Proto ratchet warranty ?

[t4runner]

I have a Proto ratchet #5249 that needs a rebuild kit. I call Proto and they gave me the number of several Proto dealers in my area. I call all of them and I am told if I didnt buy it from them then I have to pay for a rebuild kit, those dealers told me to give Proto a call and they will send me a rebuild kit for free.
I call Proto again and they ask for the model number and how old is it. I tell them its about 10-15 years old. The person them says that its not covered, it only comes with a limited lifetime warranty and the warranty does not cover parts that are worn out . I guess Ill be selling my Proto ratchets.

 

[MJB24]

Let me know what you have I am interested.

 

[bonneyman]

I feel your pain, sir.

I've been predicting that warranty "adjustments" were coming with tools for a while now. A "lifetime warranty" has become "lifetime - as determined by the manufacturer". Been happening with other items, and I believe Craftsman will eventually resort to it. But it is still frustrating when a major brand like Proto gives in.

That is one of the great things about Snap-On. They carry rebuild parts for virtually every ratchet they've ever made. Maybe the REAL old or obscure ones are NLA, but most of their stuff still is.

I think I may have a Proto kit in my stash. 3/8" drive, right? I'll take a look. If I have it, I'll send it to you. I don't need it.

 

[Neverfly]

I feel your pain, sir.

I've been predicting that warranty "adjustments" were coming with tools for a while now. A "lifetime warranty" has become "lifetime - as determined by the manufacturer". Been happening with other items, and I believe Craftsman will eventually resort to it.

They had, apparently, sent out a memo to the heavy managers with the base proposition: Get rid of the Lifetime Warranty or start making the tools in China/Taiwan.
Apparently the decision was for making Craftsman tools in China/Taiwan, now.

Fools.

 

[bonneyman]

Here it is. If it will work for ya.
It's used, but free. PM me your address, and I'll get it heading your way.

 

[t4runner]

Thanks I sent you a PM before you posted the above reply.

 

[Neverfly]

Here it is. If it will work for ya.
It's used, but free. PM me your address, and I'll get it heading your way.

Wow!
You're some kind of awesome... I wish I had known you when that little selector thingy wore out on my Proto 5649.
Had to make two trips to Grainger but I did avoid having to buy the entire rebuild kit...

 

[rsanter]

Call them and tell them it's not worn out, it's broken
Does their warranty cover broken?
If they still won't cover it then I would ask them what their warranty is for

Worn out in 10-15 years is BS, I have lots of snap on stuff that is 10-15 years old and not worn out. Hell I have a craftsman ratchet that is over 15 years old that just got reconditioned by cleaning it out and re-lubing it


Bob

 

[woody 73]

Maybe this will help you out:

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/support/Pages/Warranty.aspx

 

[Hootbro]

I do not think Proto was ever a "complete satisfaction" warranty like Sears Craftsman is and fair wear and tear is not covered.

They never were a truck brand either and have been a industrial parts supplier brand for the last 30+ years or so. To expect anything but material defect for workmanship, is asking a little to much of Proto.

 

[bonneyman]

Wow!
You're some kind of awesome... I wish I had known you when that little selector thingy wore out on my Proto 5649.
Had to make two trips to Grainger but I did avoid having to buy the entire rebuild kit...

I try to help out when I can.
I buy messed up ratchets and such because you never know when you'll need a part. I've bought bare ratchet handles, ratchets with bad guts for the handles, and ratchets with bent handles just to get the guts. Once in a while, I get two of the same ratchets together and make a workable one. Then I might give them to my apprentice so he can have decent tools.

 

[t4runner]

Don't count on them to cover normal wear and tear on any of their products. I guess Im spoiled with Snap-On, Mac, Matco and Craftsman.


From Proto web site

DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATION

This limited lifetime warranty:

​Is subject to the disclaimers and limitations described below and is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that vary by state.

Does not extend to products that have been improperly used, altered, or repaired by any entity other than Proto.

Does not cover the following categories of products: universal sockets, universal joints, thin-wall impact sockets, adapters, and retaining rings.

Does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear.

Does not extend to any claim for incidental, consequential, or special damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.

Proto makes no representations beyond those contained in this Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Employees and agents of Proto have no authority to make representations of any sort beyond those contained in this Limited Lifetime Warranty.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I called proto and got a 3/8" and 1/2" rebuilt kit in August and they gave me no problems whatsoever. The lady just asked for my address and I got them two days later.

 

[Fordman7795]

I called proto and got a 3/8" and 1/2" rebuilt kit in August and they gave me no problems whatsoever. The lady just asked for my address and I got them two days later.

Was my same experience approx 2 years ago. Asked for a rebuild kit and it came promptly.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

My experience is found in this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216560

 

[t4runner]

I will wait a day or two and try again, maybe I just got someone who was having a bad day.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I will wait a day or two and try again, maybe I just got someone who was having a bad day.

I find that most of the time if you just act ignorant of the whole process and are just really nice to the person you talk to that most of the time they will just send you a new rebuild kit for free. The only people I have had problems with getting kits from it APEX. They practically want you to submit a DNA sample to give you one. It also helps to tell them you live 30 miles from the nearest possible distributor and you do not want to have to travel all that way to get a replacement tool or rebuild kit.

 

[kams1973]

I had hell trying to get proto to honor their warranty on my spinflex ratchet. First, they wouldn't allow my to send it to them. I was informed a dealer had to send it in. Fortunately, one of my vendors is a proto dealer. So, I call my salesman and ask if he will send it in for me. So, the salesman sends the ratchet in to proto for warranty. About a month later, the salesman walks through my door and puts the old ratchet on my desk. Proto sent a letter with it stating since my vendor didn't make the original sale to me, they would not honor the warranty. I was dumbfounded.

 

[CWP1616L]

The repair kit is $12.95 -- is that a lot of money?

http://www.toolsource.com/drive-ratchet-repair-p-109477.html

 

[volaredon]

The repair kit is $12.95 -- is that a lot of money?

http://www.toolsource.com/drive-ratchet-repair-p-109477.html

reviving an old thread I have 2 Spinflex ratchets that I have just plumb wore out at home and one at work that's still goin strong.
would this kit in the quoted thread be the kit I need for my ratchet?

 

[SCscoutguy]

reviving an old thread I have 2 Spinflex ratchets that I have just plumb wore out at home and one at work that's still goin strong.
would this kit in the quoted thread be the kit I need for my ratchet?

No that kit is for the old pear head design. I don't think that Proto is associated with the spinflex design anymore so I doubt you cold get a rebuild kit through them. I think your only option would be to get a mac rebuild kit for the Mac spinflex ratchet the same drive size as yours as they were the exact same tool as the proto.
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...20798-38-drive-11-large-spinflex-ratchet.aspx

 

[monomach]

I have a Proto ratchet #5249 that needs a rebuild kit. I call Proto and they gave me the number of several Proto dealers in my area. I call all of them and I am told if I didnt buy it from them then I have to pay for a rebuild kit, those dealers told me to give Proto a call and they will send me a rebuild kit for free.
I call Proto again and they ask for the model number and how old is it. I tell them its about 10-15 years old. The person them says that its not covered, it only comes with a limited lifetime warranty and the warranty does not cover parts that are worn out . I guess Ill be selling my Proto ratchets.

Well, the people you sell them to will be happy.

I do not think Proto was ever a "complete satisfaction" warranty like Sears Craftsman is and fair wear and tear is not covered.

They never were a truck brand either and have been a industrial parts supplier brand for the last 30+ years or so. To expect anything but material defect for workmanship, is asking a little to much of Proto.

Yep, it was never a Craftsman type of warranty.