Just confirming other’s experiences, Wright no longer has a meaningful Warranty for their tools.

[timoboy]

Just wanted to confirm what the other threads have posted, and put this thread out there for people using Google/AI to research the Wright Tool Warranty (or lack there of) prior to purchasing.

They no longer offer any form of warranty on their tools. Not lifetime. Not life for the original purchaser. Nothing. Unless it’s blatantly made wrong at the time of delivery as a brand new tool, there is no warranty whatsoever.

Had a ratchet that had one of the teeth inside the head break from use at work, not the kit but on the housing side. Looked to have been improperly broached when made, and failed under light load. Disassembled the ratchet, sent in pics..denied.

Guys, do not purchase their products. There are zero other US sold tool brands who manufacture either in the US or abroad who wouldn’t cover this sort of failure. They do not want the non-commercial market, and they shouldn’t be patronized by it in any way.

I tried using our $100m engineering services company account/email that purchased the tool new and I work for (and has probably 6 figures in Wright tools on hand) and didn’t get any farther so it’s a blanket policy it seems. I’ve officially forced policy that all new non-calibrated hand tools are to be Tekton going forward. Supporting more Taiwanese ratchet manufacturers, woo hoo!

***Funny, because Jori from HJE actually put out a video where he was handed an OLD broken (sounded abused) ratchet right in front of a Wright rep who happened to be in his store and the rep told him to approve the replacement…I wonder if that was truthful or a biased warranty representation on their behalf as they have a vested interest…

…now cue the “ak-truly” no warranty would cover this apologist’s in the comments…

Again I don’t really care either way. I didn’t buy the tool, and it’s not my money going to be spent on throwing out the existing unserviceable (now untrustworthy) $200 ratchets and approving a PO to purchase a bunch of Tekton instead. Just a word of caution to those spending their own money.

 

[rooster59]

My guess- becoming the new normal. Can’t buy broken stuff on eBay / fbm and get a new one.

 

[Davefr]

My guess- becoming the new normal. Can’t buy broken stuff on eBay / fbm and get a new one.

IMHO it's hardly becoming "the new normal". "Most" tool companies are actively marketing their warrantees.

IMHO Wright is an orphan. They aren't found in retail, offer minimal online presence and not sold on the truck. Most of their customers are large industrial accounts who don't care about warranty.

If warranty is important, then I'd buy from brands with known good warranty experience. (like Tekton and many, many others)

 

[zendriver]

Hasn’t this company been gobbled up by one or more PE firms?

If so, maybe “good riddance” is in order

The Chinese at least give us a value for 100 money.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

They do not want the non-commercial market

This is an intentional strategy by some companies. Retail customers way too much hassle for little volume.

 

[Davefr]

Just wanted to confirm what the other threads have posted, and put this thread out there for people using Google/AI to research the Wright Tool Warranty (or lack there of) prior to purchasing.

They no longer offer any form of warranty on their tools. Not lifetime. Not life for the original purchaser. Nothing. Unless it’s blatantly made wrong at the time of delivery as a brand new tool, there is no warranty whatsoever.

This is Wrights warranty and it's clearly posted on their website. Did you actually contact them again after your initial denial. What reason did they give for denying your claim.

Therefore, for as long as you own it, any product manufactured by Wright Tool which fails to render service due to defect in workmanship or materials will be replaced at no charge. Wright Tool does not provide any warranty for products labeled other than Wright Tool or Cougar Pro™. This limited lifetime warranty replacement does not apply to any defects caused in whole or in part by improper use, accident, abuse, alteration and neglect or normal wear from use.

 

[Firebrick43]

Since you are using terms like PO (purchase order) should we assume you are an industrial user?

Proto would not warranty that for a factory or industrial shop

“This product is not intended for commercial use, and accordingly, such commercial use of this product will void this warranty.”

I can’t even find a warranty statement on the snap on industrial site but they wouldn’t warranty any thing for the factory or military use by first hand experience.

 

[RoninB4]

-That's too bad. Wright was a decently made wrench decades ago, I even considered purchasing a full set after using a few at work. I wonder how many useless layers of management they have?

 

[KnurledNut]

I posted a thread about a similar experience a couple years ago. From what they told me they had to revise their policy due to people abusing it.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/disappointing-wright-ratchet-warranty-experience.537264/

 

[Hohn]

I buy wright hand tools and will continue to recommend their wrenches and sockets. They still make the best impact sockets on earth (IMO) and very good combination wrenches if not the absolute best made.

I buy other people's ratchets.

 

[CGarage]

I predict pressure from internet sales and Asian manufacturing will continue to disrupt the established American tool manufacturers into the future, and the warranty term is one of the easier things for them to get rid of / modify.

The world is changing.

 

[liliysdad]

Since you are using terms like PO (purchase order) should we assume you are an industrial user?

Proto would not warranty that for a factory or industrial shop

So… a company, like Wright, is focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users. That company offers a written lifetime warranty but should exclude any commercial or industrial users from that warranty?

Make that make sense.

 

[CGarage]

So… a company, like Wright, is focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users. That company offers a written lifetime warranty but should exclude any commercial or industrial users from that warranty?

Make that make sense.

It’s no longer financially feasible. It seems that a combination of rising costs via inflation, loss of sales to lower cost competitors, and customers abusing the warranty has created the “perfect storm”, and honoring the warranty of the past is no longer sustainable.

 

[liliysdad]

It’s no longer financially feasible. It seems that a combination of rising costs via inflation, loss of sales to lower cost competitors, and customers abusing the warranty has created the “perfect storm”, and honoring the warranty of the past is no longer sustainable.

Then why still advertise it? Why still charge the same prices?

 

[Hohn]

Then why still advertise it? Why still charge the same prices?

Inquiring minds want to know.

It's like the sticker I saw posted online where a Kobalt rechargeable battery said "do not recharge" on it.

A commercial tool with no warranty when used for commercial purposes. That's a head-scratcher.

 

[Davefr]

So… a company, like Wright, is focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users. That company offers a written lifetime warranty but should exclude any commercial or industrial users from that warranty?

Make that make sense.

Their written warranty policy doesn't exclude commercial/industrial users. (assuming the tools are branded Wright) Sometimes industrial tools are sold unbranded in which case there would be no warranty.

I can see them not supplying ratchet repair kits because these normally fall under normal wear and tear vs defects. However the OP's situation sure sounds like a defect in workmanship or materials. He should elevate the issue to a supervisor and report back.

 

[Whitworth]

Wright should just sell an extended warranty, just like every POS electronic you buy now.
Like as if anyone ever used an extended warranty for a friggin set of head phones?

Lifetime replacement warranty on tools is a vestigial marketing ploy from the 1950's, how could you actually break a wrench in normal use? Or a socket, unless you were abusing it like using an impact wrench.

 

[Firebrick43]

So… a company, like Wright, is focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users. That company offers a written lifetime warranty but should exclude any commercial or industrial users from that warranty?

Make that make sense.

Proto is “focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users” and they don’t?

I don’t know what percentage of the market Williams/snap on is but they don’t for industrial.

Not trying to “make sense” per sey

Pointing out the Op’s incorrect statement of

There are zero other US sold tool brands who manufacture either in the US or abroad who wouldn’t cover this sort of failure.

 

[liliysdad]

Wright should just sell an extended warranty, just like every POS electronic you buy now.
Like as if anyone ever used an extended warranty for a friggin set of head phones?

Lifetime replacement warranty on tools is a vestigial marketing ploy from the 1950's, how could you actually break a wrench in normal use? Or a socket, unless you were abusing it like using an impact wrench.

You’ve never broken a socket?

 

[liliysdad]

Proto is “focused almost entirely on commercial and industrial users” and they don’t?

Does Proto advertise a lifetime warranty without exclusion?

 

[Sumboodie]

Wright should just sell an extended warranty, just like every POS electronic you buy now.
Like as if anyone ever used an extended warranty for a friggin set of head phones?

Lifetime replacement warranty on tools is a vestigial marketing ploy from the 1950's, how could you actually break a wrench in normal use? Or a socket, unless you were abusing it like using an impact wrench.

I've had sockets crack or the chrome peel off. Got sliced real bad by a Craftsman socket years ago. It was razor sharp.

 

[Firebrick43]

Does Proto advertise a lifetime warranty without exclusion?

Lifetime warranty is certainly at the top of the page in bold letters but you have to scroll way down to find commercial is excluded.


Why the trick question?

“Who has a lifetime warranty without exclusions”?

Sears is gone, and failed to deliver as well.

Wright certainly does not have a warranty without exclusions and list everything they cover and don’t.

If the Op is being truthful and it was “lightly used”, I would certainly hope they would cover it. But I have seen that term used so many times to describe abused or worn out junk

And the Op certainly hasn’t given me reason to trust with after his “zero other companies” statement. Must be a hyperbole factory where he works.

But look on the bright side. He is going to buy tekton, your favorite brand

 

[Whitworth]

You’ve never broken a socket?

Only using a regular socket in an impact wrench.

But I'm the type of user who will lose a socket long before I get a chance to break it !

 

[liliysdad]

But look on the bright side. He is going to buy tekton, your favorite brand

I caught that… weird pivot, but it’s not my money. I never would have bought a Wright ratchet, either…

 

[CGarage]

I've had sockets crack or the chrome peel off. Got sliced real bad by a Craftsman socket years ago. It was razor sharp.

And how did that happen?

Using a chrome socket in an impact?

 

[CGarage]

I caught that… weird pivot, but it’s not my money. I never would have bought a Wright ratchet, either…

Maybe for industrial users the Wright ratchets are acceptable, but the Taiwanese ratchets from Gearwrench and Icon I find to be far superior, and generally available at a lower price-point, too.

 

[liliysdad]

And how did that happen?

Using a chrome socket in an impact?

I’ve broken a pretty decent size handful of good chrome sockets using nothing more than a ratchet…and I’m not a very big guy.

Maybe for industrial users the Wright ratchets are acceptable, but the Taiwanese ratchets from Gearwrench and Icon I find to be far superior, and generally available at a lower price-point, too.

I don’t disagree at all. It would be hard, in an industrial setting, not to pivot to Taiwan tools when the homegrown alternatives are making little effort to make themselves attractive.

Yeah, even Tekton.

 

[Wrench97]

Lifetime warranty information.​

Since 1927, the Wright Tool Company has manufactured top quality hand tools. The use of Wright alloy steel, precision heat treating and advanced manufacturing techniques results in products of long life, durability and toughness. Therefore, for as long as you own it, any product manufactured by Wright Tool which fails to render service due to defect in workmanship or materials will be replaced at no charge. Wright Tool does not provide any warranty for products labeled other than Wright Tool or Cougar Pro™. This limited lifetime warranty replacement does not apply to any defects caused in whole or in part by improper use, accident, abuse, alteration and neglect or normal wear from use. Wright Tool makes no other warranties, express or implied, with respect to the tools or their suitability for specific applications. Wright Tool neither assumes, nor authorizes any person to assume, any other warranty, or obligation express or implied.
Please contact your Wright Tool distributor for additional information on our warranty policy and process for replacement. You can also contact Wright Tool Customer Service at 800.321.2902 or Fax 800.543.2095.

ANSI Specification Conformance​

All products manufactured by Wright Tool are designed to conform to the applicable ASME specification for the particular tool. (Special Note: Wright Tool reserves the right to exceed ASME Standards on selected items.)

Limited Warranty: Serviceable Product​

All Wright Tool torque wrenches are warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. As a sole remedy for this warranty, one of our authorized repair facilities, at their discretion, will repair or replace any defective Wright torque wrench returned to their place of business, postage or freight prepaid. All torque wrenches must be accompanied with a dated copy of the sales receipt, invoice or purchase order. The foregoing obligation is Wright Tool's sole liability and the purchaser's sole remedy under this warranty. There are no other warranties expressed or implied, including those of marketability or fitness for purpose. Under no circumstances shall Wright Tool be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages. This warranty does not apply if the torque wrench has been altered, damaged, abused or improperly maintained. This warranty gives you specific rights which vary from state to state.
NOTE: Please contact Wright Tool Customer Service at 800.321.2902 or Fax 800.543.2095 for repair locations and shipping instructions on the return of all torque wrenches for warranty, repairs, or other services. All warranty considerations will be returned to the customer freight prepaid. All non-warranty repairs for calibrations will be returned to the customer with all applicable charges and freight collected.

 

[liliysdad]

And that’s the problem I have. If you don’t want to warranty stuff, don’t sell it under the guise of a Lifetime Warranty.

 

[Wrench97]

And that’s the problem I have. If you don’t want to warranty stuff, don’t sell it under the guise of a Lifetime Warranty.

I'd bet if you returned it to a distributor it would be warrantied.
If buying on corp. discount plan there may be a warranty exclusion like Snap On Industrial

 

[liliysdad]

I'd bet if you returned it to a distributor it would be warrantied.

That’s a good point, and likely true until they start getting burned by Wright refusing to reimburse them.

 

[Wrench97]

That’s a good point, and likely true until they start getting burned by Wright refusing to reimburse them.

See above I edited

 

[woody 73]

THE SKY IS FALLING; THE SKY IS FALLING...so screamed chicken little.

Sigh this is what I hate about posts like this, when wright breaks, (not very often), i take it to my local dealer and walk out the door either that day or maybe a few days later with a new replacement, end of story.

 

[liliysdad]

THE SKY IS FALLING; THE SKY IS FALLING...so screamed chicken little.

Sigh this is what I hate about posts like this, when wright breaks, (not very often), i take it to my local dealer and walk out the door either that day or maybe a few days later with a new replacement, end of story.

That’s fantastic until you have no local dealer. I bought all my Wright from Palmac or Suncoast.

My nearest physical distributor, according to Wright, is 3 hours away.

I suppose I could mail them to Palmac or Suncoast, but I really couldn’t tell you which one I ordered what from or when. I just assumed I’d be able to deal directly with Wright like I have with Snap On, Cornwell, Proto, and Matco over the years.

Edit; just checked and looks like all of my Wright came from Palmac. That makes it a little easier I suppose.

 

[Hakeem]

Hasn’t this company been gobbled up by one or more PE firms?

If so, maybe “good riddance” is in order

The Chinese at least give us a value for 100 money.

False, they’re one of the last private hand tool companies in the US. Maybe the last? Wright is a tremendous value if you’re looking for tough US made tools. Half the price of Proto, 1/4 the price of Snapon.

I love Wright but regardless of what their policy states, I know I’m probably not getting a warranty and handle their ratchets accordingly. If you want easy warranty stick to Tekton.

 

[whateg01]

Op says it looks like a defect, but that's exactly what you'd expect somebody to say who's trying to get warranty coverage on something. Even moreso if they were on a forum complaining that they couldn't get it warrantied. Maybe wright looked at it, said there were signs of abuse, and denied the claim.

 

[woody 73]

If no local dealer give wright a call and ask them how to handle it for you if the nearest dealer is too far away. Fellows and gals, I talk to wright on the phone and they are fantastic on the phone.

 

[Sumboodie]

And how did that happen?

Using a chrome socket in an impact?

No, just from using them.
Last one was a Snap On, I about face planted when it broke. Was torquing lugs nuts at only 150 lb ft.
Chrome was defective Id guess,it peeled off and was like a razor blade.

 

[zendriver]

.

 

[d.mcfarland]

So ... buy Tekton because you want an easier warranty? Good luck in the future when you are assuming they still have a replacement in their catalog.

I'd be buying tools that don't need any warranty coverage because of their initial and ongoing quality.