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SK customer service is no good

d42jeep

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Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,557
Location
Northern California
My experience over the last few years has been excellent customer service all done by email. Once they were out of a ratchet repair kit and sent an entire brand new ratchet. They have never asked to see the problem tool. Maybe things have changed recently.
-Don
 
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toddmorr

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Joined
May 4, 2017
Messages
649
Location
Potomac, Maryland
emailed a picture of a cracked 3/4 SAE socket to them 2 months ago. No immediate response but 2 weeks later I got a replacement in the mail. It appeared to be a contractor that was operating the warranty service, IIRC.
 

rancherbill

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Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
5,335
Location
Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
Sounds like another one of those posts where 'someone' buys junk/discarded tools at a garage sale for pennies on the dollar and then wants to warranty them.....

What is your point?

"SK® products are warranted under normal use and service against defects in materials and workmanship for the expected life of the tool, except as otherwise specified. "


They don't care so you shouldn't be rude. If their warranty said original owner than you would have a case.
 

consti2tion

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Messages
509
Location
East Texas
What is your point?



"SK[emoji768] products are warranted under normal use and service against defects in materials and workmanship for the expected life of the tool, except as otherwise specified. "





They don't care so you shouldn't be rude. If their warranty said original owner than you would have a case.



Thank you RancherBill, that is an excellent point.

Also I just got a reply back from them asking for my address. Cheers to SK.
 

bob15

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Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
6,863
Location
Northeasten, CT
That is exactly how it went down with me 6 months ago. Must call, must mail it in on your own dime and wait 4 to 6 weeks for a replacement.

Meanwhile Matco and Snapon are here every week asking me if I am having any issues they can help with and Tekton is regularly emailing me discount codes. Heck, Harbor Freight would have handed me a new piece in 5 minutes but I thought buying a premium USA brand would have alleviated the need for that.

And how well staffed were they 6 months ago? Half the country wasn't working remember......
 

bob15

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Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
6,863
Location
Northeasten, CT
Hold up, does it actually say on their site somewhere that one must call in regard to warranty issues? And you have to pay shipping as well because they want the old one back? Seems like this is going to spare me that dreaded phone call after all, along with new-tool SK purchases in the future. The only one I wanted were their x-frame wrenches anyway, think I'll stick with my Taiwan-made Protos. Speaking of sending photos and getting new tools back, VIM has done the same for me when a selector on their ratchet broke off. They respond to emails, too.

Ign, thanks for some perspective, guess I should have known that any USA-made company is going to have a small contingent of people who will get offended and counterattack at a perceived slight against their idol. Ignore list, what a handy feature! Thank you.

Seems like a few people here have already made assumptions and drew conclusions about me, my age, my tools, the kind of avocado toast I eat, etc. I neither have the time or inclination to change people's minds, so they are free to keep those conclusions. Cheers! :beer:

So did you call them? Or are all you going to do is assume this and that and just complain about SK without never actually trying to contact them again......:willy_nil
 

measuredtwice

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
Messages
1,705
Location
USA
Well to be honest, I bought a majority of my SK tools second hand aside from a couple of socket sets. I know it's a tired argument but I would rather give a company money that makes the tools here in the states than Apex tool group who moved all of their tool production over seas.

If you bought second hand, then you didn't "give a company money that makes the tools here in the states". SK got no money from you.

On the plus side... You didn't give money to a competitor that "moved all of their tool production over seas".
 

RedneckWelder

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Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
5,705
Location
The Ghetto Kingdom of Methlandia
Sending an email to many companies, especially non tech companies, from a link on their website is begging for it to get sent to a dead account or to something useless for service like marketing.

I have had much better luck calling tool companies
 

1982fxr

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Joined
Jan 7, 2012
Messages
10,012
Location
Phoenix
Well there used to be an SK rep on here. I dont think he's around anymore though. Can't imagine why (sarcasm).
 

Professional Tool User

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Joined
Apr 9, 2018
Messages
1,835
Location
BC
Sounds like another one of those posts where 'someone' buys junk/discarded tools at a garage sale for pennies on the dollar and then wants to warranty them to get 'new' and runs into some minor issue which immediately triggers them to start posting inflammatory claims like "SK Customer Service is No Good" etc

For the record, most of my hand tools are SK, some I have had as long as 40 years, and I have never had to warranty any one of them

OP -> post a photo of the item

If SK's crappy distribution network leaves you without a local dealer, the only option you really have is buying used. And even if you had a dealer, it makes no sense to buy SK at or near their list prices be it through a local dealer or online. The first catalog I ever came across with SK tools in it was ironically given to me by my Snap on guy who uses it to order odds and ends for customers. That SK dealer is based hundreds of miles away from me and charges list price. I'll take Snap on or Proto any day if I had to pay full price. At least I can warranty stuff locally. Tools used in a professional environment where some occasional abuse is required will eventually break.
 
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Kscardsfan

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Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
1,650
Location
The Little Apple
When I contacted them for warranty through their website contact I never got a response. The parts I needed just arrived in the mail.

That’s been my experience with buying from the “Steals and Deals” section as well. No updates, no shipping notification, they just magically appear in the mail a week or so later.
 

grandeyota

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2011
Messages
11
Dec 2020 so COVID timeframe. Broke a 3/8 drive 19mm socket on a Sunday trying to get into a tight spot for a steering rack replacement. Sent an email/picture to the address on their website. Got a reply on Wednesday asking for a part number and shipping address. Replied with info and they shipped it out Friday. No communication really after that and I was ok with it. Used a 1/2 drive socket to finish the job and kinda crushed my hand to fit which is why I attempted with the 3/8 in the first place. Replacement socket showed up before the tracking number did and got stuck in the storage place replacing the old one for next time.

I’ve never had a tool truck be a part of my life so I’ve never had that level of service to miss it. I have had Home Depot/Husky piss me off telling me to call the number, waiting for it to open and take my call then tell me to take it to the store.

If I want to buy new I load up the steals & deals or a coupon code from whatever YouTuber they sponsor. Then check that price against places like HJE or whatever online vendors I check and order from where it makes sense. Sometimes shipping charge makes or breaks where I order. The free club thing SK has gets me free shipping over $50.

After a few SK direct purchases and the warranty claim I go into it expecting the transaction to go like a mail in catalog order. Let them know what you need, they don’t really want to talk about, and it just shows up.
 

kdub23

New member
Joined
Mar 23, 2021
Messages
4
Location
Oklahoma
First post on GJ:

I shattered the internals of a 3/8” X-Frame wrench. I’ve had luck before calling and talking to Michelle in the Customer Service department. I never leave a message, just call back until I get a human. She had a new X-Frame to me in a couple days.

My biggest issue with SK is their quality control right now. I had to buy 3 separate 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets to finally get a set where the quality was acceptable enough. My new Tekton sets are flawless. I do subscribe to their premium membership and get a free socket, but the latest free socket was missing chrome and had rust in the drive end.

Despite all of this, I will continue to support them because I desperately want them to succeed as an American hand tool company.
 
OP
D

dungeoncrawler

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Joined
Feb 8, 2016
Messages
93
As a wrap-up for anyone following this saga, I waited to see if the emails will bear any fruit, all in the name of science. A few days after I posted this (and initial email being sent nearly three weeks prior to that) I finally got a reply asking for my address. Replied to that, another 10 days go by and I get another email telling me they will ship a replacement tool. Another nearly two weeks later, and I got the replacement.

All told, warranty by email took about 6 weeks from first email to getting the tool at my door. In conclusion, don't bother emailing SK unless you can't do it over the phone or don't care how long it takes to process. It works, but slow as molasses.
 

Memcdowe

Active member
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
36
Here is a comment I made on my post regarding the new lp90’s. Bought fixed head in all 3 drive sizes. Every one has significant issues. Like, they are horrible. Disassembled, degreased and relubed. So it’s smoother now as it try’s to lock up and bind. Didn’t do a thing for the excessive back drag one one, the anvil that shakes around like a baby rattler on one, and the one that has such little spring tension the selector switch will barely stay put. And yet it STILL has really bad back
Drag. I have sent 3 emails. As my last order over 2
Weeks just says processing. Can’t even get sn update.

The fact that everyone is having different experiences with the ratchets is very telling.

All three of mine are garbage. I’m not rebuilding and tweaking a brand new premium (lol) ratchet. I am approaching 100 ratchets. Bit obsessed haha. My Tektons see FAR more use than any other rather. Followed by Carlyle comfort grip when it’s really cold. And a snapon f80 when I need a semi short 3/8.

These SK are ****. The ones I have anyway. I need to post a better video.

So, 4 warranty claims over last two weeks. The SK about 4 days before the others. Filed with SK, Gearwrench, Channellock, and Irwin.

Haven’t heard a word from SK. Channellock acknowledged receipt and that it was being reviewed. Heard nothing since (week or so). Already have my Gearwrench replacement. Irwin replacement coming in today. Oh, and an old out of production Matco 3/8 finally but the dust so the tool truck is seeing what my options are and has been very responsive.

SK still hasn’t shipped my order from couple weeks ago either.

Y’all can defend them all you like. Very sad to see an American company really screwing up, and it’s things that should be EASILY remedied. Just a little CS goes a long way. And don’t start telling me to call. Learned long ago if it isn’t in writing it didn’t happen. And I’m not interested in a rebuild kit. I don’t want them anymore and don’t even feel right giving these away they are so bad.
 

gatewaysysop

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
3,293
Location
Arizona
I'm with OP - if a company says you must call for warranty, fine - I'll call. If they say call or email, they should respond to either.

I am definitely not a millennial but prefer email for the "paper trail" and it's more convenient to shoot off an email when I have time then check back when I have a few seconds later.

I actually only clicked on this thread for a chuckle to see when the victim blaming would begin -- the fact that it took all the way until post 13 was surprising. Usually it comes much sooner. If you dare start a thread here bashing SK, Williams, Proto, Snap On etc you'll always have a few who tell you you're the one at fault, regardless of the circumstances. Again, doesn't bother me, it's good entertainment. Worst case, a good way to update the ignore list

I always prefer the phone when I can get an actual human, but I still have to agree: If you offer email support, you're on the hook and accountable for piss poor response to email.

As far as why folks would victim blame and defend a company for failing to service one of their chosen support channels, some folks simply know of no other way to contribute to a thread than trying to insult and shame another forum member.

SK still hasn’t shipped my order from couple weeks ago either.

Y’all can defend them all you like. Very sad to see an American company really screwing up, and it’s things that should be EASILY remedied. Just a little CS goes a long way. And don’t start telling me to call. Learned long ago if it isn’t in writing it didn’t happen. And I’m not interested in a rebuild kit. I don’t want them anymore and don’t even feel right giving these away they are so bad.

This is the unfortunate reality at a lot of places. The flip side of talking with a live person is that spoken words often don't come with any accountability after the fact. If you can't trust them, get it in writing, right? If people don't trust SK, I really can't blame them. After all, these are the people who told me they'd never heard of chrome plating defects in their products.

As a wrap-up for anyone following this saga, I waited to see if the emails will bear any fruit, all in the name of science. A few days after I posted this (and initial email being sent nearly three weeks prior to that) I finally got a reply asking for my address. Replied to that, another 10 days go by and I get another email telling me they will ship a replacement tool. Another nearly two weeks later, and I got the replacement.

All told, warranty by email took about 6 weeks from first email to getting the tool at my door. In conclusion, don't bother emailing SK unless you can't do it over the phone or don't care how long it takes to process. It works, but slow as molasses.

Three weeks for a response and six weeks total to get a tool is pretty piss poor. I was told by phone that if you mail a tool in, expect a three to four week processing time after receipt before they mail out a replacement as well. Fortunately not the route I had to take (Amazon took it back) but I also thought that was a bit excessive.
 
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Memcdowe

Active member
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Jun 26, 2021
Messages
36
I always prefer the phone when I can get an actual human, but I still have to agree: If you offer email support, you're on the hook and accountable for piss poor response to email.

As far as why folks would victim blame and defend a company for failing to service one of their chosen support channels, some folks simply know of no other way to contribute to a thread than trying to insult and shame another forum member.



This is the unfortunate reality at a lot of places. The flip side of talking with a live person is that spoken words often don't come with any accountability after the fact. If you can't trust them, get it in writing, right? If people don't trust SK, I really can't blame them. After all, these are the people who told me they'd never heard of chrome plating defects in their products.



Three weeks for a response and six weeks total to get a tool is pretty piss poor. I was told by phone that if you mail a tool in, expect a three to four week processing time after receipt before they mail out a replacement as well. Fortunately not the route I had to take (Amazon took it back) but I also thought that was a bit excessive.

Still no response from either SK or Channellock and my other SK order still hasn’t shipped.

Companies that don’t grow with the times, die. A timely response to inquiries is not a logistical complexity. Tekton can process a warranty claim in a matter of hours. Gearwrench a day or two. Irwin a day or two. But SK can’t figure out how to respond OR ship in a timely manner? All while putting out products that they are very obviously not performing much if any post production quality control on.

Folks can defend them till they are blue in the face. All those SK tools the ones defending them own (and that I own!) aren’t gonna be warrantable with SK folds because they can’t do what other companies are doing with ease.
 

Farmall450

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Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,368
Location
Marengo, Illinois
As a wrap-up for anyone following this saga, I waited to see if the emails will bear any fruit, all in the name of science. A few days after I posted this (and initial email being sent nearly three weeks prior to that) I finally got a reply asking for my address. Replied to that, another 10 days go by and I get another email telling me they will ship a replacement tool. Another nearly two weeks later, and I got the replacement.

All told, warranty by email took about 6 weeks from first email to getting the tool at my door. In conclusion, don't bother emailing SK unless you can't do it over the phone or don't care how long it takes to process. It works, but slow as molasses.
Probably 1 guy doing the job of 4.
 

M635_Guy

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Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,335
Location
NC
They were also really responsive to me via Instagram. I agree emails shouldn't have less priority, but honestly, I'd rather pick up the phone if I know that's the way to get things done.
 

JatoTheRipper

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Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
187
Location
PA
It seems the only problem here is impatience. The world isn't operating on all cylinders right now. Things are delayed. That means things take more time to happen for you.
 

Memcdowe

Active member
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
36
It seems the only problem here is impatience. The world isn't operating on all cylinders right now. Things are delayed. That means things take more time to happen for you.
Eh. The problem is that other companies are able to provide fast service, fast and easy warranties, good quality control, etc just fine right now.

So why not SK? I’m not the OP of course. But purchased 3 brand new ratchets. All
Defective. Immediately email them. Also sent messages via Instagram and FB. I like any type of warranty or dispute etc etc in writing. Been weeks now. Not even about then ratchets really. Im going to return them when they eventually get back with me. Im just shocked at how pointedly irrelevant one of America’s finest tool companies is becoming, while Taiwan is cranking out beautiful well made ratchets and other tools. Embarrassing to be honest.

Also placed a second order prior to receiving the ratchets (took weeks to receive) that is still in “processing”. I’ve inquired about that numerous times. No responses.

Yes I could call. But that’s not the point. For numerous reasons.
 

finn

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Mar 27, 2005
Messages
16,283
Location
The UP, God's country
Eh. The problem is that other companies are able to provide fast service, fast and easy warranties, good quality control, etc just fine right now.

So why not SK? I’m not the OP of course. But purchased 3 brand new ratchets. All
Defective. Immediately email them. Also sent messages via Instagram and FB. I like any type of warranty or dispute etc etc in writing. Been weeks now. Not even about then ratchets really. Im going to return them when they eventually get back with me. Im just shocked at how pointedly irrelevant one of America’s finest tool companies is becoming, while Taiwan is cranking out beautiful well made ratchets and other tools. Embarrassing to be honest.

Also placed a second order prior to receiving the ratchets (took weeks to receive) that is still in “processing”. I’ve inquired about that numerous times. No responses.

Yes I could call. But that’s not the point. For numerous reasons.
Read the post above your’s.
 

Memcdowe

Active member
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
36
Read the post above your’s.
Another American made company taking a long time to warrant a product. Hate to hear it. I will say, though, that I’d be a heck of a patient waiting on a replacement for one of my dual 80’s than I am about 3 dud SK’s out of the box! 😛
 

M6erfan

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Dec 6, 2014
Messages
10,170
Location
'Merica!
Maybe because the SK employees got wind of the sale of their company to China. Perhaps they just don't give a sh!t seeing as they might be out of a job in the not so distant future (just speculation).
 

Memcdowe

Active member
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
36
Maybe because the SK employees got wind of the sale of their company to China. Perhaps they just don't give a sh!t seeing as they might be out of a job in the not so distant future (just speculation).
Yeah definitely possible.
 

Hotrod33809

Active member
Joined
Mar 24, 2021
Messages
35
Location
TN
I emailed SK and got crickets for weeks, reached out on Instagram and had a reply within 2 hours and the problem resolved. Pretty wild that you can get better Customer Service from a company on a picture sharing social media app than their support email haha
 

2ndGearRubber

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Joined
Mar 24, 2014
Messages
14,185
Location
Pittsburgh
I mailed out two 1/4 drive wobble extensions (snapped off male ends) and a 1/4 universal adapter (broken pin) Wednesday. Cost me $6, so as long as I get something back I'll be money ahead. We shall see the turn around time.
 

anndel

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Oct 28, 2015
Messages
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Location
Hawaii, USA
Well they just got bought out by a chinese company Great Star so maybe the customer service got shut down and staff got laid off.
 

M635_Guy

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Dec 5, 2019
Messages
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Location
NC
Well they just got bought out by a chinese company Great Star so maybe the customer service got shut down and staff got laid off.
Has that been announced officially yet?

Also, if they'd had a big layoff I'd think that would have been reported somewhere.
 

Hotrod33809

Active member
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Mar 24, 2021
Messages
35
Location
TN
Not officially by the company, Jori from HJE said he talked to someone who confirmed it so I imagine the official announcement is coming soon
 
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