How much longer can Matco keep up the charade

[NinnyCTSV]

Recently discovered that my husky 72tooth ratchet has the same internals as a $200 88 tooth ratchet, with the only difference being the tooth count. Seeing as Matco now sells nothing but Taiwan tools, what’s to stop people from just heading down to the local hardware store and picking up the exact same tool for a fraction the price and just gradually driving Matco out of business?

 

[Fedwrench]

Most of Matco's ratchets are USA made. They do sell a lot of stuff made by Kabo but, not everything on a Matco truck is made in Taiwan.

The floating pawl ratchet design is shared across several brands from Gearwrench, Armstrong Maxx, Craftsman, Carlyle 90 tooth, and others too include MATCO.

Your Husky was probably made in China (not Taiwan) in a Sata plant where many Gearwrench items are made.

I don't think Matco is trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Most people realize that they only make tool boxes, everything else is made for them by someone else.

 

[WhataTool]

Do you think there are guys with Google shirts on manufacturing Google phones as well?

 

[shawndp]

I had a bit of a chat with my Matco dealer about ADV and Sunnex being similar. And when my Eighty8 ratchet failed, it was surprisingly similar to how my Gearwrench did. Yes, the Matco is American where the GW is from Taiwan, but to me they are both imports, so that's really not something I lose sleep over. The last great value left in Matco for me is service - my dealer is extremely knowledgeable and decent, so I would pay the premium for that. This is why I spend 5x more at Snap-On than I do at Matco. I suppose if I had a mediocre dealer, I wouldn't even go near the truck.

 

[unslow1]

Recently discovered that my husky 72tooth ratchet has the same internals as a $200 88 tooth ratchet, with the only difference being the tooth count. Seeing as Matco now sells nothing but Taiwan tools, what’s to stop people from just heading down to the local hardware store and picking up the exact same tool for a fraction the price and just gradually driving Matco out of business?

If this actually surprised you you need to read the tool equivalents thread at the top of the page. It's not just Matco.

 

[Parrothead]

Your Husky was probably made in China (not Taiwan) in a Sata plant where many Gearwrench items are made.

If it’s a new Husky 72t, probably, but if it’s an older 72t they were made in Taiwan.

I actually picked up one of the last 72t Taiwan ratchets as the Chinese versions were becoming available. Truth be told there was no visible difference. I bought the Taiwanese version anyway.

 

[Parrothead]

The fact that the truck model exists at all today baffles me. In this day and age it seems more and more like a dinosaur roaming the earth. With the internet and parts store delivery (including tools) I just don’t get it. To each their own.

 

[toolman9w]

https://redirect.viglink.com/?forma...ournal Board&txt=https://youtu.be/z8JDiNjz-_E

 

[toolman9w]

Illinois is where the 88 are made. 100% made in America.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I agree with the OP.

Granted, I'm not working in a shop and I'm just a guy in his garage.

But I walked on a Mac truck the other day and I saw plenty of Vim that was five times the price, a 3-piece plier set made in China for $145, and a lot of Facom stuff that was again three times the price for what I could buy it on the internet. If it was a little bit more I could understand the convenience but that much markup is insane to me.

Also, I've dealt with the warranty on stuff with corporate Mac, Matco, and Snap on. Snap-on is a breeze but both Mac and Matco treat you like a freaking Criminal with 20 questions and they are still hesitant and in some cases just say no. I warrantied slides on a Matco cart and they would only give me three instead of 5 because they said they are expensive. Kind of chickenshit for a $2,500 cart that was 6 years old.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

The fact that the truck model exists at all today baffles me. In this day and age it seems more and more like a dinosaur roaming the earth. With the internet and parts store delivery (including tools) I just don’t get it. To each their own.

Agreed. And with every new generation of kids growing up using the internet I can't imagine the tool truck is going to get bigger and better. There's also a lot of guys on here that use the tool truck and state that if they order a part or a tool that get it next week. Amazon Prime is 2 day and a lot of eBay is priority mail. Usually faster than the truck. I understand the truck does stock items that you can get right this second but not everything. Once again to each their own.

 

[B_Bimmer]

The current matco 88 is a very high quality tool and superior to all similar models in my experience. I don't think matco has had much to offer beyond that and boxes for a very long time. Most of their line is glorified gearwrench. To the casual observer even there is not much special.

 

[uncwstudent]

I agree with the OP.

Granted, I'm not working in a shop and I'm just a guy in his garage.

But I walked on a Mac truck the other day and I saw plenty of Vim that was five times the price, a 3-piece plier set made in China for $145, and a lot of Facom stuff that was again three times the price for what I could buy it on the internet. If it was a little bit more I could understand the convenience but that much markup is insane to me.

Also, I've dealt with the warranty on stuff with corporate Mac, Matco, and Snap on. Snap-on is a breeze but both Mac and Matco treat you like a freaking Criminal with 20 questions and they are still hesitant and in some cases just say no. I warrantied slides on a Matco cart and they would only give me three instead of 5 because they said they are expensive. Kind of chickenshit for a $2,500 cart that was 6 years old.

I had the same issues with MAC customer service. My girlfriend bought me a Mac Axis 3/8" flex head ratchet that I ultimately was not happy with for the exorbitant price (and it skipped a tooth). I had to call MAC three separate times before I could get a return authorization and get it sent back and it took weeks.

I've called Snap On customer service and had no issues at all.

I don't have a truck so all of these brands are less appealing to me but it seems as if someone who is willing to pay full retail for a ratchet could get a little better customer service.

Basically at this point, I've sworn off MAC and would never buy Matco new (overpriced and made in Taiwan). Snap On and SK however....

 

[Alpine4x4]

The fact that the truck model exists at all today baffles me. In this day and age it seems more and more like a dinosaur roaming the earth. With the internet and parts store delivery (including tools) I just don’t get it. To each their own.

My Snap On truck driver cuts me a much better deal on some items than I can get anywhere. Ebay is inflated and Snap On website is MSRP. It is a dying model just like brick and mortar stores though. I usually shop online or in the catalog and find stuff I need then buy through my dealer.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Agreed. And with every new generation of kids growing up using the internet I can't imagine the tool truck is going to get bigger and better. There's also a lot of guys on here that use the tool truck and state that if they order a part or a tool that get it next week. Amazon Prime is 2 day and a lot of eBay is priority mail. Usually faster than the truck. I understand the truck does stock items that you can get right this second but not everything. Once again to each their own.

Impulse control is a big part of the tool truck game.

I've worked with enough guys that bought a tool first week at the shop, and now everytime they walk on the truck to make a payment they walk off with another tool. They almost never special order anything.

When I was in the truck shop we had company laptops, and I'd just order what I needed from Amazon, eBay or Cripe during my lunch. Now I can just do it over my phone.

 

[joel63]

https://redirect.viglink.com/?forma...ournal Board&txt=https://youtu.be/z8JDiNjz-_E

Those Matco tools look like they are nicely made.

I didn't see workers from abroad working there.

Something to consider when one needs a Matco tool.

 

[jakemac]

How much longer can Matco keep up the charade

'Til the kool-aid runs out.

 

[xin]

The fact that the truck model exists at all today baffles me. In this day and age it seems more and more like a dinosaur roaming the earth. With the internet and parts store delivery (including tools) I just don’t get it. To each their own.

When someone needs something right now 2 days or waiting longer on a tool that is lifetime warranty.

Sales without service is pretty useless, the 'internet' approach only goes so far. Coming to your workplace and taking care of broken tools (without one running all over town) or trying to find a box to send something back.

Without 'servicing' what you sell it is like a business without a 'landmark' out front here today - gone tomorrow.

 

[shawndp]

Those Matco tools look like they are nicely made.

I didn't see workers from abroad working there.

Something to consider when one needs a Matco tool.

Forgive the question, but what am I considering? The good folks in the ROC making nice but overpriced tools? Calling Matco a tool company is not that different from calling Taiwan China.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Tool trucks aren’t going anywhere. There’s a world out there outside of the diy harbor freight crowd

Most techs don’t bother buying from the internet. I hardly ever did.

 

[Parrothead]

When someone needs something right now 2 days or waiting longer on a tool that is lifetime warranty.

Sales without service is pretty useless, the 'internet' approach only goes so far. Coming to your workplace and taking care of broken tools (without one running all over town) or trying to find a box to send something back.

Without 'servicing' what you sell it is like a business without a 'landmark' out front here today - gone tomorrow.

Okay, how often does the truck show up at your place of business? Daily? If it’s less than that...you’re still waiting. Additionally you’re not mentioning Napa that often delivers parts daily to the shop, also sells tools. Need a ratchet? Throw it on the van.

Bought Tekton online? Take a pic, email them and a new item is on the way.

 

[CR888]

Most of my best tools transactions have been through the internet. Mind you they have been from a tool truck owner who lists a bunch of stuff from his distributor every two months with a starting bid price of $0-. I'm talking top quality Stahlwille, Belzer (NOS), MAC, & many other quality brands. You can't get these deals every day but I wait and have done well out of it. I thinks tool trucks will be relevant for sometime but competing with the internet will eventually be there demise.

 

[Yarpo]

When someone needs something right now 2 days or waiting longer on a tool that is lifetime warranty.

Sales without service is pretty useless, the 'internet' approach only goes so far. Coming to your workplace and taking care of broken tools (without one running all over town) or trying to find a box to send something back.

Without 'servicing' what you sell it is like a business without a 'landmark' out front here today - gone tomorrow.

Yah I don't know about that, does everyones truck come daily? Or once a week? If daily thats great, you can get it replaced tomorrow. If weekly you're coming in considerably behind just about everything you can do online or local

 

[xin]

Okay, how often does the truck show up at your place of business? Daily? If it’s less than that...you’re still waiting. Additionally you’re not mentioning Napa that often delivers parts daily to the shop, also sells tools. Need a ratchet? Throw it on the van.

Bought Tekton online? Take a pic, email them and a new item is on the way.

Pick up phone and call them - if they are needed after they have already made their run that week. Never had any problems from Snap-On/Matco or MAC.

Was told a LONG time ago if you are using the tools buy good ones and be done. The worst thing is messing around with 'online' retailers with no person to interact with.

Tool trucks are not going anywhere - no way would I waste my time trying to take pics of something then chasing down who/what/where to contact.

Unless one has worked in a shop they don't know HOW great it is to have the tool truck come by. My TIME is worth more than this other non-sense.

The world is not going to some online magical existence with no customer interfacing.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Okay, how often does the truck show up at your place of business? Daily? If it’s less than that...you’re still waiting. Additionally you’re not mentioning Napa that often delivers parts daily to the shop, also sells tools. Need a ratchet? Throw it on the van.

Bought Tekton online? Take a pic, email them and a new item is on the way.

Our drivers were always a phone call away. I’ve even had drivers meet other drivers in the middle of the day to get me something I need NOW

And Napa can be a fricking joke. None of our Napa’s cared about selling tools at all. I tried repeatedly to have caryle stuff delivered and it never showed up. Never mind warranty service.

 

[KnurledNut]

what’s to stop people from just heading down to the local hardware store and picking up the exact same tool for a fraction the price and just gradually driving Matco out of business?

The hardware store doesnt come to your shop.

 

[xin]

Matco guy always came by on-time and never had any issues. Their screwdrivers are excellent along with other tools they have. I like their ratchets really better than Snap-On myself, got some of their air-tools as well.

Since Sears is gone if anything gives the tool trucks more business.

 

[gte718p]

Pick up phone and call them - if they are needed after they have already made their run that week. Never had any problems from Snap-On/Matco or MAC.

Was told a LONG time ago if you are using the tools buy good ones and be done. The worst thing is messing around with 'online' retailers with no person to interact with.

Tool trucks are not going anywhere - no way would I waste my time trying to take pics of something then chasing down who/what/where to contact.

Unless one has worked in a shop they don't know HOW great it is to have the tool truck come by. My TIME is worth more than this other non-sense.

The world is not going to some online magical existence with no customer interfacing.

To a certain degree I agree with you. However, my Snap-On toolbox or ratchet is not going to make me 5x the money that a Matco or Gearwrench one does.

I'm at a point in my life I can afford Snap-On stuff and I like it so I buy it. Some because it is good and some just because I'm a tool snob. Having that relationship with a dealer is nice. I've told the story of my industrial dealer getting me out of a very expensive situation here several times. However, the idea of advocating that it is worth while for a junior tech is just short of ridiculous in the modern world.

Buy two gear wrench wrenches. If one breaks, you have one to use while the other is in the mail. Invest the $100 dollar difference. You will come out ahead in the long run.

 

[jcbarry]

I think many of the people who think the tool truck is a dying breed don't work in a shop.

Yes a lot of Matco tools are re branded and yes the truck is more expensive than Amazon, Ebay etc. However my driver literally lives down the street from me and provides great customer service. Same goes for the Snap On guy. I've had them go out of the way to deliver me tools, even on weekends.

 

[Wamsutta]

Most of Matco's ratchets are USA made.

What was the name of the company that makes the ratchets? Somebody mentioned it awhile back but I didn't write it down.

 

[xin]

To a certain degree I agree with you. However, my Snap-On toolbox or ratchet is not going to make me 5x the money that a Matco or Gearwrench one does.

I'm at a point in my life I can afford Snap-On stuff and I like it so I buy it. Some because it is good and some just because I'm a tool snob. Having that relationship with a dealer is nice. I've told the story of my industrial dealer getting me out of a very expensive situation here several times. However, the idea of advocating that it is worth while for a junior tech is just short of ridiculous in the modern world.

Buy two gear wrench wrenches. If one breaks, you have one to use while the other is in the mail. Invest the $100 dollar difference. You will come out ahead in the long run.

Yet all of the same people will spend $900 for a cell phone and/or some big screen tv (don't have tv and no need for tv).

Along with spending $5 for energy drinks and who knows how much if they smoke and drink.

No one bats an eye on that stuff, but if it is a tool (katie bar the door) - batton the hatches it cost more money.

Even when I was younger bought quality tools, made in USA knew long ago it would pay for itself --- and it did.

No different than any other field of work, one has to have the right tool for the job. I am not going to buy duplicates in the event if one breaks, dealing with 'online' only - goes so far. Eventually you HAVE to talk to someone - then the nightmare of shipping stuff back. EPIC pain in the rear and if one lives in a RURAL area (even more PAIN in the rear). Cost one more TIME/MONEY driving to a place then having to pay for the shipping.

People have bought this lie that all jobs will be replaced by some automation, it is NOT going to happen. Sure there will be some things automated, but everything is not going to be 'online' without some sort of customer service. Same thing was said 100 years ago, all of these jobs will go away. There has to be someone to interface with an actual paying customer. And no Artificial Intelligence will not either. It breaks and requires a real human being, much less the amount of MONEY to maintain it, contracts with the vendor ect...

 

[plinker]

Something to consider, for a long time Gearwrench didnt have any locking flex ratchets, they were a Matco & Armstrong only thing. Even then Armstrong didnt have a regular or locking flex 9"-12" 1/4 drive ratchet or a 16" in 3/8 drive, let alone a 24" in 1/2 drive.

That said I have a Husky branded, Apex made ratchet that you wont find on a truck, a short handle flex head that is not much longer then a normal 3/8 ratchet. Kinda handy at times.

The Gearwrench locking flex's arent the same as Matco's either. Different lock parts and lock/yoke width. The kits seem to be interchangeable, but the Gearwrench kit I had put in a Matco ratchet tends to lock up at times. Still need to look into it.

Best advice is pick & choose what you buy and from where to get the best value. It's been said before the truck brands get different/special/unique stuff, but that does not mean you have to buy everything off the truck.

People say Matco doesnt make anything. Sears doesnt actually make anything either, so Whats the difference? Even Snap-on re-brands a certain amount. Big deal.

 

[Parrothead]

To a certain degree I agree with you. However, my Snap-On toolbox or ratchet is not going to make me 5x the money that a Matco or Gearwrench one does.

...However, the idea of advocating that it is worth while for a junior tech is just short of ridiculous in the modern world.

Buy two gear wrench wrenches. If one breaks, you have one to use while the other is in the mail. Invest the $100 dollar difference. You will come out ahead in the long run.

I think many of the people who think the tool truck is a dying breed don't work in a shop.

Yes a lot of Matco tools are re branded and yes the truck is more expensive than Amazon, Ebay etc. However my driver literally lives down the street from me and provides great customer service. Same goes for the Snap On guy. I've had them go out of the way to deliver me tools, even on weekends.

Just for giggles I decided to look up 3/8 ratchet on Amazon. I have Amazon Prime so 2 day shipping is free. However I want it tomorrow. While it wasn’t the first thing that came up, a very quick scroll brought me right to a JH Williams. Even with the next day shipping, I can have it delivered to my door tomorrow for $40. How much better does it get from that?

JH Williams B-52EHA 3/8-Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNX8LQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And looking that up on my app took less than two minutes (timed it for this reason) and it took longer to post this.

 

[redwrench60]

Before joining this site I had no idea non pros bought truck brands to any real extent. Having been a mechanic all my adult life and working in shops since high school I’ve enjoyed the service the pro brands provide. It’s hard to explain to people who don’t work in a high productivity repair shop every day. The focus is on the job at hand and not the repair, upkeep and replacement of the many tools used. Buying tools online is easy but service after the sale is more complicated. Also many brands don’t have the depth of product line the pro brands have. Sometimes it takes 10 different styles of the same size wrench to get it done.

 

[WhiffySpark]

And where are you going to warranty that?

 

[shanny19]

Easy credit is what keeps the trucks alive. Service, warranty, smiles from the driver, are all secondary.

Its yin and yang. Easy credit killed some industries. (Laundromats in the 90s. Why spend 22 a month at the coin laundry, when you can own your own machines for 20 a month forever). Easy credit keeps some industries alive (the Snap On Teller, I mean driver).

 

[Parrothead]

And where are you going to warranty that?

I would think you’d call Snap-on? I’m assuming as a professional you’d have more than one ratchet? If not you can have another for $40.

 

[jcbarry]

Just for giggles I decided to look up 3/8 ratchet on Amazon. I have Amazon Prime so 2 day shipping is free. However I want it tomorrow. While it wasn’t the first thing that came up, a very quick scroll brought me right to a JH Williams. Even with the next day shipping, I can have it delivered to my door tomorrow for $40. How much better does it get from that?



JH Williams B-52EHA 3/8-Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNX8LQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20



And looking that up on my app took less than two minutes (timed it for this reason) and it took longer to post this.

I do agree with you, quality tools can be found affordably online and shipped quickly. I also buy a fair amount from online retailers.

My point is that in spite of this, tool trucks still have a place.

If I called Amazon Saturday morning would they run over and bring me the vacuum coolant filler I need for a job?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Parrothead]

Easy credit is what keeps the trucks alive. Service, warranty, smiles from the driver, are all secondary.

Its yin and yang. Easy credit killed some industries. (Laundromats in the 90s. Why spend 22 a month at the coin laundry, when you can own your own machines for 20 a month forever). Easy credit keeps some industries alive (the Snap On Teller, I mean driver).

Yep! That’s pretty accurate. Someone posted the Snap-on quarterly report and it was surprising how much profit was based on finance.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I would think you’d call Snap-on? I’m assuming as a professional you’d have more than one ratchet? If not you can have another for $40.

Exactly. If I break something 9/10 it can be replaced within a couple hours. If you break your online ratchets you’re out at least a week.

And yeah I have probably a dozen 3/8 ratchets. But if I break my favorite ratchet and have to use a different you don’t want to be around me all day