Are Matco trucks stock getting thin in your area?

[tonydanzah]

I finally tracked down a Matco truck locally in hopes of buying some stuff and getting my 24in locking 1/2 flex head replaced. I walked onto the truck with my ratchet in hand and was immediately told I don't have that. I said fine, do you have a 3/8 impact swivel. No, sorry all those items are on back order from the plants consolidating. I said oh yeah wasn't there a flood or something also. Yes he replied, and I said didn't something happen with apex also? Yeah but that doesn't affect us... I then replied weird, i thought they made your hand tools and you only made boxes? Not trying to be a ****, was just curious if he would respond. Nothing, it got real quiet and you could hear a pin drop. I said ok do you mind if i look around, sure no problem. I then asked if he had a set of 1/4 locking extensions, I had been wanting to get a set for a while. He looking around in a few drawers and again nothing. So I took a business card and said thank you when do you think you will have those items? He said hopefully and the end of next month.

So is this common with matco trucks right now or did i get a busy dealer?

 

[48548]

I wonder how they stay in business.

 

[LB-1911]

"Next month"..............

warmpancakes warranty saga....

So Matco is backordered on all ratchets

10/13/15

Just spoke to customer service, I have a ratchet there for warranty, The got it Aug 18th, I was told it would ship Oct 12th due to backorder, Now that date is moved to Dec 14th. so 16 week backorder for a simple 3/8 ratchet, Im sure the "distributors" are loving this

3/2/16

Just got told March 31 for ship date on 3/8 ratchets

Matco got the ratchet 8-24-2015 so just over 7 months for warranty service if this "guess" is correct

 

[ADSR]

wow! that's lame.

 

[woody 73]

To tell you guys the truth I don't see many of the big tool trucks and Mac is in my back yard.

With the help of another GJ member and his good insight I bought an old Cornwell tool box and it needs new locks, even getting the Cornwell guy to help me is like pulling teeth (very old boxes make it hard as I understand it).

I don't see Matco but I am sure someone has my area covered.

 

[JJThrasher]

If you're not a tech at a regular stop he probably just doesn't care about you. Start spending some cash and things will change.

 

[ADSR]

If you're not a tech at a regular stop he probably just doesn't care about you. Start spending some cash and things will change.

Umm... hello? How could he spend money when there was nothing in stock?

 

[tonydanzah]

If you're not a tech at a regular stop he probably just doesn't care about you. Start spending some cash and things will change.

yeah i know how tool trucks work, that is why i tried buying an impact swivel and a set of 1/4 locking extensions

 

[chris142]

Same Matco guy thats been here for over 20 yrs but now he just zooms by never stopping. He is running illegal now since 1-1-16 due to the new diesel smog laws

 

[Pipe]

Ya I have my brother warranty anything I need. His shop sporatically gets a driver.

 

[Rioredsn8k]

Fortunately I have a really good Matco dealer with great service and a fully stocked truck!

 

[Wamsutta]

My Snap-on dealer is so loaded up with tools that he had an unpacked box full of ratchets sitting next to the drivers seat because there was no place else to put it. Must've been at least 50 FH80s in that box with rubber bands holding them together. It was a beautiful sight to see if I ever saw one.

 

[brandon523]

Our Matco guy comes by whenever he feels like it, which is why I don't buy much from him - that and the fact that the things he carries that I'm interested in, I can buy from the original manufacturer for far less. For example, the Hansen socket trays, he's selling for like $38/pc.

 

[FigureItOut]

I don't know if it would normally be expected, but my Matco guy had no torx plus sockets today, but then again neither did the SnapOn driver. I hunted down a Mac truck and got what I needed.

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[Fedwrench]

Although I've never seen supply issues with a tool truck brand, I've always found bare tool trucks to be an indication of the dealer having issues making his tool bill.

Just buy a Gearwrench ratchet. They're basically the same internally and what's four teeth between friends.

Beat feet down to Sears or shop online and buy the craftsman pinless 3/8 drive impact swivel. You might even save a few bucks on the same thing without the MATCO name.

For 1/4 inch drive locking extensions, I would recommend new stock SK, or PROTO. For locking impact extensions in 1/4 drive, seek out an Armstrong set.

The best tools don't always come off of a tool truck.

 

[Sycan]

Although I've never seen supply issues with a tool truck brand, I've always found bare tool trucks to be an indication of the dealer having issues making his tool bill.

Just buy a Gearwrench ratchet. They're basically the same internally and what's four teeth between friends.

Beat feet down to Sears or shop online and buy the craftsman pinless 3/8 drive impact swivel. You might even save a few bucks on the same thing without the MATCO name.

For 1/4 inch drive locking extensions, I would recommend new stock SK, or PROTO. For locking impact extensions in 1/4 drive, seek out an Armstrong set.

The best tools don't always come off of a tool truck.

That's a lot of messing around for something that should have been had in one visit to the truck that comes to the mechanic. Not to mention the ratchet he needed to exchange/repair.

The Snap On truck here is always stocked full with most anything I've ever needed.

 

[just a noob]

Only the ratchets

 

[Sugarfryz]

Matco ratchet shortage in my area too (Cleveland). My Matco guy is new, only had a truck for a couple months. He's been trying his best to fix our ratchets, but doesn't even have any to stock. I feel bad for the poor guy, I was talking to him. The company that makes them just up and moved plants, stopping production. And they did not create a surplus, so Matco threatened to drop them. They started 2 other shifts, and they are all new people. He said Matco received some ratchets, but they were horribly quality because they were made by new people so they were sent back. Like I said I fee bad for the Matco guy, lots of guys at our dealership won't go into the truck unless he fixes their ratchets. Most people have said don't go talk to them unless he'll fix it. I know he wants to, he's new and needs the business. I don't have any beef with him, I don't have any Matco rathets. I'm pretty sure I'm his only customer at our store. I think he's a good guy, prefer snap on tho.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I've seen our Matco guy twice in 2 years. One of those times was 2 weeks ago, very few ratchets and could not repair one I've been waiting on for. Had good promos on some wrenches though lol.....I'm not a big fan of Matco cause of the rebranding and paying Snap On prices for low to mid quality on most things.


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[eggs73]

I miss my matco tools man since I moved to a different shop, but we aren't too far away. [See him every 2 months] snap on comes once a month and do Cornwell about every week. All seem like they are loaded with tools, but I prefer matco, and vintage American tools.

 

[shockwave]

Those 1/2 locking ratchets my dealer cannot keep in stock and mostly 1/4 and 3/8 stuff is on back order now but he does keep the shallow and deep pinless impacts on a deal buy one get the other set free

 

[fras_auto]

Although I've never seen supply issues with a tool truck brand, I've always found bare tool trucks to be an indication of the dealer having issues making his tool bill.

Just buy a Gearwrench ratchet. They're basically the same internally and what's four teeth between friends.

Beat feet down to Sears or shop online and buy the craftsman pinless 3/8 drive impact swivel. You might even save a few bucks on the same thing without the MATCO name.

For 1/4 inch drive locking extensions, I would recommend new stock SK, or PROTO. For locking impact extensions in 1/4 drive, seek out an Armstrong set.

The best tools don't always come off of a tool truck.

Amen!!!

 

[99blaze]

I never had problem with my matco dealer. But he had a lot of stock. He's top ten matco dealer on the nation big truck tons of tools at his barn too. But I've since changed jobs and now only deal with snap on and mac. Not matco in my district

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[tonydanzah]

I havent been following any threads, are the ratchets back in stock?

 

[warmpancakes]

I havent been following any threads, are the ratchets back in stock?

Nope still "next month", i did get a refund for the first warranty i sent back in august just short of 10 months and they issued a cash refund