MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

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• So who is on this IFA and Vetfran Committees?

  Would they profit from soldiers who sign up for Franchises?

  I wonder if Committee Chairman:

  Mary Thompson who is a CFE (Certified Franchise Executives) and President of Mr. Rooter (The Dwyer Group) would benefit from one of the soldiers who go to a Vetfran Convention and decide they want to invest in a Franchise offered by the Dwyer Group and sign up using the Vetfran Program? Don't forget Vetfran was established by Don Dwyer Sr. and the IFA (International Franchise Association) in 1991 when Don Dwyer Sr. owned a group of Franchises called THE DWYER GROUP (7 different Franchise Opportunities).

  How did Mary become a CFE (Certified Franchise Executive)? This status in Franchising was started (ODDLY ENOUGH) in 1991 by the IFA (International Franchise Association) which is the same year Vetfran was created by Don Dwyer Sr. So what are the perks of being a CFE and how much did it cost to become a CFE? Is a CFE expected to CONTRIBUTE any of their money to certain groups or participate FINANCIALLY in any INTEREST?

  My Questions to Mary would be:

  Is the IFA an Organization created to protect Franchisers and sweep the UNETHICAL acts of Franchise Companies under the rug?

  Does the IFA PROFIT from the involvement of EDUCATION of Franchising?

  It seems that their are training events offered by the IFA which costs HUNDREDS of DOLLARS to go to for participants (New Franchisers). Who gets paid to do the training? CFE's?

  If the IFA was created in 1960 to keep the International community from being conned out of their investments why is there no participation of the IFA in resolving claims of FRAUD, LIES and Creating FALSE DOCUMENTS of FRANCHISEES against their FRANCHISERS?

  Is their any accountability of a Franchiser in their actions and treatment of a Franchisee?

  Who holds them accountable???

• Now I am starting to understand how the IFA and Vetfran have a POSITIVE influence in allowing FRANCHISERS to mistreat Franchisees and commit acts of Fraud, Lies, and even create False Documents to perpetuate the Franchisers "Churn and Burn" Operations.
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  FranPAC
  Political Activism & FranPAC - Franchising’s Political Action Committee

  "Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen." John F. Kennedy

  One way IFA can be an effective public policy advocate for franchising is through a strong and vibrant PAC. FranPAC creates an opportunity for IFA members to provide financial support to candidates for federal office, and a robust PAC means more contributions to candidates who understand franchising and who will promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to franchising.

  Click here for frequently asked questions and answers about FranPAC
  See the Complete List of FranPAC-supported Candidates in this Past Cycle

  Thanks to the generosity and participation of IFA members, in the 2009-2010 federal election cycle, FranPAC was able to invest approximately $600,000 in support of over 140 selected franchise-friendly federal candidates. Click here to view a complete listing of FranPAC-supported candidates during the 2009-2010 election cycle.

  Successful pro-franchising political advocacy efforts include not only a healthy FranPAC, but a powerful grassroots network. The two go hand in hand. Since the launch of a political education Web site for its members in the fall of 2002, IFA has made great strides in increasing voter awareness and turning out the vote. Franchisingvotes.com provides voter information, candidate profiles and election results. The site, http://www.franchisingvotes.com, provides IFA members the opportunity to write their Members of Congress, Senators and state legislators about issues that are important to the franchising community. In addition, you can register to vote, gather information about state and federal candidates, and even find your polling places. And as a benefit to IFA members, IFA member companies can set up pages like the franchisingvotes.com page for their own companies for free.

  According to federal election law, IFA must have your permission before it can solicit your contributions to FranPAC. To receive the appropriate form or if you have any other questions, please contact Erica Fitzsimmons, Director of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, at (202) 662-0760 or efitzsimmons@franchise.org.

  For information about federal election laws, please go to the Federal Election Commission Web site, http://www.fec.gov.
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  So, the more members (Franchisers) you have the more money you can raise and the more power, influence and control you have over your Franchisees.

  So when a Franchiser does something like what I had done to me there is no one to represent me because our politicians need that money to get in office?

  Is this the way, me, the taxpayer is to be treated as an American who served my Country in the Military bought into the American dream of OWNING MY OWN FRANCHISE (Endorsed by Vetfran and the IFA) and then had these very serious acts of FRAUD, LIES and had FALSE non-factual Documents created to end my once SUCCESSFUL Franchise?

  This is the mission of the IFA to COVER-UP or SCREEN these incidents from becoming PUBLIC?

• Is Vetfran, the IFA and FranPac the tools that are being used to get POLITICIANS to vote for MORE SBA Loans and MORE TAX INCENTIVES for Franchisers and more support to Franchisers who should not be offering Franchises AT ALL?

  It is the TAX PAYER who is paying the bill!

  We need REGULATION in Franchising!

  Allowing Franchisers to perpetuate their "Churn and Burn" Operations under the cover of Vetfran, IFA and FranPac HAS TO STOP!!!

• Todd,

  You are a one man band same song same verse. The sad truth is you just sucked as a tool man / business man get over it.

• Really mature.....

  No response to the multiple VALID points presented.

  Just "name calling"

  Why?

  Because Matco is WRONG

  Matco will be found guilty of SBA Loan Fraud

  Matco will be found guilty of Franchise Fraud

  And your BEST reply is weak name calling....

  The Courts Will Decide

• Marks and Klein has an Incredible record!

  I'm glad their on MY side!

  The Courts will have the LAST word, and with Jerry Marks
  on MY side, I already know the outcome!

  Have doubts?

  Google their record....

  Go ask Snap On ;)

• Wow! tlman!

  I am ready to show you mine if you will show me yours. Maybe then we will see who the real salesmen are!

  But I am sure you must be one of those top Distributors of a Matco who sell over $1,000,0000 a year for Matco. You know the guys who pick and choose from their territorial agreement with Matco that the NEW Franchise owners have to try and keep up with an INFLATED purchase average.

  Or maybe you are one of those guys who have PLUS trucks that Matco doesn't mention when they sell a NEW Franchise to the NEW Franchisee.

  You know, why don't you tell the NEW FRANCHISEE PROSPECTS what is really in store for them. I was told today that the National Purchase Average for Matco was $4000.

  It must be hard to recruit NEW Franchise owners with a purchase average that high.

  It must be that high because of the LARGELY REDUCED number of Franchise Distributors that own Matco Franchises leaving only the top Franchise Owners who have TERRITORIAL AGREEMENTS vs. LOC Agreements.

  It must be nice to dump shops that you have loaded up with tools and be able to find NEW SHOPS that have not had service in your route before because you were the one supposed to be servicing that shop.

  I wonder if those people on Matco Tools Facebook page that are looking for service and have a truck driving by every week realize that the Distributor is just blowing them off because he thinks he can make more money elsewhere at the time.

• I know tlman,

  I should be like the important people who serve on the Vetfran Committee and look after our soldiers by giving them WONDERFUL opportunities to have Franchises with reputable companies like Matco who have to advertise their Franchises as EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES on sites like careerbuilder.com in order to reach NEW prospects, have their Vice President make recruitment videos in which he has to lie in order to make the Franchise Opportunity look more appealing, buy a number 1 ranking from reputable media source because HEY the other guy does it, focus on their NHRA, Hot Rod and 4x4 shows because HEY our tools are just like everyone elses, screw their Distributors by loading up the TECHS with tools at 50% or better off while their in School, sell directly to some shops bypassing the Distributor with programs put into place like J.B. Hunt, start off Distributors with routes that do not have a viable 325 customer head count like they did me when I started my Franchise or NOT COMPLETE annual survey's required by contract to let the Distributor know where he is with his Franchiser or what expectations are not being met.

  Yeah! Your right tlman I am a FAILURE and ALL our servicemen should run out and buy a MATCO FRANCHISE today because some intelligent man called tlman says I can't sell tools and I am a FAILURE and I should somehow be discredited by this intelligent man called tlman.

  Well my name is Todd Allen Peterson and I am here to hide behind nothing. The things I am saying are true, exist or have been done.

  For now Franchising is protected and their are many people who let these big corporations do UNSPEAKABLE things like what I have had done to me by Matco and look the other way. But for how long! All I have to do is find the RIGHT person that is pissed off at Matco and their False opportunities and my story will be heard by all.

  I am still searching! I am still planning! I am still enduring!

  I will have my day in court!

• I am tired tlman!

  But I am not through voicing my opinion and what I see and have heard to be TRUE!

  Dear Governor, Senator, Representative,

  My name is Todd Allen Peterson and I am a Veteran of the U.S. Army who served his Country for 3 Years from 6/88 to 5/91.

  I was also a Franchise owner of a Matco Tools Franchise from 6/04 to 02/11.

  The reason I am contacting you today is I am appalled and disgusted at the Fraud, Lying and Creation of False Documents that was committed against my Franchise in an effort to Terminate me from MY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.

  My allegations of Fraud, according to Arkansas Franchise Law, would have my offenders receive JAIL TIME and PENALTIES to those found guilty of committing those offenses.

  But what I have learned and educated myself with while in my search to find justice in the world of litigation for the very immoral and unethical business acts carried out by my Franchiser against my Franchise is that those who sign up and become IFA (International Franchise Association) members get a free pass to do what ever and commit what ever acts they wish to commit against their Franchisees under the protective umbrella of the very organization who claims to protect Franchisees.

  The IFA has several training programs which costs hundreds of dollars to go to and educates the Franchiser on how to PROTECT their Franchise Brand Name from being pursued by their Franchisee legally. One of these is the contract that has to be signed to participate in a Franchise Program which says that any dispute between Franchiser and Franchisee must go through BINDING ARBITRATION in the State that the Franchiser does business.

  I have found that hiring an attorney in Arkansas to represent my Franchise which was a victim of very, very unethical and immoral business practices was impossible. For some reason, even though ALL the attorneys I met agreed I had been mistreated as a Franchisee NO ONE wanted to take my case.

  I feel very strongly that I will not be properly represented and my situation will not get proper due diligence because I am being told that it can not be done in Arkansas. I am being told that the only way I will get ANY resolution is to go through BINDING ARBITRATION because of the contract I signed.

  Discovering that the only mission of the IFA is to support the Franchiser to PROMOTE Franchising and PROTECT the the Franchiser.

  My questions are:

  Why is the IFA that was created to protect INNOCENT investors allowed to profit off of the education of and protection of its Franchise Members?

  If you go to the IFA website you will find courses of training which costs hundreds of dollars per student to attend. You will find a CFE (Certified Franchise Executive) course which costs THOUSANDS of Dollars to achieve and if you look at the CFE graduation classes you will see that their are hundreds of Graduates. You will also see organizations like FranPac where these Franchisers can donate money to ensure that their INTERESTS are secured and the Franchiser protected.

  My second question is:

  Who is looking out for the interest of the Franchisee and making sure they are not taken advantage of by the Franchiser?

  Matco threatened my SUCCESSFUL Franchise with termination if I did not surrender shops to put a new Franchisee in business.

  Matco trashed a Document I signed as a route change in an effort to put another Distributor in business.

  Matco forced me to surrender MORE shops with the threat and continued harassment if I did not give in.

  Matco promised me NEW shops to help me build up the business they took and then gave them to the very Distributor who I was forced to surrender my shops to.

  Matco Managers told me I would receive shops and then told me that Managers above them would not allow me to have those shops.

  I was promised a route resurvey (more than once) by Matco management due to my claims of decreased customer base (shop closures and reduced work force) and a weak economy. Instead on July 12, 2010 I received a Separation Letter from Matco stating that I was not at 80% of the National Purchase Average and I had 90 days to cure. It also said that I could be terminated if I committed the same offense within a year. When I complained to Management that the letter was not fair because for the last year and a half my DM promised me a route survey and that if I HAD the proper MINIMUM number of customers NEW Franchisees start with (325) I would have a COMPLIANT purchase average.

  My Matco DM would then hand me on July 26, 2010 a completed survey of my route which was a total fabrication and misleading for ANY managers in our chain of command to see. It claimed I had 328 customers to call on and that I was only servicing 67% of my route. I was outraged by the lengths that these managers would go to Falsely Terminate my Franchise based on NON-FACTUAL information. I then called Corporate to voice my opinion about the BOGUS SURVEY and within 72 hrs. on July 29, 2010 I was signing a NEW ROUTE with 405 potential customers. Amazingly enough these two routes prove the FRAUD of inflated head count, closed shops and the addition of shops that were NEVER on my route list that DO NOT appear and have lower customer head count on the July 26, 2010 False Survey.

  In November of 2010 my DM paid me an unexpected visit which led to the discussion of the July 12, 2010 Separation Letter in which he told me I was "Doing Great" "Forget that Letter ever existed" and "If anything is going to happen to you I will call you first." The reason I was being so inquisitive about the Separation Letter was I knew it had the 1 year clause in it and that the Holidays were coming up which meant mechanics buying presents and going on vacations and Distributors NOT receiving their NORMAL collections which would limit my ability to make the Purchase Average. That is why I included the quote of my DM who was reassuring me I had nothing to worry about.

  On Feb. 11, 2011 I received my Termination Call from Matco Management in which I was told Mr. Tim Novak my RM (Regional Manager) on three different occasions "I don't care what you do. You won't be doing it with Matco." He would lead me to believe I was terminated on the grounds of the July 12, 2010 Separation Letter and refer to the one year clause. Yet on the last week of the year week 52 my 13 week Purchase Average was $100 better than the National Average. I was allowed to work 215 days after the Separation Letter and 125 days after the cure period.

  Matco Vice President Ernie Lauber would further perpetuate the Fraudulent actions of Matco by telling me I had NEVER cured and that this was the reason I was terminated. This was only after I sent him Arkansas Franchise Law proving that a second offense of the same action within one year was due a 10 day cure period and that that alone granted me the rights of False Termination let alone all the other things I was claiming.

  As you can see I know FIRST HAND how corrupt SOME Franchisers are treating their Distributors. But what I don't understand is how NO ONE will stand up and Protect ME!

  When I started my Franchise their were 10 NEW Franchisees in my training class. When I was Falsely Terminated only 1 was left.

  In NWA there was never more than three Distributors operating at one time in this area. When I was FORCED by Matco to surrender customers for a NEW Franchisee to start a route. They ran him right down the middle of me and he made number 5 in NWA. Since then their has NEVER been more than 4 Distributors in this area.

  Since the start of my Franchise to my termination I saw 7 Distributors leave a Matco Franchise, 4 leave a Snap-On, 4 an STS, 2 a MAC and 2 a Cornwell. This was just in NWA.

  My Point is, I have come to know that Matco is just a "CHURN and BURN" Franchise Opportunity. They have no intentions of HELPING and SUPPORTING a Franchisee for the long haul in Franchising and I find it offensive that NO ONE is holding them accountable for their actions in this FINE STATE.

  A great Coach named Bobby Petrino had consequences for his unethical and immoral actions handed down by a University which loved his Athletic Program and stood beside until they realized that the allegations were TRUE!

  I am PRAYERFUL that SOMEONE will have the POWER and INFLUENCE to make Franchising in Arkansas more Franchisee friendly and protect those investors of our GREAT STATE from being subjected to "Churn and Burn" Franchising. A State which will disallow the unethical business practices of the IFA which are using their Organization to STRONG HOLD Franchisees and create MORE TAX INCENTIVES and ACCESS to Financing to PERPETUATE those Franchisers who have a HISTORY of "Churn and Burn Franchising".

  I understand that not all Franchisers are doing this to Franchisees but NO ONE is doing anything about the ones who are! Being part of an ORGANIZATION like the IFA should be a PRIVILEGE!!! Those who are not acting in an APPROPRIATE manner should NOT be allowed to participate!!!

  Perhaps if the IFA were not allowed to PROFIT by the EDUCATION and STATURE of being a CFE (Certified Franchise Executive) things like what has happened to me and my ONCE SUCCESSFUL FRANCHISE would never have occurred.

  Please consider my situation and find resolve and consequences for those Franchisers who choose to RIP THE HEART out of the American Entrepreneur.

  I know this is long and may require some in depth reading and study but IT IS VERY IMPORTANT! NOT JUST TO ME but to ALL those the IFA and VETFRAN is are subjecting "CHURN AND BURN" Franchising to which include our SERVICEMEN who are coming back from overseas.

  My story is NOT UNIQUE! I have others even from this GREAT STATE who feel the same as I do! Some of them are even HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS who signed up through the VETFRAN PROGRAM. But these stories do not just pertain to this STATE!

  Thank You! For reading my story and understanding my concern!

  Sincerely,

  Todd A. Peterson

• Found this on Matco Tools Facebook page!
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  Fill in the blank: "Matco Toolboxes are the best, because they _______________"

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  Post a picture of your workshop on Wednesday! Show the world how you get work done!
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  59 people like this.
  Radovan Gavrilović they are AMERICAN MADE, now send me a complimentary toolbox for a long time customer
  41 minutes ago · 1
  Jonn Jones are not crap-on.. opps i meant snap-on.
  41 minutes ago · 5
  Kevin L Ardent-Smith Last!
  41 minutes ago · 1
  Fred Tanner Jr Because there bad ass
  41 minutes ago
  Justin Gregor their quality kicks ass!
  41 minutes ago
  Benjamin Warren are reliable.
  40 minutes ago
  Dru Fountain are made in America!!!!
  40 minutes ago
  Jerry Iaciofano are so expensive!
  40 minutes ago
  Walter Frazier are built well and made to last...!!!!!!
  38 minutes ago
  Bob Newsom Have good customer support..
  38 minutes ago
  William C. Roper Are cheaper than Snap On.....
  38 minutes ago · 2
  Joshua Hamming Are built BY Matco, for Matco in the good ole USA, Jamestown NY to be exact.
  38 minutes ago · 1
  Travis Dee Because they say Matco on them
  38 minutes ago · 2
  Kenneth Mcneill American made an good tools
  37 minutes ago
  Jimmy Ruckus The only truck that ever seems to come around.
  37 minutes ago
  R Brian Rogers Out-Last the Rest , Now get the Best , and your friends will envy your Chest ...
  36 minutes ago · 1
  Jeremy Parks American made, top quality from head to toe, tool box.. the Eagle says it all..
  36 minutes ago
  Jon Billings Cause there tits but not as tits as snapon!!!!
  36 minutes ago · 1
  Randy Ledzian because they cost way less than Snap On
  36 minutes ago · 1
  Lee Arnold Are extremely durable.
  36 minutes ago
  R Brian Rogers Real Men get Matco Tool Chest Implants ...
  35 minutes ago
  Chris Hebert the ones i have seen and used didnt last a month before it had to be sent in for repairs.
  35 minutes ago
  Marco Santayygo Cuz I have a bad ass flat black 4s with a hutch ... Nuff said
  34 minutes ago
  Angel Cheverez are strong.
  31 minutes ago
  Peter James Gonzalez are cheaper than snapon
  30 minutes ago
  Dennis Anh Tu Mac Because they are the only thing matco actually makes and not rebrand
  29 minutes ago · 1
  Kent Brunk American made
  28 minutes ago
  No Buddy Are Long-Lasting And Durable Like G.O.O.D. Sex
  26 minutes ago
  Kel Stovall Lmao, I was gunna say they WERE cheaper then Snap-On.... Lol, looks like a lot agree, they are now just as expensive...
  24 minutes ago
  Dwayne D. Welty built with unibody cons,more stable,and and longer lasting,etc
  23 minutes ago
  Ray Palat Because the owner of this page wants us to believe its true. Never seen a box rust up faster and the matco company reps try to reason as to why their "lifetime" finsh failed so quickly. Nice tools but I'll keep my Snap-on Box with full wrap around graphics. No rust still and its been outdoors for rain and snow
  21 minutes ago
  Gary E. Morin last a life time!!
  19 minutes ago
  Joe Heaton AMERICAN MADE !!!
  18 minutes ago
  Jared Buchanan They are junk I have been I mechanic for along time and have had several boxes and their is no box comparable to a SNAPON box they are more expensive than Matco because the quality is so much higher. I like Matco tool but the Matco boxes are junk
  15 minutes ago
  Kiet Le Who the hell puts their box in the rain and snow lol
  10 minutes ago
  Anthony Radke Matco Toolboxes are the best, because they cost too much money for some sheet metal and bearings. IVE HAD THE SAME CRAFTSMAN IN MY SHOP FOR 15 FUCKING YEARS ILL NEVER PAY YOU THOUSANDS FOR A METAL BOX!!!!! PEOPLE THAT DO ARE STUPID
  8 minutes ago
  Oswaldo Orozco They the best n durable
  7 minutes ago
  Don Bramblett you can set a whole car on them, drop the bolts on the subframe, and lift the body off..........
  4 minutes ago
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  Does it still say Made in U.S.A. on that sticker?

  Or do the new stickers say different?