I'd hold that thought
Your customers are all survivors

In a lot of cases they probably don't know how to do anything else.
Give them a bit of time to relocate and you may be replacing everything they lost.

The problem that I see is all the barrier islands will be rebuilt. South Jersey will die without the beach towns, but Atlantic City is in a word a chithole. Most if not all of the casinos were in the red before this. So even if the shops re open the surrounding areas will be hurt bad as so many people who live in the area, work in the casino. I am betting the layoffs start next week.

Most if not all of the repair shops did not have insurance and they do not have the cash to replace there tools and equipment. And in a lot of cases the have really bad credit, thats if the even have a SS #. So there are no big checks coming

The fact that you are looking forward and not behind is the best part.
You have a vehicle built to service an industry.
You understand how to buy something for .05 and sell it for .10.

This morning there will be hundreds of thousands of people out on the streets doing various things.
It's right at your doorstep.

Now lets figure out what should be in that truck.

Thinking cap time.

It would be great to get together. I should be coming down within the next few weeks. I'll give you a heads up before i come and maybe we can get together. I look forward to it.

I was in Buc. Villa South on Jean Lafitte Pkwy about 2 blocks off of the river. I wasn't aware that they were selling the lots. None of my neighbors rebuilt, but I certianly think they would have bought the lots if they did. I don't blame you at all for purchasing your neighbors lot. THat is a no brainer. Where are you at in Chalmette?
Eddie

I agree here Tim, there is going to be lots of heavy equipment and machinery that needs to be fixed. They are going to need a tool supplier. By making yourself visible down there, you are helping them by keeping them running and also making money to offset some of the shops that need to clean up. Also those shops are going to need their ruined tools replaced. Being proactive with lists and ways to help them will get them going faster and keep you stable! Be their go to tool guy!

I would go tho the shops and help them organize what they have lost and help them with their insurance claims. The upside of this is by being there and helping you can guarantee the business. some of the guys may even invest in newer better tools and equipment. Get down there in your truck and let it be visible. Lots of compressors and electronics to be upgraded:)

There is a fortune to be made in hauling debris. I have friends here that made big money hauling storm debris away to the dump after hurricanes. If a man has a truck he can make money.

The Chinese interpretation of confusion is opportunity.:evilb:

Not sure if this is help/profit or both.....but there is a guy in Boca (NY transplant) that is buying all the used battery powered tools he can find used (craigslist, garage sales etc) that are going to be NY/NJ bound as soon as he gets a load together.

I strongly suspect that he is buying used stuff to avoid the "price gouging statues" that go into place after a storm/catastrophe and it keeps his overhead a lot lower.

New Ryobi (Home Depot brand) drill $50, buy it used for $20-25 and sell it for $40 type deal. I heard the story second hand but it makes sense and the guy was going through my industrial park asking if anyone was selling used battery powered tools. BTW if anyone has owned/used battery powered stuff before you know the real value is the batteries not the actual tools! Xmas time you can get a whole tool kit for $179 yet the 2 batteries to replace are $90.

I know you are a name brand tool guy (Matco, Snap On etc) but the cops/code enforcement surely will leave you alone if you become a mobile XYZ salesman since you are licensed, insured etc for the tool business. I would load up on anything you think you can sell (chainsaws- don't forget 2 cycle oil, trash bags, brooms, mops, bleach, shop vacs, etc) and just drive around damaged areas. You will be sold out before you know it and if you are fair in the pricing you will be a godsend to those people. You have a large truck, fuel up and head to a non damaged area to a costco, sam's club, harbor freight etc and load up. You want cheap stuff people can pay cash for, nothing big ticket and certainly nothing the red cross gives away for free (like bottled water). Essentials like food/water/gas gets into that price gouging issue.

yup, your truck parked at places is your billboard. Also by helping your clients streamline the insurance process and working with the insurance companies as well. You will be surprised how many insurance companies will call you direct because you have your ducks in a row. I get 3 calls a day from adjusters out on the road not knowing about film, by helping them each time I get another body shop to add to my list because I have it streamlined and save on their search time.

All of my hand tools (mostly Snap On) made it through just fine. They just required wipe down. The air tools required a little more. Most required disassembly to clean them out. We had mud over knee deep after the water receeded, so everything was covered in mud. Battery powered tools, especially ones that had a battery in them, were pretty much trashed. Most all of my 110 v tools made out just fine. Because they were covered in mud, i just washed them off with a water hose. I blasted them inside and out. They were already underwater for days, so what could it hurt. I then sprayed them down in WD-40. I let them dry out for several days before trying them. Everything came back to life....including drills, belt sander, table saw, band saw, circular saw, etc.

I was able to save the forklift as well. It was under 10 feet of water for days. After draining the water and replacing fluids, cleaning the ignition components, etc, it fired up. However, I did need oil, trans fluid, etc. That was something in great demand. That would be a great thing to stock the truck up with.
Eddie