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Tool Box Dilemma

komobu

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Joined
Dec 16, 2008
Messages
212
Location
Newport News Virginia
Me and a guy at work have a small dispute and I am just wondering where others would stand on this issue.

A guy in our shop borrowed a Roll Back and a driver to move his Condo-sized Mac Macsimizer Tool Box. He has the biggest tool box ever made and both side cabinets. It is about 6 foot high and 12 foot long! Anyways, the owner of the tow company knew him and didnt charge him for the move. He simply lent him a driver and the truck. The two went off to get the toolbox. The owner of the box hooked up the chains, and the driver was working the controls on the truck. The chains weren't hooked up right, and during the loading of it, it fell off the truck! It damaged all the boxes, both top and bottom, and both side cabinets.

Anyways, the owner of the Tow Company felt no responsibility because he did not contract to move the box. The tool box owner knew he was not paying for the transport, and he was just receiving a favor. The Tow Company Owner did notify his insurance company. The insurance company asked if there was a contract to move the box. (The Tow Owner does move tool boxes as required for payment). The owner told them the truth; that it was just a favor and no dollars changed hands and both parties understood it was a favor.

The insurance company looked at the damage and offered the tool box owner 11,500 for damages he received to his box. They also told him they would sell him the box back for 1000, which he accepted. The insurance company told him the tow truck owner had a 1000 deductible on the policy, so they gave him 9500. They told him he got the damaged box and 9500, so that totals 10500, and he would have to get the last 1000 from the tow truck owner because of the deductible. They also made him sign a statement that he was compensated in full and would not seek a claim against the driver or the tow truck company owner or the insurance company.

Now this guy thinks the owner should have to give him the 1000. The Tow owner feels "Why should I have to come out 1000 dollars out of pocket for doing you a favor? "

1st question...If you were the tool box owner would you expect to be paid the thousand from the tow truck owner? If you were the tow truck owner, would you feel obligated to pay that much money out of your wallet knowing that if the move was completed without incident you wouldn't even have received compensation for fuel?

Now the next side of the issue. The box was made by mac tools and they are sending out a mac district manager who has the authority to completely restore the box at no cost (for customer relations). They can provide the drawer faces and other parts as a courtesy. The box was expensive and he paid 16000 for it ten years ago.

If Mac provides all repairs at no charge, do you think the tool box owner should contact the insurance company and refund to them all or part of the money they paid out on the box? Would he be required by law to notify them?

I realize this is a long post, but I am interested what others think on the issue. After some responses I will post my thoughts. I am none of the parties in this incident, just an observer who works in the shop.
 
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hischj

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Jan 11, 2010
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64
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Evansville, IN
The tow owner should not pay him the $1000. He did a second favor by claiming it on insurance for his friend.
 

Theloniousmonk

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Sep 10, 2010
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Where the tall corn grows!
The tow owner should not pay him the $1000. He did a second favor by claiming it on insurance for his friend.


+1... guy is fishing for what he is not owed... accidents happen - if he moved it by himself, who would he blame? favor is a favor in business "all bets off" at that point. ESPECIALLY since the box owner hooked up the chains himself (thus his fault the failure occured in the 1st. place)...
 

Red Green

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Dec 5, 2007
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South Central Michigan
I feel the tool box owner should get nothing from the towing company. He should be offering the towing company some money for agravation of dealing with the insurance company. After all it is the box owners fault that it was damaged seeing that he hooked the chains to the box.

After the insurance pays money its done. If they over estamated the cost of repairs thats on them. I have no idea if he would be required by law to return the money.
 

sjt78

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Joined
Mar 11, 2009
Messages
221
Location
Western NY
The tool box owner should not keep the full insurance payment if the box is restored by Mac for no charge. If he did, he would be getting paid for moving his box which doesn't make sense. The least he could do is give his friend all or most of the money as now that guy has a claim on his insurance and who knows if his premiums will go up.
 

mrholeshot

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Jun 22, 2010
Messages
8,043
First, MAC won't fix it for free. Ain't happening. When you own a tow vehicle (Ive owned several) no matter if you are getting paid, doing a favor or contracting the job you are liable. I've owned that same toolbox set up and it was about 15-16000 10 years ago. He needs to take his 9500 dollars and buy a used set with money left over. If he expects the owner of the wrecker company to pay the 1000 dollar he's out of his mind. Thats what happens when you do people favors.
 
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jeffk14

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Aug 17, 2010
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Location
GA
No dilemma necessary! First of all, the tow co. was doing him a FAVOR and the tool box owner has been compensated in terms that he ACCEPTED. Additionally, MAC is also making him "whole" on top of money received.

From the tow co.'s perspective, I'd tell the guy to pound sand!
 

jeffk14

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First, MAC won't fix it for free. Ain't happening. When you own a tow vehicle (Ive owned several) no matter if you are getting paid, doing a favor or contracting the job you are liable. I've owned that same toolbox set up and it was about 15-16000 10 years ago. He needs to take his 9500 dollars and buy a used set with money left over. If he expects the owner of the wrecker company to pay the 1000 dollar he's out of his mind. Thats what happens when you do people favors.
OR, buy (almost) FIVE of these!!!:lol_hitti
 

hguerrero

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Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
1,344
Location
fort worth, texas
money always ruins friendships...
tow truck guy should tell the tool box guy to go F himself...
tool box guy should throw some money at the tow truck guy to smooth things over...
 

jhelrey

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Sep 15, 2010
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Location
MN
That is the end of their friendship!

The idiot that chained up the box is responsible!
 

Ben Iv

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Jul 23, 2010
Messages
212
Location
Oklahoma
my question it why in the hell would you hook chains onto a tool box and drag it up a roll back? I understand he had to move it but i think thats crazy.
 

ThatsWhatSheSaid

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Oct 30, 2010
Messages
160
Location
Michigan
If I was the owner of the tool box, I think Id be happy with the 9500 considering the tow truck driver did a favor by going through insurance. If the job was simply done with some random persons trailer and this happened he never would have gotten anything so he should be happy with the 9500 and then see what MAC will do.
 
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FastKat

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Jan 4, 2010
Messages
553
Think about how this would play out: Insurance company assesses the damages at $11,500, and pays out $9,500 taking into consideration $1,000 for selling the box back to the owner and $1,000 that the tow company owner must pay the box owner. So the dispute is over that $1,000.

Say the box owner gets Mac to fix the box for free... that's his gain. The money was paid out as agreed damages. He accepted the money from the insurance company in return for a promise not to bring further suit against the insurance company. It's a done deal - actually a valid contract that has been fully executed. The money is his to do whatever he wants.

About that $1,000... Let's say this goes to trial. The box owner is going to say that the box was worth $11,500, he was compensated $10,500 by the insurance company, and was still owed $1,000 by the tow company owner. The tow company owner will introduce evidence that shows the box was fixed for free by Mac, and then argue that the box was worth far more than $1,000... or in other words, that damages were much less than $11,500. That's his best argument for not paying the $1,000... that the insurance company incorrectly assessed the damages. His evidence would be that the box was fixed for far less than what the insurance company paid. If the court determines that $11,500 was the correct amount for damages, the tow company owner would probably be liable for that $1,000.
 

babzog

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Apr 20, 2009
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Location
Eastern Ontario, Canada
my question it why in the hell would you hook chains onto a tool box and drag it up a roll back? I understand he had to move it but i think thats crazy.

Having never seen a toolbox being moved, I wonder, how would you go about getting it up there?

As for the questions... No, buddy shouldn't be asking the tow operator for the $1k. Yes, he should keep the money from insurance. How he gets the box fixed is up to him, the ins. company simply paid out what they were supposed to and that chapter is closed. He could buy new, buy used, fix the old, call in favours, whatever - has nothing to do with the ins. company after the cheque is written.
 

wornoutoldman

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Sep 9, 2010
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4,264
Location
Conover WI "God's Country"
If MAC does in fact repair the boxes at N/C he should contact the Insurance company and the tow company and return the cash. If not it sounds settled already. If he had contracted and paid for the move then he would be entitled to the missing $1000 (deductible) however this does not appear to be the case here. Considering the intent of the parties (it was a "favor"). He made out just fine.
 

4x4gearhead

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New Hampshire
If I were his tow truck buddy id tell him to go pound sand, and it does seem kind of redundant that he got 10,500 for the tool box when it could have been restored by mac...
 

Fubar

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Jan 22, 2010
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Cape Cod Ma
Now the next side of the issue. The box was made by mac tools and they are sending out a mac district manager who has the authority to completely restore the box at no cost (for customer relations). They can provide the drawer faces and other parts as a courtesy. The box was expensive and he paid 16000 for it ten years ago.

If Mac provides all repairs at no charge.........

Wasn't there a guy on here a few months back that had a big go-a-round with Mac about a blatant structural failure in a new tool box??? And it was only resolved through complaining online about it?? Am I remembering it correctly??

Why would Mac pay out for somebody else's negligence like that? It doesn't make sense that they would want to cover the damages. Of course, the way you have stated it "Who HAS the authority" is the key here. They didn't guarantee DOING anything, just a look...

Anyhoo, They guy should be thanking the tow truck owner for claiming it... especially since it's all his fault that he didn't make absolutely sure that HIS investment was properly secured....
 

mrholeshot

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Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
8,043
Why does everyone keep talking about MAC fixing the toolbox. It's just not going to happen. It would be like Ford repairing my F150 after the tow truck hauling it rolled off a cliff. There is no customer relations that good or that stupid. If it was a warranty issue thats one thing but they don't warranty against stupidity. I hauled a few tool boxes on my low roll back trailer for technicians that were coming to work for me. No part of the loading, unloading or transport ever involved a peice of chain. In my business we towed a lot of lowered cars and for that we used a Roll back trailer(very low) so thats what I used to move my guys in with. I would have at least (8) 4 inch wide straps to secure it. I can't imagine trying to put a Macsimizer on my Jerr-Dan rollback with end cabs on both ends.
 

trebomb

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Dec 23, 2009
Messages
134
Location
Iowa
Although it seemed like a deal, he probably shouldn't have bought back the damaged box. More to put towards a replacement via ebay or locally. Of course, he'll have to find someone else to transport his replacement!
 

crewchief888

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Dec 3, 2009
Messages
13,751
Location
NW indiana
just my $0.02 but i dont let anyone move my boxes.
not 1 foot,
or across the shop,
and definitely not on a roll deck.

ive moved my boxes around the shop, from one shop to another,from one house to another, to another, back and forth to 3 different garages and cross country and havent dropped one yet.


:beer:
 
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Now Leaving , NJ
First, MAC won't fix it for free. Ain't happening. When you own a tow vehicle (Ive owned several) no matter if you are getting paid, doing a favor or contracting the job you are liable. I've owned that same toolbox set up and it was about 15-16000 10 years ago. He needs to take his 9500 dollars and buy a used set with money left over. If he expects the owner of the wrecker company to pay the 1000 dollar he's out of his mind. Thats what happens when you do people favors.
I agree
when I flatbed my box , I hook the chains , then use my own tiedowns
 

Gtamazing

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Oct 4, 2010
Messages
607
Location
Fort Erie On.
The owner of the box is clearly an idiot.
a)Don't ask your buddy for $1000 after he got his insurance to pay out $9500
b)Learn how to rig your chains. BTW I would have used straps and several of them to be safe.
 

NJHandyGuy

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Feb 21, 2010
Messages
3,997
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Brick Nj baby
OKAY what i'm going to say here may seem offensive GOOD INTENTED

why the hell would ANY towing company owner do a favor pro bono seriously

82 k flatbed at least 8600 a year insirance that i GUARANTEE just hit 10-11k

maintainence fuel bet hat driver makes 16.50 an hour or better.

problem 1

problem to tow operator needs to be fired immediately without ??? and kept out of as truck seriously what happpens when there is a car behind the truck next time *****

i would NEVER EVER EVER EVER let a customer do there own hook up

if i am on the side of the road they go in the cab

junk car iu'll handle it thanks again ma'am

Are you freaking kidding me i'm actually MORE pissed off reading this after the day i've had.

Now i find tech to be partially (mostly) at fault here unless the truck owner was WOEFULLY neglegent about chain/winch/strap maintainance then failure to properly hookup the box falls on tech.
 

NJHandyGuy

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Messages
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Brick Nj baby
A guy in our shop borrowed a Roll Back and a driver to move his Condo-sized Mac Macsimizer Tool Box. He has the biggest tool box ever made and both side cabinets. It is about 6 foot high and 12 foot long! Anyways, the owner of the tow company knew him and didnt charge him for the move. He simply lent him a driver and the truck. The two went off to get the toolbox. The owner of the box hooked up the chains, and the driver was working the controls on the truck. The chains weren't hooked up right, and during the loading of it, it fell off the truck! It damaged all the boxes, both top and bottom, and both side cabinets.

Anyways, the owner of the Tow Company felt no responsibility because he did not contract to move the box. The tool box owner knew he was not paying for the transport, and he was just receiving a favor. The Tow Company Owner did notify his insurance company. The insurance company asked if there was a contract to move the box. (The Tow Owner does move tool boxes as required for payment). The owner told them the truth; that it was just a favor and no dollars changed hands and both parties understood it was a favor.

The insurance company looked at the damage and offered the tool box owner 11,500 for damages he received to his box. They also told him they would sell him the box back for 1000, which he accepted. The insurance company told him the tow truck owner had a 1000 deductible on the policy, so they gave him 9500. They told him he got the damaged box and 9500, so that totals 10500, and he would have to get the last 1000 from the tow truck owner because of the deductible. They also made him sign a statement that he was compensated in full and would not seek a claim against the driver or the tow truck company owner or the insurance company.

Now this guy thinks the owner should have to give him the 1000. The Tow owner feels "Why should I have to come out 1000 dollars out of pocket for doing you a favor? "

1st question...If you were the tool box owner would you expect to be paid the thousand from the tow truck owner? If you were the tow truck owner, would you feel obligated to pay that much money out of your wallet knowing that if the move was completed without incident you wouldn't even have received compensation for fuel?

.

there is even more working here then i thought. Legally the tower is responsible because the box is in his care custody and control (which as i mentioned previously is yet to be determined) now as far a compensation it is what it is even my mom pays for tows ANYHING cn happen protect yourself. But that is what it is. Now as far as insurance goes. If it were me i would a told tech to go fornicate his mother. I would driver myself and tech figure outa alternative payment methods. that damamge claim sits on insurance reports 5-7 years and can screw up a multatude of contracts for the towing company as well as drive costs up tremendously.

Again customers should never have there own hook up ever for eny reason. but that wasn't the case.

Next when loading depending on where in the loading process it happened safety procautions were definately not followed if it was while winching why wasn't the box "CRADLED" on the truck when it hit 1/2 way up why no safety chains for that much damage alot of stupidity had to be at work.

I do alot of boxes palletized freight scrap metals yearly not one damage claim. alot working here.
 
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35mastr

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Dec 6, 2007
Messages
2,534
Location
Norcal
Mac does not repair toolboxes. Drawers,Slides and parts can be purchased at the customers expense. They will only do Good Will repairs on an issue that was caused in the manufaturing process or defective parts.

This stuff is only covered for defects and not damage as falling off the truck.

They are not in the business of repairing tool boxes . Never have been.
 
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