MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

4,850 thoughts on “MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints”

• Matco raffles off cars to promote their DEEP discounts to Votech students!

  Loads up those students so you will fail as a Distributor trying to sale tools to guys who already BOUGHT them from Matco DIRECTLY.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLG4peno0Go

• Matco Tools Commercial Sales will give away a tool box worth more than $4,000 at CONDEX 2007. Matco recently became a member of AED and is looking forward to introducing programs that will positively impact technician retention at AED member dealerships, as well as promote academic excellence at affiliated technical schools.

  Matco Tools supplies professional grade tools, tool boxes and equipment to the transportation repair, fleet maintenance and educational industries.

  Matco gives away tool boxes to promote their Votech program.

• More…

  CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio Technical College (OTC), which was named the 2009 national School of the Year, is bringing its “Fuel Your Future” tour to Massachusetts. The OTC tour will feature airbrush artist Richard Markham and his “Evolution of Life” live airbrush show as well as several hot rods and live airbrush demonstrations. In addition to this show, Ohio Technical College will be having scholarship drawings, Matco Tool giveaways and a “Master/Student” Paint-Off.

• New count on http://WWW.CAREERBUILDERS.COM for today, 997 jobs availible , big increase from yesterday.

  Another route for my town became availible yesterday, matco is churning big time, keep your reputation going matco.

  MORE PEOPLE’S CREDIT AND LIVES RUINED THANKS TO PRITCHETT,RAMEY AND MATCO.

• I feel Matco Tools has violated the Code of Ethics set forth by both the IFA and the CFA

  International Franchise Organization:
  http://franchise.org/industrysecondary.aspx?id=16078

  The revised enforcement mechanism for the IFA Code provides that whenever the IFA becomes aware of a possible violation of the IFA Code by an IFA member, the President of IFA may conduct an investigation into the alleged violation and report to the IFA Executive Committee. The IFA Executive Committee has the ultimate authority to review such allegations, and to determine what, if any, sanctions against a member company may be appropriate. These sanctions may range from reprimand of the company to suspension or, in extreme instances, termination, of IFA membership. The review process is expedited to provide timely involvement from the leadership of the IFA in all matters alleging violations of the IFA Code.

  IFA members will be sincere in word, act, and character — reputable and without deception. ***There IS DECEPTION**

  IFA members believe that a franchise system should be committed to help its franchisees succeed, and that such efforts are likely to create value for the system and attract new investment in the system. **NOT committed to success, rather churning!**

  Effective communication requires openness, candor, and trust and is an integral component of a successful franchise system. ** Deliberate efforts by Tom Willis/then President to prevent formation of Distributor Association**

  IFA’s members enthusiastically support full compliance with, and vigorous enforcement of, all applicable federal and state franchise regulations **Repeatedly required to perform illegal repossessions in states when it is illegal to do so**

  Franchisees and franchisors have a responsibility to voice their concerns and offer suggestions on how the Code and the International Franchise Association can best meet the needs of its members. **It IS our responsibility to report these concerns to the IFA**

• Canadian Franchise Association
  http://www.cfa.ca/About_Us/Code_of_Ethics/

  Violates SEVERAL Canadian Codes of Ethics:

  A franchisor should select and accept only those franchisees who, upon reasonable investigation, appear to possess the basic skills, education, personal qualities and financial resources adequate to perform and fulfil the needs and requirements of the franchise. Franchise systems and franchise support services members of the Association should not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender or any other factors prohibited by law.
  ************The ONLY requirement Matco Tools has is the FINANCIAL RESOURCE TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCING****************

  franchisor should provide reasonable guidance, training, support and supervision over the business activities of franchisees for the purposes of safeguarding the public interest and the ethical image of franchising, and of maintaining the integrity of the franchise system for the benefit of all parties having an interest in it.
  **********A SERIOUS LACK OF TRAINING AND SUPPORT WITH MATCO TOOLS*************

  A franchisor should encourage open dialogue with franchisees through franchise advisory councils and other communication mechanisms. A franchisor should not prohibit a franchisee from forming, joining or participating in any franchisee association, or penalize a franchisee who does so.
  ****************MATCO TOOLS HAS A DETERMINED EFFORT TO PROHIBIT THE FORMATION OF THE DISTRIBUTOR ASSOCIATION, WITH SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION FROM TOM WILLIS NOT TO PARTICIPATE***********

• HERES A LITTLE INFO ON PUERTO RICAN LAW;

  A franchisor that engages in fraudulent or deceptive practices in
  connection with the offer and sale of franchises may incur liability
  under local and US law, such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
  Organizations Act, 18 USC section 1961 et seq. Under Puerto
  Rico law, a franchisor that engages in such practices or conduct may
  incur contract or tort liability or both.

• I understand there may be a phenominal Matco tool route/Franchise opening up in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, here are some of the features of this magnificant opportunity:

  ONLY 700 miles a week windshield time

  ONLY have to drive over an 11500 ft pass to get to get to some customers

  ONLY get a little free time off in winter when the pass is closed due to weather

  ONLY get winds of 80 mph up there…just a “cool breeze”

  ONLY have to spend 1 nite away from your family and you get to pay for a hotel

  ONLY have to spend $500-$600 a week in fuel….cheap!!

  ONLY have to work 12 hour days not 18 hour days thank goodness

  ONLY have to see your clients once a week, so if they miss a payment catch em’ next time cuz no way to backtrack, remember you only get 700 miles to cover

  ONLY get the best World Class Support…. on paper (just the words written on paper brochure)

  ONLY get 200 nearly broke customers disguised as 325…A BARGAIN!!

  ONLY get a REAL (wink wink) budget with magical secret numbers…shhhh!!

  ONLY have to meet 80% NPA to keep this fabulous route…easy squeezy!! Anybody can do it…really, you only need fair credit and a pulse-Matco will take care of the rest

  ANY OF YOU STUDS OUT THERE WANT THIS AMAZING BUSINESS AS A SECOND TRUCK FOR YOUR BROTHER OR FATHER OR COUSIN

  ANYONE???

  REMEMBER, WORLD CLASS SUPPORT!!

  ANYONE??

  “crickets”

  “more crickets”

• Hey! I will even throw in a pair of tire chains and
  provide Free instructions on how to install!
  The fines are pretty hefty if you get your truck stuck
  in the snow and you didn’t have your chains on!

  Just looking out for the LITTLE guys ;)

• Wow you would have to be a complete and total idiot to sign up for that route.

• LOL!! OHHHH MR DIVITT YOU ARE SUCH A CLEVER LITTLE MAN DISGUISING THAT LAST POST AS A CHEAP SHOT AT “YOU KNOW WHO”….SSHHH I PROMISE NOT TO TELL…

  I LIED!!

  YOU SEE FOLKS THIS MATCO LAP DOG WITH ALL HIS MASSIVE BRAIN POWER COULDN’T JUST SAY “YA, THAT ROUTE REALLY SUCKS” OR “NO I DONT HAVE THE STONES FOR A ROUTE LIKE THAT ONE”….INSTEAD HE HAD TO GO ON THE ATTACK AGAIN, IN 17 WORDS OR LESS ATTACKING A WOMAN WITH BIGGER STONES THAN HIMSELF BY CALLING HER “a complete and total idiot” WHILE AGREEING THAT MOUNTAIN ROUTE IS A STINKER AND MATCO SCREWED HER

  PURE GENIUS CARY,ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR DEBBIES CAUSE OR AGAINST IT-HARD TO TELL

• Organized,

  Calm down, was just eating my lunch and read your post. Thought wow what a shitty route…you would have to be an idiot to sign up for it. thats all

• Cary
  Nuff’ said if that is all it was, my apologies

  Debbie is, after all is said and done “one of us”and some of us will no longer tolerate the abuse directed at her…

  regards

• Cary~ really?

  Weeks go by and you have nothing
  to say…..

  When you finally make your appearance all you have is a
  weak, cheap “shot”

  THEN a weaker back pedal dismissing you’re obvious
  condesention as a mere “comment” – nothing more than an “observation”

  If you’re going to make snide and derogatory judgements,
  at least have the stones (you repeatedly accuse me of lacking!)
  to stand by your remarks

• Debbie,

  Pretty quick to judge, not back pedaling just responding to a post. Can I still do that?

• cary
  its all in the verbage and how it is said. i see it just like everyone else sees it. a cheap shot.
  this is just another route dressed up to be something it isnt. matco does not care about being honest just your credit score. the rest is your problem.
  its really sad when people come into your own home and lie to you from the word go and promise to be there to help and lie some more.
  i had a route similar to debbies and they argued with me about it and wouldnt change it. after i left it they changed it. but i was wrong, so wth. its all good. its all fixing to bite them right in their sorry asses.

• Hello,
  I have come here after receiving an phone call.

  Just a quick observation. Debbie you should call the police it appears someone put a gun to your head and forced you to enter into an agreeement.

  You are quick to criticize for name calling yet you and Tommy do it on a consistent basiss…hyporcrites. :)

  [Please post under a different name as “Guest” is already in use. Thanks. ADMIN]

• A little difficult to make a phone call to the police when a gun is at your head.

  I wonder………..
  exactly HOW FAR does one have to be PUSHED before
  PUSHING BACK IS ACCEPTABLE??

  MY father is a policeman and he tells me the term then becomes
  “self defense”

• Apparently it has become acceptable for Matco Tools to MIS TREAT THEIR DBRs

  However; a maybe even more disturbing tread…………
  Matco Tools NOW feels it is perfectly acceptable to ABUSE CUSTOMERS

  I’ve written a letter to Matco to correct a mistake Matco MADE for a customer that has purchased a $10,000 6 series tool box……………..

  Gentlemen,

  This situation is completely unacceptable!
  This was a CUSTOM ORDER FOR A $10,000 6 SERIES BOX THAT WAS MIS- HANDLED BY MATCO FROM THE BEGINNING.
  I am appalled that Matco Tools finds it acceptable to treat THEIR CUSTOMERS so poorly.

  The box WAS ordered correctly.

  The box was delivered WRONG.

  The replacement drawers were delivered with TWO DIFFERENT COLORED HANDLES. The excuse from Matco was it was simply an “order entry error”. That excuse is neither believable, nor acceptable.

  On Jan 3, 2012 according to the email from Matco Customer Service the replacement drawer was to ship that week. It is now THREE WEEKS LATER and my customer STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE CORRECT DRAWER for his $10,000, top of the line, 6 series toolbox.

  I have copied Mr. Lauber, Mr. Gilmore, Tim Novak, Doug Heersink, Ferney Colorado/CUSTOMER, Jim Thurman/Schomp Honda Service Manager, and Jerry Marks/Attorney

  I demand corrective measures will be taken immediately as Mr. Colorado has been dealing with this UNACCEPTABLE situation since NOVEMBER!! (Full documentation below)
  I EXPECT you to call Ferney Colorado and inform him exactly “when” his correct replacement drawer WILL BE DELIVERED.

  Mr. Colorado awaits your response.

  I attached EVERY email, documenting the ENTIRE sequence of events that began November 6, 2011

• This story CAN’T be told on Matco’s Facebook page
  https://www.facebook.com/matcotools

  It is DELETED as fast as it is posted

• Here is a comment from a customer in Iowa on Matco’s FB page.

  ” A dealer would be nice. So We can buy the tools that have good reviews.”

  Maybe another “churn & burn” territory ?

  After Marks & Klein get done with them we may be seeing these comments more often !

• Jason Neil had the incredible nerve to post
  “not true” under my account about Ferney Colorado’s
  tool box F up!
  So Matco can openly treat CUSTOMERS
  Like Crap- then say didn’t happen
  Sad

• Debbie, the only thing wrong with the drawer was the trim color, correct??

• The tool box was delivered First week Nov
  Built wrong
  Should have been built with 2 top drawers
  Only had one
  Two replacements sent = two DIFFERENT color trim handles
  Replacement promised
  Replacement delayed because of Thanksgiving
  Replacement still promised
  Replacement supposed to SHIP per email from Matco
  FIRST week in January
  Customer, CUSTOMER calls Matco today…
  ….. They tell him they know nothing, NO replacement is coming

  NO REGARD FOR DBRs or CUSTOMERS!!!

• So why couldn’t you take the trim off the drawer they shipped with the box and put in in place of the blue one?

• Oh, IF that were the ONLY problem!

• Built Wrong!

• How much does a customer have to spend to
  be treated with any respect from Matco?

• My bad, silly me….

  Distributors routinely invest $60, $80, or
  $100K and Matco discards them like yesterday’s trash!

  IF $100,000 doesn’t buy respect, what possible chance
  does a customer that only dropped $10,000 have?

• A $10,000 toolbox configured EXACTLY as customer
  ordered ~ SHOULD be EXACTLY as customer wanted and PAID for

  Customer should NOT have to put up with three months of BS excuses
  and LIES!

• So the two shallow drawers and one deep drawer are incorrect except for trim color?

• Even IF , even IF, (and the Trim was NOT) the trim
  was the only problem (and it was not the only problem)

  So what? No half ass fix should “do”!

  This is a $10,000 top of the line, 6 series box!

  Customer order White box with chrome trim

  Drawers – MULTPLE drawers not right

  Crimped on trim handle should NOT be expected to be replaced,
  Without damage! Customer did NOT purchase a
  $10,000 toolbox to have a DAMAGED drawer

  Unacceptable ~ period

  Dismal customer service, and TOTAL disregard
  For the customer AND his $10,000 purchase

• CUSTOMER treated poorly when HE calls Matco
  Dismissed, told Customer Service CAN’T help him
  Told – today! Matco had NO idea what he is talking about
  Told NOTHING is scheduled to ship to him

  Man purchased a $10,000 TOOLBOX!

  The average price of USED CARS…CARS! On his dealership’s lot is
  about $10,000

  Man bought a $10,000 tool box and gets LESS respect and
  Customer Service than if he had bought a CAR!

• Again, silly me,,,,

  What was I thinking????

  Dustributors invest $60, $80, $100,000
  and Matco don’t give a rat’s ass about them!

  Poor little customer ONLY purchasing a measly
  $10,000 toolbox – doesn’t stand a chance …

  Distributors may be able to be churned without much
  negative splash back but, if Matco keeps dumping on
  Customers? Matco may find itself OUT of business!

• See FB page…

  David Blankenship,,,, another one bites the dust ;(

• Oh forget it Debbie, if you can’t even answer simple questions nobody is going to help you!! Bottom line is YOU ARE MAKING A HUGE DEAL OUT OF AN EASY FIX!!
  BTW THE TRIM IS NOT CRIMPED ON!!
  I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR CUSTOMER BECAUSE HIS DEALER IS INCOMPETENT TO TAKE CARE OF A SIMPLE DRAWER SCREW UP!!
  AND BEFORE YOU SAY ITS MATCOS FAULT AGAIN, PLEASE PLEASE SAVE YOUR BREATH AND JUST LET A DISTRIBUTOR THAT HAS MR.COLORADO’S BEST INTERESTS IN MIND TAKE CARE OF IT!!
  HELL I’LL EVEN TAKE CARE OF IT SO THE POOR GUY CAN HAVE SOME SERVICE, I CAN GUARANTEE IN A FEW DAYS IT WOULD BE RESOLVED!! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND PASS ALONG HIS INFO BECAUSE ALL YOU’RE DOING NOW IS EMBARRASSING YOURSELF AND YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!!

• Guest0,

  As I have said before, I call it how I see it, if someone attacks me, I don;t back down, I will attack back, so read all blogs before commenting.

  WHEN YOU FAIL AND YOU WILL, WE WILL BE HERE FOR YOU TOO, ITS COMING, MATCO HAS PROVEN THAT, NUMBERS SHOW. CALL JERRY MARKS, WE CAN HELP.

• (From the REAL Guest)

  Sad post on Facebook from David Blankenship:

  “Today I was telling a customer that I’m getting out. He asked why. I told him shops were closing & downsizing. I can’t get help from my DM because of a “difference of opinion”, whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean. Therefore I can’t afford to stay open. My customer began to cry. He’s 2 months behind in rent & hasn’t paid himself in almost a year. 2 grown men crying like babies because we feel like we’ve failed. No, the economy has failed. I just wish the support system that Ken Metzgar promised my wife & I while he was a guest in my house existed.”

  I applaud David for having the GUTS to share what he’s going through and what it’s like to fall for a fairy tale (Matco will be with you every step of the way with World Class Support!) and then to be cast out once you and your credit have been sucked dry.

  Contrast that with the COWARDLY and despicable statements of OBCers like Cary. Matco spends MILLIONS to create an illusion of trustworthiness, claims no experience is necessary, parades around phony awards and rankings to gain trust, sells an UNVIABLE route to a dbr who believed their promises, and the Old Boys Club Cary calls her an idiot for falling for the company’s scam.

  Yes, blame the victim, not the scam financed by millions in false propaganda. Yes, spend your free time coming onto a site where you can insult and kick others who are down. That’s how the Matco Old Boys Club rolls. What a bunch of sick freaks.

• guest17 wrote “Oh forget it Debbie, if you can’t even answer simple questions nobody is going to help you!”

  I don’t see where Debbie asked for YOUR help. Or help from any of the OBC lackeys. She’s sharing what happens when you request that “World Class Support” she was promised and paid for with her livelihood and credit score.

  If Matco screwed up, the ball’s in their court. It’s their responsibility to get it taken care of. If you’re going to sell a premium product like a $10K toolbox you better deliver premium service. You OBC lackeys don’t even have the stones to demand that the big boss man do his job. No matter what, it’s the dbr’s fault.

  Luckily, thousands of potential tool and toolbox customers will see the kind of indifference and inefficiency they can expect if they make a large purchase from Matco Tools.

  Luckily, thousands of potential franchise buyers now understand that Matco’s “World Class Support” really means “Figure it out for yourself. You’re on your own and we don’t give a sh*t about your problems.”

  (By the way, what’s with the OBC reinfestation? Did the big boss man give them permission to comment again? Or were they just in remission?)

• David,

  Thanks for sharing your story, we are hearing all kinds of stories everyday how matco has failed us. The OBC club continues to think matco dosen;t have a problem, when will they wake up?

  We here ay Unhappy Franchisee will continue to bright light to these kinds of problems and eventually matco will have to listen, eventually they will have to answer to the courts.

  Guys and gals, lets post everywhere, be loud, be heard and we will bring change.

• Oh! But Mr. Gilmore’s Franchise Ad video claims Matco is a “Good decision in a BAD Economy”.

  I forgot Mr. Gilmore is a “LIAR” TOO!!!

• Hey Cary!

  ROLLOVER! SIT! BEG! GET THE BALL!!!

  WELCOME BACK!!!

• Matco needs to remember, that without tech’s and distributors, there would be no matco.

  World Class Support begins with taking care of your distributor and your customers, the technicians.

  Does world class support begin with a district manager who lives a 100 miles away, he’s not there when you need him or when you call matco to take care of this guys toolbox and they tell him they have no knowledge of the problem?

  The right thing for matco is to send a manger to the shop, meet the customer and take care of the problem at whatever expense.

  MATCO HAS NO WORLD CLASS SUPPORT. JUST LIES AND DECEIT.

• Most of the district managers, regional managers and executives at matco are liars, they lie when they meet you, when they come into your house and promise you everything and deliver nothing.

  WORLD CLASS SUPPORT BEGINS WHEN YOU MEET THE DISTRICT MANAGER AND ENDS WHEN YOU SIGN THE FRANCHISE DOC’S.

• EXACTLY GUEST!! SHE DIDN’T ASK ANY DBRS FOR ADVISE ON THIS,(EVEN THOUGH MOST SUCCESSFUL ONES WOULDN’T NEED IT ON THIS KIND OF THING ANYWAY) YOU LEARN FROM FELLOW DBRS!! DON’T YOU GET IT GUEST?? YOU ARE MATCO TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!! THEY BUY THE BOXES FROM YOU NOT STOW OHIO! YOU TAKE OWNERSHIP, FIX THE PROBLEM AND MOVE ON!!!!! WHY WOULD YOU EVER TELL YOUR CUSTOMER TO CALL MATCO CUSTOMER SERVICE????? ANSWER….. YOU DON’T!!!! THAT’S CALLED PASSING THE BUCK!! BUT DON’T WORRY DEBBIE, GUEST I’LL FIX IT FOR YOU, BECAUSE A CUSTOMER OF MATCO IS A CUSTOMER OF MINE!!!
  ONCE AGAIN PLEASE TAKE MY NAME OF THE SIDE OF YOUR TRUCK IT’S GOING TO MAKE US ALL LOOK BAD IF YOU DON’T

• BTW the trim on a 6 series is IN FACT crimped on –

  I DID ask for help, repeatedly

  The Service Manager at this dealership will back my outstanding customer service every step of the way

  My emails HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED

  MULTIPLY ISSUES from the beginning

  AND i JUST MADE THE CONNECTION!
  AND you can TRY to explain away and say it is NOT SO but……………

  This toolbox was ordered the SAME week I started the Matco Tools Distributor Association!

  Delivered WITH ERRORS the same week Mr Willis sent emails telling distributors NOT to join any Association

  Professional Matco……………….. punish the CUSTOMER when you are unhappy with the Distributor……………………….

• FOR GODS SAKE DEBBIE DO I NEED TO MAKE A YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWING YOU HOW EASY IT IS TO REPLACE 5-6S TRIM??????

• Guest 17 – You’ll take care of it? fine, I’ll give the Service Manage at the dealership your NAME and PHONE NUMBER and you can arrange.

  oh wait, i don’t have your name…..

• still wondering if anyone else has made the connection………

  AND i JUST MADE THE CONNECTION!
  AND you can TRY to explain away and say it is NOT SO but……………

  This toolbox was ordered the SAME week I started the Matco Tools Distributor Association!

  Delivered WITH ERRORS the same week Mr Willis sent emails telling distributors NOT to join any Association

  Professional Matco……………….. punish the CUSTOMER when you are unhappy with the Distributor……………

  this is certainly NOT a coincidence!!!!!

• Since Matco changed their franchise sales video based on complaints here, let’s help them make their website more accurate with this revision:

  “WORLD CLASS SUPPORT.

  “As a Matco Tools franchise owner you’re in business FOR yourself but not BY yourself. Whenever you have a question or concern, help is as near as the closest Internet connection.

  “Matco screws up on a $10K toolbox order? They won’t make it right despite months of pleading? No problem! Just go to UnhappyFranchisee.com and post your problem on the website and Guest17 will provide you with World Class support by explaining how Matco’s screw-up is all your fault!

  “They sell you a bad route? Your fault!

  “Your LOC is inflated and the promised customers have no money? Your fault!

  “Matco ships the wrong toolbox & won’t make it right? Your fault!

  “As a Matco Tools franchisee you’ll enjoy World Class Support from a company that NEVER makes a mistake. How can they be so perfect? Easy: It’s ALWAYS your fault!

  “So buy a Matco Tools distributorship, the franchise where it’s always your fault!”

  “It’s your Fault” is a registered trademark of Matco Franchising and used with permission by the Matco Old Boys Club.”