what you will do if?

[Deafautotech]

what will you do if other tech or your friend need borrow your tools and keep borrow your tools for often like few times a week?

i have tons of tools at my works but my tech friends dont have their common tools like big wrench like 1 1/2 wrench to do radiator fan or speical tool like crank pulley puller or hose clamp plier and else. they just keep borrow when they need it. i told them to buy themselves but they did not buy... what can i do? i did told my service manager that sometime techs keep borrow my tools while they dont buy their tool and my service manager said only way to do is talk with tech and discuss about your issues.

i am trying not to cut other tech and mad each other or upset each other....
if i had to then it can go be ugly.....

 

[Blue]

Not sure what to tell you.

But, back in the day when I worked with some aircraft maintainers, you didn't borrow tools. No one even bothered to ask to borrow someone elses tools. Its kind of hard to explain, it was just something in the culture that you just didn't do. Asking to borrow someone's tools would be like asking to borrow their wife.

 

[-lecroix-]

Tell them in a non-rude way that you don't ask to borrow their tools and you would appreciate it if they didn't ask to borrow yours.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I used to keep a log,

If you took one of my tools you had to sign it out from me. No problem. Kept everyone honest. But if it is really upsetting you, then I would set a limit for use of the tool. I would say "I have lent you my (fill in the blank) tester five times this month", " The Snap on/MATCO/MAC/Cornwell guy is coming by this week. Put one on order and I will let you use mine until yours comes in."

Maybe it is old school or what not, but when I started wrenching 20 years ago people did not really ask to borrow tools very much, and usually it would only be the new techs that would ask, which I was. After I got some tools I didn't mind helping the new guys (as long as they weren't drifters) because some older guys helped me out of some jams.


-BWP

 

[Willy Victor]

Autotech put a sign on your tool box's, NOTOOLS LOANED, have a nice day. Explain to them that you did not take their familys to raise. Tools cost money and you can't afford to loan them out.

Willy

 

[Aceman]

If they need to borrow it more than once, it's time to buy their own. No exceptions. If you need to borrow a tool, that's a clue you need you to buy one for yourself right away. You should NEVER need to borrow the same tool twice.

 

[the dude]

I think the rule should be you should never borrow a tool more then twice. For the third time you better have one.

I would just tell them politely that you can't afford having them use your tools and that they really need to look into purchasing their own.

I would find it difficult to out right tell them no. But they would sure get a razzing until they bought one of their own.

 

[rodnok1]

It can be two way street of course. If you have a couple of buddies at work, we use to each buy diff tools(expensive stuff) and share them with the understanding that if I ruined it, I just bought it. It worked well, but we were all adults about it. It all depends on the people you work with..

 

[Moltar]

If they need to borrow it more than once, it's time to buy their own. No exceptions. If you need to borrow a tool, that's a clue you need you to buy one for yourself right away. You should NEVER need to borrow the same tool twice.

I like the rule about borrowing more that twice better. Which is my personal rule. If I borrow a tool once and then go out and buy that tool because I've already borrowed it, and then never need to use that tool again then I've just wasted my money. And it is a two way road. I lend my tools out to people I've borrowed from including all the master techs. By the way they have all borrowed many tools from me more than twice.

 

[May Pop]

Tell them (co-workers) you would be happy to lend them tools . But only after they buy lunch. If they are a bunch of cheap pricks and wont buy lunch or coffee pretend you cant hear them. You are the one with the correct tools to do the job. You bought them and take care of them. How long would it take for them to do these jobs with out specialty tools. You will get more work done and that means more money! good luck with a difficult problem
Ron

 

[kartracer55]

I like "borrow the tool, buy lunch".

Sometimes it doesnt make sense for everybody to buy a 1 1/2 inch combo wrench if it is used only once every 6th months, but if your talking once a week, I dont see why they wouldnt buy one themselves. Just talk to them and tell them that you dont like loaning tools out on a regular basis, only to get people out of a jam.

Jim

 

[Moltar]

Tell them (co-workers) you would be happy to lend them tools . But only after they buy lunch. If they are a bunch of cheap pricks and wont buy lunch or coffee pretend you cant hear them. You are the one with the correct tools to do the job. You bought them and take care of them. How long would it take for them to do these jobs with out specialty tools. You will get more work done and that means more money! good luck with a difficult problem
Ron

That's a good idea to buy lunch. And not to be funny but he really can't hear them.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

That's a good idea to buy lunch. And not to be funny but he really can't hear them.

I was going to say the same thing, lol (not to be funny, either).

For me it depends on the particular case. At work, the staff has remained the same for all three years I've worked there. If any one of us needs to borrow a tool from anybody, no big deal, it always gets returned. In my case I don't need to borrow tools but somebody will only borrow a specific tool from me a few times before they buy their own or I buy one for them (it depends what it is, I don't recommend buying tools for somebody unless it's somebody you could truly call a friend...and the favor gets returned, believe me).

At home is basically the same deal. On my street there's a woodworker, a metal worker, a welder, a mechanic and a few "do-it-yourself" guys who always have a project on the go. We all have stuff that other guys don't, so we all kind of share and allow use of stuff. Off the top of my head I think I'm the only guy on our street with a metal working vise, a bench grinder and impact sockets (weird, I know, but we all do different things). We use eachother's stuff, it gets returned. If I need a roll of shop towels and I don't have one, I borrow a roll then replace it that day or the next day. It has to be a two way street no matter what.

In your situation, I would explain to them that if they need to borrow a specialty tool (especially an expensive or hard to find one) once in a while that it's no problem, but constantly asking to borrow a tool that they can easily buy themselves is annoying and takes up your time (especially in your situation, no offence, I assume you need to use a pen and paper to communicate, correct?). Next time they ask to borrow something tell them it's the very last time you will lend it to them and that it's time they should buy their own if they are at all dedicated to their job.

 

[LoneGunman]

After the second time of someone borrowing one type of tool they need to buy their own and I'd tell them that. I've read some of your recent posts, as far as I can tell your still in school or recently out of school? Theres no reason for them not to have at least the same amount of tools that you have. I'd feel pretty stupid having to borrow tools off the new guy but thats just the way I am.

I take pride in the fact that I have invested in my career and have purchased the tools I need to do the job correctly.

 

[Deafautotech]

thank you for your suggestion idea. they did bought me a lot of lunch because i did work for them while my work asked me to help them and my work knew i have right tools but my work just handle to wrong tech so they can make money to living.

i am part time employee and full time student at college. i cant understand why techs cant buy tools while they work full time and make more money than me while i only work 30 or less hours a week. i work on monday, wedenday, and friday. i am part time employee with lot and lot of tools than other techs....

but my good tech friend that i work with him and his wife (service advisor) at old job and my work for almost 3 years so he sometime borrow my tools but only once a month or more month for one time use 1 1/2 wrench. but he bought bigger toolbox...... it is different story. so well

i always buy tool what i see that tool will do for me if i buy it and even if i saw other tech have the tool that i dont have then i buy it as i got from ebay where cheap price or Craftsman tool if it is hand tool.

 

[Deafautotech]

my master tech friend did told me to watch out for any tech because he had 1,500 dollars of worth tool that scope to look inside cylinder head while it is in vehicle. he found his tool in other tech's toolbox while tech dont show up at work then he did report to service manager about it. the service manager had call tech to said you are fired. because it is against the policy of steal tool from other tech. service manager found out that tech was fired few time before my work because of stole the tools....

 

[Deafautotech]

i think about to post the sign of borrow the tool on my toolbox to dont borrow my tool until ask me first and explain me why.

i cant understand why other tech want borrow my tool so they can make money with MY TOOLS while i dont make money from that vehicle who use my tools....

my work respect me as normal tech as if they talk behind of me as i cant heard about bad thing of me in work as it is discrimnial. which i dont accept it.

my work make good money on me when i did lot of work because my work pay me hourly as like i replaced the engine that take about 6 or less hours time 75 dollar per hour for labors so they just pay me a hourly while i work as part time. if i make 10 dollar per hour then 75 dollar time 6 hours is 450 dollars but pay me 60 dollars for it then my work keep 390 dollars to keep business run. but when i am graduate this may 5, 2007 then my work will need pay me more when i am become full time position.

 

[Buck_nekid]

Back in my dealership days tool borrowing wasn't to much of a problem. But then in my next line of work (stereo, alarm, accessory shop) Most of the techs there were just young kids who would just spend money on beer and drugs. They had maybe a few hand tools.
So one day I come in and lay my keys on top of my box (still locked) and this dude comes over and unlocks it and helps himself. I solved the problem the best way I knew how, I took a gas can and a siphoning hose and drained me some gas from his car. When he asked me what I was doing I told him I'm taking his girlfriend out tonight, so I needed some gas, cos ya know we share everything here. That put a end to the "helping yourself."

 

[Canadian Charlie]

You need to post a sign that reads

Tools will not be leant out anymore
I'm underpaid and a student
If you really do need it then its $5 a tool per use

THANK YOU

I'm not a tech by trade and if I need a tool that I don't have then I have to buy one, I'm too shy of a guy to ask and those neighbours (they never talk to me) who come around asking for something my reply is its either "I don't have one" or "its at a friends place"

 

[eschoendorff]

Deaf, you are a genuinely good guy. That will ALWAYS be an asset for you. People will try to take advantage of that, but it's very hard to find fault with someone who is sincerely good.

It upsets me that people seem to be taking advantage of you. But you have been given some good advice here. As a teacher, I can tell you that when you have a problem with others, you need to be firm. NOT MEAN, but firm and respectful. Being mean and condescending with others (even if they are assholes) will ALWAYS come back to bite you. Karma's a *****.

Keep being the person you are. People may take advantage every once in a while, but you will have a reputation of being a gentleman. And that's important in any field of work.

My .02.

Ed

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Deaf, you are a genuinely good guy. That will ALWAYS be an asset for you. People will try to take advantage of that, but it's very hard to find fault with someone who is sincerely good.

It upsets me that people seem to be taking advantage of you. But you have been given some good advice here. As a teacher, I can tell you that when you have a problem with others, you need to be firm. NOT MEAN, but firm and respectful. Being mean and condescending with others (even if they are assholes) will ALWAYS come back to bite you. Karma's a *****.

Keep being the person you are. People may take advantage every once in a while, but you will have a reputation of being a gentleman. And that's important in any field of work.

My .02.

Ed

Well said.

 

[Larz]

Does your dealership have a rule that all mechanics furnish their own tools? Its one thing to occasionally borrow tools but if they are doing it consistantly, they arent following company rules and furnishing their own tools. I would approach the service manager and tell him they aren't furnishing their own tools as required. Their using yours.

As eschoendorff stated, your a great guy. You're getting your feet on the ground in a career, but, along the way, don't let people take advantage of you. Sooner or later, someone is going to borrow something and not return it. The next thing you know its going to be missing for good. I loaned some tools to a friend once, that loaned them to one of his friends, that doesn't know what happened to them. Won't happen again. Get me once shame on you, get me twice shame on me!!!!

 

[Larz]

Let me add.....I wasn't meaning to imply for you to be hateful or rude about it. That doesn't work. Just drop that little hint to your service manager and walk away. It kind of puts the monkey on his back then because he's not enforcing the rules. Just food for thought.

 

[ba614]

You bought your tools to make money ... so if someone needs to use some of your tools ... make some money ... charge a rental fee ... could be a flat rate or based on percentage of the rate the tech should make on the work he is doing ... that's only fair ... he can't make that money without your tool ... he makes a little and you make a little ... it's a win / win for both of ya'

 

[bluesman2a]

Just wear one of these to work for about a week...
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326772_200326772

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Just wear one of these to work for about a week...
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326772_200326772

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

A guy I know also has a sticker on his toolbox.

It says "I make my living with SNAP-ON TOOLS. Please don't ask to borrow them".

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Andrew, how many techs are borrowing your tools, is this an everyday thing for you?

I know that you are only working 3 days a week while you are at school, but what do the other techs do when you're not at the dealership? Just make sure that they can not open up your tool box while you are away.

Borrowing can also lead to someone not returning a tool cause they forgot to or they thaught you might not remeber about it. I've read alot of your posts here and this topic has always come up from alot of members here.

Being a nice guy is a good thing but being taken for a ride is whole different ballgame

 

[Coach James]

Deaf, not sure if they're taking advantage or not as I'm not there. Sounds to me like they are, but that's just my impression.

A Craftsman 1 1/2 inch combo wrench runs $39.99 and i would think most pro mechanics would have one if they've been working very long.

After the first time you say "no", it gets easier. I know it did for me.

Coach

 

[Deafautotech]

Does your dealership have a rule that all mechanics furnish their own tools? Its one thing to occasionally borrow tools but if they are doing it consistantly, they arent following company rules and furnishing their own tools. I would approach the service manager and tell him they aren't furnishing their own tools as required. Their using yours.

As eschoendorff stated, your a great guy. You're getting your feet on the ground in a career, but, along the way, don't let people take advantage of you. Sooner or later, someone is going to borrow something and not return it. The next thing you know its going to be missing for good. I loaned some tools to a friend once, that loaned them to one of his friends, that doesn't know what happened to them. Won't happen again. Get me once shame on you, get me twice shame on me!!!!

my service manager and my work dont said anything about tools policy but dealership said you must have own tools. i did told my service manager about it and he said, well it is their problem and told me that i can said no to them....

 

[Deafautotech]

Andrew, how many techs are borrowing your tools, is this an everyday thing for you?

I know that you are only working 3 days a week while you are at school, but what do the other techs do when you're not at the dealership? Just make sure that they can not open up your tool box while you are away.

Being a nice guy is a good thing but being taken for a ride is whole different ballgame

two techs in my work and they sometime did borrow my tools for once week or little more.
I always locked my toolboxes and one time i show up my work when i already finish class early in morning so i went to my work and one tech waiting and surpurised that i show up and he said need fuel pressure test. well it is bad for them.

i am nice tech and they just borrow my tool becaus they dont had it right now...

 

[LoneGunman]

As others have said, they are taking advantage of you. Heck, I don't even know you and it's getting me riled up.

This happened to an apprentice at my job, he had more tools than some of the journeymen electricians, they would borrow his tools all of the time and treat him and his tools like garbage.

I have no problems loaning tools to an apprentice, part of my job as a journeyman is teaching apprentices but there is no excuse for a journeyman to borrow tools off an apprentice when we as journeymen make more than double of what an apprentice does. Same thing in your line of work, and as I said before, I just can't believe that the technicians are not embarrased borrowing tools off of you.

I see you being their boss in the future.

 

[Deafautotech]

As others have said, they are taking advantage of you. Heck, I don't even know you and it's getting me riled up.

This happened to an apprentice at my job, he had more tools than some of the journeymen electricians, they would borrow his tools all of the time and treat him and his tools like garbage.

I have no problems loaning tools to an apprentice, part of my job as a journeyman is teaching apprentices but there is no excuse for a journeyman to borrow tools off an apprentice when we as journeymen make more than double of what an apprentice does. Same thing in your line of work, and as I said before, I just can't believe that the technicians are not embarrased borrowing tools off of you.

I see you being their boss in the future.

i can be shop foreman but not service manager because service manager require to be communication with complaint customers or call to company about problem with things... I am deaf and i rather to be work on vehicles than deal customers while i cant communcation without paper and pen or even interpreter....

 

[eschoendorff]

i can be shop foreman but not service manager because service manager require to be communication with complaint customers or call to company about problem with things... I am deaf and i rather to be work on vehicles than deal customers while i cant communcation without paper and pen or even interpreter....

Ugh. Dealing with the public and customers. Now, being a teacher, I can deal with kids all day. But dealing with cranky customers at a dealership? NO THANKS. Looks like shop foreman might not be all that bad...

 

[Deafautotech]

my master tech did work with me for one year but was fired. so he work at Nissan dealership as Shop foreman and master technician for dealership. so he make good money as more than my work....

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Why was he fired?

 

[Deafautotech]

Why was he fired?

my service manager dont happy about him that he did called Chrysler Corp about my boss's action as service manager. Chrysler Corp had him a two job offer if he want left but He dont want left his job because he are enjoy work with me and have good friend with other techs... but my service manager said why not you quit? he said "I will not quit unless you fired me" so he is fired....

 

[Deafautotech]

it happen when i work on transmission to put it back on vehicle while they talk and fired him by right by next lifter where i work on transmission. so well.

 

[toolfreak]

The way I see it you are being taken advantage of. I feel that if I have to borrow a tool once then I need to buy it, mainly because I absolutely hate borrowing anything.

 

[Deafautotech]

The way I see it you are being taken advantage of. I feel that if I have to borrow a tool once then I need to buy it, mainly because I absolutely hate borrowing anything.

me too! i had to work on engine where other tech was assign on the engine repair but engine have a lot of 12point bolts and he dont have 12pts so my boss had me to do it..... my boss want give vehicle to technician who have right tools and knowledge to do it intead borrow and read on computer to how to do....