MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

4,850 thoughts on “MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints”

• I have $38 million reasons to believe in Marks and Klein and leave Matco a distant memory……….

• $38 million reasons to believe in Marks and Klein and leave Matco a distant memory……….

  Wives Against Snap-on vs. Snap-on Tools Inc.

  In 2005, automotive repair tools franchisor Snap-on was sued by four wives of Snap-on franchisees, who claimed the company falsely advertised income potential and customer bases, and extended precarious lines of credit to franchisees. The wives claimed financial and emotional debilitation to their own lives, and filed the case because of an arbitration provision in their husbands’ contracts that prevented them from suing their own franchisor.

  Outcome: The wives won the verdict and opened the door for a California Superior Court ruling that allowed dealers themselves to file a class action against Snap-on. In 2006 they did just that. The franchisor settled their suit for approximately $38 million in damages and attorney’s fees, forgave about $61.6 million in debt, and agreed to change some of its business practices, such as reducing the required investment for initial inventory

  and then……….

  http://www.marksklein.com/priorto2005/franchise_snapontool_geraldmarks_jul_19_2004.pdf

  PRINCETON, N.J., Jul 19, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — In a significant victory
  for franchisee rights, the American Arbitration Association has awarded Brian Casey, a
  former Snap-on dealer in Middletown, N.J., $314,608 in damages against Snap-on Tools
  of Kenosha, WI. (SNA)

  and there are more

• I have 5 reasons to believe in Marks and Klein.

  1) Fraud.

  2) Threats.

  3) Theft.

  4) False Documents.

  5) Lies.

  6) Churn and Burn franchising.

  7) Vice President spewing lies in recruitment videos.

  8) Aligning with a fake organization called Vetfran which was created by the IFA (International Franchise Association) to support our troops and using that relationship and the financial support of that relationship to promote Wall Street Churn and Burn franchisors.

  9) Small Business Administration loans which are being backed by the American tax payer to promote Wall Street Churn and Burn franchisors.

  10) False Separation letter for “good cause” when the ex military franchisee was promised a route resurvey due to low customer head count. (Being at 154 customers when new franchisees are promised a minimum of 325)

  11) Telling the ex military franchisee that he had cured his Separation Letter and then terminating him when he couldn’t work due to inclement weather.

  12) Advertising a franchise as an employment opportunity on popular employment sights to promote Matco to others because the word-of-mouth just isn’t getting it done.

  13) A government agency (Federal Trade Commission) said to govern franchising for all but allows a franchisor to commit criminal acts against a franchisee while hiding behind an unlawful arbitration clause which this agency approved to be in the F.D.D.

  14) The International Franchise Association which uses organizations it created to strengthen its relationship with the franchisor, politicians, attorneys and law makers through donations made to its organization called FranPac which it distributes to those running our country to strengthen its relationship against the American citizen.

  15) False Terminations.

  16) Forced Labor.

  17) Creating deceptive videos.

  18) Creating videos with lies.

  19) Threatening a ex military franchisee with the loss of his franchise if he doesn’t surrender shops that MANAGERS of Matco presented to him with FALSE and DECEPTIVE information to try and convince him to surrender.

  20) Corrupt Wall Street companies (Danaher) who are collaborating and financial supporting organizations along with other franchisors to promote franchising at the expense of its investors.

  NONE of these organizations support the franchisee. I have talked to Arkansas Senators (whom the IFA supported in their campaign elections) who say they can do nothing. I have talked to Arkansas House Representatives who have told me “Who is the IFA”. I have talked to the Arkansas Deputy Attorney General who told me that he believes he has no jurisdiction and the FTC rules my agreement.

  Who made the FTC the governing authority over franchising. I am pretty sure it wasn’t the American tax payer. It must be nice to create an organization to protect an organization which promotes fraud and safeguards the franchisor when they act criminally to a franchisee.

  Welcome to DICTATORSHIP in America! Hi HITLER!

• I know I can’t count or type! 20

• Hey tlman,

  You see my dedication to my cause when someone commits fraud, lies, steals, creates false documents and falsely terminates me from my franchise?

  Just imagine how focused I was and how GREAT! a tool salesman I was. How do you think I became #41 out of 1500 franchisees in my first full year as a franchisee.

  By the way I had a fire on my truck that year as well. I worked out of my personal truck and then in a rental which was constantly breaking down for 5 months that year too. Don’t tell me I am lazy. Don’t tell me I am a failure.

  You need to take a long look at your self and ask your self if you are JUDGING me and what your FORTUNE 250, Wall Street traded, Washington D.C. based company did to my franchise. Then ask yourself “How can I judge this man whom I don’t even know?” “How can I be on this web site JUDGING when this man COULD BE telling the truth?” “Am I really the type of person to judge others before giving them an opportunity to prove their case?”

  I hope it doesn’t piss you off that I am this good and dedicated to reforming an entire organization (IFA, FTC, FRANPAC, VETFRAN, DANAHER, LAW MAKERS) which does nothing when your PATHETIC company, the company I invested 6 1/2 years of my BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS into, commits fraud, lies, threatens, steals and creates false documents to falsely terminate its franchisee.

  TOUGH SHIT! I am sorry for the language but my fight is just getting started you Matco loving, fraud promoting, blind as a bat, can’t walk a straight line twit.

  You got a sight of your own to promote your lies you moron and its got 172 comments. Go there and lie to the American people. Go there and promote your fraud.

  I need some coffee!

• Todd, love ya man! no more caffeine for you :) LOL!!

  You are perfectly RIGHT! I’m guessing ‘ol Matco didn’t plan on ANYBODY standing up and fighting back!

  Well, they shouldn’t have messed with THIS LADY.

  And brother, I know I would never mess with YOU!

  I KNOW we saved multiple people from throwing away their money on this fraudulent franchise! I’m proud of the work we have done.

  Well done my friend, well done!

• The work we have done is good but I wish for more to come forward. What franchisees of ALL franchises need to do is come up with an organization which protects FRANCHISEES.! The franchisors have it in the International Franchise Association with its legal symposiums and created organizations like Vetfran, Minorityfran and FranPac.

  What franchisees need is an International Franchisee Association to combat the attorneys and lawmakers who represent NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE but the corporate franchisors who churn the American franchisor for profit.

• By the tlman,

  You need to think about what you say when you boast about your franchisor Matco. Matco does not have a good reputation when it comes to ratings. Just take a look at this 1.8 rating http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Matco-Tools-RVW472935.htm

  Matco always brags about their parent company Danaher and their top 250 ranking in Fortune but lets look at what their ratings look like. http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Danaher-Reviews-E193.htm

  Are you kidding me? A CEO rating of 38% for Larry Culp Jr.

  Does that say only 21% of employees would suggest Danaher to a friend?

  Are you reading any of these employee comments?

  I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Does it!

• Todd you are either lazy/unemployed or unloyal and should be fired since all you do is spend time drinking coffee and wasting time on the internet. You say you were 41 of 1500 in 2006 that is only purchases from Matco just wonder what your turn and true profit margin was but then again you didn’t fail right ——–lol

• Matco will screw you any chance they get. I know a technician who has a 7535 and a top hutch, the hutch is falling apart at the welds, the dumb azz D.M. came by took pictures and told the tech we should upgrade to a four bay. What happened to taking care of his concern, which is the hutch, whats the need for an upgrade? TO SCREW THE TECHNICIAN!!!!!!.Why not just replace the hutch, I looked at it and it is a tool box plant concern.

  MATCO, EVERYONE IS BEING MADE AWARE OF HOW YOU SCREW PEOPLE AND IT WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• tlman,

  41 out of 1500 in 2005 my first full year in business.

  I have a new job and as you can see I am pretty good at it.

  This is my job tlman! I made it my job the day I had lies, fraud, threats and false documents which lead to my false termination imposed on my franchise by my franchisor. It became my job when I drove 14 hours to Matco Corporate Headquarters to tell corporate managers of the acts imposed on my franchise by my Regional and District Manager and they did NOTHING!

  My intentions are not to hurt Distributors but to warn others how Matco operates to keep them from buying into fraud and to get others to unite and fight Matco as they have the Federal Trade Commission, the International Franchise Association and the IFA’s sub organizations to fight us.

  I feel the life of our Veterans and American citizens is worth standing up for and if it costs me some money or makes my life more complicated or frustrating then SO BE IT!. Jesus, an innocent man, went through so much on the cross for us I think I can dig a hole and watch my post for awhile. If you are not going to crawl in my foxhole then I will stay alert for the enemy. But I am tell you this, my foxhole is full and I got a shovel to make room for more.

  Matco! You screwed with the wrong man!

  My intention is to not harm other distributors because I do care about those who are trying to support their family as a franchise distributor but if distributors don’t want to acknowledge the things they know to be fact and support a fight for change then I guess I will do it on my own.

  One things for sure! This is not over yet! Matco is still stalling! Matco is not resolving! I am going NOWHERE! The train is coming!

  They are the ones who should be fixing what is broke but as long as tlman can cry out for Matco they will do NOTHING!

  If you’re a Matco franchisee you spend a lot of time on the internet.

  Why aren’t you trying to take care of all those customers on Matco’s facebook page looking for a Distributor?

  Maybe if you spent more time doing your job you can salvage your franchisors reputation which is in deep poop right now.

  I suggest you get on your truck and sell as many tools as you can because with Matco’s approval ratings and ALL these disgruntled customers and distributors I would be worried about my future.

  Besides, you are just a number to a Wall Street tycoon!!! When your numbers called it’s over!

• In hopes of educating those who might fall victim to Matco FRAUD!

  http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/08/veterans-be-warned/

  This is just a start!

• I know that there are abuses in the MATCO franchise system, but as both a tool supplier and end user, I have never had problems with MATCO. I also deal with SNAP-ON and MAC TOOLS. My company buys around$130,000.00 woth or tools, both hand held and larger; and I have never had a complaint with the MATCO franchise system.
  I do know, however, that there are those in this franchise system which have problems, but since I got started back when MATCO was just starting out, I don’t have the same problems. My problems are late delivery of ordered tools, as well as having to put tools on a back order system. But, other than that, I am satisfied with their system.
  If others wish to be franchise dealers in tools, they should check out SNAP-ON or MAC Tools.

• Stay away from ALL tool franchising companies at this time. They all mimic each other and all have, almost identical, business models. They all have arbitration clauses and they all fleece their franchisees.

• I wonder how long it will take for Matco to kick John Brashears off of Matco Tools web site?

  After reading an article which I had published on “Freedom Outpost” John took it upon himself to see the injustice by reading all the material and links which show that Matco and its parent company Danaher are using Vetfran (Created by the International Franchise Association) to fleece soldiers of their money in an effort to appease WALL STREET investors.

  Here is the dialog straight from Matco Tools facebook page which accounts the attack of distributors against Mr. Brashears.

  ————————————————————————————————————–
  John Brashear
  Apparently you Morons think Biting the hands that feed you is good policy…..lets see how it works for you….I just kicked my local dealer off the property…and MAC tools was kicked off before he was…..
  August 24 at 9:49pm

  Scott Meshey likes this.
  Matco Tools John, could you send us a message and explain what happened? I am very sorry that you are having a bad experience with your distributor. We’d be happy to try to fix it! ^KH
  Yesterday at 9:40am
  John Brashear yea, heres a start…..http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/08/veterans-be-warned/
  Is Matco Tools Taking Advantage Of US Veterans? – Freedom Outpost
  freedomoutpost.com
  August 24, 2012 by Todd Peterson Is Matco Tools Taking Advantage Of US Veteran…See More
  Yesterday at 11:44am
  John Brashear Making a 45+ year Mechanic MAD as hell has it’s consequences……any questions ?
  Yesterday at 11:45am
  Danny Gossett John, I have one question. What did the Distributor that handled your account do to you? He is working hard to support his family. some distributors don’t make it in this business. some do. the ones that don’t try to blame someone else for their failures. In this case, the gentleman was working an open route and his contractional route. He had 600 customers total, which is great, but it was not his route. When it came time to put a guy in that route, he did not want to give up what was not legally his. Please don’t hurt the guy trying to help you.
  Yesterday at 12:46pm
  Matco Tools ‎John Brashear, unfortunately, that particular distributor who wrote the article was a very unique case when compared to Matco’s distributors as a whole. To see how most of our veteran distributors feel about Matco, check out this video! Please let us know if there is anything we can to do to assist in repairing your relationship with your distributor. ^KH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfan6oIDpdA&feature=plcp
  Matco Tools Franchise Veteran Thomas Ryan Testimonial
  Matco – Veterans – Partners Matco Tools franchise owner and veteran Thomas Ryan …See More
  Yesterday at 1:25pm
  John Brashear Danny…well he works for people who are dishonest…think I should support him because he chooses the wrong company to sell tools for?…not in this lifetime.
  23 hours ago
  John Brashear KH unique or not, what your company is doing is going to come back and bite them , and taking advantage of a citizen is bad, taking advantage of someone who fought so you could BE in business isn’t acceptable…..and as long as this remains an active unsettled case, the answer will be NO, you cant repair anything….
  23 hours ago
  Kevin Mickle John I think your only getting one side of the story. The story is a hatchet job by a disgruntled former dealer. In my ten years as a dealer I have see Matco go to great lengths to support both veterans and active duty as well. How many mechanics fired from your shop speak well of it?
  23 hours ago
  Kevin Mickle And one last point John, he works for himself and his customers. No Matco dealer is employed by Matco, but have invested in most cases their life savings to call on your shop.
  23 hours ago
  John Brashear Kevin, …those are your values…not mine, No ones been fired from my shop, and turning this On me only makes you look foolish and weak…, and badmouthing a franchisee is typical of people like you….fact is, you guys Hosed him…and you know it, and making him the bad guy is only an act of desperation….as I said before, because they (dealers) made a financial mistake, doesn’t mean I will too…….any questions ? Matco is just one tool maker…..you folks should have kept that in mind.
  22 hours ago
  John Brashear while we are making last points, he represents a company that has incompatible values with mine….that good enough?…..
  22 hours ago
  John Brashear If I were you I would find a way to fix it, and not try and make this about anyone or anything else……just sayin
  22 hours ago
  John Brashear and Kevin, I am 62 years old….I didnt just fall out of a tomato truck….this isnt my first Rodeo, or my first issue with tool co’s or dealers, like I said…you’ll be ahead of this game if you all put more effort into solving the issues and showing us in the Blue Collar fields you made a mistake, owned up to it, and fixed it….till then it’s nothing but Chin Music.,…
  22 hours ago
  Danny Gossett I see John. You know everything and we successful Matco Distributors are idiots. Keep on turning those wrenches Buddy, because with your closed mind, you have peaked in life. Veterans are no different than anyone else that try to start their own business, except Matco spots them 10 grand, which I think is not fair to the other guy starting his business. Yes, he was in the service. Yes, he risked his life for us to be free. I believe all veterans have to volunteer now, so I can only assume they knew what they were getting into when they signed up. Oh wait, maybe they don’t because they sure as hell did not read or honor the contract they signed with Matco. Otherwise this would be a non issue. Good luck with those Home Depot, Lowes, an Sears tools Mr. Brashear. I am sure their truck will be there any second now. Now, stand your ground and throw the Snap On guy off the lot too. They have the same program we do and their success ratio is a lot lower than Matco. After all, they charge a $20,000.00 franchise fee and a $10,000.00 fee to renew their contract. Now that is a ripoff before you get the truck cranked up.
  22 hours ago · 1
  John Brashear Danny, so whats Matco’s defense ? badmouthing a formner Franchise Owner ?, that’s rich, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that’s pretty lame for such a large Corporation to do rather than let it all go Viral but you keep right on defending them will you, they apparently need all the help they can get,
  21 hours ago
  John Brashear Josh, you are correct…I don’t care and it doesn’t change my opinion of the company till they fix it with our Veteran(s)
  21 hours ago
  Danny Gossett You sir are a hard headed moron, not Matco. Why didn’t I fail if that is Matco’s plan? Because I worked my ass off. I take offense because there idiots like you that believe everything they read and really have no clue what the facts are all about. I am 60 years old, and I at least look at all sides of a story before I form an opinion, then I certainly would not take the bread off of a mans table, like you have with the Matco man in your area by you deciding you are judge and jury in a matter that is based on one mans opinion. I guess that is how things are done in Oklahoma. I had a conversation with Mr. Peterson yesterday and we agreed to disagree, but I am sure he would not want to hurt another hard working man, like you have hurt the Matco guy. So, look in the mirror cowboy and see who is not being fair to the fellow man. Matco gave me an opportunity to be my own boss in 2000 and I followed their plan and I have done a good job supporting my family. I do not need to defend them to you or anybody else. It went viral because some people cannot accept the fact that they failed and the Internet has become the podium for those losers to stand and preach their gospel, with no recourse because this is America and we have that right. Unfortunately there are guys like you that read the word veteran and you start raising hell that someone that fought for this country may have been taken advantage of. What if he was black, or Hispanic, or gay? Would you still feel the same way? Good luck Mr. Brashear.
  21 hours ago via mobile · 2
  Kevin Mickle First John, I never said you fired anyone. Just tried to make the point if you did that they probably would not have good things to say about you. I was not trying to turn it on you just make an example you as a shop owner could relate too. Second you don’t know me and to accuse me of causing a problem for veterans is beyond insane, I personally volunteer time and donate money out of my own pocket to help many veterans causes. My father and brother both served proudly in the army and my father carried injuries he sustained while serving through out his entire life. Third you are taking the word of one person with an axe to grind and thinks that by stirring up bad press he can leverage himself into a better position for a settlement, facts be damned. I had NOTHING to do with his franchise and his situation and neither did your dealer. And lastly, as I will not comment after this post, the evil thing Matco does to veterans is GIVE them special financing and FREE tools to sell on their truck. That is above and beyond what is done for anyone else. In the end success is up to the individual. And FYI I like the fact that you are a strong supporter of veterans, they need all the support we can give them, I just think you have this one wrong.
  21 hours ago
  John Brashear Danny…it was KH that said this was a “unique” situation, it and calling me names makes you correct ?
  21 hours ago
  John Brashear Kevin?, you asked my how many Mechanics I fired that spoke well of it, which makes the assumption those actions actually may have occurred….you folks feel free to attack me, there will never be an resolution to this issue with attitudes like yours, and NO Matco tools with ever be sold to me ever again with people (dealers) acting like you folks do….if the Vet didn’t have a legitimate claim why is it a “unique” situation?, what makes it so unique ?….why is MATCO being sued by the SBA ?, why are there pages of unhappy people doing business with Matco?, all easy to find on google……you guys relly look foolish, I was just the messenger…..and attacking me only makes you look small,…..and prevents any future activity with Matco dealers….
  21 hours ago
  John Brashear Kevin…i am glad I dont know you, I keep all liberal progressives as far away from me as possible,….
  21 hours ago
  Danny Gossett Not trying to be correct, politically or otherwise.. Just don’t like people that mess with my “family” and Matco is my family. Every Distributor out there does the same thing I do. When you kicked him off your property, you kicked me off. I have never been kicked off any lot in my life. I try to help people. You don’t care about people obviously or you would not have told that young man to go away in the name of what is all good and high mighty about the opinion you have derived by reading crap wrote by a guy that was abusing the system and when he got caught, was told to leave. I don’t even know the guy you kicked off the lot. Do you? Does he have a wife and kids? Is he a Veteran? What kind of a tool man is he? For “your” principle sake, you just sacrificed a young mans ability to make a living for a guy that was not playing fair because he is a Veteran? Do you really think that all Veterans are great individuals? As far as name calling, you used the term Moran to begin your rant. You set the playing field, so I am playing by your rules, but enough has been said. I have customers to take care of and a family to feed. Good luck to you and your shop in Oklahoma.
  20 hours ago · 2
  John Brashear Danny, I care about the Veteran being Hosed by a Large Corporation with money to burn keeping him in limbo, or where ever else they choose to keep him except settling the deal, and it’s a shame your family decided to crap in my shops yard, and then blast me from bringing this up, as opposed to finding a solutions, having a wife and kids is no Barometer for me to decide whats right and wrong, what if he doesn’t have any kids and is single, that give him any less reason for concern ?,…the more you talk the more you prove my point, you and your co’s values aren’t mine any longer, and you represent a co’s I choose not to do business with….it’s MY choice, MY Money, and MY decision…and the more you talk about it, the worse you look ….p.s., my shop is alive and well.
  20 hours ago
  Ellis Groo Guys just give up. He has made up his mind and now has one less place to get tools or have his tools repaired or updated. In the end he is the one losing out so just let him go.
  19 hours ago · 3
  Chris Norris ‎^ I agree with Ellis, Nothing anyone says or does can please the situation at hand… Danny has some great points however.
  19 hours ago · 2
  John Brashear Ellis?…is there any tool Matco sells I cant buy from say…cornwell ?, Snapon?….get a grip Josh. did KH deny there was an issue, no, he said it was a “unique” situation, which means it’s not some pipe dream….and i have no idea why you guys are trying to convince me of anything, I read the story, I believe the guy is being truthful and theres been no reply from Matco to rebutt the situation,….so in my books, theres something to his claim, I posted it here because I am sick of Big co’s hosing the little guy just because they can, you buy enough to make up for what I would have spent if you feel so confident…… and Ellis not one thing has been said from Matco to make me think they are trying to resolve the issue, if you find something, you let me know will you ?
  17 hours ago
  Jason Neil John tell Todd I said hi.
  16 hours ago
  Scott Meshey John i am not affiliated with Matco in any way at all. My g-father and father were both vetrans. I too support vetrans and service men and woman. My only question is if you plan to 100% boycott and Snap On. Can i please have all your Matco and Snap on tools?
  16 hours ago via mobile
  John Brashear Scott…i can see you think this is funny, I am just wondering how funny you’d see it if it was your franchise they took?…Josh, and they will be waiting on me…to sell tools too…..that makes us even right ?
  15 hours ago
  Jeff Sheldon Kicking your Matco dealer out is like shooting the bank teller if your house got reposessed , your anger is towards the wrong person
  5 hours ago
  John Brashear Jeff, my anger is directed at the company who is apparently doing some shady stuff, I will NOT reward them buy continuing to buy their products, you can if you choose, that’s not my policy, it is clear the values of many of you are flawed, let me repeat,………it’s MY shop, MY money, and MY ideologies, you do what you want with yours………….and if you stop doing business with a Bank, you stop doing business with the TELLER, you cant kick them off their own property, you just take YOUR business elsewhere……….git it yet ?
  about an hour ago
  ————————————————————————————————————–
  I find it ironic that Mr. Brashears would be attacked so aggressively by Mr. Danny Gossett who has been a Matco tools salesman since 2000 and has a SEPARATE agreement than his counterparts which allows him to be MORE successful than NEW franchisees who have an L.O.C. (List of Calls) agreement with Matco versus what Mr. Gossett has which is a Territorial Agreement.

  I also find it interesting that Mr. Gossett and I have been in communication before Mr. Brashears made his post on Matco Tools facebook page that this is the communication we had.

  ————————————————————————————————————–

  Todd A. Peterson

  http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/08/veterans-be-warned/
  Is Matco Tools Taking Advantage Of US Veterans? – Freedom Outpost
  freedomoutpost.com
  August 24, 2012 by Todd Peterson Is Matco Tools Taking Advantage Of US Veterans? 0 Today’s economy has left many Americans looking very persistently for a job. American Corporations have left our country to seek cheap labor with little or no benefits provided and…
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  Danny Gossett
  Saturday
  Danny Gossett

  Not everyone can run a tool business and that includes veterans. Sorry your business failed. Mine has not. Please do not send me any more of your loser propaganda.

  Todd A. Peterson
  Saturday
  Todd A. Peterson

  My District Manager I believe you know rather well. His name was Robert Tolbert and I believe he is from your state. Why don’t you look him up
  and ask him how much of a LOSER I am. You, more than anyone, know
  exactly what is going on. Stick your head in the sand and let others be victimized by the fraud or grow a spine and do something about it.
  Either way, if you don’t want to see what you already know to be fact
  BLOCK ME! I met you at an Expo in Cancun, I believe, when Robert Tolbert
  was still a DM. You probably choose to forget or ignore that as well.
  Nothing, will ever be changed with Matco till people like me speak out.
  I am a Veteran, I know how to be successful and I DAMN sure know how to
  protect others.

  Todd A. Peterson
  (479) 435-0573

  Danny Gossett
  Sunday
  Danny Gossett

  I do not know Robert Tolbert, nor do I remember you at Cancun. Here is my feelings on all of this. I chose to be a Distributor in 2000. I worked and worked and finally figured out how to run the business to make a profit and support my family. I do not know why some guys make it and some guys don’t. One of my best friends was in it for 10 years and failed. Then a new guy came in and became Rookie of the year in the same territory. It is definitely a people business and management and sales experience helps. I currently know 5 or 6 guys that feel the way you do about Matco. Matco this, Matco that. Matco promised me this and Matco promised me that. Matco does not promise anyone, anything. Now, because of people like you and others that are challenging the system, Matco has become more protective as to what a DM can say to his guys. That is why I have a very positive, pro active site to help the new guys and seasoned guys communicate and help each other. We are not constrained or censored by Matco and it seems to be working. I have 175 members Nationwide. My head is never in the sand. I am quite aware of what is going on around me at all times. I refuse to be negative, but at the same time, I have never recommended this business to anyone because of the risk it entails and there is no magic that will make you succeed or fail. It is all up to the individual.
  You say you know how to protect others. That is fine, but is painting a negative picture of the business they are trying to succeed in protecting them or brainwashing them? It is very easy to become negative in this business because at times, it is you against the world. I do not join any pity parties, nor will I tell anyone that this is the business to be in.
  I have around 5 or 6 more years being a toolman, then I will retire and enjoy the rewards I have earned for working my entire life.
  Thank Care Todd.

  Todd A. Peterson
  Sunday
  Todd A. Peterson

  Thank You Danny! For being honest! I assure you I have no responsibility with the failure of my franchise. You are a smart man and have envisioned the same dream for yourself as I had when I became a Matco Distributor with two children in kindergarten. I was willing to do what it took and did what it took to create a business to support my family. I absolutely think that Matco (Danaher) can profit off of its franchisees while keeping them in a franchise but that is definitely NOT what they do. They load up customers with debt while their in training and have recently started pushing business through their online website. The only reason they are keeping franchisees around is because their is a market for CHURNING. This is wrong! My hope for resolution with Matco is there as I do have an attorney but the reason I am posting these things is to educate. If you did not read my post, PLEASE DO SO! You will see in the links that there is much factual support you can use to help bring other franchisees together. The American investor is the victim here! There are a lot of guys, also, looking to get rich with Matco doing the work. But, I see a lot of guys like myself doing the work and becoming victims of fraud. This is my mission! To exploit Matco for what they are not to make it harder for franchisees to be successful. Success comes with hard work! I put A LOT of hard work in my franchise. Matco stole it all from me. I wish to have some credibility through the franchisees as well. I would love to show you how credible my claims are as they are substantial and I have paperwork to prove it. Consider working with me to get others on board to hold Matco accountable for their fraud and the way they are currently treating franchisees. I remember you Danny! I know you are successful because you worked just as I did to create a successful business. You did not start out just as I did because we have separate agreements and I don’t know if you know just how bad Matco F.D.D.’s have become. They are horrendous! Arbitration Clauses, buying 100% of inventory through Matco and soon signing a clause to prevent franchisees from discussing their business through social media. My goal is to make Danaher give EACH franchisee investor the same chance for success. Not just the ones who signed a territorial agreement.
  ————————————————————————————————————–
  You see even franchisees like Mr. Gossett know the truth about Matco but refuse to do anything about it. WHY?

  Is it fair for franchisees with List of Call agreements to have to compete with Danny? NO! Is this why there is such a OUTCRY of some franchisees (Mr. Gossett) through Matco Tools facebook page and unhappyfranchisee.com? Do they feel that when lawmakers find out that Veterans as well as American citizens are being unfairly terminated or deemed unsuccessful because the agreement on Purchase Average does not render the same success for all franchisees?

  As you can see Mr. Gossett, just like Danaher employees doesn’t recommend Matco for ANYONE!

• I wonder who owns this abomination of lies!

  http://www.franchising.com/matco/overview.html

  I wonder why they are advertising that DISTRIBUTORS are not the only way to BUY their tools. Is it because they don’t CARE to keep franchisees in their franchises? What lengths will Matco go to to KEEP their churn rates flowing? I know first hand! But, why is there NOONE who wants to stand up and say “You can’t bring fraud upon your franchisee and then it just be dismissed in a legal “arbitration clause.”

  Someone is going to have to start answering questions Matco.

• Can anyone believe the crap that spews over the internet to lure more victims into a fraudulent scam. Jessica Gardner must be proud to do such a GREAT job of promoting a LIE! http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012matco-tools/08franchise/prweb9831664.htm

  Read Matco’s own facebook page. I only WISH I could post on there as they have removed me from making comments because I ask them relevant questions. One way to be sure your brand name remains supreme is to make the public like you through associations which are POPULAR with your brand like Antron Brown and the NHRA or Power Block or 4×4 the other is to remove any NEGATIVE comments from those who post questions over social media and band them from posting future comments.

• What happens when you ban to many people Matco? What’s next? Reestablish your name under another name? That seems to be what other franchisors are doing!

• LOL!! that is a PAID news release, in other words Matco went to PRWeb and paid them to do a phony news release…Matco writes up their own heading, article, quotes and photos with links to the company.
  Nobody came out to Stow to do a story on Matco or interviewed Ernie Lauber or anything…that is simply a paid service to look like a press release with interviews to spread around the internet looking for victims to bite

  more Matco Tools fraud

• Any of you Franchisee’s been to Sears or Napa Auto parts lately?? Or any auto parts store across the country and see the multitude of tool rag mags on the counter, Danaher is aggressively marketing tools and equipment everywhere through multiple channels and outlets and sometimes below your cost…

  World Class Support

  more Matco Tools fraud

• Here is how much Matco Tools loves its franchise distributors:

  [redacted]

  I suggest Matco Distributors start banding together to protect themselves because Wall Street is what your up against.

  Power and influence through GLOBAL marketing!

• Here is how much Matco Tools loves its franchise distributors:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl0esxR5hr8

  I suggest Matco Distributors start banding together to protect themselves because Wall Street is what your up against.

  Power and influence through GLOBAL marketing!

• Want to buy a Matco franchise?

  My loan for my Matco franchise was done through Suntrust!

  The link below explains who Suntrust is and why Matco Tools and Suntrust make such GREAT partners!

  http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews.com/class-action-lawsuits/suntrust-mortgage-suntrust-bank-mortgage-modification-class-action-lawsuit/

  The birds of a feather flock together!

• Seriously, pulling out a 2010 ad to try and drum up more victims for your fleece and flush operation?

  http://automotive-equipment.aolzop.in/matco-tools-franchise-named-number-1-in-tools-distribution-category-and-number-19-overall-in-entrepreneur-magazines-franchise-500

  Desperation?

• Excerpt from a former manager…

  Glad to see there are some people from Matco commenting about this wonderful company. I was a District Mgr for over 10 yrs. I have watched my friends get fired one by one until I got the axe.

  Now I felt I was a pretty good performer/got top 10 DM a few times and put 50 people in the tool business. But you know, have a couple down yrs with few new placements and see ya. The company is plagued with inept management from the President (he is just burned out/been there too long) to the loon who calls himself the VP of Sales (Tim Gilmore) down to my Regional Mgr (who, let’s just say he is so afraid of losing his job// he lost his balls years ago).

  For the positives, the normal people up at Matco are great and even some of the managers too. The DMs are all great and that is what I truly miss. This company went from the best one I ever worked for to the worst in about 3 years. The timeline began in so far as the downslide when Tim Gilmore became VP. You talk about someone who came up thru the ranks from a truck to a DM to an RM to staff (you think he would remember where he came from?) not a chance.

  I truly believe that when he came out of the woodwork and reared his ugly head (back at the Las Vegas Expo in 2004; that is when Matco got truly f’d up!) People complained about the old VP of sales (Eric Mullenmeister). At least he believe in rewarding performance with pay. When Eric walked into the room, he commanded the presence of a VP of Sales. Tim Gilmore only has a personality when it is in his best interest to have one; usually in front of a crowd at Expo. Other than that, I have more leadership traits in my left nut than he ever thought of having.

  This is not about dislike, it is about lack of respect for any of your leadership. To get a toolman to help you build your district, you have to start out by earning their respect. They are not your employees. Too bad Matco management couldn’t take a page out of that book. Every year the benefits got less, the DM pay got less, the workload and the micro management increased and they dangled your job over your head and made you feel greatful to work for this cess pool of a company.

  Your direct supervisor which would be the Regional Mgr (if he cared about his employees) could have insulated some of his managers from some of this uneccessary crap/ but as I said before, he only did what he needed to do to save his own skin. As far as being a Distributor, I will say that if you have a work ethic and can manage your money it is possible to succeed. I will also say that right now IS NOT a good time to go into the tool business or anything for that matter where you are inventory heavy.

  2007 and 2008 have flat sucked for most every toolman. Matco will take your money, though. When you fail its no skin off their ass. It is still an ok company for the toolman/ but it has gotten worse. Matco has inept buyers who don’t know about what they are buying and are either too naive about what they are doing or are forced to tack so much mark up on the tools by Matco itself that we are alot of times priced way out of the market.

  I remember when Matco was a great tool at a very reasonable price. Not anymore. I would really like to believe that Tim Gilmore is responsible for all that is bad that is Matco. But, I believe he is too stupid to be able to influence the company like that. So, I will blame it on Danaher, the parent company. This is where the crap all fliters down from. Check out the big fat $35 mill paycheck Larry Culp got last year/ or the year before. They can authorize this nonsense, but can’t give a DM over $300 to put on a meeting that can generate $40k in sales or pay for a Distributor to re-decal his tool truck with Matco’s stickers.

  If you want my advice, pick another company to work for. I haven’t heard anything bad about Cornwell. Mac and Snap-on? Forget them. Am I pissed (well just when I write stuff like this). My stress level dropped about 100% the very next day after I was fired. I want to say Matco Tools is uniquely f’d up… but in my heart I truly believe they are no different than any other big company.

  More Matco Tools fraud

• “I have watched my friends get fired one by one until I got the axe.”

  “Now I felt I was a pretty good performer/got top 10 DM a few times and put 50 people in the tool business. But you know, have a couple down yrs with only a few new placements and “see ya”. The company is plagued with inept management…”

  These comments above from a former manager are proof positive that if a MANAGER is not “churning” franchisee’s, he is expendable…

  50 new starts in 10 years…WOW!! and that is just 1 DM

  The Franchisee’s are expendable…

  The District Managers are expendable…

  Matco Tools fraud

• Matco & Danaher win their motion to get Matco franchisee lawsuit settled by arbitration:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-lawsuit-arbitration/

  Comments invited.

• I initially forgot to upload the legal document. Sorry.

  It’s there now:

  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/matco-tools-lawsuit-arbitration/

  Please feel free to share your opinion as to why Matco/Danaher/Other franchisors would rather settle franchisee disputes with arbitration rather than in court.

• Matco clearly favors arbitration as they have control – settling these cases in open court would expose Matco Tools and would PUBLICLY spell out all their fraudulent and criminal behaviors.

• Well, it has been almost a year since the first negative comment was posted about Matco Tools.

  In the time since a weak debate raged – Weak in that the proponents for Matco were few and far between – and mostly waged personal attacks. I believe out of fear. Make no mistake our voices WERE heard – nearly 5000 comments were posted.

  The ATTENTION this debate received was significant. It had the distributors, the customers, and the high and mighty Danaher executives talking.

  As time passed, that certainly became clear as former Pro Matco cheerleaders came out posting that they too had been kicked to the curb.

  The law suits have multiplied, the truth HAS BEEN TOLD.

  MANY prospective distributors learned the truth and decided to PASS – decided NOT to become another victim of the fraud.

  Where there is smoke there IS fire – and THIS fire is not yet out.

  If you are a person looking for an opportunity I hope you find these forums. I believe a great number have already. The only “good” press Matco has these days is bought and paid for……….

  They can no longer quiet the voices shouting about the Churn and Burn tactics.

  Anyone can Google Matco Tools and they will find the TRUTH

  The Franchisee’s are expendable…
  The District Managers are expendable…
  Matco Tools fraud

• What does my U.F.O.C. say (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular which is now called the Franchise Disclosure Document) in regards to Federal Trade Commission protection?
  ————————————————————————————————————
  “INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION”

  To protect you , we’ve required your franchisor to give you this information. WE HAVEN’T CHECKED IT, AND DON’T KNOW IF IT’S CORRECT. It should help you make up your mind. Study it carefully. While it includes some information about your contract, don’t rely on it alone to understand your contract. Read all of your contract carefully. Buying a franchise is a complicated investment. Take your time to decide. If possible, show your contract and this information to an advisor, like a lawyer or an accountant. If you find anything you think may be wrong of anything important that’s been left out, you should let us know about it. It may be against the law.

  There may also be laws on franchising in you state. Ask your state agencies about them.

  FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
  Washington D.C.
  ————————————————————————————————————-
  Is there a SECRET coalition in franchising? A coalition which protects franchising at the expense of investors?

  The F.T.C. is an organization CHARGED with providing consumers PROTECTION from fraud. Is it possible for them to form a secret “COALITION” with those who impose fraud upon American citizens for financial gain?

  “To protect you , we’ve required your franchisor to give you this information. WE HAVEN’T CHECKED IT, AND DON’T KNOW IF IT’S CORRECT. It should help you make up your mind.”

  “To protect you , we’ve required your franchisor to give you this information. WE HAVEN’T CHECKED IT, AND DON’T KNOW IF IT’S CORRECT. It should help you make up your mind.”

  “To protect you , we’ve required your franchisor to give you this information. WE HAVEN’T CHECKED IT, AND DON’T KNOW IF IT’S CORRECT. It should help you make up your mind.”

  It should read:

  To protect you we do nothing, sign the document so our coalition can continue to fleece and churn the American entrepreneur.

  Our coalition strives to promote false advertising through misleading information which offers NO PROTECTION to consumers so we can continue our coalition and allow corporations to profit through false means while spreading the blood money to our corrupt and unethical politicians through FranPac. When your franchisor falsely terminates you, WE, the Federal Trade Commission, will ignore your pleas for justice because we allow the rights of one to be sacrificed for the 1% whom the coalition of attorneys, corporations and organizations can prosper at the expense of the American investor!

  The truth in franchising!

• To anyone who is a victim of franchise fraud I implore you to speak out! I am one voice but I am seeing that there are many who wish to keep America citizens safe from fraud and if only others will be VOCAL and not silent CHANGE can happen. The lies paid for by big corporations to promote their false opportunities can be brought to light with those who will be VOCAL and tell the TRUTH!

  Definitions can be changed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VetFran

  Articles can be written: http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/08/veterans-be-warned/

  Business Magazines can decipher the truth: http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2012/06/12/franchise-chains-recruit-veterans-problems/

  But none of this can be done if you are silent. I know it is difficult to speak out after Matco has ruined your life through fraudulent circumstances but I urge others to be as vocal as I have. Some times you have to fight really hard to get those who are skeptical to see the truth. Big corporations have a way of making victims who are not successful in their franchises seem like losers and whiners to the media. They need to hear more truthful stories. They need to see your truthfulness in the social media.

  I challenge any media personality who wants a GREAT story and some truth about franchising to interview me and my experience. I consider myself to be one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to franchising as I have spent the better part of 1 1/2 years educating myself through social media on how and why there seems to be no one who wants to help a victim of franchise fraud.

  It’s not just the fact I was sold a, non-viable, failing route to begin with. It’s the fact that Matco Tools (Danaher) threatened me with the loss of my franchise, stole my success and forced me out with lies and fraud to have me FALSELY terminated from my franchise.

  As an American, who loves his country, who believes in the ideology of our founding forefathers, I am disgusted with the leadership of our country who refuse to acknowledge the problems of franchising because the success of corporations OUTWEIGHS the protection of the people.

  No one will stand with me in the political realm because it might affect their political career. My own state will not stand for change because lawyers and political figures DO NOT SUPPORT THE PEOPLE!

  There is no way in a FREE AMERICA that this kind of fleecing and fraud should exist.

  There is no way in a FREE AMERICA that POLITICIANS and ATTORNEYS should REJECT the American citizen for the interest and protection of the CORPORATION!

  Am I just some crazy lunatic who wants Matco to be unsuccessful in their endeavors because I was cheated? NO!

  I am the CRAZY lunatic who is going to change the ideology of franchising with the media through TRUTHFUL accounts and experiences with my government (FTC), politicians (Arkansas Senators, House Reps., Attorney General) and factual information showing the fraud imposed on me by a COALITION of FRAUD!

  My GOALS are to change franchising into an organization of trust with the AMERICAN people. Not an organization of CROOKS and FRAUD!

  It is time for the American people to understand why GOOD and HONEST politicians have tried in recent years to change franchising for the better and JUST how corrupt our government has become in PROTECTING THE RIGHTS of corporations OVER the RIGHTS of AMERICAN CITIZENS!

  Politicians have forgotten who they are to serve and why they were elected.

  I hope others will post their accounts of fraud imposed on them by Matco but as for me I know the TRUTH about my franchise experience and I know although others may be so destroyed by what Matco has done to them that they just want to move on with their lives and forget the past I beg you to have courage and POST your accounts to this web site. Warn your fellow countrymen! Don’t let them become victims of fraud in a CHURN and BURN Wall Street Scam!

  Ronald Reagan convinced a country to break down a wall. People thought he was crazy and that the wall would never fall but it did.

  Franchising is huge and politicians are POWERFUL but the AMERICAN SPIRIT is real and I am happy to be an AMERICAN!

• There are 38 individuals who have retained ONE law firm to represent them against Matco. When is the Federal Trade Commission going to INVESTIGATE our claims of fraud and hold Matco accountable for that fraud. Do the lives of 38 people mean nothing to our politicians? Why do politicians point the finger at each other when you need help?
  Can anyone say COALITION!

• Attn All ex or soon to be ex tool dealers. I will give you CASH for your inventory and truck if you already left business or plan too. I would consider used tools you took on trade with it. I take everything out. If you are interested please email me

  Why be bothered trying too sell piece by piece at flea markets or internet? Get cash today and be done.

• I buy inventory,

  See, there are plenty of people willing to pay you half of what your inventory is worth when Matco terminates your franchise. Matco screws people out of their inventory when they return it and what you are stuck with is selling it to those who want to profit of your vulnerability.

  There is evidently going to be a settlement for a large majority of Mr. Marks 38 Matco clients but it will only be the ones who owed Matco money. Yes, there will be an agreement that keeps these ex-franchisees from speaking about their Matco franchise experience and forgives them of the debt as well as puts a little money in their pocket. Very little money in their pocket. But, their lives can go on and they can try to build on their experience knowing that Matco is a fraudulent opportunity that they can at least tell others to STAY AWAY FROM MATCO! They may not be able to tell them WHY! but I hope they say it a lot. STAY AWAY FROM MATCO!!!!!

• I understand your frustration Todd. I was once a tool dealer for a big company and used Mr Marks for a case. I walked away a happier person when the case got settled. I didn’t get rich by no stretch but it was out of my life. Don’t get the wrong idea about my AD. I do profit selling other peoples inventory but I do also a favor by relieving people trying too get rid of everything in one lump summ. I just offered an ex dealer last night $20k cash for a 12 year old 175k mile ud truck with what inventory that was left which only had a street value of around $7500. So don’t make me sound like a crook because I don’t see anyone coming crashing this guys door forking over $20k in cash in today’s economy. Plus I have to do all the work going around getting rid of the stuff.

• Getting rid of merchandise especially if it’s been heavily truck worn and discontinued is tough. Getting rid of an older tool truck even harder. Most banks won’t finance a truck older then 6 years. So it is tough getting rid what you paid top dollar for unless your gonna give it away.

• I am not making you out to be a crook! I am just saying the inventory Matco sticks you with has to go somewhere. No one wants to give you cost for your product because they know there is money to be made. This is what Matco does! What your doing is SMART. Cleaning up after Matco (as well as other franchises) screws there investors. Maybe that is what I should do with my life. Go around after Matco screws people and pick up their purchased inventory for pennies on the dollar. Do that with ALL the churned franchisees per year and you have at least 1200 people to buy tools from each year. HMMMM!

• Todd,

  I wasn’t serious with my words. Poke poke. I’m on your side about tool company’s being crooks.

• Todd,

  You are right about one thing, you should get on with your life. If you only expect to get just a little in your pocket why waste you time? Since your pitty party didn’t go to Las Vegas like they said will they go to San Diego instead?

• My life is exposing Matco for what it is. A FRAUDULENT excuse for a company! A company that PRIDES itself in destroying dreams and promotes its pocket book over the careers of hard working American soldiers and citizens.

  Why don’t you share with everyone how many of those 230 Vetfran Matco franchisees are still in business Mrs. tlwoman. I am sure that would interest the media as well as a few politicians I know.

  Come on tlman tell us how wonderful Matco is! Tell us how successful you can be owning a Matco franchise! Tell us how long you can stay in business as a Matco franchisee! Tell us how many of the 1400+ will not be churned in 2013. You are so pathetic.

• No witty comebacks tlman? Can argue with the truth can you?

  You see future franchisee hopefuls, people like tlman have no soul. Tlman doesn’t care if fellow American entrepreneurs, whom he should be partnered with to protect ALL franchisees from becoming victims of fraudulent franchisors, are robbed, threatened, lied to or even had false documents created to falsely terminate them from their franchise. Tlman only cares that Matco is letting him be successful. As long as he is successful he could care a less about his fellow American. They all are just failures because he is doing something so much more significant than we did as business owners. Maybe its his contract that makes him successful. Who knows? One things for sure you can expect tlman to “Not answer any questions!”.

• Excellent points sir.

• Todd,

  I would have been happy to tell you in Las Vegas if you had been man enough to show up as you said you would. I know you were to busy whining on this pathetic pitty party web site. Remember you and your pitty party claimed you would be there to protest Matco and this so called churn policy if it was so important and if you were so confident why the no show I can tell you why no back bone no dedication the same reason you failed as a Matco distributor. Looks like you found what you are good at ” pre modona whiner Obama Voter “

• Come on tlman. Don’t tell me how much of a whiner I am! Tell the world. Tell the world how successful you can be as a Matco franchisee. Tell them how Matco only sells LOC’s which have been carefully “Pre-defined” by a QUALITY Matco District Manager. Tell them how Matco treats ALL franchisees the same and EVERYONE has a similar agreement with which to compete fairly for Purchase Average. Tell them how you can invest in a Wall Street Corporation that helps people to become successful as their own business franchise owner utilizing Matco’s simplistic business model.

  Then tell the world how successful you can be at getting justice in the franchise world with a franchise coalition that exemplifies itself as a GOD! After your franchisor threatens, steals, lies, commits fraud and creates false documents to have you falsely terminated from your franchise tell them what they can expect from politicians, the government and attorneys.

  Don’t call me names! Prove I am weak and pathetic and don’t pay my bills and taxes. I don’t owe Matco ONE FREAKING DIME!!! I think the State of Arkansas was quite happy with the money I have paid them in sales tax. I paid Matco IN FULL within a month after being terminated FALSELY! I owe you nothing! You are a blind, weak and pathetic tlman who has no compassion for others whom Matco seeks to destroy.

  Matco takes the lives of GOOD, HONEST and HARD WORKING people and destroys them!

  Tell us how many of the 230 Vetfran Matco franchisees are still operating a Matco franchise?

  Tell us how a Matco franchisee buys a route in Joplin, MO only to find out that his route is already being serviced by a Matco distributor.

  Don’t tell me who I am! I know who I am!

• Todd, I think you’re missing a big point. The reason things are as they are is that the government considers franchisees “sophisticated investors” who have the money and the business savvy to do their own due diligence and investigation before entering a contract with a franchisor. That’s why they won’t step in criminally except for a really blatant fraud… not for franchisors being mean or franchisees realizing they made a bad deal. That’s why disputes have to be settled in civil court, because they consider these disputes as being between sophisticated investors.

  There’s a lot more protection for consumers because someone ordering vitamins off the internet or an exercise machine from an infomercial is considered unsophisticated. It’s not that there’s a goovernment conspiracy, it’s that the law starts operates from the premise that franchisee investors ought to know better, and if they buy into a bad deal they should hire lawyers battle it out.

  That’s the “free” part of free enterprise.

  How many Matco franchisees hire franchise lawyers ahead of time to review their franchise agreements? How many have read it themselves? How many other franchisees did they spend time with?

  In order to change things at the legislative level, you’ve got to argue that prospective franchisees are not sophisticated and are incapable of doing their homework, including reading blogs like this one.

  Your energy would be better spent educating prospective franchisees about the facts and why this is a bad deal rather than spouting angry conspiracy theories that just give Matco defenders like tlman what they need to dismiss you as a crackpot.

  Just my opinion, for what it’s worth…

• Guest,

  You seem to have a great deal of intelligence dealing with franchises and what the expectation of franchisees are. You seem to think that Matco sells a lot of franchises to EXPERIENCED business owners who are just looking for another way to profit owning another business.

  I assure you MOST franchisees come from a background as a mechanic and a lot of the franchisees have never even served their country and gained the discipline and structure of a professionally decisive soldier who follows orders as I was taught in the United States Army.

  What amazes me most about your comments is that you seem to think I am just whining about my franchisor being mean. My accusations are that Matco committed fraud, theft, created false documents and threatened me with the loss of my franchise if I didn’t do what they wanted.

  Most people who enter a Matco franchise DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO START A FRANCHISE! They are convinced by District Managers and Vetfran recruits that the Matco franchise business model is a FOOL PROOF system and the only way you can fail is if you don’t work at your business. Like me, others buy a franchise and with dreams of being independent and self sufficient which are complete bull that Matco sells.

  At what point can you lie about an opportunity to be successful as a franchise owner that it becomes fraud?

  I charge Matco with selling a franchise which did not meet the contractual agreements of having a minimal pre-defined 325 customers to call on. A route destined to FAIL! (Civil)

  I charge Matco with threatening my franchise business and stealing my customers so Matco business managers could profit with bonuses. (Criminal)

  I charge my Matco District Manager with promising me new shops to call on in an area where I was already servicing customers and allowing the very franchisee, whom Matco threatened for me to surrender shops too, to call on those shops when he had no shops in that area and already had more customers than I did as a franchisee with 2 years experience. (He had been in business less than 6 months.) (Civil)

  I charge Matco with giving a FALSE reason for separation from my franchise agreement for “good cause.” I had been promised a route resurvey for over a year and on two different occasions by my District Manager. I was given a “good cause” letter for separation on July 12, 2010 which stated I was not at 80% of the National Purchase Average. This is ironic since for over a year I was telling my District Manager that I was struggling financially because I didn’t not have half the customers of a new franchisee due to the weak economy. I will also say that this District Manager NEVER completed any of the Annual Route Truck Surveys which are required CONTRACTUALLY to let the franchisee know where he stands with Matco. (Civil)?

  I charge Matco with creating FALSE DOCUMENTS to support a separation for “good cause”. (Criminal)

  I charge Matco with telling me I cured my reason for separation for “good cause” and then terminating me over the same separation letter dated July 12, 2010. (Civil)

  I charge Matco with theft of returned merchandise. Product I purchased and then returned to Matco for credit does not equal the amount of money that should have been credited. Just because a franchisee bought a franchise DOOMED to fail does not give Matco the ability to devalue the merchandise returned. (Criminal)

  I charge Matco Corporate Managers with not addressing the issues of District Managers and Regional Managers who were committing crimes against its franchisees. I drove all the way to Ohio to discuss the allegations above only to be dismissed and offered an opportunity to receive the 15% which Matco claims as a restocking fee for a signed agreement which would deem me responsible for the failure of my franchise and make me obtain written permission to discuss my franchise experience.

  I charge Matco with using Vetfran as they are using the Susan G. Komen Foundation to promote PROFITS instead of supporting Americans. Matco (Danaher) does not promote a profitable business opportunity for 70% (Favorable Estimation) of its franchisees over a 5 year span. The fact that Matco sells tool boxes to VoTech students for less than the franchisees can buy them for should show how much PROFIT Matco will make off of these boxes. If Matco (Danaher) truly wanted to help others maybe they should take the $4.4 million dollar BONUS paid to Larry Culp Jr. for his participation in CHURNING franchisees and donate it to VICTIMS OF FRANCHISING or the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I am sure the $17 million he made in compensatory wages will sustain him till next year. Actually the $141.36 million he made in 2010 should be plenty to sustain him for a few years as well. Anyone ever wonder how anyone can make almost three times his salary in any other year in one year?

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxlc-ASgB9Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player

  http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/12/boss-10_H-Lawrence-Culp-Jr_XKU8.html

  http://www.forbes.com/lists/2012/12/ceo-compensation-12_H-Lawrence-Culp-Jr_XKU8.html

  So does anyone want to represent an HONEST man who ran an HONEST business with which Matco (Danaher) violated every aspect of professional conduct and business ethics?

  I have searched for support from politicians. Federal says its a State issue and the State says its a Federal issue.

  I have searched for support from attorney’s. I paid a few attorneys money to start my lawsuit here in Arkansas and Ohio within months of being falsely terminated only to have them tell me they were too busy to help me and refund my money.

  I have searched for MEDIA support to exploit my situation but when media is controlled by CORPORATIONS how can the American voice be heard?

  I am pissed that NO ONE will prosecute Matco for what they have FORCED upon my franchise. I can prove my allegations who wants to protect the innocent?

• Guest,

  I n response to your remarks about what I should of shouldn’t be doing.

  These blogs were not available when I started my franchise in 2004. In fact, there was hardly ANY negative comments through Social Media regarding Matco at all. This should be an EYE OPENER to just how much control a corporation has over the American people.

  Does that mean Matco was not committing fraud then? NO!!! People were doing the same things I have done. Looking for support from politicians who misdirect, getting support from attorneys who don’t have time and getting the cold shoulder from the media as another franchisee who was just too lazy to be profitable.

  I have searched for answers as to why in a nation as “FREE” as the United States a CORPORATION can break the law and not be held responsible. Until I get an answer from what I consider the GREATEST NATION on Earth to live, I will devote my days to living a modest life, which many of my forefathers fought to defend, as a FATHER WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY AND GOD!

  When I joined the military I pledged an oath to GOD and COUNTRY! To serve the American people! Not a Corporation set strip my rights as an American in the name of GLOBALIZATION.

  If you want a NEW WORLD ORDER move to Antarctica but get the hell out of my country and stop ruining the greatest nation on earth.
  I take your comments to be insulting in regards to my conspiracy theories. I have nothing but PROOF! Letters from Senators and House Representatives. Letters from Attorneys. Emails from the IFA and phone conversations with Vetfran committee chairs. What do you know to be the truth Mr. guest?

• The only reason the web site exists is because of our constitution. I applaud the owner of this web site who I know has taken much criticism from corporate America for us to speak FREELY as Americans.

  He was prompted to open a sight like this because there is no other site like this.

  I wish I had $4.4 million dollars to give him because he is preserving the right for Americans to speak freely. To tell the truth. To expose those who suppress.

  I issue a CHALLENGE for any corporation who might be reading!

  PROVE to the world that justice can prevail where CORPORATIONS are committing crimes against the American people!!!

• Todd:

  I am not insulting you nor am I disagreeing with you about Matco (probably) being a scam and a franchise to avoid. But you have been asking why the government, law enforcement, politicians, etc. don’t rise up and rally behind you, and I’m trying to explain one of the reasons why. I’m not agreeing with it or saying it shouldn’t be different. I’m just saying that it’s at the heart of the issue you are railing about.

  Make yourself a cup and read this article. It took me a few times to read it, but it’s enlightening: http://www.franchiseremedies.com/why_and_how_franchise_sales_are_are_not_regulated.htm

  Here’s an excerpt:

  “One of the differences in categories of commerce that is recognized as the basis for different treatment is the question of whether a transaction is one directed at mass markets, a consumer transaction, as opposed to transactions that are more business-to-business. In the latter instance, the parties are deemed to have more savvy, and the arena of commerce is more a free for all in many important respects…

  “Which brings us to franchising. Franchising is apparently a B-to-B transaction. You are going into business and purchasing the right to participate in an ongoing business relationship. It would normally be considered a ‘Devil take the hindmost’ affair.

  “What anyone thinking of buying a franchise needs to know, however, is that it is almost impossible ever to convince a prosecutor or enforcement agency to take action to protect you against an abusive franchisor. There is simply no enforcement budget for it. What enforcement budget there is does not provide resources for any public agency to become the protector of an individual. Maybe if the abuse is pervasive and seen to affect many victims, there might be government enforcement, but even then it is very rare. IF THE DEAL IS A BUMMER, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD YOUR OWN LAWYER AND DO ALL THE WORK YOURSELF. The Government is not your babysitter.”

  So, the reason that you are not getting the support of law enforcement, politicians, the government, etc. according to Richard Solomon, is that the system is simply not geared toward protecting business investors who made a bad deal, even if they were cheated.

  When you go into business its assumed you know what you’re doing and if things go wrong you’re on your own. Not saying it’s right, just stating the facts.