snap on dealers

[mustangmatt428]

New guy here, and I was wondering how dealers feel about selling to people not working in shops? Do you mind people stopping you on your route? I want to buy some tools someday, but don't want to get thrown to the curb. Ordering online can be expensive with the shipping involved. Just like to know also the best way to approach the dealer. Should I call first or just stop and ask? Thanks for your time.

 

[scottmlew]

Free S&H on SO website, unless that changed very recently...

 

[mustangmatt428]

I thought that was up to $500.

 

[Merkava_4]

Free shipping up tp $500 per order.

 

[scottmlew]

didn't realize it was only up to $500. Sort of funny, the more you spend, the harder you get shafted

 

[Merkava_4]

Just start a separate order after you get to $500.

 

[TheToolMan]

I think its because they dont want to ship tool boxes for free

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

It depends on the dealer. Mine does not have a problem with me not working at a shop. He just lets me know where he is at when I call or where his next stop will be and I meet him there. Like I've said a lot of times on here, I do have a nice Snappy guy that will spend the time it takes to make sure you are happy but I doubt that any of them will do anything other than a cash only transaction with you.

 

[mrshaun]

I have lots off guys that I deal with that do not work in shops. I see a guy each week and he spends 200 bucks and we are working on a krl1023apbo at the moment.
I never throw anyone to the curb. You never know who they are and what kind of business they do.
I have been stopped and guys have spent 2000 in the parking lot of a Burger King.
so if the dealer blows you off go somewhere else. Do not waste your time.
credit/debit cards.... thats 80% of my business now

 

[daveblank]

I'll stop at or ask them to meet me at one of my stops. There have been too many robberies in the past for me to take chances.

I'll give an example...
2 weeks ago a guy was in a car next to me. He was waiving his arm out the window. I pointed forward since my next shop was within eye sight. The next thing I know, he swerves in front of me & stops sideways blocking my lane. WTF is this guy thinking. I almost ran him over as he jumped out of the car & was trying to flag me down. I pulled into Ricks shop & he happened to be outside. I called him over & he arrived about the same time as the guy in the car. The guy in the car would not come onto the truck while Rick was there, he kept saying he would wait. Rick felt the situation was funny & stayed. We got off the truck & I locked the door. The guy never would say what he wanted, but gave me a business card (computer made) & told me that was his shops address. It was on Ross Ave in Dallas. I kept asking what part of Ross it was on & he couldn't tell me. He finally left. The funny thing is, the City of Dallas is closing all the shops on Ross Ave in favor of high end condos/apartments. Rick used to be on Ross Ave & moved about 6 months ago. He looked at the address & knew exactly where it was. It was the empty lot next to his old shop. The building was torn down several years ago.

Did I get lucky & get out of a bad situation? I believe so. Why did I write this? Just to let you know that if a dealer is apprehensive about stopping for you, this might help explain things.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Dave,

While I bet you would be happy to help someone who stopped at one of your local stops, are their payment restrictions you do with them? (cash only, etc)

 

[mrshaun]

It is rare for me to run an account on a guy, unless i have known him for a while. People will screw you 8 ways from sunday if you let them...
Cash card only.... I did have one guy that paid with a lottery ticket. that was kind of odd. he wanted tools instead of cash. who can blame him.

Dave with all the past happenings in dallas tx I do not blame you for not getting near the guy. too many breakins for sure.

 

[Red Green]

The Snap-on Dealer doesn't stop at our Family business. My dad still holds a grudge from getting riped off by the snap-on man and runs them off everytime. But the current snap-on man has hours where you can meet him at his house and buy anything you need. I would recommend Calling and asking where you can meet him or If you have a friend that works at a shop somewhere you can deal through them.

 

[daveblank]

Dave,

While I bet you would be happy to help someone who stopped at one of your local stops, are their payment restrictions you do with them? (cash only, etc)

If I do not see the guy on a regular basis, it's pretty much impossible to take payments. But, I do have a GJ member (& a neighbor) that has bought from me that I run his card every Friday.

 

[mrshaun]

I call on a lot of shops at specific times and I have guys that will be waiting there.

I will never stop going down the road. The one time I did I called my mom and had her run the plates of the guy that was waving me down. She worked at the DMV.
WHen I called the guy by his last name he was floored. He was nice, but I shouldnt have even taken that chance...

 

[expatriated]

As a variation on a theme...

I have a Snap-On dealer that lives down the street from me. I've debated about just going and knocking on his door. I have no idea what his name is or where his route is.

How do you dealers feel about neighbors coming by to buy something? Is it like, "I do this all day, I don't want people bugging me coming to the house!" or are you just glad to have a sale?

 

[48548]

I would buy a 1/4 snap on set if someone would give me the credit, but I can't save enough up because I keep buying other stuff, hahaha. Seriously if I could get the credit, I sure would get about 600 worth of stuff, but since I don't have any credit cards I always have to pay cash or debit card. I need to find a snap on guy who will do layaway and charge my card every 2 weeks or something,

 

[Red Green]

As a variation on a theme...

I have a Snap-On dealer that lives down the street from me. I've debated about just going and knocking on his door. I have no idea what his name is or where his route is.

How do you dealers feel about neighbors coming by to buy something? Is it like, "I do this all day, I don't want people bugging me coming to the house!" or are you just glad to have a sale?

I would go to the Snap-on website it had a thing to get in contact with your local dealer. They should give you his name and then you can call and set up an appointment. Then if he doesn't recognize you mention that you are his neighbor.

 

[daveblank]

As a variation on a theme...

I have a Snap-On dealer that lives down the street from me. I've debated about just going and knocking on his door. I have no idea what his name is or where his route is.

How do you dealers feel about neighbors coming by to buy something? Is it like, "I do this all day, I don't want people bugging me coming to the house!" or are you just glad to have a sale?

I have no problem with it as long as it is a reasonable time. I've had the 1am I need a tool knock before & I wasn't happy.

 

[mrshaun]

I would buy a 1/4 snap on set if someone would give me the credit, but I can't save enough up because I keep buying other stuff, hahaha. Seriously if I could get the credit, I sure would get about 600 worth of stuff, but since I don't have any credit cards I always have to pay cash or debit card. I need to find a snap on guy who will do layaway and charge my card every 2 weeks or something,

I do have a lot of customers that PRE PAY for tools. One guy is pre-paying for his tool box. he has about 4500 towards it and doesnt want it until it is paid off. I run his card every two weeks. He should get it in december.
SO talk to a dealer and see wht deal you can work out.

 

[back2class]

I once tried to buy a new ratchet off the truck at a stop of his in New Haven CT. He told me he sells to dealers only and was pretty unfriendly.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I would go to the Snap-on website it had a thing to get in contact with your local dealer. They should give you his name and then you can call and set up an appointment. Then if he doesn't recognize you mention that you are his neighbor.

The dealer in his area, may not be his neighbor. You can live in one area, and have territory elsewhere.

Walk down the sidewalk and look at the side of his truck for a phone number.

 

[Rocket1]

I never thought a dealer would stop just for the very reason that Dave mentioned... Can't say I would blame them either. I would always see a Snap On guy at the gas station at lunch by work. I guess he covered the dealerships just down the street and would stop there for food or a drink. I always wanted to ask him about buying some stuff but didn't because I don't work at a shop and figured he wouldn't want to sell to me without cash (I never carry cash unless I have to)

My thinking changed last month when I met a Snap On guy at a car show who gave me his card and said he would meet me if I needed a tool. He's not close to me but if I need something quick I know I can give him a call.

 

[expatriated]

The dealer in his area, may not be his neighbor. You can live in one area, and have territory elsewhere.

Walk down the sidewalk and look at the side of his truck for a phone number.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about the website--I'm sure we have more than a few dealers here in Indianapolis and where he works may not be where we live.

I tried to catch the phone number on the truck but can't ever seem to catch it at the right time. As soon as he gets home, he backs the truck into the garage and shuts the door immediately. I went for years without knowing a snap-on dealer lived there, just a guy with a huge 30 foot garage door. I guess it is a security thing.

I'll just go knock.

By the way, if you are on this board and are the dealer I'm talking about (in Fishers, IN)--PM me--I'll buy some tools from you! In cash.

 

[mrshaun]

give me your zip code and I will find you a dealer.

 

[mrshaun]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about the website--I'm sure we have more than a few dealers here in Indianapolis and where he works may not be where we live.

I tried to catch the phone number on the truck but can't ever seem to catch it at the right time. As soon as he gets home, he backs the truck into the garage and shuts the door immediately. I went for years without knowing a snap-on dealer lived there, just a guy with a huge 30 foot garage door. I guess it is a security thing.

I'll just go knock.

By the way, if you are on this board and are the dealer I'm talking about (in Fishers, IN)--PM me--I'll buy some tools from you! In cash.

PM SENT sometimes snap on will give you their number then they will email them.... just depends on who you ask

 

[t100]

I have no problem to go to where the dealer told me to, Matco dealer in my case. for a dealer, extra stop is extra time, time is money for any business. I got the dealer's number from Matco, also I asked if there's any compliant against him to be awarded of. I called and told him i'd like to have something warrantied, he told me when he will be in my neck of woods, i then called the morning of that day, met him up at one of the shops he stopped.

well, that's how i got to know him, and i did buy some little stuff from him even i have student discount with Matco which cheaper than off the truck. i don't see why any dealer wouldn't do the same way.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I got the dealer's number from Matco, also I asked if there's any compliant against him to be awarded of.

Comliant awarded?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I think he means "Any complaints against him to be aware of."

 

[t100]

Comliant awarded?

oh, boy! spellcheck

 

[Sloper0204]

Thats an awesome pic. I need to keep trying to call my local dealer, haven't caught him on the phone yet to discuss exactly this. Want to see if he sells to the general public.

 

[chadster1]

I will sell to anybody that has money. Like Dave said though, I will not pull over for someone who flags me down. I will try and wave them to follow me to the next stop. I have had a couple of instances where someone has walked up to my truck wanting service and I refused to open the door. Once was in the bank parking lot before it opened and another was in a McD's parking lot. Both instances were in less than desirable parts of town.

I try to work with anyone who wants to buy tools. For people that are coming to the house, I just ask that they call first. I live in the country and I have a tendency of answering the door with a pistol in hand if I am not expecting someone. Some may call me paranoid but I have been robbed at gunpoint before and someone has attempted to break into my truck in my driveway.

 

[mustangmatt428]

wow guys. My first post and I get a two page response! Thanks for your time I got the answers I needed. I'll just get the number off the truck and call it.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I had an account with a Snap on dealer for 6-7 years, then moved to a different area. If I needed something I would call him to check stock, then meet him on his route. I paid cash or credit card then. I don't work in a shop now, but know the local dealer and I will buy from him when I need something. I call and meet him. I bought some torx sockets a month ago and called my origonal dealer and met him on his route and paid cash.

I had a warrenty issue with a couple of Mac sockets a week ago and I don't know the Mac dealer in my area. I was in Conyers and happened to pass a Mac Tools truck on the road. I whipped a u-turn and followed him to his next stop. I introduced myself and asked if he would warrenty my tools. He did not have them in stock, but he made a couple of calls and gave me the name and phone number of the dealer in my area. I haven't hooked up with him yet, but all of the tool trucker dealers I have "walked up on" have been very nice, very helpful, and had no problem selling to me or helping with warrenty issues.

 

[Vinko]

I usually meet at a shop about 5-10 blocks from me depending upon the day of the week.

The two times I've bought a box from him, he's stopped by

And just recently he stopped by at the end of his route to help me warranty some slides.

He used to stop by when I my father was regularly buying from him. But we don't buy regularly enough for that anymore.

I've got credit, but don't stop by every week or pay every week. But I'll do the equivalent of whatever a payment is every month or so. And then put it on the debit or pay cash.