Mac Tools

[daddy2coull]

Over here in the UK, Mac Tools has just about died out. The dealers on the vans were selling cheap unbranded tools they'd bought in from tool fairs rather than genuine Mac Tools. I used to buy Mac Tools many years ago, but stopped due to the poor finish and the rubbish warranty. I soon swapped everything over to Snap On which is where my loyalty now lies.

Just wondered how Mac Tools were doing on their home turf??

Adam

 

[kiatech]

Sounds about right

 

[RCRGarage]

I saw a Mac truck 2 1/2 years ago, driving down the street by my shop. I called Mac, asked if they could send him over, they told me no one has that route. Never saw him again. Never saw another Mac truck again.

 

[Mike306]

Our MAC guy is pretty cool.

The US made stuff seems to be the best buy, and I quite like it, some of the cheaper stuff under the MAC brand isn't worth a punt at though, it can be nasty.

Our snap on guy is a complete c**t... so unfortunately I don't buy snap-on anymore, although what I do have is still going strong.

 

[ianguilly]

Our shop was suppose to get a mac guy, but my wallet belongs to snap on. My Girlfriends dad now he swears by mac.

 

[daddy2coull]

back in the day when we had a Mac dealer, he used to tell us that Mac was massive in America and that Snap On was more home/hobby stuff. Ironic really as the guy didn't last long.

 

[willhollin]

It's all part of the Stanley, Facom, Dewalt, Britool etc etc family now, so the dealers should have access to all the brands.

 

[daddy2coull]

the only thing he actually had on his van was either "Tona" or unbranded tools. I bought a few of the Tona tools on the understanding they also had a lifetime warranty, when one broke, guess what. they had no warranty. needless to say i stopped buying from him.

i'm kinda getting away from things now though, are Mac still going strong in America?

 

[Snapped-off]

My MAC dealer is a pretty good guy, but if you need warranty for anything, it takes weeks to months to come in.

I don't buy much off him because the warranty situation and the majority of the tools are rebranded or Taiwan.

 

[86k10]

I seen a Mac dealer once on the road a few months ago, besides that I haven't seen one in a couple of years. I had a few back in the day but my last one wasn't good at all and I was done with Mac after him. I don't see him at all around. I see Cornwell more than Mac.

 

[hickmlg09]

Haven't seen a Mac dealer around here for awhile. See Snap-on and Matco the most. I see a lot of Mac tools in the bis at the pawn shop thou when I go. That is about it.

 

[rusty65]

I also see alot of Mac tools at tool sales but very few matco and snap on for some reason.

 

[jvitez]

Mac is still pretty popular here. I see more Mac tool trucks than Snap-on. We have one independent tool truck, and no Matco, no Cornwell. There a few good bricks and mortar tool shops here too. I've been on a Mac tool truck a few times, but as a hobbyist I have no reason to pay premium prices for rebadged Taiwan stuff.

I see quite a few Mac roller cabinets in independent repair shops though.

 

[air]

I see MAC trucks quite often in Southern California. I'd say there are as many, if not more, MAC trucks than MATCO. Snap On is king out here though. I have never seen a Cornwell truck.

I have some MAC stuff, all USA made though. Sockets, Wrenches, Ratchets etc, mostly metric. They work just fine.

 

[chris142]

but if you need warranty for anything, it takes weeks to months to come in.

X2. Took nearly a year to get a broken ratchet replaced. I do like MAC Knuckle saver wrenches.

I have never seen a Cornwell truck.

Theres one in the OC. I broke a 36inch prybar so I emailed Cornwell and the Cornwell guy called me a few hrs later.

Took a few weeks but he drove about 200miles round trip to pic up my broken one , the replacement came in the mail.

We used to have a Cornwell guy out of Yucca Valley but he went under pretty quick. Bummer as I liked his stuff.

 

[jmm]

Never seen a Matco or Cornwell truck around here, but I know they exist in the more populated areas. Mac rules around here. Why, I don't know. Maybe if the Snap-On guy's territory wasn't so large, or he was more aggressive, or we weren't so cheap...can't say. The Snap-On driver is a nice enough guy, but he's either spread too thin or is poorly organized, so I hooked up with one of Charlotte's Snap-On guys. Whenever I visit I hook up with him, and he's the best dealer I've ever known.

 

[genevabuck]

After seeing MAC dealers come and go, we finally have one back. I love their tools. That being said, these guys are still living in the 1980's. What is even worse is that other than having a web page, their national ownership is about as unorganized as a any company can be. If you call them about buying tools froma dealer in your area, they seriously have no idea as to if anyone is there. They are surviving on old name alone and need to be bought out to survive. That being said, MAC is the only brand from keeping Snap On from doubling in price again, so I support them.

 

[crewchief888]

i see a mac truck in the area once in a while, he pretty much ignores me, has never returned a phone call.
i've been waiting for a couple of ratchet kits and a socket for over 3 years now.
"i'll have them next week for you" (famous last words)

long time matco dealer retired over 3 years ago, his replacement lasted about 6 months before he was out of business

snapon pretty much ignores me too.
even after the district rep contacted me 2 months ago.

oh well
probably dont need any shiney new tools,
they'd look like a turd in a punchbowl anyway...

 

[wafrederick]

Good tools,Had a dealer that lasted a year.Stanley wants to dump Mac tools badly,never wanted Mac tools in the first place before they purchased Mac in 1980.Matco came close to buying Mac out 4 years ago,the deal fell right out.I send my broken Mac tools to Mac,get replacements within two weeks.There was a new Mac dealer that was going around in my area,threw in the towel within two weeks basically did not last.

 

[Eastsidetech]

Our shop has a mac dealer, great guy. Actually was my "first" dealer. Worked in automotive for ten years but graduated gmasep 6.5 years ago just a few months after this dealer started. Awesome support great with making deals, got a little moody, jokingly I hope, after seeing my new krl1022 last week. My third box was a triple bank tech 1000 traded for a top and bottom Cornwell, added the snap on beside it. Need to switch casters and handle side to side on new box so they will sit together properly for a better look in shop.

 

[85camaro]

I see Mac on the road everyday. Same with Matco and Snappy.

Cornwell, on the other hand, is seen less frequently than Sasquatch.

 

[Lead-Core]

My Mac dealer i see every other friday is pretty cool. normally has some decent prices but i normally end up buying off brand from him or speicalty tools or jerky...lol otherwise i only see MAC and snap-on at the dealership and a matco truck around town but never stops by us.

 

[Brownsfan]

I see Mac on the road everyday. Same with Matco and Snappy.

Cornwell, on the other hand, is seen less frequently than Sasquatch.

Other way around here. Mac is the Sasquatch here. Snap on is every where Matco as well. Even Cornwell is around. Mac I have NEVER seen in my area. I did see one in Dayton ohio the last time I was there

 

[ed_v]

When I moved from Chicago last year, I very rarely saw a Mac truck anymore.

Ed

 

[CWP1616L]

MAC still makes some great tools made in the USA, it's just that you gotta be familiar with their line of tools to know which tools are USA and which tools are from Taiwan. You would have to ask somebody like me to tell you which is which.

 

[kiatech]

I never understood why but when I lived in myrtle beach all 4 trucks came to the shop every week. I mean cmon its a tourist town. Now I only see SO and matco if I am lucky.

 

[crewchief888]

got a little moody, jokingly I hope, after seeing my new krl1022 last week. My third box was a triple bank tech 1000 traded for a top and bottom Cornwell,

i've seen this happen more than once, had a former mac dealer flippin' me sh*t (several weeks in a row) after i had warrantied some broken mac stuff, and refused to talk to him about trading in all my SO boxes for the "latest and greatest" mac boxes.
he was a newbie dealer, 1st thig he thought he was gona go was get everyone in the shop to trade up to his boxes
he lasted less than a year before we went outta business

i had mac & matco boxes previously, and wasnt impressed with their overall quality

 

[AV tinker er]

Mac guys is out of business here, SO guy can be cought once in a while.

 

[Gabastone]

I like MAC's USA stuff. I just ordered a couple Spinflex ratchets - amazing ratchets.

But, yea, you have to make sure you don't get stuck with something from Taiwan.

 

[amlv20]

dave the mac guy around here is a great guy he comes around every wednesday. even though it only really me who buys his stuff he's been here every week, if he can't make it he'll let me know.when i got out of tech school three years ago he was the first tool guy i bought from and he helped me out alot with good prices.when i left my last job he came over here and picked up this route.he's been good with warranties, and i bought a tech 1000 from him.

the snap on guy here is starting to grow on me now, he always bugged me every week to buy a bigger tool box from him. after i bought the mac and he got over it, he's been alright.

we just recently got a cornwell guy a few months ago, a young kid. he's been good too, im starting to buy some things from him here and there.its also good he accepts low weekly payments.

theres also an independent tool guy who shows up when ever he wants always making excuses and is not trust worthy.good thing i only owe him 18 bucks.

i haven't seen a matco guy in close to 3 years. when i first started, i started with a matco metric starter set.within a week i was cracking sockets and broke a ratchet in a month.most of that stuff got replaced quick by so and mac. the matco guy at the last place i worked at was a weasel for every last penny, when i left he wouldnt leave stop bugging me for $28 i owed him.i could care less for matco now.

 

[TheGrooveking]

My Snap on dealer is great, gives deals and always tells me of upcoming promos so I save even more money. My Matco dealer is hard working super nice guy but if the deal is not in the flyer you'll get nothing more off of it, one thing he does is works side jobs out of his garage and uses the tools off of his truck so if you don't demand a new Matco cushion grip ratchet or screwdriver he'll try to sell you the greasy one for the same price. The ******** dealer was a flaming assbag and I even made it known up front I was interested in cart and over $5K worth of tools and that my work was looking for 4 carts for of our process lines at work but after screwing me over on a 3pc rotating head ratchet set everything was bought from SO. Between the carts and tools my company/me spent over $15k of Snap On, I should send copies of those receipts to Cornwell's CEO...

The only MAC guy never has any inventory and I don't think I've seen a box on his in the las two years, but I did pass what looked like a brand new MAC truck yesterday on my way to work.

TheGrooveking

 

[Eastsidetech]

i've seen this happen more than once, had a former mac dealer flippin' me sh*t (several weeks in a row) after i had warrantied some broken mac stuff, and refused to talk to him about trading in all my SO boxes for the "latest and greatest" mac boxes.
he was a newbie dealer, 1st thig he thought he was gona go was get everyone in the shop to trade up to his boxes
he lasted less than a year before we went outta business

i had mac & matco boxes previously, and wasnt impressed with their overall quality

I did give him a chance first of year to sell me a macsimizer but the deal just wasn't there. I picked up the so for less than half of retail new bc our so truck is one of four owned by the same guy that has employees run them. He needed to deplete inventory before the end of year.

 

[NissanTechWill]

Here in Raleigh, NC we have 3 great drivers (SO, Cornwell, and independent) and one a$$hole (Matco). The MAC guy went out of business a few years ago.

-Will

 

[4x4gearhead]

The local mac guy knows better than to stop at our shop. I dont think I need to say more.

 

[yost69]

My mac guy is awesome. He warranties everything on the spot. I guess he keeps his truck very well stocked as I have never had to wait on a warranty. He doesn't bad mouth any other dealer. He doesn't push **** on you that you don't want. He is as professional as they come.

Most of my stuff is Mac because he was the only one who apparently wanted my money. Tried ordering off of our old snap on guy but he put me off so I said screw it.

I tested the waters with our new snap on guy with a couple warranties before I tried to buy anything from him. He gave me no problems so now I try to split my purchases between the two of them.

We have an independent that shows up every 3-4 months but I can get the stuff he sells off of tooltopia for a heck of alot cheaper so he doesn't get anything from me. The way I see it is if I have a warranty issue with him I have to send it to the manufacturer so I might as well just order off the net cheaper and send it in anyway.

I see a Matco truck in a town about 30 miles from here all the time, but he doesn't come here. Wouldn't mind seeing what he has to offer sometime.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

I have a Mac special edition Tech 1000 stack and a bunch of Mac hand tools. Bought the box used a few years ago, it was in great shape. Had to call for a replacement slider for a drawer that kept sliding open. I expected to have to pay for the slider as I was not the original owner and I told that to the woman at corporate. She was very nice and sent out four new sliders (one extra set just in case). I had some bit sockets that had become sort of rounded off. The Mac guy asked for the entire set, instead of a just the two that were rounded he gave me a whole new set. Have never had to warranty any of the wrenches or sockets.

Will ad that where I am in Fayetteville, NC we have great service from SO, Mac, Matco and Cornwell. Everyone of the drivers are known all over town, good dudes, well except the SO guy, he is an a-hole. Will often see the Mac and Matco guy out together bar hopping on their harleys.

 

[Conductor562]

Haven't seen a MAC truck around here in years. See Snap-On and an occasional Matco. I don't believe I've ever seen a Cornwell truck, though I understand there was one years ago.

 

[Big Gus]

I saw two Mac trucks near Grantham last March when I was in the UK.

 

[volaredon]

Haven't seen a Mac dealer around here for awhile. See Snap-on and Matco the most. I see a lot of Mac tools in the bis at the pawn shop thou when I go. That is about it.

how often do you go? I am looking for a couple of specific things (sockets mostly) I dont care what cond., I can get them warrantied.
We too went thru 2 7-year MAC droughts but we now are covered again. I have way too much MAC to abandon them... bought in my beginners days of wrenching

 

[Mustangmike]

My MAC guy comes around every 2 weeks like clockwork, and will drop by if needed, all it takes is a phone call. We haven't seen a Snap-On truck in 7 years because "you guys don't buy enough to make it worth my while.." Matco is a rumour where i work..