Tool Truck question

[guitarbutt]

I don't work for a mechanic shop or business that a tool truck would go to. I do have a small pocket sized Snap On 2 in 1 screwdriver and I bought it online. I'd like to buy another one or two and a couple small pocket screwdrivers (ones that have a flat blade and a magnet, or a flat blade and a small Phillips). It won't be a big purchase but in general, do tool trucks let you walk in and make a purchase? How do you approach the truck? I've never seen the inside of one, let alone interacted with them. I just want to buy a couple small things, thank them, and leave.

 

[Ronson25]

Goto a local shop and ask when the snap on man comes by or if anyone has his number and call and ask to meet at one of his stops. Dealer should have no problem helping you out

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

You can usually find one in your area with a Google search. Then I would call them and ask when they would be available to meet. Most likely if you are giving them money they will sell to you. The only time I ever seen one not is when my dad was looking for a certain socket and seen a Mac truck so he stopped guy wouldn’t even say anything to him besides he wouldn’t sell to him cause he didn’t want “some weekend warrior or some construction worker buying tools” then stated how his tools were for professionals only.

 

[Dave455]

I don't work for a mechanic shop or business that a tool truck would go to. I do have a small pocket sized Snap On 2 in 1 screwdriver and I bought it online. I'd like to buy another one or two and a couple small pocket screwdrivers (ones that have a flat blade and a magnet, or a flat blade and a small Phillips). It won't be a big purchase but in general, do tool trucks let you walk in and make a purchase? How do you approach the truck? I've never seen the inside of one, let alone interacted with them. I just want to buy a couple small things, thank them, and leave.

When I first visited the U.S. I just rang Snap On, told them where I was and they gave me the number of the local dealer. I rang him, he told me where he would be at a certain time the following day (2 mins drive from where I was staying) so I met him there.

Very helpful guy, ordered me in a load of stuff I collected the following visit. Think the guy used to rub his hands when I rang - decent order, cash buyer etc, but the exchange rates at the time meant I was getting it close to half U.K price, so we all got a good deal!

 

[four.cycle]

I saw a white truck in the parking lot of a motorcycle dealer and pulled in and just knocked on the side of the truck.
The guy was more than happy to sell me a couple sockets for cash money.

 

[sweet victory]

I agree with everything that's been posted. My suggestion is to be bring cash and don't expect him/her to open a truck credit account until you two have an established relationship.

 

[jrbpit1]

you can’t swing a dead cat in my area without hitting a Snap-On truck. I’ve bought some off a truck I came across, dealer was glad to do it. Bring cash, and they’ll deal a little bit.

 

[Ricky Joe]

You can usually find one in your area with a Google search. Then I would call them and ask when they would be available to meet. Most likely if you are giving them money they will sell to you. The only time I ever seen one not is when my dad was looking for a certain socket and seen a Mac truck so he stopped guy wouldn’t even say anything to him besides he wouldn’t sell to him cause he didn’t want “some weekend warrior or some construction worker buying tools” then stated how his tools were for professionals only.

Damn! Now I need to know when that was and if the guy is still around!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Damn! Now I need to know when that was and if the guy is still around!

Oh yeah he is still around at least he was as of summer the last time I seen him around. The Mac dealer I deal with is better but won’t take a penny off anything but that’s ok at least he will speak unlike the other Mac guy.

 

[Ricky Joe]

So now you get an anecdote, told to me by the Snap-On guy back when I operated my truck garage.

When the Grateful Dead played in Roanoke, Virginia in 1987, he got a call asking if he would sell them some tools. He said sure and went to the Roanoke Civic Center. Roadies and crew members swarmed the truck, and he couldn’t write the items down fast enough. They practically cleaned him out. As the guys left the truck, Glenn was worried how and if he was going to get paid. He needn’t have. After everyone left, a guy came on the truck and asked what was owed. This was before computers, so it took Glenn a while to figure it. When he told the guy, he didn’t blink, just paid him in cash.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Oh yeah he is still around at least he was as of summer the last time I seen him around. The Mac dealer I deal with is better but won’t take a penny off anything but that’s ok at least he will speak unlike the other Mac guy.

What part of town do you work in?

 

[msharley]

I don't work for a mechanic shop or business that a tool truck would go to. I do have a small pocket sized Snap On 2 in 1 screwdriver and I bought it online. I'd like to buy another one or two and a couple small pocket screwdrivers (ones that have a flat blade and a magnet, or a flat blade and a small Phillips). It won't be a big purchase but in general, do tool trucks let you walk in and make a purchase? How do you approach the truck? I've never seen the inside of one, let alone interacted with them. I just want to buy a couple small things, thank them, and leave.

Hey GB,

Like the other fellers said...

Knock on the side & say, "Hello."...

I meet the local Snap On feller at the shop closest to me.....

CASH is KING!

Later, Mark

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

What part of town do you work in?

I work in Christiansburg. We only have a Snap-on truck. If I need something or want something from Mac or Matco I call my dealers that i know in Roanoke. The Mac dealer I know serves mainly Salem and some Roanoke.

 

[Walkers]

For what little you are after just hit eBay.

 

[quickfarms]

My dad has a dealer that comes to his house if he calls the guy

I used to deal with the guy who serviced his shop but they both retired

I was at another friends shop and ordered a couple of tools, even tried to pay fir them but he didn’t want the money because he did not have them in stock. That was the last I ever heard from him.

now I just order them online unless it’s something big then I go through another friend

 

[VolvoRyan]

I order online. I figure everyone's time is money, and I'm not really a big shopper anymore. The brown truck is here more often anyway.

-Ryan

 

[Davefr]

It won't be a big purchase but in general, do tool trucks let you walk in and make a purchase? How do you approach the truck? I've never seen the inside of one, let alone interacted with them. I just want to buy a couple small things, thank them, and leave.

Most dealers will allow walk ins but YMMV. Just keep in mind a couple things:
1. These guys are on a tight schedule and have a large overhead. They need to be selling >>$100's/hour. Don't waste their time drooling over all the shiny chrome. The dealer will likely help you but be brief. (their time is money and helping you is probably costing them in lost time/opportunity)
2. Wait your turn and ask permission before boarding the truck.
3. Pay with cash and don't ask for a discount on a small purchase.
4. Get their business card and pre-arrange any future purchase.
5. Never try to waive them down on the road!! Only approach them at one of their scheduled stops.

Those things go along way in helping develop a good walk in relationship.

For what you mention, it would probably be simpler to just buy online.

 

[FMB4]

I bought an 18mm 3/8" drv SO deep socket from a SO truck that I saw behind a service station ('81). Was a 'walk in' so to speak. But I will say this: be prepared to buy more than what you planned on whenever you step into any name brand tool truck...

 

[Ton ton]

Good advice given above. Probably best to spend @ least $200-300 if it is just one time deal. I don't actually go on the truck. I just stand outside and ask for certain hand tools. Then I write a check.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am purely a home gamer and had a situation last week where the blind hole bearing puller I was using broke and I was in a time crunch. Stopped by a local tire shop I do some business with and have seen a Snap-On truck there before. They gave me his telephone number. I called and he confirmed that he had what I needed, told me where he was going to be so I could meet him there. Sold me the tool I needed and now his number is in my cell phone in case I need it again.

 

[PelicanPines]

I find a truck at a location... I have a Ready and Waiting index card with several things I want... I hand it to the driver and ask... may I look for some add-ons when you're ready. Dropping 2 or 3 bennies each time.

I will add... Have close to the right amount of cash on you. Don't try to buy several hex bits with a $100 bill.

Bring a list, buy more is my motto.

 

[99TDR]

Before Amazon, when I've passed a few trucks parked at garages and stopped in to say hi and asked to shop. I was never turned down. I only did it when I was wanting some special tools in mind. But with amazon and other online shopping, I don't bother any longer, and frankly don't see as many tool trucks around either. I guess another victim of the online shopping.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I was in town one day at Napa and saw a Snap-on truck in the next parking lot. I knocked on the door and ask if I could look at and buy a ratchet. The driver had no problem at all. He told me he stops at that place every Wednesday I think it was just for people like me while he eats his lunch. He gave me his card before I left.

Since then there's a local shop that a different driver stops at. If I need something I either call the owner of the shop who is a friend or show up when the driver stops in.

I think what helps is letting the driver know you want to buy something and not just browsing. The drivers I have met never have minded selling me a tool. That might be different if I walked around for 10 minutes, waste his time then get off the truck.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I find a truck at a location... I have a Ready and Waiting index card with several things I want... I hand it to the driver and ask... may I look for some add-ons when you're ready. Dropping 2 or 3 bennies each time.

I will add... Have close to the right amount of cash on you. Don't try to buy several hex bits with a $100 bill.

Bring a list, buy more is my motto.

Several hex bits IS a hundred dollar bill!!!

 

[PelicanPines]

Several hex bits IS a hundred dollar bill!!!

You know... after I typed that... I remembered the "Gold" ones... and just said whatever.

 

[Kscardsfan]

In my experience, cash talks.

 

[johnny_boy02]

I always try to support my local guys first. The phone numbers are pretty easy to find on line so I just text a short introduction, ask if they have what I need, then set up a meeting time around their schedule. I haven’t gotten a negative response yet.

Since time is money For sub $20 stuff I order online.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Last time I needed a snap on truck, I saw him driving around, so I snapped a pic for his number. Made the sign with my hands against my head “I’m gonna call”. Called, asked when he was available, then met up. Made a $150 purchase. I gave him appx $1000 in a couple weeks of buying stuff.

This was in San Diego, California, though. I don’t know about other areas.

 

[dstblj52]

i have never had a tool truck have an issue if i walk to the door and say i want to buy x or y do you have it? browsing is something that happens later

 

[JradM]

I don't work in a shop anymore and when I did, I didn't make enough money to buy from trucks. I read through these comments though and thought "gee whiz, the truck would REALLY have to have something special, or I would really have to NEED it, for me to bother with any of this."

To the OP - you can't find what you need in the Williams catalogue? What about Proto or Wurth?

 

[dstblj52]

I don't work in a shop anymore and when I did, I didn't make enough money to buy from trucks. I read through these comments though and thought "gee whiz, the truck would REALLY have to have something special, or I would really have to NEED it, for me to bother with any of this."

To the OP - you can't find what you need in the Williams catalogue? What about Proto or Wurth?

The only thing I buy from the Mac truck is the locking flexheads all my other ratchets are proto

 

[JradM]

The only thing I buy from the Mac truck is the locking flexheads all my other ratchets are proto

Nice. I have a nice selection of Proto ratchets too - they're my favorites!

I have the XL premium pear heads in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", plus a standard length 3/8". Then I have the non-locking round-head flex 1/4" and 3/8", plus the little classic pear-head 3/8" drive square in a 1/4" body. I still want the 1/2" round-head flex, but otherwise I feel pretty decked out in Proto goodness (I use the flex-head Gearwrench 120XP now, so not in a rush to upgrade. I like having the maximum number of teeth in a long ratchet like that because of the extra swing required to advance to the next tooth).

Those Protos aren't my only ratchets. I might be in danger of someday having more ratchets than sockets.

 

[Ton ton]

The thing I like about my snap on rep is that he gives me paper tool catalogs such as the snap on supplemental catalog. The snap on supplemental catalog has all kinds of knipex pliers and what seems like every variation of gearwrench brand of ratchet wrenches. If it weren't for the snap on supplemental catalog, I probably wouldn't know a lot of these cool tools even existed. Which in the long term of things is probably a bad thing anyway. LOL.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ Use the supplemental catalog for part numbers and research, buy on amazon like a boss. SO still gets plenty of my money.

 

[Snapped-off]

Last time I needed a snap on truck, I saw him driving around, so I snapped a pic for his number. Made the sign with my hands against my head “I’m gonna call”. Called, asked when he was available, then met up. Made a $150 purchase. I gave him appx $1000 in a couple weeks of buying stuff.

This was in San Diego, California, though. I don’t know about other areas.

Is his name "Junk"?

I bet San Diego has 20 or more dealers. There's 2 just in my area.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Is his name "Junk"?

I bet San Diego has 20 or more dealers. There's 2 just in my area.

Yes, last name Junk. Cool team (him and the girl, I forget her name).

It’s a good thing work took me back up into the inland empire, otherwise I’d have gone even MORE broke buying from them lol.

 

[six-point socket II]

Years ago I found the dealer for my area via the local (German) Snap-On site. Our very first interaction (I'm not a workshop) was friendly but not overly welcoming and he left me sitting between two chairs a little. Since I wanted the tools, and after waiting a few weeks to hear back I contacted Snap-On Germany directly asking if another dealer was available (they have large, fixed areas as I later learned). Merely an hour after I sent that e-mail I get a call from dealer #1, apologizing for forgetting about me and we made an appointment where he would come to my home with this truck. We shook hands that day, I made my purchase which made him realize that I was no-talk but all business = cash for tools on the spot. And the next years he would come around at least once a month, jour fixe.

We are good friends by now, even while currently separated by Covid, as I'm a "high risk" individual through pre-conditions and although double vaccinated I really don't feel like meeting someone who sees so many different people everyday. Especially since I'm, and everyone around me, is extra special careful, it would seem out of place to me, to take that risk currently.

All those years we've had many conversations and I got a feel for how busy my Snappy actually really is, so besides being friends, I now better understand the whole situation wich - again in Germany - is overall a bit different. Having to cover a large area, where customers are rather spotty sprinkled over the map and all together very different from each other (dealerships, speciality garages, a couple of regular automotive workshops) = long drives, good planning, very different requirements by the different customers ... So of course, he was vary at first when an individual inquired about tool purchase. But then again, simply walking up to an automative workshop here, asking when Mr. Snappy comes doesn't work, chances are they don't even know what Snap-On is. So it would be more complicated to find a regular customer of Mr. Snappy, then locating Mr. Snappy himself.

But I'm happy that he is that busy and doing so well. And I hope that we will have a chance at meeting again, the sooner the better.

Kind regards,
Oliver