Your first time on the tool truck..

[Trucky]

What was it like?

I got a new job (started this morning at 8), 8 hour days, weekends off, benefits, etc. Looks like it's going to be great until I move in a few months ...

But the best part of all is.. the Snappy truck visits every Tuesday. I've never even seen that truck around this area at all, so needless to say I was very happy. My friend who has been working there for ~2 years owes him a grand right now.. I don't plan on getting in that deep

So how about it.. what was your first time with the SO/Mac/Cornwell truck like? And what should I expect?

I searched around and didn't find any thread like this, so I'm hopeful there will be some interesting responses

 

[jmm]

First was a Snap On truck. It was as well stocked (hardline to the most special of the specialty tools) as it was disorganized. Young guy knew his stuff though, and seemed to know where everything was. I spent 200 bucks.

I've been back many times since, and have done business with all the major brands except for Cornwell. Would really like to find one of those; I like their no frills, tough as hell aesthetic.

 

[bobemmerich]

I was overwhelmed with all the stuff that was on the truck. Bought a socket set, wrench set and a hard handled ratchet. Ended up buying a box, too (Mustang 30th anniversary). Now I've since stopped wrenching, sold most of the tools (needed the cash at the time) and have only the ratchet and an extension set left
had I known better, I would have paid cash and only bought what I needed.

 

[Trucky]

Yeah, that's along the lines of what I was planning to do. Cash only. I know I won't be working here for a long time, so I better just get the SO jitters out of the way

I still have to ask Dan what he's bought so far.. probably a lot of wrenches and ratchets.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

First time on the Snap On truck I needed a lot of tools and wanted to buy everything. But settled for a set of 3/8 metric and standard deep impact sockets along with a FL80. At the time that's all I really needed to do my job. Been buying tools almost every week since then and that's been 6 years ago. I dont mess around with Cornwell all that much, but do buy from him. The first time I was on a Cornwell truck my first thought was... This is all you have to sell? he doesn't have all that much on his truck but can order it for you, ofcourse it will be backordered.

 

[wafrederick]

A Cornwell tooltruck and the dealer did not last,lasted about a year.He went under for some reason.

 

[sberry]

I was overwhelmed with all the stuff that was on the truck. Bought a socket set, wrench set and a hard handled ratchet. Ended up buying a box, too (Mustang 30th anniversary). Now I've since stopped wrenching, sold most of the tools (needed the cash at the time) and have only the ratchet and an extension set left
had I known better, I would have paid cash and only bought what I needed.

In todays world more so than ever and we even got stores that have tools 24 hours a day.

 

[JoeyMitch]

I was 8 years old working at my parent's marina. The Snap On truck stopped and asked to see my uncle. I said Ok and got my uncle. My uncle insisted I went on with him. I went on and was in Awe. I didn't know what Snap On was but I had a little Husky toolbag. My uncle bought tons of stuff and I just stood there with my mouth open when the total was over $1500. My uncle paid cash and filled his Mac box. Then he moved his box to his forklift shop and the Snap On guy stopped coming. If only he came when I knew what I was talking about!! I got a lollipop and a pocket flat head screwdriver for free!! It was awesome!!

 

[kiatech]

Thank God I found this place v before I stepped On a tool truck.

 

[ilovevocs]

I bought a snap-on puller first time. The a few dual 80 ratchets the next time. I like snap-on but I'm not a tech so I'm thrifty with my tool purchases. Seems like allot of the common stuff can be had cheaper off eBay.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I've never been on a tool truck.

 

[Nanashi]

Lol I looked around in awe my first time on the snap on truck. I asked how much this and that was and the sticker shock had me leaving with nothing. Since then I've purchased a tone of things but them damn prices still shock me.

I bought a tone of snap on from eBay as well loll I tallied up how much I saved using eBay and that price shocked me it was so high and I bought so little.

 

[ianguilly]

Ive only been on a snap on truck. I was an awesome experience, took me over a month to buy something. Now I owe 3k+ oops.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I met the driver I deal with about a year ago. Called SO customer service and they put me in touch with him. I see him once every few months/if there is something I need.
I was like a kid in a candy store...lol

 

[softailgarage]

First time was a Snap On truck. I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. Then the driver say's, " WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, slow down, you dont have to pay me RIGHT NOW, you can make payments". ****, that was it, I was in Heaven....and its all gone down hill since (my bank account that is). Now I'm currently in the "application" stage, trying to get hired by Snap On.

 

[atwageman]

My first time was a SK truck back in 1996. I was a kid in a candy store. The guy who had the SK truck was an older gentlemen, but he was cool. I always paid cash in full and never ran up a tab, although he said I could. He always gave me discounts and by1get1 deals. My friends who ran up tabs never got deals. Sadly he sold his business and retired and eventually passed away.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Good thread!!

Back in the 1970's. I was just a teenager back then and at the time was into dirt bikes--Yamaha YZ. Craftsman at the time didn't offer six point sockets so I got the guys at the corner gas station to let me know when the snappy guy came.

I bought a set of 3/8 drive six point metric sockets. That was a **** load of money back then for a teenager but I still have that set of sockets so it was money well spent.

It's been an on and off thing since then

 

[davesnothere]

I think the first thing I bought was a 3/8 drive set, shallow and deep sockets, ratchet and extensions, that came with the same in 1/4 drive for free, from the snappy dude. But I know I didn't buy anything the first time I went on.

 

[94blu1500]

First tool truck I got on was the local cornwell truck. I'd been working at the shop for 4 years and really only knew craftsman tools. When I found out how much better snap on and cornwell tools are I couldn't get enough. I've spent quite a few pay checks on the tool truck since.

 

[canuckian]

first time I went on a Snap On truck was in the late 90's. A dealer had his truck set up at a car show. Picked up a set of orange handled mini picks and a red pistol grip ratcheting screwdriver that came with a free football. Still have the picks and ratcheting screwdriver. I think the dog ate the football.

 

[Trucky]

I was like a kid in a candy store...lol

I was a kid in a candy store.

I'm sensing a pattern here! Hopefully I don't get too blinded by all the chrome. I'm thinking a few screwdrivers.... just a few. I promise. And maybe a FD+ wrench to see how it feels. And a 3/8 bit socket. And a few other things... a ratchet repair tool. Maybe flare wrenches. See how this could turn into a problem?

First tool truck I got on was the local cornwell truck. I'd been working at the shop for 4 years and really only knew craftsman tools. When I found out how much better snap on and cornwell tools are I couldn't get enough. I've spent quite a few pay checks on the tool truck since.

Yanno, I do wish there was a Cornwell truck nearby.. I'd be in for a JR72 in no time.

I wonder what the payments are like? I'm one to pay cash and only cash, but since I'll be there a few months, a little stretching couldn't hurt.. right?

Also! I'm praying he can source a NOS hard handle set for me.

 

[crazytrain]

I had a good bit of mix and match tools to start with then when I first got out of school and started working as a tech. Then I decided to try another line of work. My wife and I decided to buy a house and I sold my tools to help with the down payment on the house. A few years later I was was back to spinning wrenches. The shop I got a job at only had a Snap On dealer coming by. So I walked onto his truck the first day back to it and spent about an hour on the truck. When I walked off the truck I had spent $20,000 for tools and had a payment that rivaled my mortgage payment. It was fun, but it really hurt for the next few years until I payed it off.

 

[RV77]

My first experience on the SO truck was in the late eighties.The dealer was a slob and I had to step over tools,shipping boxes etc. on the floor.He somehow knew were everything was and I saw alot of cool tools that would make my career easier.A little of it was impulse buys but I always look at a possible purchase over for a few minutes and ask myself "will I use it" if so "how often".

But I do like going on a differant dealers' truck just to see what they have.Its very easy to get caught up in the weekly tool truck debt.

 

[Mr.Ric]

Poughkeepsie NY, 1965, the snap on guy pulled across the front of the bays, rear drum smoking. My Dad walked out with his creeper, it was a side door international. He started asking the guy for tools from up under the wheel well. I was amazed when the snap on guy stepped into his truck and came out with the tools, bent over and shoving them under to my Dad. He didn't want those tools, or so it seamed, but the snap on guy gave him those and some others, and brought the truck back later to accomplish the repairs. I'll never forget the clang sound from those speeders he had hanging from the rack.

 

[amlv20]

Over four years ago on the first day at my first shop right out of tech school.i felt overwhelmed and extremely happy.i traded in the cheap impact I got from school and used a rebate I also got.i got so e oil and fuel filter tools that day and fought my self.that dealer was a scum ball and the worst dealer of three I've had.i never charged him ove $400.the guy I have now at this shop over three years is great, his rig is always loaded and I feel like a kid in a toy store every time and want/need everything.

 

[not-required]

I was in awe. The snap on guy hardly comes arounds even though a couple of the guys owe him but the matco guy comes like clock work every friday and some times multiple times a week.

 

[turdferguson13]

My first time on a snap-on truck I was starting out as a tech and my driver gave me a deal on a flex head ratchet I was checking out. Started me at $20 a week and I was hooked.

 

[billymade]

Maybe some of this; will resonate with "the first time" experience on a tool truck!

If you are lucky enough to get inside a professional tool truck; right before going inside, your heart rate goes up, you have a slight chill (you may even shiver for a moment), you get dry mouth, small beads of sweat appear on your forehead and after saying (croaking) "hi" to tool guy; you fall silent in awe looking everywhere at all the beautiful wall to wall shiny "chrome" things on display .....

You KNOW your a tool ADDICT when....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18014

WARNING! about possible SIDE EFFECTS of reading this board!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18006&highlight=warned

 

[kunkernator]

It is kinda like losing your virginity;
-It will happen sooner or later,
-You have so many options,
-You do it once and you like it so much you keep doing it again,
-And don't make a mistake, because that one accident could cost you A LOT of money.

But in all seriousness. The first time I was on the truck was actually when I was working at a truck wash. The guy came by and I got to wash his truck. After I was done, he asked me if I wanted to come inside...... I was on the clock and got paid for 1.5 hours to walk and talk inside this Snap On truck.

 

[GTO]

1981 on a SO Truck,bought a gasket scraper.

 

[woody 73]

Sometime in the late 70's but it felt like like I was meeting a drug pusher, as we met in a back alley and I was getting my drug fix! I bought a set of sae wrenches for an unheard of price in the stratosphere...

 

[Josiah_db]

Went in a snap on van for the I first time last year while working at the workshop of my dads truck business in the school holidays I bought it was amazing seeing all these new shiny tools what looked cool, didn't buy any tools but am looking forward to spend lots of money with the Guy

 

[cheechi]

Let me give you some background first. I was in college studying Engineering, working on a project we built a Baja car. I also worked in the school's IT dept. so I was unofficially the electronics guy on the team.

first time I was in a SO truck, it was to fix the guy's laptop/gps combo thingy. This was before most smart phones. Think windows mobile 6, palm kind of days. Microsoft Streets & Trips came with a USB GPS dongle. Yeah. I forget the issue but it was something really stupid I could have told him if he would just describe it instead of trying to show me instead. Some combination of all of the above.

So he came to deliver something to us at the shop for the Baja car project, someone said something about SO selling a GPS unit for the car, then i got volunteered to fix the guy's broken stuff. At the time I was a college student with a 'job' and he was a truck driver. Maybe if I met him in the right context he would have been a decent guy, but he seemed really pissed off that a young guy knew about computers and electronics. Kind of like the carb vs efi argument i guess? He was difficult at best, but only to me. And I'm usually such a freaking ray of sunshine.

The whole truck where tools were supposed to be, he had like 3 used & 2 new tool boxes, and a service cart or 2. There were some tools hanging, and there were some compartments that were closed, but most of the truck was the tool boxes, stacked on them were shipping boxes, just a huge mess. The whole floor was full of catalogs and packaging for what I assume were demo/promo type items.

I have been on 2 other trucks since then, one SO one Matco both at events. Both were a lot more professional drivers, and more professional looking setup in the truck. But that first guy was a real loser.

 

[bry@n]

First time I met him was when I was buying a KRL1022. I just happened to come upon him in my travels with work. Told him what I wanted to do and he was good to me. I got a truck account and bought my box. I've never dealt with SO credit. Just recently bought a top box from him also. same deal and he gave me the best price.

I like him but he is not my favorite driver. I found another driver that is actually a little further away but easier to reach, he's a great guy and I like him personally. I usually spend more with him. 70/30, well except for the box. My cart purchase will go through the further dealer.

 

[crewchief888]

when i started "pro" wrenching in '84, i needed an impact, and a couple impact sockets.

bought a 3/4 / 13/16 flip socket and extension, 1" deep impact socket, and a crappy CP impact.
cost me nearly my whole weeks check

still have both the sockets and extension

i spent a BUNCH of money in the next 30 years, on brand new tools and tool boxes

 

[Fastbird]

My first was a Snap-On truck. I stepped in and felt like I'd died and gone to heaven.

 

[SkyMaster]

It was around 1987. Bought a set of Snap On orange hard handle screwdrivers, for $100.

 

[240sxguy]

2002. Mac Tools. I bought a few hundred worth of stuff, which was big money for me then. I had been mooching a buddies toolbox so he pretty much forced me to buy em'. I recommend avoiding the payment system and buying ONLY what you need. If you're going to buy on the truck, buy stuff you're going to get a lot of use out of. I still love my snapon 3/8 ratchet and 1/4" drive sockets, and I am a hobbyist.

 

[Hootbro]

My first truck experience was a MATCO truck. I had just gotten out of the Army and moved for my first Aviation job. Luck would have it, my neighbor two houses down was the local Matco guy. Struck up a conversation with him and since I was cash poor from my recent move up, the MATCO guy actually let me pick through the used trade-ins he had for my first starter set for free. Told me to just bring them back when I started to get paid and wanted to upgrade to better new stuff. Never forgot that and gave him solid new business for years.

 

[Zephyr]

I think the first truck I was on was Cornwell. He was pretty well stocked but didn't over do it like the Snap On guy does. I think the first thing I bought was the caliper compressor kit they rebranded. Of course he had to order it as most things I want from the monthly flyer but its well worth the wait to me as he's always super friendly and knowledgeable not to mention he's got candy and red vines . Truth be told as long as I have access to Cornwell that's all I'll deal with.

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