Rock, paper, scissors, sale!

This distributor likes to keep things fun on his truck by playing quick games with his customers that help make sales.
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May 6, 2026
3 min read

Key Highlights

  • Paul Gast took over a rural tool route, customizing his truck with solar panels, computer systems, and display modifications for efficiency and customer appeal.
  • He frequently rotates product displays and promotional setups to keep the shopping experience fresh and encourage customer interest and sales.
  • Gast incorporates games and raffles on his truck to create a fun, engaging atmosphere that fosters customer loyalty and excitement.
  • The truck features space-saving innovations like magnetic shelving and plans to upgrade to lithium batteries for better energy efficiency.
  • His approach combines strategic organization, promotional creativity, and customer interaction to succeed in a rural market.
Photo courtesy of Paul Gast
Paul Gast's Mac Tools truck

Two years ago, Mac Tools distributor Paul Gast went from turning wrenches to selling them. When Bo Eastman, Gast’s previous tool distributor and long-time friend, had the opportunity to become a district manager, Gast offered to buy his tool truck and take the route. Now, Gast rolls through Oregon, making stops in Junction City, Harrisburg, Philomath, and Corvallis.

“My route is a lot of rural areas,” Gast says. “It's a lot of windshield time for me.”

Making the truck his own

Every few months, Gast likes to switch up the location of his products to keep things fresh on the truck.

Every few months, Gast likes to switch up the location of his products to keep things fresh on the truck. 

In taking over Eastman’s route, Gast also took over his tool truck. The truck is a 2020 Freightliner M2 with a 24’ long, wide-body box built by Summit Body Works and leased through Trans Lease. Though Gast didn’t design his tool truck, he has made modifications to make it his own.

“I added some solar panels and some things to help with charging systems, and of course, computer systems for my everyday use,” Gast says. “But I would like to convert all the inverters and batteries to lithium just to be more efficient.”

Additionally, he’s added two TV displays and some LED signs to help promote products and guide customers’ buying decisions. Gast is also currently considering updating some of his product displays so he can showcase more tools. Slider walls and magnetic faces for his shelving are some options he’s interested in to free up space. He notes that even when utilizing all the wall and ceiling space available, “You quickly run out of room.”

To keep products easy to find, the distributor organizes all similar or relevant tools in the same location. However, every few months or so, he likes to rotate everything to “keep it fresh.” He finds that this change-up works well with his customers.

“The customers get on the truck, and they get comfortable seeing the same stuff … [but] when you change it up, it brings new light to what they already may have seen, but they just kind of looked over it,” Gast explains. “Usually when I do that, you can see a boost in sales for a couple of weeks because to them it's new even though you may have had it on the truck for a while.”

Fun with sales

Gast likes to rotate between different games on his tool truck to have fun with his customers while giving them the chance to win a discount or entry to a raffle.

Gast likes to rotate between different games on his tool truck to have fun with his customers while giving them the chance to win a discount or entry to a raffle. 

In addition to changing up his tool organization every few months, Gast also likes to change out promotions. He has a promo shelf that is updated to feature different weekly deals. On top of that, he likes to put games on his truck, like darts or Plinko, or run raffles.

“I even sometimes just play simple rock, paper, scissors just to make them feel like they're getting something … and they have fun doing it,” Gast says. “I always try to keep it interesting. That way, it keeps them excited to come to the truck every week. You might lose a little money because you're giving something away for free, but honestly, the guys have fun, and you should have fun, too.”

To see more photos of Gast's truck, visit VehicleServicePros.com/

About the Author

Emily Markham
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Emily Markham

Editor | PTEN and Professional Distributor

Emily Markham is the editor of  Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) and Professional Distributor magazines. She has been writing about the automotive aftermarket since 2019, after graduating from UW-La Crosse with a bachelor's degree in English. During her first three years with EndeavorB2B's Vehicle Service & Repair Group, Markham also wrote for Fleet Maintenance magazine. 

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