Closing Dealerships and KM Tools

[Richard]

I have some friends at 2 different dealerships trying to decide what to do with their KM tools. GM is only offering $.20 on the $1.00, and only on tools that GM had automatically shipped them in the last 3 yrs.
I suggested Ebay, and that might be the best route, but what other routes might they take. I know that I can't post about it on the GM tech board (I made the mistake of asking...). We bought some from both stores, but we have most of our tools and don't need them. just trying to help some decent people regain some of their investment... any ideas are welcome!

[robc]

Having worked with several dealerships closing, I follow the guidelines that GM gives as stated in policy. First, what you said isn't policy. The policy is:

In addition, prices on the essential tool list received from Kent-Moore can be compared to a price list from Service Operations to spot check on an as needed basis.

Calendar year for which Essential Tools were originally purchased/Percent of original dealer purchase price GM pay:
Current Calendar year (unused tools) - 100%
1-year Prior to Current calendar year - 75%
2-years Prior to Current calendar year - 50%
3-years Prior to Current calendar year - 25%
Prior calendar years (beyond the 3-year period) - Not Eligible

Then I ask if there is anything else GM wants back. Normally if I have a good inventory list I can send it over to them and they (knock on wood) have so far been slightly more generous than the policy calls for. Last I knew it was Marissa at Kent-Moore Tools that handled all the returns and she is pretty good at getting these back to me.

Then ask the departing techs if they would like to purchase/barter for some of the tools. Then ask KM if they have an avenue for the disposal of some non-returnable used tools. In the last month this has slowed down since I think they are getting overwhelmed. Then I check with my rep, service managers in the area. local independent shops, the tool truck driver, etc. If that all fails I normally suggest the dealer just sells them to a local liquidator.

Ebay is certianly a way to go, but honestly if you aren't happy getting 20 cents on the dollar I am not sure you are going to be thrilled to what you'll make net on eBay.

[Rodney O'Neal]

Have an equipment sale/// ADVERTISE ADVERTISE ADVERTISE.

Trust me.. when you advertise GM tools for sale, and make sure you say that these are the tools only available for GM DEALERSHIPS and "we are offering them to the public"

The'll come running..
I would not do an auction.... The auction company will take a large % of the sale...
Do it yourself. Kind of like a yard sale.

However.. When doing a yardsale ... must have decent yardsale prices....

its better than sittin' on a shelf collecting dust on a peice of property that might or might not be on the market for sale.

[topshop]

Indie shops would be one option, here are some place to post lists:

http://www.automotivemanagementnetwork. ... /index.php

http://members.iatn.net/forums/read/ind ... 1&f=forum3

http://aptmag.ca/forum/viewtopics.cfm?Forum=11



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Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com