No more mastercraft maximum lifetime warranty

[1961MGA]

I was getting a broken hand tool replaced at my local Canadian tire and I was told, going forward that mastercraft maximum tools will only carry a 5 year warranty!

I was pretty shocked as that is Canadian tires upper brand...... I guess I'll see if it's true or not.

 

[Tool_Junkie]

What was the tool that you were replacing?

 

[shawndp]

I rather doubt that... we replaced some ****-tastic 1/2 ratchets from work this weekend and there was absolutely no issue when I joked about bringing those back for replacement. If this is true, it is going to send droves of people running to Princess Auto.

 

[matthew]

I just bought a rail of sockets that definitely still says lifetime warranty on the package.

I can't quite see how they would manage to sort out what is 5 years old or not, although definitely store-by-store policy seems to vary. I've had great experience at most CTC stores, easy over the counter exchange, except for one store that demands proof you bought it at that store. It seems that franchisee doesn't understand the warranty. I go out of my way to avoid giving that store any money now.

 

[Sine Swept]

Princess Auto quit being lifetime warranty some time ago!

 

[scooby074]

Doesnt surprise me. A year or so back I witnessed them giving a hard time to a dude exchanging a ratchet saying it was abuse where it used to be no questions asked. This was about the time that the store changed franchisees, so I just chalked it up to that.

I suppose they'll expect you to keep that (useless) thermal printed receipt to prove its within 5 yrs too. That'll be a great way to deny warranty for an item supposed to be covered.

I gave up on Crappy Tire years ago and only use them as a last resort. Nothing Canadian about them now, just Walmart with a larger sporting goods section.

I wonder if this is new company policy or if its some franchisee trying to make their own??

Ive never had an issue with returns at PA. Wonder if theyre next?

 

[1961MGA]

I was returning a 3/16 ball end hex socket. She told me this when she did the exchange. I can't find reference to it anywhere else though.

 

[kythri]

I don't have any experience with your Canadian stores, but I can tell you here in the USA, the vast majority of chain store employees know less about the plans of their employers than the customers do.

 

[1961MGA]

I figured the manager was lost but I threw it out there to see if anyone has heard of this also....

 

[Boilerhouse]

I suppose they'll expect you to keep that (useless) thermal printed receipt to prove its within 5 yrs too. That'll be a great way to deny warranty for an item supposed to be covered.

Very valid point. I keep all my receipts, and most of the ones from CTC are illegible after a couple of years.

 

[bsg1]

Very valid point. I keep all my receipts, and most of the ones from CTC are illegible after a couple of years.

it could be of assistance to take pictures of receipts and store them for later retrieval if needed.

 

[casmurbax]

I looked at two different wrench sets, neither said anything about a 5 year warrantyy. I have found other forums that were 6 years old talking about the "proof of purchase 5 year warranty"

Mastercraft Wikipedia page talks about the new warranty, but that really is hearsay as there is no direct link to where this information is coming from.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastercraft_(tool_brand)

WARRANTY
This product carries a lifetime exchange warranty redeemable at any Canadian Tire store.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-ratcheting-wrench-set-30-pc-0581252p.html#srp

 

[MikeF2316]

Doesnt surprise me. A year or so back I witnessed them giving a hard time to a dude exchanging a ratchet saying it was abuse where it used to be no questions asked. This was about the time that the store changed franchisees, so I just chalked it up to that.

I suppose they'll expect you to keep that (useless) thermal printed receipt to prove its within 5 yrs too. That'll be a great way to deny warranty for an item supposed to be covered.

I gave up on Crappy Tire years ago and only use them as a last resort. Nothing Canadian about them now, just Walmart with a larger sporting goods section.

I wonder if this is new company policy or if its some franchisee trying to make their own??

Ive never had an issue with returns at PA. Wonder if theyre next?

Same here. My local one, which is only a 10 minute walk from my house is staffed by high school kids who'd rather talk to each other than any customer. In addition to all the other flaws that all of them have.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I generally avoid anything that says Mastercraft on it. Don't care if its maximum or not. Especially they power tools. Nothing destroys your wrists quicker then a couple hours using one of their grinders.

 

[the gypsy]

I have heard a neighbor complain about the Mastercraft sockets, one day when we were at Canadian tire. He was saying that the Mastercraft product was **** and that he returned the sockets and ratchet for the 2nd or 3rd time and the store refused to exchange them.. So with a puzzled look on my face I asked him to explain at which time he told me that he was usuing them on his LOADER and the tools could not break the nuts loose. I believe that he thinks that these tools were made for Industrial use but Canadian Tire obviously did not agree. This is just my 2 cents, so yes I can understand if Canadian Tire did not respect the warranty.

 

[Algoma56]

it could be of assistance to take pictures of receipts and store them for later retrieval if needed.

I've been taking photocopies of like receipts(auto batteries, especially) to carry in car, or at least last a while.
Lately, I've been scanning the receipts, and keep them in a Desktop folder so they are easy to find, and print.

 

[Bill H]

I,am a heavy duty commercial mechanic and I can tell you without any doubt that Canadian Tire Maximum tools are worth the money,especially when they are on sale. I've been told that they are made by Stanley/Proto although I,ve been unable to confirm this.Yes I own some SnapOn tools, their 1/2" pneumatic impact is by far the best in the industry, and their off set tools are a SnapOn only tool. When it comes to a good tool that is used every day, the Canadian Tire Maximum line is very capable to get the job done. I've worked in shops with mechanics that have all makes of tools and all makes have their good points and bad points. Yes SnapOn,Mac, Proto,and SK are all great tools but they all only make a few tools that are superior to the lesser store brand tools. I can tell you when you need to put a wrench to something and then have to start smacking it with a 4lb hammer, it doesn't hurt so much when you know the wrench is worth 20 dollars compared to a 150 dollar SnapOn. In the real world of mechanics, it's not the make of the wrench that gets the job done but the mechanic thats using them.
Yes the big tool guys have Job specific tools or manufacturer specific tools,
( That they pay the manufacturers for exclusive rights to that tooling for that specific component repair, that you as the mechanic must pay an outrageous price for.)
But when it comes to warranties, ( Anyone that"s dealt with SnapOp,Mac etc you know what I'm talking about.) the Canadian tire Maximum or just the run of the mill Mastercraft you will have no problem exchanging or getting a repair kit for your tools. Even the Mastercraft Pneumatic tools: ie 1/2' impact is warrantied for 3 years, SnapOn is 1 year. ( Yes the SnapOn is a GREAT impact , the one I own is 9 years old, But I take very good care of it and I'm the only user.)
What I'm saying is, especially for you young mechanics out there, it's ok to show up at work with store brand tools,yes you will find that the big tool brands will have tools you will need, but only buy the tools you need from them, the rest can be bought from Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Lordco, KMS, ect. This includes tool boxes, check out Home Depot,big, deep boxes for great prices,and all warrantied.
You will find that most of them have lifetime warranties. Just keep your receipts.
Ok enough of my rant, just use your head, look for the deals, and don't be afraid of using the store brands.
Remember that tools never go bad, out of style or loose their value.

 

[WittHay]

^ Very good post and I agree, I think a lot of Mastercraft and Maximum tools are really good for the money. Lots of locally sourced tools like Jet, Napa Ultrapro and others are available for mechanics of all ages.

At the current prices for Snap-on and Mac not too many guys want to have complete tool truck sets for shop, road and home use.

 

[lowside67]

You looked up a 2 year old thread to post that?

-Mark

 

[ChrisLS8]

Issa shill

 

[Two Speed]

You looked up a 2 year old thread to post that?

-Mark

Sometimes you get into reading a lot of threads and you don't bother looking at dates and hit reply. If its relevent, age of thread does not matter.

Alex.

 

[sberry]

I am not worried about my Sears warranty or one on a HF wrench either, aint worth the dollar its worth and could be replaced at any pawn for 50 cents or bought new at a box store for 3$

 

[The Cobbler]

Princess Auto quit being lifetime warranty some time ago!

their policy is " no sale is final until your satisfied"

I saw a guy 6 months ago return a 3/4" drive ratchet that had been abused and beaten, the drive had been broken off sometime ago as it was totally rusty,
he got a new one

 

[scooby074]

their policy is " no sale is final until your satisfied"

I saw a guy 6 months ago return a 3/4" drive ratchet that had been abused and beaten, the drive had been broken off sometime ago as it was totally rusty,
he got a new one

I recently saw a guy exchange one of the PA 7" grinders https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/7-in-angle-grinder/A-p8535072e. It was beat to heck. The locking pin was broken, plus the thing was just generally abused. They exchanged it no questions. Guy told me it was his 3rd one

 

[Professional Tool User]

I was getting a broken hand tool replaced at my local Canadian tire and I was told, going forward that mastercraft maximum tools will only carry a 5 year warranty!

I was pretty shocked as that is Canadian tires upper brand...... I guess I'll see if it's true or not.

I bet you were dealing with a clueless employee. As long as you don't tell them you were using the tool for work or show up to warranty the tool in coveralls, exchanging broken tools should be no problem. After beating on my Maximum impact socket set for 2 years, I finally broke a shallow 21 mm socket and they gave me a new one. The same goes with that t55 bit insert from the same set. As they did not have any singles, they cannibalized a new set to help me out, though I had to go to another location because it was out of stock/discontinued.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Princess Auto quit being lifetime warranty some time ago!

Their royal guarranty is pretty much satisfaction guaranteed or money back as long as you keep the receipt or give them your phone number when you buy the item. I've broken a number of tools I bought off them and they either gave me a new one or gave me my money back. For limited quantities/special buy items, they may not be able to give you a new one, but they will give you your money back.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Doesnt surprise me. A year or so back I witnessed them giving a hard time to a dude exchanging a ratchet saying it was abuse where it used to be no questions asked. This was about the time that the store changed franchisees, so I just chalked it up to that.

I suppose they'll expect you to keep that (useless) thermal printed receipt to prove its within 5 yrs too. That'll be a great way to deny warranty for an item supposed to be covered.

I gave up on Crappy Tire years ago and only use them as a last resort. Nothing Canadian about them now, just Walmart with a larger sporting goods section.

I wonder if this is new company policy or if its some franchisee trying to make their own??

Ive never had an issue with returns at PA. Wonder if theyre next?

Canadian tire customer service isn't that great but they have never given me a hard time when I try to warranty Mastercraft and Maximum hand tools. If they are giving you a hard time, it's either a clueless employee or an ******* franchisee messing around. As for princess auto, as long as you keep your receipt or give them your phone number at the check out, you can get away with returning literally anything.

 

[PhantomEB]

Canadian tire customer service isn't that great but they have never given me a hard time when I try to warranty Mastercraft and Maximum hand tools. If they are giving you a hard time, it's either a clueless employee or an ******* franchisee messing around. As for princess auto, as long as you keep your receipt or give them your phone number at the check out, you can get away with returning literally anything.

Agreed. I have 3 Canadian Tires within 20 min of my house, Princess Auto 10 min away.

Never had a problem, as most of my ratchets and sockets are from Canadian Tire, screwdrivers are one of the last big craftsmen sets and I got doubles of a lot of those. Princess auto I use my common sense with stuff I buy there. No issues on the bigger stuff (already plannin to get a 30t press from there soon.)

All in all, buy and use tools with common sense or the knowledge its a disposable tool, and don’t ***** about it after the fact!

 

[fast6]

WARRANTY
This product carries a lifetime exchange warranty redeemable at any Canadian Tire store.
That's as of Nov 15 2020 on all maximum
ratchets

 

[22george]

SK tools did that to me 25 years ago. Haven't bought a SK tool since.
Life time gaurantee is suposed to be life time gaurantee IMHO

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I picked up a set of stubby ratchet combos recently , Mastercraft Maximum Gearwrench, 60% off., $35. Filling in the missing 17mm and 19mm, (for old equipment) I'm seeing over $30 each. Canadian prices. At that price , who cares about warranty. Besides I don't think I'll ever break a stubby, even if it was a long handle at my age, there wouldn't be that much force. chuckle.

 

[FORGE MD]

i dont know about the maximum brand but i did go to CT to exchange a STANLEY ratchet with lifetime waranty but,
customer service told me that yhey did not exchange those anymore, and she gave me a number to call STANLEY.
they sent me a new one via UPS said it would take a week and it took about 4 months and the guy did not even knock or ask for the broken
ratchet ! he just left the enveloppe on the ground in front of the door... i dont understand their logic, they never asked me for a proof
that i even owned said ratchet !! ( i did and it was the small 3/8 drive). but now i sure hope that CT is not gonna give me a hard time
i need to exchange a maximum sports utility folding knife ! it does not lock in the open position. i could take it appart and fix it but if i do that and grind down a piece then waranty is void so they can give me a new one !