Tool Trucks, why?

[jesko10]

As you can see I am from Germany, and I am just curious about the tool trucks I am reading about all the time.

How does that work? I know Snap On sells from trucks, but do they not have any stores? I saw I think only once in my life a Snap on truck. Do they sell to everybody or just to workshops?

There are a couple of companies over here like Würth and Berner who also sell tools from trucks, but mostly consumables. Also, they sell only to workshops.

I can imagine that the choice is somewhat limited compared to a good hardware store. So what is the advantage to buy there.

As said, I am just curious.

Another question: I heard that mechanics in the US work with their own tools , means, when they start working in a shop, they bring their own tools. Is that true? An if yes, how can they afford this?

Thanks for any reply, it is always interesting to know how it works somewhere else.

 

[Monte]

An if yes, how can they afford this?

credit

 

[scott37300]

The trucks sell mostly to just shops with multiple mechanics. Snap on doesn't have any stores, that I am aware of. They do sell online to anyone. One of the dealers on this site, Chad or Shaun, have some pictures of their truck. You would be surprised what all they can fit in that truck, tools and shelves, ceiling, walls, everywhere. The advantage for a mechanic is that the truck comes to them, they don't have to run to the store to get something or to warranty something.

 

[mech.reclined]

Mostly convenience.
Your local tool dealer comes by once a week,exchanging broken tools and showing off the new latest thing.Like the ice cream truck when you were younger.
Most of them will let you carry a small balance due,so much easier to purchase on time.You have the tool in hand,allowing you to make money with it without having to pay for it all upfront.
Thats how most techs start out.Small amount of tools,smaller jobs given to them.As they invest in more equipment,the faster they get the job done,the hopefully better repair orders assigned them.

 

[Rye425]

I never understood tool trucks. I see them on the road all the time but what am I supposed to do? Follow the guy waving and honking . Of course yes I know you can contact them to find the route but being more of an impulse buyer and browser that doesn't fit my purchase style. Yes it's ideal for mechanics

On the other hand if snap-on had stores I would definitely be a poor person so I guess trucks are ok...

 

[route246]

The trucks are for the convenience of the tech. It saves a trip to get something vital to do work.

 

[rt dak]

Do they sell to everybody or just to workshops?

Just shops, although if you see a truck parked somewhere and go up to the guy sometimes they'll be cool and let you in.

I can imagine that the choice is somewhat limited compared to a good hardware store. So what is the advantage to buy there.

You'd be suprised what fits on those trucks, and if they don't have it you ask and they'll usually have it the next week. I don't know of any hardware stores that are stocked like a tool truck. Maybe you have some badass hardware stores over there.

Another question: I heard that mechanics in the US work with their own tools , means, when they start working in a shop, they bring their own tools. Is that true? An if yes, how can they afford this?

Yes usually you have to supply your own tools. Most shops supply things like diagnostic scanners and bigger stuff. Sad truth is a lot of guys can't afford it. It's called debt.

 

[balane]

I worked at a shop that had four different trucks coming around each week. Snap-On, Matco, MAC and Cornwell. Some of the guys would run on-the-truck tabs with all four trucks and when Payday would come around they'd be broke before it was cashed. My eyes still pop out of my head at some of the Snap On prices!

 

[tcsalvage]

very much so convenience. i don't run 20 miles to return broken tools every week plus the trucks let you take tools for a test to see if you like them or not and if you don't just give them back.

 

[jesko10]

This is really interesting. Here it is very different.

The workshops have all the tools. If you want to work as a mechanic you need your degree, which takes usually 3 years to get. But all the tools are supplied. In my opinion that also makes more sense, since most shops are specialised on certain brands, and have therefore also the specialty tools for these brands.

If you want to open your own shop, you have to have a masters degree, which already expensive, and than you have to equip the whole shop with tools. And then, when you have employees, all the tools have to be checked on a regular basis for safety concerns by Inspectors.

And yes, there are hardware stores here that are really big. There are some chains, that have multiple catalogues, each with more than a thousand pages.

And these are the really good, professional tools.

 

[tcsalvage]

in the u.s. there is no degree requires to open a shop much less work in one. some of the ''mechanics'' i sell to i wouldn't trust to fix a bicycle, much less a customers car.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

The tool trucks are really convenient to the dealer mechanics I guess, but at the same time that system usually makes independent mechanics and shade tree guys choose another brand. Since my business doesn't employ a dozen mechanics each wanting to buy 50 grand in tools, the snap-on guy wont waste his time coming by... and its far easier to run to Sears to replace broken Craftsman tools when we need to than to call the truck dealers and find out where we can meet them etc. If it wasn't for that hassle, I would have a lot more snap on stuff.

 

[tcsalvage]

i bet if you ask your local tool truck to stop by every month or so and let him know what day and time your there he would be there.

 

[Wakefield]

If you are a customer of a shop,have a good relationship with your mechanic there,if he is a customer of a Snap on truck you might be able to find out a good time to come by when the truck is scheduled to be there and go on there to get some nice expensive jewelry. You might even get a little discount.
Most of the mechanics in some shops have certifications. Customers might think that the mechanics make all of the money that the shop collects,actually the owner gets some and there are taxes and bills to be paid. The mechanics use their tools hard,they might use their warranty.

 

[Hiball]

Another question: I heard that mechanics in the US work with their own tools , means, when they start working in a shop, they bring their own tools. Is that true? An if yes, how can they afford this?

Thanks for any reply, it is always interesting to know how it works somewhere else.

I suspect there are very few Mechanics who aquire there tools all at Once, And even then I doubt everything is Snap On/Truck quality. I Would guess Most of the Toolboxes you see here that are overloaded with Chrome took years to accumulate and like any Profession you either pay for your knowledge tools up front (College Degree) or throughout your career. Im No Expert in regards to Truck Credit but my understanding is that its normally a small amount and any big purchases need to be made thru Finance companies, and We all know that Banks have really tightened there belts up in regards to Handing Credit out. My (New) Local Snap on Guy seems to make every opportunity to be Available when i need him. I dont spend much money with him but he always acts apreciative and keeps me informed on any specials coming to my Area.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

i bet if you ask your local tool truck to stop by every month or so and let him know what day and time your there he would be there.

We actually tried that a few years ago, he said we'd just have to meet him at the chrysler dealer down the road. Did that once or twice but then he was busy BSing with the mechanics down there that he wouldn't hardly talk to me. Granted this could be a case of the guy just being a jerk... I guess I should check again and see if there might be a new snap on guy in the area.

I've thought about just buying from the SO website and mailing in broken stuff for exchange but thats a hassle too, and ya risk tools getting lost in the mail.

 

[GoBlue]

Truck credit does not go through a bank as it is interest free requiring no credit check. Boxes are different...they are financed through a bank with a credit check and all...

 

[chadster1]

I predict that this will be a 5 page thread...........

 

[Appleyard]

Another thing that's nice is if there's a tool on the truck you really like but are unsure as to whether or not you want to spend the money on it, most of the time the dealer will have a demo model or simply loan you the tool (after taking down all your credit info so as you don't get any ideas of running off with their tools) and they'll let you try it out for a week.

As far as payment goes, I can only speak from experience. My Matco dealer is very flexible. I've got two balances, my on-the-truck balance, which is just a balance of trust between my dealer and myself that I'll slide him whatever I can afford to pay him for that week. Usually reserved for purchases of less than $1000 with no minimum weekly payment or interest.

My other balances is through "Mother" Matco which is where I had to get financing to purchase my tool box. With this balance, I have a weekly minimum payment that I HAVE to make or else I get penalized (just like a credit card) and there is interest calculated into my balance.

That's interesting what it takes to be a technician/shop owner over there. Personally, I like having my own tools well, because their mine.

 

[jesko10]

That's interesting what it takes to be a technician/shop owner over there. Personally, I like having my own tools well, because their mine.

It doesn't mean that the mechanics over here don't have their own tools. Quite the contrary. Most of them work also on the side ( tax free ), so they need them. They just don't have to bring them to the shop where they work.

So even a rookie is supplied with all the tools he needs. The private tool collection is of course also assembled over time.

I read here very often that what you like is that you can bring broken tools easily back to the truck. Do they brake that often.

I cannot even remember the last time one of my tools broke. People who buy quality tools here are really not concerned about it. Normally they last a lifetime.

 

[Trucky]

Some people tend to abuse their tools.... standing on them, etc.

Now, myself, I just do work around the house, and the car sometimes here. Far from a professional, and I've never broken anything but rounded off a few phillips head screwdrivers. But some of the guys I know that work in shops... they just abuse the tools that have warranties like that. I have one "truck brand" tool, a SO ratchet, and that's just because I got it for a discount. I'll probably never have to warranty it.

I read that a lot of people like the trucks because they basically take the tools no matter how you break them. You can even warranty picks, which surprised me. I'd think you would just have to get more, but no, they turn them in for new ones. It's just easy.

That's my take.

 

[Bart Simpson]

Direct sales is how Snap On started and it is still their business model.

They briefly had a few retail stores.

There were lots of branch offices / warehouses before where you could go to order / buy what you wanted .
They weren't in every state but most states had at least 1 some had 3-4.
They were closed long ago .

Now you can just use the internet.

Here are some videos from Snap On , Mac and Matco that may give you a better understanding of the mobile tool sales business.

 

[tcsalvage]

have some snap on and mac that are over thirty years old and never broke them then theres the ones you use hard like impact sockets and long handle ratchets and wobble extensions that just break or wear out from repeated use or misuse depending on what gets grabbed to complete a job.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

How does that work? I know Snap On sells from trucks, but do they not have any stores? I saw I think only once in my life a Snap on truck. Do they sell to everybody or just to workshops?

I do not make a living using tools. I have never had an issue buying off a truck. Everytime I went up to one, I bought what I was looking for (if they had it). I even had tools ordered a few times and just met the truck when they came in.

 

[Vicegrip]

I predict that this will be a 5 page thread...........

7 if you figure in the interest.

 

[canuckian]

I'm another one that doesn't work in a shop. I meet my SO guy on his last stop on Fridays. I get off work at 4 and he usually leaves for home at around 4:30 or 5. i suppose i could meet him anytime as he told me to call him whenever I needed anything and just meet him where he's at but so far, Fridays has been fine for me.

 

[wafrederick]

My brother Scott does not buy much from Snap On anymore,works at a Harley dealership as a tech.He bought some tools on Snap On Credit once and Snap On credit is just like a credit card.Ended up getting a loan from the bank to pay it off.Basically he got screwed.My Matco dealer does something that does work,puts something on his tool truck to raffle off once in a while.Was a crossbow at first,then a flat screen tv and now a grill.It gets customers that don't pay pay off any money owed.

 

[briggsguy17]

My brother Scott does not buy much from Snap On anymore,works at a Harley dealership as a tech.He bought some tools on Snap On Credit once and Snap On credit is just like a credit card.Ended up getting a loan from the bank to pay it off.Basically he got screwed.My Matco dealer does something that does work,puts something on his tool truck to raffle off once in a while.Was a crossbow at first,then a flat screen tv and now a grill.It gets customers that don't pay pay off any money owed.

 

[ovilla]

I'm not a mechanic but I just call 1 of 2 snap on trucks and meet them wherever they happen to be on that particular day and time. I work close to a bunch of different dealerships so they're normally accessible a couple of times a week.

For a non-mechanic like myself, the truck is the only place you'll be able to see/hold a truck brand tool. The internet pics just aren't large or detailed enough (I wish they were though).

Anyway, the trucks will always welcome you. You just need to be mindful of the fact that they are running a business and don't have all day to talk to you as they have a schedule to keep. It's best to do your research ahead of time and then go on the truck to see/hold/buy your stuff.

 

[american lockpicker]

I predict that this will be a 5 page thread...........

Hey your back.

 

[Weps]

you may be interested in this thread and discussion:

Why not employer provided tools?

It was a question for me too. The answers were surprising and still don't make much sense to me. The business model in the US seems completely dysfunctional and I'm left wondering if cheap gas is the only thing that has kept the entire system from imploding.