Need advice on ratchet lever?

[48548]

I need some new levers for a proto 5449 and 5249. I contacted stanley, and they said, to buy one from grainger and the lever comes with the kit, but why should I buy a kit if I just need a lever? Also the kit from grainger with shipping comes to around 20? Is it just me or is that a waste? Snap on only charges 10 and if I just needed a lever I could just get that. Any ideas how to get the new levers without paying for a full kit or does anyone have a lever I could buy? Thanks.

Michael

 

[Merkava_4]

It depends on who you talk to at Stanley/Proto. Some guys on the board have had their rebuild kits shipped to them free.

 

[48548]

I just sent them an e-mail and let them know snap on would fix it for free or a kit is 10, but more importantly I can just buy the lever for a couple of dollars... I asked them if they would stand behind there product better? I guess we will see.

 

[Merkava_4]

You're gonna make them mad with that email.

 

[48548]

Yes I am, but I am trying to prove a point, just sell me the part I need. Also they won't sell you the part you have to go to grainger, that is even more upsetting.... Damn Merkava, I would think you would help support Snap on and my e-mail, now I feel like I was a rude jerk, hahaha.

 

[Merkava_4]

I support you all the way in your efforts, but I'm just trying to save you some grief by telling you what to expect.

 

[48548]

I know giving you a hard time... If I have to buy kit than so be it, but I would hope I could work something out with them, I had broken ratchets they fixed, but maybe they don't provide kits, not sure what the deal is.

 

[Merkava_4]

Here's a good thread on the subject; read this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18716&highlight=proto

 

[wrenchr]

They will end up sending you a new ratchet, make them feel like an ***!!

 

[eschoendorff]

You will catch more flies with honey....


Hard to do, especially when you're mad....

 

[Merkava_4]

On July 21, 2008 I sent in a pair of Bose headphones to Bose asking for a replacement. The plastic swivel bracket that supports the left cup broke in half. They received the headphones on July 28, 2008 according to the UPS tracking number.

In August I emailed them asking them what's up. They emailed back and said I should have called them first before sending the headphones to ask for a Return Authorization Number; they also asked me when and where I purchased the headset.

Bose calls headphones "headsets" for some strange reason.

I told them I purchased them in December of 2006 from GoodGuys electronics in Fresno. They emailed me back and said they're only warranted for 1 year and that they would sell me a new pair for $30 (they cost $125 new) as soon as they received the old headset. I already sent them the headset!

Did I expect the headphones to be warranted for life considering they initially cost $125(?) Yes! Was I being unrealistic in my expectations considering today's type of market? Probably so, yes.

 

[v8garage]

I have always heard them called headsets. Why would you call them headphones do they have a phone in them?

 

[64merc]

I need some new levers for a proto 5449 and 5249. I contacted stanley, and they said, to buy one from grainger and the lever comes with the kit, but why should I buy a kit if I just need a lever? Also the kit from grainger with shipping comes to around 20? Is it just me or is that a waste? Snap on only charges 10 and if I just needed a lever I could just get that. Any ideas how to get the new levers without paying for a full kit or does anyone have a lever I could buy? Thanks.

Michael

You're going about it all wrong. See, you can't confuse them with too much info. Just tell them that you have two ratchets that finally died on you and that you would like rebuild kits for them. I'm sure they have something in their handbook that says not to offer to send a kit unless certain complaints are made or certain criteria is met.

 

[Merkava_4]

See, you can't confuse them with too much info.

Dang skippy! Keep it simple for the stupid.

 

[48548]

Well if we really want to get complicated, one kit is for a plomb ratchet, that needs a new lever, hahaha.

 

[Stuey]

On July 21, 2008 I sent in a pair of Bose headphones to Bose asking for a replacement. The plastic swivel bracket that supports the left cup broke in half. They received the headphones on July 28, 2008 according to the UPS tracking number.

In August I emailed them asking them what's up. They emailed back and said I should have called them first before sending the headphones to ask for a Return Authorization Number; they also asked me when and where I purchased the headset.

Bose calls headphones "headsets" for some strange reason.

I told them I purchased them in December of 2006 from GoodGuys electronics in Fresno. They emailed me back and said they're only warranted for 1 year and that they would sell me a new pair for $30 (they cost $125 new) as soon as they received the old headset. I already sent them the headset!

Did I expect the headphones to be warranted for life considering they initially cost $125(?) Yes! Was I being unrealistic in my expectations considering today's type of market? Probably so, yes.

lol, it doesn't surprise me that you'd buy BOSE headphones. BOSE: Buy Other Sound Equipment.

In all serious though, why did you expect that sending something back would result in a phone call or automatic replacement?

A lot of companies will help you out, but not without first contacting them.

Regarding Proto, I guess referring people to Grainger is an automatic first response or something.

 

[Merkava_4]

I just called up Cornwell to get a price on a couple of Wrench Racks:

"What's the part number sir?"

"PAPA ROMEO dash WISKEY ROMEO PAPA dash 12."

 

[48548]

Well now I am fawking mad.... I don't have an account at grainger to get the stuff, don't know anyone with an account or company with an account, so I can get it from them, and I called proto and they said to send it in, well if I send in a plomb tool for a new lever it isn't going to get fixed... This is a bad as snap on, you buy the tools from the website but when they break you have to find a dealer, what BS... So now I need to find someone with an account to get them to order the parts, and then pay them.... Hmmm... What is wrong with this picture? Also the shipping would be close to the cost of the kit, so it still doesn't make sense...

 

[Merkava_4]

Well now I am fawking mad.... I don't have an account at grainger to get the stuff...

"Do you have an account with us sir?"

"Yeah, I work at Consolidated Metals Inc."

You don't need your own account; you just need to give them the name of some company that has one. Don't worry, you won't get in trouble; you're still going to make purchases with your own money; it's just that they need to put down someone's name for satisfying their network system. I do it all the time.

 

[64merc]

48548, I feel your pain man, but don't get too worked up. Call them again later on so you get somebody different. Don't give them the whole story, just start fresh and tell them that your favorite ratchets are both broken, and you would appreciate it if they would send you rebuild kits. If they suggest Grainger tell them you get horrible service there and that will not do. If they ask you to send them in let them know you don't have much money and shipping costs a lot. If this fails, then send them a very firm email and let them have it (be as professional as possible). My $.02

 

[48548]

I did send am email that was professional explaining the problems with their distribution options and we will see what they say... I just don't understand how companies can piss away buyers because they are to lazy to sell to people, and point you to a third party company...

 

[64merc]

I did send am email that was professional explaining the problems with their distribution options and we will see what they say... I just don't understand how companies can piss away buyers because they are to lazy to sell to people, and point you to a third party company...

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you wanted it fixed under warranty, not that you were trying to buy one part. I still think getting them to send a kit (warranty) is the best route, but it's only my guess.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you take the whole ratchet into Grainger, they'll probably give you a whole new ratchet. Just think of a big shop or plant locally and tell them you work there; they're not going to ask for proof. They just need to put a company name down for their software system.

 

[48548]

Well I wanted a kit for my plomb 5249 and a kit for my proto 5449 that need a lever only. I would buy but think the warranty should cover it. As for my snap on letter here is the response...

We have generated a support ticket to help us track your inquiry. Your ticket code is LTK419021030625X. Please use this code in any further communication.

For this one time, we will send you the kits under warranty at no charge. www.mscdirect.com is an on-line distributor that will sell to anybody and they also have a toll free number to call to order by credit card. Your kits should be to you within 7-8 business days. Thanks.

In case this email does not fully answer your question, or you would like to contact us for any reason, simply reply to this email.

Thank you

 

[Merkava_4]

We have generated a support ticket to help us track your inquiry. Your ticket code is LTK419021030625X. Please use this code in any further communication.

For this one time, we will send you the kits under warranty at no charge. www.mscdirect.com is an on-line distributor that will sell to anybody and they also have a toll free number to call to order by credit card. Your kits should be to you within 7-8 business days. Thanks.

In case this email does not fully answer your question, or you would like to contact us for any reason, simply reply to this email.

Thank you

So that's it then right? They're sending you the kits you want right? Case closed?

 

[48548]

To bad they didn't ask for my address....