Yesterday at work I had a pretty crappy day. Ford Focus comes in and wants headlights put in. Some aftermarket Peice of **** bulbs. One of the "children" that works with me on the quick lube rack wants to use my 1/4" drive and a 10. So I let him use my Snap on TH737 and a Mac 10mm deep well. You guys probably already know where I'm going with this story but anyways. I'm over there with the Kid and I get called over to do something else a bay over. I get to doing something and the Focus is gone. About an hour later I'm putting some stuff away and I notice that ratchet and socket aren't anywhere to be seen. Well my buddy that works with me over there I tell him I can't find that ratchet and 10mm and he already knows what has probably happened. Come to find out that kid shut it under the hood of that ford. My buddy warned him that I was pretty angry. I had already been worked up about some other stuff that day so I decided it wasn't a good thing to go talk to this kid last night lol. So today I'm going to see what I can do. And I had just got that ratchet a week ago.
So I'm really angry
- Thread starter Zeroek
- Start date
Uncle Buck
Banned
That sounds about like how my luck at loaning tools works!
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
Tough break. I hope he has offered to replace it.
But on the bright side; The value of that Ford Focus just increased by 20%
-BWP
But on the bright side; The value of that Ford Focus just increased by 20%
-BWP
kvom
Well-known member
I once found a nice Snap-On screwdriver in my engine compartment after some service. The local garage guy is a friend, so I reluctantly sent it back.
Oh the kid has his own tools. But always goes Straight to my box. But I got a surprise for him. Since I just work in quick lube I took all my tools besides a few things home. I'm not an automotive Technition so I really don't need Tie Rod adjusting tools, 8 sets of different sockets, or a bunch of air tools. So I took it all home besides a few oil filter wrenches, a cheap impact, a few sets of craftsman sockets, and a few other odds and ends. I'm taking in a set of hf bits with a ratcheting T handle for the bits and a 3/8" napa ratchet. Yeah today I'm going to tell him straight up what that stuff cost and if he don't want to help me out and replace my stuff I could talk to the shop forman but it's hard telling if that'll even help.
Junkman
Well-known member
Why take it out on the Focus owner. He didn't do anything wrong. I would just call the owner and tell him what happened, and ask him to look under the hood. Most people are honest, and will return the tool. As for the guy that left it under the hood, he didn't do it deliberately, so why beat up on him. Ask him to replace the tool, and let it go. If he doesn't, then no one in the shop will ever help him out again. Mistakes happen, and life is too short to hold grudges. If loosing a tool is the worse thing to happen to this year, you are a very lucky guy.
Your totally right Junkman. I'm just frustrated I guess. The kid's just always horseplaying all the time and getting on my nerves. And I'm trying to be serious about my job. I'm wanting to become a Technition someday and make a living.
goodfellow
Well-known member
I'm sorry this happened to you and am glad that you're stepping back a little to do a little thinking before taking action. Junk is right, these things happen all the time and in the grand scheme of things it's a minor issue. Make the kid pay it back in installments if he can, and be understanding --he probably already feels foolish and just as bad as you.
If you're going to be a technician, then these things will happen on occasion. When I worked in the field many years ago I left quite a few of my good tools under the hood of cars and had people borrow tools that they never returned. I even had a break-in at my shop and the bustards cleaned me out. What did I learn? If you let the little things constantly get you down, then you're in for a tough and unhappy life because these type of situations happen quite often. Life is too short; so why waste your energy on the "chickenshyt".
OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
Very well said, Junkman.
I have the same problem with people borrowing, then breaking or losing my tools. The difference is I am the kid (16) and the people borrowing the tools are often twice my age or more, so they are usually responsible enough to pay for their mistakes. They soon realize that my Snap-On tools aren't so cheap to replace and end up buying their own stuff or borrowing somebody else's. One time a kid lost my 6" needle nose vise grips, my 6" Snap-On extension and my Channellock diagonal cutters. I went out the next day, bought replacements for all three and gave him the receipt. He apologized paid me back within the week, it's not a huge deal.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
My boss did a job on a car and ended up leaving an AIR RATCHET under the hood of the car. Came back 3k/3months later and we opened the hood and took it out. Owner never complained about an unusual rattle or clunking lol
Deafautotech
Well-known member
that exact happen with my tech friend!! but he left his snap on air ratchet (about 350 dollars worth) in black cirrus and same time he left his right angle die grinder in Caravan.... my other tech friend and i found it after week later while the tech at training center... i knew he did asked me where is his air tools because he noticed his tools are missing.... i got it all back to him... he was glad to have it back...
russlaferrera
Well-known member
I feel bad for you. Look on the positive side of this. It's a learning experience. Never LOAN ANYTHING you can't afford to loose, nor BORROW ANYTHING you can't afford to replace. The other person WILL to learn the same lesson now. It was a mistake on his part.... true. But it was not stolen.You would be screwed.
I am sorry this happened to you but you are also at fault. You broke the cardinal shop rule "Never loan out tools" The kid broke the rule "Never borrow tools"
Now hopefully you both have learned a lesson.
Phatsub
Well-known member
Zeroek,
If the customer doesn't locate the tools, I'd make the co-worker replace them.
Then I'd get him written-up.
Good luck to you.
If the customer doesn't locate the tools, I'd make the co-worker replace them.
Then I'd get him written-up.
Good luck to you.
Merkava_4
Banned
I'm betting the kid quits the job in a few days and you never see or hear from him again. He'll probably be working at the local wallymart if you check around....
I've got an update to the story. All day I didn't really talk to the kid. I was mad at him so I really didn't want to talk to the guy. I know I should make him pay for it all but me being the nice guy I am decided to wait for possibly an apology and see where it goes from there. Well he make this comment "I don't see why your so mad it was just a ratchet. And I don't know why you pay so much for something like that. I just go to walmart for my tools". I just kind of blew that off and he walked away. Well one of the guys I work with mentions something to the shop forman. Well I'm down in the pit while they are up above and I hear them talking about the whole ordeal then I hear the shop forman go "don't get sh*** with me". So now I know he had been talked to by the shop forman. Well I don't talk to the kid all day then it comes time to go home and he comes up to me cussing saying I'm sorry that your blank blank ratchet got lost. Then I told him you were the one that left it under the hood man. Then he came up with some more exscuses for why it happened while cussing the whole time. So I'm assuming someone jumped his *** about it for him to do something like that. So how do I approach this. Should I talk to the shop forman. I mean I don't want to "tell" on him for approaching me the way he did but should I ??? I mean I was just going to let it slide until he came at me like that.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
Zeroek,
I am sorry that happen to you... it is happen to me often but they did put it back where it was and told me that they did it. Right now, i has my toolboxes share with part time (Master Tech and best technician in Indiana). the reason is he have problem with his Matco tool boxes (11ft wide that include two lockers, three bay bottom box and three bay top chest) one of casters(it should had 6 casters) broke off while loaded on trailer (it is happen when he left the FLetcher dodge, jeep, and Chrysler.... ) he is enjoying to use my tools as i had almost everything to do oil change to transmission rebuild or engine repair... he are happy that i had tools which he dont have to bring his tools next day to do... i dont know if he will bring his toolboxes or not?? i had no problems with him to use my tools as he always wipe off the tools and put it where it was before... i let him to use my tools and he teach me a lot of way and help me a lot with my skill which i needed. so it is fair between him and me...
i would recommend you to lock the box if that kid still use your tools or even complaint to your service manager....
I am sorry that happen to you... it is happen to me often but they did put it back where it was and told me that they did it. Right now, i has my toolboxes share with part time (Master Tech and best technician in Indiana). the reason is he have problem with his Matco tool boxes (11ft wide that include two lockers, three bay bottom box and three bay top chest) one of casters(it should had 6 casters) broke off while loaded on trailer (it is happen when he left the FLetcher dodge, jeep, and Chrysler.... ) he is enjoying to use my tools as i had almost everything to do oil change to transmission rebuild or engine repair... he are happy that i had tools which he dont have to bring his tools next day to do... i dont know if he will bring his toolboxes or not?? i had no problems with him to use my tools as he always wipe off the tools and put it where it was before... i let him to use my tools and he teach me a lot of way and help me a lot with my skill which i needed. so it is fair between him and me...
i would recommend you to lock the box if that kid still use your tools or even complaint to your service manager....
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Merkava_4
Banned
I can't believe what I just read. Are you for real man? If it were me, that kid would've been shredded meat a long time ago! This thread is making me mad.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
that stupid kid dont understand what tools mean to you even tools are very important to me... if i am you then i would make straight out with shop foreman before that stupid kid make whole different story.... big problems is shop foreman dont see what is happen unless watch you all day.... so well. it can be diffcult to solve the issues... you want become technician then you deserve the tools what you want (or needed) the tool which best way for you... i had no problem if use craftsman or snap on tools but i need best tool to work because i can't afford to keep breaking the tools...
I'm not trying to have anyone feel sorry for me or anything ya know. I'm just angry. And I hate to use the garage journal forum to rant but you guys know where I'm coming from better than most. You know I'm not trying to fight the kid. Even though I'd love to rough him up real bad. Put some of my mixed martial art training to the test. But I don't want to act childish like he is. All day I was mad and he knew I was upset with him about it. But I didn't go off on him cussing about losing that ratchet. I was going to be cool about and let myself get over it and move on. But after what he did before I clocked out got me pretty wound up again so maybe tomorrow I'll have a chat with the shop forman.
Well, you can forget about every getting a replacement or $'s from that kid. The best you can hope for is to find him somewhere after work and kick his a$$...
wythors
Well-known member
It seems pretty simple to me. 1. Ask the service advisor to call the customer and request that he look under the hood for the tool. If he finds it, go pick it up. 2. If he doesn't find it, tell the kid that he needs to replace what he lost or pay you for it. 3. This is the most important one: Don't ever let him borrow another thing from you. Ever.
Oh he isn't going to borrow anything from me ever again. That's for sure. I'm going to see what I can do tomorrow about having them call the customer to try to get the ratchet back. But I'm seriously thinking that it's gone.
Merkava_4
Banned
goodfellow
Well-known member
You have every right to be angry and based on my previous comments I must admit that I was wrong. You should ask for restitution and if you don't get it, ask your boss to dock his pay. Being careless with someone else's tools can happen to anyone, being an *** about it is pure disrespect.
Merkava_4
Banned
If he doesn't replace it with his next check tell him you are taking $100 out on his face. Sometimes you gotta do it. Obviously you are upset, telling on him and being a nice guy isn't going to get anything done when he is the type of person to buy things at WalMart.
unsung I can't get over the Taking $100 out on his face. That actually brightened up my night pretty well. lol. I mean I'm naturally just a nice guy ya know so it's somewhat hard for me. I can't MAKE the kid pay me the money. I don't want to go deep with it for 100 bucks ya know. But I'd like to do something to get something back in return for what he did. If he'd came up to me and apologized and admited that he left that ratchet under the hood like an adult I'd let it go. Instead of cussing at me and trying to find an exscuse to make it seem like it wasn't his fault.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i would accept the apologized but still owe the tool... i am never let other tech go if they dont return tool or buy other tool for me... i am never borrow their tools as i only ask their to help me.... even they sometime ask me to borrow my tools...
I did told them to ok that they can borrow my tools as they ask me first and tell me that it is return... i did complaint to service manager after one tech took my one tool without my permission and my service manager did look out then found out my tech friend took it and put it back after i caught him... i told him to ask me first... or no tools!!!
Sometimes the mere threat of escalation is enough to get results. But if you are happy with an apology more power to you. From the sounds of this guy I wouldn't hold my breath on it being sincere.
Spookrider
Well-known member
tools = food for you
commission = food for you and other(if have)
Missing tools = no food for you
Dumba!! stealing tools from you = no food for you and other
So in saying this. He left a weeks worth of food under that Ford.
commission = food for you and other(if have)
Missing tools = no food for you
Dumba!! stealing tools from you = no food for you and other
So in saying this. He left a weeks worth of food under that Ford.
chad s
Well-known member
Unfortunately, in many cases, this is how people my age are being brought up. Parents are afraid to repremand and teach their kids.
In the end, its a shame for you to have lost the tools, but (I know this may come off as sounding weird) its a bigger shame for the kid. He doesnt know the right way to act/interact with others, and most likely never will. In the end, he will cheat himself out of many things, including friendship with an older more experienced tech like yourself.
In the end, its a shame for you to have lost the tools, but (I know this may come off as sounding weird) its a bigger shame for the kid. He doesnt know the right way to act/interact with others, and most likely never will. In the end, he will cheat himself out of many things, including friendship with an older more experienced tech like yourself.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Fine. Get back at this ******* kid. Go take all his tools and hide them all over the shop. he won't be able to find them, but they're not technically stolen either.
DavidtheDuke
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 559
Wow. If I were the foreman I wouldn't allow an employee to work there with such disrespect for people's property. If I lost a customers car part I couldn't just say to the boss "Oh they can just go to Autozone!!" He is responsible and I think you're being too light on the situation. He can go to Wal-mart and get his check cashed and pay you back, if he likes WM so much.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As everyone else has said, this blows.
You need to make sure everyone knows that you no longer have a community box and that no one borrows anything period. It's a hard way to live but, you don't lose tools, money, or both.
You need to make sure everyone knows that you no longer have a community box and that no one borrows anything period. It's a hard way to live but, you don't lose tools, money, or both.
I think you should be nice to the kid. Just ask him to politely stand next the a wall and start chucking some of those cheap tools your took to the shop at his head. When he complains, just tell him
[CENTER]"I don't see why your so mad it was just a ratchet."[/CENTER]
Honestly though, ask that the kid contact the Focus owner and explain the situation. If the owner of the car finds it then have the kid go pick it up on his time. If he has any integrity, and your boss has any balls in making that decision you should have the tools the next day.
Good luck
[CENTER]"I don't see why your so mad it was just a ratchet."[/CENTER]
Honestly though, ask that the kid contact the Focus owner and explain the situation. If the owner of the car finds it then have the kid go pick it up on his time. If he has any integrity, and your boss has any balls in making that decision you should have the tools the next day.
Good luck