april2022 - 42

TALES FROM THE ROAD
The guy with the tool trailer
Everybody knows this independent tool dealer by his 20' enclosed trailer.
By Kayla Oschmann, Associate Editor
E
ven though independent mobile
tool dealer Jason Nelson has
only been selling tools for just
over a year, he's been on tool trucks
for most of his life - just as a customer.
After 15 years of turning wrenches, he
decided to step away from his position
at a dealership to follow his ambition.
" It was a hard decision to leave my
job as a technician to become a tool guy, "
he says. " Being a technician is all I had
ever done, and I was good at it. "
He had always thought about owning
a tool truck and after talking to local
tool dealers, he decided it was time to
make a career change and go for it.
Now as his own boss and part of
GEARWRENCH's Street Team, Nelson
services automotive and farm shops
throughout central North Carolina.
Although it was tough at first, he's glad
he made the leap.
" It's been a really big change up and
was scary in the beginning, but to be
where I'm at now, I think it's been going
great, " he says. " After the first few weeks
of running the tool truck I realized I had
made the right decision. I have lots of
really great customers who have helped
make this transition easier for me. "
By having years of experience in
the field, Nelson has a good idea on
what type of tools to stock, but he also
understands the value of keeping up on
new tools.
What's your story?
Share the ups and downs of life on the road
with us at Editor@VehicleServicePros.com
and you could be featured in our next Tales
from the Road column.
Instead of a tool truck, Nelson has a 20'
enclosed trailer to hold all his tools.
" If you're the first guy with a new
product, you're going to sell more of
it, " he says. " So, it's trying to stay on
top of getting new products before
other distributors. You have to be
active about it and pay attention to
new things being released. "
It's just as important to keep an
open, constant line of communication
with your customers, he adds.
" When you see something in the
product making, talk about it with your
technicians and say, 'Hey, I saw this tool
I think you would like', " he suggests.
" They will say, 'Well, not really' or 'Yeah,
that'll be a very helpful tool,' and then
you know if you should get a couple. "
Nelson also keeps in close communication
with tool distributors from the
surrounding area. They found it to be
beneficial to work together and share
what tools are doing well for them, especially
when it comes to new tools.
42 Professional Distributor I April 2022 I VehicleServicePros.com
However, there is one definitive
thing that makes Nelson stand apart
from other tool dealers. And that is
his trailer. Instead of a traditional tool
truck, Nelson operates out of a 20'
enclosed trailer.
" Everybody knows me as the guy
with the tool trailer, " he says.
When he first started out, he wanted
to keep startup costs minimal, and he
already owned a 2017 F250 so a trailer
seemed to be the best option. Besides,
the trailer offers nearly all the same
amenities of a tool truck, including heat,
A/C, electricity, and Wi-Fi.
With already many ideas for the
future, Nelson eventually hopes to have
his wife and/or son join him (by possibly
adding another truck), but at this
point he's " still seeing how things are
going " .
FUN FACTS:
Favorite on-the-road
snack:
Beef jerky
Type of music while on
the road:
All types from bluegrass to rap
Favorite takeout spot:
Small diner in whatever town
he's in
Favorite hobby:
Turning wrenches at home
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

april2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of april2022

Editor's Note: Purchasing habits revealed for 2022
Sneak Peek
Most Wanted
Aftermarket Profile - Introduction
Aftermarket Profile - Buying Tools & Equipment
Aftermarket Profile: Maintenance & Repair
Aftermarket Profile - Battery Service
Aftermarket Profile - Diagnostics
Aftermarket Profile - Inside the Shop
Aftermarket Profile - Power Tools
Aftermarket Profile - Tire & Wheel
Aftermarket Profile - A/C Service
Aftermarket Profile - Training
In Focus
Show Me Your Truck: Social media for the win
Go Sell Something: Giving world-class product demonstrations
Driving Sales: Scan Tools
Tales From the Road: The guy with the tool trailer
april2022 - 1
april2022 - 2
april2022 - 3
april2022 - Editor's Note: Purchasing habits revealed for 2022
april2022 - 5
april2022 - Sneak Peek
april2022 - 7
april2022 - 8
april2022 - 9
april2022 - 10
april2022 - 11
april2022 - Most Wanted
april2022 - 13
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Introduction
april2022 - 15
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Buying Tools & Equipment
april2022 - 17
april2022 - 18
april2022 - 19
april2022 - 20
april2022 - 21
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile: Maintenance & Repair
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Battery Service
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Diagnostics
april2022 - 25
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Inside the Shop
april2022 - 27
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Power Tools
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - A/C Service
april2022 - Aftermarket Profile - Training
april2022 - 31
april2022 - In Focus
april2022 - 33
april2022 - 34
april2022 - 35
april2022 - Show Me Your Truck: Social media for the win
april2022 - 37
april2022 - Go Sell Something: Giving world-class product demonstrations
april2022 - 39
april2022 - Driving Sales: Scan Tools
april2022 - 41
april2022 - Tales From the Road: The guy with the tool trailer
april2022 - 43
april2022 - 44
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