What to do when a tool goes missing?

[spencerian]

Ok. I bought a new Snap On air ratchet (FAR7200) weighing in at $389 plus tax.

About a month ago it came up missing. One of the other guys in the shop immediately said he used it, and probably left it wedged in the frame of a vehicle he worked on. Amazingly he found a guy that "found" the ratchet about a week later.
The ratchet returned.

About a week ago... it's gone again. This time NOONE knows where it is.

The shop owner can't tell me what to do.

So what's your take? What would you do?

 

[caper]

Tell the shop owner to tell the guys in the shop that if they're caught with their hands in your box it's going to be an automatic dismissal.Theft is theft.It may have been an accident that one of them used it and left it on a vehicle but you can damn well bet the guy that did it knows he did it.He's probably missing the socket he left on it as well.Personally I'd take the approach my step father did when he had a guy who wouldn't stay out of his box at work years ago.He set up an electric fence controller to it and wet the floor around it and went for a test drive.There was an awful pissed guy when he got back.

 

[Mr_fixit]

buy a 39.00 replacement. and trust no one.

 

[Mickey O]

You got a gun?

 

[krusty the clown]

The shop owner can't tell me what to do.

why not?


i'd tell him to handle it or you will and he won't like that either. he has a responsibility to provide a theft free workplace.

 

[z28toz06]

when a tool goes missing around here I go looking for my son.

 

[Merkava_4]

One of the other guys in the shop immediately said he used it,

How did that happen?

How did he get his hands on it?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

buy a 39.00 replacement. and trust no one.

 

[Toolhorder]

I left a Honda dealership once when my 1/4 Mac ratchet came up missing. I had just bought it too and it had the slim head with the direction lever lower on the body so the whole body was slimmer. I used it to install mud flaps on new cars and one night I forgot to lock it in my box, I had washed my hands changed my clothes and was walking out the door when I noticed it still on the bench. Being lazy I threw a rag on it and pushed it into the corner of the bench where it wasn't noticeable. Next morning rag was there and ratchet was gone. Told the service manager and he told me that's too bad lock up your stuff and that won't happen. While I understand that's why we have toolboxes that lock the fact I couldn't trust my co-workers in the building was enough for me especially when he didn't call a meeting or talk to anyone about it.
There was some other things I noticed I didn't like too like crowd of gangbanger type kids the guy hired for lube techs. I'm sure that ratchet ended up in some ricky racer's HF toolbox and helped install several stolen integra engines over the next few years.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

How did they get it? Please don't tell me you left your box unlock with said tool in it.

 

[Danglerb]

Sit down with the owner and look at what work everybody was doing, then the boss should have a talk with each person separately. Asked directly many will not lie or lie well enough.

 

[JD6619A]

All i can say is make sure your tools are put away and your box is locked before you leave at night. unless your tools are engraved or have something that clearly marks who they are owned by I think your SOL. Be lucky its an air ratchet and not your whole box.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I worked in a pump repair shop at one time with company supplied tools. The owner bought cheap stuff so, I bought my own tools. I bought SO air tools and other quality stuff. The other guys in the shop wanted to use my tools because the owners were ****. After I had to go find stuff they used and didn't return or, returned and didn't put it in the right place, or replaced because it was lost or broken, I made the owner replace it then I would put my tools in my box and lock it. Even if I was going to get something off the shelf. It pissed the other guys off because they could not get in the box and the owner because it took time to put them away and then set back up. When I told him why I did it and he repalced a couple hundred $$ worth of tools, he set the others up with decent tools and ended the problem. I still locked my box whenever I wasn't around.

 

[Deafautotech]

All i can say is make sure your tools are put away and your box is locked before you leave at night. unless your tools are engraved or have something that clearly marks who they are owned by I think your SOL. Be lucky its an air ratchet and not your whole box.

i did that since 2003 when i start work in automotive industry... i never leave work with unlock toolboxes! i always locked before i clock out. even i stay late to clean and put all tools back where it was in before..

 

[spencerian]

The Snap On rep told me the guys there would buy tools from him and pawn them the same week they buy them.

We have surveillance cameras in the shop. But the owner won't review the tape. I think he is afraid of what he'll see.

 

[ZRX61]

We have surveillance cameras in the shop. But the owner won't review the tape. I think he is afraid of what he'll see.

In that case, either get the cops involved or find another job.

 

[catmech]

If you have tapes then tell him to review them on his own and deal with it or you and the local cop will. Remind him that destroying evidence can make him a part of it. Like Krusty said theft is theft.

 

[catmech]

In that case, either get the cops involved or find another job.

beat me to it

 

[Snappy]

bad boys , bad boys , what ya gonna do...............

 

[TireTracks]

bad boys , bad boys , what ya gonna do...............

Shoot 'em?

 

[mkdive]

Thieves are just pieces of ****. That's all I have to say.

 

[nate379]

When I worked in a shop and needed to borrow a tool, I let the guy know before I was digging in his toolbox.

Hey... I'm going to use this impact gun for a couple mins...

 

[Toolhorder]

When I worked in a shop and needed to borrow a tool, I let the guy know before I was digging in his toolbox.

Hey... I'm going to use this impact gun for a couple mins...

Usually for me it's, "hey can I use your (insert tool here) please?"
I never open a guy's box EVER, I kinda think of it as personal space.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Usually for me it's, "hey can I use your (insert tool here) please?"
I never open a guy's box EVER, I kinda think of it as personal space.

I feel the same way. I don't want just anybody in my boxes and I won't go into someone else's box unless I ask first or they ask me to get something out of it.

That's MINE, DAMMIT!!! Stay out of it.

 

[Major Ramifications]

What would I do? I can tell you what I wouldn't do. I would not buy a $389 air rachet.

 

[Costner]

I think Snap-On needs to develop a wireless fob that you can put in your pocket and when you get 20 or 25 feet away from your box it will automatically lock. When you get back within 20 feet it will automatically unlock... sort of like what they use for new cars where you never even need to touch the fob to unlock the doors.

Seems to me this would reduce the risk of a stolen tool provided you took the time to close your drawers each time you went into them. It could also have a manual locking mechanism for overnight or times when you want more security.

Does anyone make something like this? Seems to me it would be worthwhile for guys in a shop environment where they can't fully trust their co-workers.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Enough said!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'd go f**King crazy. That's not like losing a socket or wrench, that's a lot of money.

Sounds to me like someone stole it, and the manager knows who. (possibly him?) As he isn't willing to do anything about it or even review the security cameras. Tell him you're going to the police, as it's a matter of theft. If he still won't help, go to the next person up. You can't just put up and shut up with that kind of ****. I wouldn't have someone just go into my box and take my tools without asking.

My colleague Dr. Brian is allowed to go into my toolbox and take anything he needs, doesn't have to ask, but he always does. Never a problem, he never abuses anything and if something were to break it wouldn't be a problem. That's just for him though, no-one else is allowed to do that.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I think Snap-On needs to develop a wireless fob that you can put in your pocket and when you get 20 or 25 feet away from your box it will automatically lock. When you get back within 20 feet it will automatically unlock... sort of like what they use for new cars where you never even need to touch the fob to unlock the doors.

Seems to me this would reduce the risk of a stolen tool provided you took the time to close your drawers each time you went into them. It could also have a manual locking mechanism for overnight or times when you want more security.

Does anyone make something like this? Seems to me it would be worthwhile for guys in a shop environment where they can't fully trust their co-workers.

I think they did have something like that at one time.

 

[jteck75]

I know times are hard theese days,but that doesn't give free liscence to all of the punks out there that would take your tools without asking Theese aren't just any tools,theese are your rent,morgage,food for your family,and a roof over your head, And as for this dishrag of a shop foremen you have,he hasn't done a thing to stop this. Despite what the national outlook at other occupations is,most of us wrenches should feel relativly safe. Last time I looked,bankers,stock brokers,and buissness manager types are begginning feel what the other side has had to deal with in the past couple years.

To make a long story short,if I were in yor delimma,I would give the "MaN" one last opportunity to prove to you that he's runnung a shop and not some kind of "good old boys" club. If he still doesn't wasnt to wake up to the situation,I would back my pickup to the shop door and load up all of my boxes and gear,and drive off. Keep you eyes open,I'd almost bet that within no more than a week or two,you'll be wrenching somewhere else where you'll feel safe and respected. GooD LuckTo YOU MY Friend,

 

[M900]

update on this?

 

[Hawk321]

Ok, your tool is gone...**** happens...but how can I/we protect our property with security technics???

GPS? Elektro shocks??? Any idea? Does anybody know a good powerfull battery to install it under a box and to supply a e-shock some days?

 

[illmatyk]

Ok, your tool is gone...**** happens...but how can I/we protect our property with security technics???

GPS? Elektro shocks??? Any idea? Does anybody know a good powerfull battery to install it under a box and to supply a e-shock some days?

My coworker has rigged a car alarm onto his box, when someone opens it when its armed, it goes off and everybody looks at the guy.....

I feel the same way. I don't want just anybody in my boxes and I won't go into someone else's box unless I ask first or they ask me to get something out of it.

That's MINE, DAMMIT!!! Stay out of it.

I agree with this. At work, anytime I need a tool I ask the owner of the tool. Some of the higher up techs at my work, if they need to borrow a tool of mine they ask me.

I had a problem before with someone borrowing my tools and going through my box without permission, i set him straight by telling him straight up that he needs to get his own tools and when he asks to borrow a tool, I tell him I don't have it...

what should you do? Go through everyones box and look to see if its there, worked for me before.

If that doesn't work and the manager wont comply with your request to review the security cameras take it up to the director or the human resources.

 

[spencerian]

update on this?

I also lost a 3/8 13mm socket on said ratchet.
But today .... a clue.
One of the other "techs" has a 13mm socket that looks newer than the rest. I look at the socket, and get the date code.
The date code is the same as all my other sockets.

 

[mossyboy6]

Thats not proof, first day it happened should have confronted everybody in the shop, gotten footage of the guy, and called the cops.

stop pussyfooting around, this is when you get serious.

 

[nato]

I used to worry about this, but not anymore. There's only 4 to 5 of us in our shop depending on the time of year and we ALL know, almost to a tee what each guy has and DOESN'T have. Plus, we're all trustworthy individuals. I know it's very hard knowing that your livelyhood is tucked away in that tool box. I wish most all you guys had the comfort level that we have. It's so nice that that you can really trust your co-workers

What sux is the warranty cover up. They steal...and wait. Possibly break the tool to emmulate that it happened during work/use??? Then it get's replaced. Bam. New! You can't tell. No proof.
Blows!

 

[TheGrooveking]

I would of been all over that manager like hair on a gorilla, let's watch the tapes or I call the police and then we'll get into the lie detector. $389 missing, its time to do a review of everyone's tool box. I worked in one shop where some tools came up missing and the boss got everyone together and had them as a group go with him as he went through their boxes. Everyone knew in short order who had what and where things had gone.

My motto is if I break a $500 tool, oh well, if I lose a $0.50 tool I am going to look for it until I find it. I worked on a maintenance shop where Craftsman was the standard I was the only guy who the Matco and MAC dealers came to see. One week I bought a MAC 3/8" palm ratchet and a week later it came up missing. A week later I saw a guy Derico using it I confronted him, he claimed that it was his, I told him he stole it from me and better give it back, he wouldn't.

Fast forward 20 years I moved up the food chain a bunch and the President of another company calls me to ask me about this guy since he saw on his resume that he worked at the same company as me for a few years back in the mid 80's. I told him he was a thief, that was it the President of the company said we'll let him know that he will not be getting the job. So even though that ratchet cost me $38 back then it cost him a whole lot more.

TheGrooveking

 

[american lockpicker]

Years ago when my sister was dating(before she was married) she was dating this one guy who was a thief he stole most of my fathers hand tools or replaced them with junk tools(took a few sets of craftsman wrenches and sockets and replaced them with China and Taiwan garbage). Now I keep everything(his tools, ones that have been in the family for years(I still have most of them because I hid them when the thefts started)and, mine.

Oh and one last thing at the time he worked in a car shop(through a school program) and he regularly brought home with him parts and tools that he obviously couldn't afford.

 

[Toolhorder]

I would of been all over that manager like hair on a gorilla, let's watch the tapes or I call the police and then we'll get into the lie detector. $389 missing, its time to do a review of everyone's tool box. I worked in one shop where some tools came up missing and the boss got everyone together and had them as a group go with him as he went through their boxes.
TheGrooveking

Everytime I've left a job the manager/owner/whatever wants to "review" the contents of my box. NOPE sorry that's my personal space and you're not looking in there. If they asked me to open my box at work I'd tell them to pound sand. I had one guy even threaten to call the law on me and I laughed and told him to go for it. They can't make me open it either. It makes me mad that because you're leaving now you're not trusted anymore. Sorry if I'm not on the payroll I don't owe you explanations or a peek at anything.

 

[dustin19]

lost my job for incident like this a couple weeks ago for telling the new kid if he wasnt gonna put MY tools back id make sure next time his hand went in my box it would be mine.... lame little **** was a ******* had a 10grand snapon box and had it full of cheap tools