Tool Trucks and Global Satellite Positioning Devices

[Merkava_4]

I wish I could access the exact location of the tool truck in real time. I envision a map on my computer screen with little blinking red dots; each one representing a Snap-on tool truck.

I called the Snap-on guy on Friday and asked him where he'd be in 30 minutes. He said, "in the Blackstone & Herndon area." I said, "fine, I'll meet you out there." No where to be found.

 

[dirtball]

That would be awesome. It makes sense too, just like any other retailer. It's pretty ridiculous that the average guy that wants a tool off of a tool truck has to practically chase the guy down. I imagine it would be nice if they could turn off the GPS when they got home though.

 

[Merkava_4]

I imagine it would be nice if they could turn off the GPS when they got home though.

They'd probably forget to turn it back on the next morning. It needs to be on a timer - like 8AM to 5PM or something.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Your Obsessions are growing at a nice rate, you will be a pro stalker in no time at all.

Next you will be sneaking on his truck at night and cleaning and shining the tools

 

[Merkava_4]

I got a new 7/16" combo I got off of ebay. It's slightly irregular. I want to trade it in because it's broached off center ever so slightly. The guy could give me a perfect one and sell this one to somebody else. Nobody would notice the difference unless they're an obsessive expert.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

All the Snap-on vans over here has GPS tracking. Of course, that's more to do with recovering them if they're stolen than allowing customers to follow them.

The problem with live GPS tracking is it allows thieves to pinpoint the truck's location, which may help in it being robbed or stolen.

 

[swduncan]

I think if I was a tool truck guy I'd set a policy that all non-route new customers could meet me at one of three places: Where I get my morning coffee, where I eat lunch, or where I live (assuming the truck is there) in the evening.

I've got to believe that driving out to the 'burbs to serve some on-again-off-again customer isn't worth it, but if they'll come to you, why not?

The #1 reason aside from price that I don't even consider truck brands is that they aren't accessible. The Snapon site doesn't even have a dealer directory, at least that I can find. Although, there is a link to a page where I can find out how to become a dealer.

I guess that's a good indicator of their priorities....

 

[ImportTuner]

I wish I could access the exact location of the tool truck in real time. I envision a map on my computer screen with little blinking red dots; each one representing a Snap-on tool truck.

I called the Snap-on guy on Friday and asked him where he'd be in 30 minutes. He said, "in the Blackstone & Herndon area." I said, "fine, I'll meet you out there." No where to be found.

Hey Merk, why didn't you call him again when you got to the Blackstone & Herndon area ..

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Next time you're on the truck why not plant a transponder clandestinely. Then you can track him real time.

 

[daveblank]

I think if I was a tool truck guy I'd set a policy that all non-route new customers could meet me at one of three places: Where I get my morning coffee, where I eat lunch, or where I live (assuming the truck is there) in the evening.

They need to meet you at a stop. Ask a customer to hang around for security reasons. Things happen. Be as safe as possible to prevent them from happening. Thieves know the value & will get you if they have the chance.

I actually had a guy step onto my truck while I was at a stop. I said hi & asked how I could help him. He said "I'll wait till he's done then we'll talk". I told him that we were just bench racing. Dude seemed real nervous & my customer picked up on it. Dude started asking "hows busisness today" type of questions. About that time another tech came out & the guy bailed. All of our gut feelings spelled trouble.

 

[Merkava_4]

Hey Merk, why didn't you call him again when you got to the Blackstone & Herndon area ..

You ask too many intelligent questions Bailey.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

How the hell do you know everyone's first name? You must be a stalker..

 

[Merkava_4]

How the hell do you know everyone's first name? You must be a stalker..

That ring you wear on your thumb has a GPS built into it.

 

[Fedwrench]

I got a new 7/16" combo I got off of ebay. It's slightly irregular. I want to trade it in because it's broached off center ever so slightly. The guy could give me a perfect one and sell this one to somebody else. Nobody would notice the difference unless they're an obsessive expert.

This is exactly why most tool truck dealers want nothing to do with non professionals. You got a wrench from Ebay and expect a Snap on dealer to square you away with a perfect wrench. What's in it for the dealer? Are you actually going to buy something from him so, he can make a buck? You really need to remember to take your medicine regularly.
Personally, I think you're the one that needs to wear a GPS unit in the form of an ankle unit so, everyone will know where you are located. No wonder more and more tool truck drivers are getting Concealed weapons carrying permits.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

That ring you wear on your thumb has a GPS built into it.

HOW ARE YOU WATCHING ME???

 

[Merkava_4]

You got a wrench from Ebay and expect a Snap on dealer to square you away with a perfect wrench. What's in it for the dealer?

It's brand new and slightly irregular. He can easily sell it to someone else. He's not out a dime.

 

[Fedwrench]

It's brand new and slightly irregular. He can easily sell it to someone else. He's not out a dime.

Sure he's out more than a dime. You're asking him to shaft someone else with your perceived defective wrench. He is wasting his time and possibly fuel costs stopping to see you, not to mention the emotional damage he would endure listening to your explanation as to why you want a new wrench to replace the one you bought on Ebay. It's a losing situation for the tool truck dealer unless you spend cash.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Sure he's out more than a dime. You're asking him to shaft someone else with your perceived defective wrench. He is wasting his time and possibly fuel costs stopping to see you, not to mention the emotional damage he would endure listening to your explanation as to why you want a new wrench to replace the one you bought on Ebay. It's a losing situation for the tool truck dealer unless you spend cash.

Calm down dude. He isn't taking it to you for replacement..

 

[Merkava_4]

You're asking him to shaft someone else with your perceived defective wrench.

I didn't say "defective" - I said "slightly irregular."

You want me to take a picture of it?

I doubt you could find the irregularity.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Calm down dude. He isn't taking it to you for replacement..

I think his point is, If its good enough to sell to some one else. Then its good enough for you.

 

[autoace]

How the hell do you know everyone's first name? You must be a stalker..

Nah, As long as you don't have big *****, you will be safe from Merk stalking you!

 

[volvo420coupe]

I can already tell you that if there is no cash to be spent when you try to "warranty" that wrench, the answer will be "NO!"

 

[Merkava_4]

I can already tell you that if there is no cash to be spent when you try to "warranty" that wrench, the answer will be "NO!"

Alright, what's the cover charge to get a wrench warranted?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Alright, what's the cover charge to get a wrench warranted?

Buy an F80...that's win win for you and the dealer.

 

[swduncan]

I can already tell you that if there is no cash to be spent when you try to "warranty" that wrench, the answer will be "NO!"

And the truck brands are wondering why their market is shrinking?

Looking at Snapon's pricing, if I should call with a bad product, they should be willing to send a dealer (presumably in my area already) over with a replacement. At 5 times the cost of a "consumer" alternative, there ought to be a more generous warranty, not less.

Really, if the dealer can send the wrench back to SO, why should the dealer be out anything?

Unless SO is screwing the dealer by expecting them to cough up for the warranty.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm charging up the camera battery. Pretty soon we'll all see how "defective" this wrench is.

 

[msrfrog]

Almost all tool trucks will not warranty or exchange unless you spend some money with them. Do not forget they are independent dealers.
But you could go to you local shop find out what day the s/o guy comes and meet him there and give it a shot.

 

[autoace]

I'm charging up the camera battery. Pretty soon we'll all see how "defective" this wrench is.

Have you seen enough Snap-on duds to convice you SO is just another tool company yet?

I sold a set of Hazet wrenches on ebay, for a great price. The guy emailed me after getting them saying one of the wrenches had a defect. I looked those wrenches over real good, they were brand new, and for the life of me I saw no defect. I told the guy I would GLADLY give him his money back plus shipping, and he declined The "defect" was a slight grain texture on part of the satin finish of one wrench, I told him to throw it on the floor and skid it down his driveway a few times, and he probably wouldn't notice the slight grain texture "defect' that I never noticed.

 

[Merkava_4]

Snap-on OEX14B NEW off ebay

If you look closely, you'll see that the
right side of the box end is thinner
than the left side - that's known as
off center broaching.

 

[kwhitelaw]

while it is noticeable in the pic, I dont see that as being a big deal.

I just received the same wrench from Dynodale today, and the box end is "centered" perfectly. guess I got lucky.

my dealer would swap that wrench out if I asked him to, but I've spent alot with him.

 

[ephotrod]

Its not an irregularity its a selling point. The right side of the box end is so that you have access to bolts and nuts in very tight locations, while the left portion of the box end is for all other bolts and nuts. Please note you received this extra as a thank you for your devote respect for the snap on product. Thank you for being such a great customer.
Josh

 

[Merkava_4]

while it is noticeable in the pic, I don't see that as being a big deal.

It's not a big deal at all unless you're an insane perfectionist.

 

[alex71]

Snap-on OEX14B NEW off ebay

If you look closely, you'll see that the
right side of the box end is thinner
than the left side - that's known as
off center broaching.

Toss it in the scrap pile!

 

[Merkava_4]

Toss it in the scrap pile!

No sir ... it's gonna get turned in and resold to an unsuspecting individual; much to the objections of Fedwrench though.

 

[ImportTuner]

Just send it in to Snap On .. their repair/replacement usually takes a week and you don't have to chase anybody down ..

 

[Merkava_4]

Just send it in to Snap On .. their repair/replacement usually takes a week and you don't have to chase anybody down ..

That's Plan (B)

 

[kindyr]

I'm not a tool truck guy, so maybe that's the issue with my confusion.

This wrench has been described as blemished, but not defective.
The tool has been described as essentially brand new and that it could be sold off the truck without difficulty.

I really don't understand what would "obligate" the SO truck owner to warranty it. I can understand that he might, but to me it seems he would be doing it as a favor to Merk. And that would be the kind of favor where, if I were the SO dealer, I'd have to know the person very well, and not need chased down.

Does SO typically warranty blemishes?

 

[kwhitelaw]

I dont see this as a blemish personally.

if everyone jumped at some craftsman professional wrenches or something that were 40% off etc etc, only to get them home and find the box end is offset, they'd be bringin them back to sears and posting up a thread.

the only problem i see is that merk didnt buy them from his local dealer. if his dealer doesnt mind swapping it, then cool. my dealer wouldnt mind swapping, even after i tell him i got it online.


if the chrome was weird, thats a blemish. if the cutting into the tool is off-centered, especially on a snap on tool, I see that as a defect.

kevin

*I would personally keep it and be happy with whatever ebay price I got for it.

 

[bry@n]

Thats a defect for sure. Now suppose your using that wrench in a tight spot and can't get on the nut because it's off cenetered. You would have to grind down the wrnech to work or get another wrench.

I have spent a lot between two dealers this year and both would warranty that wrench with out even getting into it. I would hand it over and get a new one. No questions asked.

In fact, I bought a set of blue point ratcheting combo flex heads off the bay. Had to warranty two of them because the couldn't be tightened up (loose flex). He asked how I liked them and I told him I wasn't too impressed but what can I do? He took them all back and gave me a truck credit. I actually made out in that situation, but I spend with them. I never get on a truck for a warranty without spending some cash. Even if it's just $20.

Merk,
for the record, I meet one Snap On guy and the Mac guy for coffee, while their on the route. The other Snap On guy, I know his area and meet around teh same time/ day each week/ month so.....

 

[Art From De Leon]

Supposedly it was sold as new, yet it has all the rust spots in the box end?

I would have never noticed the off center broaching, and I doubt if, on a Snap On wrench of that size, given the quality of the metal, could ever be broken, in NORMAL service.