Ace Hardware/ craftsman tools

[ssentt]

Went to Ace Hardware (who sells craftsman tools) here locally to replace a broken craftsman 3/8" ratchet. Was told can't replace it cause it wasn't EXACTLY the same one made now. Well dah, mine was a 30yr old V-series.
Guy looks at model number says hey these are different. Tried to explain mines 30 yrs old and the one they sell is the basic 3/8" ratchet not polished or long handled just basic. Ah nah, can't get through thick head this is the replacement for my old one. Now I gotta drive 30+ miles to sears store who will want to give me a rebuilt from under the counter. Rebuilt by some teenager old who doesn't know the difference between a torx bit and a phillips head let alone be able to rebuild the head of a ratchet. I've had this happen once already and it lasted a little over a month before getting a new replacement again. Getting pissed with sears on this rebuild ratchet chit!

Anyone else have rebuilt one pawned off on ya at sears lately?

 

[reptilezs]

i usually ask for a rebuild kit and do it myself, don't want a refurb nor a new raised panel off the rack. ill keep my old ratchet bodies. they have kits for the older baby rattle style direction levers too, the 24t ones

 

[ssentt]

i usually ask for a rebuild kit and do it myself, don't want a refurb nor a new raised panel off the rack. ill keep my old ratchet bodies. they have kits for the older baby rattle style direction levers too, the 24t ones

Do you have to pay for the kit?

 

[stricht8]

Do you have to pay for the kit?

Nope

 

[pipsters]

A 2 year old could rebuild a ratchet, not sure where your disdain for a "teenager" comes from

 

[Cedge]

Stand your ground. I refused to take the 3 rebuilt ratchets recently and Sears relented and gave me new stock. I was polite, didn't make a scene, but I made it clear I wasn't accepting any rebuilt tools. Once they got the picture that I was not going to bend, the sales guy smiled and simply said, "Yes Sir" and away he went to get the replacements right off the rack.

Steve

 

[goodspeed]

At least the rebuilt ones would say "usa" on it.

 

[pipsters]

You guys are bringing in a used tool, what is the problem getting a rebuild used one. I dunno I have zero issue with it.

 

[ssentt]

A 2 year old could rebuild a ratchet, not sure where your disdain for a "teenager" comes from

Disdain: The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Respect: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

I was a teenager once and so were you I suspect. Need I say more.

No disrespect intended.

 

[Conductor562]

I really don't mind a rebuilt one as long as it isn't beat to hell. The way I see it, a rebuilt USA model beats a new China model any day.

 

[ssentt]

I'm liking the idea of rebuilding it myself w/kit.

Some of my tools came from my father and with that being said a rebuild kit is acceptable. I particularly like using a tool that has been in the hands of my long ago deceased father. There is something about that makes me feel good deep down in my sole. As a matter of fact the tools he has given me I handle with respect. I try to prevent wearing them out or breaking them and I have passed some of these down to my son.

For you guys who got a kit did sears have the kit on hand?

 

[metaldad]

Ace will not warranty Cman tools without a receipt.
Which, I do not have a problem with.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Ace will not warranty Cman tools without a receipt.
Which, I do not have a problem with.

I'm going to have to say this varies. My ACE does warranty with absolutely no paperwork. I grab the new stuff, walk to the counter and say, "Hello, here's the broken goods and here's the new ones." They say "ok" and I'm on my way.

Hopefully this is more common than not for any/all of us.

 

[ssentt]

I think I'll see if I can get/order a rebuild kit from local Ace on Monday.

 

[Cedge]

Pipisters
I dunno... there's just something that really bothers me about some other guy's name being scribed into a tool that I'm going to use for years to come. All 3 of the rebuilds they offered were that way. Idiosyncratic on my part?... yeah maybe.

Steve

 

[pipsters]

Pipisters
I dunno... there's just something that really bothers me about some other guy's name being scribed into a tool that I'm going to use for years to come. All 3 of the rebuilds they offered were that way. Idiosyncratic on my part?... yeah maybe.

Steve

Not saying I don't believe you...but let's be honest here 95% of the complaints posted on the site are gross exaggerations of actual fact.

Kinda like a movie "based on a true story", maybe the main character had the same first name but that is where the truth stopped...

Me personally I don't believe much of what is said on forums like this one.

As for getting a rebuild with initials, not saying it doesn't happen but I find it hard to believe someone would get 3 in a row...

 

[Fordman7795]

Ace will not warranty Cman tools without a receipt.
Which, I do not have a problem with.

Not true. Each ace is independently owned and the warranty procedure may be different at each place. For instance, my local ace has no problem replacing a broken pair of needle nose pliers. No receipt and they even ordered it in for me

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

We got the same story, it was too old and before Ace carried Craftsman so they didn't have to warranty it.

 

[purpurite]

95% of the complaints posted on the site are gross exaggerations of actual fact.

Always good to explain an exaggeration with another exaggeration.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

Not saying I don't believe you...but let's be honest here 95% of the complaints posted on the site are gross exaggerations of actual fact.

Kinda like a movie "based on a true story", maybe the main character had the same first name but that is where the truth stopped...

Me personally I don't believe much of what is said on forums like this one.

As for getting a rebuild with initials, not saying it doesn't happen but I find it hard to believe someone would get 3 in a row...

yes,i find what you are saying hard to believe

 

[Cedge]

Pipster
So you want to call me out?.... 5 pound SO sledges at 20 paces, choose your second carefully sir. If you're just looking for a disagreement, feel free to look elsewhere.


If I'd made three trips, the odds would be astronomical... I made 1 trip with 3 of my broken ratchets. All 3 replacement tools were all inscribed with the same guy's signature, so my guess would be in store rebuilds using damaged tools that he traded in. I didn't think much about it at the time, other than me not wanting tools signed by someone else.

You know they can't put anything on the internet that isn't true... Google it and see for yourself.

Steve

 

[TwoInch]

i thought they dont use ratchet bodies with initials for rebuilds... i know my local sears doesnt, if they have initials or engraving, they go to the scrap bin.

 

[Cedge]

TwoInch
It would make sense to me to scrap them too, but I'm not privy to how the local guys are allowed to operate.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

To the OP.

Does your ratchet have a model number on it or is just the V production stamp?

Some of the rebuild kits are no longer being produced.

 

[dirtydogintex]

...You know they can't put anything on the internet that isn't true...

true dat....

 

[ssentt]

To the OP.

Does your ratchet have a model number on it or is just the V production stamp?

Some of the rebuild kits are no longer being produced.

Yeah its.... -V- 43784 is how it reads. I tried to look it up on sears web page but no rebuild kits came up for craftsman.

 

[tater]

Pipisters
I dunno... there's just something that really bothers me about some other guy's name being scribed into a tool that I'm going to use for years to come. All 3 of the rebuilds they offered were that way. Idiosyncratic on my part?... yeah maybe.

Steve

The people at your sears arent doing something right or there is more to the story.
At my sears if there is any owner marks grind marks or holes they throw the whole ratchet to be sent to be melted off.
They only rebuild the best handles and clean and relube

 

[tater]

I can take care of it if you pay shipping both ways. We have tons of rebuilds of older craftsman under the counter

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Who the hell would bother engraving a c-man ratchet? That seems like way too much work for a tool that no one is likely to bother stealing and for which the value is quite low. Most any of them can be had off ebay for under $20. Besides - since sears feels the need to make everything in China now I would rather not have anything with their name on it - past or present.

GD

 

[sberry]

I really don't mind a rebuilt one as long as it isn't beat to hell. The way I see it, a rebuilt USA model beats a new China model any day.

I am not sure,,,,ha but this is such a sore spot it has nearly ruined sears, it should have been a shing example vs the most lame tool in the whole collection, the second being flare wrenches. I kind of gave up, still have a handful of them somewhere, wouldnt be terrible if someone did steal them.

This should be in big biz blunders, they went head to head to compete on cost with cheap stuff that is better quality, should have went up and looked for a place above Kobalt and under SK, shame is this same genius is probably a ceo elsewhere.

I got a Napa one must have been built by the same outfit, sent it back and the new one is not all that much better. Shame to say but one of the best I haveis a douple thing,, 3/8 on one side, 1/4 on the other, maybe Tiawan but bought it off the counter from a parts store one day when desparate or feeling lucky. Had had it with Sears that day or whatever but just liked the feel, fit and the fine feel to the mechanisim, 20 yrs later,, this is a tool in the pool, I am not the only user but at this point still works great, got to be less than half worn out, never so much as tighten a screw, no maint, no fooling with greasing it like a schoolgirl, never done anything to it, seen 20x the service the sears has.

Must be that 1/2 are sturdy enough or dont see the use due to using impacts, never an issue but 3/8 and 1/4 from Craftsman are not worth hauling home if they are free. I still like sears due to the cost, sockets ok, would stress test them before taking them on a moon mission and its not a deal if one breaks, at a dollar a piece in a set on sale I am a fan. I think its poor bizstrat egy on Sears behalf though but its a bargain to the consumer and a guy could ebay the ratchets to some unsuspecting type or scrap them. Then go to HF or Walmart to get something that works.

How much per unit would have it cost to fix this? Gives the whole tool lineup a bad rap, seems 50 cents per would havebeen cheap vs all the replacements.

 

[camarotoolman]

I think it is up to the clerk on duty when you go in. Some are good, some are a-holes. Tell them the ratchet is for a gift to a friend, and you want a new one. That helps.

 

[metaldad]

Not true. Each ace is independently owned and the warranty procedure may be different at each place. For instance, my local ace has no problem replacing a broken pair of needle nose pliers. No receipt and they even ordered it in for me

Well, going by discussions with the owner of my local Ace, which I do frequent.

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

I call ******** on the story, but the internet is a safe haven for those with an alligator mouth and a canary ***.

 

[carterbeauford]

Ace will not warranty Cman tools without a receipt.
Which, I do not have a problem with.

warrantied my broken USA thin profile with another USA thin profile without a receipt. I didn't even buy it at Ace.

 

[ssentt]

Sears parts direct doesn't show a kit for that ratchet 43784.

Found a couple kits on ebay 7.95 & 8.50 free shipping. Probably go that route, would spend more on fuel driving to sears for replacement whether rebuilt or new. Besides this ratchet came from my Dad and that why its worth keeping to me.

 

[SMKS]

I think I'll see if I can get/order a rebuild kit from local Ace on Monday.

I seriously doubt it. I've never heard of Ace rebuilding ratchets or providing refurb ones.

You'll probably have to deal with a real Sears.

You can only get rebuild kits for the older Craftsman ratchets with a quick release. There are very similar models without a quick release, but the kit is different. I needed a directional lever for an older non-quick release version because the lever was broken, and the lever in the kit they have now wouldn't work.

 

[Outlawmws]

Ace will not warranty Cman tools without a receipt.
Which, I do not have a problem with.

I do have a problem with it, its a CRAFTSMAN warranty, not Ace's and it unconditional...

I had my local ace try to pull that with me on a couple of GATES garden hoses (Similar warranty). I called in the manager and he instantly said "Give him two new hoses" Done.

 

[Fordman7795]

Well, going by discussions with the owner of my local Ace, which I do frequent.

And again like i already said. Each ace is independently owned. Their policies will change from store to store. But to say "ALL ACE HARDWARES REQUIRES RECEIPT" is simply not true

 

[ckadams00]

I really don't mind a rebuilt one as long as it isn't beat to hell. The way I see it, a rebuilt USA model beats a new China model any day.

Agreed. I'd rather have a rebuild kit for my old (heavier) ratchets than a new China thin metal ratchet any day of the week.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I think I'll see if I can get/order a rebuild kit from local Ace on Monday.

Call Sears and see if someone there can get you the part number for the rebuild kit for your ratchet, since I don't think ACE stores are rebuilding them, they most likely won't have the kits. Sears will have buckets of them in the RTV cage, and they're all labeled with what ratchets they'll work with.

As with some others on here, I'll take a older rebuilt ratchet any day over the new China junk.