Charging Customer For Specialized Tool

Wondering if any of you shop owners or mechanics that charge for their services charge customers for the cost of tools required to do repair if there's little chance of you ever using those tools again .

 

Then let them keep the tool after. Or do you plan on keeping it?
how you answer that will tell you what kinda person you are.

 

Customer would not have any idea how to use it.
I'm not planning on charging the cost of the tools. More like pro rating the cost .
Tools cost me $90 , I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of $20 .

 

Id think that’s appropriate and as a customer, if was told this would have zero issue paying the extra $20.

 

Well, no shit. But they could sell it on the used market and recoup the cost vs you charging them the cost of the tool AND keeping it.

And the tool is only $90? Why is this even a question?

 

Do you happen ot own your own business or do repairs for a living ?

 

Would like to know what you’re working on that requires that tool. And, why it would never be used again.

 

yes, especially if it is a tool you had to buy to do that shop. 20 is a deal. just added to the repair bill , people are stupid and would think you taken advantage of him

 

Depends on if you see this as a repetitive repair

If not you can always Ebay these types of tools afterward

Nonetheless, get all of the money, or a portion of it

 

Rad Power Bike with 750 W Bafang motor . Removing the freewheel .
Whom ever came up with the design needs to have their ass kicked.
It uses a larger connection plug than every other motor .
With others, you can slide the axle nut & washers over the plug and use a regular freewheel remover .
Not possible with this one . Called the company and they sent me this POS
You're supposed to slide the cable through the slot and then put the cut out part back in.
Not ever close to working.

This is the one needed to do the job

 

In that case, I’d tell the customer, you want me to work on it, you provide the tool necessary. Otherwise, take it elsewhere. Customer keeps tool also.

 

I'm listed as the only repair shop in the area for Rad. And I'm in no position right now to turn away work . Eventually I'll use the tool again, but not any time soon .
Not that this customers history has much to do with it, but a few years ago he brought the same model bike in. It was under water due to flooding .
I told him the motor and electronics would need to be replaced , apx $600 .The bike cost $2500 then . He said he was not sure what he was going to do .
I said that if he did not want it, to let me know and we could work out some kind of a deal for it.
Never heard back until he brought this on in . Asked him what he did with the other one . He said that he threw it out.

 

Sounds like you already know the answer

 

Understand. Personally, I’d tell said company. You want me to continue as a service rep for your products, send me the correct tool for the job(s). Or, make it available at cost.

 

If you are advertising yourself as a rad power bike specialist, it is expected that you have all the tools necessary to work on them.

I’ve had to buy multiple specialized tools for vehicles I almost never work on. anything less than say 500. dollars I’m expected to have it or buy it. Over that and I get the my employer to buy it. But since you seem to be the business owner…. It’s on you.
Unless you make it expressly clear to the customer beforehand.

that’s just my .02

Btw I’m finding bafang freewheel removal tools online for 10 bucks.

 

Back when I used to make machine tooling (Form mills, thread mills, end mills to 0.0001", etc....), some shop owners would snivel and whinge about the cost. I used to ask them back "How much will it cost to NOT have this tool?". Instant rapport. I've also had work that paid for the tooling, but not the time - great - now I'm one step further ahead than I was before. I've also sold tooling (I'll never need that again!) and always regretted it eventually.

Either you are in that business, or you are not.

 

Never did any of the shops I worked at ever charge a customer for special tools. Cost of doing business.

 

Shop costs are common and should allow you to recoup a portion of the cost. As a customer, I would appreciate a heads up informing me that you would incur the cost and why so I could make a decision to proceed or not.

 

Not for a 750w
This is only 1 of the tools I needed. And this is the only company that makes them.
https://area13ebikes.com/products/bafang-750-watt-freewheel-removal-tool-made-in-usa-by-bolton-labs

 

The bike is a PIA to work on . Have to take all kinds of shit off to remove the wheel and adjust rear caliper . I told him when he dropped it off that it was going to be costly . He was ok with that .
Unless I have to use a lot of shop supplies ie solvents & cleaners , I don't add them into the bill . When I do, they are listed as such "Shop Supplies"
The customer is informed before I start the job.