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I phoned the garage I've used for the last 10 years to book my car's annual service & MOT to get a recorded message "due to the lack of mechanics we are no longer open" 
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Cato
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Might be one of the garages she was referring to then?I phoned the garage I've used for the last 10 years to book my car's annual service & MOT to get a recorded message "due to the lack of mechanics we are no longer open"
I think part of it is the relatively poor pay since they de-skilled trades and decided training could be a year instead of 4 or 5.They all want to be 'influencers' now that's why
Same 25 years ago when everyone wanted to be in IT/media as the money was brilliant. Until everyone was doing it and they started paying peanuts.
dobbslc
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This is it!I think part of it is the relatively poor pay since they de-skilled trades and decided training could be a year instead of 4 or 5.
Schools and government were pushing for all the kids to go to university or college but some didn't want to or just couldn't, they ignored the trades for many years in the late 80's and early 90's with very few apprenticeships and now 30 odd years later there's a shortage of skilled* tradesmen & wimmin as the older ones (if they were lucky enough) are retiring now.
* I mean the real properly trained AND skilled ones not the gangs of lying chancers we have in the industry now.
At least the money should be good for the remaining ones though, oh wait a minute...
Blobber
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I've never known it so quite, barely sold a thing in 2 monthsTalking to the Snap-On rep this morning she was saying a couple of reps are knocking it on the head as their 5 year contract is up this year. She also said a couple of garages have gone, and a few more are teetering. She's struggling to get money out of the fitters too.
Looking like 2026 is going to be a bumpy year in the trade.
Cato
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In much more cheerful news, the mystery of the jumping Lucas is solved. 
It kept popping out and even a new clamp didn't cure it. However this time there was a faint oil line which when zoomed in (modern camera phones are great) you can see the crack which stops the clamp gripping it.
Time to either find a replacement 18D2 or fire up the lathe and make a new ring.
It kept popping out and even a new clamp didn't cure it. However this time there was a faint oil line which when zoomed in (modern camera phones are great) you can see the crack which stops the clamp gripping it.
Time to either find a replacement 18D2 or fire up the lathe and make a new ring.
addjunkie
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Id concur, its going to be a tough year I think folk hanging on to the few spare pennies they have. Our cottage bookings have dropped of and folk all booking last minute for a bargain. Id hate to be in a buisness trying to get folk to pay up after the job these days.I've never known it so quite, barely sold a thing in 2 months
Cato
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The company I service/repair those welder gen sets for asked if I did "The usual business to business 30 day terms.". I replied that I do "the usual you get it back when you've paid for it terms."
Not sure if it's connected but I haven't heard from them for a while.
addjunkie
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30 days is common, but some large organisations are 90 or even 180 days, so they can operate on your money!The company I service/repair those welder gen sets for asked if I did "The usual business to business 30 day terms.". I replied that I do "the usual you get it back when you've paid for it terms."
Not sure if it's connected but I haven't heard from them for a while.
Cato
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Not on mine they can't!
A flat, hard rule from the outset is that I don't provide credit. I've heard all the "loads of work after this one" carrot BS and I'm not interested.
MattF
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Not on mine they can't!
A flat, hard rule from the outset is that I don't provide credit. I've heard all the "loads of work after this one" carrot BS and I'm not interested.
Sensible approach.
Cato
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Given the way things are, and the number of companies going bust without warning, it's just not worth the risk even for a small amount IMHO.
Blobber
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Back in the day the Renault factory in Dunstable payments were twice a year!
addjunkie
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When I was chasing spares from Angola, Id ring suppliers to be told we were on stop for payments being a year over due. Said departments when chased had no shame, just normal inefficient business process. When it was explained to them that their process was pants and it could cost us 30 million a day, they still didn't care, until I went a few steps over their heads.Back in the day the Renault factory in Dunstable payments were twice a year!
Bobtail4x4
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mate of mine was a snap off rep, he tells me the van fairies filled his van overnight, but started adding stuff he had not ordered, that was charged to him, often stuff that he couldnt sell,Talking to the Snap-On rep this morning she was saying a couple of reps are knocking it on the head as their 5 year contract is up this year. She also said a couple of garages have gone, and a few more are teetering. She's struggling to get money out of the fitters too.
Looking like 2026 is going to be a bumpy year in the trade.
ended up with half the van full of tat, and problems getting paid from customers, he packed it in,
Cato
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It doesn't sound a very nice business model from all that I hear. All the hassle and stress of self employment, with all the stress and hassle of employment added on and debt levels that'd make Rachel Reeves blanche thrown in for good measure.
As Rosa Parks said when asked to stand "F**k that!"
Melvyn Best
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My first ever Snap On rep from around 1970 built up the business in the Cambridge area for years and was doing nicely until Snap On decided to split his area, I think he ended up with less than 20% of his original area. We haven’t seen a rep for years now
Company I worked for sent a small business to the wall doing that. Our buyer was always, 'lets pay them 90 days, then 95 days, next one 100 days' They folded due to cash flow problems.
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Cato
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In both cases that's down to the supplier allowing them to do it.A car company I worked for did the same
Tell them to pay on time, and if they don't walk and start a small claims procedure. I know some people don't like to be that way, and perhaps feel that it will cost them some business. I can guarantee that they'll like bankruptcy less.
It's theft basically, and you wouldn't stand for someone walking in and taking your stuff or money.
