Lifetime Battery Warranty for 2003 Ridgid Purchase

5ubtle · Jun 30, 2016

I am wondering if anybody here has got more than 1 set of batteries replaced under Ridgid's power tool lifetime warranty?

I bought a 18V kit in the fall of 2003. I think that Ridgid power tools had just come out. Back then, you didn't have to register online, you just kept the receipt. My batteries died by 2009 and I had no problem getting them exchanged by a local 'Ridgid authorized repair center'. Now my batteries are dead again, but Ridgid doesn't want to give me replacements. I still have the original purchase receipt from 2003. Ridgid tells me that they require a receipt from when I exchanged them in 2009. I don't have a receipt from 2009, and I don't think that I was given a receipt. While I'm not perfect, I do a pretty good job of keeping my important receipts. I talked to a guy at that 'Ridgid authorized repair center' who told me that there was no paperwork of any kind back then when batteries where exchanged.

What I'd really like to know is: who has ever warranty exchanged their Ridgid batteries and received a receipt? I suspect that Ridgid has screwed me out of future batteries by requiring a receipt that never existed.

jptbay · Jun 30, 2016

At some point there was a deadline from Ridgid to re-register online, even if you had originally registered. This was a few years ago already.

They few times I have gotten replacement batteries, I have made sure to register them again.

You may be SOL.

LB-1911 · Jun 30, 2016

^

If you have ever had anything replaced under LSA status, call 1-866-539-1710 to have your new equipment re-registered. Your past replacements will be grandfathered in until Dec. 7, 2012. Note that if you have already updated your re-registrations from a previous call, no further action is needed.

More @
https://www.ridgid.com/lsa-letter/

SMKS · Jun 30, 2016

Yes, there are a lot of hoops to jump through and some "gotchas" in this. It seems it's not quite as great as they make it out to be for marketing purposes.

Showkey · Jun 30, 2016

That battery plan was rigged from day one............Looks like a perfect place for a class action law suit. The lawyer will get rich but no body will get free batteries.

rcktsled · Jun 30, 2016

I got 2 batteries replaced but it took 6 months AND I had to call and register the new numbers. They don't make it easy.

ADSR · Jun 30, 2016

Showkey said:
That battery plan was rigged from day one............Looks like a perfect place for a class action law suit. The lawyer will get rich but no body will get free batteries.

I would start by taking it to small claims. For a few batteries, they'll roll over.

Mr. Tool · Jun 30, 2016

Sounds more like, yea sure they'll give you a "free replacement" set of batteries for the lifetime of the originals but afterwards, once replaced well then that's it. Either try to re-register your item (or new batteries) for future warranty replacement or bite and pay for new ones?

Earlier this year I bought a set of "Ridgid" drills from HomeDepot, yes the warranty about the lifetime of the batteries and all applied, went ahead and registered both drills/batteries and well so far both drills work, no problems yet so I'll just have to wait and see.

The sales guy at HomeDepot told be that if the batteries needed to be replaced just to bring in the drill with battery, no receipt was no longer necessary or needed, they would just look it up to check to see if my drills were registered and if registered then no problem a new battery would be issued to me. But the important thing here was that he emphasized that both drills/batteries needed to be registered.

No record of registration-no new batteries.

Ign · Jun 30, 2016

Mr. Tool said:
Sounds more like, yea sure they'll give you a "free replacement" set of batteries for the lifetime of the originals but afterwards, once replaced well then that's it. Either try to re-register your item (or new batteries) for future warranty replacement or bite and pay for new ones?

Earlier this year I bought a set of "Ridgid" drills from HomeDepot, yes the warranty about the lifetime of the batteries and all applied, went ahead and registered both drills/batteries and well so far both drills work, no problems yet so I'll just have to wait and see.

The sales guy at HomeDepot told be that if the batteries needed to be replaced just to bring in the drill with battery, no receipt was no longer necessary or needed, they would just look it up to check to see if my drills were registered and if registered then no problem a new battery would be issued to me. But the important thing here was that he emphasized that both drills/batteries needed to be registered.

No record of registration-no new batteries.

And someone else here has reported that you can verify the registration online. The concern is that you submit your registration (be it via mail or online) but it never "goes through" thus Ridgid claims no record of it. IOW you gotta follow up.

WhiffySpark · Jun 30, 2016

I would replace the tools before losing sleep over it. Lifetime warranty is pointless when the tool is outdated

jd_1138 · Jun 30, 2016

They didn't even have impact drivers back then? I'd just get a newer set. Porter-Cable has a pretty nifty 6 pack that is sometimes $200-$250 -- impact driver, drill, circular saw, sawzall, lantern, multi-tool, 3 lithium batteries/charger. Buying new batteries for an old platform would be silly.

Or any Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid set would be fine.

Mr. Tool · Jun 30, 2016

Ign said:
And someone else here has reported that you can verify the registration online. The concern is that you submit your registration (be it via mail or online) but it never "goes through" thus Ridgid claims no record of it. IOW you gotta follow up.

Your point of view is clearly understandable.

I never really thought about following up since I received "confirmation" on both of my items being registered with Ridgid.

But yet again, it never hurts to follow up right?

Yes, I did save my confirmation emails from Ridgid though.

Mr. Tool · Jun 30, 2016

jd_1138 said:
They didn't even have impact drivers back then? I'd just get a newer set.

Yea back then maybe but as stated before, early this year I purchased a two drill set from Ridgid. One normal drill and the other a 'High Impact' drill.

I believe now just about every major manufacture is offering a set of two, three or four different combination of drills, electric saws, etc.

bmwpowere36m3 · Jun 30, 2016

Their batteries and they don't last forever... Some companies only extend the lifetime warranty to the original item and not the warranty replacement.

Either way, 13 year old tech... time to move onto something better.

GTO · Jun 30, 2016

I never fell for that "Free Replacement" ********.
In this day and age free replacement means something totally different......

5ubtle · Jul 1, 2016

Thanks to everybody for your responses.

I am still hoping for somebody to respond who is in a similar situation to me (meaning: bought the tool in 2003 when no registration was required, received a set of replacement batteries and actually received a receipt proving that they received those free batteries).

I want to clarify that since I bought the tools in 2003, there was no registration required then, and there is no registration required for any free replacement batteries (I have verified this with Ridgid warranty dept). The only thing that is needed is the "mythical" receipt showing the batteries were replaced under warranty.

As for "just replacing the outdated tools": I wish that I had the money to do so, but I don't, so I won't.

LB-1911 · Jul 1, 2016

5ubtle said:
Thanks to everybody for your responses.

I am still hoping for somebody to respond who is in a similar situation to me (meaning: bought the tool in 2003 when no registration was required, received a set of replacement batteries and actually received a receipt proving that they received those free batteries).

I want to clarify that since I bought the tools in 2003, there was no registration required then, and there is no registration required for any free replacement batteries (I have verified this with Ridgid warranty dept).

The only thing that is needed is the "mythical" receipt showing the batteries were replaced under warranty.

Maybe rcktsled with come back and chime in w/ the year of purchase & replacement.

rcktsled said:
I got 2 batteries replaced but it took 6 months AND I had to call and register the new numbers. They don't make it easy.

Reads like your information differs from

:see:

Any replacement tool, battery, charger or serialized component that requires a full replacement under the Lifetime Service Agreement must be re-registered within 90 days of replacement to maintain Lifetime Service Agreement status.

Any component not re-registered within 90 days of replacement will not maintain Lifetime Service Agreement status.

These components not re-registered within 90 days will maintain the remainder of the 3-year limited warranty starting from the date of purchase or the date of manufacture on the originally purchased equipment.

Please call RIDGID at 1-866-539-1710 to re-register your replacement components. Proof of replacement required.

Source
https://www.ridgid.com/lsa-letter/

pauls_workshop · Jul 1, 2016

All this **** is why I bought some Ridgid tools used with some used batteries cheapo. When they die, I'll make a Ryobi to Ridgid battery adaptor and drive my Ridgid with the cheaper and very good Ryobi batteries instead! - Paul

jacked_72 · Jul 1, 2016

I'd raise hell with Rigid. I don't see how they think they can change the rules in the middle of the game. But, who is going sue over a battery pack and I'm sure they could give a crud abut one customer.

Sask dude · Jul 1, 2016

I missed the deadline on my rigid set I bought in June 2011, I was mad, now 5 years later I have been fortunate to have no issues, but lesson learned. I still feel as though 5+ years out of a battery operated power tool is pretty good

bmwpowere36m3 · Jul 1, 2016

Batteries are consumables... 7 years for say $100 for a set of two batteries. You're telling me you can't afford $14 a year? Come on...

You didn't register the batteries per the new policy. Call Rigid C/S explain the situation and see what they say.

mike7 · Jul 1, 2016

Rigid's registration requirement is a violation of federal law. Registration of the product imposes an "unreasonable duty" on the consumer.

16 CFR §700.7

Use of warranty registration cards.

(a) Under section 104(b)(1) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 2304(b)(1), a warrantor offering a full warranty may not impose on consumers any duty other than notification of a defect as a condition of securing remedy of the defect or malfunction, unless such additional duty can be demonstrated by the warrantor to be reasonable. Warrantors have in the past stipulated the return of a “warranty registration” or similar card. By “warranty registration card” the Commission means a card which must be returned by the consumer shortly after purchase of the product and which is stipulated or implied in the warranty to be a condition precedent to warranty coverage and performance.

(b) A requirement that the consumer return a warranty registration card or a similar notice as a condition of performance under a full warranty is an unreasonable duty. Thus, a provision such as, “This warranty is void unless the warranty registration card is returned to the warrantor” is not permissible in a full warranty, nor is it permissible to imply such a condition in a full warranty.

Farmall450 · Jul 1, 2016

jd_1138 said:
They didn't even have impact drivers back then? I'd just get a newer set. Porter-Cable has a pretty nifty 6 pack that is sometimes $200-$250 -- impact driver, drill, circular saw, sawzall, lantern, multi-tool, 3 lithium batteries/charger. Buying new batteries for an old platform would be silly.

Or any Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid set would be fine.

Agreed. I'm probably $150 into Dewalt 20v max for the drill & impact.

I keep seeing that big set and it's enticing. Anyhow OP, you got 12 years from them, that's pretty good imo.

tarbellb · Jul 1, 2016

Boo "Batteries are consumables... 7 years for say $100 for a set of two batteries. You're telling me you can't afford $14 a year? Come on..."

Thats not the point, they are selling the product under the "lifetime" warranty, not good enough time period warranty.

If they are offering a "lifetime" warranty to persuade me to buy their product then I expect them to keep giving me batteries until I find a good reason to switch, whether thats upgrading or switching brands.

That being said, I do expect to jump through some hoops to keep that contract. Registering the product, or keeping the original receipt seems reasonable.

Contact them, report back. I have been recommending Ridgid products to occasional DIY and homeowners based almost exclusively on the warranty. I wont if they are trying to dupe customers out of the warranty.

1950mercury · Jul 1, 2016

Go to a home depot and talk to the manager. They always take care of me now. Although it could be because they just built a Menard's across they street

ADSR · Jul 1, 2016

mike7 said:
Rigid's registration requirement is a violation of federal law. Registration of the product imposes an "unreasonable duty" on the consumer.

wow! good on you for posting law that could help a lot of members. Once you make a small claim, HD would contact you to see if they can work something out for you to drop it. If you quoted what you posted, they'd roll over without a doubt.

454ragtop · Jul 1, 2016

If you have your receipt, and that warranty/advert from when you bought it, I don't think they have a leg to stand on. It'd be like buying a car with a 3 yr warranty, and a year later "we changed our minds, only going to be a 2 yr". That ain't happening.

ADSR · Jul 1, 2016

Remember Chrysler back in 05 - 08 had a lifetime warranty to the first purchaser?

bmwpowere36m3 · Jul 1, 2016

mike7 said:
Rigid's registration requirement is a violation of federal law. Registration of the product imposes an "unreasonable duty" on the consumer.

That's implies returning a physical card to the warrantor [Rigid in this case]. I don't know if that extends to filling out a registration form online. Either way, you need to prove date of purchase. So warranty registration or receipt... and we all know what happens with receipts.

bmwpowere36m3 · Jul 1, 2016

tarbellb said:
Boo "Batteries are consumables... 7 years for say $100 for a set of two batteries. You're telling me you can't afford $14 a year? Come on..."

Thats not the point, they are selling the product under the "lifetime" warranty, not good enough time period warranty.

If they are offering a "lifetime" warranty to persuade me to buy their product then I expect them to keep giving me batteries until I find a good reason to switch, whether thats upgrading or switching brands.

That being said, I do expect to jump through some hoops to keep that contract. Registering the product, or keeping the original receipt seems reasonable.

Contact them, report back. I have been recommending Ridgid products to occasional DIY and homeowners based almost exclusively on the warranty. I wont if they are trying to dupe customers out of the warranty.

I wouldn't buy tools solely based on warranty, nor recommend them. Lifetime also doesn't mean forever. People just like to stuff for free. Like buying HF or CMan due to warranty...

ADSR · Jul 1, 2016

bmwpowere36m3 said:
I wouldn't buy tools solely based on warranty, nor recommend them. Lifetime also doesn't mean forever. People just like to stuff for free. Like buying HF or CMan due to warranty...

My coworker bought the set in 05 with the lifetime battery. They gave him the run around non stop. The problem is the false pretense of the tool company.

bmwpowere36m3 · Jul 1, 2016

LORDDiESEL said:
My coworker bought the set in 05 with the lifetime battery. They gave him the run around non stop. The problem is the false pretense of the tool company.

Their not the only ones, not saying its right, Craftsman has changed its policy over the years as well.

Any warranty is only as good as the company behind it. And honestly for most small things, people either: forget, lose the receipt or isn't worth suing over. I don't think you can even go to small claims for such a small amount.

Is that worth taking a day off work and aggravation :dunno:

I'd be especially leery with any company warrantying "consumables"... that can only last so long (unless its built into price).

PBCampbell · Jul 1, 2016

"Lifetime warranties" are and always have been a marketing angle. If you really want to dig into it you may find that the "lifetime" can be defined in any way they please. I think this issue with Home Depot Ridgid has already been to court and I believe the plaintiffs lost, but I don't recall the specifics. At any rate I'd say you got a battery powered tools lifetime of use and then some.

jd_1138 · Jul 1, 2016

PBCampbell said:
"Lifetime warranties" are and always have been a marketing angle. If you really want to dig into it you may find that the "lifetime" can be defined in any way they please. I think this issue with Home Depot Ridgid has already been to court and I believe the plaintiffs lost, but I don't recall the specifics. At any rate I'd say you got a battery powered tools lifetime of use and then some.

Yep. "Lifetime" can mean the "reasonable expected lifetime of a battery".

Not your lifetime.

tarbellb · Jul 1, 2016

bmwpowere36m3 said:
I wouldn't buy tools solely based on warranty, nor recommend them. Lifetime also doesn't mean forever. People just like to stuff for free. Like buying HF or CMan due to warranty...

I get what you are saying, but warranties do and will continue to have a impact on my purchases because I do actually use them. Im in the minority, but I use my tools hard, professionally, and expect and use the warranty effectively.

General homeowner guys just want to buy one set of tools and use it for a decade or more. That is normal to them, that is reasonable. So thats why I suggest Ridgid.

And I should correct/elaborate myself, I dont recommend just because of the warranty. Its because they are solid mid level cordless set, at a good price point, w/ returns and Lifetime Warranty all over the country. Its the warranty that pushes them to the top of the recommendation list for certain buyers.

reader2580 · Jul 1, 2016

mike7 said:
Rigid's registration requirement is a violation of federal law. Registration of the product imposes an "unreasonable duty" on the consumer.

Companies get around this by offering say a 1 year warranty by default and then offering to extend the warranty at no cost if you register the item.

Another poster mentioned that Ridgid doesn't call it a warranty so they are probably in the clear. I suspect that have warranty in addition to the service agreement.

blown94conv · Jul 2, 2016

I wish lifetime warranties would go away for all tools.

But then what we would we talk about on Garage Journal?

reader2580 · Jul 2, 2016

blown94conv said:
I wish lifetime warranties would go away for all tools.

Why? Do you think tools prices will go down if lifetime warranties went away?

The Craftsman warranty is actually a guarantee. Most warranties only cover manufacturer defects. Abused and broken tools should not be covered under warranty. Worn out tools technically are not covered by warranty either because it wasn't a defect. How can proved that a 20 or 30 year old tool broke due to factory defect?

Home Depot sells a lot of Ridgid cordless tools simply because of the lifetime service agreement.

Packard V8 · Jul 2, 2016

A bit OT, but forty years ago, a friend bought an auto battery from JC Penny with a lifetime guarantee. He's kept the car and gets a new battery every five years or so. Penny shut their car care centers years ago, so I believe they send him to Firestone. Every time he gets a new one, they offer to buy out his warranty. The offer is up to $250 now, but he's up to eight free batteries now and just having fun getting his money's worth on that deal.

jack vines

Mr. Tool · Jan 24, 2017

Concerning Ridgid battery warranty replacement, the following is just some info concerning it:

There are 2 conditions which BOTH must be met in order for this battery model to qualify for the Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA):

1) The battery MUST have been included as part of a pre-packaged Ridgid "console" kit. A "console" kit consists of the "bare tool" (drill, saw, impact driver, etc.) plus the "battery", plus the "battery charger".
The "console kit" has its own unique product I/D# which gets entered into the Rigid warranty system. This then ties the unique serial numbers of all the tool(s), battery(ies), and charger together. This prevents the substitution of an "ala-carte" purchased battery for a "kit included" battery.

2) The "console kit" must have been purchased only from Home Depot (on-line or in-store). The Ridgid LSA is available only on Home Depot purchases -- proof of which is part of the LSA registration process.

Not relative to the question at hand, but important to know for TOOL purchases ...
The RIDGID LSA is also only available on "bare tools" purchased from Home Depot, none others.

Keep in mind:

Individual RIDGID battery purchases carry a standard three year warranty from the date of purchase. They are not eligible for the power tool Lifetime Service Agreement coverage.
If bought alone, 3 yr. only. If you buy a combo pack with a tool of some kind, and with the batteries and charger, then they are eligible for an LSA.

Lifetime Battery Warranty for 2003 Ridgid Purchase

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