Thinking About Going Independent As A Tool Dealer? Learn From One Of The Best: Matt Sledge Owner Tec

Рет қаралды 26,166

3 жыл бұрын

#independenttooltruck #howtogetstarted #toolbusiness
Are you considering becoming an independent tool dealer? Want to learn from one of the best in the business? Interested in transitioning from a name brand tool company to run your own independent truck? Well this is the video you have been wanting to see. Matt Sledge owner of Tech's Choice in Nashville TN has all the answers for you in this video and can offer solid advice for you guys thinking of all those questions. Take a look and see what Matt has to say about being an independent guy.
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Email: koontrucking101@gmail.com
Koon Trucking
200 Davidson Dr.
Booneville MS 38829

Пікірлер: 128

@larryborkstrom3580 3 жыл бұрын

He selling a truck Joe should talk to him

@djosbun 3 жыл бұрын

Matt is successful because he is personable, honest and cares about his customers success. Those are the building blocks to a good life no matter the occupation is.

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the positive comments Dave

@jeremyfickling8013 3 жыл бұрын

And a good thing about being independent he can choose what he wants to sell no matter the brand

@OnlyToolsAndBoxes 2 жыл бұрын

And that’s the beauty of it. Don’t like a product? Don’t stock it. Simple. You get to cherry pick the products you know get the job done.

@haroldswick9962 Жыл бұрын

I'm a retired farmer and the big companies won't stop at our places. I dealt with an independent tool truck man out of Findlay, Ohio. He took good cate of my farm shop and stopped monthly. We had a good relatoonship.

@kdao1007 3 жыл бұрын

Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex is your market - any independent will kill it here. We are car dealership mecca here. Cars Cars Cars dealers and repair shops every where..... You need to pin point Dallas, TX

@OnlyToolsAndBoxes 2 жыл бұрын

Agree with everything Matt said 100% I did the same thing 4 years ago, pulled that franchise off the side of my truck and went indy. My customers love the better choice and the better pricing, whereas I love the reduction in overheads and no more damn meetings to go to. How I hated having to finish work early and miss customers just to go to a stupid meeting to look at some PowerPoint slides 🙄 I also got flown over to the ISN expo all expenses paid from the UK twice, then COVID put paid to that 🤦‍♂️! My former franchise would nickel and dime me for every damn thing, so I’ve repaid them by recruiting a bunch of franchisees to go Indy too 😂😂 It was great to hear my own experiences coming from someone else 👍

@guyconnell2250 3 жыл бұрын

The point about having inventory is so valid. If a guy can see and touch the item he's much more likely to buy it on the spot. If the dealer or business just shows the item to you in a catalog or online or the like, you are much less likely to buy it on the spot. And, further, in my case, I say to myself, "Hell, I can look at it online at home in my underwear". In that case I am also much more likely to buy it online. Great video here. Thanks.

@cacocarrillo5895 2 жыл бұрын

Independent is good you don't have restriction you can go to any shop make any route and make your own prices.

@KoonTrucking 2 жыл бұрын

And save your customers some money on tools they need 👍🏻👍🏻

@barryorbik215 3 жыл бұрын

What an honest and super guy, really enjoyed listening to him, would love to deal with him but unfortunately I'm in the UK 🇬🇧 😢

@beetleworks738 5 ай бұрын

Independent dealers just have there reputation to advertise themselves. My independent is awesome he is very helpful and trustworthy and has fair prices my independent will work with you and warrant stuff no questions asked.

@kdao1007 3 жыл бұрын

IT is about SERVICE< professional service. BRANDING. BRANDING. BRANDING. The right attitude and taking care of each buyer. Branding and High Quality Service will create LOYAL customers

@fernandomarcano4908 Жыл бұрын

This is 1/2 of the Info that I was looking for. Sending email time now for the rest🤣😂 Thanks

@mathieupigeon6413 Жыл бұрын

Wish i could come up with someone like Matt to show me how to start my tool truck buisiness, this guy is gold.

@henryg683 3 жыл бұрын

Clay that was very interesting thanks for the info!!!!!

@TheTorkerman 2 жыл бұрын

This guy tells it like it is! My experience was identical to his as a Sanp-on dealer here in Oz. Thanks Matt, great to meet you!

@midatlantictools 3 жыл бұрын

Great video.. I like seeing how other dealers do business. Hope you do more videos like this one with other tool dealers and more with Matt.

@Inkd_watkins 3 жыл бұрын

Great information Matt !! Thanks Clay for making it happen. All of us appreciate it.

@craigjorgensen4637 Жыл бұрын

He pays the same price that his customers can buy them for. With Cornwell he had an exclusive but if he was afraid of selling expensive tools he made the right choice. Happy it’s working for him! So much competition out there these days!

@coreysuttles1362 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, very informative Thank You for sharing!!

@buckndoe1193 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video full of information that I really needed to help make my decision on being a franchise or independent.

@CoyleTools 3 жыл бұрын

Love it! He's got a great story and knows how to do business his way. I admire that.

@edwardchavez8265 3 жыл бұрын

Like your new friend Clay I would definitely buy tools off this guy

@davidshipman8788 3 жыл бұрын

Good content as always matt is a very smart business man for sure

@FordSeniorMaster 2 жыл бұрын

Clay, This video/interview was AWESOME!!!!! Matt is TOP NOTCH!!!! MAN I wish we had him in my area at the Ford Dealership!

@Jursaw 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this video! I have thought about doing this for a living.

@javierosorio5169 3 жыл бұрын

Great context.

@metakentv1574 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

@harryhodge8534 3 жыл бұрын

It would be cool to see a techchoise Tuesday, he seems like a pretty sound guy. Love the videos keep it up

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

That has a really cool ring to it

@KoonTrucking 3 жыл бұрын

I wished he was closer because we would totally do that !! I love this guy

@ronanderson1816 2 жыл бұрын

well said, well done !

@stephenross9282 3 жыл бұрын

If this guy made like daily vlogs like you I'd totally watch

@picshooter 3 жыл бұрын

Great information. Lots of good advice/ common sense, that he didn't need to share.

@brianmulane5905 3 жыл бұрын

seriously damn good video.

@jonkono1987yota 3 жыл бұрын

Love the video and tool selection

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jonathan

@wolfhound1a 3 жыл бұрын

Matt is foregetting about another dealer that ran tech choice. I used to buy tools from him. I still have a screwdriver with his name. Todd Larsen ran his tech choice truck in 08. So his story is missing some info. They both ran cornwell trucks before tech choice.

@coreysuttles1362 3 жыл бұрын

Oh snap Clay videos two days in a row hell yea!!

@SPMech1 3 жыл бұрын

👍👍👍👍👍 Another great Video......

@I_like_turtles_67 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview. I'm very happy for this dude and I wish him an early retirement.

@trenoguerrero8110 3 жыл бұрын

As a new tech starting out, i can confidently say i would be one of his loyal customer's. To bad he's not in my area

@jeremyalbert2069 3 жыл бұрын

Great video . I have been seriously thinking about getting out of working on cars , body cant do it any more , selling tools would be a great career change . !!!!👍👍👍👍😁😁😁

@andrewscott8892 3 жыл бұрын

If I remember correctly, Joe has the right not to be to happy with cornwell.. forgive but never forget

@cmac7118 3 жыл бұрын

What’s that story?

@MagWire8 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I’m curious I don’t remember what went down

@MarkWilliams-vp7xw 3 жыл бұрын

@@MagWire8 cornwell terminated joes contract and said they wanted to go a diffrent direction

@Mega747400 3 жыл бұрын

buster is close to my area he is trying to get a second truck hope to see him some day

@stevenkietzke5582 3 жыл бұрын

Mayt seems like up front kinda guy Wouldn't mind doing business with him Thank Clay for the education of the independent tool dealer

@HelloHello-qs5ny 3 жыл бұрын

Great video I think Justin Dow guy that independent is great to

@johngabriele6532 Жыл бұрын

I thought about snap-on years ago when our dealer passed on… but it was just a quick thought … but I’ve been thinking about it again since many years now…. I now a truck style like yours would sooo work in my area as a lower paid mechanic sometimes I wish I had a cheaper option other than matco, snap-on … we had a Cornwell guy but he didn’t stay around long

@KoonTrucking Жыл бұрын

Independent is the way to go. Too much competition online now for guys to get cheaper alternatives. No way i would go flagship trucks

@BDauto86 3 жыл бұрын

The only truck I have coming around is Snap on and don't get me wrong, they have lots of good tools and he's a decent dealer but man do I wish I had another option.

@SuperMegaCliff 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is good

@martymurphy7477 3 жыл бұрын

very good video good info you just cant get anywhere

@danielg3369 3 жыл бұрын

Can you talk about how a truck account works and where to learn to fix tools if not a dealer like Snap On or Matco

@sergeantfirstclassparker6551 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I love tools and I have thought about beings dealer multiple times. I retire from the U.S. Army in about 2.5 year and this video gave me a lot of insight. Thank you!

@robertbowser1883 3 жыл бұрын

These tool truck videos are great. I do miss going on them all the time when I turned a wrench. But now that I have done the million miles accident free in truck driving. Maybe it's time for a change. IDK

@MarkleyTool Жыл бұрын

Same Story with purchases averages and cornwell for me me too. Im street team now north east ohio

@KoonTrucking Жыл бұрын

Check out Mobile Tool Network… if you are an independent guy you will really love them! Plus they have Grip Edge!

@JavierMartinez-cc5wy 3 жыл бұрын

I currently have a shop supply route where I sell shop chemicals and consumables. I’ve been slowly becoming a tool dealer working with ISN and it has been taking off. I even bought my first tool truck two weeks ago! My question for Matt is, what is the best way to build up my tool inventory without going into huge debt? Also, what inventory should I purchase?

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

ISN will have a top 100 list .. Purchase that stuff first and the rest of it will come naturally as your customers ask for it

@bhasby1 3 жыл бұрын

I'd love it if he was around Eastern ND/Western MN. He would get a great portion of my income

@LynxStarAuto 2 жыл бұрын

I'm in Miami, and buy USA Tools a lot! However, they have retail stores here.

@jakeleibold2187 2 жыл бұрын

What a great informative video. I have a similar background, having spent about 15 years with Cornwell. In that time, I’ve seen the margins slowly dwindling away. When you mentioned $20,000 plus weeks, I would love to know the margins on that. And, is that number from one truck or the combination of the three? I got in about the same time you did, and saw the Internet begin influencing sales and pricing over the years that followed. Still, I realize significant success within the business and I’m considering an independent approach.

@KoonTrucking 2 жыл бұрын

Shoot me an email koontrucking101@gmail.com

@jakeleibold2187 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your response. You should find a brief message in your inbox.

@davidwalle5025 3 жыл бұрын

great video before jersey nick's video at 6 pm. What happened to Matt's old cornwell route?, Also What happened to Mr. Joe's old cornwell route?

@KoonTrucking 3 жыл бұрын

Joe runs his route as an independent

@davidwalle5025 3 жыл бұрын

@@KoonTrucking I guess no one is selling and servicing Cornwell in your area.

@dr.lmsb4456 3 жыл бұрын

I just wish i had a dealer come to my shop And sell me tools

@chuckmiller5763 3 жыл бұрын

When working for yourself, you need to work at least a 1/2 a day everyday. Just remember there are 24 hours in a day.

@KoonTrucking 3 жыл бұрын

True !

@johnnyramirez9082 3 жыл бұрын

Dead on 💯 percent

@harrisonjohnson316 2 жыл бұрын

So when you go and buy tools do you buy them regular price or do you get them cheaper and sell them? How does it work?

@thejeepinrealtor5742 7 ай бұрын

I need to reach out. Considering a career change. Just located a bit south in northern Alabama.

@TWR358 3 жыл бұрын

I like Matt Sledge, I wish he was in the St. Louis area (Metro East).

@xgcskiman 3 жыл бұрын

Same here. I work in Belleville.

@TWR358 3 жыл бұрын

I’m in Granite City.

@Chevelle3285 3 жыл бұрын

I have been kicking around the idea of starting up a independent tool truck for the St Louis area.

@OceanBreeze2022. 11 ай бұрын

On average, how high is truck maintenance cost per year including fuel? Thank you

@texacanics9562 3 жыл бұрын

Why is it that cornwell has problems with their dealers? This channel has witnessed two hardworking guys getting put aside by cornwell and also my cornwell dealer always seems to have a problem. I agree cornwell has tools 20% to 50% cheaper than snap on and matco. My dealer always ask me for 20% down on his tools maybe that could somehow have a impact, or maybe it aint cool or popular enough🤷🏻‍♂️

@fernandomarcano4908 Жыл бұрын

What you recommend to do next once someone decided to go independent? For example… What software for billing and inventory? Who or from where to get inventory? Tool conventions? Credit line?

@KoonTrucking Жыл бұрын

Mobile Tool Network has the best software on the market especially for independent trucks and also great tools at excellent pricing. MTN.tools

@thatgreengoblinevo2974 9 ай бұрын

Mac tool here... we don't pay for tool shows, and we do get free hotels at times depending on what the promotions are. I know guys making 700k a year in this business and some. This man didn't fit the criteria period. He wants to sell cheaper tools he can all power to ya. Be a great sales guy and it will all come to you... also Cornwell I was told doesn't treat the franchises well. I met a few that moved over to Mac tools.. long story short, there's a market for everything.

@markgriffin5537 3 жыл бұрын

I know Matt sledge but not from the tool industry. Ran into him in the bike world. Just don’t remember where though.

@TWR358 3 жыл бұрын

WooHoo!

@trophbrwntrouthunter 3 жыл бұрын

I really want to know the answer to this question...can you sell, as an Indy tool man on eBay, Amazon, basically can I market my inventory anywhere anytime no restrictions...

@trophbrwntrouthunter 3 жыл бұрын

I really want to know the answer for the this question...can you sell, as an Indy tool man on eBay, Amazon, basically can I market my inventory anywhere anytime no restrictions...

@davidpinnix7446 3 жыл бұрын

What part of Ohio does his buddy run?thanks.

@alzathoth Жыл бұрын

i wonder how the tool truck business is doing after all the crazy fuel price hikes?

@1971anaconda 3 жыл бұрын

Must be an Australian thing we only have Snap-on my reps great always comes says hi even though he knows I only by when I need to we don’t have a independent tool truck we do have a tool van which if your lucky see once every 2 months wish we had a better I dependent tool truck

@TheTorkerman 2 жыл бұрын

I was a Snap On dealer is AUS back in early 2000’s, was thinking of going independent as Snap On always has the power! I sold so much they split my area in half and gave it to someone else. Anyway, didn’t end up going independent because the Kincrome, Sidchrome, SP tools of the world have too much tied up in places like Sydney tools and Total tools United tools, Bunnings etc, they won’t let smaller mobile trucks get access to product, so it limits you to lesser known and more expensive brands like Stahlwille, Hazet, I’m not saying it can’t be done, because there are some successful independent sellers, but much harder without the name behind you…. At least in Australia.

@P46345 3 жыл бұрын

Someday soon I hope the intro to these videos is not going to have Mr. Joe selling tools out of his trunk. ;-)

@jeffhurley3548 3 жыл бұрын

Lol exactly gotta be more reliable than joes truck poor joe lord bless that man with a new truck seriously 😎👍

@redwarrior320 3 жыл бұрын

Does Matt ship? I would love to buy some things from him!

@KoonTrucking 3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

Yes I do 615-596-7012

@benjamin_axios8926 3 жыл бұрын

@@KoonTrucking is there a website he has to order tools from him ?

@U_ever 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Clay, but you neglected to tell everyone to ignore all the crap/sh!t that Nick at JDT-Co talks about Matt.

@KoonTrucking 3 жыл бұрын

Haha they are good friends

@edwinrodhe2651 2 жыл бұрын

I'm in Ohio I'm looking for a good tool guy how can find one I'm been looking for one on online

@TheTorkerman 2 жыл бұрын

Well mate, the answer was in this video

@jeramy2398 3 жыл бұрын

If you can get the tool suppliers your money head than you don't have to pay franchise fee.

@beachamgroup2482 3 жыл бұрын

' I got nothing against Cornwall' then they hold him to ransom for $17k. Yeah right. Wishing you all the best. You seem to have more freedom to do business.

@boardwalkcruisers757 3 жыл бұрын

Never not once shipped a tool I didn't order that was his DM not the company

@invisibleman7971 2 жыл бұрын

Learn to weld a build a box that would last two lifetimes

@linkstale 3 жыл бұрын

first

@danieltubbs458 3 жыл бұрын

Is Joe considered an independent dealer

@shannonhargis3445 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah pretty sure

@buckndoe1193 3 жыл бұрын

Mr Joe is an independent. He was also a former cornwell dealer

@ibookgeek01 3 жыл бұрын

Pat Hammer

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

That’s me .... good ol Pat hammer !!!

@ibookgeek01 3 жыл бұрын

@@techschoice next time I’m In Nashville I’m bringing my JTDCO t-shirt and visiting you

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

Come on brother would love to have you on the truck !!! I have one of those shirts also !!! Lol

@kevinc3925 Жыл бұрын

S and K lol. You mean SK?

@james.flyingcigarco 3 жыл бұрын

Cornwell is overpriced junk. The way their prices are here, you come out about the same buying matco or snap on.

@BillyBob02 3 жыл бұрын

I’m glad he realizes that it was a bombing on the World Trade Centers, and not an “airplane crash”

@techschoice 3 жыл бұрын

Cameras will make you nervous… Sometimes you fumble words

@BillyBob02 3 жыл бұрын

@@techschoice I was in agreement with what you said. I have my own beliefs that are not the most common out there.

@Runescape. Ай бұрын

tool trucks are a dying thing , guarantee you look at this guys finances and he's heavily in debt barely making payments on all that shit and his truck upkeep. the margins on tools are shit. also now days you can just go up to harbor freight and buy ICON directly and get the tool warrantied out and swapped in less than an hour. meanwhile you're waiting on joe schmoe and his "truck" to come around and hope that hes going to help you for the overpriced crap you bought. and that is even counting that he has one on the truck to warranty which most dont, which means now you're waiting two weeks to warranty a tool out. there are no pros to buying tool truck tools. only cons.