Going to great lengths to break tools for warranty

NinnyCTSV · Jun 2, 2017

I have a coworker that buys all his tool truck brand tools second hand online and warranties the whole set to get brand new stuff at a fraction the cost. I bring this up because this week he purchased some nice Matco ratcheting wrenches (the old pro swing usa ones) and proceeded to break all the ratcheting mechanisms so he could get a new set since tue Chrome was chipped on some and Matco superceded them with the 90 tooth wrenches. 2 of the means that stood out was he fashioned up a rig with various welded bolts on a sheet of metal and began to 1 by 1 with a cheater bar stand on the wrench until they began to skip the teeth. The ones that didn't break he would use an impact gun to break the ratchet.

Reminded me at a previous job where a guy wanted to warranty his 24" snap on ratchet but didn't want them to just rebuild it and with the ratcheted leaned up against the wall used a forklift to drive over the ratchet to bend the arm. The amazing thing at least in that situation is the ratchet supported the weight.

It got me to thinking that I can't be the only one that has these types of stories of the great lengths people will go to break their tools.

ssdave · Jun 2, 2017

If people worked as hard to do a good job as they do to cheat, it would be a lot better world. Some people never learn that principle.

PugetDude · Jun 2, 2017

Sounds like a management problem if he's building a demolition rig during working hours and all his coworkers are standing around on the clock watching him destroy perfectly good tools with it.

Luckily, karma is a *****...

Empty Pockets · Jun 2, 2017

I have also seen it, but not to that extent.

On the other side of that coin, I have some Wright combo wrenches and socket sets. I bought them new in the mid 1970s, I have worked them hard, and never a failure. I'm still happy with them

LXCam · Jun 2, 2017

If I were in your shoes is flat out tell him you do it again, I'll snap a picture and show it to who ever should see it. What a POS.

NinnyCTSV · Jun 2, 2017

Empty Pockets said:
On the other side of that coin, I have some Wright combo wrenches and socket sets. I bought them new in the mid 1970s, I have worked them hard, and never a failure. I'm still happy with them

I'm still kicking myself for warranting an old snap on midget 1/4 ratchet for a new bright and shiny one last year that I never use... I inherited it and the teeth no longer grabbed, the selector was frozen.. but looking back it was a neat little tool from yesteryear

dwasifar · Jun 2, 2017

This reminds me of the John Hiatt song "Perfectly Good Guitar."

I don't understand people who will destroy anything that could still be put to good use. There's something wrong with their heads.

ken w. · Jun 2, 2017

I buy a lot of my tools 2nd hand and will warranty them if broken. I have never broke a tool just to get a better looking one. This guy to me is a pos.

NinnyCTSV · Jun 3, 2017

ken w. said:
I buy a lot of my tools 2nd hand and will warranty them if broken. I have never broke a tool just to get a better looking one. This guy to me is a pos.

Agreed, I often do that as there's some good deals to be had and the lifetime warranty is nice, but no reason to abuse

ssdave · Jun 3, 2017

I've passed up warrantying a couple of my older Snap-on tools.

I wore out a pair of diagonal cutters on hard spring wire. They were the only pair of cutters that I found that would work past a dozen or so cuts. I had my Snap-on guy sell me a new pair, after trying several out to see which ones would cut how I needed. He offered to warranty my old pair; I declined, they were old vac-u-grip/Snap-on dual marked, and made in the 40's. I've kept them for nostalgia. I've made tens of thousands of dollars on springs I made using those cutters. I bought a lot of nice toys using that money when it was the only extra I had over what my family needed.

I also have a midget that was made in 1942. It started skipping, and my guy would have warranted it out also. But, it's been my favorite for about 30 years. I took it apart, cleaned it up and dressed the teeth till it works acceptably. I still use it, but did buy some new t72's to use for heavier duty work.

A new tool isn't always worth giving up the old one, even if you can legitimately warranty it. I actually like some of my worn tools over new ones; they tell a story and still work today.

pepi · Jun 3, 2017

The dumb *** does not realize the newer **** is ****. I get a kick out of morons like that, always with an angle and always behind the 8 ball.

Greg

pepi · Jun 3, 2017

The dumb *** does not realize the newer **** is ****. I get a kick out of morons like that, always with an angle and always behind the 8 ball.

Greg

Ditch · Jun 3, 2017

pepi said:
The dumb *** does not realize the newer **** is ****. I get a kick out of morons like that, always with an angle and always behind the 8 ball.

Greg

Maybe he resells them ?
Either way, I'm not a fan of busting tools on purpose just to get the warranty
Pretty chicken$hit

anndel · Jun 3, 2017

These people sounds like the kind that buy a 60" 4K flat screen from Costco for the Superbowl then return it the very next day. They are the reason why some return policies and/or warranties are difficult to process for those that really do need it.

jrockford · Jun 3, 2017

I was under the impression that the warranty on tool truck brands was only good for the first owner. On top of that, I always thought most tool truck guys were very stingy with their warranty exchanges. :dunno:

As far as him breaking tools, it would be hilarious if all the wrenches had scuffs and indentations in the same spot from the cheater pipe. It would be rather easy to catch onto what's going on.

Outlander · Jun 3, 2017

ssdave said:
If people worked as hard to do a good job as they do to cheat and steal, it would be a lot better world. Some people never learn that principle.

Fixed it for you.

Words to live by!!

Wakefield · Jun 3, 2017

LCS = Shoplifting

Lotek · Jun 3, 2017

I'd drop a dime to the Matco guy, that kind of **** drives up prices for the honest people who work for a living with tools.

Mr_B · Jun 3, 2017

I can understand need make a failing tool worse to get it warranted how you want but to bust up a whole ratchet set like that is a bit far and my truck sellers would be very suspicious if coming in with that many busted tools from a set !
They are a lot less flexible doing warranty work than use to be as too many idiots taking advantage, before long you will need purchase invoices to prove warranty rights :-/

bcradio · Jun 3, 2017

I'm shocked that any company would warranty an entire set of something without questioning how he broke ALL of them.

LB-1911 · Jun 3, 2017

Lotek said:
I'd drop a dime to the Matco guy, that kind of **** drives up prices for the honest people who work for a living with tools.

bcradio said:
I'm shocked that any company would warranty an entire set of something without questioning how he broke ALL of them.

^
I'm w/ these two.

NinnyCTSV, I believe it would be safe to say that the word ethical is not even remotely in his vocabulary.

Keep us posted if his exchange flies under the radar or if the driver shoots him down.

MikeF2316 · Jun 3, 2017

I agree with those that say that warranty abuse is paid for by higher prices on all that company's products. Higher prices for you and me.

I also like my older tools. There's a divot in the open end of my ½" wrench, where it contacted the positive terminal of the battery when I was removing the rear air filter on my 122s. I love that scar, it shows a lesson I learned way back.

I worked at car dealers for 6 years, and been friends with a guy that owns an independent shop for the 25 odd years since. I've never seen anyone deliberately break a tool to collect warranty.

PugetDude · Jun 3, 2017

anndel said:
These people sounds like the kind that buy a 60" 4K flat screen from Costco for the Superbowl then return it the very next day. They the reason why some return policies and/or warranties are difficult to process for those that really do need it.

How about a neighbor who bought a new TV from Costco to watch while they were living in their home during an extensive whole-house remodel? Returned it after 90 days covered in drywall dust, got another one. Did this for a year until the remodel was complete, then.... took their own TVout of storage and returned the last one to Costco for cash. He was bragging about it at a block party; I just shook my head and walked away; have to live next door to him.

dnschmidt · Jun 3, 2017

I have a solution: Shoot him. The world has enough of fools and thieves one less will only improve things.

Ditch · Jun 3, 2017

MikeF2316 said:
I agree with those that say that warranty abuse is paid for by higher prices on all that company's products. Higher prices for you and me.

I also like my older tools. There's a divot in the open end of my ½" wrench, where it contacted the positive terminal of the battery when I was removing the rear air filter on my 122s. I love that scar, it shows a lesson I learned way back.

I worked at car dealers for 6 years, and been friends with a guy that owns an independent shop for the 25 odd years since. I've never seen anyone deliberately break a tool to collect warranty.

I have one of those too :beer:

Slinger646 · Jun 3, 2017

Sounds like this could be constituted as fraud...if not legally, morally.

shawhite · Jun 3, 2017

I would be surprised if the tool guy will warranty a whole set of wrenches. I bet if he does he will remember the guy and warranties will be a lot harder going forward

Mechanical Noise · Jun 3, 2017

I'm missing some details here. So this guy ruins serviceable wrenches on the chance he can exchange them? I mean the Matco guy would clearly be within his rights to tell the guy to **** off:

MISUSED AND ABUSED PRODUCT

Over time, Matco's hand tools and service equipment have earned a reputation for world-class quality, superior workmanship, and professional-grade durability. When properly used and conscientiously maintained, Matco tools can provide you their full lifetime of reliable service. However, this is not to say that our tools are indestructible. When subjected to intentional physical misuse and abuse, even Matco tools can break or fail prematurely.

https://www.matcotools.com/customercare/warranty-info/

So the Matco guy actually exchanged the whole set of broken wrenches? Sounds risky to me.

scooby074 · Jun 3, 2017

Wanna know why we hear those stories on here about "my snapon guy is a **** about warranty"? Guys like this

Ditch · Jun 3, 2017

I've never had a problem but I don't break tools just to swap them out.

derosa · Jun 3, 2017

I'd have no problems dropping a dime to the matco dealer along with a cell pic as it happened, discrete with taking the pic. I already find warrenting a purchased used tool questionable. To then intentionally bust them for updates is pure abuse and unconscionable.

dwasifar · Jun 3, 2017

derosa said:
I already find warrenting a purchased used tool questionable.

What's your reasoning? I'm on the fence about that.

Clearly the guy in the original story is abusing the system, and probably making things worse for everyone else in the process. But for every guy like that, there's another guy who bought the tools at pawn because he couldn't afford new, and used them normally until one failed. I don't think he's abusing the system, is he? Why should he suffer because the other guy's an ***?

racinfarmer · Jun 3, 2017

I'd be tempted to linger around the truck once that guy leaves and give the guy a heads up as to what he probably already suspects.

I don't think I've ever had to warranty a tool before. Buying used means I almost always have extras. :beer:

EOC_Jason · Jun 3, 2017

I will buy used, and after cleaning them up 99% work perfectly... I don't mind chipped chrome, or owner's engravings, a slight bend from a cheater, or anything like that... It's a tool, it's meant to be used...

I have had a couple Craftsman wrenches / sockets where chrome peeled off and left sharp edges. Those I exchanged because I don't really care to get a shard of metal in my hand when grabbing a tool.

Me personally, I would discretely snap a picture or two of the guy breaking stuff, then text those pics to the tool truck guy...

Parrothead · Jun 3, 2017

dwasifar said:
What's your reasoning? I'm on the fence about that.

Clearly the guy in the original story is abusing the system, and probably making things worse for everyone else in the process. But for every guy like that, there's another guy who bought the tools at pawn because he couldn't afford new, and used them normally until one failed. I don't think he's abusing the system, is he? Why should he suffer because the other guy's an ***?

Interesting you mention this...I was just at the pawn shop buying some extra sockets to leave at my father in laws farm since his are scattered everywhere. While I was there I found a Duralast ratchet, that seemed to lock up. I was intrigued since it looked to be in very good condition. My thoughts were to take it home, clean it and use it at the farm. However, after cleaning it didn't work and I ended up warranting it at AutoZone. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but they did it no problem. Truth be told, I've only warranted 4 other tools in over 20 years. All of them I purchased new except this Duralast. Not quite sure how I feel about that...

jd_1138 · Jun 3, 2017

That's fraud, breach of contract, and just downright dirty and immoral.

NinnyCTSV · Jun 3, 2017

So I took what you guys said to thought and I mentioned it to the dealer. He said that because it's something that is extremely questionable and raised a lot of red flags he can't prove it but told me that if Matco kicks it back to him the guy will have it added to his bill.

Ditch · Jun 3, 2017

dwasifar said:
What's your reasoning? I'm on the fence about that.

Clearly the guy in the original story is abusing the system, and probably making things worse for everyone else in the process. But for every guy like that, there's another guy who bought the tools at pawn because he couldn't afford new, and used them normally until one failed. I don't think he's abusing the system, is he? Why should he suffer because the other guy's an ***?

I'm not.
If they broke under normal use, no big deal .
BUT intentionally , F him

disston · Jun 3, 2017

I have only ever warranted 2 tools in my life. 1 a Craftsman ratchet that Sears replaced with a piece of junk. Don't have it anymore. I think I threw it away. The other was a Snap On Breaker Bar that was the oldest Snap On tool my Snap On man had ever seen. It was found in the trunk of an old car we bought at an auction. I had always needed a good breaker bar and decided to try and warranty it. The Snap On man we had then was new to the game and said he would take it in and see what he could do. It did have markings that said Snap On. It was broken at the joint for the drive end. One stanchion was broken completely off and then had been brazed back on which broke again. Mike, the SO guy, said that nobody else had ever seen a SO tool that looked this old. He gave me a brand new 18" breaker. Boy was I thrilled. I ended up buying a lot of stuff from him eventually. Still have the 18" breaker.

I don't break many tools but those I do break are non name brand I guess. If I break a quality tool I'm likely to think it was my fault anyway and not try to get another. Would depend I guess but hasn't come up.

I do not like dishonest people and will try to not associate with them. If pressed I would tell them why. I certainly would say something to the truck guy.

derosa · Jun 3, 2017

dwasifar said:
What's your reasoning? I'm on the fence about that.

Clearly the guy in the original story is abusing the system, and probably making things worse for everyone else in the process. But for every guy like that, there's another guy who bought the tools at pawn because he couldn't afford new, and used them normally until one failed. I don't think he's abusing the system, is he? Why should he suffer because the other guy's an ***?

You didn't buy the tool from the company or through their dealer base, what entitles you to the warranty? Bicycle companies are big on this, the lifetime frame warranty ends when it leaves the original owner's possession. Circumstances may dictate necessity, if you need the tools and can only afford to buy used and have to warranty then that's life, but feeling entitled to a warranty just cause its in your possession doesn't make it right.

Going to great lengths to break tools for warranty

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