What To Do When Tools Go Missing?

[CAautogroup]

Any thoughts on what to do when tools go missing at the shop? These are tools that I have personally purchased for our employees to use and service vehicles with, but recently I have noticed several tools are missing- pliers, screw drivers, oil filter wrenches, sockets, etc.

 

Some of our techs might have possibly left them behind while servicing customers vehicles which is a liability on its own in case something were to happen or get stuck. In fact, we have had about two customers coming back to return them to us.

 

Any opinions on how to handle this matter? Should I forward the cost to replace these tools among the employees equally?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

John

[CARMandP]

I personally chalk them up as part of doing the job. No matter how many check list you use, there will be tools left behind. Sadly I even do it myself Not sure if there is much you can do to enforce "lost" tools since there is no way of knowing who is loosing them.

[5 Star Auto Spa]

The only way around this is to buy separate tools for each individual so there is accountability. If tools are used in a communal way, there is no way to identify who is loosing what as CARMandP has stated.

[HarrytheCarGeek]

Make your shop foreman responsible for the shop tools, if they go missing, he is responsible for replacing them. Otherwise, mechanics will never care for the shop tools as their own. Been there, done that. It only takes one time to dip into the foreman's pocket for tools to ever get lost without a good reason.

Edited May 31, 2013 by HarrytheCarGeek

[Joe Marconi]

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[Gonzo]

I would have to say that the tool sharing idea never seems to work out. Whether it is company bought tools or from tech to tech. For years my large tool box was "community property" and everyone who didn't have a certain tool knew I probably had it in a drawer. Needless to say, things came up missing. That had to stop as well.

 

I still have things like scanners, large pullers, etc... on a community shelf. These items are clearly marked on their box as well as its location on the shelf. You only have to walk by and glance up to see if something is missing.

[HarrytheCarGeek]

You may also want to paint shop tools a florescent orange, they are made easy to spot when under the hood or inside the vehicle. That has help a lot. If you don't want them stolen, paint them florescent pink.

Edited May 31, 2013 by HarrytheCarGeek