Tool Theft

Jack Sweet

Hey, everybody, this is Jack and Wendy at Reeves Journal Magazine. We'd like to toss out a question to see if anybody would like to chime in with an answer or anecdote we could possibly use in or as the basis for an upcoming feature story:

As contractors what kind of concerns do you all have in regards to tool, equipment and materials theft?

What kinds of things seem to be popular with thieves these days?

How do you go about keeping track of tools, equipment and materials so they don't walk away from job sites or out of technicians' trucks?

Is there an insurance company out there considered to be The One in regards to providing this type of coverage? What type(s) of policy covers this and is the cost reasonable?

Does anyone have any interesting cautionary tales about protecting--or failing to protect--their tools, equipment and materials?

hvacfreak

hockey Puck locks...

and pawn shops. Use Hockey Pucks to keep your tools in the truck. Don't shop at pawn shops for your stuff. Karma will bite you hard...live by the book , and the hocky puck locks.

bill nye_3

Tool theft

In Aug. 2005 my work van and my garage were broken into while I slept in the comfort of my own home 20 feet away. I had the windows closed in the house and the A/C was on. I never heard a thing.

The truck and the garage were both locked. The truck window was smashed and the garage door was pried open with a large crowbar. I found 70% of my tools missing at 7am the following morning.

An honest estimate of about $10,000. For a one or two man shop that is a lot. Power tools, battery tools, all Milwaukee. Handtools, air compressors, automotive car jack, radios. One yr old tools, day old tools, tools I had since I was 16. Tools my Dad had given me, tools retired people I worked with had given me, tools customers had given me, mostly tools I bought and paid for. I never stole any ones tools, all of mine were come by honestly. I lost about three days of work dealing with cops, insurance, new locks, alarm systems, tinted windows, mini-storage rental,truck repair.

Tools were never recovered. Insurance paid NOTHING, not even truck repair. $10,000 loss of tools, about $4,000 out of pocket for repairs and enough basic tools to get back to work. I still go with out tools I had and need.

It was very depressing, a lot of lost sleep. Many of the tools I have now are of inferior quality to what I lost. They were supposed to last a lifetime.

Out of sight, out of mind. Keep tools out of the open. You should keep receipts, record serial numbers, and photograph and inventory your tools. My tools could have been insured but my ex-partner did not want to spend the $250 for the tool rider.

One ex-boss and one ex-employer gave me some tools to get back to work and a couple of competitors called to offer help if I needed anything. Life goes on, I am no longer self employed. The tool theft hurt me more than I should have let it. I hope the druggies got good money for my stuff and I hope the new owners treat the tools with the same respect I showed.

Bernie Riddle_2

hockey Puck locks

Live in lower NY and saw a person open a vans two american hockey puck locks in 30 seconds each with a small screwdriver and a hacksaw blade. This was in the Home Depot parking lot. I have known 2 people who have had tools stolen from Home Depots lot. The van I watched get broken into was unloaded of all tools gps and even a homemade saw horse by the time the guy hit the door the van was already empty. I got the plate # and called police. They found the guy the same day at a lowes selling all the tools in the parking lot. But the guy had a truck load of mixed tools and since the contractor couldnt supply proof they were his he didnt get anything back. I was a locksmith for a long time and I must say Locks only keep honest people out. Bottom line. I have always used hockey puck locks "mul-t-locks" thinking they were the best but after watching that guy and then taking the lock off my truck and seeing how he did it I changed everything.
I still use the locks but I have closed off the back so you cannot see a thing. I also bought tool boxes that lock so all tools and power tools go in the boxes which are bolted to the frame. also all tools are labled and pictures taken. I also read and had an lawyer friend read my insurance to make sure im covered.

Jack Sweet

"Hockey Puck" locks? Wow. I Googled around quickly to see what's up with "hockey puck locks" and found this video on YouTube. This guy picks one in about three seconds.

(Check out the related vids, too.)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2T5JDGzYqNY

I guess the bottom line is that locks are just there to MAYBE slow somebody down--if they want your stuff they're going to get it. I wonder what's involved in pawning something these days? Pawn shops have really cleaned up their acts, right. Are people trading the stuff for dope or something you think?

Jack Sweet

contact?

Hey, Tim. We tried to get in touch with you. Do you have contact info to e-mail one or both of us?

Bernie Riddle_2

Spam blocked

Seems aol blocks everything try this email Tim

Dan C._4

tools

A really good friend of mine had his whole truck stolen off of a loading dock. The whole thing was caught on the security camera for the building. The truck was found the next day. They stole all of his copper, his power tools, but left 4 floodstoppers which are about $250 a piece and two comercial sewage ejector pumps that he paid $400 each for and they left all the rest of the expensive specialty tools.

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