Matco and Snap-on

danc30 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 06:20 PM

Not sure if this belongs here or not. Mods please move if necessary.

I am looking at purchasing a Matco or Snap-on truck tool franchise. Anyone here a current or former franchisee with any input?

Looking for any info from the vast knowledge base here before I jump.....

Dan

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc30

Not sure if this belongs here or not. Mods please move if necessary.

I am looking at purchasing a Matco or Snap-on truck tool franchise. Anyone here a current or former franchisee with any input?

Looking for any info from the vast knowledge base here before I jump.....

Dan

Uhhh, didn't we just have a horror-story thread about Snap-On tools and a guy going broke?

kanuck · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 05:07 AM

If you care to contact me I have sold both.
thanks Dean
603-942-5633

Racerkb · #4 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 01:21 AM

I am also looking very hard at a snapon tool franchise! I would love it if you could give me some information! I am pretty young (20) and still live at home so Im not sure if I would be able to qualify but I have good credit and about 30,000 saved up. I am a ford technician right now but am in love with the tool trucks and have been seriously studying the snapon franchise and looking for people with experience!

Jerry Clayton · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 10:17 AM

I think the tool trucks are just one of thousands of lvictums after the big gov bailout---there aren't any cars in the dealers shops, whole dealerships are gone, mechanics gone by the thousands---used tools on e-bay

just check e bay for snap on torque wrenches for an example---or pawn shops

vanoochka · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc30

Not sure if this belongs here or not. Mods please move if necessary.

I am looking at purchasing a Matco or Snap-on truck tool franchise. Anyone here a current or former franchisee with any input?

Looking for any info from the vast knowledge base here before I jump.....

Dan

Snap-On tools are for fools

flapjack · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 11:08 AM

Hi,
In the Boston area, Snap On's reputation for good service has taken a nose dive and I don't see it coming back. I personally know of a dealer who committed suicide over his debt.Also an old high school buddy who had what appeared to be a decent route in Boston could'nt make a dime and walked away from it. I've met two new dealers in the last year that strike me as being good guys but I just can't bring myself to purchase anything from them. Who knows if they will be in business 6 mos from now. We had a dealer who was a real crook in the Brookline, Mass. area who Snap On could'nt shut down because he owned the route. He got his though, after stealing some tools off of my pals tool box (which my pal witnessed) he left the dealership to find both of his trucks front tires slashed. Ha ha. Mac and Matco get my money . I do believe that Mac offers a better tool, especially their screwdrivers and sockets.

Good Luck
Flapjack

Cashburn · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 01:46 PM

Just watch out for tool jail.

Michael C Henry · #9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 07:46 PM

I've sent email several times to Mac Tools and no reply. I have a set of Mac Tools 1/2" drive crows feet 1 11/16" through 1 1/2". I bought them 30 years ago. I can't find anything like them now. They have been invaluable to me in my carreer. But the lack of response gives me cause to doubt they will not be around much longer Mac Tools that is.

ROBERT GWALTNEY · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 08:17 PM

If more people would stand their ground and by tools and other stuff that are MADE IN U.S.A. and not that cheap junk made in china just maybe companies that sell QUAILITY PRODUCTS could stay in business. Think about it how long dose a cheap tool from china last, Buy AMERICAN MADE and you can leave it for your grandchildren..

elmariachi · #11 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT GWALTNEY

If more people would stand their ground and by tools and other stuff that are MADE IN U.S.A. and not that cheap junk made in china just maybe companies that sell QUAILITY PRODUCTS could stay in business. Think about it how long dose a cheap tool from china last, Buy AMERICAN MADE and you can leave it for your grandchildren..

Let's see, I can leave my kids $30k in Snap-On tools, or $27.5K in cash and a set of Craftsman tools with a lifetime warranty? I'll take the latter. Snap-On and Mac, while maybe made in the USA, are insultingly overpriced. Both companies had better find a way to diversify because Joe The Mechanic who has made them what they are is either already out of business or too cash-strapped to buy their tools.

EDIT>> Both Matco (Danaher) and Snap-On have annual reports and 10K filings available for download. Both document their future plans for their franchise businesses as well as the overall health of the company. I would research both in depth before taking the plunge.

Jerry Clayton · #12 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 09:16 AM

Something that you tool shoppers don't realize is that the reason that Snapon/Mac etc do well with the professional mechanics is that they come to where they work and they have the tools they need. If every time a mech needed a tool and had to go to the mall or hardware stores searching for it he would have more time/money/ involved than getting what he needed off the truck. Also, the proper tool for the job is available with the arrival of new auto technology, doesn't require waiting years or inprovising with vicegrips and a prybar---

While being INSULTINGLY overpriced, well you get what you pay for

Example of Sears---this weekend I neede a 1" crowsfoot for a tubing nut---Sears has a SET that goes to 1" but doesn't sell them separately---around $80 for the set--verus aprox $20 for the one I need from a truck--who's overpriced????

ROBERT GWALTNEY · #13 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 09:46 AM

I needed a certain size hex socket and went straight to Sears just to be told that size is not available and try Northern Tool or Harbour Freight which neither carried the size I need. But the insultingly overpriced snap-on tool company has it in stock. So I paid three times more than I should of but I have the tool that I need. I ordered it on line so it should of been cheaper than the hand delivered service that raises the cost. Maybe if these three tool companes could sell from stories like Craftsman tools they could be more competitive. Or how bout this Snap-on tools at your local Target store, Just a thought, But I'm with you I'll take the $27.5 and a set of Craftsmans only because I'm not a professional mech

Cobrabill · #14 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 09:50 AM

Anyone who gets INTO the tool selling business in this economy needs to be institutionalized.

Jerry Clayton · #15 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 10:46 AM

Cobra Bill

I agree---

mpanten · #16 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT GWALTNEY

If more people would stand their ground and by tools and other stuff that are MADE IN U.S.A. and not that cheap junk made in china just maybe companies that sell QUAILITY PRODUCTS could stay in business. Think about it how long dose a cheap tool from china last, Buy AMERICAN MADE and you can leave it for your grandchildren..

Im with robert on this one, the problem is often finding the specality tools for a particular project.

Buying American is often more difficult than I realized, Last week I was in the market for a new set of Kitchen knives. I decided that I wanted to a good set of american made knives that would last a long time. I could not find one set in the store. The only set I could find anywhere was the cutco brand, if you think snap on is overpriced go try and buy a set of knives from cutco.

dcdoug · #17 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpanten

Buying American is often more difficult than I realized, Last week I was in the market for a new set of Kitchen knives. I decided that I wanted to a good set of american made knives that would last a long time. I could not find one set in the store. The only set I could find anywhere was the cutco brand, if you think snap on is overpriced go try and buy a set of knives from cutco.

German or Japanese is probably the right way to go for good quality, long-lasting kitchen knives these days....

mpanten · #18 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

German or Japanese is probably the right way to go for good quality, long-lasting kitchen knives these days....

Ginsu's look pretty impressive, If they can cut through a shoe they should be right at home with my cooking

poboy427 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 10:53 PM

I had a close friend with a Matco franchise. The tools were easy to sell but collecting each month was a big issue. In my area there was alot of deadbeats buying the tools on time, loosing their job for whatever reason and then dumping the near new tools to pawn shop to get money for dope or to go to the casino to get rich quick and pay the bills. In this economy with dealership mechanics earning alot less than union scale I would think twice.

I have another buddy with a Little Debbies cupcake franchise and junk food business is booming. Who would have thought?

-Ray