One thing that makes things worse that I just really thought about. He's going to school to become a Lawyer from what I'm told. So he really has no care in the world about becoming any kind of Automotive Tech or having anything to do with Tools or Cars really. He's just way to Childish when everyone is trying to be serious. Drives me crazy. And I don't want to get fired from my job or anything for doing something stupid ya know. I'd like to give the kid a nice 1-2 right to the jaw but it isn't going to happen.
So I'm really angry
- Thread starter Zeroek
- Start date
Merkava_4
Banned
What gets me is that the kid has no sense of remorse what-so-ever. If it were me and I lost a co-worker's tool, I'd be embarrassed to death; I'd be on the phone to the S-O dealer trying to get him to swing by the shop that same day.
chad s
Well-known member
"judge, your honor, I dont see why your so mad, my client only stole a car"
I have a feeling he will make a bad lawyer too. Good lawyers are good at interacting with people, nasty lawyers look bad in court!
Deafautotech
Well-known member
that reason i bought myself tools so i dont borrow their tools... i hate to borrow their tool and lost it... it is worst thing to me... i am rather to not ask to borrow unless i had to for job...
Merkava_4
Banned
That kid could open an S-O account if he didn't have the money. Those S-O dealers will sign anyone up as long as they're an employee of one of the places on the route and they have an SS number.
lol they'll even drop by your house if you owe them money. My old Snap on Dealer comes to see me at home sometimes. He's my fav tool guy ever though. Needless to say he may be happy when I have to fork out more cash for another quarter inch drive ratchy.
Merkava_4
Banned
If I was working in your shop and I found out about this situation, that kid would never hear the end of it; I'd be hounding him all day. And if it was my tool that he lost, he'd be getting a good feel of my grip around his throat. 
GDA
Well-known member
This whole thread riles me up as the kid just doesn't know how to behave or act like a responsible person. My .02 on the deal is to take lead and act in front of all your coworkers like you wished this kid would have originally dealt with the situation.
Talk calmly to your shop foreman about what happened - state facts only
Try to get in contact with the Ford owner
Tell the kid he is responsible for his actions - he borrowed it, lost it and he has to replace it (go get the original or cough up the $$$ to buy a new one)
Tell him he acted like a 4th grader today and he now needs to man up!
GL
Talk calmly to your shop foreman about what happened - state facts only
Try to get in contact with the Ford owner
Tell the kid he is responsible for his actions - he borrowed it, lost it and he has to replace it (go get the original or cough up the $$$ to buy a new one)
Tell him he acted like a 4th grader today and he now needs to man up!
GL
Unfortunately, I think the only way this situation is going is going to get resolved is if you just let is slide and never let the kid near your tools ever again. He's clearly not the type of person that would feel sorry for someone else who spent $100 of their hard earned money on a tool that he lost. I've seen/heard the "defense mechanism" he's using on you many times before... hell I've heard these more than I like to remember: "it's only a garage", "it's only a toolbox", "it's only a car", etc.
You can try to get the tool back from the customer, I guess, as a last resort.
You can try to get the tool back from the customer, I guess, as a last resort.
If it was me, most of the reason I would be mad is that I did such a stupid thing as let some careless kid borrow my tools. Legally if you let someone borrow something without terms set out in advance, they have no "legal" obligation to even return them. People take cars that way all the time and the police won't touch it.
No point in being mad at the kid, he's a stupid kid and did something a stupid kid does. Being mad isn't doing you any good either, tune this kid up over it and good chance you will get fired and find it hard getting a new job. No employer wants that kind of liability risk.
Get your tools back and don't loan them out again. The shop foreman needs to know whats going on ASAP, tools left under the hood could do a lot more than $100 damage.
No point in being mad at the kid, he's a stupid kid and did something a stupid kid does. Being mad isn't doing you any good either, tune this kid up over it and good chance you will get fired and find it hard getting a new job. No employer wants that kind of liability risk.
Get your tools back and don't loan them out again. The shop foreman needs to know whats going on ASAP, tools left under the hood could do a lot more than $100 damage.
bluesman2a
Well-known member
You know, I read all six pages of this thread looking for some glimmer of adult response (thanks Junk). The way I see it:
1) You're pissed. You have a right to be, it was a nice tool.
2) If you don't talk to the kid, you have no hope of resolution, if that's what you want, then **** it up and stop whining.
3) If you want resolution, it sounds like the shop foreman may be sympathetic. Ask him and the other guy for a sit-down. Explain calmly you are looking for one of two things: A) return of your tool in original condition or B) monetary compensation for the EXACT same tool to be replaced.
The kid wants to be a lawyer, it's a contract plain and simple. No need for emotions. It's a friggen tool man. It's $100. You should get it back period. I haven't seen ANYthing in this thread that indicates that anything has been spelled out in simple terms: replace or pay, your choice. Before anybody starts talking about "escalation" wouldn't it be easier to just ASK for the kid to come clean? If he says no, then take it to management, if nothing THEN you can resort to schoolyard tactics if you must.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Fixed.
Make him pay for it.
One way or the other. Talk to him, and the shop foreman. If nothing happens, make his life a living hell.
If a mechanic not on my crew at work (we have 500 mechanics there) asks for a tool, they must provide me with:
A. A tool of theirs of equal or greater value,
OR
B. Their driver's license,
OR
C. Cash in the amount of the value of the tool.
Am I a jerk? Maybe. They seem eager to give my tools back, though.
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Merkava_4
Banned
One day I gathered up all the oil drain drums in shop and rolled them back to the oil room for emptying. One of the mechanics said he always kept a double box deep offset wrench on the oil drum and accused me of losing it. I never saw the wrench he was referring to, but I was immediately on the phone to the Snap-on dealer and had him swing by that very same day so I could get the mechanic a replacement; and I did! Needless to say though, I never emptied the guy's oil drum ever again.
oldgoat
Well-known member
I would take it from the kids reaction that replacement is probably not in the cards and if the foreman hasn't done anything yet he probably won't be much help either. Hopefully the call to the Focus owner will yield your tools for you, but I know with my luck somebody probably found a nice shiny new ratchet about a mile down the road. The best hope is that the coworkers won't let him forget about it and also not loan any tools to him. Expensive lesson for you and hopefully a lesson to the kid. I know that I've had to replace a tool or two for somebody, but I went to them as soon as it would happen and tell them so that either he could get the replacement if he wanted to or I would whichever way he felt he wanted. Any more it is more or a less a deal that I won't borrow unless I absolutely have to and while I will loan it is only to people that I trust and if they ************ get it back or it doesn't come back in the same condition I loaned it then this loaning is over with.
Merkava_4
Banned
I found an image on eBay that matches the description of the lost ratchet in this thread.
filthy
Banned
I don't get you dude. First thing i would of done would be to call the customer and try to retrieve it. If it was nowhere to be found, i would demand the kid to pay. If that did not work, i would then talk to the shop foreman...
I would certainly not be on this forum ranting and raving and not doing anything about it. Stop whining, grow some balls and get your tools back.
Sure, it sounds simple, but when your job is involved, it's not that simple. He doesn't want to lose his job over this mess. His boss probably doesn't want to be dealing with this mess. If this thing escalates into a battle, day-after-day, the employer could easily cut them both loose just to be done with it.
If this didn't occur at his work - totally different story.
danski0224
Well-known member
Chalk it up to experience and move on.
Fortunately, the loss amounts to only $100.00... but it still *****.
If the person suspected of stealing the items hasn't fessed up or paid up by now, then (1) it isn't going to happen or (2) maybe he didn't steal your stuff, and it has been misplaced.
I know I have really misplaced stuff and though someone borrowed it.
The best thing to do is to adopt a no lending policy for your tools... or require some sort of collateral as previously mentioned.
It isn't worth contemplating violence or revenge. If I owned a shop and two employees couldn't iron out their differences, both would be gone... so while it may be fun, scattering the other guys tools throughout the shop could backfire because now you are stealing time from the business owner.
Fortunately, the loss amounts to only $100.00... but it still *****.
If the person suspected of stealing the items hasn't fessed up or paid up by now, then (1) it isn't going to happen or (2) maybe he didn't steal your stuff, and it has been misplaced.
I know I have really misplaced stuff and though someone borrowed it.
The best thing to do is to adopt a no lending policy for your tools... or require some sort of collateral as previously mentioned.
It isn't worth contemplating violence or revenge. If I owned a shop and two employees couldn't iron out their differences, both would be gone... so while it may be fun, scattering the other guys tools throughout the shop could backfire because now you are stealing time from the business owner.
Hip2u77
Well-known member
It's obvious the kid doesn't care about the loss.
It's obvious the boss doesn't want to babysit employees over petty things. (Your loss of a tool is petty to most everyone, except you.)
It's not your bosses responsibility to replace your tools. . . unless he told you to bring them in and loan them to the kid.
The fact is, you loaned them out and got burnt. No matter what, you're at fault. If they stayed locked in your box you'd still own them. It's not fair. It *****, but the truth hurts. Be mad at yourself and learn from it.
As for the kid. . . a simple way to get back at him is. . . 100% ignore him.
You and your coworkers knowledge is worth a lot more to him than your tools. Let everyone in the shop know what happened and when the kids stuck trying to do something (and nobody will tell him what he needs to do or loan him tools,) the boss will see how worthless he is and have no choice but to fire him.
In any case, don't bring yourself down to his level by acting like an *** about it and using violence will do nothing. A police record and / or lawsuit will cost a lot more than $100.
Just my .02
Edit. . Wasn't trying to sound like an uncaring *** myself. I can relate in a different way. Back in the mid 80's a friend of mine needed a couple tools so I popped the trunk and let him use what he needed. Later on when I came out and the trunk was closed so I figured it was all locked up tight. Uh. . . no. A few days later I popped the trunk to stop a couple tools that were rattling around and that when I found out he never closed the box. As such the drawers slid out, it turned over and most of my tools went through a little 4x1" rust hole in my quarter. In fact, almost every socket I had was gone along with anything small like feeler gauges, swivels, etc. I found a few tools in the other quarter panel, but mainly I just had big items left. These were mostly all older SK, Blackhawk and a few Armstrong (I think) items handed down (Ah-hem. . . borrowed and not returned) from my dad and grandfather, and a few from an "Allied" kit that I'd got from Sam's Club back in the day.
That was a hard lesson. To this day he still thinks my facial expression was on the of the funniest thing he's ever seen.
It's obvious the boss doesn't want to babysit employees over petty things. (Your loss of a tool is petty to most everyone, except you.)
It's not your bosses responsibility to replace your tools. . . unless he told you to bring them in and loan them to the kid.
The fact is, you loaned them out and got burnt. No matter what, you're at fault. If they stayed locked in your box you'd still own them. It's not fair. It *****, but the truth hurts. Be mad at yourself and learn from it.
As for the kid. . . a simple way to get back at him is. . . 100% ignore him.
You and your coworkers knowledge is worth a lot more to him than your tools. Let everyone in the shop know what happened and when the kids stuck trying to do something (and nobody will tell him what he needs to do or loan him tools,) the boss will see how worthless he is and have no choice but to fire him.
In any case, don't bring yourself down to his level by acting like an *** about it and using violence will do nothing. A police record and / or lawsuit will cost a lot more than $100.
Just my .02
Edit. . Wasn't trying to sound like an uncaring *** myself. I can relate in a different way. Back in the mid 80's a friend of mine needed a couple tools so I popped the trunk and let him use what he needed. Later on when I came out and the trunk was closed so I figured it was all locked up tight. Uh. . . no. A few days later I popped the trunk to stop a couple tools that were rattling around and that when I found out he never closed the box. As such the drawers slid out, it turned over and most of my tools went through a little 4x1" rust hole in my quarter. In fact, almost every socket I had was gone along with anything small like feeler gauges, swivels, etc. I found a few tools in the other quarter panel, but mainly I just had big items left. These were mostly all older SK, Blackhawk and a few Armstrong (I think) items handed down (Ah-hem. . . borrowed and not returned) from my dad and grandfather, and a few from an "Allied" kit that I'd got from Sam's Club back in the day.
That was a hard lesson. To this day he still thinks my facial expression was on the of the funniest thing he's ever seen.
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I'm feeling a lot better about everything now. I've learned from it. And the other 2 guys (that I trust) I work with have learned from it too. We all watch out for each other besides that one kid that's always messing around. But I know someone was riding him about it because he wouldn't have came up to me so aggressive like he did. And I felt as if he was being defensive toward himself. Like in his voice you could tell he wasn't happy. So I'm assuming the boss got onto so who knows. That Ratchet may show back up.
keywestjack
Well-known member
Don't count on it, in this world there are two kinds of people...givers and takers. I don't have to say what that little punk pos is.
geaugafletcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 215
OP, you're sounding a lot like a kid here, too.
I agree with the posters who say "MAN UP" and talk to the kid directly. It's his responsibility to make it right, tell him simply to replace the ratchet or pay up. Don't get angry, don't weasel around and fester about it, don't tolerate excuses or foolishness, just go for the facts. End of story.
Probably the kid will never offer recompense and you'll have just learned never to loan tools. Remember, he didn't shoot your wife and steal your dog. In the long run, $100 is a pretty small price to pay.
I agree with the posters who say "MAN UP" and talk to the kid directly. It's his responsibility to make it right, tell him simply to replace the ratchet or pay up. Don't get angry, don't weasel around and fester about it, don't tolerate excuses or foolishness, just go for the facts. End of story.
Probably the kid will never offer recompense and you'll have just learned never to loan tools. Remember, he didn't shoot your wife and steal your dog. In the long run, $100 is a pretty small price to pay.
Merkava_4
Banned
I was just thinking that if this was a military aircraft and not a Ford Focus, the aircraft would be grounded and the whole entire squadron would come to a screeching halt until that ratchet and socket were found. And if this occurred out on the tarmac, every single person available would be walking the runway down until the tools were found. Now if the tools were still not found on the aircraft, in the building, or out on the tarmac, someone would be swimming the dumpster. I can still remember the smell of rotting coffee grounds.
I couldn't agree more. From people not returning them, leaving them under hoods, on roofs, and the kids dragging them all over hells creation, I have lost umpteen dozen tools. Life goes on. Some people don't feel the same responsibility with others possessions, so don't lend them.
Call the Focus owner and see if it is still under the hood. If it isn't and your coworker will not replace it ,then consider it one of life's lessons and move on. Being bitter will only make things worse and theres nothing worse than bad relations at work.
Merkava_4
Banned
I still can't understand how this kid could have a clear conscience and not be the least bit concerned about the situation. If it were me that lost the tool, I couldn't get it replaced fast enough!
Merkava_4
Banned
Zeroek, PM me your name and the phone number to the dealer and I'll call the shop foreman myself.
This sad situation is why I am seeing more and more shops have a strict "no loaning of tools" policy between techs. This is part of the hiring orientation and is strictly enforced as long as you work there. The first infraction and you load up you tool box and out the door....No expections; don't care if you are/were the best damn tech and $maker in the shop...you are gone.
The trend is due to too many shops having to deal with this type of BS which ruins the moral and spirit of the shop.
The trend is due to too many shops having to deal with this type of BS which ruins the moral and spirit of the shop.
Yeah, ask for his email and post back; we will fill it up with adware, spam, ****, etc if he does not resolve the matter promptly....
This thread brings back memories of tools lost. Sometimes, I was the one who left my tools under the hood. I nearly always got them back, though.
Some points to consider:
1. You now have a valid and completely sound reason for keeping your box off limits and never lending anything to any other tech in that shop ever again.
2. If guys such as "the kid" in your shop are not required to provide their own tools, and the shop takes in jobs such as Focus headlight replacements for which they have no tools, then said shop should send the kid down to Mao Mart in the shop truck with a $20 bill to purchase the tools needed for the job.
3. The shop foreman may (or may not) get tired of replacing tools lost by kids with no respect for anything. Such kids may end up getting replaced instead of the tools. If the foreman is not bothered by this, the shop owner will be, and maybe the foreman will get replaced.
Some points to consider:
1. You now have a valid and completely sound reason for keeping your box off limits and never lending anything to any other tech in that shop ever again.
2. If guys such as "the kid" in your shop are not required to provide their own tools, and the shop takes in jobs such as Focus headlight replacements for which they have no tools, then said shop should send the kid down to Mao Mart in the shop truck with a $20 bill to purchase the tools needed for the job.
3. The shop foreman may (or may not) get tired of replacing tools lost by kids with no respect for anything. Such kids may end up getting replaced instead of the tools. If the foreman is not bothered by this, the shop owner will be, and maybe the foreman will get replaced.
Dude, there are kids SHOOTING other people everyday it seems without a care in the world. That type of stuff didn't happen 15-20 years ago.
Merkava_4
Banned
Zeroek, what town do you live in and what's the dealership's name? I might just pull the Learjet out of the hanger and take care of this matter myself.
Picts of said jet or ban.
Merkava_4
Banned
It's just beyond my comprehension that the kid doesn't care; I just can't seem to get passed that.
boiler7904
Well-known member
If you know the guy is irresponsible, why would you loan him good tools?
Time for a substandard loaner set. Hell, buying the guy a small Craftsman set on sale would be cheaper and easier on you than what you're going through now.
Time for a substandard loaner set. Hell, buying the guy a small Craftsman set on sale would be cheaper and easier on you than what you're going through now.