MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

4,850 thoughts on “MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints”

• harbor freight girl,what happened to the matco tool box, you stated you would let everyone know.

• When/IF Matco steps up and corrects THEIR error
  I will let you know matcoboy
  Because I want to be sure YOUR concerns are addressed
  No matter CUSTOMER has been made to wait since November!

  However; that has yet to happen and he still is waiting
  In fact, a replacement drawer was delivered – DAMAGED
  Doug Heersink, DM assured customer it would be replaced
  YET AGAIN….

  still waiting

  Of course, you- matcoboy are welcome to step up/in
  and help the CUSTOMER

  Oh wait, Matco doesn’t care about distributors
  OR customers

• HaHa knew it!

  “THEY” are still there

  Lurking in the shadows – reading, watching, deleting

  Still wrong ;)

• Considering the above Snap On ~ SBA troubles…
  Matco’s efforts should be focused on how they
  can manipulate that situation so they don’t lose SBA
  financing- of course, after they LOSE the
  SBA LOAN FRAUD case – it may be a moot issue.

• if they lose that it will eat into their profits for sure

• oh Richard

  it is not “IF” most certainly it is “WHEN”

  just like the long train of lawsuits barreling into Stow…………..

  lose lose
  woo woo
  lose lose

• there is a new dbr in my old area and the customers are telling me that he wont be there long. the dm is not much help as was before. it seems that the customer service part is slipping dramatically. one of my customers said that they needed a receipt to prove that htey had purchased a mt1769 from me. those are supposed to be registered from the word go, but because the ser# wasnt readable, which none are after about 60 days that they couldnt warranty it without a receipt. thats totally wrong. matco will put themselves out of business that away. i gave him a receipt and put matco back on the hook to warranty his tool. not a very good way to do business.

• Pingback: Mobile Tool Franchise Guide : Unhappy Franchisee

• Tool Dealers Association is distributing a flyer that urges Mac Tools distributors NOT to convert to the franchise program. I’ve posted the flyer and their objections to the franchise agreement here:

  MAC TOOLS Dealers Warn Against Franchise Conversion

  I’ve also updated the full list of links showing all Unhappy Franchisee posts on mobile tool franchises, complaints and discussions. Check it out here:

  Mobile Tool Franchise Guide & Index

• Ok guys….Just want to share a few observations after looking over most all the sites related to Matco/Snap On/ Mac and unhappy franchisees. First off, I am a fairly successful franchisee in the tool business, the company name I will keep to myself, because, like you guys attest too, no good can come from my company if I expose myself. That I am confident of, and No, I do not trust them at all, nor much of anybody else, that’s just me. I am just here to make a few general comments both good and bad for all parties involved.

  After thoroughly reading comments from this blog, I can say that over 3000 comments are a whole, whole lot. I can also say that the vast majority of the comments have been made by the same 20 to 30 or so people. Not so impressive when you look at it that way. I will also state that a lot of what has been mentioned here is so very true for both sides. Probably what no one wants to hear.

  I will give you an example. I took over an area ranked near the very bottom for my company and have had it well into the top 200 at various times. Thats because of me, nothing else. I work hard, work long hours and have gained my customers trust. I am surviving and paying the bills in the worst economic downturn since the great depression. Yes, I have had the same problems you guys have had, but managed to overcome them. So, I will say that you will get out of this business what you put into it. The potential is there for everyone and you might even have failed in good economic times.

  However, I will also say that territory and List of calls does indeed play a large part in the success rate of the individual distributor. This is the easiest way I can describe my distaste for the “List Of Calls”. Saying that a distributor will have a potential customer base of at least 325 mechanics is like saying that a car dealership has a potential customer base of 10,000 customers just because that many cars pass their dealership on a givien day. Bullshit. It doesn’t work that way.

  What I do find interesting here though is the lack of complaint about tool company pricing and margins. I also have noticed that no one has mentioned the fact that NONE of these companies would even exist if it were not for DISTRIBUTORS financing tools for there customers! Thats a risk and load on the distributor and the distributor alone. And with out it…….NONE of these companies would exist.

  Having said that, I do not believe it is profitable for the company when anyone goes out of business. I mean think about it, If you go out of business the company does not get paid. They only get paid when someone succeeds (except maybe with the SBA loans, which, quite honestly do not consist of the majority of these companies loans).

  Theres good and bad points on both sides but, in general, I think you guys bring up a lot of good points that need to be addressed.

• I do applaud Tool Dealers Association distributing a flyer that urges Mac Tools distributors NOT to convert to the franchise program.

  I do agree the LOC is total bullshit as is the NPA

  I agree the margins and pricing at Matco are exorbitant and highly contribute to the failure of distributors

  I do agree without distributors NONE of the mobile tool companies could exist

  As with ALL sales…….. companies usually fail to see this and typically don’t give the ‘salesman’ sufficient credit

  I find it vile that multi million dollar companies put their distributors (salesmen) in a position where they/the distributor need to personally finance their customer’s purchases – all the while demanding of their distributors the purchase of an illegal National Average

  The rich get richer, the poor get poorer

  I MUST SAY, MATCO DOES – IN FACT, MAKE MONEY WHEN A DISTRIBUTOR GOES OUT OF BUSINESS………………………… OVER AND OVER

  A distributor goes out of business, Federally insured loans are paid
  If not, the distributor is on the hook ———– literally FOREVER……… to pay the debt, I personally know of SEVERAL that are on LONG TERM pay back plans

  However; there are many more that DID and DO have a Federally Insured Loan

  Nonetheless, a distributor fails, the Matco vultures swoop down and snap the next unsuspecting victim…………… PERIOD

  CHURN AND BURN

• Someone neglected to mention the ” termination insurance policy” that
  pays when a distributor is churned and burned. All corporations carry
  some type of this insurance

  ….little known fact

• Current or ex matco dealers,

  What happens if you write a contract on say a tool box and customer can’t make payments anymore? Let’s say there is $3k owed on box and say resale value is only around $2k. What is the process?

• Dear SCAMMED

  ………….and you WERE

  BUT, as far as the tool box purchase……………
  …………..If you’re still current
  ………………..If your customer “left” went to another shop, then it would be easy
  ……………………..A call to customer service and they would transfer the contract out

  If the customer just quits paying, I’m not sure, I know if you get 3+ techs late on payments, YOU get to be on PSA Hold…………………

  OH BOY< I sure HOPE you don't know where your customer went :)

• OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  ” termination insurance policy”

  that pays when a distributor is churned and burned.

  All corporations carry some type of this insurance

  ….little known fact? UNKNOWN fact in my case!
  SBA LOAN FRAUD? no matter……………. THE LOAN IS IS IS IS IS INSURED!

  CHURN AND BURN……………. PERIOD

  MATCO DOES DOES DOES MAKE MONEY WHEN THEY TERMINATE DBRS

• OK, I’m still not over this one

  termination insurance policy” that
  pays when a distributor is churned and burned. All corporations carry
  some type of this insurance

  ….little known fact

  IN OTHER WORDS……..MATCO IS ‘HEDGING’ THEIR BET AND MORE INTERESTED IN YOU FAILING…………………….

  WONDER??? If the distributor had a SBA Loan, it failed, was Federally Insured.
  ………….MATCO GETS PAID

  WONDER?????? can the DOUBLE DIP????

  Can MATCO then collect on the Federally insured amount
  …………….AND THEIR OWN PRIVATE termination insurance policy??????????

  Seems to me just the sort of deceit Matco practices…………..

• Debbie,

  What if the customer owed money on box and he passed away suddenly? What happens?

• Well, then just call customer service

  Tell them you need to transfer out a contract because customer died

  I “think” you’re off the hook……………..

  Have you asked your DM?? Of course, I know “asking your DM” is usually pointless but, somebody in your district SHOULD HAVE HELPED YOU

  my sympathies for your customer

• Debbie,

  I am a snap on dealer. I ran across a situation and wanted to just find out how other tool companies like matco handles things.

• Snap-on Tools Dealer Association
  http://www.snapontoolsdealerassociation.com
  Thinking of buying or selling your Snap-on Tools franchise? Do you have suggestions on how to be a more profitable Snap-on Tools franchise? Complain about how your Snap-on Tools franchise is being treated by Snap-on. Join the Snap-on Tools Dealer Association to support, criticize, offer sug…

  jim lager, he CAN help

• matco, snap on, mac, cornwell

  it really doesn’t matter

  they ALL scam…………..

• raptorman wrote: “…I do not believe it is profitable for the company when anyone goes out of business. I mean think about it, If you go out of business the company does not get paid. They only get paid when someone succeeds…).”

  raptorman, I respectfully disagree when you say the franchisor only gets paid if the franchisee succeeds. This is simply not the case.

  Let’s say a Joe Franchisee gets an SBA loan and leases a new Matco truck, pays Matco for software and other fees, and buys $80K initial inventory from Matco.

  Shortly thereafter, Joe Franchisee realizes his LOC and cash reserves can’t sustain him. Despite his best effort, Joe Franchisee fails to make his required purchases, his franchise fails and defaults on the loan.

  Lots of people still made money on Joe’s failure.

  – Matco keeps the $80K plus fees plus revenue from other tool sales, kickbacks on lease and/or whatever else they might get.

  – The DM and RMs keep their commissions. Up to $5K for the DM, I have heard.

  – The bank makes money because after it squeezes all it can from the franchisee, possibly repossessing houses, etc., the American taxpayers (via SBA) repay the rest of the loan.

  Who loses?

  – Joe Franchisee, who is financially and emotionally devastated and may have lost a marriage, home, credit rating, savings, retirement fund and reputation in the process.

  – American taxpayers who must pay Matco and the banks their risk-free profits.

  So then what happens to that route/List of Calls that could not sustain Joe Franchisee? Well, why not sell it to Jack Franchisee, who know nothing about Joe?!

  The DMs can get a fresh commission (and tell themselves Joe didn’t follow the system so it’s ok to sell the same doomed LOC to Jack).

  Matco can make another $80K initial tool sale, along with a potential taste of the leasing, credit, software fees and other revenue streams. Maybe they even have a nice insurance policy that pays upon failure.

  The banks or other credit sources can get a fresh deal.

  And when the last bit of cash and credit is wrung from Jack and his family, the cycle can keep repeating. When Joe and Jack show up on UnhappyFranchisee.com to try to warn others, The Old Boys Club will arrive to dismiss them for not working long enough hours, for blaming others, etc. But really, it’s just the cycle that’s been providing tool company profits for decades.

  raptorman, ask yourself: If it wasn’t profitable for them, why wouldn’t the tool companies stop churning and burning? The truth is, they win either way. Only the distributors lose.

• SCAMMED

  I believe the debt is forgiven if the customer is declared deceased unless there was a co-signer, or if it was a Gold Card contract the distributor is still liable (loses) for the total amount of the contract…Matco still wins with 3% holdback 22% compounded interest + 40% net profit on the tools/toolbox paid to Matco by distributor…

  WIN WIN WIN for Matco

• The “hold back” is up to 9 % !!!

  The interest rates are about 22% and the depreciation
  scale works much like a mortgage,
  So customer pays bulk of Intersest up front

• Guest – NAILED IT!!!

  4000 Plus comments and You nailed it!

  Thank you!

  Matco listen up, the Whole Deal wrapped up
  in ONE easy to read post!

  CLEAR. CONCISE. ACCURATE!

  Only thing left?

  WHAT? What are you going to do about it??

  We are waiting……

• Debbie,

  I got a good one for you. I sold a box to a customer that passed away recently. Family said he had no money and wanted too give the box back. Snap on then demandedni pickup the box. I was then demanded too buy box box at a fair market value. The fair market value did not cover what was owed on the box. Snap on then charged me 25% of the remaining balance. I later re sell the box at a few hundred dollars more then what I bought box back for. Snap on then calls me and said I sold the box for a little more then what I paid for box. I said yes. Snap on then takes my profit because If I sell box more then what i own it for they have the right too take the profit because the original note on box was never satisfied. Wtf.. That’s what you must be thinking right now. So because my customer who was a good payer died… Not my fault but sad… And had no money left sitting around too pay for the box… I get stuck being liable for this box too the end….

  Attn people reading this,

  Let this situation I am in be a lesson too all the people that think we are crazy for being upset with these tool companies. My example of what is happening is PURE GREED.. I should not be liable for things like this nor is it fair.

  Joint the mobile tool dealers association and let your voice be heard. I am sick of my franchisor taking advantage of me and my voice will be heard loud and clear.

• Thank you Scammed

  Amazing, unbelievable……………… just sad

  NEED REPEATING………….

  Attn people reading this,
  Let this situation I am in be a lesson too all the people that think we are crazy for being upset with these tool companies. My example of what is happening is PURE GREED.. I should not be liable for things like this nor is it fair.

• You guys really should be reading Matco’s Facebook page

  FILLED with customers that can’t find a distributor

  Kevin Casson
  i need warranty on a ratchet, but can’t find any matco guys for my area..(there is one but still waiting on him since april….)
  Saturday at 8:24pm ·

  Stan Andrewski ok not a cop out here but I want to help if u dial 1866buytool they will try to help u
  14 hours ago

  THAT’S ALWAYS MATCO’S ANSWER, CALL THE 866 NUMBER………..

• MATCO’S FACEBOOK PAGE………….

  They DON’T like criticism – deleted as fast as it is posted

  And – flying in the FACE of free speech,,,,,,,,,,, ANYONE that dare post anything negative – that person is BLOCKED from posting

  My question, is the Matco Facebook Page NOT Public??

  IT IS,,,,,,,,,,, MAN UP MATCO – take the good with the bad

• MATCO’S FACEBOOK PAGE

  ………… for example:

  Stan Andrewski
  look if you dont like Matco Tools maybe this is not the place for u geez
  Friday at 9:33pm ·

  Rick Lagueux You mean….look if your not kissing Matco’s ass then this is not the place for you.
  Saturday at 8:58pm · 2

  Mike Taylor I agree with Rick. I like the tools but the dealer in my area will not come by, never seen or heard from him. Ive called and left voicemails with no response.

• https://twitter.com/#!/search/users/ohio%20news

  Did you know? You can send a Tweet to EVERY OHIO NEWS contact??

  I have :)

• Organized on February 12th, 2012 1:42 am

  Someone neglected to mention the ” termination insurance policy” that
  pays when a distributor is churned and burned. All corporations carry
  some type of this insurance

  ….little known fact

  Organized, please everybody wants to know more!

• mike taylor i think that dbr was debbie solko,spent to much time here, only worked 4 days a week ,

• Debbie

  It is very simple, over the past 20-30 years federal and state law has moved dramatically toward the employee’s favor and with terminations (not layoffs) becoming commonplace in big business, all large corporations have found it necessary and cost effective to carry “Wrongful Termination Insurance” policies as the “cost” just to defend a wrongful termination case can be $50K-$100K not including settlement with the plaintiff…So these policies with a very modest premium and deductible based on “limits of liability” help large corporations “absorb” settlements as a cost of doing business…

  does that help??

  Organized

• wow Organized…………

  NOT GOING TO LET THIS ONE GO!!

  i AM completely confident Matco is DOUBLE DIPPING!!!!!!

  Of course they are, HOPING for a sucker with a SBA Loan

  American Taxpayer…………………. Matco doesn’t care!

  cha ching…….. cashed in on the failed SBA LOAN

  cha double ching………… cashed in on their Termination insurance

  GOTTA BE A LAW
  at a bare minimum it is MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

• Did ya all send your Tweets???

  Pretty powerful :)

  https://twitter.com/#!/search/users/ohio%20news

  Did you know? You can send a Tweet to EVERY OHIO NEWS contact??
  I have

• gee, makes me wonder

  Matco’s Facebook page has noticeably FEWER comments………

  hmmmmmm wonder??
  guess customers are getting smart :)

  wonder WHY they are staying away??

• Debbie

  The laws regarding employee/Franchisee’s are nearly identical…

  You will also notice over the last 10 years or so that “Employee Contracts” are now commonplace only to protect the employer and required by their insurance companies…

  Just like the ridiculous 400? page contract new Franchisee’s sign with Matco…

  In other words “They own you”

  Triple dip is more like it

• TRIPLE DIP!!!!!!

  Indecent!

  Matco LIES

  This all makes perfect sense
  How can any one still argue?

  It becomes more clear with every post!

• I am going to spread the word LOUD until
  Everyone hears!!!!!

• Why is the CEO leaving again???

• My grandma would say he was getting out before
  the sh*t hit the fan…..

  Pretty sure it has started HITTING
  Big Time!

• Looks like one of the members of the OBC got “faced-up” on Matco’s FB page, Great customer service Stan !

  OBC member Stan Andrewski writes: learn about business b4 u criticize . We are trying to offer solutions to problems, every business has some issues ,its the good ones that offer solutions and does not ignore people
  February 10 at 11:33pm

  Matco Customer Rick Lagueux fires back: Oh ok. So good business is to be an ass to a customer that points out a problem. The reason a lot of technicians buy from your trucks is the expectation of direct customer support. That is the reason you employ a mobile sales strategy if I’m correct. You obviously have a problem keeping your franchises with your company. On that note Stan, why don’t you (not u) go learn a little about business. Good day sir

• Absolutely, Matco’s Facebook page is withering………..

  Customers don’t post much

  OBC are quiet………… as well they should be!

  Feel free to come on over to MY Facebook page
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matco-Tools-Distributor-Association/293379297348041?skip_nax_wizard=true

  where ‘some’ still post disbelief……….
  Carl MatcoTools Williams Just because you say it or one of the other lost ones say it,does not make it so.
  11 hours ago ·

  Carl MatcoTools Williams it ain’t proved yet, just talk.Lots of talk!!!
  11 hours ago

  BUT-
  YOUR comments NEVER get deleted :) *I* still believe in FREE SPEECH :)

  Or Todd’s Vet Facebook page * Veterans Against Matco Franchise
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veterans-Against-Matco-Franchises/142737789175402?sk=wall

  *****hApPy VaLeNtInEs dAy!******** show YOUR love
  POST POST POST

• Just in case someone thinks Cornwell is ANY better than any other Tool Franchise think again: In 2008 they started with 584 Franchises and added 127 Franchises through the year but by years end they only had 536 Franchises left.

  In 2009 they started with 536 added 121 but only had 532 at the end of the year.

  In 2010 they started with 532 added 113 but only grew to 538 by the end of the year.

  2008=30% Churn
  2009=23% Churn
  2010=20% Churn

  Try and explain how this is unprofitable for Franchisor’s?

• Love the tools, Hate the shitty service and bullshit “lifetime warranty”
  Gave you guys a shot but looks like I will be once again go pay an arm and a leg with snap-on.

  From matco’s facebook page

• dont forget to MESSAGE everyone that posts on FB

  you can expand the “likes” and message everyone that ‘liked’ a post too

  Matco Tools mistreats and defrauds it’s distributors. Lawsuits,
  Lies, Loss………..

  ……… stories can be found at
  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-franchise-complaints/>http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-franchise-complaints/
  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-franchise-complaints/
  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com

• NEW graphics that will be put on Matco trucks………

  Service, Trust, Results scrolled across the bottom of the truck……….

  WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

  TRUST?????????? are you kidding me??????????????

• tonight on my FB page:

  Carl MatcoTools Williams
  I guess by your logic,Matco only sells tools to dbrs, and there are no custumers, out there to sell to.

  I can’t decipher …………………. oh well, they gotta bitch about something!

• Matco Tool Pricing is SOOOO UNFAIR

  Matco charges it’s customers JUST to have the MATCO NAME stamped or labeled on the tool……….

  There has been a lot of talk on the Matco facebook page complaining about re branded product. This is most of what Matco offers as the are just a glorified WD. Below are some examples, I could spend days on this

  DTG5 Same as Astro 3081

  All Matco prybars Made by Mayhew

  IR2135TIMAX Same as MT1769A But with an aluminum nosepiece, not as strong

  MST9740C Same as Schley 64900

  MST6540 Same as OTC 6540

  BJP7025C Same as OTC 7249

  All Matco orange handle pliers PTB (Sunex China) But at an American made price

  MSC4 Same as Sunex 8054 without the plastic side bumpers, I guess that explains the two hundred dollar price difference

  All items are substantial price difference.