SK Warranty - Worthless?

[zr52002]

Has anybody had any luck getting SK to actually warranty a tool? I sent in a roll pin punch 6 months ago (not 7 like I mis-stated in another thread). I've obviously yet to see anything come back.

I've called twice. They have me in their system but they are out and don't know when they'll have them again.

Really, what's the point of paying premium for good tools with "warranty" if you can't get a replacement in a reasonable amount of time? I understand that vendor issues happen and that tools get made in batches, but to be out for 6 months (and counting) is just absurd and insulting.

I need the damn punch. Just need to decide if the next set will be Snap-On or import, I guess.

 

[fordbroncodave]

take them to a parts store that sells sk on site. they warranty just like craftsman if they have it there in hand

 

[zr52002]

take them to a parts store that sells sk on site. they warranty just like craftsman if they have it there in hand

Already sent the busted tool back to SK so I'm stuck. Good idea for next time, though.

 

[t100]

take them to a parts store that sells sk on site. they warranty just like craftsman if they have it there in hand

the one I went to locally(Wholesale Tool), stopped doing SK warranty a year ago because the couldn't get the parts reimbursed from SK.

 

[fordbroncodave]

i haven't had to warranty an sk tool in a few years so i really don't know myself.

 

[oldtools]

It seem like SK is going out of business soon. Two places that give you the best warranty is HF and Sears.

 

[justinmc]

I have a local SK dealer and anytime I've ever had a problem I've done best by taking it in to them. No problems, hassles, etc.

I generally try to avoid doing any mail in warranty for any reason (or product) if I can. Just seems like a hassle and frankly it ends up costing me more money.

 

[highland512]

I have a SK dealer within driving distance that I have been taking a few things to. I had 2 wrenches, 5 sockets, and 1 rebuild kit that returned for warranty and I also ordered a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 long handled tuff 1 ratchet's in about min January of this year. 2 weeks ago they called me and said some of my stuff was in. For some reason I received the 1/4 tuff 1, 1 wrench and 2 sockets. They said they would give me a call when it all comes in, but that could be up to 10 months.

 

[zr52002]

I have a local SK dealer and anytime I've ever had a problem I've done best by taking it in to them. No problems, hassles, etc.

I generally try to avoid doing any mail in warranty for any reason (or product) if I can. Just seems like a hassle and frankly it ends up costing me more money.

Who's a dealer in KC?

 

[justinmc]

Who's a dealer in KC?

Clark Tool... they have 3 locations. Claycomo, Blue Springs & Shawnee Mission Parkway. Never had a problem at SM Pkway or Claycomo stores. Always nice helpful guys. I've bought a bit of stuff from them but nothing insane. They also stock Whia screwdrivers.

 

[Farmrod]

Had no luck with warranty for the past year... Have a crate full of sk tools some still working.. The boss told all of the guys in the shop he was tired of the bs from the dealers and sk so if we wanted we could buy our tools off the snap on truck and he would get it reimbursed.. So far so good he said something about taking all the sk stuff to scrap but hasn't yet...

 

[sk farmer]

Had no luck with warranty for the past year... Have a crate full of sk tools some still working.. The boss told all of the guys in the shop he was tired of the bs from the dealers and sk so if we wanted we could buy our tools off the snap on truck and he would get it reimbursed.. So far so good he said something about taking all the sk stuff to scrap but hasn't yet...

do you really think that will happen? not sure why i am the only one who ever calls people on this. would you throw out plomb tools? proto big dawgs? speedmaster,diamond pliers, powrkraft or any number of old tools just because you have trouble getting it warranteed or can't. at the very least one could ebay them, sell them here or give them away. buy what you want but i call bs on very many usable sk tools being thrown in the scrap.

 

[Skin]

i like my craftsman punches but they're older [10+ years], no idea what they use today.

pretty hard to screw up a punch though.

 

[Farmrod]

do you really think that will happen? not sure why i am the only one who ever calls people on this. would you throw out plomb tools? proto big dawgs? speedmaster,diamond pliers, powrkraft or any number of old tools just because you have trouble getting it warranteed or can't. at the very least one could ebay them, sell them here or give them away. buy what you want but i call bs on very many usable sk tools being thrown in the scrap.

Ha when you work for the government a lot of good things get thrown out and the bad things kept.. This on the other hand has been the best decision my boss has ever made... You can call me out or do whatever it is you need to do fact is my place of business is now 90% Snap-On and the other 10 is split between MAC and Matco

 

[sk farmer]

government!!!! how did you leave that info out? absolutely no reasoning is involved in your case. if it works out great. i assumed you were in a normal situation. forget everthing if that is true.

 

[Farmrod]

Yes it's true I'm being reimbursed with your money that's why I don't turn in 75% of my receipts... You paying for me isn't right.. Back on topic though our SK dealer flat out told us he didn't expect to see any warranty stuff for a year and that was from corporate this is when our boss was fed up then came the changes I spoke of earlier

 

[jvitez]

Yes it's true I'm being reimbursed with your money that's why I don't turn in 75% of my receipts... You paying for me isn't right.. Back on topic though our SK dealer flat out told us he didn't expect to see any warranty stuff for a year and that was from corporate this is when our boss was fed up then came the changes I spoke of earlier

Time to get Wright tools in there. They must do much govt contracting with their industrial focus. Hmmmm, comparing Snap-On and Wright head to head in the same shop. Would be veeeeeeery interesting.

 

[Farmrod]

Time to get Wright tools in there. They must do much govt contracting with their industrial focus. Hmmmm, comparing Snap-On and Wright head to head in the same shop. Would be veeeeeeery interesting.

hadn't ever even heard of Wright tools until I got on this board... Would be an interesting comparison but no Wright dealers means no Wright tools I have their catalog and was very impressed when I looked through it but like I said no dealer... End of hijack let's get back on topic here

 

[zr52002]

i like my craftsman punches but they're older [10+ years], no idea what they use today.

pretty hard to screw up a punch though.

Yeah, tell me about it! Took brand new punch from the roll, attempted to drive pin into AR-15 receiver (1/8" thick aluminum!) and the punch just bent over as I tapped on it.

 

[Skin]

try it with a small hammer instead of a sledge next time!

no but really thats pretty bad. not like its a cheap set either.

I dont think their steel supply is very reliable with all these instances of hit/miss quality.

 

[quneur]

Now accepting donations of SK tools . Really, if you need an item right away or use it consistantly, I wouldn't go SK. It seems that they are so behind warranty service, it may take awhile to catch up. But if its an item that don't expect to warranty in the next several months, then I'd say go ahead and buy from SK. They do make good tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

First off, if you're actually from a government agency, you need to get an government account set up with snap on. half off of list will stretch your agency's tool budget. Similiar set ups are available at MSC (armstrong) and Grainger (Proto).
Secondly, I have said many times before but, a lifetime warranty is like an insurance policy. It's a lot better to buy a well made tool that won't fail than a lesser made tool with a great warranty. I guess SK is going through difficult times. Sometimes it seems like they are their own worse enemy. However, there's no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water. Continue to use what works and replace the individual broken tools with something else until SK can get it right. Scrap isn't worth much but, new tools down the road wil be more valuable....

 

[zr52002]

try it with a small hammer instead of a sledge next time!

no but really thats pretty bad. not like its a cheap set either.

I dont think their steel supply is very reliable with all these instances of hit/miss quality.

Yeah .... it was actually an 8 oz plastic-faced hammer I try to go easy on my gun parts

 

[FastKat]

I bought a new 24-piece metric and SAE semi-deep socket set. The palm control ratchet does not work properly - it skips from time to time and the action is very rough in about 30 degrees of the rotation. You can plainly see that the screw that holds the action together went in crooked.

I talked to SK on the phone today. They said it would be a minimum of 60-90 days until they could get me a repair kit for the ratchet. I'm going to be close to an SK dealer in Pittsburgh next week, so I might bring it with me and see if they can help me out.

I posted a couple pics of 2 new SK sockets I received. One is marred on the side of the socket... which really doesn't bother me. The other doesn't look like it was finished properly inside. Am I being too picky? I am worried that the first time I put it away wet it's going to start rusting. However, I have not sent the stuff back for warranty because I am afraid I'll never get it back.

To be honest though - I really can't complain. So far they've been good for the money.

-Dave

 

[flashpuppy]

.....but no Wright dealers means no Wright tools.....

Uh..... Call Richard at TR Tools. He is a great dealer. He is also VERY experienced in dealing with the military.. That's where he does most of his sales. He only sells 100% US.

http://www.trtoolsupply.com/

 

[Busted Bolts]

Most of your punches on the market today are made by mayhew. In turnersfalls mass. I think the SK ones are made by them. Mayhew has one of the most extensive lines, due to they MAKE ALL OF THEM, give them a try.