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

[IndyGarage]

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.

I just can't understand the need to denigrate an entire company over a broken tool, and a stupid warranty.

I have wright tools that are some of my favorites. I could care less if they don't have a warranty on them. My wrenches certainly haven't needed it under some pretty tough use. And i won't stop buying them because some guy on the internet is mad at the company...

If you want a lifetime replacement plan - step up to the snappy truck and pay your money.

 

[liliysdad]

I just can't understand the need to denigrate an entire company over a broken tool, and a stupid warranty.

I have wright tools that are some of my favorites. I could care less if they don't have a warranty on them. My wrenches certainly haven't needed it under some pretty tough use. And i won't stop buying them because some guy on the internet is mad at the company...

If you want a lifetime replacement plan - step up to the snappy truck and pay your money.

I really don’t care if they have a warranty or not, but I do think it’s dishonest to advertise a lifetime warranty yet fail to honor it. At this point, who knows what their actual policy is

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have warrantied two things through snap-on. Probably should have done three, and both times it required approval from someone over the person who answered the phone when I called... And I had to send the item back for them to review it before they would replace it. They did pay to have it sent back. For example, I wanted to try a flex head bit ratchet. I dropped in one bit and when I pulled the bit out the magnet came out with it. Stupid little things. I wasn't certain what the best method was to put it back in place since the magnet was getting hung up on the side pieces and I figured any attempt to get glued on on the bottom was probably going to leave glue along the sides and then bits wouldn't fit well... So I decided I did not want to try to fix that myself on something that arrived broken.

When I called knipex they told me to deal with the person I bought it from.

When I tried to contact Stanley about a hand plane that came with a damaged screw, I couldn't get a hold of anyone and the only solution was for me to package it up and send it in with no RMA or anything. So I manufactured sort of a new part myself and decided maybe I shouldn't buy stuff. Branded Stanley.

Sk was a phone call And a replacement on its way told to pitch the broken item.

Tekton. Easy peasy

Proto they were very happy to issue a shipping label. They evaluated and sent me a new item.

I tried gearwrench three times. Two of the items I sent back because there was problems. One of them I kept because it was not a problem.

I don't have a lot of ratchets from wright tools, but the ones that I do have were significantly cheaper than my ratchets from snap-on or proto. I think I have three wright ratchets that were recently shipped to me from HJE.

 

[CGarage]

The Wright ratchets have a mechanism and low tooth count from ~ 50 years ago in nearly all cases, last I checked.

I have not found them to perform better than modern ratchets from Taiwan.

 

[Ohio Andy]

The Wright ratchets have a mechanism and low tooth count from ~ 50 years ago in nearly all cases, last I checked.

I have not found them to perform better than modern ratchets from Taiwan.

I think some of the new ones have 82 teeth. I'm curious how those are...

 

[CGarage]

I think some of the new ones have 82 teeth. I'm curious how those are...

Interested in your feedback on those if indeed the tooth count is higher than what they previously offered.

They really need to modernize / get with the times if they want their products to remain relevant outside of sockets and wrenches.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Interested in your feedback on those if indeed the tooth count is higher than what they previously offered.

They really need to modernize / get with the times if they want their products to remain relevant outside of sockets and wrenches.

I kind of like this one. I have no idea how many teeth but I like it when things are tight....

3/8" Drive Wright Miniature Flex Ratchet 5-1/2" Contour Handle (3440WR

3/8" Drive Wright Miniature Flex Ratchet 5-1/2" Contour Handle///brand_for_product_detail=Wright Tool,close_out=No,companydescription=Wright Tool - Made in the USA,condition=New,condition_google=new,cost=49.840000,countrymade=Made in the...

www.harryepstein.com

Here's one of the 82 teeth. Ratchets that I ordered

https://www.harryepstein.com/products/bent-flex-head-ratchet-11

That's not the sort of thing I need often, but I remember some people talking about a use case where that was really nice to have and I thought you know I'll try it.

Usually when I'm out dealing with tracked vehicles. My job is to deal with the sensitive internal electronics which means I'm not likely to be opening it up unless I'm undercover.... But every now and then at home I end up outside in kind of icky weather in less than ideal conditions, so I decided to try one of their open head. Ratchets... There's something kind of appealing about just spraying the whole assembly down to displace the water without having to open it up... Doesn't come up often but I figure it's worth it to have at least one just sitting around in case so I'll give it a go...

But if you're not going to really put it under a whole bunch of pressure. I like those little guys for getting into the tight spaces even if I still need a 3/8. But it does only have 45 teeth.

 

[KnurledNut]

Wright doesn't make a fine tooth. But, the classic dual pawl mechanism that has been around for decades has a similar action. They have quite a bit of backdrag when new, but when used heavily they break in nicely.
I like the contour and knurled handles. Not a fan of the nitrile tootsie roll grips.

 

[Hakeem]

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.

You think Tekton will stop selling ratchets and other hand tools at some point? If they discontinue a certain model of tool, they’ll either send you the current version of that tool or give you store credit for the value—with much less hassle than any other brand.

And I can’t really think of a tool that won’t break or wear out over time, regardless of “initial and ongoing quality”. Nevermind manufacturer defects. For heavy use items that are prone to breakage, like ratchets, warranty is a nice thing to have. I suppose for the individual who doesn’t use their tools much, warranty is superfluous.

 

[whateg01]

... I suppose for the individual who doesn’t use their tools much, warranty is superfluous.

I use my tools. Not every day, but often. Enough to say I use them "much". I don't generally give a **** about the warranty on hand tools. Even if there's a warranty, if I break a wrench today, I probably need that wrench today. I'm not going to wait 2 weeks for a mfr to evaluate it to decide whether it's a covered failure. I'm going to go to the store and buy another.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I use my tools. Not every day, but often. Enough to say I use them "much". I don't generally give a **** about the warranty on hand tools. Even if there's a warranty, if I break a wrench today, I probably need that wrench today. I'm not going to wait 2 weeks for a mfr to evaluate it to decide whether it's a covered failure. I'm going to go to the store and buy another.

I’ve used my warranty options way more on defective tools than broken ones. You’d be surprised how many janky tools come straight from the factory and sit on the tool truck. I can understand guys not caring, but for me warranty matters a hell of a lot.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Wright doesn't make a fine tooth. But, the classic dual pawl mechanism that has been around for decades has a similar action. They have quite a bit of backdrag when new, but when used heavily they break in nicely.
I like the contour and knurled handles. Not a fan of the nitrile tootsie roll grips.

I have never handled those nitrile grips. I was not even aware that they existed until recently... But I have very few wright tools ratchets.

I also find that with use my opinion some times changes.

I had some hard handled snap on screwdrivers that I really liked. I bought some snap-on soft handled drivers to test. I was hoping they would be like the old Craftsman red handled Professional screwdrivers. But they are More like the new drivers Tekton is selling. Not sure if I like them yet. Time will tell. For soft handled might prefer PB Swiss or vessel megadora...

...

 

[Yarpo]

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 use my tools. Not every day, but often. Enough to say I use them "much". I don't generally give a **** about the warranty on hand tools. Even if there's a warranty, if I break a wrench today, I probably need that wrench today. I'm not going to wait 2 weeks for a mfr to evaluate it to decide whether it's a covered failure. I'm going to go to the store and buy another.

I use my tools everyday.....but seriously are we in the minority or am I just...I don't know, not worried about it?
First of all, I bought a set of wright grip 7-22mm wrenches like 9 or 10 years ago. The set was like 185 dollars or something.
Lets take a conservative estimate and say these wrenches have helped me earn 400k.
Have I broken a single one? No. Have I broken more than 20 dollars worth of single sockets in my life? Also no.

If i break a 10mm wrench I can go on google, type "Wright grip 10mm wrench" and buy a new one for 10 dollars.
Who ******* cares about a warranty? I'm not rich, I'm not even middle class, I drive a car with 350k miles...I'm more frugal than anyone I know, but its literally more hassle to deal with someone on the phone, send an email, send pictures, and wait for the pigeon to send my new wrench than to just buy a new one. The drive end of my 10mm socket resembles more of a circle than a square....but I'm still using it. Should I be sending that in for warranty? Should the manufacturer warranty that?

 

[3baygarage]

What did Wright tell you?
Why did they deny?
Did they direct you to a distributor?

 

[tarbellb]

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.

Got any pics to back this up? No screen grab of the email?

 

[Pinne]

I use my tools everyday.....but seriously are we in the minority or am I just...I don't know, not worried about it?
First of all, I bought a set of wright grip 7-22mm wrenches like 9 or 10 years ago. The set was like 185 dollars or something.
Lets take a conservative estimate and say these wrenches have helped me earn 400k.
Have I broken a single one? No. Have I broken more than 20 dollars worth of single sockets in my life? Also no.

If i break a 10mm wrench I can go on google, type "Wright grip 10mm wrench" and buy a new one for 10 dollars.
Who ******* cares about a warranty? I'm not rich, I'm not even middle class, I drive a car with 350k miles...I'm more frugal than anyone I know, but its literally more hassle to deal with someone on the phone, send an email, send pictures, and wait for the pigeon to send my new wrench than to just buy a new one. The drive end of my 10mm socket resembles more of a circle than a square....but I'm still using it. Should I be sending that in for warranty? Should the manufacturer warranty that?

To me the answer is "it depends." With Snap-on, I am paying for them to warranty that (if I need) and they will. It's also really easy - can call, go online, or bring it onto the truck.

I don't break a lot of tools so I am also willing to buy tools without a warranty or with one I don't intend to use. This sort of thing wouldn't stop me from buying Wright's tools if they were what I wanted. So I agree with you, sometimes a tool's value and quality is just very good and I don't worry about other factors.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Disappointing to see no pictures or evidence, considering that the Op sent them to Wright. Why not share it here as well, to support your cautionary tale of obvious bad broaching being denied for warranty?

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

Why prevaricate and attempt to invalidate criticism when there's no evidence to even discuss, because you didn't share it?

I don't own many Wright ratchets, maybe 2 or 3, but if someone's gonna tell me to stop buying their products because factory defects are not warranted, they're gonna have to produce actual evidence to convince me. Sorry if that high bar makes me an 'apologist'.

 

[Yarpo]

To me the answer is "it depends." With Snap-on, I am paying for them to warranty that (if I need) and they will. It's also really easy - can call, go online, or bring it onto the truck.

I don't break a lot of tools so I am also willing to buy tools without a warranty or with one I don't intend to use. This sort of thing wouldn't stop me from buying Wright's tools if they were what I wanted. So I agree with you, sometimes a tool's value and quality is just very good and I don't worry about other factors.

Nah I mean you're definitely right, if you pay for a warranty you're entitled to it, and same with OP if it was defective or ruined. Everyone should warranty their items, and the manufacturer should honor it if its written on the tool, case, website, etc. Not trying to shame people for wanting to warranty.

Its just become such a common trope online and it just seems so alien to me. As D.Mcfarland said, and as you state here a good tool may be of such quality and have a desired use case that warranty is NOT something I'm worried about (In this case sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc) - Literally I've been beating on the same set of sockets for longer than these wrenches. Perhaps it comes down to tool use or missuse but as someone else said above, im far more likely to lose a tool than break one. Use the right tool for the job and suddenly warranty access becomes about the least important part of your shopping criteria

 

[ecotec]

I think some of the new ones have 82 teeth. I'm curious how those are...

I have two of the contour handle double pawl Wrights. I have the standard length 3/8” and the 18”ish 1/2”. If they ever offer a double pawl 1/4” contour ratchet, I will buy it.

It is just past 4am. I will, probably, have the 3/8” Wright in use by 6:15am wiring a robot controller weld unit. I wired the line side just before I left yesterday, and I will be wiring the load size first thing this morning. I have a bunch more controllers to wire after that.

Within 50-100’ of where I will be working today, there will probably be millwrights and ironworkers using Wright ratchets.

They are my favorite ratchets made by the last large family owned tool forge in the USA. Once they are gone, there will probably not be anything like it until we get a government that will force procurement of tools from the USA again. Maybe pick something else to go on the internet and freak out about.

Note: I used the Knipex ratcheting cable knife on the robot cable and it worked so well. It worked so well, that it was kind of fun.

 

[Ohio Andy]

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.
....

.

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.

So obviously this is a 3/4 in ratchet?

 

[Hohn]

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

Bad plating on a the first batch of Icon socket is why I warranteed them.

It's the only tool warranty I've used in many years of wrenching, admittedly just DiY since I changed careers long ago and left technician life.

I'm sure I've broken a tool at some point within the last few decades, but honestly I can't remember when or what it was. I tend to use the right tool for the job, thus little to no breakage.

 

[1982fxr]

Pics of ratchet handle area please...

 

[IndyGarage]

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.

OK, let's take this line by line.

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.

Clearly not true - here's what I read:

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.

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.

So based on the above warranty - you say it broke from use - which is clearly a deniable issue if you read the warranty.

Now you say it was caused by a broaching defect - how would you determine that? I'd have to see your ratchet to determine if it was broached, but the ones I have are clearly not - There is nothing broached on them - the pocket is machined. Do you even know what broaching is?

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.

Hmm - someone was using it at work, lightly, which is a commercial setting, yet you say they do not want the non-commercial market and shouldn't be patronized. This is the sentence that really got me - you have no idea what they want - I don't either.

But you do say because they denied something that other manufacturers might fix, they shouldn't be patronized "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.

You don't really care either way - not your tool, not your money - but you have switched everything to a new company and you took the time to write a thread telling others to switch away from this American company to the Taiwanese company - seems to me like you do care a little bit.

Perhaps you are trying to get your $200 tool warranted by threatening to write a hate thread on the tool forum?

 

[rust in the eye]

FWIW I've had exactly one warranty experience with Wright, an extension with a jammed ball so the sockets would fall off. Called them up, told story and they sent a new one. Your mileage may vary.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have two of the contour handle double pawl Wrights. I have the standard length 3/8” and the 18”ish 1/2”. If they ever offer a double pawl 1/4” contour ratchet, I will buy it.

A 1/4 double pawl would be nice, but the 45t still holds its own. And man they get buttery smooth with use.

 

[driftpin]

Powr-Kraft/Wright Tootsie-Roll handle 3/8" ratchet (& metric socket set), a present from the parents when I was in my mid-teens, 16 I think. Look closely and you can see a split socket I never warranteed. I added some Craftsman pieces in that Wright steel box over the years. The set is probably 59 years old. I put a kit in the 3/8" ratchet on my dime maybe 10 years ago, it turned out it just needed a good cleaning after disassembly. I replaced the old one, and I know where it is, 'just in-case.'

The set has been used on dozens of motorcycles (& much else) over nearly 60 years.

 

[finn]

I’ve been gone for a long time now, but I can’t see our factory ever trying to deal with warranty on failed hand tools. The cost of tracking and administering a policy like that would far exceed the cost of simply ordering a replacement from the contractor who kept the toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc stocked, although even those trivial tasks themselves were eventually contracted.

The foreman of the engine lab did keep a drawer with broken or worn out SnapOn tools he would have the industrial rep replace for the mechanics on a semi regular basis. Those tools didn’t belong to the company, so there was no tracking or real overhead involved, through. Most of the older guys had Proto tools that looked like they were left over from WWII.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I use my tools everyday.....but seriously are we in the minority or am I just...I don't know, not worried about it?
First of all, I bought a set of wright grip 7-22mm wrenches like 9 or 10 years ago. The set was like 185 dollars or something.
Lets take a conservative estimate and say these wrenches have helped me earn 400k.
Have I broken a single one? No. Have I broken more than 20 dollars worth of single sockets in my life? Also no.

If i break a 10mm wrench I can go on google, type "Wright grip 10mm wrench" and buy a new one for 10 dollars.
Who ******* cares about a warranty? I'm not rich, I'm not even middle class, I drive a car with 350k miles...I'm more frugal than anyone I know, but its literally more hassle to deal with someone on the phone, send an email, send pictures, and wait for the pigeon to send my new wrench than to just buy a new one. The drive end of my 10mm socket resembles more of a circle than a square....but I'm still using it. Should I be sending that in for warranty? Should the manufacturer warranty that?

Yes, I’d say you’re in the minority. The amount of times I have had my 5/64” hex bit sockets replaced by the Matco and Snap-on guys have probably saved me hundreds of dollars. Just this month I have had the guts of a 1/4” ratchet replaced, two 9/64” hex bit sockets warrantied, a 3/16” hex screwdriver blade replaced, the guts of a 1/2” ratchet rebuilt and I have a pair of slip joint pliers with massive play that misaligns the jaws every time I close them that will have to get warrantied out. So I mean warranty is kinda important to me but I can understand it if you don’t care. Mileage varies by person. I just know a lot of guys at my shop buy what they do because they know that if the tool fails, gets messed up, or is defective they can get it resolved at no cost with no hassle. And going off the giant boxes of warranty stuff sitting in the different trucks, a lot of other dudes feel the same way.

As for Wright, they’ve changed their warranty policy a few times now. A bit ago it was only through a designated dealer, then it was just call or email, now it’s who knows what. Wright is alright, I don’t understand the absolute love they get on GJ or the extreme gate-keeping especially when other companies that do similar things with similar tools get lambasted here. They have certainly had issues in the past and I can totally see them denying warranty or whatever cause Jimbo on the phone or Todd at returns was having a **** day.

 

[whateg01]

Yes, I’d say you’re in the minority. The amount of times I have had my 5/64” hex bit sockets replaced by the Matco and Snap-on guys have probably saved me hundreds of dollars. Just this month I have had the guts of a 1/4” ratchet replaced, two 9/64” hex bit sockets warrantied, a 3/16” hex screwdriver blade replaced, the guts of a 1/2” ratchet rebuilt and I have a pair of slip joint pliers with massive play that misaligns the jaws every time I close them that will have to get warrantied out. So I mean warranty is kinda important to me but I can understand it if you don’t care. Mileage varies by person. I just know a lot of guys at my shop buy what they do because they know that if the tool fails, gets messed up, or is defective they can get it resolved at no cost with no hassle. And going off the giant boxes of warranty stuff sitting in the different trucks, a lot of other dudes feel the same way.

As for Wright, they’ve changed their warranty policy a few times now. A bit ago it was only through a designated dealer, then it was just call or email, now it’s who knows what. Wright is alright, I don’t understand the absolute love they get on GJ or the extreme gate-keeping especially when other companies that do similar things with similar tools get lambasted here. They have certainly had issues in the past and I can totally see them denying warranty or whatever cause Jimbo on the phone or Todd at returns was having a **** day.

I'd say it matters that you probably use your tools 40+ hours a week and that you have a truck come by to service your needs.

 

[1982fxr]

Still waiting on pics of the ratchet and handle.

 

[Steve_P]

Wright, Williams, and Proto focus on industrial and government use. None of them give a **** about warranty as it costs more in time to file a claim than to just get on McMaster and buy a new socket or ratchet.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Wright, Williams, and Proto focus on industrial and government use. None of them give a **** about warranty as it costs more in time to file a claim than to just get on McMaster and buy a new socket or ratchet.

Proto has been very responsive the three times I contacted them with a warranty issue... Or was that two. One ratcheting wrench and one ratchet.

 

[T444e]

Wright, Williams, and Proto focus on industrial and government use. None of them give a **** about warranty as it costs more in time to file a claim than to just get on McMaster and buy a new socket or ratchet.

I needed a single E12 socket, I just ordered it from McMaster-Carr as I was also ordering some other things from them. I was surprised it was a Wright socket they sent. While I like Wright tools and are typically my first choice, I didn't even think they offered external torx sockets. After Wright it's Proto, then the truck brands. Forget about Williams but have received some of their tools from McMaster-Carr.

I typically don't bother with the warranty on hand tools. Not worth the time and hassle, in my opinion. Wright did warranty a set of wrenches for me, chrome flaked off one of the wrenches the first time I used it, on a brass hex bushing. Wright wanted to replace the entire set as opposed to just the one wrench, issues they were having with chrome at the time. It was a bit of a pain as I had to get the PO the set was purchased on from HJE, but there was not any other issues with the process.

 

[finn]

Warranty often falls into the spending dollars to recover dimes category for a large corporation.

I recently had a warranty experience with an issue on an inexpensive Karcher electric washer. Between contacting them in the first place, waiting for the back ordered repair kit, installing the kit, which didn’t fix the issue, getting them to decide to send a replacement washer (their idea, by the way), fixing the shipping issue ( my fault), and finally receiving the replacement, a month after we left for the summer, and having my neighbor put it inside the house, it probably took hours of follow up. If I was paying myself, it would have been cheaper to buy a new pressure washer.

I don’t fault Karcher in any way. They were pleasant to deal with, and bent over backward, but if I was a large company it would have been cheaper to skip the warranty process.

 

[four.cycle]

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.

Sounds like a "standard warranty" contract to me. I've read hundreds of them. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

From what they told me they had to revise their policy due to people abusing it

Correct. They finally had enough.
For the same reasons that both REI and LL Bean changed their return policies: liberal warranty and return policies encourage abuse from the retail customers. Pretty had to justify blaming the manufacturer (or vendor) when the problem are being caused by the customers who insist on abusing manufacturers' warranty and return policies.

You’ve never broken a socket?

Nope. Never in my life have a broken a socket, and I've been using sockets since about.... 1967 or so.
Because:
If you are breaking tools, you are doing something wrong.

 

[tarbellb]

Haven't heard from @timoboy since he was asked for proof?

 

[four.cycle]

and...... you're surprised?

"Just confirming others' experience...."

Oh... sorry, I forgot that part.
MY own personal experience dealing with Wright Tool on "warranty" was actually quite surprising.
I called them on the telephone because I wanted to BUY a repair kit for a 3/4" drive ratchet.
The nice lady on the phone listened patiently to my story, but told me that she was unable to sell me a repair kit.
She sent one to me at no charge instead.
I was prepared to pay what I thought would be a $40 ticket, but they shipped it no charge.
So... sounds like MY experience was much different.
YMMV

 

[i84x]

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

At all the companies i have worked at we never warranted tools. If they broke, the storeman just ordered replacements.
If something turned up broken from a regular supplier they just order a replacement and give the broken one to the rep who comes to drop stuff off.

 

[liliysdad]

Nope. Never in my life have a broken a socket, and I've been using sockets since about.... 1967 or so.
Because:
If you are breaking tools, you are doing something wrong.

Impressive. Truly impressive. Now we all have an example to which we can aspire to emulate.

 

[four.cycle]

^ exactly.

when you use the correct socket for the task, you don't break sockets! so easy!

( wonder if it has anything to do with using that cheap, low-end Indestro stuff? )