Wilton Bash Hammers

[benzoni]

Have one of the 14lb Wilton Bash Hammers. Recently the unbreakable handle started to twist out of the head. I called Wilton and requested they replace it. Wilton says unless I have a record of purchase(that I dont have) they cant do anything for me. This is the second hammer like this that I have needed to replace from Wilton. The first hammer was cracked in the faces and Wilton actually replaced it about 6 years ago.(they didnt require proof at that time) Is this unreasonable to think they should still replace this hammer without the receipt?

 

[fivespdcat]

Nope. Asking for a receipt is an easy way to get out of the warranty obligations. I mean who keeps receipts for stuff 10 years old? I know I don't, but if they screwed me like that, I sure can not buy their stuff for 10 years.

 

[domain]

I was just about to throw down some cash on their hammers. .. guess not

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd push it one level above customer service rep and see what you can get done. Mentioned sharing your concerns here, can't hurt.

 

[BFHtime]

I would not buy there hammers, if they do not stand behind them.

 

[woody 73]

My two cents...but I am guessing that six years ago their warranty was different from today (A guess mind you).

Today it clearly reads you need a proof of purchase. My second guess is that large companies keep track of what they buy on computer back-up so they would be covered, (not what you want to hear).

I hate like heck saying this but you are out of luck, (coming from a man that never likes to give up).

With that being said I have been keeping my tool receipts for the last 40 years, could I find my wilton receipts for my three wilton bash ball-peen hammers, yes but it would take me six months of looking. I am not crazy about hearing the news from this post; again my two cents thinks someone in accounting at Wilton came up with that brainstorm to save some money.

If they say unbreakable for good will they should stand by that as long as the op was not abusing the hammer in any way. Wilton if you are reading this others are also reading this post.

http://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/service-and-support/warranty/

 

[Tronyadorable]

Buy a Stanley. Order 3 extra handles.

 

[Hornman]

Now that some stores are using thermal receipt tapes, the receipt fades to blank in a year, so saving a store receipt might not be enough. Filling out the warantee card might work.

 

[justtools]

Well you did get six years use from this hammer and it was a replacement from I bought at an earlier date.

 

[justtools]

I used to hunt around and buy my stuff wearever it was cheapest.. Now I buy at I large tool supplier, They keep computer records, (so I dont have to) . And I dont have an issue getting anything warrantied. They sell all the major brands along with wilton. Makes life easier.

 

[Jswain]

The warranty is probably only valid for the original customer, and that is your proof of being the original customer. Pretty standard for a warranty, some places enforce it more then others.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

"Lifetime use of original purchaser" is written into some, but not all warranties..

Yep,, I have kept my receipts for years...... Since the day of owning a copy machine, I made a copy of the thermal receipts. Then staple any literature that comes with the tool to the receipts, and file it.. I have receipts going back to the 60's...

The plan now is to put all my tools and equipment on a Microsoft Works spread sheet.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The warranty is probably only valid for the original customer, and that is your proof of being the original customer. Pretty standard for a warranty, some places enforce it more then others.

Yes;

It bewilders me how some of these companies hand out warrantied tool replacements to the third or fifth owner of a 60 year old tool... I have to question when the warranty obligation is considered expired.. When producing a tool with an overly liberal warranty,,, they have to factor in warranty expenses.... Would this lead to a higher retail price, or lower price and quality for the current production that may be funding those ancient warranties??? I feel my questions are far more realistic than harsh...
I do not blame the tool companies for requiring the receipt.

 

[fivespdcat]

Yes;

It bewilders me how some of these companies hand out warrantied tool replacements to the third or fifth owner of a 60 year old tool... I have to question when the warranty obligation is considered expired.. When producing a tool with an overly liberal warranty,,, they have to factor in warranty expenses.... Would this lead to a higher retail price, or lower production or quality for the current production that may be funding those ancient warranties??? I feel my questions are far more realistic than harsh...
I do not blame the tool companies for requiring the receipt.

This is usually part of the pricing equation and wilton is certainly proud of their bash hammers. They are more expensive than their competition even the domestic ones. I can understand the idea of original purchasers, but if I have to bother with having a receipt, the warranty means exactly zero and that is the credit you'll get from me for it. I will not pay more for a hammer that claims it's backed up for life, to me the hammer has no warranty and should command no premium over my favorites like Vaughan or Estwing.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

This is usually part of the pricing equation and wilton is certainly proud of their bash hammers. They are more expensive than their competition even the domestic ones. I can understand the idea of original purchasers, but if I have to bother with having a receipt, the warranty means exactly zero and that is the credit you'll get from me for it. I will not pay more for a hammer that claims it's backed up for life, to me the hammer has no warranty and should command no premium over my favorites like Vaughan or Estwing.

Ya,,, that fine print can sour one's spirits,,, It is beneficial to know the warranty requirements, whether purchasing new or used....

That is a good point to bring up,, what the actual value of a tool is to each individual in regards to the warranty..

 

[PugetDude]

Buy a Stanley. Order 3 extra handles.

Typical off-topic response.

 

[rtole]

I have to agree that that is **** on this one. They say unbreakable.........even marketing 1000 bucks I think if you break it. It had better hold up and be taken care of. I am not one who thinks that abused tools should be covered.......but if they want to make the bold claim of an unbreakable hammer..............at least it should be warrantied. Even without a proof of purchase. You cant call a product (the most abused tool in the box) unbreakable, and then use a technically to opt out of the warranty. Those hammers are stupid expensive. ( I have 4) that's just piss poor. ,

 

[PureLeaf]

I just bought a Wilson BASH 4 lb sledge from Amazon, it showed up in the mail yesterday. I know amazon saves my receipts, but in 5 years? 10 years? who knows if an internet company would still be around. I dont keep receipts, and after reading your thread I'm considering returning the sledge and spending my money with another brand like Estwing.

Don't want this issue cropping up in future!

 

[Jswain]

Is it really THAT hard to keep a receipt, take a pic with your cellphone and email it to yourself? Every large company is run by accountants and lawyers, thats life. The policy is to keep people from buying a broken hammer for $10 and sending it in for a new one

 

[gte718p]

The policy is to keep people from buying a broken hammer for $10 and sending it in for a new one

Nice try, the policy is a known hedge to allow you to market something with while limiting the risk. They know the odds for it breaking, and calculate the expected replacement costs. Those are factored in to the original price. There are accepted numbers on how long a customer will keep a receipt. It is used as a cost control measure.

I had a class on it once. I wish I could find the notes with the exact model.

 

[Jswain]

Nice try, the policy is a known hedge to allow you to market something with while limiting the risk. They know the odds for it breaking, and calculate the expected replacement costs. Those are factored in to the original price. There are accepted numbers on how long a customer will keep a receipt. It is used as a cost control measure.

I had a class on it once. I wish I could find the notes with the exact mode
S.

You should really post this in the conspiracy theory thread, because it is obvious that it belongs there...

I keep all my receipts, therefore I have no problems returning broken tools, ever.

 

[gte718p]

There is no conspiracy. Successful businesses don't make randomness decisions. The ones that do don't last. Everything from the price of a soda to marketing are a deliberate process.

There are statistics and models for just about everything.

Do you really think ryobi is going to keep manufacturing one series of batteries to supply there batteries for life guarantee? They have a decent idea on how long it will take to sunset the product and how many they need to stock when they do stop manufacturing. They used the same numbers when pricing the batteries.

 

[PureLeaf]

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

 

[T45]

Tell them they should have a the record

of the last time they sold it to you.

Or in this case, replaced it.

 

[cheechi]

Wilton actually replaced it about 6 years ago.

Tell them they should have a the record

of the last time they sold it to you.

Or in this case, replaced it.

There you go. Either your record/shipping receipt, even a tracking number if you still have the email. But in either case if the one you are trying to replace is the same one they replaced already, basically this situation you just didn't ask the right questions.

 

[Dberglind]

Buy another one and use a copy of the receipt from that to warranty your broken one. Get your replacement and then return it.

 

[benzoni]

Tell them they should have a the record

of the last time they sold it to you.

Or in this case, replaced it.

I did, asked them where their record was.

 

[benzoni]

Buy a Stanley. Order 3 extra handles.

What I was thinking except buy the hammer then replace handle as necessary since they are readily available.

 

[benzoni]

I'd push it one level above customer service rep and see what you can get done. Mentioned sharing your concerns here, can't hurt.

I called once and then emailed. They emailed me with their answer and I responded. After I responded to this email I received another email from another rep with the previous one copied on it so I believe it was escalated. After one call and two emails Im not going to worry about it any more, just gave me heartburn at the time.

 

[geartow]

I just ordered a bash from the local auto partsstore because they will cover it if a warrenty issue arises. When you are a $100k custamer a month they cover all tools that we break . And they have a full line of tools.

 

[300cbi]

Had a Snap on Dead blow it went like cheese rep said we don't warranty hammers that was 20 years ago Never bought another SO tool so the hammer was an expensive fail for them, their side cutters were not any better got fed up with the winging van man & went to Knipex, even longer ago.
The dead blow was a bit of a laugh really about 18 months later we bought a load of racking & the Co gave us 4 FREE to put the shelves together

 

[Finky198]

^^^ Thats funny i guess you dont know how to ask propley or you have a crapy dealer,

our local divers and SO head quaters have never once in 10 years given me any trouble about warranting a Hammer of any kind...hmmm?

 

[anndel]

I was looking at those Wilton BASH hammers at our local dealer and decided against it. Being a GJ Alliance Member, I went with Trusty-Cook Hammers and never looked back. Looking to buy some more next month to kill cockroaches.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Another thing to factor is age of the receipt, many receipts that are thermally printed fade in as short as one year. I safe my receipts for tax purposes but I make it a standard practise to make a copy of the receipt and staple the original to it, so I have a tecord that will last.

TheGrooveking