MAC Tools Screwed Us: A MAC Distributor Speaks Out (Video)
“MAC Tools screwed us” states a MAC Distributor in a video that warns would-be franchise owners from owning a MAC Tools mobile tool distribution franchise.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) In the video [which has now been taken offline], Cory & his wife Michelle tell how MAC Tools sold them a tool truck route (at an investment, thus far, of $130,000) without telling them that three prior distributors had failed with the same route.
The franchisees contend that many MAC distributors fail, in part because of a lack of corporate support, inadequate tool financing, and independent competitors who sell the same products at significantly lower prices.
They claim their MAC District Manager (DM) had no concern for their success, and was only interested in collecting a “huge sign up bonus.”
Are you a MAC distributor or former distributor? Please share your opinions and experiences with a comment below. If you are willing to take a short survey, see the link below.
“MAC Tools Screwed Us” Video Transcript
Cory: My name is Cory and this is my wife Michelle. I am a Mac tools distributor and this is how MAC tools screwed us.
Michelle: They started off by painting a beautiful picture of how life would be like as a distributor; being your own boss, running your own business, having more time to spend with your family and having a much a larger wallet. We invested over $130,000 and Cory is yet to draw a paycheck after 14 months. We are struggling. The DMs paint a great picture because they are thinking of the huge sign up bonus that they will get.
Cory- Mac did not tell me that there were 3 prior failed distributors on my route.
They claimed that there was tons of support; I received no support from MAC Tools, my RM or My DM when I needed them!
MAC took away the MAC card 8 months in, which means no financing for customers. Especially on tool boxes so I could not even compete with the competitors.
Michelle: They put me in a route knowing that there was an independent dealer selling the exact same products for much lesser prices and again I couldn’t compete.
There was even a light that Cory sold to all his customers that was advertised as a MAC exclusive product. A month later it was out in the Canadian Tire flyer. He sold it for $133.00 and CT for $20.99. We paid $95.19 as distributors for those. Customers were furious and his DM did nothing to help him. Cory lost a lot of money and people’s trust
MAC expects you to put each customer on a Time payment plan so the tool is paid off in 5 weeks. But MAC you wants you pay them within 30 days, if not you will be put on hold and that means no tool orders shipped. Most trade’s people cannot afford to pay a large tool off in 5 weeks. But we have to pay MAC. There were even orders placed on our behalf that we didn’t order. It is not humanly possible for a distributor to do this alone ….that is why they want the wives to be involved.
Cory: we were really taken advantage of and now we could lose everything. Don’t make the same mistake that I did and get screwed by MAC Tools.
ALSO READ:
MAC TOOLS Franchise posts on UnhappyFranchisee.Com
Mobile Tool Franchise Issues & Index
MAC Distributor’s Wives Share Stories of Deception, Hardship
MAC Franchise Owners Claim They Can’t Compete (Slideshow)
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE MAC FRANCHISE DISTRIBUTOR OPPORTUNITY? PLEASE SHARE YOUR OPINION BELOW.
I to am a distributor and can relate. Cheers to you speaking out! I
I am very surprised and disappointed to hear how a company such as Mac Tools has treated their distributors in a manor such as this. I have often considered becoming a distributor and the advantages to such a lifestyle…Unfortunately there is not much that is very positive regarding the entire Mac franchise experience…I am not going to lie, this is just another example of the franchise getting richer while the distributors are getting poorer…not to mention that Mac does not even seem to care that they are destroying the lives of their own distributors….business is built on honesty and reputation, Mac tools just proved that they are not only lying to their customers but also their distributors. Bad news travels faster than good news and at the end of the day people should be aware of what Mac is doing…I do not want any part of a Company that conducts their business built on dishonesty…and they should be thinking of how they are affecting their own distributors lives and stop thinking about how much money that they can steel from distributors and customers….
I live in Ottawa Ontario within the last month I have been researching and investigating in a Mac Tools Franchise
I had a few issues with my research it really did sound to good to be true
Now that I have read the unhappy Franchise this just made up my mind
IT REALLY IS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE
SO sorry for that young couple UNBELIEVABLE
Because I also have a young family
It’s not only in Canada, but the US as well. You can fully finance everything through Wells Fargo, and MAC underwrites it. Then, when the real bills come due, hang on. That’s why you have to have TONS of money in the bank for backup, but really there is no safe amount. You could have a million $$$ and blow it off in no time. I am a former distributor, in almost two years, I had sales of over $365K. Now, bankrupt, lost two houses, vehicles, savings, retirement, severance from former job, and almost not a pot to pee in. Maybe Wells Fargo will wake up and smell the coffee one day, after they figure out just how much MAC screws them out of on a monthly / yearly basis with defaulted loans. And the so-called “lawyers” can’t get any help for those of us who have lost just about everything. Tell me all about how you care. MAC tools is lost and floundering, and burning distributors and franchisees everyday, and nobody is doing anything to stop it.
I don’t understand this needless greed by companies! When are these large corporations going to be held accountable for what they say and do! I will never buy another mac tool again!!
I am very disappointed to know that Mac tools treats there distributors this way. I have purchased many tools on my trucks from mac tools and have always had a great relationship with my locale mac tool distributors. I looked at it as I was supporting a local tool salesman just as i support my local hardware store instead of the big box franchise.
If mac screws there distributors like this what do they think of there customers.
Mac tools has seen the last of my money. I will purchase my tools elsewhere. To this particular distributor. I hope that one day you can work for a business that actually cares for the people that do there dirty work for them. I do believe that trust and honesty is the only way that I have succeeded in business, and will not support any company that does no have the same morals.
Victor. Cosmic Mobile Welding
I tried to return my broken ratchet screwdriver that I over paid for $165 that worked great for the first 2 month and tried to return it and was told that there was no life time warranted on the over priced product.
Last year our company was trying to purchase a straight truck. Now I know why there were so many MAC TOOL trucks for sale in ONTARIO
Shame On You MAC TOOLS
NO LONGER A CUSTOMER FOR MAC TOOLS FOR OUR COMPANIES
JASON
PS OTHER TOOL BRANDS STAND UP TO THERE WARRANTED PRODUCTS
Hi Robert and Jonathon, I am starting an association called MAC Tools Association for franchisees and distributors. This is for all the people who MAC has wronged. If we stand together and unite then we can Conquer this. Robert I am truly sorry for what happened to you and can fully relate, this is why we decided to speak up and try to do something. We maybe able to help if you if you respond to send an email to the administrator at unhappyfranchisee[at]gmail.com and ask for your contact info to be forwarded to us.
Michelle,
Check out mobiletooldealersassociation.com… That site was put up for tool dealers in all 4 companys. I can get you setup with the administrator of that site if you wanna get everything you have on the site. We have over 2,000 members… Message me back if you are interested..
INTERESTED!!!!!!!
Couldn’t believe when I googleed job search for MAC Tools and 199 jobs were available! That says it all……. Also read a post from a recruiter and it said to someone asking about becoming a dealer that “you do not need any experience with tools” Sounds MAC Tools is looking for another sucker.What a joke how can you sell if you know nothing about it!
Sign up for free on mobiletooldealersassociation site and someone will contact you.
My husband has been talking about joining in on a venture such as this for the past year or so…thanks for the heads up! He’s certainly NOT going to be joining MAC tools! Thanks for caring enough to let the rest of us know…it can’t be an easy thing to do….
It’s good to see some active discussions being generated here at Unhappy Franchisee. If you were wronged by MAC give attorney Jerry Marks a call. Becoming a MAC distributor was the worst decision of my life. That’s why I started this Blog – http://stanleymactoolslawsuit.blogspot.com/ I have links pointing back to Unhappy Franchisee and I hope everyone stops by often for updates and to leave their own comments.
I just went through the entire US distributor list from Mac’s public document Franchise Disclosure Document.There were 1002 failed distributors in 2011. I honestly couldn’t believe it. Those are the public ones not all that failed. That does not include UK,China and Canada! That is highway robbery. MAC Tools should seriously re-evaluate the way they treat their franchisees. Word is on the street that Jerry Marks from NJ is the man apparently he is good.I was told by a couple of ex tool men.
Wow that is a huge default number.
But Mac is a top 10 NEW franchise opportunity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YaFGSPErKU
Don’t you feel blessed!
I was the first franchisee to convert from a distributor status for Mac Tools. I’ve been here 18 years and own 3 franchises. The reason those people failed is simple…they DID NOT follow the plan that was taught to them in tool school. No matter which company a person is with..they all have close to the same plan or model a new franchisee needs to follow. I’ve never had a bit of trouble w Mac Tools in 18 years I’ve been w them. Tho I don’t agree w everything, they are a stand up company!!! By the way….. My guys and I still follow the plan taught to me 18 years ago and it still works today. Thanks
Harry,
If you say is true then why do more then 40% fail there first year and only 20% make it after 3 years? Doesn’t those numbers sound a bit out of normal? I am happy for your success but maybe you are generalizing a bit much. I don’t think most dealers failed the system. The system failed them before they even started.
Contracts are much much different from 18 years ago and they give their new starts less and less. A good MAC Distributorship is so hard to come by these days . The products are becoming harder to sell due to their overseas labels. MAC Tools used to be made in the US and anyone would be proud to own their tools now of days not so much. I agree the failure rate is extremely high and that the system fails people!
It is very contradictory to say that people do not follow the MAC plan taught in school when MAC doesn’t follow their disclosure agreement given to their new starts. There were several changes that they made in the disclosure agreement that I was given and had the lawyer look over. Those changes where not given or disclosed until I had attended tool school! Each location and route is very different from one another so it is very hard to chalk them all to be the same.
SNAP-ON ONLY BIACH.
Well Tone, Mac sucks royally and in my opinion is the most evil in the way they have been able to manipulate and churn their “distributors” (…read as undisclosed Franchisees), work their warranty programs to get the dealer to absorb costs, and pass off junk as Mac Branded tools. I could go on, and have in my BLOG, http://stanleymactoolslawsuit.blogspot.com but, Snap-On …REALLY???? Beware my friend …. any one of the Mobile Tool Franchises will take your money and leave you rode hard and hung out to dry.
sorry about what happened to you guys :(
Its shameful that a company like Mac Tools, a company people thought they could trust, can go around screwing their own distributors in which ever way they see fit. People pay the high prices for what? they believe are good quality tools, yet they are just buying the same tools you can purchase at the local hardware store for more than 1/2 the price. Its high time? someone starts screwing them and not their employees or their distributors. Stop supporting this tragedy by NOT buying Mac Tools.
yeah that sucks , mac tools destroying families , forcing them into bankruptcy, i would never never do buisness with mac tools
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thats too bad , ive heard the tool companys are like that . i wont be buying from mac tools .
That story is tragic, but I have heard a story like that from another former Mac dealer. Tool? trucks can be a very difficult business to succeed in.
No worries, we’ll make sure this makes it out to all corners of the world! C & M we love you!!
Thanks for letting people know. I have linked it to 2500 Canadians from the east coast to the west coast. Maybe we’ll share it with some amigos in the USA?
Your video caught my attention. I was surprised to see a Mac Tools video posted a day later. How convenient that Mac Tools would counteract your video.
They paint a rosy & fluffy picture of the Mac Tools franchisee family. I am female – when I saw a smiley, blonde/cute female selling tools, I thought that their ploy to build a picture of success would ENTICE many gullible people.
This is fakeness beyond fake! The people are too happy.
PEOPLE – BELIEVE THE SEGUINS – NOT MAC TOOLS!
Your situation is awful. I also can’t believe the terrible “stuff” I’ve been reading online of other former Mac Tools distributors who were or are in the same boat as you. They lost–their home, everything. Some have considered suicide. What is wrong with this picture? I am sure that there are many others going through the same thing. I am wondering if people are just too afraid to speak up. Something needs to be done! PEOPLE SPEAK UP! OR MORE? & MORE LIVES WILL BE RUINED! due to Mac Tools!
In today’s day -why is there still such a thing as a travelling salesperson. This is pretty much what you guys are? Are we going back to the fifties or what? I recall the milk man &the bread man. But the tool man? Why can’t the mechanics go out like everybody else &buy the same tools for much less at the store. They would save a alot of money &would NOT be hounded by the stressed out tool truck man? who needs to sell,sell,sell –just to put bread on the dinner table. Mac Tools are using you guys!
I stumbled across this video cause i was looking to be come a tool truck dealer. After reading the comments I watched the new MAC Tool video and googled MAC Tool jobs in Canada and 199 jobs were posted open……. 199 jobs….in todays economy people need jobs and if this was so great why is there so many jobs? I call total B/S on MAC TOOLS !? I think its like one of those pyramid schemes.
Hi Hugh, Read your message – I googled just for Ontario prior to your message – and could not believe the “prime” areas available. There must be mega distributors going under. I too would never get into this business. The failture rate is extreme – the proof is in? the pudding. It is a hopeless cause.
The plight of these Mac distributors is frightening.
How can an organization expect to remain in business when they treat their so called family with such distain and fraud?
Tools outsourced and stamped wtih the Mac name. Shame on you greedy corporate leeches. Tool sales will plummet in the Kitchener-Waterloo area after the Sequin video. Nobody will believe your corporate bull to become a distributor for you guys in the future.
Good bye Mac Tools. Have some but not purchasing anymore
This is a huge company and they are screwing a local dealer.
I wont.be buying any more tools seems the quality have gotten really bad in the pass year. I am really disgusted and think its very sad how a company so large could do such a thing.
I’m so disgusted!
I pay a lot for mac tools and I’m getting junk plus u can’t pay the distributors what the fuck is that?
in reply to ThunderstickJim
Being a body man and buying tools of a truck doesn’t necessarily give you knowledge that someone will screw you over, especially the company you’re suppose to be working for.
I was a loyal Mac tool mechanic.
I have everything from their diagnosis equipment to their socks!
I will not buy a mac tool again!
I was disgusted buy them when I got screwed over a year ago.
I am glad that you have the balls to put up this video for every one!
My husband & I are selling our truck-we too are getting out of the business.
The guy is Corey & he is a Mac Tool Dist.
We taped them by our truck –not his, as it was more convenient.
YES Canadian Tire is selling the same light & it was just on sale for 19.99.. Customers are not happy. Would you NOT be too?
This makes me sick.
As a mechanic I have seen many dealers come and go and purchased many MAC Tools.
Won’t buy any anymore.
Cheers to you for standing up to them.
I think it’s disgusting how they treat their distributors..I know I will not buy mac tools.
get a lawyer. best of luck.
sounds like they are reading from a script.
I believe Mac tools is owned by Stanley Works. Which also owns Proto tools, Blackhawk, Facom, Black & Decker, DeWalt and other tool co.
Tool truck distributors try to make to make 100% profit or more on their tool name.
I find a lot of the same specialty tools and misc. tools outside the trucks for much less.
It’s not easy making money selling tools at tool truck prices.
He’s lying cause there is no sign up bonus!
There is plenty of support.
It is true that you have to pay to have was is taken out of inventory, but there is a setting on your computer system to turn that function off so your not reordering product.
There are no set up costs whatsoever.
Your investment should be no more then 100k the only thing your investing in is your truck and your tools.
There is no paycheck, your self employed-you take the money from what you sell each week and pay your bills.
Richard Wyatt
The funny thing is this video is the only one posted out of all the videos on you tube, so if Mac tools was that bad don’t you think there would be more video’s? Anyway this guy probably sucks at selling or isn’t doing what he is supposed to do! If you don’t follow the model you will fail!
I wondered why we can never have a steady Mac Tools Dealer.
Corey is the third one to leave my route.
There were many years on Victoria St in Kitchener had no mac tool dealer at all and when we got one i’d blink and they were gone.
i knew there had to be a reason.
Its a case of the big guy gets rich off the little guy one more time. good luck Corey.
Disgusting.
I have been a MAC dist. for 12 years.
2 others next to me is 17 year vet’s another has 20 years in.
You have to watch your self I get support from MAC.
There is some things that needs to be changed but I do make a living at this.
Riley