successful dealer...not




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[jjjrmx5]

The customer is NOT always right but they ALWAYS have the right do do business with other vendors.

LOL.

Last time I checked, the customer ALWAYS has the money though.

If a driver has a customer or shop waiting with MORE money in hand , then I certainly understand.

But don't give me the "BUT" ****.
Sales and new customers are what builds a business. Well, at least the good business people I know know that (and myself---duh).

Nothing personal honcho.
But you knew that.

 

[Toolhorder]

These threads get soo old. It's a franchised business people plain and simple. If a dealer doesn't do something you can't base the whole company on that one dealer.

 

[otis66]

Everyone is entilted to having a bad day. The Snap On dealer may have just been having a bad day. Some dealers are only allowed so much time at some stops. Somtimes the customer has to use his break time or lunch time to go out on the truck. Some tool stops are 4 hours long and the Snap On dealer only has a few min to stop at each mechanics work station. When I call my dealer he will tell me to meet him before or after a stop, so I'm not waiting. Before I retired I had to take my lunch break and meet my Snap On dealer off District property because the Transportation Supervisor did not like my Snap On dealer. Or it could be that the Snap On dealer you encountered is new and does not yet know how to manage his time.

 

[jjjrmx5]

These threads get soo old. It's a franchised business people plain and simple. If a dealer doesn't do something you can't base the whole company on that one dealer.

But, Ironically, you can.

Why?

Because that is the way their dealer system is set up.

Great tools. Sometime bad dealers.
****** driver. ZOMG. ****** tools and service.

Reality? Nope.

It's all about professionalism. And business knowledge.
It's a limited area route with known stops and potential unknown stops to build more business. If you do the work more sales. Or take walk ons.

Unless you service a military base <<<we know who we are LOL>>> or a 1000 person plus Military contractor or commercial mfgr. I can't see the need to overlook new business.

Unless the drivers think that SO tools are far above the avg. Joe, 'cause yea, I see techs making $50k to $60K a year all day long. I don't think so.
Just like the aviaonics engineer i have across the street that wrenches all weekend. DIY'er with gobs of money. Guess that moneys not good on the truck, eh?
Hmmmmmmm...

Pulease.

Some dealers are only allowed so much time at some stops.

If there is a time frame it's self imposed.
They are their own boss . Old news.

 

[Toolhorder]

But, Ironically, you can.

Why?

Because that is the way their dealer system is set up.

Great tools. Sometime bad dealers.
****** driver. ZOMG. ****** tools and service.

Reality? Nope.

It's all about professionalism. And business knowledge.
It's a limited area route with known stops and potential unknown stops to build more business. If you do the work more sales. Or take walk ons.

Unless you service a military base <<<we know who we are LOL>>> or a 1000 person plus Military contractor or commercial mfgr. I can't see the need to overlook new business.

Unless the drivers think that SO tools are far above the avg. Joe, 'cause yea, I see techs making $50k to $60K a year all day long. I don't think so.
Just like the aviaonics engineer i have across the street that wrenches all weekend. DIY'er with gobs of money. Guess that moneys not good on the truck, eh?
Hmmmmmmm...

Pulease.

You're all over the place. I'm just saying to base your feelings off one dealer is like going to a crummy Mcdonalds and then never eating at another one because of the first one. I've eaten at plenty of crummy Mcdonalds and I haven't stopped eating there.

I don't know about your neighbor the engineer or how many guys your dealer handles or whatever just making one point.

 

[jjjrmx5]

You're all over the place. I'm just saying to base your feelings off one dealer is like going to a crummy Mcdonalds and then never eating at another one because of the first one. I've eaten at plenty of crummy Mcdonalds and I haven't stopped eating there.

I don't know about your neighbor the engineer or how many guys your dealer handles or whatever just making one point.

All over the place?

Snap-On is ALL ABOUT the driver. That is what the f^%&*ng business model is based off of.

****** driver to a new buyer = no more business. Done. Game over.

If a driver has a high $$$ stop that a walk-on is keeping him from, I understand. BUT...a walk-on or a flag-down may become big business once you understand the new customer's needs.

Thankfully the interwebz allows the driver challenged to buy SO tools. But please don't go on about how the driver is too "high and almighty" to take my lowly cash for a tool when some piker tech down the road is making half my salary needs his business more.

C'mon. Seriously?

That's called business sense. Or not.

 

[HaroRider]

Just out of curiosity, is there any advantages doing business with a truck vs the website? (Price?)

I have never approached a truck for this very reason.. they would probably see me more as a pest then a custumer..