5 mistakes a new tool dealer can make...

So you want to be a tool dealer? Do you know what mistake you can make to cut your life as a tool dealer short. Here are just five mistake a new tool dealer can make to put them out of business.

[@eastcoastken]

Great advice! Honesty is key for me. If you tell me "hey Ken, I screwed up and forgot to send your tool out, taking care of it very soon" all is good but if he tell me its out and you still have it on the truck im done with you. Communication is key for me.

[@midatlantictools]

Ken, I have screwed up and forgot to send things out. I just man up to it and apologize for my mistake. Now I got a system and it works very well.

[@eastcoastken]

@@midatlantictools and we completely understand that happens. If you were in my area, you would be one of my main tool truck guys hands down!

[@Torqued_to_Spec]

If you are asking for credit, you get a credit check and a license scan, no questions asked… heck, maybe proof of address. It’s that way for every other credit account. That’s a good indication for you the distributor as to a level of responsibility and honesty. You then decide what credit you accept, what credit to extend, and clearly communicate if/when you update credit bureaus, as well as what the payment terms are, the interest rate, and how payments are applied. If you run your business like a commercial business, with standards that apply to all, are fair, have good service, and fair prices, you will do well.

[@midatlantictools]

thanks for watching

[@Torqued_to_Spec]

@@midatlantictools Should be the other way around… thanks for putting out content that is useful, based on experience, interesting, and delves into other areas that typically don’t get discussed at length. Thought provoking is a good thing. Keep it up.

[@ArcFlashTools]

Thx for the wise words. Finding someone honest is difficult at times. Take care out there! ✌️

[@midatlantictools]

Thank you..

[@Sumwear777]

I'm the 4th guy on my route in 7 years. It's not the other tool guys or myself. It's my crappy route & 💩 customers.

[@midatlantictools]

You a franchise truck? Unfortunately Matco, Mac, Snappy, etc can resell the same crappy route over and over... Good luck hope it turns around for you.. thanks for watching

[@richardkluesek4301]

As a new distributor listen closely to your customers as they speak directly to you and converse among themselves to find out what is going on at their job and what potential needs for sales might be prospected, besides credit intelligence gathering information. When you speak. talk tools exclusively. Be visually observant. I once visited a shop owner at his private office to collect a past due installment and saw a sheriff's warrant on his desk, so I made arrangements with the foreman to keep track of the crew's whereabouts. Be on the lookout for competitor's flyers lying about, if they planted a seed take advantage of that with a counteroffer. Finally its human nature for the undisciplined to brag, boast, and gossip. Refrain from that yourself and that is the first step to winning trust, confidence in you, and respect in the street. Which will boost you as a time payment collector.

[@midatlantictools]

Thanks for the feedback..

[@richardkluesek4301]

@@midatlantictools Been there long ago and far away before there was help and support as offered by you and koon trucks. Prosper and be well everyone.

[@potatoboy792]

What do you do when your dealer won't warranty tools he didn't sell you but they aren't his branded ones? My coworker has a gearwrench ratchet he bought from the mac guy, who refuses to warranty it because it isn't a mac ratchet so he says he doesn't have to, and the cornwell guy who also stocks gearwrench stuff refused to warranty it because he didn't buy the ratchet from him. Both dealers in the wrong? Or just the Mac guy?

[@midatlantictools]

Anything engraved has to go back to the franchise that is engraved on the tool. If the dealer (snappy, cornwell, mac, etc) carry (say gearwrench) on his truck and he sold it or not he should warranty the tool. Now he does not have to but why not? Helping your customer is the name of the game. Now if you are buying tools online and only using the dealer for warranty I would also stop warranty your tools. The customer is not helping me why should I help them. It's a two way street.. thank for watching

[@andrewkarppinen4348]

All good points.

[@midatlantictools]

thanks and thanks for watching

[@Stonehands75]

As always awesome video My snap on guy try to get everyone to do the sign here as a vet tech 26 years at my shop and pay cash for what I need I tell the younger tech man don’t do it pay your dues put the time in and things will come I did not get everything I have in 3 weeks just be patient

[@midatlantictools]

I seen the sign here more then once.. It's just miss leading and wrong. Most younger techs can't pay in full and should not be taken advantage do to that. Any where between 25 to 50 a week on one truck only is a good place to be for a new guy. Thanks for watching

[@donotrobme9295]

How do u warranty out everything? If I’m Independant seems hard with all the brands

[@midatlantictools]

Most tools are just rebranded. You just have to know who made it.

[@donotrobme9295]

@@midatlantictools thx

[@scottaddison8071]

If anyone applies for truck credit and fills out a credit application, then the tool franchise has every Legal Right to check his credit, furthermore as good business, the tool franchise should check his credit and make sure the guy is not a dead beat

[@midatlantictools]

Yes, if they know they are filling out a credit app. If they are doing this and telling a customer, it's only for their info. but running credit check it's not good business and wrong. They should be telling the customer they want to run their credit and hide the fact.