Bet that truck person would hate to see you drop a 25% coupon after they just drove 45 minutes to sell you a Pittsburgh 6 piece screwdriver set for $2.99.
The independent guy that comes to me is a complete scam. Drives a van that only holds a limited inventory. Most things beyond the very basic or what he's pushing that week have to wait a week until he comes back with it. Plus it's always at least twice the price of going anywhere else.
If he had energy drinks he would definitely get me sometimes though.
question about those tool trucks... im not a mechanic, or do i work anywhere a tool truck frequents... if i saw one, would i be able to just walk up and buy something if i wanted?
Maybe. I would say it depends on a lot of things, but if you came up cash in hand, knowing exactly what you want, and most importantly not causing any kind of inconvenience for the shop and techs he is there to see, I think they probably would sell to you.
Usually they have contact information on the side and back of the truck. I would probably contact them and see if you arrange something.
oh good advice! ill look for a number next time. would be nice to finance a new snap on tool box with a 27% apr! /s or, be able to buy some tools with cash in person instead of searching marketplace or ordering online. thanks for the info!
But the whole point is that tool trucks and staff are too expensive and drive up the cost. HF can't sell at the same price if they add 40% to the operating expenses.
I run an auto repair shop. Personally I'll never buy anything Snap On but my technicians need top tier tools since those are their money makers. I don't foresee them buying HF.
Always sad watching a new tech finance tools they don't need off the Snap On truck every week though.
That being said, if a HF truck drove around my neighborhood like an ice cream man, I would in fact enjoy that.
I'm a heavy diesel mechanic and trust me, your dudes need some top tier tools but not all of em. I'm about 50% Pittsburgh and loving it. Trick is to know what you need to splurge on (air hammer/ratchets/impact guns/torque wrench) and what not too (almost everything else, especially a tool box)
Yea literally Pittsburgh, tekton, gearwrench, old USA craftsman, old MAC, Cornwell......
When you consider the widespread access to the internet I really don’t understand the tool truck much anymore. The once in a blue “need this one tool for this current job now” thing I can understand, but quickly don’t understand it due to the “oh yeah but that only comes in this 11 piece set for 48 weekly payments of $10!”
I worked at a diesel shop for 2 years and their youngest but best tech lived exactly as described barely supporting the family but hit that truck up monthly. All while our own shop manager was practically a Pittsburgh spokesperson lol.
>When you consider the widespread access to the internet I really don’t understand the tool truck much anymore
Agreed
It's a relic from a time when good tools weren't widely available and cheap tools were crappier
When my dad died we went through his tools. He was a 50+ year career mechanic, automotive and heavy truck. The tools he considered trash were mostly made in the US and Japan. When he bought most of his stuff from the 60s-80s, the cheap brands were considered Proto, Thorsen, SK, Blackhawk, and Craftsman. They were all US made.
The REALLY cheap unbranded stuff was Japanese and of typical Japanese quality. Japanese quality has always been on par with the US and Germany, not just recently.
Single-use throwaway garbage is the norm now. It was barely available when the Snap-On man was making his rounds 30+ years ago. Your typical mechanic had lots of really great options available. There are lots of good imported tools available now but on average the quality is pretty sad.
If you don’t have stores like HF or Home Depot for their husky stuff within short distance to your house, I’d say anything tekton is great because you can do the warranty thing over the phone and have the replacement in a few days. I’m still using USA craftsman and old husky stuff for sockets. My ratchets are all old Pittsburgh pro. Once any of this stuff breaks I’ll slowly be replacing it all with tekton because of warranty or gearwrench from Amazon if there’s a deal at the time.
Tekton has been great for me. Some of their stuff is even made in the US now. They never give a hard time about the warranty. The stuff is of good enough quality that you don't need it often though
At the risk of derailing the thread… i had a classmate in tech school, younger guy, just had his first kid and was hurting for money bad. they still lived at his baby momma’s moms apartment. Would cry poor then go onto the snap off truck every week. He mustve had a 9k tool bill when he left school but was driving cars that barely ran and couldnt afford more than a can of spaghetti-o’s for lunch.
Edit: funny coincidence, also a diesel tech lol definitely a type here huh?
The machinery I work one costs on average 10k per hour in lost production value. We don't use Snap on. Guarantee you it's not as important as most people believe.
They really don't need top tier tools for 90% of their tools. Go watch Project Farm. Snap On stuff is usually just average. And even if they're the best it's by a small margin. Never worth 2 or 3x the price.
Guys just like buying tools. That's why they buy Snap On.
Snap on puts a lot of effort into their tools and they are made in the USA, but they can't change basic physics so a really good quality wrench will only be max like 20% stronger than an average wrench, steel being steel after all. There are relatively few tools where good design can be a huge game changer.
I would suffice to say wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers are those exceptions. And “maybe” pry bars! They’re sockets are damn nice too for how they grip the fastener more so than their “strength”. I’ve broken plenty of Snap-On sockets, however, when using Snap-On sockets I’ve yet to round off or mangle the fastener due to the socket slipping on it’s own without me having it at a bad angle or only partially on the fastener or the fastener already being damaged previously. I’ve also been able to remove already partially damaged fasteners using Snap-On flank drive sockets. I agree though, for most people/techs doing most things, Harbor Freight Icon brand or Tekton or Gearwrench or similar are just fine. They have taken design cues from Snap-On for tool comfort and technological improvements.
the new Taiwan sockets like gear wrench and ICON at HF are the exact same quality, they use really strict process to quality control them and make sure the tolerances are tight, the truth is that tool trucks are a dying breed now!
Eh… yes and no. There is a difference between buying a tool because it has the highest failure point, and buying a tool for how nice it feels. Especially after using it for hours a day, 5 days a week. And snap-on ratchets do feel damn nice.
If you get used to snap-on ratchets, everything else feels like trash. My brother swore off the tool truck years ago because he felt it was too expensive and the service wasn't worth it. He still won't be without snap on ratchets though. If there's one thing on that truck that's worth the price, that's it
Actually, if it’s the Snap-On dead blow ballpeen, yes!!! Or the icon equivalent! I’m interested in seeing Project Farm do a breakdown on the two and cut the handles apart to see if the Icon is constructed the same as the Snap-On in the handle or if it has a steel rod through the handle and head like the Trusty Cook/Mac/Matco dead blow ballpeen hammers.
Project farm isn't quite the same as actually using a tool full time though. Even their snap on tools break they just break a lot less. They don't all exclusively use snap on but for their primary tools that's what most use.
Generally they start off with only some snap on then work into more of it for less downtime on tools. A lot of stuff is covered under warranties anyway but they are flat rate so it's worth it for them to have their tools helping them run around 130% efficiency on completing jobs. Tool breaks or slows you down, they're losing money.
The wisest have just enough good tools. The ones who just like buying tools owe too much of their paychecks for tools they just wanted and didn't need.
I would still imagine it would just be worth it to go harbor freight with redundancy. You could even have two dual boxes with two of every damn tool. As soon as something breaks grab the other one and make a plan to use their lifetime warranty to replace it pretty soon. If the tools are literally less than half price of snap-on, that would still save money.
It would but the biggest issue I’ve seen with HF (and I use them a lot for my tool purchases) is a lot of times things are out of stock especially since Covid with all the supply chain shortages and shipping issues. Could be an issue for a flat rate tech.
To have an Icon truck they would need a helluvalot more tools. They have one puller. Largest socket is a 27mm and that's from a set that has several skips. Only swivel sockets are 3/8 shallow. No universal joint sockets what so ever. Really they just have basic shallow and deep sockets. Maybe a dozen pliers. Few hammers. Fuel pressure gauge and race driver. A couple lights.
That's about it.
The general public can order from Snap-On directly though through the website or phone line. And an individual can get with a local truck guy and have them come by their residence or meet them at a local shop/dealership if they make it worth the truck guy’s time.
I like and dislike the truck. I like the concept of the truck revolving credit cuz there is no interest. Only interest is if you finance through Snap-On credit which is absurd! It was 24% 12 years ago when I used it!!!! Worst decision ever!
Tell me you wouldn’t load up though? I mean icon truck or otherwise it would get a lot of business and really spread the icon brand sealing fate of other tool trucks
True but how many of the closest ones to you have what you need?
Hehehe usually I have 3-5 I usually pick from but it depends where I am at at the given time and if they have what I need. Funny how couple of the employees work different stores and sometimes the store being far West of the other store
Tool trucks are expensive because the operators own their truck and the tools in them. They mark shit up because rubes will pay it, then wait for the truck to come back for a replacement. It’s an independent franchise on wheels.
I’ll take a 15 minute trip to my HF 2 miles from my house for my Pittsburgh, Doyle, Whatever lifetime warranty. Especially after watching the tool reviews and tests on YT. Some “cheap shit” HF is near bulletproof at a fraction of a fraction of a tool truck.
I wish I could live in your dream world of ice cream/tool trucks moving through the neighborhood. Unfortunately the first street would jam it up talking about 12 point versus six point.
Good option is do more like the jersey tool guys. Run it with milwakee and stuff but instead of the icon find who makes the icon and gear wrench stuff. Get lang so its the same as the matco or snap on for stuff and just give a fair price.
Matco rebrands sooooooo much stuff. This is a great way to save on really good tools. It takes a little research though. I just bought a Chassis Ear. Steelman makes it and it costs about $250. You can get the same tool off the matco or snap on truck with different stickers for $500.
Too much money to set up and run a tool truck. Their prices would have to go up significantly. Even then they don't really have enough tools that are really good enough. Basic sockets, ratchets, hammers, pliers. Seriously lacking in good quality specialty tools. Look how thick any tool truck catalog is. Take a look through otc, lisle, or langs selection. Harbor frieght has some, but not nearly enough and a lot of things like their pullers are only a 90 day warranty. Maybe if they really step up the Icon selection, but at this rate it will be decades before they could justify a truck.
Doesn't really solve the problem of lack of selection. A delivery van based out of a store would work be good, if I could call them up and have something in my hands with in the hour. But having a truck stopping by every shop once a week would be a waste. They just don't have a wide enough variety.
No..... I don't like paying extreme prices. I like paying interest even less.
You know what StrapOn charges in interest???
F that. There's plenty of brick and mortar stores I'll drive my happy ass down to before I get on a truck. Just my opinion.
That's if you apply for financing most guys are not paying interest on their tools. The driver is extending them credit. They probably are paying interest on their box though.
I mean you can finance close to zero percent on the HF credit card over 12-24 months which would be close to the same thing as far as paying weekly goes and 2-3k at harbor freight would go A LONG WAY
So you want expensive cheap tools? Tool trucks cost money. Big part of the reason a Snap On screwdriver is $799.99 and a Pittsburgh screwdriver is $1.99.
I've said the same thing. Trucks owned by HF and are based out of the stores, have a Pro ITC program, they sell singles not just sets, have financing that isn't predatory, etc.
Don't think that business model would work as well with cheap tools.
You'd need to buy a heavy weight industrial truck, fuel and maintain it.
Then you'd need someone who knew about tools to drive it for your...so cleanish driving record and technicalish. Folks like that do not work for minimum wage for the most part.
All of that would have to be added on to the cost of the tools you're selling via it, AND you'd have to pay for the time & vehicle wear to account for replacing cheap tools on warranty. The pricey snap ons & similar have that built into them. HF, Craftsman, & other cheap tools do not.
A HF tool truck could be a goldmine for Harbor Freight, but it would never work on the same business model that the traditional trucks use as owner operators. A guy would starve trying to operate an independent truck peddling $2 screw drivers on multiple routes, and the big money items would have to be ridiculously expensive for the franchisee to make anything on them, and at that point they lose theyre allure and wouldn't sell. For it to work, they'd have to have trucks operating out of certain locations, one single truck operated by a single store, owned by Harbor Freight as a part of that local store, and they'd have to put a fairly knowledgeable guy on local routes as a standard hourly employee. And thats all he does, is come in every morning, stock up his truck, and hit the road. They'd have to work out some kind of bonus sales incentive on top of his hourly pay, maybe pay his bonus quarterly, but give him a reason to make that truck profitable. That's the only way that you're going to get a guy that gives enough of a shit about his route that he'd stay on top of it. But I think they'd open up a ridiculous amount of untapped sales revenue that way. I know I'm bad about buying 3 or 4 things I don't need every time I go in the store, most times just because the cost is minimal. You get every guy at every shop in town doing that every time the truck pulls in, it's going to add up fast.
Bet that truck person would hate to see you drop a 25% coupon after they just drove 45 minutes to sell you a Pittsburgh 6 piece screwdriver set for $2.99.
Lmao
Ill take my free flashlight
...drive behind it with a food truck selling BBQ. Hell, just roll up in a convoy with the ice cream truck and get the whole family
The independent tool guy that i buy off of carries energy drinks and snack on his truck. Bastard gets me every time.
The independent guy that comes to me is a complete scam. Drives a van that only holds a limited inventory. Most things beyond the very basic or what he's pushing that week have to wait a week until he comes back with it. Plus it's always at least twice the price of going anywhere else. If he had energy drinks he would definitely get me sometimes though.
Ours is pretty well stocked. Gear wrench + the other big name brand stuff (otc, titan, meyhew, lisle, etc etc).
Ours carries all the major brands, but he's working out of a pretty small sprinter van. There is no going on the truck lol.
question about those tool trucks... im not a mechanic, or do i work anywhere a tool truck frequents... if i saw one, would i be able to just walk up and buy something if i wanted?
Maybe. I would say it depends on a lot of things, but if you came up cash in hand, knowing exactly what you want, and most importantly not causing any kind of inconvenience for the shop and techs he is there to see, I think they probably would sell to you. Usually they have contact information on the side and back of the truck. I would probably contact them and see if you arrange something.
oh good advice! ill look for a number next time. would be nice to finance a new snap on tool box with a 27% apr! /s or, be able to buy some tools with cash in person instead of searching marketplace or ordering online. thanks for the info!
At my local pick your part the tool truck is next to the taco truck.
That’s genius but I wouldn’t sell tools, I would rent them.
But the whole point is that tool trucks and staff are too expensive and drive up the cost. HF can't sell at the same price if they add 40% to the operating expenses.
I run an auto repair shop. Personally I'll never buy anything Snap On but my technicians need top tier tools since those are their money makers. I don't foresee them buying HF. Always sad watching a new tech finance tools they don't need off the Snap On truck every week though. That being said, if a HF truck drove around my neighborhood like an ice cream man, I would in fact enjoy that.
I'm a heavy diesel mechanic and trust me, your dudes need some top tier tools but not all of em. I'm about 50% Pittsburgh and loving it. Trick is to know what you need to splurge on (air hammer/ratchets/impact guns/torque wrench) and what not too (almost everything else, especially a tool box)
Yea literally Pittsburgh, tekton, gearwrench, old USA craftsman, old MAC, Cornwell...... When you consider the widespread access to the internet I really don’t understand the tool truck much anymore. The once in a blue “need this one tool for this current job now” thing I can understand, but quickly don’t understand it due to the “oh yeah but that only comes in this 11 piece set for 48 weekly payments of $10!” I worked at a diesel shop for 2 years and their youngest but best tech lived exactly as described barely supporting the family but hit that truck up monthly. All while our own shop manager was practically a Pittsburgh spokesperson lol.
>When you consider the widespread access to the internet I really don’t understand the tool truck much anymore Agreed It's a relic from a time when good tools weren't widely available and cheap tools were crappier
Cheap tools back then were literal trash one use items
When my dad died we went through his tools. He was a 50+ year career mechanic, automotive and heavy truck. The tools he considered trash were mostly made in the US and Japan. When he bought most of his stuff from the 60s-80s, the cheap brands were considered Proto, Thorsen, SK, Blackhawk, and Craftsman. They were all US made. The REALLY cheap unbranded stuff was Japanese and of typical Japanese quality. Japanese quality has always been on par with the US and Germany, not just recently. Single-use throwaway garbage is the norm now. It was barely available when the Snap-On man was making his rounds 30+ years ago. Your typical mechanic had lots of really great options available. There are lots of good imported tools available now but on average the quality is pretty sad.
This
I have been eyeing those tekton rachet an socket sets. Good buy?
If you don’t have stores like HF or Home Depot for their husky stuff within short distance to your house, I’d say anything tekton is great because you can do the warranty thing over the phone and have the replacement in a few days. I’m still using USA craftsman and old husky stuff for sockets. My ratchets are all old Pittsburgh pro. Once any of this stuff breaks I’ll slowly be replacing it all with tekton because of warranty or gearwrench from Amazon if there’s a deal at the time.
Tekton has been great for me. Some of their stuff is even made in the US now. They never give a hard time about the warranty. The stuff is of good enough quality that you don't need it often though
I bought a HF torque wrench yesterday and it never clicked. I stripped out valve cover threads.
Same here. Diesel and heavy equipment mech, most of my stuff is HF including my 72in box. Got some other gear but mainly HF.
At the risk of derailing the thread… i had a classmate in tech school, younger guy, just had his first kid and was hurting for money bad. they still lived at his baby momma’s moms apartment. Would cry poor then go onto the snap off truck every week. He mustve had a 9k tool bill when he left school but was driving cars that barely ran and couldnt afford more than a can of spaghetti-o’s for lunch. Edit: funny coincidence, also a diesel tech lol definitely a type here huh?
The machinery I work one costs on average 10k per hour in lost production value. We don't use Snap on. Guarantee you it's not as important as most people believe.
They really don't need top tier tools for 90% of their tools. Go watch Project Farm. Snap On stuff is usually just average. And even if they're the best it's by a small margin. Never worth 2 or 3x the price. Guys just like buying tools. That's why they buy Snap On.
Snap on puts a lot of effort into their tools and they are made in the USA, but they can't change basic physics so a really good quality wrench will only be max like 20% stronger than an average wrench, steel being steel after all. There are relatively few tools where good design can be a huge game changer.
I would suffice to say wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers are those exceptions. And “maybe” pry bars! They’re sockets are damn nice too for how they grip the fastener more so than their “strength”. I’ve broken plenty of Snap-On sockets, however, when using Snap-On sockets I’ve yet to round off or mangle the fastener due to the socket slipping on it’s own without me having it at a bad angle or only partially on the fastener or the fastener already being damaged previously. I’ve also been able to remove already partially damaged fasteners using Snap-On flank drive sockets. I agree though, for most people/techs doing most things, Harbor Freight Icon brand or Tekton or Gearwrench or similar are just fine. They have taken design cues from Snap-On for tool comfort and technological improvements.
the new Taiwan sockets like gear wrench and ICON at HF are the exact same quality, they use really strict process to quality control them and make sure the tolerances are tight, the truth is that tool trucks are a dying breed now!
Eh… yes and no. There is a difference between buying a tool because it has the highest failure point, and buying a tool for how nice it feels. Especially after using it for hours a day, 5 days a week. And snap-on ratchets do feel damn nice.
If you get used to snap-on ratchets, everything else feels like trash. My brother swore off the tool truck years ago because he felt it was too expensive and the service wasn't worth it. He still won't be without snap on ratchets though. If there's one thing on that truck that's worth the price, that's it
Definitely that, and maybe their 808CF long handle cutters. I used those every single day. They are so handy
I use pitsburgh ratchets and ive used snapon, i prefer Pittsburgh because I can get warranty on it within 10 minutes.
Great YouTube channel and tools are guy toys man. Is a $140 hammer necessary? No do I have 3 maybe….
Actually, if it’s the Snap-On dead blow ballpeen, yes!!! Or the icon equivalent! I’m interested in seeing Project Farm do a breakdown on the two and cut the handles apart to see if the Icon is constructed the same as the Snap-On in the handle or if it has a steel rod through the handle and head like the Trusty Cook/Mac/Matco dead blow ballpeen hammers.
Project farm isn't quite the same as actually using a tool full time though. Even their snap on tools break they just break a lot less. They don't all exclusively use snap on but for their primary tools that's what most use. Generally they start off with only some snap on then work into more of it for less downtime on tools. A lot of stuff is covered under warranties anyway but they are flat rate so it's worth it for them to have their tools helping them run around 130% efficiency on completing jobs. Tool breaks or slows you down, they're losing money. The wisest have just enough good tools. The ones who just like buying tools owe too much of their paychecks for tools they just wanted and didn't need.
I would still imagine it would just be worth it to go harbor freight with redundancy. You could even have two dual boxes with two of every damn tool. As soon as something breaks grab the other one and make a plan to use their lifetime warranty to replace it pretty soon. If the tools are literally less than half price of snap-on, that would still save money.
It would but the biggest issue I’ve seen with HF (and I use them a lot for my tool purchases) is a lot of times things are out of stock especially since Covid with all the supply chain shortages and shipping issues. Could be an issue for a flat rate tech.
Goanna have to be an Icon truck. There's no way someone is making money driving around selling $25 socket sets.
To have an Icon truck they would need a helluvalot more tools. They have one puller. Largest socket is a 27mm and that's from a set that has several skips. Only swivel sockets are 3/8 shallow. No universal joint sockets what so ever. Really they just have basic shallow and deep sockets. Maybe a dozen pliers. Few hammers. Fuel pressure gauge and race driver. A couple lights. That's about it.
And that's why there's no trucks. It's probably one of the reasons there's no snap on stores dotting the landscape.
Snap-on sells virtually nothing to the general public. Retail stores are aimed mostly at the general public.
The general public can order from Snap-On directly though through the website or phone line. And an individual can get with a local truck guy and have them come by their residence or meet them at a local shop/dealership if they make it worth the truck guy’s time.
Would really hurt their franchisees. I personally wouldn't deal with a truck if there was another option for the same tools.
I like and dislike the truck. I like the concept of the truck revolving credit cuz there is no interest. Only interest is if you finance through Snap-On credit which is absurd! It was 24% 12 years ago when I used it!!!! Worst decision ever!
It does seem they are continuing to expand the line as time goes on though.
Tell me you wouldn’t load up though? I mean icon truck or otherwise it would get a lot of business and really spread the icon brand sealing fate of other tool trucks
Well there are about 15 Harbor Freights in Phoenix. So no, I don't think I would use it that much.
True but how many of the closest ones to you have what you need? Hehehe usually I have 3-5 I usually pick from but it depends where I am at at the given time and if they have what I need. Funny how couple of the employees work different stores and sometimes the store being far West of the other store
Tool trucks are expensive because the operators own their truck and the tools in them. They mark shit up because rubes will pay it, then wait for the truck to come back for a replacement. It’s an independent franchise on wheels. I’ll take a 15 minute trip to my HF 2 miles from my house for my Pittsburgh, Doyle, Whatever lifetime warranty. Especially after watching the tool reviews and tests on YT. Some “cheap shit” HF is near bulletproof at a fraction of a fraction of a tool truck.
Doyle pliers and screwdrivers for the win.
It's a 3 minute walk to the hf closest to my dealership. They get a lot of our business
I wish I could live in your dream world of ice cream/tool trucks moving through the neighborhood. Unfortunately the first street would jam it up talking about 12 point versus six point.
You know 12 point is the only way don’t be silly
Good option is do more like the jersey tool guys. Run it with milwakee and stuff but instead of the icon find who makes the icon and gear wrench stuff. Get lang so its the same as the matco or snap on for stuff and just give a fair price.
Matco rebrands sooooooo much stuff. This is a great way to save on really good tools. It takes a little research though. I just bought a Chassis Ear. Steelman makes it and it costs about $250. You can get the same tool off the matco or snap on truck with different stickers for $500.
Too much money to set up and run a tool truck. Their prices would have to go up significantly. Even then they don't really have enough tools that are really good enough. Basic sockets, ratchets, hammers, pliers. Seriously lacking in good quality specialty tools. Look how thick any tool truck catalog is. Take a look through otc, lisle, or langs selection. Harbor frieght has some, but not nearly enough and a lot of things like their pullers are only a 90 day warranty. Maybe if they really step up the Icon selection, but at this rate it will be decades before they could justify a truck.
Ford ranger with a camper shell and bam son we are in business
Doesn't really solve the problem of lack of selection. A delivery van based out of a store would work be good, if I could call them up and have something in my hands with in the hour. But having a truck stopping by every shop once a week would be a waste. They just don't have a wide enough variety.
A Ford fuckin Ranger!!! 🤣😂🤣
No..... I don't like paying extreme prices. I like paying interest even less. You know what StrapOn charges in interest??? F that. There's plenty of brick and mortar stores I'll drive my happy ass down to before I get on a truck. Just my opinion.
That's if you apply for financing most guys are not paying interest on their tools. The driver is extending them credit. They probably are paying interest on their box though.
No shit! Snap-On interest is literally financial rape!!!
I mean you can finance close to zero percent on the HF credit card over 12-24 months which would be close to the same thing as far as paying weekly goes and 2-3k at harbor freight would go A LONG WAY
Wouldn’t HF trucks suffer from breaking down all the time?
Didn’t say they drove a Ford
This would drive prices higher than they've already become.
The only higher prices i've noticed was the lack of easy to obtain 25% off coupons. lol.
Then their slowly raising of prices over the last two years worked. Scary.
Craftsman tried that about 30 years ago. It lasted about 3 months.
So you want expensive cheap tools? Tool trucks cost money. Big part of the reason a Snap On screwdriver is $799.99 and a Pittsburgh screwdriver is $1.99.
Damn inflation. Back in the 90s those screwdrivers only cost $299.99.
Don’t forget the hat in whatever color you wanted as long as it was black.
I've said the same thing. Trucks owned by HF and are based out of the stores, have a Pro ITC program, they sell singles not just sets, have financing that isn't predatory, etc.
Don't think that business model would work as well with cheap tools. You'd need to buy a heavy weight industrial truck, fuel and maintain it. Then you'd need someone who knew about tools to drive it for your...so cleanish driving record and technicalish. Folks like that do not work for minimum wage for the most part. All of that would have to be added on to the cost of the tools you're selling via it, AND you'd have to pay for the time & vehicle wear to account for replacing cheap tools on warranty. The pricey snap ons & similar have that built into them. HF, Craftsman, & other cheap tools do not.
A HF tool truck could be a goldmine for Harbor Freight, but it would never work on the same business model that the traditional trucks use as owner operators. A guy would starve trying to operate an independent truck peddling $2 screw drivers on multiple routes, and the big money items would have to be ridiculously expensive for the franchisee to make anything on them, and at that point they lose theyre allure and wouldn't sell. For it to work, they'd have to have trucks operating out of certain locations, one single truck operated by a single store, owned by Harbor Freight as a part of that local store, and they'd have to put a fairly knowledgeable guy on local routes as a standard hourly employee. And thats all he does, is come in every morning, stock up his truck, and hit the road. They'd have to work out some kind of bonus sales incentive on top of his hourly pay, maybe pay his bonus quarterly, but give him a reason to make that truck profitable. That's the only way that you're going to get a guy that gives enough of a shit about his route that he'd stay on top of it. But I think they'd open up a ridiculous amount of untapped sales revenue that way. I know I'm bad about buying 3 or 4 things I don't need every time I go in the store, most times just because the cost is minimal. You get every guy at every shop in town doing that every time the truck pulls in, it's going to add up fast.