Suggestion for the Site

[hparsons]

Hey Cruiseman, I was reading the thread about the On Board Diagnostic Tool, and had a thought. I think it would be great if you had a way to set up a list (would be nice if it were self-maintaining) of folks that had certain high-dollar tools, that are infrequently used, that they're willing to loan out. For instance, I have an ATEQ VT15 that has been used twice (once by me, and once by MisterK). I'm about to use it again, but three times in 2 1/2 years is sort of sad for a $120 tool. Same thought I had about the OBD tool in the thread mentioned. While it would be nice to have, at $300 I don't think I'd buy one as I don't think I'd use it much.

What I envision is a list that has the user name (so they can be PM'd), the tool they have (maybe group similar tools together), where they're located, and a note area that indicates how they want to handle things (EG "Come on over, and I'll help you use it", or "send me a deposit, and I'll ship it to you, then subtract the shipping and refund it when you send it back".)

[Cruiseman]

Interesting idea.

[TravelinLite]

Great idea hparsons!

[530ktm]

I feel dumb but what is a ATEQ VT15 tool?

[Rocky]

A word of Caution on this well intended idea. from someone who has loaned out tools for the cost of sipping both ways in the past.

You be surprised at the tool damage that I had to endure when I loaned out Shock spring/Engine tools/ Stem sockets/ fork seal driver/ and so on.

We tested a new Steering Stem tool we both designed to remove & install the Stem bearing races from the frame.
We/he didn't have time to write up instructions before he shipped three tools for a work party. before he even rode up there.
The very first guy damaged the tool because he didn't ask how to use it. The damaged parts were replaced free.

Everyone that attended the work party was shown how easy the new tool was to use. It saved everyonea lot of time.


The tool worked fantastic when it's used properly. but nevertheless some people can be dangerous with tools..lol

Although I never once charged one person for damaging one of my own tools. I had to stop the practice because my out of pocket costs were out of control. I just chalked it up to "no good deed goes unpunished". I figured it was my own fault for offering to loan out my tools to people I didn't know could use them properly or not?.

I then had my partner start selling these specialty tools. he also started a loaner program too. saved guys a lot of bucks if they were only going to use a tool once.


Now with that said. I still think this loaner tool is a good idea-With the caveat,
That if a tool is damaged for any reason?.
it will be replaced by the renter/borrower before it's sent back. they then can keep the damaged tool.

[hparsons]

I feel dumb but what is a ATEQ VT15 tool?

It's used to reset the TPMS. If you change out a wheel, the transmitter on it doesn't properly "talk" to your TPMS system. This can be done by a dealerhsip, but I think most of them charge a full hour for the service. Plus, those that go totally crazy, and replace their tire with non-motorcycle tire prefer to play a trick on the system, and reverse the order of the programming; which I don't think a dealership is going to do.

[Cruiseman]

Neither a lender nor a borrower be...

Ben Franklin

[530ktm]

I am kind of with Rocky on this one, I do not like to borrow tools or equipment and vice versa. I have done so in the past and when I get something back (and sometimes that is not easy) it usually is not the same as it was before I lent it out. Renting something from a business is one thing but borrowing from friends or acquaintances is another. But when I put on my car tire I will be over to use the VT15. :toast:

[hparsons]

A word of Caution on this well intended idea. from someone who has loaned out tools for the cost of sipping both ways in the past.

You be surprised at the tool damage that I had to endure when I loaned out Shock spring/Engine tools/ Stem sockets/ fork seal driver/ and so on.

We tested a new Steering Stem tool we both designed to remove & install the Stem bearing races from the frame.
We/he didn't have time to write up instructions before he shipped three tools for a work party. before he even rode up there.
The very first guy damaged the tool because he didn't ask how to use it. The damaged parts were replaced free.

Everyone that attended the work party was shown how easy the new tool was to use. It saved everyonea lot of time.


The tool worked fantastic when it's used properly. but nevertheless some people can be dangerous with tools..lol

Although I never once charged one person for damaging one of my own tools. I had to stop the practice because my out of pocket costs were out of control. I just chalked it up to "no good deed goes unpunished". I figured it was my own fault for offering to loan out my tools to people I didn't know could use them properly or not?.

I then had my partner start selling these specialty tools. he also started a loaner program too. saved guys a lot of bucks if they were only going to use a tool once.


Now with that said. I still think this loaner tool is a good idea-With the caveat,
That if a tool is damaged for any reason?.
it will be replaced by the renter/borrower before it's sent back. they then can keep the damaged tool.

I understand that position completely, and I realized when I suggested this that there are some risks involved. In addition to damaging tools, there's also the possibility of one just simply never being returned.

Personally, I like the idea of deposit, but I wouldn't be bothered at all by someone having a small fee (and I mean very small) fee associated by the owner of the tool. Reality is, unless someone works on bikes as a vocation or an avocation, they'll never get "full value" on some of these more expensive tools. I decided that at $120, it would only take 2 tire changes to get my money back. However, the guy that spends $300 for an OBD tool will likely never get enough computer messages to make it worth that investment. Personally, I wouldn't mind at all if someone posted, in the notes area, Shipping plus $10 fee to help cover my cost, or (related to your point) Shipping plus $100 deposit, deposit will be refunded when the tool is returned in working condition.

[Riverdawg]

I like the idea, but agree that sooner or later something would be damaged either by carelessness or just cause stuff breaks sometimes. Autozone has a tool program I used once and they just charged you for a new tool, and if you returned it intact, refunded the charge, if not you already bought it. One of our sponsor/vendors might generate some sales this way as some folks might just decide to keep the tool and it's already paid for. Of course shipping and handling would also have to be paid for the service and tool depreciation. Paypal makes it pretty painless.

[Kit Carson]

Years ago we tried that. We did try the loaner tool program on the Steve Sanders forum. It was more aggravation than it was worth. Yes tools are damaged and mistreated, and a nice 300 dollar test device hooked up improperly and zapped would be the first thing to get destroyed. Ever watch someone who has never removed a wheel bearing, that should be on the funniest video series. Lol!

What was found in the old time experiment was that the owner would send out the tool, and the borrower sometimes just kept it or let it lay around for two or three weeks without return or passing on to the next person.

Admirable idea, just does not work in the real world. Too many problems from mistreatment of tools to slow to no response on return or passing on to others.

Hard feelings entered into it sometimes too, as one would claim they got the tool already damaged, the previous person would deny it and soon there was another fuss.

Yep we tried that long time ago, did not work well.

Even around here someone local will borrow something, if I do not write myself a note I may forget about it and when I need it, guess what? They have not had the courtesy to return it.

If I borrow a tool from you, I will take care of it, and return it the same day, tell you Thank You and show courtesy. Not all will do so in fact the majority are just the opposite. That was the big problem, people not returning items or passing them on to others.

Borrowing and lending is one of the things on the list of things that causes war, hard feelings and a great many fusses.