Man, I would love it if this kind of thing existed in the US. Unfortunately, shopping for used or refurbished products is increasingly seen less as something smart people do and more as something "poor people" do. I've heard more than one co-worker or family member refer to buying pre-owned goods as "buying someone else's problem."
The closest thing we have around here to a used tool store would be thrift shops that maybe have one broken drill, pawn shops with varying degrees of sketchiness, or rolling the dice on eBay.
I've never had a problem with used tools on eBay. If the seller isn't absurdly correct in their posting, eBay will take your side.
The only thing that has ever gone wrong on eBay for me was when a seller claimed I didn't return an expensive item that the regular price had dropped on by the original company (he was selling multiple of this item that was now $200 less than his asking price from the main supplier website). He was going to eat a couple hundred dollars so he tried to screw me over.
I sent pictures and videos of me packaging and mailing the item to eBay and got my refund. They didn't let me review the seller, though. It would've been an amazing review of that human turd.
I have used some hand-me-down tools from my father and recently bought new tools. I don't have 20 years experience, so take my opinion for what it is worth, but I concur with the repair guy.
Tool quality has definitely improved over time, but... and this is a big but... many people buy lower quality tools now than were available previously because of their low cost. I would put any of my Japanese or German/Czech hand tools up against any of the big brands of the past (many of which I also own thanks to yard/garage sales) and say they're better, not just from an ergonomics and design perspective but from an actual strength/reliability perspective. Most people, at least in the US, though are only familiar with low-quality China/Taiwan made tools which have lower quality metals and a lot of plastic content when it comes to hand tools.
If you invest a bit of effort into finding good hand tools, the options are much better these days but you have to be willing to pay.
Paolo has a bunch of cool vids on this topic, I've watched them all. I binged through them for hours when I first discovered the channel...my initial reaction was: Damn how long people in Japan work. Most people seemingly woke up, went to work, went out to eat and drink, and then get maybe a couple of hours at home before it all repeats.
Longtime Paolo fan, he does a great job with his "typical workday" series.
Not sure of the exact number he's done, but I personally estimate I've watched at least 20-25 of these across a wide range of industries (majority are in food preparation/service but he also covers construction, tech, animation, airlines, education, politics, and many more) and if there's one overriding takeaway it's the Japanese as a culture are extremely committed to maximizing product quality.
It could be selection bias (maybe he only films exemplary people) but it doesn't seem to matter if you're dealing with someone preparing food, fighting fires, or delivering packages these people seem to really care about the overall quality of the service or product they provide.
His videos are well produced and I've watched quite a few of them, but it always weirded me out how much he says "Japanese" like he's figured out the algorithm will favor him more if it detects he's saying that a lot
Go to any of his videos with his wife, he'll consistently refer to her as "my Japanese wife"
I'm also a huge fan. Started watching him after a Japan trip. I like the format so much, I'd love to have something similar (day in the life) for various other countries.
We have a used tool store like this near where I live. While technically being within city limits of the county seat it's located in the kind of population density that HN turns up its nose at for being unsustainable. But it's fairly easy to get to off a couple major highways so in practice it's more accessible to the kind of people who tend to need rebar tying guns and chain come alongs than it would be if it were downtown. It's possible it couldn't even exist downtown because its inventory might not turn over fast enough to pay the rent.
Reuse and repair is also encouraged by having relatively more expensive, high quality but lower-production-quantity goods. When it costs less to buy something new, more gets discarded.
Man, I would love it if this kind of thing existed in the US. Unfortunately, shopping for used or refurbished products is increasingly seen less as something smart people do and more as something "poor people" do. I've heard more than one co-worker or family member refer to buying pre-owned goods as "buying someone else's problem."
The closest thing we have around here to a used tool store would be thrift shops that maybe have one broken drill, pawn shops with varying degrees of sketchiness, or rolling the dice on eBay.
I've never had a problem with used tools on eBay. If the seller isn't absurdly correct in their posting, eBay will take your side.
The only thing that has ever gone wrong on eBay for me was when a seller claimed I didn't return an expensive item that the regular price had dropped on by the original company (he was selling multiple of this item that was now $200 less than his asking price from the main supplier website). He was going to eat a couple hundred dollars so he tried to screw me over.
I sent pictures and videos of me packaging and mailing the item to eBay and got my refund. They didn't let me review the seller, though. It would've been an amazing review of that human turd.
The most interesting part of this video to me is when the repair guy with 20 years of experience says tool quality has improved over time.
I have used some hand-me-down tools from my father and recently bought new tools. I don't have 20 years experience, so take my opinion for what it is worth, but I concur with the repair guy.
Pick up anything with a power cord or a battery from 2000 or 1980 and it becomes pretty obvious.
Tool quality has definitely improved over time, but... and this is a big but... many people buy lower quality tools now than were available previously because of their low cost. I would put any of my Japanese or German/Czech hand tools up against any of the big brands of the past (many of which I also own thanks to yard/garage sales) and say they're better, not just from an ergonomics and design perspective but from an actual strength/reliability perspective. Most people, at least in the US, though are only familiar with low-quality China/Taiwan made tools which have lower quality metals and a lot of plastic content when it comes to hand tools.
If you invest a bit of effort into finding good hand tools, the options are much better these days but you have to be willing to pay.
Paolo has a bunch of cool vids on this topic, I've watched them all. I binged through them for hours when I first discovered the channel...my initial reaction was: Damn how long people in Japan work. Most people seemingly woke up, went to work, went out to eat and drink, and then get maybe a couple of hours at home before it all repeats.
But on the other side of the spectrum, you have: https://www.youtube.com/@salarymantokyo
Longtime Paolo fan, he does a great job with his "typical workday" series.
Not sure of the exact number he's done, but I personally estimate I've watched at least 20-25 of these across a wide range of industries (majority are in food preparation/service but he also covers construction, tech, animation, airlines, education, politics, and many more) and if there's one overriding takeaway it's the Japanese as a culture are extremely committed to maximizing product quality.
It could be selection bias (maybe he only films exemplary people) but it doesn't seem to matter if you're dealing with someone preparing food, fighting fires, or delivering packages these people seem to really care about the overall quality of the service or product they provide.
A few others worth watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0RX59G2jaA (movers...as someone who only has experience with American movers this is ridiculously better than what I experienced)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8A_Hu_WqeQ (package delivery worker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsLFm5SSJyQ (politician)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjCzavpZoZI (fire fighter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCPZzEbhNJw (anime director)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m4UxbDgGhc (car repair shop worker)
Honestly if you like any of these you'll likely find they're all worth watching.
His videos are well produced and I've watched quite a few of them, but it always weirded me out how much he says "Japanese" like he's figured out the algorithm will favor him more if it detects he's saying that a lot
Go to any of his videos with his wife, he'll consistently refer to her as "my Japanese wife"
My favorite episode is this [1], the owner is very unique in a way that he is a rare collector of hardcore punk CDs/vinyl.
[1] https://youtu.be/ky0YDKvGggo
I'm also a huge fan. Started watching him after a Japan trip. I like the format so much, I'd love to have something similar (day in the life) for various other countries.
Excellent example how population density can make even reuse/second hand markets viable.
We have a used tool store like this near where I live. While technically being within city limits of the county seat it's located in the kind of population density that HN turns up its nose at for being unsustainable. But it's fairly easy to get to off a couple major highways so in practice it's more accessible to the kind of people who tend to need rebar tying guns and chain come alongs than it would be if it were downtown. It's possible it couldn't even exist downtown because its inventory might not turn over fast enough to pay the rent.
Reuse and repair is also encouraged by having relatively more expensive, high quality but lower-production-quantity goods. When it costs less to buy something new, more gets discarded.
Population density and I believe relatively business friendly zoning to make it easier to be close to apartments and etc?
I would guess that low yield businesses per storage area is more viable in sparsely populated areas?
The kindest of interviewers.
NHK World is full of such interviews and documentaries:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/programs/
Highly recommended - even live (no ads).
You can see how those workers would have a good job satisfaction.