october2022 - 40
SHOW ME YOUR TRUCK
From running grocery
stores to a tool truck
This independent tool dealer attributes his truck's
keen organization to his past career experience.
By Kayla Oschmann, Associate Editor
U
nlike most tool dealers who used to turn wrenches
before running a tool truck, Jared Charlesworth
ran grocery stores. Although he didn't have much
knowledge of tools, he did have a valuable resource in
his corner - his father-in-law, who ran a tool truck for a
flag for over 30 years.
In fact, his father-in-law was the one who got Charlesworth
interested in running his own route in Kalispell, Mont.,
after getting the opportunity to take on more routes.
Now, 12 years later and going independent after five
years with a flag, Charlesworth still loves what he does and
enjoys running his own business, A And B Tools.
Earlier this year, the tool dealer upgraded his ride from a
1999 22' Chevy Kodiak C6500 to a 2006 24' Peterbilt 335,
and with a bit of elbow grease, made it into the truck that
he has always wanted.
Charlesworth replaced all the chrome inside with diamond
plate chrome (for the industrial look), ramped up the
knife rack, added LED lighting throughout the truck, new
chrome wheels, new automatic steps (they pop out every
time the door opens), and custom-made shelving as well
as a new wrap.
" I made it brand new again, " he says.
Aside from the stacks and the 2 " ratchet wrench that he
turned into a door handle, one of his favorite features is the
wrap. There's a reason why it's known as the " green beast " .
" It has a very awesome wrap of an American flag with
my logos, " he says. " It's definitely an eye-catcher while going
down the road. "
ALL IN THE ORGANIZATION
Charlesworth attributes his truck's keen organization to his
previous grocery store experience.
" You've got to have product to sell it, " he notes, adding,
" If it's nice and clean, people feel comfortable shopping. "
He mostly organizes the tools by type but will often
mix things up every two weeks to " look fresh " and have
his customers walk around more.
Sale items are typically spread throughout the truck,
again to have customers walk around, but if there's
40 Professional Distributor I October 2022 I VehicleServicePros.com
something that he really wants to push, he'll put the item
next to his desk.
KEEPING CUSTOMERS ENGAGED
Being up against five other franchises in his area, Charlesworth
says that it's important to keep your customers
engaged. He does so in two ways: A bubblegum machine
and contests.
Charlesworth has a well-known bubblegum machine
on his desk filled with not only bubblegum but prizes ranging
from free shirts, hats, coats, gift cards to his truck, etc.
" It's fun, " he says. " Guys come out with a handful
of quarters. "
He also holds a monthly contest as a way to say thank
you to his customers. The more they buy, the more tickets
they get to put in the raffle. And these prizes are top-notch.
From minibikes and Traxxas Slash RC cars, to grills and guns.
FUTURE PLANS
When Charlesworth bought his latest truck, he didn't sell
his other one. Instead, he's keeping it. He'd like to grow his
business someday and hire another driver or two.
" I've been very blessed, " he says. " I thought with COVID
and all, that business would drop off, but it's actually been
the best couple of years that I've had. If you have a good
customer base and you take care of them, they will take
care of you. "
Jared Charlesworth
Kalispell, Montana
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
october2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of october2022
Editor's Note: Meet the New Guy
Sneak Peek
Most Wanted
Ins and outs of leak detection tools
2022 PTEN People's Choice Award Winners
In Focus
Diagnostic Tech: Electronic Controls: Lateral and longitudinal
Show Me Your Truck: From running grocery stores to a tool truck
Go Sell Something: Becoming an industry expert
Driving Sales
Tales from the Road: Satisfying his customers
october2022 - 1
october2022 - 2
october2022 - 3
october2022 - Editor's Note: Meet the New Guy
october2022 - 5
october2022 - Sneak Peek
october2022 - 7
october2022 - 8
october2022 - 9
october2022 - Most Wanted
october2022 - 11
october2022 - Ins and outs of leak detection tools
october2022 - 13
october2022 - 14
october2022 - 15
october2022 - 16
october2022 - 17
october2022 - 18
october2022 - 19
october2022 - 2022 PTEN People's Choice Award Winners
october2022 - 21
october2022 - 22
october2022 - 23
october2022 - 24
october2022 - 25
october2022 - 26
october2022 - 27
october2022 - 28
october2022 - 29
october2022 - In Focus
october2022 - 31
october2022 - 32
october2022 - 33
october2022 - Diagnostic Tech: Electronic Controls: Lateral and longitudinal
october2022 - 35
october2022 - 36
october2022 - 37
october2022 - 38
october2022 - 39
october2022 - Show Me Your Truck: From running grocery stores to a tool truck
october2022 - 41
october2022 - Go Sell Something: Becoming an industry expert
october2022 - 43
october2022 - Driving Sales
october2022 - 45
october2022 - 46
october2022 - 47
october2022 - 48
october2022 - Tales from the Road: Satisfying his customers
october2022 - 50
october2022 - 51
october2022 - 52
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