Paging billymade!

[Uncle Buck]

OK, the subject of how Sears warranties their taps and dies has been done here several times through the years. Some guys said they should be lifetime backed, some said they were, their current policy says no, they are not lifetime backed.

I have several Craftsman tool catalogs from the late 1960's and a good number from the 1970's. The catalogs I have as recent as 1977-78 were still proudly announcing that Sears taps and dies were all lifetime backed. There was no mistaking the message, it was clear as day!

I bought my standard set in 1977, what is Sears going to do when I bring my broken tap or die, and my 1977-78 tool catalog that shows my lifetime warranty and slide that under the associates nose? I do not see that I could be turned down? Anybody care to comment..........................

 

[krusty the clown]

i think you'll find that the CURRENT warranty policy will supercede the stated policy in your catalog.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i think you'll find that the CURRENT warranty policy will supercede the stated policy in your catalog.

You mean in the catalogs of today, or those of yesterday? I do not recall reading anything like you are speaking of in either the current catalog, or that of yesteryear?

 

[krusty the clown]

i'm refering to YOUR (77-78) catalog stating "lifetime warranty". you also stated "the current policy says no, they are not lifetime backed". i believe the current policy will be the one used AND it is most likely because the mfr has stopped reimburing sears for warranty. i had the same situation with matco as a dealer, when i started drill bits were lifetime warranted against breakage. when the policy changed to "no warranty" i ate a lot of drill bits.

 

[hossmwp]

Very interesting. I would think that if you bought it in 1977-78 and the catalog says it is warrantied for life then you should be good. However I can see how they would argue that. I would figure it would come down to the manage of the store/department and what your like. If your a pain they probably would do it. I have had good and bad luck with them.

 

[Titus]

I am going to guess that it will be like the old torque wrenches... your Lifetime warrantied tap will be swapped out for a non-warrantied tap.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I am going to guess that it will be like the old torque wrenches... your Lifetime warrantied tap will be swapped out for a non-warrantied tap.

I would agree that would be their plan, but how would they ever know one way or another in the future?

 

[Titus]

I would agree that would be their plan, but how would they ever know one way or another in the future?

Good question.


Paging billymade!

 

[Kevin54]

Wow!!! This would be almost to the place where a lawyer would have to get involved. I'm interested to see how this turns out. Take Sear's to their knees

 

[krusty the clown]

it should be pretty easy to tell the difference between a tap/die made in 1978 from one made in 2008.............the one from 1978 would have made in USA on it

 

[Uncle Buck]

Actually, I do not need to return a broken one, this is all theory I am talking about.

 

[speed bump]

it should be pretty easy to tell the difference between a tap/die made in 1978 from one made in 2008.............the one from 1978 would have made in USA on it

The current ones have USA on them as well if I believe last years Craftsman Catalog.

 

[Uncle Buck]

The current ones have USA on them as well if I believe last years Craftsman Catalog.

Yes they do, my metrics are about 1yr old and they say USA on them.

 

[krusty the clown]

i was joking actually.............but i do believe there will be enough difference to tell.

 

[Speargun]

It's been about 2 or 3 years ago, but when I broke one of the taps from my 1990's Craftsman tap & die set, the salesman traded me for a new one without a word.
Then again, I've almost always got good service from my local store.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i was joking actually.............but i do believe there will be enough difference to tell.

Actually, there is a bit of difference. My original SAE set from the day had round button dies instead of the hex dies they sell today.

Years ago, the only Sears dies that were hex shaped were the high speed steel sets, the carbon steel ones were round.

You are right Krusty, I bet most of the Sears staff would not have a clue about that though, what do ya wanna bet!

 

[krusty the clown]

yes i agree.......i'm guessing they would deny warranty, you would ask to see the manager, he would replace the tap but tell you that he cannot do it again.

 

[nissan_crawler]

OK, the subject of how Sears warranties their taps and dies has been done here several times through the years. Some guys said they should be lifetime backed, some said they were, their current policy says no, they are not lifetime backed.

I have several Craftsman tool catalogs from the late 1960's and a good number from the 1970's. The catalogs I have as recent as 1977-78 were still proudly announcing that Sears taps and dies were all lifetime backed. There was no mistaking the message, it was clear as day!

I bought my standard set in 1977, what is Sears going to do when I bring my broken tap or die, and my 1977-78 tool catalog that shows my lifetime warranty and slide that under the associates nose? I do not see that I could be turned down? Anybody care to comment..........................

i think you'll find that the CURRENT warranty policy will supercede the stated policy in your catalog.

Krusty is right. Dad had a few broken ones, has tried in multiple sears stores, nobody will honor the warranty, even though it's stamped right on the case itself, and in the paperwork.

The only thing they will do is trade the entire lifetime warranty set for the cheapo non-warranty ones.

So much for a lifetime warranty.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Krusty is right. Dad had a few broken ones, has tried in multiple sears stores, nobody will honor the warranty, even though it's stamped right on the case itself, and in the paperwork.

The only thing they will do is trade the entire lifetime warranty set for the cheapo non-warranty ones.

So much for a lifetime warranty.

Something tells me that by the time I got done bitchin, pissin and moanin (quite loudly I might add) they would gladly give me whatever taps and dies I needed to shut my hole and leave the store!

I always try the nice route first, but it is amazing how fast I can become a bellering A hole over something as petty as a tap or die!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Krusty is right. Dad had a few broken ones, has tried in multiple sears stores, nobody will honor the warranty, even though it's stamped right on the case itself, and in the paperwork.

The only thing they will do is trade the entire lifetime warranty set for the cheapo non-warranty ones.

So much for a lifetime warranty.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if they were ever challenged in court over that!

 

[krusty the clown]

It would be interesting to see what would happen if they were ever challenged in court over that!

i'm sure their is a clause to cover that.........i'll bet the legal dept studied it before they changed policy. remember these came from a vendor and the determines warranty.

 

[Titus]

Something tells me that by the time I got done bitchin, pissin and moanin (quite loudly I might add) they would gladly give me whatever taps and dies I needed to shut my hole and leave the store!

I always try the nice route first, but it is amazing how fast I can become a bellering A hole over something as petty as a tap or die!

I heard a third hand story of a guy who had a Sears tirade over the Torque wrench warranty, and was said to have walked out with a letter from the store manager stating that his limited warranty torque wrench was a replacement for a lifetime replacement one, and that the store was extending the lifetime warranty to this replacement. I have no idea if the story is true, or if the letter would hold water, but I found it amusing.

 

[mkdive]

Something tells me that by the time I got done bitchin, pissin and moanin (quite loudly I might add) they would gladly give me whatever taps and dies I needed to shut my hole and leave the store!

I always try the nice route first, but it is amazing how fast I can become a bellering A hole over something as petty as a tap or die!

You need to come on down to my local sears and do some talking on my behalf then

 

[Uncle Buck]

You need to come on down to my local sears and do some talking on my behalf then

Rather simple, really. All it takes is the ability to look and sound like the worlds greatest A hole while conducting the whole show in front of a store full of strangers, and just not giving a rip about who is watching, what they are saying, or thinking of you, or about you!

 

[Titus]

Rather simple, really. All it takes is the ability to look and sound like the worlds greatest A hole while conducting the whole show in front of a store full of strangers, and just not giving a rip about who is watching, what they are saying, or thinking of you, or about you!

I am told it is particularly useful to have a friend or two in the store (but not "with" you) to quietly set down a handful of tools at the register and walk out of the store during the "discussion" with the manager.

 

[billymade]

The sense that I am getting @ work is that the current line of tap/dies are definitely not lifetime warranty and are being treated just like the drill bits; as "consumables". Make a point of looking on the packaging of any/all Craftsman items you purchase @ Sears; they should clearly state the "lifetime warrany" logo/info, if in fact they are lifetime warranted. In case of the currently shipping taps/dies; after the 90 day return policy, you are on your own.
A note about vintage tools and lifetime warranties; many of the earlier stuff had lifetime warranties, you have to stick to your guns! Our tool dept. manager has emailed sears in an attempt to figure out the value/warranty on earlier stuff that has been discontinued and typically, has offered a credit towards something else with a gift card or warranted the item with a current equivalent tool. Many times such as the case of obselete items this warranted "new" item, was offered with the caveat that the new item was not lifetime warranted, if in fact the new item did not have a lifetime warranty or was a third party non-craftsman tool; many times this was not satisfactory to the customer and that is why the sears credit/giftcard was offered as a option.
In general, you can ask a Sears "associate" a question and get 20 different answers, you are dealing with flat out lack of knowledge, lack of caring or unwillingness to research the issue; managers can do the research but not all are willing to. This is a case where your old catalog is proof of the warranty but do you want replacements that aren't lifetime? Thats a judgement call you need to make and possibly take the credit or gift card and buy something that is lifetime. This would be a great issue for the Customer Relations hotline to clarify; as with everything else: YMMV and Caveat Emptor; that is my take on the situation from a peon on the sales floor. Give customer relations a call for the definitive answer on the issue:

Customer Relations Hotline:
1-800-549-4505

Email us your questions, comments and experiences
or send a letter to:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSeMail?refLink=relations&adCell=A4

Sears National Customer Relations
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

 

[Bolster]

My personal opinion is that a generous replacement warrantee, no matter who offers it (sears, snap-on, whomever...) is "not sustainable."

It's a short-term grab for market share that has long-term consequences when the tools are recycled ad infinitum. No business can stay in business and sell a tool only once, a hundred years ago, to somebody's great grandfather, have it pass down through myriad hands and flea markets, to be replaced for new tools on demand many times until the tool is finally lost.

Very similar, if you think about it, to why social security can't last forever, either. All Ponzi schemes must end at some point.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Thank you billymade. I know if one of my old lifetime taps or dies breaks I would take the broken tool and my old catalog and go to the store. Since there is no such thing as a lifetime replacement I would be content with a replacement of the same size tap or die, and not argue about it being a lifetime replacement or not.

The way I would see it is I cannot ***** about a tool they no longer have, so I would live with the replacement I was given.

For me, this is not very apt to happen anyway, I do not recall ever breaking more than one tap in all my years of using them so I doubt I am going to start breaking a bunch in a hurry now.

This was really just a what if discussion for me.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I still have quite a few lifetime warrantied tools, PowerKraft, Indestro, Wizard, etc. (out of business, bankrupt, etc)

And a few no longer produced lifetime warrantied tools (or have access to them, torque wrench, dogbone wrench).

Based on things like the tape measures (that they now only replace broken guts on), they will offer to swap for either non lifetime warrantied tools, OEM tools (some of the old tin snips) and say any future warranty is through them, or try to get an accurate price, to give you in the form of a gift card. (if you don't push for cash back, make sure it is one you can use for catalog only stuff)

 

[autoace]

Vermont America is the only company I know of, that offers a lifetime warranty on their tap and dies still.

 

[MAD]

Vermont America is the only company I know of, that offers a lifetime warranty on their tap and dies still.

This is true, but the Vermont American warranty is not a "Guaranteed Forever" warranty like most Craftsman hand tools have. They might replace your well used/abused thirty year old tap in the name of customer good will if you sent it in, but it would not really be covered under the letter of their warranty.

Vermont American’s Lifetime Replacement Policy

A Vermont American product will provide complete satisfaction for the life of the product or it will be replaced free of charge. If one of our products does not provide complete satisfaction, please return it to the place of purchase for a replacement. Products not accepted for return at the original place of purchase may also be sent for replacement to Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Attention: Product Warranty, 1980 Indian Creek Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092. Products that are worn due to excessive use or products that fail due to abuse will not be replaced.

BTW: Most of the Craftsman Taps and Dies are made by Vermont American. I have seen old Craftsman sets that looked to be made by Greenfield. Greenfield still provides many of the Craftsman twist type dill bits.

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

This is true, but the Vermont American warranty is not a "Guaranteed Forever" warranty like most Craftsman hand tools have. They might replace your well used/abused thirty year old tap in the name of customer good will if you sent it in, but it would not really be covered under the letter of their warranty.



BTW: Most of the Craftsman Taps and Dies are made by Vermont American. I have seen old Craftsman sets that looked to be made by Greenfield. Greenfield still provides many of the Craftsman twist type dill bits.

Interesting, their warranty defines "Lifetime" as the life of the product/tool, not one of our "lifetimes", different way of looking at it.

They also avoid using the "Guaranteed Forever" term.

 

[krusty the clown]

and it is only warranteed againd defects in materials and workmanship not wear or breakage.