I'm talking about the mechanic that doesn't have a pot to pi$$ in, but has the big SO box.
Paid off toolbox?
- Thread starter Jbull1025
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What's a typical weekly payment on a SO box?
A shitload and 53 cents.
What number is a shitload and 53 cents per week to you? It might not be the same to someone else?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
My last box/scanner combo purchase I paid $1000/week until I was even. They gave me differed interest for 12 weeks IIRC. My last two purchases of a used cart and a used scan tool were on the truck account. "They way you pay I don't care".
I see boxes listed on trucks around 50-100 week depending. Depends on trade value. Ideally you want to put zero down with their finance system giving tiered discounts based on amount financed.
Typically the guys who couldn't paid their tool/box payment had a Buy Here Pay Here car and a couch from Aaron's. All credit, all the time baby.
The same as the "good money" you say every mechanic makes.
$1000 a week?
SO should develop a remote, tamper proof locking system with tracking, whereas if the buyer misses their payment, SO can remotely lock the box and the buyer will not be able to access it unless he makes his payment. Same way lots of BHPH car lots do, where they can remotely disable your car if you don't make a payment.
That seems like "good money" for your typical mechanic.$1000 a week?
That's good money to Snap on no matter who you are.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
$1000 a week?
Yes, $1000 per week. One thousand.
Not paying interest by running over the 3 or 6 months same as cash. But I do gain slight liquidity by not paying a single lump sum.
I don't even pay that a month for my semi truck. I would never lay that out a week for tools.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If you can't pay cash you can't afford it. I bought a triple bay box and a scan tool at the same times as a package deal. BS msrp on the pair was about 20k, I paid around 8k out the door with tax IIRC.
My car payment is about 300/month these days. They gave me 1.9%, so sure ill finance it.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Eh, if they'll give me sub 2% it's worth something to me for the liquidity.
With a lot of the snap on stuff Ill spread it out a little to make sure the dealer comes back to collect my bill, and deal with any issues I have.
FWIW the box normally has a sticker on the inside bottom and the back wall of the inside. I've seen stickers get mangled moving boxes around before so it's not always nefarious. IIRC snap on can get you a new sticker if yours is damaged. I take pictures of mine for security.
toolenthusiast
Well-known member
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Yes, really. Anecdotally I would say that 1/3 of mechanics are basically free of substance issues, 1/3 get messed up every day after work plus all weekend, and 1/3 are high at 10am on Tuesday while they’re changing your ball joint.
I’ll always remember on my 21st birthday a coworker came up to me, opened his lunchbox, and asked me if I wanted “a beer for the road”
A couple of my family members work at a dealership where the service department doesn’t take appointments after 3pm because there’s no one sober enough to really work on cars. The service manager and the owner do shots out in the shop with the mechanics sometimes.
I got a call from the local Mexican restaurant once to tell me that a bunch of mechanics were knocking back margaritas. My boss’s boss told them to cover up their uniform shirts next time.
We’re talking about an industry where it’s not universally accepted that marijuana impedes your ability to work on a car. Now think of all the people who work in truly mind-numbing trades. How many house painters do you think are sober?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
At least 10% of the working population is intoxicated on the job.
LOL about house painters. I found it was the framers and roofers that were always fucked up. I've seen people so drunk they can hardly stand or so whacked out on drugs the pass out in the parking lot. Oh well, ship the oil changes, I'll make the money. Normally people like that don't last because they do **** work. What a surprise.
We are actually drug free at the current moment at work. Aside from me, the others smoke/vape. But that's pretty good for the trades.
LOL about house painters. I found it was the framers and roofers that were always fucked up. I've seen people so drunk they can hardly stand or so whacked out on drugs the pass out in the parking lot. Oh well, ship the oil changes, I'll make the money. Normally people like that don't last because they do **** work. What a surprise.
We are actually drug free at the current moment at work. Aside from me, the others smoke/vape. But that's pretty good for the trades.
toolenthusiast
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Yes, I meant to mention that smoking/vaping is just… expected. Normal. Background level of intoxication.
I forgot about the new car salesman who used to walk around SNIFF telling SNIFF people all about his allergies SNIFF and wiping his nose even when it was the middle of winter
I never said I purposefully buy stolen goods.
I’m not the toolbox police. If snap on isn’t getting paid for their boxes, that’s their problem, not mine.
I will say I’ve never questioned a new tool purchased from eBay, Facebook marketplace or an online forum. If that makes me a bad person, so be it.
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cherokee
Well-known member
Sorry I read:
And took that at the words value, "I don't care we're they came from" as meaning just that, never seeing it as meaning who would know.
I will say sorry I read that differently then you intended, I have a real issue getting across my thoughts in type written words. It comes across like something I don't intend, I will assume the same happened with your statement.
Again I apologize if I took you to literally, but hopefully you can see when just looking at your text how someone could draw that conclusion.
I would guess most techs can’t afford $1000/week on a box. Heck I can’t afford that and I work in IT!
IIRC my 40” stack was about $2600, had planned to pay it over 18 months, until I realised the interest rate was >20% so in just paid it off. Obviously this is a cheap box and was SO finance not truck account.
My driver would do me a box on my truck account, would want it paid off over 3 months. So for the cheap 40” stack I’d be paying $200ish/week.
Your right. I’m thinking one thing and possibly writing something else. I won’t knowingly buy stolen items or something that was fraudulent. On the other hand, when I buy new or used parts and tools, I don’t stay awake at night worrying about someone showing up at my door. I have a really good reputation on the air cooled Porsche forums and people (who don’t always know me) send me tens of thousands of dollars based on a 15 year reputation.Sorry I read:
And took that at the words value, "I don't care we're they came from" as meaning just that, never seeing it as meaning who would know.
I will say sorry I read that differently then you intended, I have a real issue getting across my thoughts in type written words. It comes across like something I don't intend, I will assume the same happened with your statement.
Again I apologize if I took you to literally, but hopefully you can see when just looking at your text how someone could draw that conclusion.
I’m pretty familiar with the tool truck business model. I don’t participate in it and try to explain to young techs what they are really buying into. Then at least they are a bit more financially educated about their buying decisions. My business partner has bought quite a few reposed boxes from the trucks. It’s a great way to buy an almost new box for 50 cents on the dollar, as long as you have cash in hand.
1foxracing
Well-known member
I vote this "greatest post ever" on GJ! It would be funny as Hell if it wasn't 100% true.Yes, really. Anecdotally I would say that 1/3 of mechanics are basically free of substance issues, 1/3 get messed up every day after work plus all weekend, and 1/3 are high at 10am on Tuesday while they’re changing your ball joint.
I’ll always remember on my 21st birthday a coworker came up to me, opened his lunchbox, and asked me if I wanted “a beer for the road”
A couple of my family members work at a dealership where the service department doesn’t take appointments after 3pm because there’s no one sober enough to really work on cars. The service manager and the owner do shots out in the shop with the mechanics sometimes.
I got a call from the local Mexican restaurant once to tell me that a bunch of mechanics were knocking back margaritas. My boss’s boss told them to cover up their uniform shirts next time.
We’re talking about an industry where it’s not universally accepted that marijuana impedes your ability to work on a car. Now think of all the people who work in truly mind-numbing trades. How many house painters do you think are sober?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If you have the cash in the bank, like you should before buying something like that, 1000/week is gravy. Just swipe the card and get the rewards points.
If one doesn't have 2600 to part with, without changing their lifestyle, they shouldn't buy a $2600 box.
That's different than putting yourself on a $1000/week payment plan. If the money is in the bank you can just collect the rewards and pay it off.
If you're paying any kind of interest, it usually wipes out the rewards.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Right, the average minimum payment I see quoted is 50 to 100.
I'm sure my expected minimum was somewhere around there too. My point being that minimum payment is irrelevant. If you can't cut 1000/week checks on 8k for 2 months, IMO you can't buy that box. If you cannot pay cash outright it's out of your range. That goes for basically anything but a house. Yes, including a car.
Now if one is buying a semi truck as part of a business and has an ROI planned that's a different story. But minimum payments eat you alive with interest, so don't do that unless the ROI is worth it.
While I would have the unpopular opinion of a tool truck box or industrial cabinet are basically required to do the job, if you're paying 100/week on a box, paying interest, and you cant afford it otherwise? Then you're in a poor financial place
I'm sure my expected minimum was somewhere around there too. My point being that minimum payment is irrelevant. If you can't cut 1000/week checks on 8k for 2 months, IMO you can't buy that box. If you cannot pay cash outright it's out of your range. That goes for basically anything but a house. Yes, including a car.
Now if one is buying a semi truck as part of a business and has an ROI planned that's a different story. But minimum payments eat you alive with interest, so don't do that unless the ROI is worth it.
While I would have the unpopular opinion of a tool truck box or industrial cabinet are basically required to do the job, if you're paying 100/week on a box, paying interest, and you cant afford it otherwise? Then you're in a poor financial place
If I really needed that box and tools as a mechanic, the ROI would be there just like a semi truck.
I would try to get a small business loan for it instead of using credit card type interest financing though.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Right. Which is exactly what I did. Saved up and paid for it.
You're not getting a business loan as a w2 employee. Maybe an unsecured personal loan or line of credit.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
You're gonna do this to a guy who makes a living fixing things and has plenty of tools at his disposal?? Right
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Here is a case in point: See the stains on the handles of these Snap On screwdrivers? The stain is from the black plastic tray they came packaged in eons ago. They belonged to a friend who was a Snap On victim. These along with a bunch of other likewise unused and expensive stuff remained after he died. He never even touched one of them, I hope he's not pissed that I'm actually using them.
My departed friend like to have a "few" beers at the end of the day. His A-hole S.O. dealer knew this so would make it a point to visit when the guy was stewed.
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Unfortunately that is the Modis-Operandi for how many younger and older people budget these days..I know that there are people that struggle and have no choice for a need but it seems to be the norm instead of the need. No matter the income level...
Except maybe here at Garage Journal where most seem to have made intelligent life decisions or at least profess that fact..
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Is the loan tied directly to the toolbox? When people pay their drivers do they specify what % is for the box vs the other tools they may owe on?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If on a snap on EC account, the serial of the box or scanner is tied to the loan/credit program. Typically on a truck account the driver will do the same if he has any sense.
Usually, usually, when discussing minimum payment the total price per week will be given as well as the split. 100/week, 40 on the truck and 60 on EC.
Thank you for the explanation!
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Short weiner syndrome,easy financing.
******** dealer reels them in like fish.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Spend a day around the construction trades and guess how many people could pass a drug test.
Do you want me to get along with people and get stuff done,or pass a drug test?
If I had a buck for every time I heard that line over the years!
Right up there with :good/cheap/fast.
Pick any 2! Hahaha