Tool borrowing

[Brownsfan]

How many of you guys here that work in shop have customers that ask to borrow tools? I get this like every other day. Do they not understand the reasoning why I always say no? They look at me like I am the *******. I just dont get it.They act like they are entitled to them or something

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Customers ask? That is insane, defiantly no.

What are asking to borrow and for what?

 

[HaroRider]

Charge double what the tool is worth. If they dont bring it back they dont get the money back.

However I could see how this could lead to headaches anyway.

I am also curious to know what they are asking to borrow?

 

[lennoxlennox]

say sure... mind if i borrow your wife

 

[HaroRider]

That works until you get a guy who really hates his wife lol.. might not be a bad thing though..

 

[Brownsfan]

It is usually a screwdriver or a drill etc. I have a automotive electronics shop. Or they come in asking what could be wrong and you tell them a few things it could be. Then the ask well cant you come out and look? Sure for 65 bucks. They say well it something simple. So let me get this straight, you want me to diagnose your problem on equipment you did not buy from me? How exactly does that benifit me at all? I am not in buisness to help you for free. Or they just bought something and did not want to pay for install then ask to borrow tools instead. I say sure for the price for install you can borrow a tool but then you may as well have me do it. I just dont understand how people think that this was a good thing to ask and I would just say sure why not.

 

[Roots]

I never would have imagined that would be an issue, I can't imagine being that audacious, especially as a non-customer.

 

[Givl Reggin]

How many of you guys here that work in shop have customers that ask to borrow tools?

Are these regular customers or just someone that stopped by to borrow a tool?

If it's a regular customer I don't see the harm in doing it occasionally... especially if it's the kind of tool a regular guy wouldn't own.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

say sure... mind if i borrow your wife

What are your going to do if someone agrees to those terms??

 

[cascivic]

its the"cheeseburger today...pay tomorrow" world we live in now a days.. everyone thinks there entitled to everything. and everyone whos ever shopped in a store or business think they can run a store or business. the general public are mostly retarded and dont care anymore theres no etiquette for anything people just say and do anything and see what they can get away with...and if they dont agree theyll just find a forum or facebook or yelp etc to bash you to hell about it.


sorry rant over..been in retail too long : )

 

[Elroy]

Elroy will allow a person to borrow tools if he's working on a twin turbo sports car

 

[Brownsfan]

Are these regular customers or just someone that stopped by to borrow a tool?

If it's a regular customer I don't see the harm in doing it occasionally... especially if it's the kind of tool a regular guy wouldn't own.

No just walk ins. The guy that bought the stuff elseware came in FOUR TIMES trying to get me to look at. Sometimes I wonder if I am on hidden camera or something. I agree cascivic these people just think that they are the customer so they run the show. Whoever originated the Customer is always right saying, they need to live in todays world and see if that still applies. It just does not stop. I get guys that come in and want the loudest car in the city for 200 bucks installed with tax. It is wearing me down and I am think of shifting all my work to strictly dealer and other forms of expediting.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I will allow a hot costumer to borrow my tool, but not the one in the tool box, but the one in pants............

 

[cascivic]

No just walk ins. The guy that bought the stuff elseware came in FOUR TIMES trying to get me to look at. Sometimes I wonder if I am on hidden camera or something. I agree cascivic these people just think that they are the customer so they run the show. Whoever originated the Customer is always right saying, they need to live in todays world and see if that still applies. It just does not stop. I get guys that come in and want the loudest car in the city for 200 bucks installed with tax. It is wearing me down and I am think of shifting all my work to strictly dealer and other forms of expediting.

yeah i know it def wasn't invented in 2012 society...when it was invented it was true and could be stood behind. not anymore. I have been an operations manager for a large company(that your wives probably love to frequent) and you should see the **** people pull everyday. the bad part about my job is being its a corporation what you say can be writtendown/recorded or even put on youtube(yes this has happened) and i can lose my job for telling someone that there wrong and in a nice way "go screw" they can go sit back in there chair and email corporate (and lie) and most of these companies apologize and send them the item free AND a 20 dollar gift card.. then they go attack the employee for providing bad customer service

 

[Lowridermig]

I get this too. Maybe once a week you get one diy'er asking what size is the bolt on his bmw x5 rear caliper and if they may barrow the tool "really quick" NOPE

 

[wornoutoldman]

"Sorry Clueless Not Even a Customer but I use those tools every five minutes to earn my living and feed my family" "if you'd like to bring your vehicle in my labor charges are $***"

 

[darkk]

Everything in my shop costs money....even you.

 

[jetmech09]

I let a customer borrow a tool once, however it was on the same aircraft I was working on. BUT, the customers are also mechanics.

 

[Talus]

I was riding my motorcycle out in the middle of Massachusetts a few years ago, about 200 miles from home, and my shifter lever fell off while I was going through a town. I pulled over, got the lever that was laying in the middle of the road and pushed the bike over to the nearest gas station, right in front of the shop's garage door. I walked into the shop and asked one of the mechanics if I could borrow a 5mm hex to put my shifter back on, explaining to him that it'd just take a second to torque the one fastener down. He looked at me with disdain, let out an exaggerated sigh, walked over to his toolbox and grabbed a hex drive socket & ratchet. It was easy to tell that he was really annoyed with the request. It literally took about 3/4 of a turn and 2 seconds to get it locked on.

I won't led my tools out, but I wouldn't have acted like this if someone needed help like I did.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

If something Talus mentioned, I would not mind. long as I can see the person. If out of my sight, then no.

 

[Toolman12]

Brownsfan I owned a stereo Installation shop for 10 years and that question came up everyday so i put a large sign behind the counter telling that if they wanted to borrow a tool to fix something on their car they had to leave a cash deposit.Wish i had a pic of the sign but it went like this screwdriver $50.00 wrench $60.00 ratchet $75.00 wire cutters (strippers) $100.00 a lot of people thought it was a joke but when i took out the lease Rental agreement like at a tool rental store they got the message real fast. Also had a sign that said we get payed for what we know not just for what we do. So if it was someone else's equipment they wanted advise on and wanted me too look at to see what's wrong. I charged by the minute and made sure they knew it before i walked out to their vehicle

 

[redwrench60]

Yeah this happens from time to time. My favorite is when a car is towed in, a repair order is written, a diagnosis and estimate is made, then promptly declined. Next thing you know the customer is fixing it in the parking lot and needs to borrow a "really long screwdriver" or something. My tools don't leave the shop and customers aren't allowed in work areas.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

What are your going to do if someone agrees to those terms??

Yeah, and his wife is very ***** and wanting some action.....

 

[Brownsfan]

This thread just took a awful turn for the worst. Didnt someone mention USA is not stamped on SO dual 80 ratchets? Anyyhing to get that picture out of my head.

 

[Brownsfan]

Brownsfan I owned a stereo Installation shop for 10 years and that question came up everyday so i put a large sign behind the counter telling that if they wanted to borrow a tool to fix something on their car they had to leave a cash deposit.Wish i had a pic of the sign but it went like this screwdriver $50.00 wrench $60.00 ratchet $75.00 wire cutters (strippers) $100.00 a lot of people thought it was a joke but when i took out the lease Rental agreement like at a tool rental store they got the message real fast. Also had a sign that said we get payed for what we know not just for what we do. So if it was someone else's equipment they wanted advise on and wanted me too look at to see what's wrong. I charged by the minute and made sure they knew it before i walked out to their vehicle

So what are you doing these days?

 

[Talus]

This thread just took a awful turn for the worst. Didnt someone mention USA is not stamped on SO dual 80 ratchets? Anyyhing to get that picture out of my head.

You're looking for trouble!

 

[Talus]

Brownsfan I owned a stereo Installation shop for 10 years and that question came up everyday so i put a large sign behind the counter telling that if they wanted to borrow a tool to fix something on their car they had to leave a cash deposit.Wish i had a pic of the sign but it went like this screwdriver $50.00 wrench $60.00 ratchet $75.00 wire cutters (strippers) $100.00 a lot of people thought it was a joke but when i took out the lease Rental agreement like at a tool rental store they got the message real fast. Also had a sign that said we get payed for what we know not just for what we do. So if it was someone else's equipment they wanted advise on and wanted me too look at to see what's wrong. I charged by the minute and made sure they knew it before i walked out to their vehicle

You ever have anyone leave a deposit and borrow tools because of that sign?

 

[fredybender]

Small little story;
My first car was a 1978 Scirocco bought in 1981. Did not know squat about ANYTHING on cars at that time (parents were both in art, and litterature...)
manged to start wrenching, to get from A to B...

One evening changed a caliper, bled my brakes, and went... Only to see later on, that I did not tighten the bleeder enough. I had no more brakes, and I could feel it, and I knew what I did wrong. I was 17. I was in front of a service center, and asked if I could borrow a 7mm key (and also stated I could give him a few $ to borrow the key.)
His answer was : "Get out of here, I am making my living with my tools."

Drove home downshifting, and making the best of what I had...
No paying it forward in today's world; too hard for compassion in todays society...

Then again that was close to 32 years ago, but I'm sure this story still applies in todays happenings...
I know I can see in the eyes of a person if he needs a helping hand; I'm not saying to give your heart on a platter, but I know that I would have given more than what I asked for , in return...
Cheers!
Fred

 

[lennoxlennox]

Yeah, and his wife is very ***** and wanting some action.....

slap the thighs and ride the wave in

 

[wreckercologist]

I get this every so often from customers. I usually go ahead and lend them the tool(s). It's usually just a screwdriver or socket for installing a license plate, or a tire inflator or gauge. Kind of hard to say no when they just signed a check for a new truck. Hell, I have a worse time getting tools back from the sales staff.

If the tools don't come back, I just step on the truck and buy more.........and give the bill to the shop.

I don't lend power tools to customers or allow them access to jacks/jack stands. And if they, the customer, is a real "tool", I just go do whatever for them and tell the SM to pad the bill.

 

[magova1104]

You're looking for trouble!

Ha ha ha! Cheeers mates!!!

And I don't mind to borrow a screwdriver at all:

 

[Honda guy]

Fortunately, I work in the back part of the service dept, away from the door. The tech closest to the door, ends up dealing with most of the customers who happen to wander in.

If I suspect that a customer is headed in my direction to ask about borrowing a tool, I'll act like I don't see him and avoid contact. This usually works, and the customer approaches a friendlier looking tech.

If a customer does ask to borrow my tools, I very politely, but bluntly, tell them "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't loan out my tools".

I don't mind loaning my tools to fellow employees, but they've been informed about my "tool rules", and know how to treat my stuff.

 

[JDS968]

Never happened to me...I don't think our customers even have more than a vague notion of how tools work, much less any idea of what to do with them.

 

[D9H 90V]

A customer of the parts dept. came in and bought a brake light bulb for his Chevy pickup then came into the shop and asked to borrow a screwdriver, I told him no but id change the bulb for him

 

[Skin]

Small little story;
My first car was a 1978 Scirocco bought in 1981. Did not know squat about ANYTHING on cars at that time (parents were both in art, and litterature...)
manged to start wrenching, to get from A to B...

One evening changed a caliper, bled my brakes, and went... Only to see later on, that I did not tighten the bleeder enough. I had no more brakes, and I could feel it, and I knew what I did wrong. I was 17. I was in front of a service center, and asked if I could borrow a 7mm key (and also stated I could give him a few $ to borrow the key.)
His answer was : "Get out of here, I am making my living with my tools."

Drove home downshifting, and making the best of what I had...
No paying it forward in today's world; too hard for compassion in todays society...

Then again that was close to 32 years ago, but I'm sure this story still applies in todays happenings...
I know I can see in the eyes of a person if he needs a helping hand; I'm not saying to give your heart on a platter, but I know that I would have given more than what I asked for , in return...
Cheers!
Fred

In your situation i think most would of been happy to help because you were in a bind. However would you lend people tools to repair their electronics while they're using your parking when you're an electronic repair shop? Someone doesnt need their stupidly huge trunk mounted subwoofer to make it home safely.

Just make a sign and be done with it. Either take deposits or make one that just flat out says 'we do not rent tools/our time is not free.'

 

[geologist]

One time I was clearing a hillside of brush and deadfall for a guy building a cabin. The brush was to be burned, but the wood was hauled away to be chipped (township provides an industrial chipper capable of eating logs). As I was finishing up, this guy asks me if I can haul off a load of junk for him.

I said "Sure. It's going to be $50 per truck load." He flipped out and said "Can't you just haul it off?" as if I'm supposed to have some free magic disposal area for everything. I told him $25 goes to the city for sorting and disposal, $5 goes in the gas tank (gas was a buck a gallon back them) and $20 pays for the time I'll have in hauling and properly disposing of it. Guess he probably dumped it in a ravine somewhere. I hate litter bugs.

 

[davesnothere]

I can't imagine a customer asking to borrow tools.
If one did, I would do as someone previously suggested, and get a deposit of twice the value of the tool.

 

[Crusty Nut]

I had just the opposite one time. I went to a shop and wanted to pay them to taper ream a hole for a tie rod. The guy goes to his box, gets the ream and says here you go, just bring it back when you are done. I asked him if he wanted a deposit, or a copy of my license or something. He just says, no, you'll bring it back.
Of course I went home, used his ream, and brought it back with lunch for him.
It was pretty weird though.

 

[obsessive]

I've been on both sides, and the answer was always dependent on the customer, the tool, and the situation. As a (motorcycle) mechanic, I had customers ask to borrow simple tools for a few minutes, like a screwdriver to install a license plate. I had a customer ask to borrow my vacuum gauges overnight to sync his carbs. He offered a deposit, which I took, and returned them the next day. All understandable, and no problem for me.

But when I was asked for overnight loans of regular tools, like sockets and ratchets, I declined. Those are things I could not do my job without, and things that I would expect anyone with mechanical skills to own.

As a customer, I bought a transmission cooler from the Dodge dealership where I bought my truck. The parts guy said the installation required the use of a special tool to release the transmission fluid line from the radiator. This was a one-time deal for me. One of the mechanics at the dealership loaned me his, at the end of the day, to be returned in the morning. That was fantastic, and one of the reasons I stayed faithful to that dealership.

 

[jeep450]

When I was at the dealership I would make the salesmen leave me their wallet with whatever was in it. One guy got smart and didn't have anything in it. Ok, take off that gold chain and Rolex.