Warranty use?

[humpty]

I read in a thread earlier about someone mentioning how they got a electrical product wet, it died and they were going to warranty it.
In my mind that is not the manufacturer's fault and should not be a warranty claim, so I am curious how the collective feels?

I suppose it is different for a warranty that is written like Sears did, "If the product fails to perform for any reason, we will replace it"
I have found I don't warranty too many things, or maybe I don't break too many things, or I've been lucky.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It depends on how lenient the manufacturer is in practice. For example, on paper certain brands say they have limitations but will replace your tools no questions asked. A good snap on dealer will understand if you had to abuse a tool to get the job done. Canadian Tire recently upgraded my old Mastercraft Maximum ratchets despite me abusing and breaking them on purpose. Worst case they can say no.

 

[zendriver]

We wonder why tool companies outsource more, raise their prices, or go bankrupt and maybe get gobbled up by some conglomerate.

 

[Al Borland]

If "It worked before I broke it", it's my problem. If it was not working as purchased... back it goes.
(Unless it's cheap and not worth the gas to return.)

 

[The Cobbler]

with more & more companies not selling repair parts or at least not at a reasonable cost, this will happen more & more . It is factored in to the price, which in the end result we pay.
It's not right, but it happens a lot, even secretly where no one talks about it.

 

[garfunkle24]

Breaking **** on purpose to get it replaced is 1 step away from theft to me. My conscience is a bigger factor in warranty claims than what I can get away with, however "lenient" the manufacturer/retailer is.

 

[ForrestT]

I don’t abuse tools so I don’t feel bad about asking for a warranty when I do. Worst they can say is no. Those that warranty or offer a replacement get my repeat business. Those that don’t or who are a hassle, I try not to do business with. I’m not a pro. Bondhus, Lisle, Tekton, and SK have all been great to me and get a shout out for me. Generally, if I need a replace part, I try to call the company first if they’ll take a call or I email if a call is not an option, and I politely explain the issue and ask if I can pay for a replacement. Most of the time they’re gracious and offer a free replacement, and I thank them for the warranty or replacement. Works for me.

 

[rancherbill]

I can't remember the last thing I warrantied. I buy quality non-name brand tools and I don't have breakage problems. I gave up having all my tools of 'Matching" brands. As stated it's not worth the gas to get warranty.

The other things is with the money you save buying no-brand name tools you can buy several set with the savings.

I did try to warranty Craftsman and was not pleased. I used to be all Craftsman then they broke the price/value rules many times. Now they are just a house brand for Lowes.

 

[rancherbill]

Canadian Tire recently upgraded my old Mastercraft Maximum ratchets despite me abusing and breaking them on purpose. Worst case they can say no.

That's not the purpose of warranties

 

[rharman]

Breaking **** on purpose to get it replaced is 1 step away from theft to me. My conscience is a bigger factor in warranty claims than what I can get away with, however "lenient" the manufacturer/retailer is.

I don't think it's "1 step away". Pretty clearly theft in my book.

 

[laser3kw]

If the product fails to perform for any reason, we will replace it

That, to me, is the key element.
If it a low dollar item - buck up and move on. If it is bigger purchase - see if warranty applies.

 

[Meursault74]

I think the only tool I ever warrantied was a Craftsman 36 inch bar clamp. I used it a few times and then the clamp wouldn't hold when I tightened it up. I think the clutch was weak. I had bought it at Sears (which was close to me). I walked down to the tool section, told the guy what the issue was and he exchanged it for another one.

If that happens again, I assume finding someway to warranty that would be a great pain and likely more trouble than it's worth.
I've heard Ace and Lowes may cover some Craftsman tool warranty. Just looked up on the web. Neither carries Craftsman Bar Clamps anyway.

 

[wjjeep]

If you want to do it, warranty it. What the company response is will be up to them.

 

[Iridium rand]

No hard rules like that, comes down to how easy is it to do so and is it worth the effort or expense. Something expensive I’ll do my best, defective out of the box is always very easy IME, and if it’s a screwdriver or something I’ll shoot the company or retailer an email, if it takes much more than that (usually doesn’t) or I have to send it back probably not worth the time and hassle for a 10-20$ item.

as far as abuse goes That’s subjective, is using a step down adapter on a socket abuse? Is turning a flathead screw with a wrench on the shaft abuse? Both increase the torque to levels where you can easily break the thing, but the driver intentionally has a shaft with flats on it and ratchets come in different handle lengths anyways. If you feel it’s immoral to ask for a replacement don’t do it. Snap-on prices already have that included as far as I’m concerned and they aren’t gonna lower them if people stop “abusing” the warranty

 

[Walkers]

I have no doubt that anyone that has used a 3/8” ratchet for any amount of real work has abused said ratchet by pushing it beyond the torque it was meant for. Then when the ratchet breaks the teeth has then taken the warrantied ratchet in for free repair/replace. Is that theft? You really should have switched to a breaker bar instead. Most warranties say something about defects in materials or workmanship. However, if they agree and replace said ratchet, then they must agree that pushing it beyond its design is covered under the warrantee, thence, not theft.

 

[four.cycle]

Other than landscaping/gardening tools that I've destroyed, I think I've broken maybe three mechanics' hand tools in my entire life, only one of which was caused by a manufacturing defect. All of them went right into the trash can - not worth fiddling around with on nickel-and-dime stuff. As noted above - not worth the cost of the gasoline I'd burn to return it.

 

[zendriver]

Since most companies don’t have their own “truth-o-meter” and they not overly interested in another household, probably just replace it

it’s dishonest, but that’s the world we thrive in today.

ironic that we would have no problem pulling a fast one, but if the company denies a legitimate warranty return we’re the first to **** a brick.

 

[kelpaso1]

If I put a piece of pipe on my 3/8 flexhead SO ratchet and broke an ear off at the pivot/pin. I wouldn't try to warrant it. I would call them and tell them what I did and want to order a new one that I will PAY for. Chances are they they WILL warrantee it anyways. Have had that exact same thing happen before. I think the lady on the other end of the phone was more blown away that I didn't try to make up some lame excuse. Honesty will get you a lot farther than lying.

 

[JradM]

I have no doubt that anyone that has used a 3/8” ratchet for any amount of real work has abused said ratchet by pushing it beyond the torque it was meant for. Then when the ratchet breaks the teeth has then taken the warrantied ratchet in for free repair/replace. Is that theft? You really should have switched to a breaker bar instead. Most warranties say something about defects in materials or workmanship. However, if they agree and replace said ratchet, then they must agree that pushing it beyond its design is covered under the warrantee, thence, not theft.

With ratchets, I feel like they should withstand non-cheating hand torque. If it's an XL 3/8", it ought to be able to withstand the extra torque from the longer handle. I.e. I shouldn't be able to break it with normal use - it shouldn't be built that way if it can't take it.

If you slip a pipe over your ratchet or hit it with a hammer, rather than up-sizing or using a breaker bar, well that's on you.

Overall, I've only warrantied a few things. Usually it's when something breaks when I don't think it should (i.e. I didn't expect my actions to be testing the limits).

If I snap a screwdriver using it as a prybar, wallow out a chrome socket on my impact driver, cut piano wire with small side-cutters or stand and jump on doubled-up wrenches... It's up to me to buy new tools.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just going to assume that people who purposefully buy old broken tool truck tools just to get a free new one are not going to chime into this thread.

 

[Professional Tool User]

That's not the purpose of warranties

I don't think it's "1 step away". Pretty clearly theft in my book.

Part of the reason why I broke the tools was to test how unconditional the warranty is and it was no questions asked in practice. Regardless of whether we are talking about Snap on or Harbor Freight, an easy to use warranty is an important factor for deciding where to spend your big bucks.

 

[Jmellc]

I've seen a few issues. Klein claims to guarantee tools but can be fussy, or the dealer can. I recall going to a supply house out of town for a lot of material. My helper had some Klein tool that broke. Clerk gave him a hard time about replacing it, that they would have to send it to Klein, etc. A manager came out & heard the discussion. Told clerk to replace it, that we were buying a lot of material there.

I bought a Klein roto splitter for MC cable. Great tool. I had it less than a month when it lost a hex nut from the lever. Usually no problem but this was a 1/4x28 nut that I didn't have on the truck. I was close to supply house so took it in and asked for a replacement. Got the same, that they had to send it to Klein, etc. This was a house we dealt with a lot at several locations. Next time by HD, I bought a nut and fixed it. Similar issue with another nut later and I did same thing. Not a big thing but they should have replaced it as new as it was, IMHO.

A helper had a Kobalt tool to break. Took it to Lowe's and they wouldn't replace it without him showing an ID. He didn't have it with him, so had to do another time. I didn't see why they needed it but was also irritated with him that he didn't keep his wallet with him. Left it at the shop in his car.

 

[Ton ton]

The most painless warranty in my book is through my local auto parts store. When a wrench breaks, I return the whole set and get a new set. I do have to call ahead to make sure they have replacement set in stock for me, LOL.

 

[finn]

If it’s an infant failure, I may warranty it, or, more often, return for credit or a refund. Mostly, though, I chalk it up to a bad purchase decision and upgrade to a better brand.

That’s why I don’t own much HF stuff.

 

[M635_Guy]

Generally, I go with my gut. I think Snap On kind of expects to warranty nearly everything. So I'd probably send them nearly anything. I think most others are 'nearly anything not the result of abuse', so I'd probably send them that.

Instances of me truly abusing a tool are extremely rare - I'm just not wired that way - but if I did and I broke it doing something the wrong way, I doubt I'd send it, even to Snap On. I guess the line would be a little situational, but it would be apparent to me.

 

[tripplejl]

If it's a premium tool and it gets broke it gets sent back or carried on the tool truck. I am not a tool warranty adjuster nor do I play one on tv. I will let them decide if they will replace the tool or not. They decide if the tool is a warranted of a new replacement or repair. Then depending on how that part goes I decide if said tool company is extracting future Benjamin's out of my wallet. With that said I don't use a scanner for a hammer or vice versa. If it is a cheap tool, it's gets repurposed or fired in the trash. Breaking a tool on purpose to take advantage of warranty is wrong.

 

[Orangina]

I have a lot of good (old) tools that have never caused any trouble or become a warranty issue since decades.

I also have some products with a boastful lifetime guarantee - but when asked about it after 40-50 years, that usually doesn't happen.
Lifetime then meant e.g. only a car life of 5 years... (e.g. old shocks from Koni)

We have clear rules for guarantees (as liability for defects - in Germany 24 or 12 months) -
but many things will still be exchanged as a gesture of goodwill if the value in dispute is low, which is no longer a guarantee.
Typically, brand companies have more leeway for goodwill and/or also have spare parts - in order to keep their customers.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

I’ve only warrantied a couple of ratchets. One was a 3/8 drive CMan ratchet that stripped while I was removing spark plugs on a 460 Ford. The other was a a 1/2 drive CMan ratchet that my dad broke the selector switch on the last time he worked on his Mack dump truck before he had his stroke. It sat in his 1/2 drive set for 14 years until he died and I got his tools. Unfortunately I got a Chinese replacement.