MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

4,850 thoughts on “MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints”

• Mike

  without happy people unhappy people would have nothing to bitch about.

  I am a Happy Successful Matco Distributor

  Thanks
  Cary

• cary that was very respecktful thank you but lots of people dont share that,tommy worked hard he did not deserve what happend to him or me , the squeeky wheel gets the grease

• Debs says “Here is another story about preferential treatment of ex snap on dealers coming over to Matco”

  tisk tisk tisk Debbs knowing you know nothing about maket share follows my theory that you know absolutly nothing about successful business. Buy recruiting a snapon distributor you not only remove a competitor , you gain another matco distributor!!!!! market share, market share!!!!!!!

  For a fee I can help you understand this better

• cary i try to be polite you dont need to pick on deb,she is a person that is in a spot as i was. bs bs bs bs bs bs the whole way though the game then you have no jack but the dm is driving a new a new2500 amazing

• Debbie Solko on December 16th, 2011 11:47 pm

  A good friend of mine has been reading the posts

  The observation was made…….

  On Dec. 14 12:10 am Matco #1 / guest #3 / Kevin Bergman wrote………

  I have 500 k in PSA…….Really

  On Dec. 16 12:08 am Matco #1 / quest 3 / Kevin Bergman wrote…..

  Debbie- my last post was on Nov 27, when I decided that you and your handfull of idiots were no longer worth my time. Sounds like your friend is as much of a fool as you are. Your amazing list of conspiracies just keeps growing, as does your whining about windshields, mountains, cell phones, and everything else Matco should be sued over. And you actually think Matco is raising prices, as they do every Jan 1, because of this rediculous lawsuit!!! THAT was the most entertaining post so far, but I’m sure you will top it soon!

  Our old friend “Guest” had his OBC moniker, so I thought maybe your bunch should have one also. How about the WMD club? Whining Matco Distributors. We’ll give “Guest” an honorary position with you, since he’s never been a Matco distributor. The WMD moniker fits well, since you’ve destroyed your own businesses, and you’re trying to destroy everyone elses along with you. I think Tommy should be the WMD president, and maybe you as VP, although you are a much better whiner.

  So why are you still with Matco? “Because I’m not a quitter”. But you hate everything about Matco, and are convinced that every person in thier employ is conspiring to take your money and throw you out. You feel they do nothing to help you, and everything to hurt you, but you’re still here. So fire them! You want to sell tools, and feel you do everything perfect, so go independent, and make huge money! Why wouldn’t you???

  And here’s a few tips for you and the rest of the WMD:

  Do you have a dog on the truck? The dog people think it’s OK, but the rest think your truck stinks. So why not leave the dog at home, AND APPEAL TO EVERYBODY?

  Do you smoke on the truck? The smokers don’t mind, but the rest think your truck smells like an ashtray. So why not stop smoking on the truck, AND APPEAL TO EVERYBODY?

  Do you chew? The chewers think it’s fine, but the rest think it’s a filthy disgusting habit (which it is). So why not stop, AND APPEAL TO EVERYBODY?

  I could go on, but you (hopefully) get the point. If your business is failing, figure out why that guy, who’s standing in front of you, one on one, isn’t buying your product. He’s a mechanic. He buys tools. Why not from YOU? Ditch the WMD club, and sell some damn tools.

  Like I said before- “When everybody is out to get you, paranoia is just good thinking”.

• Mike,

  I dont know your story, I do know Tommy’s. Before you reply to this please review all previous posts. I know there are many, Tommy is an angry angry little man that will blame everything on everyone else and take no responsibility for his own failures. I am not concerned about defamation of character because I am not telling anything that is not true. One thing is true when he is feeling violated he will end his comment with. LETS GO TEAM(DEBBIE) WE SHALL OVERCOME Jump on the JERY TRAIN AND YOU WILL BE A LOSER LIKE US …BUT Be PART OF OUR TEAM…..LETS GO TO CRAIGSLIST AND TRY TO SABOTAGE HONEST HARD WORKING DISTRIBUTORS who are just trying to make a living and support their familes. How is that fair…i had a customer today that questioned me on his criagslist spam……asking me “whats going on”…is this really my battle????? YOU BET IT IS!! I HAVE WORKED 13 YEARS TO SHOW MY CUSTOMERS IN MY HOME TOWN, I AM HERE TO STAY AND SUPPORT MY BRAND.

  Tommy boy your little pantywaste of a career with”THE BEST TOOL COMPANY IN THE WORLD” doesnt give you the right to cloud what I have worked so hard for.

  Cary Devitt

• First of all , thanks to everyone for the love. We are going to post anywhere,everywhere and at any give time, sorry if it hurts your feelings, matco wasn’t nice to us and karhma is a bitchhh.Our goal here is not to hurt any distributor, but to get through to matco at whatever expense, and we will continue.

  [redacted]

  Bob, sorry for your situation, there are many people that matco has screwed with and ruined everything for them across this entire nation. I am glad that you will be calling Jerry, if I can be of any help,get hold of Jerry,Debbie,Mike, or Admin, they can get hold of me. Bob, each of us had similiar situations with matco, so that shows its not just a region, its everywhere.

  Bob, there are a few azz-holes, that try to sway the conversation, just ignore them and maybe they will go away. I am hurting their feelings, because I am getting deep into the truth with how matco does business. Matco, as I said many times is not a bad company, it is their employees, and to get their emplyees, you have to go through matco and that is our plan.When you have dishonest employees working for you, you either get rid of them or your business suffers.Please help by passing the word along about this site,thanks.

  Tool prices are climbing, buy your tools at sears,k-mart, or walmart, same tools as the trucks sell and made overseas.

  POST COUNT TALLY- UNHAPPY-1511-WOW
  DEFENDERS-78- SAME AS YESTERDAY.

  DEVITTBOY, WERE YOU UP MY D.M.’s AZZ WITH LEMONADE, WHEN I SIGNED DOCS AT MY TABLE? STFU.

  P.S. HIT ALL SITES POSSIBLE WHEN POSTING, ANYWHERE,EVERYWHERE,INCLUDING HERE, CRAIGSLIST,ETC. CALL ALL FORMER DISTRIBUTORS POSSIBLE. WE ARE BEING HEARD.

  THANKS FOR THE POST SUPPORTERS, WE ARE CONTINUING TO CLIMB ON THE GOOGLE SEARCH. KEEP UP THE WORK.

  [Tommy: threatening language will not be tolerated. You’ve been warned. ADMIN]

• Bob, remember to check the laws in your state regarding repos, some states require a repo license and some require a bond to be posted and insurance, you also do not have the rights to the contents inside a box.

• State of Florida Repo Laws

  Anyone who contracts to buy a vehicle or other property on credit may have their property repossessed if they do not make timely payments. Every state has laws dealing with the repossession or “repo” process. Florida’s repo laws, like those of other states, strive for fairness to both the lender and the borrower.

  Under Florida statute 537.012 (2), a lender must contact the owner of the property that is in default and give the debtor an opportunity to surrender the property at a time and place convenient to both the lender and the debtor. Before the lender takes possession, he must also give the borrower an opportunity to remove any personal belongings from the property.

  Florida repo law gives the lender the right to sell the repossessed property as long as he does so through an authorized dealer who is licensed by the state. Statute 537.1029 (3) also requires the lender to allow the debtor to retain the property if he pays the outstanding balance on the loan before the sale date. The law allows the borrower to purchase the property at the sale as well.

  According to the Attorney General of Florida, recovered property must be sold in a “commercially reasonable manner.” For example, if a debtor’s property is sold well below market value, then the debtor may have a strong defense if he or she is sued for a deficiency judgment.

  Florida repo law gives the lender the right to sell the repossessed property as long as he does so through an authorized dealer who is licensed by the state. Statute 537.1029 (3)

  READ ABOVE AND TELL ME WHAT MATCO DEALER HAS A REPO LICENSE AND IS AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE, TO REPO AND SELL THE ITEMS?

  MORE IN TO FOLLOW. Thank you matco , for having me break the law.

• MATCO ALWAYS SOLD ME PROPERTY WLL BELOW MARKET VALUE, I PICKED UP AN MB8535 BOX AND COMPLETE TOP BOX, VALUE WAS AROUND 14000.00, I PAID MATCO LESS THAN 4000 AND NOT A SCRATCH ON IT. I ASK, IS THAT WELL BELOW MARKET VALUE?

• A creditor could initiate the repossession process against you if you fall behind on a scheduled payment arrangement, even by one payment, says the Maryland Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation. Usually the buyer and the seller, or the borrower and the creditor, will sign an agreement stating how and when the payments will be made. When the buyer fails to abide by the contract terms, the buyer could lose or forfeit all rights under Maryland laws. The buyer loses all rights If there is any attempt to destroy, hide, remove or damage the item, in order to avoid repossession

  Under Maryland law, the creditor has to issue the defaulting party a discretionary notice 10 days before the scheduled repossession of the property. This is a written notice outlining the intention of the creditor to repossess the item. The discretionary notice must state how the borrower is in default and must give the time for the repossession. The notice must also inform the creditor of his rights as regards to the repossession. The creditor will send the notice to the last known address of the defaulter by certified mail. If the creditor fails to issue this notice, then the defaulting debtor will not be required to reimburse such a creditor for repossession expenses.

• Cary, sounds like you joined the WMD club. Quit your whining and go to work. Your customers aren’t buying from Matco, they’re buying you.

  I’m sure you felt bad for all of the BP stations that had to close because ‘they didn’t know how to run a business’.

  There is a problem with the system. The 80% NPA is totally unfair. At best it should be on a regional basis. But Matco doesn’t care, they can always eliminate anyone that VIOLATES the contract. And my experience and intimate relationship with Matco reveals that is over 90% of the franchises. Just because you are happy with your relationship doesn’t mean others haven’t been damaged.

  If your customers are worried about what they read on the internet about Matco, your apparently not servicing them well. When I left Matco, everyone of my customers stood by me and continue to support me. They are pissed at Matco because no one will do their warranties, and it didn’t have to be that way. That was MATCO’s choice. Not my choice or my customers.

  There is a clear pattern of favoritism and unfair practices, it starts with the DM and RM, and is clearly supported by upper management. Nothing wrong with the typical Matco employee, they are just doing what they are told to do. (I’ve been there, I know.) Typical company, if you don’t like it…there’s the door.

• how many people got screwed when matco split with grey pnumatic.. i got a letter from grey on monday, was notified by matco on thursday. we were told the next friday that we had to have all inventory back to matco by the next friday to get full credit. we were not told that any individual item that we had on the truck for warranty purposes would not be taken back. i t was considered special order. plus anything over 30 days old would not be taken back. almost 3 weeks had gone by by now. i got stuck with alot of tools there.
  their warranty policies are very one sided. one of my favorites is the one where your warranty starts when you buy the product, not from when you sell it. check it out. no one wants to admit this one.

• Thanks Richard, very good point, anyone want to comment on that, warranty starts when we but product not the customer, thanks again.

• I am amussed at how helpless you people are. #1 grey pneumatic can be purchased from multiple sources and warranty in a non issue, if you are not smart enough to handle an easy non problem you should not be in the tool business you are an idiot. Another point if you can’t maintain 80% of the NPA then you aren’t selling enough tools and you are going to fail anyway so if Matco kicks you to the curb you should be thankfull. This business is not for everyone and not everyone will succeeed. As the founding fauthers said Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The happy part is up to you but it is not a given you have to earn it work for it and take a business class common sense really helps as well. DANAHER CORP will only let this lawsuit go so far you will be kept quite.
  Don’t go away mad just go away. Enjoy your crying I’m going a vacation 7th week this year life is what you make it.

• Taking a break from this discussion has given me a fresh perspective. I highly recommend it for some of the daily commenters (on both sides) who just muddy up an important conversation with petty bickering and namecalling because they feel the need to comment continuously even when they’ve got nothing to say.

  Reading back through the comments, it occurs to me that there are three types here: The Haves, The Have-nots and the Have-beens.

  The Haves are the successful established dbrs like, say, Kevin, Cary, Junior, etc. They seem like smart guys who understand the business. They’ve got good, stable routes and they’ve got some sway in the organization, meaning they are not going to be F-d with too too much. They like things the way they are, for the most part. And they choose to believe that everyone has the same opportunity they have and if they’d stop whining and work their route they’ll succeed too.

  There are the Have-nots, like Debbie, who are still in the game, trying to do their best and struggling. Some of the frustrations they voice may seem petty, but they are fighting for survival in a system that flushes away up to 49% of its dbrs every year. Unfortunately, the Haves won’t acknowledge that there are legit problems because they are in the 51% and things are peachy. So they won’t help push for change or lend assistance or even listen. They just attack, drown out or try to discredit those being flushed.

  Then there are the Have-beens, the already-flushed dbrs, like Todd Peterson, Former Distr., Bob Tremblay, etc. Some struggled from the start but many were successful at one time. They tell remarkably similar stories and offer examples of and insight into the flushing process. The latest account was from Bob Tremblay:

  Bob Tremblay on December 16th, 2011 7:40 pm
  Bob Tremblay on December 16th, 2011 9:36 pm

  The Haves are quick to attack Bobby for having failed or Debbie for her inexperience, but they won’t acknowledge or address the terrible stories of the Have-beens or the problems they portray. (Like Kevin addressing big important issues like dogs, smoking & chewing on trucks, but ignoring serious issues like those of Bob Tremblay).

  If the Haves aren’t willing to overcome their denial or indifference to the obvious problems that are devastating many dbrs each year, the least they could do would be to stop kicking the people who are down.

• IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR,GO AWAY, THIS IS PEOPLE PISSED AT THEIR FRANCHISEE.

• I hope Bob Tremblay doesn’t mind that I reorganized his story a little. I think it’s worth retelling and hope the Haves/OBC might actually acknowledge that this is a widespread problem, even more than chewing tobacco or Bobby’s craigslist postings.

  > Bob Tremblay struggled with a List of Calls that wasn’t sustainable. His list of calls included shops taken away from other dbrs which created friction/bad feelings. His route was made up in part with unprofitable accounts of a terminated distributor. He found shops on his original list of calls that were no longer in business but were supposedly surveyed.

  > Due to the economy, he lost shops due to closures and downsizing. Bob tried to get replacements. He was told by his DM he could service shops not on list of calls and the DM would add them. After Bob established them as customers, the DM took the shops away to give to a new dbr.

  > Bob complained that his LOC shops were laying off and closing, but he was forbidden to call on shops he drove by along his route. He could have serviced them efficiently but wasn’t allowed because they wanted to sell them to a new dbr.

  > Bob’s DM was a former Snap-On Distributor and DM (probably terminated by SO) in the area who had active death threats from at least one former customer.

  > After Matco let Bob’s franchise fail, they determined he was right and it wasn’t a viable route. They split it up between the 2 distributors that bordered his territory. Instead of taking Bob’s complaints seriously, they let him lose $250,000 and go out of business before figuring out he was right.

  > In a 6 month span, 50% of the distributors in his district closed up.

  Bob Tremblay believes “I think a lot of what is going on is done behind upper managements back . I think the regional and DM’s and even the Business development managers, have found a way to make extra money through bonuses and commissions, by putting guys in business and knowing they will fail and then getting another one in. a DM gets a lot of commission on starter inventory and the recruiter gets a bonus for every one the get in.”

  Thanks, Bob, for sharing your story. Only someone with their head completely in the sand can deny that its one many, many hardworking dbrs are telling.

• FOUND THIS UNDER A BUSINESS WEBSITE.

  Another Danaher Company having problems cheating ……
  Matco Franchise Unrest at UnhappyFranchisee.com

  Looks like a franchisee/distributor uprising. 700+ angry comments, most from failed or failing Matco Tools distributors threatening lawsuits:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-franchise-complaints/

  There’s one class-action lawsuit already underway alleging that Matco Tools and TD Bank conspired on getting SBA Loans they knew were doomed to fail:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/franchise-lawsuit-matco-tools-scam/

  Another post claims that Matco recruits new distributors, sets them up to fail so they can replace them and reap the rewards of the large upfront purchases of new distributors:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-franchise-distributor-churn…

  Looks like 2012 might be a turbulent year for Matco Tools.

• TLMAN on December 17th, 2011 1:00 pm
  “… #1 grey pneumatic can be purchased from multiple sources and warranty in a non issue, if you are not smart enough to handle an easy non problem you should not be in the tool business you are an idiot. Another point if you can’t maintain 80% of the NPA then you aren’t selling enough tools and you are going to fail…

  TLMAN, you are suggesting that to service your customers you MUST purchase OUTSIDE of Matco. THAT is violating your franchise agreement!!!! Then you contradict yourself and say how your going to fail if your not at 80%.

  I was smart… I bought GP elsewhere along with a lot of other stuff, I wasn’t stupid, I was making good money, but Matco doesn’t like it when you violate the agreement. Especially when your DM gets mad, looses his temper because you won’t buy the meeting specials, sorry I got them for half price down the street. I wasn’t stupid.

  I contend, if your in an area hit with tough economic times, and you’re having a tough time buying at 80%, you are indeed Loyal, but that won’t keep you in business, you need to go outside to make a living at this.

• okay tlman. i know that you didnt call me an idiot for expressing my opinion, otherwise that would make you quite the bigger one but anyway. its not that grey was an issue so to speak its the fact of the way matco handled it by not standing up and being responsible for a choice that they made. i was not consulted so why should i bear the burden, physically or financially. these are the type of issues that is causing the problem.
  you sir are so wrapped up in your own little world that you cant see that there is a different world out there.

• Fact
  1990 to attend the MATCO Dealer Expo you had to be a top performing distributor.

  Fact: Low Performing Distributors complanied it wasn’t fair. High Performers were getting special treatment.

  Fact: Now bottom feeders complain expo costs too much.

  Fact: Expo is voluntary, if you don’t lke the cost….DONT GO!

  Fact: No Franchise Fee

  Fact: Shipping is a business expense

  Fact: Paying a mark up on tools from MATCO is the cost of doing Business

  Thank you….and god bless.

• what a lot of people dont realize is that matco monitors everything that you do in your own business. why do you think that the have and control mdbs and have you download every day. they monitor what you sold ,when you sold it, where, how much and whether or not you got it from them. thats why some run 2 sets of books.

• Yes I am in my own world and I like it. The weather is sunny and bright on my planet no room for doom and gloom. When it snows I go skiing I don’t cry because it is cold. When its hot thats okay I take the boat out. When Matco changed its policy on grey I didn’t care, after all everyone should have seen this coming. Many distributors were buying grey on the outside and used Matco as the warranty source thus costing Matco $$$$ you can’t blame Matco for this. In my world every day is about turning a profit and making $$$$$$$ I do complain and get pissed but I never let that get in the way of my success. For all of you that blame Matco for your problems did you pay off your debt when things were good did you put cash away for a slow week month or year. Did you stash extra cash for a great deal that came along or did you blow your money like a drunken sailor ? When you live within your means you can live very well. Look at 80% of the NPA that is $2,720.00 which if sold would be only apx $4,500.00 in sales per week not anywhere close to turning a profit so quit crying about the NPA. If you are not selling at least $7,000 per week on average get out now go find something yuo are good at this isn’t it.

• TLMAN are you wanting people to start franchises? Cause with the statement you just made it sounds like you have to sell 7000 per week to be successful. I doubt there are 300 distributors in Matco RIGHT NOW with a Purchase Average above 7000. So the othe 1100 plus are failures?

• In fact you sound like a top 50 guy who says he only has 300 customers but actually has about 550. You know guys who no how to work the system. Shop has 5 customers and you only show 2 cause that is all that is doing business with you. Yes there are ways to cheat the Matco system. I have always wondered how a particular Distributor in the same area I am can sit on such a large area and pick and choose his shops. Rumor has it he has two systems. Matco’s MDBS and PAPER.

• The cost of EXPO,

  Matco does charge to much and it is a huge money maker for them it really gets under my skin that they need to profit not only from the tools that I buy but just in my attendence. I know how this works and Matco gets a check from the resort. I have been to the ISN EXPO the cost is next to nothing and the way you are treated is far different than the MATCO EXPO. That being said I wouldn’t miss either one it is vital to my business to go. In fact next year I plan to goto the APEX SEMA show as well. My sales numbers go up after every EXPO so while there are things I don’t like and things that make me really mad like I said before I don’t let them get in the way of my success. Any vacation that you go on business or personal should be paid for in advance yes Matco offers terms but only a fool relies on that to go. If you don’t go the only new products that you will see will be sold by your competition.

• Todd I said 7000 in SALES not purchases. Your name todd peterson TP would have been a good thing to pay attention to. I am a top 500 not a top 50 I could care less about a plaque or a ribbon I run a sound business and always stay above the 80% NPA . I save more money than I spend which is the root cause of most of the problems today. Do I bend the rules ? does a bear crap in the woods You don’t think Matco bends the rules dude get a life. Matco looks after its stock holders that is there duty. It is also my duty to look after my stock holders ( my family)

• Anyone know what date they stopped taking Grey Pneumatic? I would love to have a copy. I was never notified about returning the Grey product. If it was after February 11th I will need a copy for my lawsuit. So if any distributors have a copy of that letter please look me up on facebook.

• To the Guest that reorganized my story I don’t mind at all. I will now post some facts directly from my year end reports.

  My official count from matco was 348. the reality was after servicing my route I could only count 286 potential customers.

  My year end report for 2008 TP & Cash Sales 170,919.00
  Active TP customers 135 PSA Sales 51,992.00
  Ending TP Bal. 31397.00 weekly AVg. 3600.00
  Skips 10
  Skips Balance 453.00

  This was my first full year in business And I thought I was doing good I could live on sales like this I felt I was doing good was getting good ride reports from the DM.

  My year end for 2009 is a little different and this is when I made the decision to close down.

  Active TP Customers 74 TP & Cash Sales 67,862.00
  Ending TP Balance 10,546.00 PSA Sales 34,615.00
  Skips 57 Weekly Average 1,100.00
  Skips Balance 9,683.00

  But according to My DM this was all my fault I was running my own business into the ground. and stealing from myself. If I was stealing from myself why would I have almost completely drained my personal bank account to try to keep it going. Unfortunately this is the attitude my DM had. Below are the comments or the direct quote from the last ride my DM did with me actually he only madi it about an hour on my truck and we have never spoken since.

  ” The condition you have put your business in is sad. The customers deserve better that that, You will have to work four times as hard to get them back. The tote bag has to be the biggest part of that to get 180 customers on the books now, You knew I was coming and didn’t even bother with it. This on a day with 2 customers on the books. The inventory needs to get back to $88000 list, PA needs to be minumin 80%. OPA needs to be paid every week, you didn’t send any money and you are back in 28 day delinquent status. You can never operate a tool business on hold, why did you let it go back to that? Doing everything correct bringing the money back into the business that you took out needs to happen now. Matco’s name is the issue now with the customers.”

  He put my purchase average needed to be at 80% when in fact at the time of this report I was at 88%.

  I’ nat saying that I was perfect I did make mistakes but had Matco done their part I would probably still be in business.

• It was hard for me to look after my family Matco made sure of that. What would you say about a Distributor who is BUYING $7250 per week from Matco?

• Here are my stats for 5/19/06:

  Promissary Note: Amount Due: 6,146.00- YES THIS IS A NEGATIVE NUMBER

  Purchase Average: YTD $7,179.71
  NPA $3,788.39

  Bonus Applicable: 5.25%

  YTD Bonus: $6,426.44

• Again! Why would Matco screw around with a guy pushing these numbers? Did I do something wrong? There hadn’t been 4 Distributors for Matco EVER in Northwest Arkansas. Now, there wanting to cut my success and start another distributor OVERLAPPING my route with a new guy. Something that Matco advertises they don’t do.

  All this to say that the DM sent from another state to review our routes and area’s of coverage and orchestrate the surrender of my customers after praying with me and my wife tells me I have done a great job and am servicing over 95% of my route but I did so illegally by not having these shops signed into my route list. Forget the FACT my DM told me to call on these shops. Forget the fact my Regional Manager told me I would lose my franchise if I didn’t do as he requested. Twice I had to sign a route list in two months which Matco just does not happen to have one of these on file.

• Come on! Take your cheap shots NOW!

• Bob your numbers were not sustainable you needed to grow. The tote bag is huge 30-40% of my sales come from it some like people on the truck an it is a good thing but they linger eat all my freaking candy put their greasy prints on everyhing and want to tell me all their problems this is why I tote I take the tools to them get the money and go my customers know its all business and no bullshit.
  Todd sounds like you were chaseing the almighty plaque and got burned out that is why I keep a high margin and low turn. The only numbers I care about are in the bank. How do you have a negative note mine just said amount due 0.00 after 2 yrs 8 months. Felt really good too called Pam 5 times that day asking what is my balance she finally said congrats now stop calling me. I have never missed one of my kids sports events I often take time off for school events. It is called balance not easy and not everyone can do it. It also sounds like you made a lot of money for Matco but not for yourself can’t say that was real smart.

• TLMAN wrote – “When it snows I go skiing I don’t cry because it is cold. When its hot thats okay I take the boat out.”

  Junior – This man will succeed at anything he puts his mind to Tommy. Here’s the attitude you needed rather than how can I change Matco and the entire plan to fit Tommys World.

  I like it.

• Todd wrote – “Come on! Take your cheap shots NOW!”

  Junior – I’ll just call you with mine if it’s all the same. lol

• I did tote with average success I did exceptionally well when a new product came out. A perfect example was the video scope I was able to get 3 when the came out and sold 2 at my first stop held on to one to use as a demo and had 25 orders by the end of the week. Yes using the tote does work I won;t deny that.

  The true downfall to my business was when GM and Chrysler filed bankruptcy. in one week I lost 3 large heavy truck shops that were directly tied to both Gm and Chrysler it was over 80% of their business. That was 52 customers just in those 3 shops. within the next couple of months I lost a dealership. and another truck shop.
  Not all had accounts but all of them would make purchases. In fact at one shop the older guys on the day shift would either pay cash when they needed Items or would pay the tools off within 2 weeks.

  I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t do every thing right but I accept my mistakes and I know what they were.

  My main point is if we take the numbers matco said I had 348 potential customers, Then I lost 81 potential customers within 6 months time due to layoff and shops closing. that brought me to 267 Potential customers. Unfortunately the guys I lost were the best ones I had. I sold 5 toolboxes in the one shop in 1 month it was normal for me to be there 2 hours to see and talk to every one and usually did 600-800 a week every week.

  My bitch is Matco and my DM knew of this and knew I found shops that could make up the loss and keep me in business. they weren’t out of my way as I was driving by them every day. and they refused to let me service them. and put them on a new route for a new Distributor and then took more shops away from me.

  In fact they did give me a new shop but when I got there I found out it was being serviced by another distributor. the building had 2 address but it was one business 1 address for the office and 1 address for the shop. I was given the address for the office. needles to say I wasn’t allowed to keep it.

  I don’t think Matco corporate had anything to do with it. I truly belive it was my DM and BDM.

  I know ther are good DM’S out there I still have friends that run routes and are successful. some have great DM’s others have DM’s like mine.I think it’s a select few that are the problem and I think the common denominator is their all former Snap-on people.

• WOW! Guess who My DM used to work for???????????

• TLMAN!

  The only numbers you care about are in the bank. GEE! I think you would make a GREAT MATCO DM. Because you and Matco don’t care who you screw as LONG AS YOU GET PAID!!!

• Children, children, children…………..

  I often tease my customers that being a Matco distributor is much like when
  I taught PRE SCHOOL>

  The kiddos got cranky when we didn’t serve snack on time
  The mechanics get cranky when the candy runs out

  Being a Matco distributor is SO much like being a Pre school teacher
  The mechanics are a little taller………………

  This conversation is much the same………….

  mommy mommy he called me a name…………..

  A $100,000 investment, the dream of owning your own business – all gone
  Is SERIOUS matter – we need to ignore the bullies, the name calling

  AND PLEASE FOCUS ON THE FACTS

  Bob Tremblay wrote a very elegant post – clearing defining his problem – a problem that he SHARES with hundreds of other distributors

  I am thankful he came forward
  I totally GET why he would want to stay out of THIS FRAY

  However; this site, and other like it are NECESSARY…………
  Two years ago
  I researched Matco and found nothing negative
  Six months ago I had NO idea SO MANY others shared
  my difficulties. In fact, when I questioned my DM about other
  DBRs departures – he flat out LIED!
  ALL had been terminated!!!!
  My DM painted some bogus tale about them all leaving
  because of everything from personal/divorce to moving to just
  “change of heart”,,,,

  So, again i AM thankful he made his post!

  I totally respect the fact he stated his case and
  wants to stay out of the fray.

  No matter what ‘side’ you are on – bottom line –
  THERE IS A PROBLEM!

  If someone wasn’t selling enough – could it MAYBE be because his customer base was insufficient ??
  OF COURSE IT IS POSSIBLE –

  I can honestly say, I don’t personally know a single soul on this site!

  I can honestly say, I don’t have first hand knowledge of their business or their selling abilities, etc.

  WHAT I DO HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF – IS MY STORY
  from other posts – MY STORY IS THE SAME AS HUNDREDS OF OTHERS

  I KNOW this, I receive Emails DAILY
  from everything from Current DBRs
  from former DBRS
  from Current DMs
  from Former RMs

  If a distributor is NOT selling the National Average –
  IT IS COMPLETELY POSSIBLE THERE ARE SEVERAL VERY VALID REASONS
  *

  Let’s not get distracted

  There are PLENTY of issues to discuss – and PLENTY of possibilities for what has happened

• You see TLMAN,

  You can try and make me feel bad about my business venture with Matco but here’s the thing. You can only ASSume that I am a failure. You don’t know it for a fact. YOU can just ASSume. SO ASSume on.

• It took me a while to read some of this, it got my attenton when some one in my city told me they saw it on craigs list. i’m no longer a distributor but I had a little something to add.

  You see Junior was my District manager. I will explain here.

  Before him I had two other DM’S and the first one came from Snap On, he was a jerk, did nothing for my business, lied and more. They fired him. The second DM i got was decent enough but never really was on the side of the distributors. I had been on the truck for 2 years and wasn’t doing as well as I hoped, I was about to get out.

  I get a call one day from Junior, he said he was still on his tool truck but he was going to be our new DM. He just wanted to give out his phone number in case we needed anything while he was selling his truck and in the move to our area. I told him I was thinking on getting out, he asked me to hold on if i could and give him a chance to look at my business.

  Three weeks went by and i figure just another broken promise. Nope. Junior showed up at my door 630am and spent two full days with me. That year he helped me turn my business around. He pulled our district together as a team, 2 guys were on stage for the most improved busness. Even our 20 year guys were going to meeting and were geting something out of what he offered.

  Are their bad DMs yes. I will tell you and anyone not Junior. the hardest working guy i knew. He worked for us and always told us this in phone calls and at meeting. Did he lose distributors he did, but he found buyers and helped those that wanted out. he knew my entire families names birthdays and he gave them all his attention.

  Matco isnt perfect, and i have heard some bad stories of bad DMs, but not when we had him. I stand behind him anyday. I do wish Matco would not hire ex Snap On guys for DMs, the worse. Find good people that care about people first, then know how to make money in this business second.

  My put. Hay Junior tell your family hello, email me.

• . ****Many distributors that have posted here have had issues with the numbers of customers they actually have.

  Many like myself, have literally BEGGED for more customers – sales is a numbers game, more customers – more sales

  However; many would contend Matco is guilty of Fraudulent surveying;
  failure to comply in practice with written definition of a “Potential Customer”

  Guilty of Improper route layouts – excess “windshield time”; failure to comply with compact route (pie shaped) layout

  Guilty of; Failure to maintain 325 potential customer count when economic conditions cause the closing of automobile dealerships or other shops;

  Guilty of; Manipulation of distributors’ customer base to create and add “new” customers – abuse of “open stops”;

  I can personally back these claims with documentation.

• $170,000 a year in sales? No to Criticize but man, that’s low. We just had a distributor do $120,000 in 6 weeks, then back it up with 106,000 the next six weeks, now that’s at the high end, but man 170?

  Bob in this busienss you can be too tight, or too loose, with only 10 skips you were definately on the tight end. Unfortunately for me, sometimes i am on the loose end, but the additonal sales make up for the skips.
  MATCO did tell me I would have skips…cant sue them for that.

  Here is something that the distributors should try, how about spending more time with the shops that you currently have. Tote bag, show them tools, dont just walk in and ask if then need anything, spend more time at the shops you have, hey you might sell more, instead of rushing to the next shop.

• Todd,
  I have been told I would be a DM some day but sad to say I have no interest in that at all for many reasons. #1 I am to mean and had very little patience for weak minded people. My recruitment numbers would be low as I would only let sucsessfull people in my district. I have had many ride alongs the ones that listened are still in business the others failed and one is very close he should have listened to me this business is not for everyone. I have seen distributors go deep into debt just fo a chance to walk across the stage at EXPO why would anyone do that ? Yes I always get paid but only because I ask for my money which many fomer distributors failed to do.

  Debbie,
  I’m sure your a great person but if this isn’t working for you no matter the reason why not move on to something that will ( the deeper the hole the harder the climb out ). Go ahead sue Matco but why goto work day after day with a bad attitude. Life is much better when you enjoy what you are doing but you do what gota do.

  Bob,

  Do you think you are the only one that lost dealerships, shops, extensive customer base? in a period of 6 months I lost 3 gm dealers 1 ford dealer 1 chysler dealer 1 kia dealer pretty much sucked the big one. My sales numbers droped big time almost threw in the towel. Why didn’t I because when times were good I paid off everything I saw the bubble and I watched it burst. The difference is I always look for the good in any situation 2 large sporting goods stores also closed at this time I made them a deal on there knife displays got them dirt cheap pennys on the dollar and made a killing guys always buy knives. I buy as much PDI as I can 15% off please keep sending tools back I need the extra cash. And in the middle of the big recession I upgraded my tool truck when I found a repo 4300 INT 22 ft box only 41,000 with 35K yes I scored on that one and it really helped my business my customers knew I wasn’t going anywhere. So don’t tell me you had it rough we all have some of us just like to win others quit. When life is at its hardest that is when you find out who the true chanpions are.

• tlman
  so let me tell you a few things here. i am not an idiot or a whiner. i give 20 years of my life to serve my country so that you could enjoy the liberties and freedom that you have. i have put my life on the line knowingly many times, have you. so dont give me any of your bs.
  i have also learned not to ever judge anyone untill you have walked a mile in their shoes. you dont even know what size shoe i wear so therefore you dont even know if you could fill them. i dont know you either and i will not judge you.
  you cannot expect other people to respect your opinion if you have no respect for theirs.
  i am happy for your success. i would love to see you come and sell 7,000.00 a week in the route that i was given. you would be pissed too. maybe you need to get off of your high horse and go and see some of the areas that these people are talking about. since you have so much experience and are a great salesman you would be the perfect person to get an opinion from, but until then keep your little-big happy ### in your own little world and let us the ones that have been screwed by matco tend to our business.
  people tell lies but facts tell the truth. go see for yourself and you might change your opinion.

• Thank you to all that have posted and contributed to the conversation

  It is wonderful to have the information available, potential distributors can
  make their decision based on ALL the factors that will be part of their business.

  It is wonderful to have a forum to voice opinions – see both sides

  The MAIN OBJECTIVE is communication – distributors can now reach out and talk with other distributors and air their grievances or share their difficulties

  It also provides options and solutions – yes, contests are valuable, especially around the holidays – any little suggestion to improve sales can only help

  The basic fundamental structure I fear is damaged and will require fundamental change before ANY distributor can really be helped

  If the problem is not corporate Matco – and really lies in deceptive DMs or RMs – well then it is still ultimately corporate Matco’s responsibility.

  If the problem is the distributor- well then, maybe proper screening/recruiting could have eliminated that issue. I’m certain not everyone IS cut out for this business.

  BUT – if that is truly the case, that person should never get to the point of investing $100,000 – Matco is more than happy to PRE SCREEN potential distributors

  ***********BASED SOLEY ON THEIR CREDIT WORTHINESS*********

  I think this might be STEP ONE – in the change process

  Many comments say the distributor shouldn’t have been a distributor in the first place – OK, WELL THEN LET’S ADDRESS THAT ISSUE FROM THE BEGINNING

  It cannot be allowed, it can NOT be OK – just to TAKE SOMEONE’S MONEY

  the PRE SCREENing process MUST involve more than $$$$

  I had EXCELLENT CREDIT – ALL of my adult life,
  I HAD excellent credit when I started this business……………………..no longer

• Bob – again thank you

  Richard – thank you, excellent points that need to be said and get the conversation back on track

  One last thing before I call it a night……….

  I publicly want to THANK MY CUSTOMERS!!!

  My customers have seen the direction Matco is forcing my business. My customer understand that Matco is making it impossible for me to stay in business.

  MY CUSTOMERS ARE COMPLETELY SUPPORTIVE – so much so, they have taken to writing to Ernie Lauber directly to express THEIR dissatisfaction. Also, they are writing to support me!

  WOW :) Thank you!

• I too served my county as a UNITED STATES MARINE. Where I learned self disipline, hard work, integrity and a never quit attitude. You make it sound as if I have it so easy or just lucky or mabey I just work hard. When the Marines were hosting the UNITED STATES FLAG on MT Surabaci on Iwo Jima what if they said its to hard the Japs are to many im tired my Captian is a jerk I am going to sue when I get stateside give me freaking break. Bottom line I like the tool business I have made it work for me if it didn’t work for you I really don’t give a crap. Go look in the mirror and you will find the biggest reason for your failure. please enlighten me on your successes after you left Matco or are just waiting for this great setelment to pay off, I have a brother in law like that not impressed with him either.