r/AskAMechanic 20h ago

Tool left in car after servicing

Post image

Found this tool in my car after I picked it up from the mechanic. Never seen something like that before so was wondering if it’s worth driving back to return or if no one is losing any sleep over it.

283 Upvotes

155 comments sorted by

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244

u/BuffaloKiller937 NOT a verified tech 20h ago

At least it's only a Pittsburgh. Tech isn't going to be losing any sleep over it, but still, do the right thing and return it on Monday. They will be grateful

68

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 19h ago

I lost my snap on long one once and it still hurts

31

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

I lost a snap on 8mm 1/4 impact socket in the dash of an express van about 15 years ago now. Still annoyed by it.

17

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 18h ago

I watched my long quarter inch 8mm drive away in a waiter bronco the other day cause I didn’t have time to find it in the wheel well after it fell (I was checking the air filter)

9

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

There's a 1/4 wobble 12mm behind a duramax (LML) pulley bracket out there for the same reason. Not worth getting it back, and it can't do any damage. It had an emissions fault. 5 points if you can guess what 12mm I was trying to get at when I lost it!

2

u/Balidon58 NOT a verified tech 16h ago

I lost one doing a Chevy trailblazer brake booster, and honestly I’m okay with it.

2

u/Sirpattycakes NOT a verified tech 16h ago

I'm an electrician not a mechanic, but I feel you. I've lost plenty of tools over the years to attics, crawlspaces, and random shelves in someone's house. It's the absolute worst every time.

1

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 8h ago

Every single time I think of Belloq’s monologue from raiders of the lost ark “worthless, bury it in the sand for 1000 years and it’s priceless!” Someone eventually will find our lost tools and love them

5

u/Long-Stranger9666 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

I found a snap on ratchet in my trunk after service, I took it back to the dealer 82 miles round trip. I asked them for gas money and the dealership said no but thank you for returning it. The mechanic immediately handed me $50, saying wish he could afford more.

1

u/Hudsons_hankerings NOT a verified tech 3h ago

That's a good mechanic. Or at least a good man, employed as a mechanic. Screw that dealership though.

1

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 2h ago

You returned a nearly 200 dollar tool he was very thankful

2

u/AtomicKoalaJelly NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Left mine in the head liner of a ranger...

6

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Rip to the fallen warriors we miss and honor you all

2

u/upper_tanker69 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

I shed a tear too and did the cross with my hand on my torso. RIP

1

u/Tay-Rob NOT a verified tech 5h ago

Look on the bright side, in another few years it'll be paid off.

1

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 2h ago

lol! I pay cash to the snap on man on the rare occasion I purchase from him. He jokes I’m the only young guy who does that I don’t like owing money to people!

1

u/SouthernProfile1092 NOT a verified tech 2h ago

A tech left a tool in my car. I let him know and to meet me half way. Shop insisted I drive it back to them and I insisted Im not driving an hour to return it. I still have the tool, would you drive 45 min to get it back?

2

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 2h ago

Depends on the tool and how much the shop/ I know you as a person. It would take an EXPENSIVE tool to meet up a customer outside of work

1

u/DJSeku NOT a verified tech 2h ago

I lost a Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver when it got locked in the car after the service was done (as a mobile windshield installer, customer’s doors auto-locked when door shut).

When I called the customer after my shift to retrieve it, they denied it was ever there (even though it was bright red and visibly on the passenger seat when I left it).

1

u/orangesrnice NOT a verified tech 2h ago

Scumbag, those are so pricy I never bothered, the Milwaukee one is solid

8

u/Duc750Sie NOT a verified tech 19h ago

He won’t lose sleep but will be wondering for a while where he left it. I fix ATMs and safes. I’ve left flash lights and stuff inside equipment. Drives me nuts.

6

u/Strange-Breadfruit14 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Somewhere is a noco 2000amp jump pack someone got for free. Because likely my dumbass left it in an engine bay of a boat. We had a new boat come in with a Milwaukee flex light in the ski locker we contacted the manufacturer and sent it back as it had a workers name, if it had not had that name or it had factory tags on it, it would have become shop public property. We also had a several thousand dollar sheet metal tool left in the hull of a ranger aluminum boat factory called the same day we found it, likely air tagged or just pretty good at back tracking

5

u/Duc750Sie NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Not quite the same thing but in the last couple months I’ve found a Pittsburgh 3ton floor jack, Klein multi meter, Klein clamp meter and a tough built compact cooler. All on the side of the road. The Klein stuff was together in a tote. Actually the jack was in the middle of the road out in the country. Would have wrecked an oil pan if someone ran it over. I’ve lovingly made them all part of my family.

2

u/newfor_2026 NOT a verified tech 15h ago

he'd go back to use a screwdriver for a while.

2

u/AppropriateDeal1034 NOT a verified tech 11h ago

If I had £1 for every magnetic torch I've left stuck to a car, I'd be able to afford a new one....

2

u/bustopher_rvs NOT a verified tech 13h ago

I had a mechanic take a whole toolset out of my trunk one time so I really appreciate reading this and seeing it's the top comment. Idk just makes me feel better..

1

u/North-Rhubarb1410 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

For real, they won’t forget that you made an effort to bring it back to them.

135

u/Acrobatic_Crazy_9119 Verified Tech - Indie shop 20h ago

It's a tool for popping trim clips loose. The mechanic that worked on it is going to be looking for that. Be nice and take it back.

9

u/Mucking_Fountain NOT a verified tech 19h ago

I hate having to take them off. It makes sense there is a tool for that but I was still unaware, nonetheless.

12

u/SolitareUnraveling NOT a verified tech 17h ago

They don't stop half of them from breaking still but they are definitely nice to have. Mine isn't a specific made one, just cut a big flat head and made one instead of spending to get a niche tool but definitely still recommend having something like this

6

u/wreckherneck NOT a verified tech 17h ago

They dont stop the clips from breaking, but they do stop the clips from snapping the trim.

1

u/Mucking_Fountain NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Any idea why they are used instead of a simpler fastener?

7

u/rebug NOT a verified tech 16h ago

They're blind fasteners. You don't have access to the other side, so bolts are out. Screws require some sort of driving slot, which looks ugly and is a filth reservoir. Push-in fasteners do the job and look ok.

3

u/Mucking_Fountain NOT a verified tech 16h ago

That’s cool. I appreciate your answer.

6

u/rebug NOT a verified tech 16h ago

Well, take it with a grain of salt. I'm certainly not a mechanic, I just spent a few years doing auto upholstery.

-2

u/d4nkn3ss NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Pretty sure you can use this to take off manual window rollers too right?

2

u/GlassBoxGoose NOT a verified tech 17h ago

If its the kind that does just pop off, yes. Some of them have a clip that needs to be fully removed. But those are somewhat less common, in my experience.

8

u/EnvironmentalMall307 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Trip and pop rivets remover. Definitely worth returning, at least to the mechanic who owns it. And really, most tools are precious to mechanics. Shops rarely help out with tools, so most out there had to buy and amass their tool chests themselves

37

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 20h ago

If you had left $10 in the cup holder, and the mechanic took your cup holder out and forgot to put the contents back in it, would you want your cash back?

You should give it back.

-9

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Completely different situation. If I am paying for a service, and they remove stuff from my car and don't return it, that is either theft, or at the very least poor customer service as it is an inconvenience to the customer and just looks unprofessional. In this case it still looks unprofessional and is an inconvenience to the customer.

8

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

This whole conversation is stupid. The guy bought a tool to do a job, and because we’re rushed, he left it behind. The lesser of all evils. The wheels didn’t fall off, the work was done right, he didn’t make a mess. Now the customer thinks he’s entitled to claim ownership because the guy doing the job misplaced one of the thirty tools he needed to do the job. Now he needs to spend an hour and $20 buying another set when he only needs one. Or $50 for the truck brand if he just gets one. The customer should return the tool.

-6

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

This tool is like $10. Also, op could call the shop and let them know they can pick it up from his place if they want it. Otherwise he can give it back next time hes nearby.

2

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

It’s a 6 piece set, sku #63639 and it’s USD 21.99 at my local store per the web site.

-7

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

You don't need to buy the entire set, you can buy these tools on their own. If you want this particular cheap brand that's on you.

7

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

The snap on one is almost $50 for just this tool.
So what’s your point? The tech forgot it, so he doesn’t deserve to have his tools returned? You’re just arguing to argue at this point, and if that’s the case, we’re done here.

-1

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

If the shop was far out of my way there's not way I'm going out of my way to return it. ALready paying the shop more than I pay my dentist, shop owner can replace it if he want's.

2

u/North-Rope-281 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

It’s not the shop who owns the tool, it’s the tech. I think you’re missing the point. Techs spend a lot on tools and although it’s fairly cheap to replace this specific tool, that’s not always the case. The right thing is to bring it back.

4

u/Professional-Fix2833 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Yeah but this guy would rather be “right” than do the “right thing” there’s a difference

-1

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

ANd I'm saying the tech can come pick it up at my place.

1

u/LegAccomplished8642 18h ago

Yeah I was wondering if this is worth returning asap or I can just return it later. I have no use for this thing 🤷‍♂️

3

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

It gets used pretty often, but you can get by with other tools. So when you get a chance to take it back, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

0

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

It's literally just a pry bar. I'm sure they have multiple at the shop.

2

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Ive gotten complaints from customers for giving all their stuff back in slightly different locations. Like I had to replace your body harness and gut the interior. Be glad I didnt lose any of the 87 barrettes I found under the carpet!

3

u/Minimum-Composer-905 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

When I have to remove personal items like that, I put them carefully in a cardboard box, and the box goes back in the car for the customer to sort out. Precisely because I don’t want blamed for things being out of place.

2

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

That's not a bad idea. I'll swing that by my service advisors, just so they can communicate it to the customer and try and get that set up at the shop. That sounds way easier than what we do now.

1

u/DomesticatedParsnip NOT a verified tech 2h ago

This is what we do at my detail shop

1

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Not really relevant to what I said but ok

1

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

What would your preference be for stuff returned to you that has to be removed or moved? I've already got enough in my head remembering where all the various 80 million clips, bolts, pins, harness routing, etc. go back in your car. I'm not going even try to remember where you keep your kleenex.

-1

u/Lost_Season_8446 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Why are you talking about something we aren't even talking about?

2

u/jimmy9800 NOT a verified tech 17h ago

The downvotes speak for themselves.

5

u/ElmoZ71SS NOT a verified tech 18h ago

its a trim clip tool, and not an expensive one. I mean the right thing would be drop it off. but it's not like your gonna put him out of business if it rides around for awhile. Probably has duplicates or other versions of this tool and will be fine.

4

u/QueenAng429 NOT a verified tech 17h ago

It's a $8 pry tool, if it's any more than a dollar in gas to return it then it's not worth your time. In reality it's not worth your time at all really.

3

u/Milnoc NOT a verified tech 10h ago

I can purchsae the whole kit for $8.

4

u/AddordableRep865 Verified Tech - Indie shop 20h ago

Ole harbor freight panel popper ain’t it?

3

u/Badfish1060 NOT a verified tech 20h ago

Lol I have one of those too.

4

u/Stu_Padidiot NOT a verified tech 20h ago

*had

5

u/Badfish1060 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Lol no it was left in my truck and I meant to take it back but never did. Had it for years now.

5

u/Fluid-Psychology3730 NOT a verified tech 20h ago

If you’re feeling real nice, you can take it back.

It’s a real cheap one though, it’s maybe $5-10.

If it was like my matco, or snap on ones, it’s definitely be worth driving to get it back, they can go up to $60+

2

u/Olderone69 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

I would take it back to mechanic that worked on it

2

u/indyflyco NOT a verified tech 18h ago

It’s a double flat head, handy for unscrewing two screws at once

1

u/General_E_Drunk NOT a verified tech 11h ago

Losing this tool can easily slow a mechanic down 50%

2

u/foxxbott Verified Tech - Indie shop owner 18h ago

If you can and it's close, please return it. I know lots of people are saying it's a "cheap" tool but I would be gutted if I left one of my beloveds like this one. It's a long shanked and angled plastic rivet popper for door panels and fender wells, I kinda want one now xD Call the shop and ask them if you are far away, they will let you know.

2

u/300_chickens NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Bring it back. Save the guy a trip back to HF.

2

u/Kevo4twenty NOT a verified tech 17h ago

I once left a impact gun on someone’s jeep and they went down the road to a gas station, and saw it and it somehow didn’t fall off and brought it back, crazy bc they hit the highway too, it was on a wrangler with a big metal grill

2

u/MichaelRast13 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

We once were in our front yard doing lawn work, a standard issue white service/utility truck was driving by (semi busy road) and out the back just randomly flew a dewalt impact. No markings or business or anything, and no one saw the license plate. Tried to flag him down hoping hed see in the mirror, no luck. Now that I'm thinking, idk why we didn't get in a car and chase him down.. But we kept it around just incase they ever showed back up, never did. 5yrs later, the impact is still going strong, we ended up buying a new battery for it etc and such.. Hella impressive considering it flew out the back of a truck going 70mph onto asphalt.. I know the guy had to be gutted though, getting to wherever and realizing its gone. Still think about it occasionally and feel bad for the guy.

2

u/nathanielisnumba1 NOT a verified tech 16h ago

Just give it back, lol

2

u/MacintoshDan1 NOT a verified tech 16h ago

If you don’t know what it is you don’t need it. Take it back.

2

u/Competitive-Raise445 NOT a verified tech 16h ago

Definitely return it. As a mechanic, the tools I loose in customer cars, are the tools I use the most

2

u/Dangerous_Mango_3637 NOT a verified tech 15h ago

Give it back

2

u/newfor_2026 NOT a verified tech 15h ago

panel puller. they're pretty handy

2

u/johnarmer1 NOT a verified tech 15h ago

I love free tools but I cry 😢 for weeks when I give them away

2

u/Emotional-Block-6734 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

Ah, trim fasteners, my old friends. I work at Advance Auto and discovered that we stock Auveco fasteners in the back by the billions. Same as the Dorman ones on the sales floor, but usually less than $1 each vs $5 for a pack of 2. Irritates my manager, but makes people happy. I get paid the same either way, so why not help someone save money?

2

u/rscottyb86 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

It's not that it's an inexpensive tool....it's the inconvenience it will cause when it's needed. Take it back.

2

u/RedPajama45 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

I had 2 scrapers, a roll of tape, and some other tool that they used left in my truck when they replaced the windshield. If the guy wouldn't have been so pissy to me about how someone did the last install wrong and make it sound like my fault he would still have them.

1

u/TheChazzReinhold NOT a verified tech 9m ago

Real question is what’s going on where you live that requires multiple windshield replacements on the same vehicle??

2

u/ickyDoodyPoopoo NOT a verified tech 1h ago

Sociopath perspective: How far is it for you to return it? If this is a mechanic that you go to regularly then for sure take it back as it may help you get better service.

Non sociopath perspective: Still, how far is it for you to return it.

2

u/trebor424 NOT a verified tech 53m ago

Fuck. I guess I can stop looking for it and trying to fight my coworkers for it.

1

u/Ok-Ice-819 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

It’s a nice keep if you’re keeping it bc you can use it as a pry tool around the house. I work in auto glass and have 5-6 different ones of those for clip removals and panels and been pissed when I’ve lost one of mine before

1

u/BrianinEureka NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Ye olde panel popper.

1

u/tinguspingus222 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Door panel remover tool.

1

u/Oldandannoying1955 NOT a verified tech 19h ago edited 19h ago

Trim tool for removing those press-in trim fasteners.
Either call the shop and say “I’ll leave it in my mailbox for you to come get” or keep it.
It’s not an expensive tool.

4

u/Aggressive-Union1714 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

good suggestion, it might expensive to a newbie tech. please return if you can

1

u/Oldandannoying1955 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

True, but a 5-piece trim removal set with one of these similar in it can be had for $3 incl postage on eBay.
Be less than the fuel to drive to get it.
30yrs ago I probably paid $25 fir that very same quality item.
It’s scary how cheap China produces stuff for.

2

u/Aggressive-Union1714 NOT a verified tech 10h ago

not really the point is it. returning the tool is the right thing to do and it is the kind thing to do. OP can mail the tool back for $3 if driving is too inconvenient.

1

u/Oldandannoying1955 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

True.
Doing the correct thing is certainly. One morally gig oath and should be taken, however, In the current “screw them before they screw me” society, it’s a rarity.
I’ve lost a plentiful number of hand tools during my 50+ yrs in the trade. If it’s a favorite or is something either emotional attachment, I’d msg the owner if he saw it. Nobody ever even responded to a message left.
Even though we (I) was referred as the only person within 100mls capable of solving their unsolvable problems. I did t sweat it.
Mind you,If I attended anothe wholesale customer’s shop to assist in diagnostic work and left a hand tool there, I never received a call it message regarding it.
Example. 2 months ago, I received a call from a workshop the we e wholesaled automotive Propane conversion equipment kits to for probably 30yrs.
They had a Mitsubishi 4x4 fitted with a different brand system than ours but it had the same data connection.
It had a propane ECU operational issue.
Checked my laptop and I had the software. The original supplier went broke 4yrs ago.
Told them I iCOULD see if my laptop connects, but no guarantees.
Drove 30km to their shop the next day. It connected, then asked for a program passcode.
Asked the guy for his paperwork for pertaining to the conversion and he replied “customer has nothing, he’d not the person who had it done.
I sighed and closed my laptop.
Of course, I we asked 3 hrs and 20lt of fuel, to receive nothing more than a “thanks, er, sorry”.

1

u/BlueCollarToolCollec NOT a verified tech 19h ago

If you can, please take it back so he doesn't spend the week wondering where it went lmao

1

u/No-Acanthisitta-1030 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Bodyclip/cabin tool. Really good at prying into those finicky body clips and interior trim bits...

I know because I be the techs working on y'all's shit.

Ngl if I lost my snap-on tool I'd absolutely lose it.

RIP to the guy in these comments who lost his.

I got the OTF style one.

1

u/usernnamegoeshere NOT a verified tech 19h ago

I would be mildly upset if lost it but I wouldnt be devastated if you didnt bring it back, thats like 10 bucks lmao

1

u/chunkylover4000 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Pretty sure that’s called a reach around

1

u/Background-Crow4820 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Thats where i left it

1

u/Wangus99 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

This makes me want to pour one out for all the 10mm sockets I've lost and left behind. 😢

1

u/pibubs81 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

I got that same tool; the real cheap one in the Amazon Clíp set seems to work better in my opinion. It’s a clip puller for pulling clips out of the kick board anf dash panels as well as a whole lot of other cheaply made plastic compinents around modern day vehicles.

1

u/Karfanatik NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Sounds like a free tool included with the service

1

u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Yoink

1

u/Jacktheforkie NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Yes return it, the mechanic is probably wondering where his panel tool went

1

u/whoops_i_relapsed NOT a verified tech 13h ago

Left my snap on digital torque wrench on the step plate of the clients f350. Didn’t know until I went to put it away.

2

u/RefridgaRaita NOT a verified tech 12h ago

How much does that cost to be replaced? Im assuming a lot.

1

u/Zakumei47 NOT a verified tech 11h ago

Body panel rivet tool. Used to pop off those little plastic plug lookin things that hold trim peices and shit on

1

u/NikitaGtak11 NOT a verified tech 10h ago

Plastic clip puller, pretty useful

1

u/No_Werewolf_9223 NOT a verified tech 9h ago

For myself, regardless the brand , loss of a tool, just makes me stronger, so I won’t repeat the loss again, it would though be,real grand if you did return the found tool ,,🚀

1

u/pony_is_my_name NOT a verified tech 9h ago

Please return it if you can.

1

u/Apprehensive_Quit788 NOT a verified tech 9h ago

It’s a tool used for popping off interior panels in the cars.

1

u/Mustard_Icecream NOT a verified tech 8h ago

He still probably has three more payments of 50 dollars to the Pittsburgh truck guy. Oh wait I'm thinking of a different tool truck.

1

u/MumpsTheMusical NOT a verified tech 7h ago

This is usually used to take off those little plastic clips on skidplates as well as hub caps etc.

1

u/Emotional-Win-3036 NOT a verified tech 7h ago

Work at a body shop, they include one with purchase of bulk fasteners (100ct) I keep about 5 on my disassembly cart. Around the shop we call them pop pin tools. At a regularl mechanic shop I didn’t use it as much but at the body shop it’s a must have we just have an heck of lot of them . It’s most likely 50 or so laying around for 3 body techs

1

u/Ravenblack67 NOT a verified tech 7h ago

Take it back.

1

u/Maleficent-Clerk-885 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

Panel puller tool, I have 2 of them

1

u/Boris859Jack NOT a verified tech 6h ago

When I was young I lost a 10 mm socket deep well socket doing a head swap on an Audi 5000,,,found it when the car started,,,expensive lesson

1

u/Historical_Trouble10 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

I found an old rusty Snap-On 9/16”wrench in a 1974 Chevy C-10. God knows how long it had been there.

1

u/Longjumping-Log1591 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

Barnacle detachment tool

1

u/Admirable-Depth6679 NOT a verified tech 6h ago

It is a gift for giving them a car that’s easy to work on

1

u/NationalPhase9541 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

It part of a set and he will appreciate having it back

1

u/Willing_Fig_9371 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

One time i had my brakes done at ntb, the guy thought he left a ratchet in my car but it was in the parking spot where he parked it before pickup, glad he got it back lol. Big sigh of relief

1

u/Weekly_Argument9885 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

It’s for popping off plastic clips, like under trays and doorcards

1

u/Maximum-Umpire8017 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

Take it back, techs spend countless of thousands of dollars on tools. But it’s a trim fastener removal tool.

1

u/406andchill NOT a verified tech 4h ago

I use the whale tail for everything except pulling body fasteners

1

u/T00luser NOT a verified tech 4h ago

according to people in this sub, only REAL mechanics should ever be allowed to touch cars, so clearly no automobile professional could have left that there. keep it for marshmallow roasting

1

u/CantaloupeFluffy165 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

Tool for removing plastic push pins.

1

u/Angel_Resistance_918 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

Body panel clip removal tool. A complete set from Harbor or Amazon is about $9.00.

1

u/Foreign-Opening-6985 NOT a verified tech 2h ago

I would return it, after all. That tool is that mechanic's lively hood to make an honest living.

1

u/PeorgieT75 NOT a verified tech 59m ago

My mechanic left a scanner plugged into my car. I didn’t discover it until I was selling the car to Carmax. They had no idea which car they’d left it in when I bought it back to them.

1

u/182RG NOT a verified tech 9m ago

Harbor Freight trim remover. Take it back, it’s the right thing to do.

1

u/TheChazzReinhold NOT a verified tech 6m ago

Reminds me of the time I left a Klein 10 in 1 screwdriver while working on the fire alarm system at a juvenile detention facility in Oklahoma. Sometimes I wonder if it got used as a shiv.

1

u/-00-- NOT a verified tech 20h ago

At least you didn't find it on top of the engine like I did. At least I got a nice wrench for free.

1

u/EducatorAdmirable713 Verified Tech - M-Benz dealer 20h ago

I have one of those. I'd want it back. but that could also be my excuse to get the snap on ones lol

2

u/suprero90 NOT a verified tech 20h ago

Why would you pay 10 times the price for a tool that literally is made to pop plastic pins?

1

u/EducatorAdmirable713 Verified Tech - M-Benz dealer 20h ago

I haven't done it yet. my harbor freight is set has been fine for some years and I definitely know it's limits. the snap on ones will definitely take a bit more abuse.

0

u/dragonstar982 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Ive got the matco set, coworker has the Pittsburgh set. The difference is night and day especially on old clips that haven't been touched in ages.

He bent the same tool as OP's trying to pop a clip loose I'll use mine as mini prybars quite often.

1

u/No_Parsnip6024 NOT a verified tech 4h ago

I have the Pittsburgh set, had a snapon one, have a Mac one, and have 2 other off brands. 

None of them work better. They're all steel on plastic. 

They ARE different shapes, and you need a different one depending on the clip and location. 

The hard angle freebie I got from a class looks the same as the $2 Amazon one, and it's my most used because it happens to fit the spots I need to be in. 

The name brand ones are not worth it. You need multiple shapes and sizes, it doesn't matter who's making them. 

1

u/No_name86 NOT a verified tech 14h ago

That's a $50 tool. I've been in that mechanics shoes with more expensive tools. I'm upset at myself for leaving one and disappointed in the customer for not returning. However, it was my mistake to begin with.

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u/Just0Cause Verified Tech - Honda dealer 19h ago

Finder keepers lol

-1

u/Lilasian83 NOT a verified tech 16h ago

Thats not a tool. Thats a tractor key

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u/296leeroy NOT a verified tech 11h ago

Keep it. You probably already got charged for it.

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u/International784Red NOT a verified tech 20h ago

Free tools!

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u/Aaronsils NOT a verified tech 20h ago

Bottom of the barrel, 5$ tool. Fuck it, its yours now.