Major tool brand horror story

[ManicMechanic]

This is a long story, but I'll make short. About 5 years ago I bought a "major tool brand" toolbox from one of the many trustworthy guys that visit us mechanics in those large trucks. Needless to say, but after paying the box off I was informed by the tool manufacturer that about half of the payments that I made never reached the loan department of the "major tool brand" company. The tool dealer has quit his route and has dissapeared, so I am out $6000 or so. The tool company says "it is not our problem", so of course what I told them was to come get it and do not step foot into our shop again. Now I am working out of a 56" International Tools toolbox, which is nowhere close to giving me enough room to work out of. The box is crammed full of tools, I store tools in my truck, on my cart (safe huh), and at my home. And as all of you other mechanics know, it can be a real pain in the..... well you know. I am presently saving all the money that I can (which anyone with 4 kids and a wife know, it's pretty hard) buy the Montezuma 72" Elite. After reading many reviews, and reading all the specs that I could find on many "non major tool brand" toolboxes, I came to the conclusion that it fit all my needs. And of course I am not the only one that this tool dealer has done this too. As a matter of fact, I know about 7 other mechanics waiting for me to buy the Montezuma toolbox so that they can see it before they decide if they want to buy one too. When I get this box, I will give my review from the professional mechanics view. Not to say that anyone from this forum doesn't know quality is when they see it, of course you do. But I will compare it to the "Macs", "Snap-Ons", and the "Matcos" that I see everyday. I guess what I am trying to say is, if you do ever buy one of those toolboxes from one of those trucks, be carefull. And don't let your desires rob you of your common sense. Hopefully I will get this box soon to save my sanity, and to give my very own review.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Yet another reason why receipts to their authorized, payment agent are important.

 

[baugie]

Did you not get a receipt for the down payment?
Did you pay by check, if so, then you have the cashed check as proof of partial payment.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Usually paid with cash, and like a dumb a** I tossed receipts in the trash after a few weeks. Hind sight is 20/20 as they say, live and learn.

 

[sk farmer]

good luck, the guys from montezuma are top notch.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Don't know if it will do you much good but if the dealer did it to you, he likely did it to someone else as well. There may be others on that route with similar stories if you were of a mind to look for them.

 

[GTO]

Usually paid with cash, and like a dumb a** I tossed receipts in the trash after a few weeks. Hind sight is 20/20 as they say, live and learn.

 

[ManicMechanic]

There are about 8 or 9 other people who lost their toolbox on his route, but by luck my box was worth more than what was "owed" on it. So it wasn't a repo, they basicly bought it back from me so to say. Nowhere near what I am out of coures, but neverless it wasn't a repo. Sad to say, but I think most of the others were repossesed.
Hey, I found more pennies to put in the "toolbox jar"!!!!

 

[battmain]

I looked into franchising one of these routes. Even got approved. The one thing that turned me off was that I had to chase people for money. Guess what they paid with? I'd say at least 50% of the tools were sold using time payments, based on what I uncovered. I'm sure there will be someone that chimes in that has or had a successful route, but I didn't see that as a 'benefit' to a startup franchisee. Sorry to hear about the crooked dealer. Like you said, experience is a wonderful teacher.

 

[scooby074]

Too bad Manic. Crappy scuzball dealer. I had great dealers but always kept my receipts in my box just for this sort of thing. ***** that it happened to so many guys on his route. Has anyone considered a small claims action to recover what was pocketed by the scumbag?

 

[pjcforpres2020]

You would likely be talking more than small claims, that usually tops out at $5K max. I would sue the dealer, and get the other guys to join in. Even without a paper trail, enough guys having the same problem, you should be able to build a solid case.

 

[tatra]

find the fu^&er and slam his balls in the new zuma............

 

[ManicMechanic]

I talked to a lawyer and he told me in order to sue him, I have to know where he is. So far no luck finding him, but it has only been a month now. Kinda hard to keep up with slinging wrenches and kids while doing that. But I am trying. Also got to thinking about it, but why in the he11 did I buy that thing in the first place. Doesn't make a lot of sense to spend that kind of money, that could have been money for a car, or a decent down payment on a house. If I didn't know any better, I would think I was retarded

 

[bmwpower]

Post any/all info about him. Internet GJ crew will find him.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Wes Phillips is the name, and I think he lived in Southern Indiana. Not sure about the location though, didn't like him enough to consider long conversasions with him.

 

[bmwpower]

Wes Phillips is the name, and I think he lived in Southern Indiana. Not sure about the location though, didn't like him enough to consider long conversasions with him.

no phone number?

 

[pjcforpres2020]

Hope it is ok, but I posted about this on the darkside as well. I know there are some pretty active members in the Indiana area over there that might be able to help out finding this guy.

I would do my best, if I were you, to find out as much info on him as possible. Also, talk to some other lawyers. Many would be willing to help track down this guy if it means a pay day for them.

 

[global72]

The DM in that area must be a putz as well. When I was on a truck when someone got 3 weeks past on a national account my DM would email. 5 weeks past he was on the phone with me. 8 weeks he would contact customer. Past that we were picking up tools. So the DM must be useless in that area because they should have been getting reports showing he had people on his route 6k past due. If it happened to you it happened to others so probably a huge list of seriously past due. Well beyond the national average. That should have been cause for alarm for the DM.

Also go to your bank and do a credit check. The "Just turning it in" line is typically a bunch of BS. I would guess it looks like a defaulted loan at this point on your credit report.

 

[ZRX61]

I talked to a lawyer and he told me in order to sue him, I have to know where he is. So far no luck finding him, but it has only been a month now.

It's only been a month & people are already having their boxes repo'd????

 

[pjcforpres2020]

A month since it was repo'd. Many months of "no" payments to the corporate folk.

 

[scooby074]

What was the brand?

Did you try calling the company and see what they say? maybe they have some information on his whereabouts, especially if he owes them money as well. Likely nothing will come of it, but it couldnt hurt to try.

 

[krusty the clown]

is it just me or does this smell a little fishy..........robert g would never have gotten a tool box repoed.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Don't know who Robert G is, but anyways............. Lawyer located him earlier today somehow (jedi pimp powers I presume). Of course he denies any wrong doing. Lawyer is filing papers in a day or two, and maybe I will get my money back within my lifetime. But thanks for the input guys. Anyways, I'll be hoping to get my new montezume pretty soon. I actually feel like a kid waiting on Christmas now.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Don't know who Robert G is, but anyways............. Lawyer located him earlier today somehow (jedi pimp powers I presume). Of course he denies any wrong doing. Lawyer is filing papers in a day or two, and maybe I will get my money back within my lifetime. But thanks for the input guys. Anyways, I'll be hoping to get my new montezume pretty soon. I actually feel like a kid waiting on Christmas now.

Montezuma
Sorry, ran out of whiteout. Skool was closed today

 

[LGMechanical]

Well if this really did happen. You paid with cash. You have no reciept. You and the 8 or 9 guys who had their boxes repo'd should band together against him in court. Although someone did say this story sounds fishy, and I agree, f*cked up things do happen. Man, if I had this **** pulled on me I would drop kick the repo man for touching my tool box.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Well if this really did happen. You paid with cash. You have no reciept. You and the 8 or 9 guys who had their boxes repo'd should band together against him in court. Although someone did say this story sounds fishy, and I agree, f*cked up things do happen. Man, if I had this **** pulled on me I would drop kick the repo man for touching my tool box.

Wow, some people can be really cynical. And the purpose of making up a story like is? Hmmm, guess there isn't one. And as far as the others who had their boxes taken, I have no idea what their circumstances are. And for the record, my box was not "repossesed". I turned it back in to avoid any damage to my credit. I guess I will think twice before posting anything on here if this is the way some people are treated. For the few who were friendly, I thank you for your input and guidence.

 

[krusty the clown]

And for the record, my box was not "repossesed". I turned it back in to avoid any damage to my credit.

a voluntary repossesion will show up the same as a repo on your credit report.

 

[Stuey]

Wow, some people can be really cynical. And the purpose of making up a story like is? Hmmm, guess there isn't one. And as far as the others who had their boxes taken, I have no idea what their circumstances are. And for the record, my box was not "repossesed". I turned it back in to avoid any damage to my credit. I guess I will think twice before posting anything on here if this is the way some people are treated. For the few who were friendly, I thank you for your input and guidence.

Don't forget to take some pics of the Montezuma!

We all hope you get your $$ back.

As far as some thinking that your story sounded a bit suspicious, this forum has seen some odd deceptions before, and well, you're relatively new to the forum so your rep is less than concrete. It's hard to trust new members sometimes, especially given the lessons of past deception.

If your story is true, then hopefully others will benefit from your lessons. Always pay with a traceable source.

Besides that, why would you ever discard those receipts? What about taxes? If your toolbox cost you as much as a car, you would have to keep the receipts for tax purposes. And insurance purposes. And cases like this where the stuff hits the fan.

I hope you get the guy, and like I said, let's see some Montezuma pics soon! Please don't take offense that people are less than 100% trusting of your words, that's just how it's going to be at first.

 

[global72]

Don't forget to take some pics of the Montezuma!

We all hope you get your $$ back.

As far as some thinking that your story sounded a bit suspicious, this forum has seen some odd deceptions before, and well, you're relatively new to the forum so your rep is less than concrete. It's hard to trust new members sometimes, especially given the lessons of past deception.

If your story is true, then hopefully others will benefit from your lessons. Always pay with a traceable source.

Besides that, why would you ever discard those receipts? What about taxes? If your toolbox cost you as much as a car, you would have to keep the receipts for tax purposes. And insurance purposes. And cases like this where the stuff hits the fan.

I hope you get the guy, and like I said, let's see some Montezuma pics soon! Please don't take offense that people are less than 100% trusting of your words, that's just how it's going to be at first.

When I was a mobile dealer very few ever took there receipts. This always surprised me. They would just toss them in the trash next to my pc. Then at the end of the year I would pass out statements showing totals of purchases and payments etc.

 

[ManicMechanic]

Not fully understanding what benifit someone would get from making something like this up would be, but that's besides the point.
Global, that is a great idea, I never thought of that. Even though I did throw receipts away, I did however always get a year end statement for my taxes. Luckily I have all of those records going back 10 years. Thank you for curing my headache. I think I'll still let them keep the box and get my money back. I think I'll like the Montezuma better.

 

[Britwrench]

Don't know about your state taxes, but aren't tools able to be written off to federal tax?
If so you would have records.

 

[Stuey]

Don't know about your state taxes, but aren't tools able to be written off to federal tax?
If so you should have records.

Fixed!




.

 

[Snappy]

What brand was the box ?

 

[ManicMechanic]

What brand was the box ?

Matco, ok guys stop laughing

 

[autoace]

a voluntary repossesion will show up the same as a repo on your credit report.

I always get a monthly statement from Cornwell tech credit. I would know if the dealer skipped a payment.

If it was a truck account, not on your credit report, corporate would not have repo'd it, they would only hold the dealer responsible, because he legally owed them, not you.

 

[Verde]

The part I don't understand here is why the company, Matco, is not standing by their customer and also prosecuting their franchisee. It seems to me that that should be the action here - Matco making things right with their customers. Even if the customers are indirect, they authorized the dealer/franchisee and thus have implicit responsibility to ensure their good name going forward.
So the web is your friend. Ask them clearly to step up. Ask them to return the box, and fill it with tools to cover your inconvenience and ensure their good name. If they don't, make sure this story spreads. With names, dates, (in)action and dollar amounts. You should not have to shoulder the burden to set things straight. Even eBay prosecutes bad dealers.

 

[fatboy99]

There was a Matco dealer in Fort Wayne pulled this a former co worker of mine was met by the DR one day saying they were there to repo his box he showed them all his recipts showing he had paid it off in full he had sue the dealer the guy fed the judge some BS story and the judge threw the book at him and said he had to pay Matco or face jail time i Have not talked to the former coworker to see how it turned out the last i knew he still had the box

 

[bry@n]

Wow, sure am glad I got my box on a truck acount. I also only pay with my cc. This way I have statements to prove I paid. That *****.

Hope it works out for ya. If not, I would not let the guy personally get away with it.

 

[PistolWhip]

I hope you can get your money back bro, that's a real bummer. There's nothing worse than getting ripped off without knowing it and then finding out when its too late to get closure. It really makes you feel helpless.
I know you have your heart set on the Montezuma box, but if your open to shopping around at all, check out Ranger Products. The link in my sig has a review of mine and a few links to their site and product lists.

 

[keykeeper]

I'd sue not only the guy that ran the truck, but join the main company as a defendant also. Then, go for punitive damages for the companies failure to know what the dealer was doing. In most states, a rep of a company is viewed AS the company, whether an independent franchisee/dealer/rep/etc. I think they call it constructive liability. Basically, the main company should have known what the dealer was doing by the volume of tools he ordered, and the lack of payment for that volume from him.