Tool Truck Customer Service is doodoo

[RAT_ADDICT]

I live in the canadian maritimes, I'm an apprentice AST. I'm trying to start filling my box with quality tools that will last. I've noticed the tool truck customer service *****!

Mac Tools:

The website tells you to use their service to find a local distributor. It doesn't load anything for Canada even though it's the Canadian website. So I email them. A week has gone by and no response. I scoured the internet looking for the nearest distributor. It returns only 1 result that is 3 hours away. This is inconvenient but I contact them and they tell me they have gone out of business years ago and have no idea who took their route. I think oh well I will just order what I need off of the website and have it delivered to me... well they don't update anything on the website...everything is out of stock so I guess Mac tools is out of the question.

Matco:

This is the same story as with Mac tools there's no contact information for anybody in Canada or at least in my area. So again I email and receive no response from the company So again I resort to Google to find somebody that sells Matco. To my surprise I did find somebody's contact information and they did respond however they refused to give me any information on the phone text or email and told me I have to go to their truck on their route if I want any information on tools. Wtf!

Snap-On:

Again it has the option to find a distributor but doesn't load any results on the website. I know for a fact that there is a snap on guy who stops by the garage I work at but he only goes once a month. And I can't get any of his contact information and I don't know which day of the month he's going to show up. I actually can make purchases on their website but I don't wanna make a purchase for a $300 ratchet without touching first.

I thought the premium paid on these tools was to cover excellent customer service and warranty how is it justifiable when I have to chase these people down and don't get a response 2/3 of the time I'm starting to think I should just go with Tekton or maybe even Carlyle from Napa (since they are our part supplier anyway).

Anyway I'm starting to believe that I'm never gonna have a tool off of a tool truck and this is a bit of a rant so I'm sorry.

 

[mngundog]

I live in the canadian maritimes, I'm an apprentice AST. I'm trying to start filling my box with quality tools that will last. I've noticed the tool truck customer service *****!

Mac Tools:

The website tells you to use their service to find a local distributor. It doesn't load anything for Canada even though it's the Canadian website. So I email them. A week has gone by and no response. I scoured the internet looking for the nearest distributor. It returns only 1 result that is 3 hours away. This is inconvenient but I contact them and they tell me they have gone out of business years ago and have no idea who took their route. I think oh well I will just order what I need off of the website and have it delivered to me... well they don't update anything on the website...everything is out of stock so I guess Mac tools is out of the question.

Matco:

This is the same story as with Mac tools there's no contact information for anybody in Canada or at least in my area. So again I email and receive no response from the company So again I resort to Google to find somebody that sells Matco. To my surprise I did find somebody's contact information and they did respond however they refused to give me any information on the phone text or email and told me I have to go to their truck on their route if I want any information on tools. Wtf!

Snap-On:

Again it has the option to find a distributor but doesn't load any results on the website. I know for a fact that there is a snap on guy who stops by the garage I work at but he only goes once a month. And I can't get any of his contact information and I don't know which day of the month he's going to show up. I actually can make purchases on their website but I don't wanna make a purchase for a $300 ratchet without touching first.

I thought the premium paid on these tools was to cover excellent customer service and warranty how is it justifiable when I have to chase these people down and don't get a response 2/3 of the time I'm starting to think I should just go with Tekton or maybe even Carlyle from Napa (since they are our part supplier anyway).

Anyway I'm starting to believe that I'm never gonna have a tool off of a tool truck and this is a bit of a rant so I'm sorry.

That's interesting, on some other threads it sounds like the Snap-on guy was 10x more available than Door-dash, available at a moments notice even if you break a socket Sunday night.

 

[mreisner]

Check with other garages near where you Work period Bound to find one that the guy stops at once every week or two . Ask for his number or what day he's going to be there and the time. Introduce yourself and say hey I work at XYZ garage and I want to do some business. If he knows there's more business to be had at a location he will probably stop in more often. A lot of times if the guy doesn't get much business they only stop in once a month as they have a ton of other places to hit that do business every week.

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

That's interesting, on some other threads it sounds like the Snap-on guy was 10x more available than Door-dash, available at a moments notice even if you break a socket Sunday night.

I wish! It's not like that where I live :'(

 

[65ranchero]

Well, look at it this way...At least you won't be spending any money cost saving plus.


Just kidding

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

Well, look at it this way...At least you won't be spending any money cost saving plus.


Just kidding

That's true, but like everyone here I'm addicted to collecting tools and I WILL find other **** to fill the empty spots

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

Check with other garages near where you Work period Bound to find one that the guy stops at once every week or two . Ask for his number or what day he's going to be there and the time. Introduce yourself and say hey I work at XYZ garage and I want to do some business. If he knows there's more business to be had at a location he will probably stop in more often. A lot of times if the guy doesn't get much business they only stop in once a month as they have a ton of other places to hit that do business every week.

Yeah that would probably work, but honestly I hate that I have to hunt these folks down to buy their apparently diamond encrusted tools.

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

I was considering just getting some stuff second hand but then I'd have no warranty which kind of defeats the purpose..

 

[Steve_P]

Unless something has changed, even in the US, the only of the three listed that will connect you with a dealer via their website is Matco. And if you don't work at a shop, you will have to give the Matco website the name and address of a shop near you. Since you don't work at a conventional automotive type shop, even Matco online in the US probably wouldn't help you without "cheating".

As said, go to some local shops and ask for their dealer contacts. You can also search the internet for "snap on dealer" with your location, or do the same search on FB. I don't have a lot of tool truck tools but most of it I've purchased new on Ebay at 20-40% discounts.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Sometimes, a company just doesn't care about business from people like you. They've chosen a market to go after (e.g. geographic, profession), and have things set up to reach it.

 

[nadogail]

When you shop from individual dealers, customer service can vary.

 

[PCustoms]

If snap on goes to your shop, can you ask they person they come to see for the details?

 

[rust in the eye]

You clearly have the interent at your disposal so pretty much any tool brand may be bought that way, probably at a better price.
Hard to justify the premium price of "tool truck brands" without someone to service your business.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I've heard it said and I'm a believer in the phrase: "Behavior is a language. What are their behaviors telling you? That you don't matter."

Seriously, put your money and effort somewhere else. I have a few truck brand items, but I've never set foot on a truck. Ordered direct or bought in the secondary market (some as 'new'). Lots of drivers turn their nose up at individuals vs. shops, possibly because they perceive as a hassle what others might perceive as opportunity to grow their business. They don't always drive a tool truck because they're good at math, and some of them have severe allergies to money.

 

[OneEyedMan]

There is a lot to location. I had an Indy tool guy that stopped at our shop religiously for ten years on his way to a tire shop that bought equipment from him. When the tire shop sold, I saw him a few more times then he quit taking my calls. I was only $50 per week for him but at least five miles out of his way without the tire shop.

SO went through a number of franchisees here and if I wanted to get on their radar, I’d have to pull in to whatever shop they were at and tell them my needs. Most of them found it worthwhile to stop every other week if they were going by.

 

[zendriver]

A little slow I am, so I had to google where the Canadian Maritimes are.

It's not like you live in the middle of nowhere or anything. If you want to try Icon, there is a Harbor Freight in Bangor (680km from Halifax).

Maybe see if SO online will give a full refund if you don't like the feel of their tools.

just kidding on all this good luck, on your job and tools, You'll get it figured out.

 

[Pinne]

Have you called any of these tool companies? All 3 list their contact numbers clearly on their website. I can attest that Snap On's service via phone is excellent.

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

Have you called any of these tool companies? All 3 list their contact numbers clearly on their website. I can attest that Snap On's service via phone is excellent.

I was told by Mac and Snap-on to contact my local tool truck and they didnt give me any info, maybe I'm having bad luck on the weekend...no one wants to work LMAO cant blame them!

 

[alinc100]

One cannot obtain customer service, without first being a customer. LOL
Try looking at tools from CAT. Many of their sockets/tools are made by Snap On at a much lower cost. https://www.toromontcat.com/

 

[a6hux]

Doesn’t someone at your shop have the snap on guys phone number?

 

[Wrench97]

The extra price you pay for Snap on and Mac are only worth it if you get the service to go along with it.
I suspect you are not in a populated area and the tool truck is traveling some distance to service that area which is why you don't see him regularly.

 

[rancherbill]

American companies with their dealer locator are just embarassing. I found two of them today.

If you want to fill your toolbox, take something that shows your in an apprenticeship program and go to PA. The manager here a few years ago would give you the sale price for the last year on a decent order. If you walk in with $2,000 bucks that will buy a huge amount of ProPoint tools.

The Tool Truck sales model are going away. You can jump on Amazon or a millon online retailers and get a new wrench for a broken one quicker than waiting for who knows how long for the truck to show up. Trucks charge premium prices for 'warranty' replacement. Their prices are 2 to 3 times higher than a good industrial brand. You coiuld buy an entire backup set of tools and still have money leftover.

Look in the Tool Truck Brands threads and buy direct. There are only a few items that are unique and truly useful that are not available.

Metalurgy and Manufacturing technology have leveled the field - there is no "superior" brand anymore.

 

[Shoreline_]

If you dont see a truck in your area, Id say spend your money elsewhere. Part of the price of the truck is customer service. Seems crazy to pay Mac prices for Proto and the warranty procedure is the same.

 

[paulsomlo]

Order from Tekton - tools delivered to your door, no chasing someone to take your money.

 

[LWB]

If you're an apprentice I would fill your box with Canadian tire Maximum. I used them for 35+ years in my business and still do. They offer a lifetime warranty and you just have to stop in at the store to swap it out. You can upgrade later.

I have some tool truck brands for personal use that I only purchased recently.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I've noticed the tool truck customer service *****!

I'm starting to believe that I'm never gonna have a tool off of a tool truck and this is a bit of a rant so I'm sorry.

^^^You pretty much nailed it in your first post.^^^

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

If you're an apprentice I would fill your box with Canadian tire Maximum. I used them for 35+ years in my business and still do. They offer a lifetime warranty and you just have to stop in at the store to swap it out. You can upgrade later.

I have some tool truck brands for personal use that I only purchased recently.

Right now that's what I've done. I have one ProtoXL 3/8" (11.5"), one Tekton 3/8 flex-head (12.5"), Tekton screwdrivers(USA) and one Gearwrench 1/2" 120xp (25"). Other than that everything is Maximum or Mastercraft.

 

[Notgrownup]

Won’t you save money with Canadian Tire stuff. Start there. What area are you anyway.

 

[LWB]

Punch "Snap on and your location" into a search engine. Facebook, Instagram, etc should pop up and message them. That's what I did and now he comes around to the shop.

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

Won’t you save money with Canadian Tire stuff. Start there. What area are you anyway.

Northern NB, near Bathurst.

 

[f121]

I was told by Mac and Snap-on to contact my local tool truck and they didnt give me any info, maybe I'm having bad luck on the weekend...no one wants to work LMAO cant blame them!

In the UK at least SO give you the contact details of your local truck…but they then ignored me when I said I was emailing because the local guy had stopped turning up.

 

[Nutria]

Per WildBill's post in another thread, all you need is a single Snap-On 5/8 socket, and you can call it good.

 

[micromind]

Order from Tekton - tools delivered to your door, no chasing someone to take your money.

I agree.

I just recently started buying stuff from them......fairly fast shipping, good prices, automatic 10% off your order to be applied to the next one and I haven't broken any of their tools yet........not that I would ever abuse any tools.....nope, not me.......

I haven't used it but I hear their warranty is pretty good.

 

[MWEric]

Gray tools should be pretty easy to source where you are. Really nice tools and for you probably quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

[51dueller]

Just with him being in Canada, it's cheaper to get Tekton through Amazon as you get free shipping and don't have to pay duty fees as it crosses the border. Some stuff is available with faster prime shipping and some prices are better than straight currency conversion.

Gray is good but they aren't very good at labeling which is Canadian made vs their Taiwan offerings. The Taiwan stuff is overpriced vs other Taiwan brands.

 

[RAT_ADDICT]

Gray tools should be pretty easy to source where you are. Really nice tools and for you probably quite a bit cheaper than the others.

I'm pretty sure that the only things they still make in Canada are Ratchets, Sockets, and Wrenches. Everything else is Taiwan now.

 

[Notgrownup]

Northern NB, near Bathurst.

Wow. I live in North Carolina but I’m originally from Bobtown. (Robertville). Small world for sure.
Good luck finding good tool but I would order online and just save money and buy some decent stuff from CT. Probably better choices of stores in Moncton for sure.

 

[MWEric]

Just with him being in Canada, it's cheaper to get Tekton through Amazon as you get free shipping and don't have to pay duty fees as it crosses the border. Some stuff is available with faster prime shipping and some prices are better than straight currency conversion.

Gray is good but they aren't very good at labeling which is Canadian made vs their Taiwan offerings. The Taiwan stuff is overpriced vs other Taiwan brands.

Same holds true for Mac and Matco. Most of the **** on the truck is overpriced Taiwan.

 

[Steve_P]

Same holds true for Mac and Matco. Most of the **** on the truck is overpriced Taiwan.

This has been true for Mac, Matco, and Cornwell for 20+ years. And people keep saying that the tool truck business model is dead, yet it keeps on living. And I agree, it should've been dead decades ago, except for maybe SO. I guess when you can't get a credit card, or are maxed out, you pay 3X as much for it on the truck and pay weekly.

 

[KnurledNut]

Right now that's what I've done. I have one ProtoXL 3/8" (11.5"), one Tekton 3/8 flex-head (12.5"), Tekton screwdrivers(USA) and one Gearwrench 1/2" 120xp (25"). Other than that everything is Maximum or Mastercraft.

Good looking Carlyle box! How you like it?