Missing Snap On dealer part 2

[Robert Haas]

I posted a while back that my Snapy dealer was off the grid. (No answer from numerous voice mails until the voice mail was full and would no longer accept messages) No e-mail or other methods available. So as suggested here I contacted Snap On corporate and spoke with a nice young lady that took all my information and assured me she would look into it and call me back.


Well she did not and my dealer is still not contactable. Now I spent nearly 20 grand on this one truck in the last 4 months so I would think I am kind of a desirable customer and I have never once asked for a special price or any other consideration. Yet I have been left holding the bag with several tools that were on back order not in my possession, (all of them pre-paid)

I called corporate again this morning and was given the run around once they figured out that I was owed something.

So if there is a Snappy dealer on here that would like to give me a call and tell me what I need to do, please do so. I am not a disgruntled customer, I am just not sure what the dealer responsibility is and how much the corporation monitor the business practice of these dealers.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

my snap man is cash on delivery
call the cops with a petit larceny complaint

 

[mrshaun]

pm__sent__

 

[padronanniversary]

I hope the best for you. It always ***** when they close shop and take your tools, and call it business.

 

[briggsguy17]

my snap man is cash on delivery
call the cops with a petit larceny complaint

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE! This is a civil matter, if anything. Sue him! People tend to think that the police can solve problems like this when in reality it is a huge waste of time, money and manpower.............sorry for the rant, 17 years as a cop. I am done now.

 

[mrshaun]

you were rightabout the phone. turned off and box is full. he shows to be an active dealer. I will see if I can get anything else for you.

 

[mrshaun]

this one may be more difficult than i thought.

 

[padronanniversary]

Mrshaun, so how does a snap on franchisee work, I assume corporate is not liable since they are on their own ?

 

[Tom2]

If he has literally disappeared - The Police may not be a bad idea. They can at least go to his home and see what's going on..

If they guy freaks out that you called the cops - Just tell him you were worried about him since he isn't responding to anything - and if he's ok, he needs to give you you're stuff.

I'm guessing he must have done something illegal and is trying to hide for a while. Maybe he's short on cash or something and trying to shore up some $$ before getting back to customers. Who knows..

 

[mikevango]

I am going to say mrshaun is a stand up guy. Helping out when he doesn't have to. Good job. Hope you guys can get it figured out.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I only use the coppers as a threat

 

[scott37300]

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE! This is a civil matter, if anything. Sue him! People tend to think that the police can solve problems like this when in reality it is a huge waste of time, money and manpower.............sorry for the rant, 17 years as a cop. I am done now.

I disagree with you. I would be fine with it being a civil matter and would prefere not to involve the police, but if I was in this situation and tried to track the dealer down and resolve this and things get heated then the police will be called and I would be in trouble. If the police are going to arrest me for taking care of this civil matter when I find the dealer that ran off then they can deal with it in the first place. What the heck do you think sueing the dealer is going to do? As far as we know right now he ran off with his money already, sueing won't do anything, now a days a judgement against someone doesn't mean anything. I don't think things would be pretty if I found the dealer that ran off with my money, but then I would be arrested for a crime but you say not to involve the police when a dealer commits a crime?

So if I rob a bank that would be a civil matter and the bank should just sue me and not call the cops? If I rob your house while your on vacation that would just be a civil matter right? The dealer as far as we know robbed the OP by taking his money and not providing the goods, same as robbing from someones house.

 

[briggsguy17]

I disagree with you. I would be fine with it being a civil matter and would prefere not to involve the police, but if I was in this situation and tried to track the dealer down and resolve this and things get heated then the police will be called and I would be in trouble. If the police are going to arrest me for taking care of this civil matter when I find the dealer that ran off then they can deal with it in the first place. What the heck do you think sueing the dealer is going to do? As far as we know right now he ran off with his money already, sueing won't do anything, now a days a judgement against someone doesn't mean anything. I don't think things would be pretty if I found the dealer that ran off with my money, but then I would be arrested for a crime but you say not to involve the police when a dealer commits a crime?

So if I rob a bank that would be a civil matter and the bank should just sue me and not call the cops? If I rob your house while your on vacation that would just be a civil matter right? The dealer as far as we know robbed the OP by taking his money and not providing the goods, same as robbing from someones house.

Here's the only problem with your apparent expert opinion. This was a business transaction as were so many before this one. If this were a one time thing where the SO dealer showed up once, took a bunch of orders and then disappeared without delivering any tools then that would be a police issue. This is like ordering something at Walmart and calling the police because your order isn't in and they won't return your calls...........I am done with this one because I can see where it is headed, if I only had a nickel for the old "you better catch him before I do" tough guy routine I would have retired years ago.

 

[pipsters]

I read recently about Snap-On franchising.

A google search turned up this:

As instructed, he bought more tools, scouted the new route, and hired someone to run it. But the new route offered far fewer customers than the first, and Brian had trouble keeping an eye on it. With each passing year, the days got longer, and the debt mounted. Brian became depressed. There were mornings, Nancy says, when she had to drag him out of bed.

Last May, Snap-on refused to ship him any more inventory. His customers had been told to come to Brian for replacement tools, as guaranteed by Snap-on's official warranty, and they did. But Snap-on's policy is not to ship tools (replacements or otherwise) to a franchisee if he crosses his credit limit. According to the Caseys, most franchisees far exceed their limits; when Snap-on cut them off, the Caseys say they owed the company roughly $180,000. Brian couldn't get tools, so he started ducking his customers. When he did visit stores, his clients berated him. They didn't care why he was having trouble; they just wanted their tools. One of Brian's best customers threatened to throw him out of his store.

Just like anything, if done right I'm sure you can make money. But there are lots of lawsuits against Snap-On for this sort of thing. Snap-On makes money by selling it to their franchisees, who then resell. I did read that the best support system was Matco Tools.

 

[briggsguy17]

That is a very good reason to only pay when you have tool in hand. If the guy was requiring prepay that should have been an indication that things were going south for your dealer. I have seen many, many dealers go down over the years and it is always the same story. First, their truck stock goes way down, then they tell you that they have to order everything because the regional guy screwed something up, then they keep telling you that everything is back ordered, then they just quit showing up.......It seems to be a vicious cycle in my neck of the woods. Never had a problem getting warranty though.

 

[yjWrangler]

Heh my snappy dealer disappeared too. His name wasn't Matt by any chance was it

 

[Robert Haas]

I never said I was ripped off, in fact I have a balance on the guys truck, but as with all Snappy deals I am buying more stuff before the last stuff shows up and there is overlap. I just don't exactly know what to do with the situation. I have tools in my box that are not paid for, my missing dealer has other tools that are paid for....to be honest I think I owe more then he does, so it puts me in an interesting position. I sure have no problem writing the guy a check for my balance, (a significant amount) but in turn I sure would like to have the tools I ordered and paid for..........................


I am an ethical, moral business man. I have no intention of hurting this man professionally or physically. I just want to conclude our business and move on to my next dealer.

If in fact he is "out of business" a frank and friendly phone call would be the correct way for him to deal with me. That is the grown up way to handle this.

 

[mrholeshot]

Thats one of the big drawbacks to dealing with tool trucks. There may be factors you arn't aware of. The person could be laid up in a coma in some hospital. Let it ride for a while and gather as much info as you can.

 

[briggsguy17]

And whomever buys his route, should he be out of business, will also acquire his accounts receivable.

 

[mrshaun]

we did not buy allthe truck accounts when we bought another route.

 

[arizonaadam]

With all due respect and with great deference to your time on the force. I'm a prosecutor, mostly fraud, theft, identity crimes. I'm sooo tired of investigators and police immediately writing off financial disputes as "civil matters." In my jurisdiction, intentionally taking money and making off with the goods is called theft.
Again, no disrespect meant.
That said, if you're even considering a criminal complaint (which I can see you're not), call your state's attorney general. Though, obviously, there are other avenues to explore first.

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE! This is a civil matter, if anything. Sue him! People tend to think that the police can solve problems like this when in reality it is a huge waste of time, money and manpower.............sorry for the rant, 17 years as a cop. I am done now.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have been left holding the bag with several tools that were on back order not in my possession, (all of them pre-paid)

Aint no way in hell...

 

[Givl Reggin]

I posted a while back that my Snapy dealer was off the grid. (No answer from numerous voice mails until the voice mail was full and would no longer accept messages) No e-mail or other methods available.

Do you have his home address? Maybe he's dead.

 

[mrshaun]

I emailed him and it did not get kicked back. maybe he changed his number. but you never know what has happened.

 

[kursplat]

I never said I was ripped off, in fact I have a balance on the guys truck, but as with all Snappy deals I am buying more stuff before the last stuff shows up and there is overlap. I just don't exactly know what to do with the situation. I have tools in my box that are not paid for, my missing dealer has other tools that are paid for....to be honest I think I owe more then he does, so it puts me in an interesting position. I sure have no problem writing the guy a check for my balance, (a significant amount) but in turn I sure would like to have the tools I ordered and paid for..........................


I am an ethical, moral business man. I have no intention of hurting this man professionally or physically. I just want to conclude our business and move on to my next dealer.

If in fact he is "out of business" a frank and friendly phone call would be the correct way for him to deal with me. That is the grown up way to handle this.

if you can't make contact, it sounds like you should call it even and move on.
good luck

 

[mrbelvedere]

several years ago Snappy disappeared from my route, I was up to date on payment, but he disappearred with two airtools that were in for factory service, at my expense. I'm a good customer, small-time, but regular, and I didn't eat up his time.

many calls to corprate, basicly ignored.

when new Snappy showed, a year+ later, he took my word, gave me a NEW die grinder, and managed to find my air gasket scraper, somewhere. you know he got repeat business, but he disappeared too.

the new Snappy guy looked just like Greg Biffle, NASCAR driver.

the gasket scraper still needs a rebuild......anyone interested? in rebuiding it....not for sale, yet!

 

[Davefr]

Won't Snap On corporate make good on a dealer that's gone bad??? (ie once it's confirmed the dealer is AWOL)

 

[Skin]

Won't Snap On corporate make good on a dealer that's gone bad??? (ie once it's confirmed the dealer is AWOL)

no. you pay the premium price to get shafted by the best.

 

[Danglerb]

My guess, Snapon figures you owe them what you owe, and your screwed for what they owe you.

 

[padronanniversary]

so what happens to money that is owed to the dealer if the dealer closes shop. I assume someone buys their note

 

[Blwnsln]

I was getting over charged for tax, rate was 6.00, dealer was charging me 6.50, I called s/o they didnt seam to care, In the meantime I moved to a new shop got a new dealer, I let the new dealer know, he tells me old dealer has corrected it, Im like ok no refund? I just said screw it, but it just shows snap on dosent care.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I was getting over charged for tax, rate was 6.00, dealer was charging me 6.50, I called s/o they didnt seam to care, In the meantime I moved to a new shop got a new dealer, I let the new dealer know, he tells me old dealer has corrected it, Im like ok no refund? I just said screw it, but it just shows snap on dosent care.

Snap-on doesn't control an independent dealer. They are a business owner just like the Chevron guy on the corner. If he charged you too much tax on a set of tires, do you think Chevron would make it up for you? I don't either....

 

[mcdtommy23]

With all due respect and with great deference to your time on the force. I'm a prosecutor, mostly fraud, theft, identity crimes. I'm sooo tired of investigators and police immediately writing off financial disputes as "civil matters." In my jurisdiction, intentionally taking money and making off with the goods is called theft.
Again, no disrespect meant.
That said, if you're even considering a criminal complaint (which I can see you're not), call your state's attorney general. Though, obviously, there are other avenues to explore first.

Soooo true. We just had a tennant commit malicious destruction of property over $1000 M.C.L.A. 750.377(a),(b),(i) right in front of us. Called the police and they said it was a civil matter. Police officer didn't even know what MDOP over $1000 even was (In all fairness it was once over $100). I cited the specific State Statute and was told that HE was in charge. Wouldn't even take a report. Part of me wanted to commit an MDOP to his car to; a. show him what the crime was, and b. force him to take a report. Common sense got the best of me and I decided to eat **** for the time being.

I agree with you theft is theft. If the dealer ran off with the money he should be charged and forced to pay restitution. Why should the OP be forced to spend even more money and time to engage in a suit with no real way of enforcing the judgement. Sad to say but this is an example of why good people get fed up and flip out. One can only be by the system so many times before they will do what the "law" fails to do.

 

[Blwnsln]

Snap-on doesn't control an independent dealer. They are a business owner just like the Chevron guy on the corner. If he charged you too much tax on a set of tires, do you think Chevron would make it up for you? I don't either....

I wasent looking for monentary refund. A simple call to the dealer would have been sufficent. Im sure if Chevron found out that a dealer was overcharging a customer on tax, they would make a call, as the end penetly could affect there bussiness.

I didnt expect Snap on to refund any money to me, nor would I have asked them to. I feel they should have made contact with the dealer about the issue, you can be dam sure if they found out a snap on dealer was selling an offbrand product they would have made a call.

Ive sinced switched dealers, and never saw a refund. I should have contacted the IRS, but I really dont have time for petty issues. If Snap on kept a tight leash on there dealers, Im sure 80% of the problems spoken about on this board would have been resloved. I can only imagine there turn over rate.

One thing Snap On needs to realize, to be there best you need to be on the top of your game, and ignoring the little guy will evently kill you, it might take many years but it can happen, no one though Rome would fall, but it crubmbled from within.

please excuse the poor spelling its late

 

[Blwnsln]

Snap-on doesn't control an independent dealer. They are a business owner just like the Chevron guy on the corner. If he charged you too much tax on a set of tires, do you think Chevron would make it up for you? I don't either....

It dosent look like Snap on controls anything anymore, just turn and burn....here I come China!

 

[Skin]

Snap-on doesn't control an independent dealer. They are a business owner just like the Chevron guy on the corner. If he charged you too much tax on a set of tires, do you think Chevron would make it up for you? I don't either....

dont agree at all. When a franchise has, for example, a major lawsuit the parent company is most certainly involved. It doesnt just stop at one specific location/franchise.

and second, if it was a debt owed we were talking about here Snap-On would be on the OPs *** so fast with collectors his head would spin.

I'd like to think that a company who charges $100 for a ratchet, $300 for a socket or wrench set, 10-20 grand or more for a tool box [you get the idea], would look out for their customers a little better than that in these situations as well. No way Snap-On should be shrugging off questions as to the where abouts of someones merchandise and/or snap-on rep.

You'd never comply with this type of service from a B&M store so why should you have to put up with it just because the store got wheels?

 

[pipeyeti]

You know HF never disapears on me. Every time I go there, they are still in the same place.

 

[Brad54]

no. you pay the premium price to get shafted by the best.

-Brad

 

[mrshaun]

franchise not employee.... big difference.

 

[Vinko]

franchise not employee.... big difference.

There's also, from my understanding, franchisees and independent dealers. Maybe they do independent dealers any more, but they still exist. I've been told by a couple of the latter that the conditions and terms (or lack thereof) are more favorable that those of the former.