Tool Thefts - depressing reading

[hotponyshoes]

I think the tool manafactures could probably do something if they wanted.

It's virtually impossible not to use an app with power tools now!

Take Bosch & Metbao for example.
Both of these require you to scan the tool in to the app to extend the warranty from 1 to 3 years. (You may be able to post it in?)

Neither of those have the ability to log a tool as stolen.
Plenty of the tools also have blluetooth as well, but not the ability to activate the tool with a pin code or something.

So, add a function to the app that let's you sell/transfer a tool or report it stolen.
I want to buy a 2nd hand drill I just scan the qr code, the app tells me who owns it, how many hours/cycles it's been used for, and a notification pings up on the sellers phone transferring ownership to me.
The incentive could be transfer of warranty.

Would make stolen tools obvious. Increase the value of the good 2nd hand ones.

I don't expect the manafactures want people buying used tools though so probably why they don't do it.


There are also various databases/websites/apps already for registering and checking tools.
Problem is, 1, the users need to bother to do the work to input the information,
But, 2, There are far too many of them for it to work. I'm not standing at a car boot sale checking 22 different sites/apps.

Maybe a national property registry?
Every single thing you buy (drill/welder/trolly jack) has a qr code or rfd chip.
These codes are standard so the manafactures have to put the tool info etc into them.

One app. You scan and it logs an asset.
All buying/selling goes through the apps transferring ownership.

Obviously you couldn't make it compulsory for everyone as not everyone has a phone (or a data connection) or would like the invasion of privacy.
But I'd be happy if I could get a better price selling my used tools by advertising that I was selling them under the 'national asset watch' scheme or whatever

 

[badabec]

I'd be Draconian. I do have a black handkerchief.

 

[Dilkris]

I'd be Draconian. I do have a black handkerchief.

I'm on your team
Until there are effective deterrents and consequences in place - sadly nothing will change.
Just Utube "Kamikaze Shoplifters"

 

[Shedendman]

Marked vans is a problem ie John the welder written on the side is like a magnet
I remember quite a few years ago when screwfix had went public,there were some guys hanging around in such shops ears open listening to staff repeating the buyers postcode out loud(as they do) seeing bob the builder buy whatever £££ worth of gear and tracing them down,you can guess the rest
Also whos to say that some scumbag isn't flogging off your info to the scum when you buy online,has been known

 

[MattF]

but not the ability to activate the tool with a pin code or something.

I believe some Metabo may.

The problem with a registry is that you're assuming the buyers possess any scruples. A lot don't.

 

[james butler]

Personally, I'd rather have the main brands charging a premium, knowing that it means the quality will continue to be there.

the quality doesn't have to change just because of a lower price, just the mindset and attitude to solving the problem connected to theft
currently it seems a premium tool = high cost that will in turn always = theft
if all tools are a premium quality and all at a price everyone can afford then theft will evaporate as there is no market for stolen products anymore
personally more should be done to prosecute those purchasing stolen goods as ignorance really isn't an excuse when your buying £2000 worth of kit from a car boot for £50
as has been said most tools have to be registered for warranty using the serial numbers unique to that kit so should be easy enough to trace back to the owner if it ever fell into the wrong hands.

 

[Dilkris]

if all tools are a premium quality and all at a price everyone can afford then theft will evaporate as there is no market for stolen products anymore

What..... ???
Surely all tools would have to be free for this to happen no?

 

[My Old Landy]

My Shogun is registered and therefore insured as a van. I have just had notification that the insurance will go up if it is sign written and doesn't have third party security.
I don't carry tools nor is it sign written but I expect I will still be penalised because of thieves.
It's a shame but I suppose it comes with the territory of driving a van.

 

[Nomad]

My Shogun is registered and therefore insured as a van. I have just had notification that the insurance will go up if it is sign written and doesn't have third party security.
I don't carry tools nor is it sign written but I expect I will still be penalised because of thieves.
It's a shame but I suppose it comes with the territory of driving a van.

I used a classic estate car for work (tradesman).
That had no signwriting but I made a neat metal panel to clip in place in the back window and painted it to match the white roof. A local chap made a good job of signwriting the business info on the panel.
Normal use (or going to the council tip) = unmarked, parked up when on a job = signwritten classic promo vehicle
Wanting to avoid unwanted attention (when parked on the street overnight etc) was one of the main reasons why it was done that way

 

[keithski122]

Its not just vans that get broken into and power tools just get stolen. Six months ago where I used to work got broken into through a grill over a crappy door and I had my locked toolboxes levered open and 35 years of motor trade tools stolen.Everyone else had rubbish tools with a value of a couple hundred quid while when I totaled up all the damage and missing tools it had a replacement value of £18k. Work only had an insurance policy giving each individual cover of about £3500. Luckily I managed to get a decent payout which although wouldn't cover replacement has given me a good return considering I bought some tools/boxes secondhand and was in the process of selling much of it. If I hadn't been leaving the trade then I would have had to stump up to replace the tools before the insurance paid and the difference between what they paid and what the replacement would be.
My advice would be just to buy cheap tools now.
Edit, been checking both ebay and facebook market place to see if they turn up but reckon they've gone down the boot sale.

 

[Trevorleach]

Always worth engraving or melting your postcode into any cordless tools.

 

[keithski122]

Always worth engraving or melting your postcode into any cordless tools.

Only makes a difference if you can find them afterwards.
A lot of mine have my initials engraved on them or other identifying marks, didn't stop them getting stolen though.

 

[sg66]

I've unfortunately had tools stolen a few times, most inconvenient was when they stole the vehicle which was found and returned empty, I turned up at a house to look at a job once and had been in less than 5 mins, nock at door, is the van owner in as someone just made off with tool boxes...

They had slit through hinge pins and pulled door from hinge side.

 

[premmington]

Sorry tale you lot are painting...

Tradesman buys some nice tools - take's pride in his work. Racks his van out with some nice kit. Earns his living...

"Takers" come and cut his van open with battery grinder they knicked off someone else - then export it wholeslale in a container for peanuts - or sells them off on the floor at a carboot sale.

In the end - who is gonna insure you! No one is the answer. The risk is too high...

--------------

It is just sadly - those that work - fund the "takers" that don't work.... This is just the norm - for all things in life now!

 

[Robotstar5]

I had a company car nicked from a hotel car park in Basildon, lost all my tools with it, I had a company dual beam 'scope in the boot worth about £3k at the time, it was the only thing the police found with the 13A plug cut off.

 

[roofman]

It may be a crime to do what i do but i don't care...i Spray paint my cordless tools including my Paslode nail guns satin black,i also don't use the cases dotted around the van and instead put them in separate old hessian plumber type bags. On the job a black power tool is hard to spot and the plumber bags make them look like they have tat in them.

 

[Robotstar5]

One place I worked had battery tools on the production line and to stop them been nicked they would lock out when the battery was flat or removed, the only way to re-enable them was to take them to the line supervisor who had an RF ID key to turn them back on.

 

[magnet]

I venture to suggest that once you meet the seller at their residence it is easy to decide if the sale is legitimate.

Like the ad i answered years back for a 3 ton chainblock. Pulled up at the guys house rough area tapped the door. Fella came to the door ill fitting wife beater with dinner medals all down the front and a 5/8 of an inch nipper stuck to his bottom lip. He grunted and proceed to lead me down the bramble infested garden to a lump of rotten plywood . He lifted it up and there was the block. It still had the hire firms name on it. Needless to say i made like a good news of the world reporter ,and made my excuses and left.
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, But like every rule there are exceptions.

 

[premmington]

It may be a crime to do what i do but i don't care...i Spray paint my cordless tools including my Paslode nail guns satin black,i also don't use the cases dotted around the van and instead put them in separate old hessian plumber type bags. On the job a black power tool is hard to spot and the plumber bags make them look like they have tat in them.

Buy a black van and have it signwritten - "private ambulance" on the side in discret lettering.

Buy a white van and have it signwritten - "Bridgets Flowers" on the side in bright bold lettering.

 

[Mick Annick]

Buy a black van and have it signwritten - "private ambulance" on the side in discret lettering.

Buy a white van and have it signwritten - "Bridgets Flowers" on the side in bright bold lettering.

I’ve thought similar before - ‘animal byproducts - not for human consumption’ should deter them.