MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints

4,850 thoughts on “MATCO TOOLS Franchise Complaints”

• “what does it matter “who” anybody is????

  Debbie:

  These guys are like the Energizer Bunnies of Denial.

  The lawsuit charges that Matco and a bank conspired to commit fraud – they want to talk about your windshield or my identity.

  A report claims that 49% of dbrs are churned out and replaced by others who will be churned out – They want to talk about your dog being on your truck.

  Person after person recounts terrible losses and unfair treatment they suffered – they want to talk about giving away TVs and toasters.

  They claim everyone should follow the law and their legal agreement – and when they are informed that the law requires 14 days prior disclosure (when they contended 2 days is sufficient) – they are momentarily struck dumb.

  Not to worry – they will certainly find some other distraction or simply not acknowledge the truth, right there in black and white.

  They can argue up is down and right is left. But the day of reckoning is coming. I wish they were right about me being or working for Jerry. It would be fun shooting fish in a barrel and getting paid handsomely for it.

• Debbie,

  That was 1……I thought that what this toilet of a site was for, crying about your grivances…… and really #1 doesnt count because you signed off on your route list before you started, as I recall from my 10 year I signed off on each page. let er rip there Chicki

  Guest,

  College fund is in place, and my house is almost paid for thanks to my sucessful “franchise” MATCO TOOLS.

  Tommy, Boy

  U just keep kickin….not real sure what u mean. were just simple folks up here in the hills and by the way top 200 5 years running top 30 last few.

  To the rest, I’m done watching this train wreck……See you in Vegas!!!!!

  Thanks for your time
  Cary Devitt

• Guest2 and Guest3, since you seem to know the letter of the law and the FDD…I seek your opinion on the following: My Non-compliance letters from Matco stated that(in part) to remain in compliance the following Upgrades Required:

  1. as of (date) your YTD Purchase average of xxxx is xx%of the national average. Question what does your contract state about the 80% purchase average? Contract to date, YTD, MTD or Week to date? DO I have to be in compiance weekly, monthly or YTD?

  2. Restriction on Sales- You may not sell any products, tools, equip….which are competitive….except traded in…without Matco’s prior written consent. they continue to state that I was xx% below the values stated in the 2010 FDD.

  Question: I was never provided a 2010 FDD (i operated under a UFOC/contract signed 10yrs earlier), should I have to abide by those rules?

  3. Certificate of Insurance – failure to provide a business insurance liability policy of $2,000,000.

  Question: my contract that I signed only required $1,000,000 of liability, which I have. I was NEVER informed of any change during the last 10 yrs, Should I have to comply?

  Just curios what you think here.

• Hello,

  MATCO Tools number 1 franchise. MATCO Tools #1, MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1, MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1, MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1, MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1

  [Approximately 250 repetitions of “MATCO Tools #1” deleted. This commenter is placed on moderated status for trying to disrupt the conversation. ADMIN]

• MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1 MATCOTOOLS#1
  [Approximately 400 repetitions of “MATCOTOOLS#1” deleted. This commenter is placed on moderated status for trying to disrupt the conversation. ADMIN]

• Well former distributor I guess based upon your name…it’s really insignificant at this point what we think unless you are anticipating the future

• Guest3, your maturity is showing.

  My name is based on litigation issues.

  Questions too tough?

  Should we talk about free giveaway Chinese TV’s instead?

• No, but are you former are still a distributor?

• I’ll play your game, you answer the questions above, and I’ll answer yours.

• Hmmm…looks like Admin didn’t like me posting MATCO Tools #1, you can erase stuff that is positive so only negative shows up.

• I’m not participating on this forum for my benefit, I’m hoping to save a young child’s life from further undue pain created by a malicious corporation and its officers.

• This is how you do it…

  Matco Tools #1 …. In failed distributorships.

• Well then I would recommend to anyone that is looking into any business that they do their due dillegance and research. Look at the positive and the negatives and make a sound decision. There are no garantee’s, owning your own business is a risk, any business not just the tool business.
  If you were up for renewal that means at least 10 years in the business, you know that it’s not the van, its the man in the van. The first couple years you need brand recognition, after that if you have the personality and your customers like you it really doesn’t matter whats on the side of your truck.
  You choose not to utilize giveaways, I do. I want 60-70% of the business in my market area, most are satisfied with less…not me. I seperate myself from my competitors, I don’t do the same or less.

• Disagree with #1 in failed, Debbie even disagrees with that. She sent a friend of mine a response that she did not want to go to Cornwell because they have a higher failure rate than MATCO. In 1999 MAC had 2,000 distributors, now its less than 500. Cornwell has less than 500 distributors too, Snap on has 3,500 but they only give their distributors 200 potential customers instead of 325.

• MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1
  MATCO MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 Tools #1 MAMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 TCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 #1 MATCO ToolMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 s #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO ToolsMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1

• Your right, they probably aren’t #1 in failed. But then again what are we comparing to. Mac lost a lot, but only because the did away with the ’employee’ plan. My district gained 3 that came from Mac in that year. That same year we gained 2 ex-snapon.

  Cornwell was always low on numbers. I don’t think Cornwell or Mac could survive losing 500+ in two years.

  One of the most bogus parts of the Matco agreement, and probably Snapon’s too, is the ‘potential customer’ list of calls. Who gets to decide that number? The Franchiser does. Yes, the franchisee accepts it, but most under the premise that ‘they wouldn’t want me to fail, their my “business partner”. “My District Manager will help every step of the way.” “They wouldn’t want me to fail, it would hurt both of us.”

  I forget what year it was, “Buy it from Matco”. They admitted they know everyone buys outside, and they wanted more of that market share. I remember the MDAC meeting when EVERYONE admitted to Matco they buy outside ( average around the room was $1000/wk). Matco, by legal contract should have TERMINATED EACH AND EVERYONE violating their agreement. That would be the morally correct thing to do. WHY? What about the distributors that DID play by the rules?

  When I started with Matco, it was the #1 choice of all franchise tool companies at that time. Times have changed, things got tough and Matco got greedy.

• Agree with got greedy, no doubt about it, I certainly dont agree with everything matco does, but i know too much about the other company and know that matco is the best.

  Franchisor (matco) decides potential customers. I drove my route prior to signing my original agreement, didn’t count customers but did go by the shops. I agree geographic area’s are better but that was long before me.

  I dont know what other guys do, don’t care, it’s my business and I do what need to, to survive. I stay well above the purchase average so I guess it’s insignificant to me.

• MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1
  MATCO MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 Tools #1 MAMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 TCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 #1 MATCO ToolMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 s #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO ToolsMATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1 MATCO Tools #1

• Wow Cary was right, all this site turned into was one big ass pity party! All I can say is if you’re looking for answers to why you are failing or have failed, it’s time to look in the mirror! I know I’ve certainly had to!!  You live and if you have the head for business, you LEARN.  It’s your business, it’s your life, take some ownership and do what needs to be done. As far as being “churned out”  I’ll take my chances because we all know matco would rather me default on THEIR note and lose money. Then do it again in a year and lose even more money. Yeah that sounds like a good way to do business! I guess you could say I’m into “churning” as well, churning my inventory!

• Former Dist
  Well out of the 1750 Mac distributors at their height only 625 were employees. Of those 400 or so left as they pushed employees out or to buy it in the first year. Thats right 400 terminations in one year. I too drove my list of calls and reviewed all documents before signing and knew what I was getting onto. You still have to treat this as YOUR business and those distributors that do that do fine.

• MATCO TOOLS #1 MATCO TOOLS#1
  MATCO TOOLS #1 MATCO TOOLS#1
  MATCOTOOLS #1 MATCO TOOLS #1MATCO TOOLS #1 MATCO TOOLS#1

  [Approximately 1000 repetitions of “MATCO TOOLS#1” deleted. This commenter is placed on moderated status for being disruptive. ADMIN]

• DELETING COMMENTS ON HERE WOULD BE TAKING AWAY MY 1ST AMMENDMENT RIGHT?????

• Debbie, so are u SBA financed?????? Just wondering due to your everlasting concern of the current lawsuit.

• I can’t wait for the train to roll into stow, with Jerry being the engineer and me being his side kick. Watch out stow, here we come. That train will be full of pissed off former distributors and district managers. If you think that snapon suit was huge, watch this one. Just so you will know, Debbie and I are the unofficial spokespeople for Jerry Marks.GO GET EM JERRY. Current distr who are happy, keep counting your inventory, cause we will be counting the money in our wallets and by the way keep Jerry in mind when you fail or matco kicks you to the curb. It’s coming.

• Guest2, It is my belief this is a privately owned website. YOU have no ‘rights’. We are ‘guests’ here and should act accordingly.

• This site is called UNHAPPY FRANCHISEE.COM for a reason. This site is for franchisees who areunhappy with their franchisor. If you are happy with matco, you dont need to be on this site. We are here to blast matco for the way we were treated as a franchisee. This chat is going to be brutal against matco. The way they do business is deceitful and illegal. Why do you think a FEDERAL LAWSUIT has been filed? If you are a current distr, just keep this site in mind, because it won’t be long before you need us.Thats what we are trying to right a wrong. Keep posting, STAND TALL, BE PROUD AND BE LOUD, GO GET EM JERRY.

• Lawyers like Jerry are for Crooks and Crybabies! I should sue this sight my 1st ammendment rights were violated!

• Guest17, it seems you may be directing your comments to me, maybe not. Its seems many may not understand where I’m coming from on this…. I am NOT a failed distributor, I am still in business, and doing better on my own than I was with Matco.

  I signed the ‘intent’ to renew with Matco, Matco didn’t want me, The only comlpaint was I wasn’t 80 % of the Natl ave. I asked one question to my DM 6 months prior to termination, would Matco renew me if I made it to 79%, he said “NO”.

  I stopped buying IMMEDIATELY from Matco. Why would I continue to do business with them?

  Once the termination letters start comming – 90 days out, Matco added a few violations, that I felt were invalid, since I was never presented those documents.

  Matco was willing terminate me for something EVERY DIstributor does, buy outside. I know it, they know it.

  I wrote a letter to the president and others, reminding them that they are in violation of the contract as well, and had been for years. They should have Terminated me long ago. But they looked the other way (and I don’t know why).

  That is what I believe they are doing now, selectively picking who they want out. That is morally wrong in my opinion.

  I’m not complaining about the ‘list of calls’, I understood it, I dealt with it. I don’t need 325 bogus customers. All I need is 200 good customers, with jobs.

  The town I live in has an unemployment rate of 16%, I had dinner with a friend from Omaha, NE last night, they said Omaha’s unemployment rate is 5%. I just wonder how the distributor list of call look there?

  Again, not complaining…I cut expenses , trimmed down and I’m making it.

  My issue with Matco, as my PARTNER, you want to compare me to the national average. That simply is not fair. I really in my heart felt, Matco would consider the economic issues and continue to look the other way….You know….HELP A BROTHER OUT. Thats not in their DNA.

  Look in your contract… Mine states (in part) if you do not maintain purchases on a WEEKLY BASIS in an amount not less than 80% of the Natl’ Average. A lot of distributors would be out if everyone played by the same rules.

  I could go on and on about what is in the contracts and the violations on BOTH sides. I’m not a lawyer, but if you enforce the rules, shouldn’t that apply to everyone?

  I also know not everyone gets the same contract, there are distributors coming on board today, that are given large amounts of inventory to come to Matco, while others are spending their retirement funds to try a new business.

• Good morning!

  Oh geez, no answers to secret identities? names don’t matter – and it seems that insignificant nonsense is a thorn in your side…………..

  BTW no come back comments on my post either:

  as Matco distributors we are supposed to RECRUIT more pigeons………

  according to the propaganda poster in my truck………..
  “Because it’s a mobile franchise, I didn’t have to pay for employees, rent, or leasehold improvements”

  So, does that mean I can STOP paying TransWest my $1142.50 LEASE payment for my truck??? So, OK, we are not ‘calling’ it RENT – buy I STILL NEED TO MAKE A LEASE PAYMENT FOR MY MOBILE STORE.

  *Rent* for a store location, *Lease* for a truck/mobile store

  AND……while I’m at it – leasehold improvements??? Hell, I put tires on my truck, I’ve replaced the water pump, twice, I’ve changed the oil, replaced filters………..
  hmmmmmmmmmmm. sounds an awful lot like “leasehold improvements”
  you can argue those are all “maintenance” but, be it maintenance is in improvement :)

• Tommie,
  Jerry won a lawsuit against Snap On because of dealers like yourself, that is probably why MATCO(#1) didn’t help you.
  As an example, Tommie is now a Snap On guy in early 2000’s. Business is slow and he has a high weekly toolbill, lets say $35,000, he is on hold and cant service his customers. He calles his manager for help. Sure I will help he says we can roll that $35,000 over onto your Snap on note. So now Tommies snap on note is $100,000. Unfortunately he only has 20,000 in inventory. Over the course of 2 years, this happens to Tommie a couple more times and he now owes Snap On $200,000 and only has 20,000 in tools and 15,000 in AR on the street. Tommie is in a big jam. In steps Jerry who sues Snap On(#2 btw), wins the lawsuit, Tommie doesnt get money but doesnt have to pay Snap On either. Good for Tommie…..nope bad for Tommie! Because Tommie is a MATCO guy and MATCO doesnt do this, So now Tommie is out of business but he doesnt owe MATCO 200,000 either. He goes to Jerry. Jerry is going to go to court and say MATCO was wrong, but maybe Karma kicks Jerrys but and he gets the same judge who says, “hey MATCO did what you wanted Snap On to do, why you suing them.

• Debbie,
  You clearly like being a tool dealer. As I spoke before its the man in the van after a few years, not what it says on the side…in your case a woman.
  If I was you, because it appears you are getting letters that indicate your franchise is going to be terminated. I would call up Cornwell, talk to the manager. Tell him you are a MATCO distributor and you want to get out. Tell them you will convert to Cornwell if you get free inventory. After some negotiating they will do it. Then I would call your MATCO DM and tell him you will sign a voluntary leave if they waive the 15% restocking fee. Then that will cover your bill with MATCO, you wont owe them money, and you have a FREE inventory from Cornwell. As much as you drive me crazy with half your statements, it truly is the person driving the van after a few years, not what is on the side of your van. Hundreds probably thousamds of dealers on all sides have done this, and will continue to do it

• guest3 writes “I should sue this sight my 1st ammendment rights were violated!”

  You should sue your elementary school, your parents and every spelling & grammar teacher you had for violating your educational rights. ;)

• Debbs,

  Still waiting on all those promises that werent kept ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Or do you have to keep that quiet for Jerry and his pet Tommy boy. I really think your silence means you have nothing.

  Cary Devitt

• Cary boy, I thought you were done here? Seems you keep hanging around, yes I am Jerry’s boy and you are matco’s bitch. We are not going anywhere, we will do everything we can to put matco in it’s place.I am a spokesperson for Jerrys gang and lovin it.It won’t be long before you are needing him too, just keeps us in mind and we will help you too.I think everyone here has a case and it will be proven. Matco practices are deceitful.

• “I should sue this sight my 1st ammendment rights were violated!”

  guest3- You should sue your first grade teacher. Amendment, site. Then you should go after your parents for turning you into such a pussy.

• Guest, debs doesn’t like it when spelling and grammar are corrected

  [Guest3: Your comments are held for moderation no matter what name you use. Please post under a single Name. Thanks. ADMIN]

• Admin, thanks for doing a great job. Why are these people scared to use their names? They must work for matco.What do they have to hide, just tell it like it is, I am a posterboy for Jerrys Gang.We can help you too, even if you work for matco, come aboard. There is plenty room on this train, but it is filling up quick. Call jerry or e-mail him. GO GET EM JERRY

• Ha Ha ! The poser is busted, thank you ADMIN !

• Nope not busted tried to post a comment under guest 3 and it wad rejected

• At least I know who Jerry is now, hi Jerry :)

• Why don’t you post my truths, I didn’t post anything unfactual this morning?

  [Guest3: Because you tried to disrupt the conversation by pasting the same phrase 500+ times, your comments now must be reviewed and approved manually. That can take a few minutes or a few hours, depending on when someone’s online to do it. The easier option would have been to ban you. Be a constructive contributor to the debate and we’ll eventually lift the restriction, as it’s a pain in the neck for us too.

  To all: the goal of this site is to give both sides of every debate an opportunity to present their viewpoints and arguments so prospective franchisees / distributors can make their own, informed decisions. Besides the commenters, there are many thousands of individuals reading this discussion who are eager for real info and mature viewpoints. Personal attacks & bickering are not only tedious, but are self-defeating and ultimately weaken your viewpoint. As much as possible, please attack the argument, not the arguer.

  Thanks for a lively discussion and one of the fastest-growing comment threads we’ve had recently on UnhappyFranchisee.com. ADMIN]

• From Tommy
  “Why are these people scared to use their names? They must work for matco”

  Wasn’t that same question posted to the “guest” that is posting on your side?

• @Guest 3 – thank you, I DO enjoy being a tool distributor :)

  @Cary – absolutely! my silence does mean ‘nothing’ – sorry, there is simply nothing to be read into it – you’re just being a bully and it won’t work.

  I’m a mom and these childish antics are just sad coming from grown men.
  “mommy mommy he won’t tell me his name, mommy mommy she won’t answer me”

  488 comments!

• For you old guys. Right or wrong things were better when Eric Mulinmiester (sp) was with matco? Once he left things started to slide downhill.

• Guest3, you recommendations to Debbie are misleading. Your suggesting that Matco bend the rules for her, but not for me. Why? that’s not fair.

  You wouldn’t give me recommendations on my situation. I don’t understand why you won’t recommend solutions to allow these good people to stay with a #1 Tool Company like Matco.

  Should Matco attempt to impose rules on me that I did not see or agree to? Should Matco only enforce the rules on a select few people?

• Tommy Boy

  Such language, well i see the “admin” is kicking off all of the people who post opposition so i will be on my merry tool sellin way. Have fun on your train wreck with jerry.

  Debbs,

  I would appreciate it if you would take my name off the side of your truck, you disgust me, go see what its like as an independant.

  Cary Devitt

• I agree with a DBR that wondered way our entire “worth” as distributors to Matco is based on purchase average and in our franchise agreement they want us at 80% of the national average. That means some of us have to be at the top end of the curve and some of us HAVE TO BE at the low end of the curve. That’s just how averages work. It’s inherent that there will be a fairly large number of distributors that will be under the 80% mark which means, according to the franchise agreement, these are the revolving door distributors which Matco can release at any time. There is no way there cannot be a large number of distributors under the 80% mark. To me that makes no sense whatsoever. They say you need to be at 80% and higher but if everyone was at or above 80% then the purchase average would be higher and you’d still be under 80%. It’s a no win situation for a lot of distributors just by virtue of the law of averages.

• @Cary – why would i have ‘your’ name on the side of MY truck?

• MDAC for years suggested that 80% average should at least be on a regional basis, if not at a district level. Would at least level the playing field a bit.

  You also have to call on 80% of you customers weekly and 100% monthly.
  40% of my list of calls are out of business. So what do I do? Asked Matco to re-survey my route to allow me to do so. I asked for over 5 years. Nothing.

  According to the contract, they only have to provide initial training and periodic meetings. nothing more.

• Eric was the man, from what I have been told. What a shame to get rid of him, just like the rest of us, matco has a high turn-around for a reason. What seems to be an average time for a distr? It seems to be around 2-4 years,why?That train is going to derail, right into 4403 Allen Rd. Come aboard guys and gals, lets enjoy the ride, maybe we should protest the next tool convention,what do you guys think?