So Matco is backordered on all ratchets

[BadBrains]

Hmm, if you guys are sticking GW kits in them, maybe I'll grab one of these then:
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81099F-Non-Quick-Release-Ratchet/dp/B009OCB2UM

 

[winlinmac]

Its coincidence because another American Tool company, Williams has a lot of their ratchets on backorder as well. When I asked why, I was told due to the recession. It's 2016 people; they just don't want to bid on the rehiring process.

 

[GasNSteering]

Just cancelled my Matco 1/4 drive I ordered back on 3-27-16. I have 6 others to choose from anyway.

 

[Wamsutta]

I keep thinking this thread is going to have a happy ending with lots of pictures of newly arrived Matco ratchets.

 

[Schurkey]

We can hope.

I think it's about 50/50 that they'll be playing Taps and flying the Matco flag at half-staff within a year. I don't like the prospects for Matco or Cornwell. But I've been wrong before. And it's not like I have a lot to lose...I don't own a single Cornwell tool--not even used-from-Craigslist-or-eBay.

I bought some Matco stuff in the late-'80s. Couple of sockets, a 10mm wrench. At the time, it seemed like the Mac and Matco catalogs were about the same...right down to the part numbers. Matco was all-new to me. Dealer walks into the shop out of nowhere, starts handing out catalogs. Told us that Matco used to be owned by Mac, but was now owned by Chicago Pneumatic. (How long did THAT last???) We had a long-term Mac dealer that had a lot of loyalty (from the '70s onward, the same guy is still selling Mac tools here!) and the Matco guy was done in a year. That same Mac dealer buried three Snap-On reps in about five years, but the fourth has held on for a few decades; I think he's here to stay.

 

[TheGrooveking]

My Matco dealer gets a scared look on hos face whenever I mention ratchets, not to go off on a tangent but Armstrong has been screwed up by this whole transistion. In my opinion the CEO of the parent company should be fired.

TheGrooveking

 

[Brownsfan]

We can hope.

I think it's about 50/50 that they'll be playing Taps and flying the Matco flag at half-staff within a year. I don't like the prospects for Matco or Cornwell. But I've been wrong before. And it's not like I have a lot to lose...I don't own a single Cornwell tool--not even used-from-Craigslist-or-eBay.

I bought some Matco stuff in the late-'80s. Couple of sockets, a 10mm wrench. At the time, it seemed like the Mac and Matco catalogs were about the same...right down to the part numbers. Matco was all-new to me. Dealer walks into the shop out of nowhere, starts handing out catalogs. Told us that Matco used to be owned by Mac, but was now owned by Chicago Pneumatic. (How long did THAT last???) We had a long-term Mac dealer that had a lot of loyalty (from the '70s onward, the same guy is still selling Mac tools here!) and the Matco guy was done in a year. That same Mac dealer buried three Snap-On reps in about five years, but the fourth has held on for a few decades; I think he's here to stay.

Cornwel is not going anywhere. They are still a private company doing well. They don't have the distribution network as big as the others and don't sell on the internet. They do this to protect the dealers territory. This may have to change but it has worked well thus far.

 

[djwyman]

I googled to see if my Matco man was the only one having this issue and I now see he is not. It is so bad that when my snap on man came Monday he was asking if the Matco man was telling us to buy ratchets from him(the snap on man) which he did tell one guy that. I had ordered a 1/4" locking flex head ratchet back in December. For me it is now a running joke as I have already bought a snap on one after I didn't get it 3 months ago. I mostly wanted it because I like the way the flex head locks better on the Matco one over the snap on one oh well maybe one day it will come in.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Dr. Jekyll]

I'm assuming both Mac & Snap-On are eating Matco's lunch by now.

 

[WhiffySpark]

To be honest, I don't see alot of people using matco ratchets. The 1/4 one is the one I see the most. I see a couple 1/2 long handles here and there. But 90% of the time it's snappy.

 

[Blue924.9]

I know matco can't seem to make prybars either, after 3 weeks I bought some of the snappy truck for 60 bucks off what the matco would cost (129 vs 195) both were similar 4 piece sets. Told the matco guy today to cancel the order, he got huffy even though I had already paid 50 dollars a week after I ordered them, between long wait times and my truck driver matco just lost a lot of my business

 

[Know Wosad]

To be honest, I don't see alot of people using matco ratchets. The 1/4 one is the one I see the most. I see a couple 1/2 long handles here and there. But 90% of the time it's snappy.

So you travel across the country looking to see what ratchets people is using ? Cool job

 

[WhiffySpark]

So you travel across the country looking to see what ratchets people is using ? Cool job

I'm a mechanic. Ive worked in a few different shops in different areas. Just stating what I see

 

[TheGrooveking]

I'm a mechanic. Ive worked in a few different shops in different areas. Just stating what I see

Did those shops have decent Matco dealers?

TheGrooveking

 

[WhiffySpark]

Did those shops have decent Matco dealers?

TheGrooveking

Yeah. Top 25 dealer in most of them.

 

[plinker]

I'm told my 1/2 locking flex Armstrong is in. Will find out for sure tomorrow.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm posting a picture of a Matco ratchet because it looks like nobody's ever going to post a picture of one.

 

[bobcatdan]

Glad all my Matco ratchets are second teir in my ratchet hierarchy. Can easily swap in an SO in its place. Granted out side my 1/2" 24"er, I never broke a Matco ratchet.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Did those shops have decent Matco dealers?

TheGrooveking

Can any dealer who can't fix a ratchet even qualify as "decent"?! If I had that kind of support from a parent company I would be planning on a change in the very near future. It's not their fault, but it is also completely unacceptable.

 

[not-required]

Can any dealer who can't fix a ratchet even qualify as "decent"?! If I had that kind of support from a parent company I would be planning on a change in the very near future. It's not their fault, but it is also completely unacceptable.

My dealer is pissed at Matco. He said if it doesn't get better soon he's going independent.

 

[warmpancakes]

took some pushing but Matco has issued a cash refund for one of my 2 return ROs, the one from last august, the other dated in december isnt old enough yet

 

[shockwave]

Unfortunately I don't see much changing these days maybe after summer but even prices are getting ridiculous on some of there stuff

 

[snail81]

I got an email from them yesterday saying all flex head ratchets will ship out at the end of this month. So does this mean I will get mine? They have had it since october I think

 

[TheGrooveking]

Can any dealer who can't fix a ratchet even qualify as "decent"?! If I had that kind of support from a parent company I would be planning on a change in the very near future. It's not their fault, but it is also completely unacceptable.

The basis for my asking about the dealer is that he was referencing that not many used Matco ratchets, so on that if the dealer was a schmuck guys are not going to buy from that dealer, so by default they would be buying other brands. So I was trying to determine rationale for his comment.

TheGrooveking

 

[B_Bimmer]

The basis for my asking about the dealer is that he was referencing that not many used Matco ratchets, so on that if the dealer was a schmuck guys are not going to buy from that dealer, so by default they would be buying other brands. So I was trying to determine rationale for his comment.

TheGrooveking

Don't worry, I was following ya. Just saying it's tough to be a "good" Matco dealer these days.

 

[stage20]

took some pushing but Matco has issued a cash refund for one of my 2 return ROs, the one from last august, the other dated in december isnt old enough yet

December isn't old enough? That just boggles my mind that what should be a top tier company SERVICE SHOULD BE their #1 priority. I mean it's the purpose for them being in business. If it was on the shelves at Walmart noone would buy At their ridiculous prices. I guess 7 months is acceptable to them. Most mechanics can't wait 7 days

 

[TheGrooveking]

I wonder if there is an executive somewhere who is losing bis job for this fiasco? There should be, because Armstrong is also being negatively affected by this situation.

TheGrooveking

 

[B_Bimmer]

I am afraid like sears that everyone who really cared has already lost their job, and the ones who remain are mostly concerned with milking out every last penny before the ship goes under.

 

[ike]

Most of the Armstrong ratchets have been appearing in the last few weeks as in stock items. I looked for months for an 11-992, and finally got it, then looked and finally was able to get a 12-992 to complete my Armstrong sets.

 

[snail81]

Just for the heck of it I might contact the BBB

 

[90zcar]

Yes^^^^


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[newchris]

Just for the heck of it I might contact the BBB

lol what would that accomplish? theyre not legally obligated to warranty any of your tools. no snap on mac or matco dealer has to warranty any of your stuff. youre not that important bro.

 

[Schurkey]

lol what would that accomplish? theyre not legally obligated to warranty any of your tools. no snap on mac or matco dealer has to warranty any of your stuff. youre not that important bro.

You're saying the franchise agreement doesn't cover warranty issues?

I'm prepared to learn something, but not until I see some evidence.

I have no faith in the BBB, but sure, file a complaint. Can't hurt, might help.

 

[newchris]

you wouldnt get very far if you didnt warranty tools for your guys but i mean if someone hasnt paid their bill or buys broken stuff at a flea market and expects you to warranty it they also wouldnt get very far so therefore common sense would dictate that they cannot be legally obligated to warranty anything

 

[Skin]

lol what would that accomplish? theyre not legally obligated to warranty any of your tools. no snap on mac or matco dealer has to warranty any of your stuff. youre not that important bro.

Actually they would be in violation of their own terms. The franchise agreements specifically mention representing (enter brand) in assisting with all recalls, repairs, and warranty, as part of their responsibility for owning the franchise.

 

[newchris]

Actually they would be in violation of their own terms. The franchise agreements specifically mention representing (enter brand) in assisting with all recalls, repairs, and warranty, as part of their responsibility for owning the franchise.

assisting, sometimes its not practical... like for example apex not supplying repair kits...

 

[Wamsutta]

How can the Matco dealers make any money if they don't have ratchets to sell? Ratchets are a popular item with tool trucks.

 

[Fedwrench]

How can the Matco dealers make any money if they don't have ratchets to sell? Ratchets are a popular item with tool trucks.

They can't. A lost sale, products that can't be warrantied, and no inventory all cripple a tool truck dealer who already faces stiff competition from all sides. I don't think it's a good time to be a MATCO dealer.

 

[RedneckWelder]

As of last week my Matco dealer did not have any Matco ratchets on display like he usually does

 

[yamaha0343]

I can't believe this is still going on. Matco hasn't had ratchets to sell in what, almost a year now? That's insane.