Matco Tools franchise – distributor program is under fire. Failed & failing Matco Tools mobile distributors claim that they are victims of a callous and unethical investment scheme that sets them up for failure. Yet Matco Tools also has its defenders. The comment section below is for Matco Tools and its supporters to share their opposing views, and show their support for the Matco Tools franchise opportunity.
Our post MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints sparked more than 1000 spirited, often angry, comments in less than a month, an UnhappyFranchisee.com record.
Central among the criticisms of the Matco Tool franchise is a high failure rate and allegations that Matco intentionally “churns” up to half of its distributor population in order to replace them with the fresh investments of new distributors (See MATCO TOOLS Franchise Report Alleges Distributor Churning).
Complaints also include a frighteningly high SBA default rate for Matco Tools franchise loans (see Failure Rates of the 10 Most Popular Franchises) and allegations that Matco colluded with TD Bank to fraudulently get distributor loans they knew were doomed to fail (see FRANCHISE LAWSUIT Alleges Matco Tools Scam, TD Bank Fraud ).
Both on UnhappyFranchisee.com and a Matco franchisee Facebook page, Matco defenders have shared a different view than the angry detractors.
Veteran Matco distributor Kevin writes: “Matco is not a perfect company. None are. You must use your own common sense in any business dealing. I have been a distributor for 22 years, and have experienced none of the above problems. I am self employed, and I buy what I want from Matco, nothing more. They do not run my business, nor force me to buy anything.”
Another distributor Scott writes: “Matco is not the evil empire that so many are making it out to be, but they are definitely out of touch with what we go through… the complaints you and others are voicing are nothing new. If you do a little research you will find the exact same thing happening in Mac and Snap On throughout the years and it’s almost word for word. This business is damn tough…”
None of the supporters thus far have provided unqualified praise for Matco Tools, but many say Matco is the best choice in a tough business segment.
Jay writes: “I have been with another tool company before that would make all these complaints seem very trivial and chose to switch to Matco over 11 plus years ago all as a distributor. I am not saying they are perfect but they are the best choice out of the 4 major tool companies…”
Some object to the characterization of “terminated distributors” (a term used in Matco’s Franchise Disclosure Document) as being synonymous with “failed distributors.” Some point out that Matco Tools franchisees leave the system for a variety of reasons
Jason writes: “What I saw as a district manager was guys would become matco distributors because they thought it was easy, and matco would set up a route for them and they thought it was instant success. It wasn’t I saw high performing distributors succeed and fail. I had distributors get divorced and fail, I had 2 distrbutors in 1 year die, I had distributors become district managers, all of these are examples of terminated distributors, so the 36% fail rate is inaccurate.”
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE MATCO TOOLS FRANCHISE DISTRIBUTOR PROGRAM? DO YOU DISAGREE WITH THE MATCO TOOLS CRITICS WHO ALLEGE IT’S A SCAM? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW!
Also, feel free to read & comment on these related posts:
MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints June 8, 2011
MATCO TOOLS Franchise Report Alleges Distributor Churning November 29, 2011
MATCO TOOLS 2011 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) & Other Resources November 22, 2011
MATCO TOOLS Class Action Lawsuit, “Secret” Sales Projections November 22, 2011
FRANCHISE LAWSUIT Alleges Matco Tools Scam, TD Bank Fraud November 15, 2011
Failure Rates of the 10 Most Popular Franchises April 26, 2010
To contact the author and site admin, email UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com
Recent developments have left franchisees worried and uncertain about their futures. To advocate for greater…
The Building Kidz Worldwide franchise is an opportunity to own a preschool & childcare center…
PAINT NAIL BAR has undergone some significant changes since franchisees contacted us with their complaints,…
U.S. Veterans magazine has removed JDog Brands as its #1 "Best Franchises for Veterans" list.…
More than 400 Veterans & military families who invested in JDog Brands franchises have failed,…
Genevieve McDaniel is a former franchisee turned franchise researcher, franchisee advocate, advisor and fiercely honest…
View Comments
I hear you, one of my snap on guy's is on "tilt" I have sold 8 toolboxes to his zero in the last year at one of my dealerships. The techs say he only comes in every other week now, there for about 10 minutes and gone. I spend 2 hours there everyweek, everybody has a tp account along with there PSA.
3 guys I collect 50 on Tp and 50 on PSA, the others its your typical 30/30 split, one guy is 120 a week. Who ever says when they go on a psa you never get them on TP anymore is a fool.
Amen matco1&2! its great to be able to control the strenght of your competition, giving them just enough rope to hang themself...then cut them down so they can do it over and over again. Love being part of a winning team that allows us to rule our market!
A new customer with a Psa is a good way to test drive a.customer before you het to much on him. If he will not pay Matco he will not pay you. All 3 Snap On guys I have are under a dozen boxes total. 3 mac and 2 Cornwell. Guess who got the rest.
I've sold hundreds of Matco Tool Boxes. NOT ONE of THEM says "Made in the USA".
Snapon puts "Made in the USA" on every USA Made box, but Matco does NOT.
Why doesn't Matco put the words "Made in the USA" on their boxes?
Former lie again, everyone of mine says made in USA
The snap on trade in I have says made in Canada what are you talking about
That is a lie Matco#1, they only list the plant in Jamestown, NY. It does NOT say MADE IN. THis issue was raised within MDAC years ago.
The last sticker I looked at 30 days ago, said Made in Jamestown, NY [with] globally sourced parts.
YOUR POINT IS??????
MATCO#1 you commented on December 21st, 2011 7:27 pm , that all Matco Boxes are made in the USA. That is a misleading statement,
Yes, they are assemble in Jamestown, with foreign made products, mainly the steel. unless you can prove otherwise. jamestown at its best probably never employed more that 50 people.
I would have been proud to sell Matco Boxes made in the USA with American Steel. THATs my point. Unlike Snapon that actually manufacture some their products. Matco only has a toolbox plant, everything else is outsourced or via DTG.
I am proud to sell made in the USA Matco tool boxes just sold one on Monday.
Slides are made by accuride in Mexico, box made in Jamestown NY.
I would bet that there is a mix import and US steel. This is traded as a comodity as anything. Like tires or anything with a rating steel is also rated. Most supplers buy on the open market. They run on margens very tight margens.... Steel companys swap all the time.