Natey2

Is that rare?
Should I drive all the way back and give the tool back to them?

Over the years, I found a pair of pliers, a trim removal tool, a spark plug socket, ...

Striker223

If it says a more expensive brand I would call them

tex2670

They pay for their own tools out of their own pocket, to yes, absolutely.

SW17LS

Absolutely. If you have the opportunity to be kind, be kind.

TriC

The only time a "mechanic" left tools in my car happened in 1990 when my Cadillac was stolen from our driveway in a Cleveland suburb on Mother's Day. It was found, I kid not, on (really, in the middle of) Pontiac Street in East Cleveland within 24 hours. The tires and wheels were gone and almost the entire interior had been stripped out. A few tools had been left on the interior floor as apparently the thieves had been interrupted in their "work."

mmarshall

As long as the tools are clean and unsoiled, I don't care if they accidentally leave them in the car, because they can be easily cleaned out. But if and when they leave dark grease/dirt stains on nice light-colored upholstery, that's when I get a little irked,

geko29

If it's a particularly cheap or disposable-type tool (like a generic strap wrench or fuse puller, for example) and going back to the dealer wasn't convenient, I'd probably keep it or throw it out. But I've gone back to return a single wrench or screwdriver before. Those were worth $15-20 each (for truck-brand tools) at the time.

mmarshall

And, from what I understand, at most dealerships, technicians and mechanics are not issued their basic tools.....they have to invest in them, and those large roll-boxes that hold all of them, out of their own pockets.

geko29

That's correct. A "starter" set for a new mechanic can cost as much as $40k. Most pay weekly at usurious interest rates. Many master mechanics will have well into 6 figures invested into their tools.

Striker223

And I don't know why they do that, it makes no sense to me vs buying optimized tools and gradually expanding into advanced stuff as you actually know what to do with it.

SW17LS

Presumably if they work for a dealership they are factory trained and know what to do with the advanced stuff.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

I would offer to return them . If it is something like a Snap On spark plug socket it could be costly.
Even pliers are not what you think such as $7.98 home depot pliers. Mechanics could be using Knipex pliers made of better quality so the teeth doesn't strip out in one week under commercial use.

SW17LS

And if you don’t want to drive them back you can always mail them.

swajames

If you'd quite like the person who finds the wallet you dropped by mistake to make an effort to get it back to you, then yes, make an effort to get the tool the mechanic mistakenly left in your car back to them.

Always follow the immutable Law of Bill and Ted, and be excellent to each other.

SW17LS

Totally, the most important thing you can do for the world in your life is to give a crap about others.