My husband and I are thinking of starting a Matco tool truck. Looking on the web, we really cannot find any bad things about them but we would love to talk to people who have owned/own a franchise to see how they are doing and if the business is lucrative for them. This would be supporting our family and we want to get as much info as we can-good or bad! Thanks guys!

billgtp

Have you reiceved any info on your question yet. I have a matco franchise

mrscoltweaver

No, never did. We decided we didn't want to go into debt starting a new job. Thanks, though!

vwdieseljunkie

My first impression would be to ensure you have a clientele base available to support your decision. It's not so much the need for quality tools as it is the ability or desire of the customers to pay the $$$ for the tool's name.

We are hard-pressed to pay the (sometimes ridiculous) high prices for Matco, Snap-on, etc, tools. The few that we do buy are specialty tools that either no other name has, or the other similar, available tools are inferior. I have noticed the same trend at several shops in my area. It's not unheard of for some folks to drop over $10k for a basic mechanics stack chest, and not even stay in business long enough to pay it off.

Given that numerous "discount" hand tools come with a lifetime warranty these days, even Craftsman tools have started to wane in popularity due to inflated price to support a brand name.

Granted, you may be in a region where the mechanics are making enough beyond their overhead that they can justify that kind of spending, or that they are making so much they need to spend it for tax purposes. I'd still ask around your local shops and get a good idea of how many customers you could attain to support the move.

Will this be a store-front, or a "tool truck" business?

mrscoltweaver

D Junkie, that was my thoughts, too. Is a tool truck venture. With the state of economic crisis our country is in, I realize more people would fix what they have versus buy new BUT, can the mechanic afford the tools?? The franchise does come with it's designated route with a guaranteed number of shops but, who's to say they will stay in the shop once the purchase is made to pay for the tools and we are stuck holding the line of credit. How many times have we seen the truck pulling up in front and the mechanics racing out the back door cause they can't pay on the bill?? We decided we have enough debt without taking on more right now with the added headache of it being the primary income for our family. Thanks!

4 BRONCO

Hi billgtp,
I am seriously considering a Matco Franchise.Is the risk worth the reward? The costs they a telling me is $4,500.00 month and
you make 35% of your gross sales.How long did it take you to start making enough money to cover the truck and pay your own bills?
Any input you have will be a great help. Thanks

JackieHandunge

Would like to share this franchise opportunity which I came across -
Franchise Companies: Julie Ann's Gourmet Dessert Shops, Frozen Custard, Ice Cream, Dog House and Gourmet Coffee Franchise Opportunity Companies
should be a great business opportunity as they have over 23 years experience in franchising, offers support without all the usual franchise fees.

MrsToolGuy

My husband and I are also considering opening a franchise with Matco. Since your post, have you started the business?

Ericometer

From what I have seen, Matco Tools is a friendly company to its distributors. The home office will help you but of course it is a sales and collection business so success - or failure - is ultimately up to you. You can get a list of current and former franchised distributors from the UFOC for Matco. Start calling them. Did you get far enough in the process to get a UFOC?