ARES Tools.. Yikes...

[DIY_Guy79]

I keep seeing Ares tools advertised across amazon and other places, decided to take a look.. They're pretty enough and as far as I can tell come in at a price point a littler higher than Tekton in most cases.

But wouldnt you know it, when you start getting curious about what kind of warranty they offer, they dont seem too proud of it as they dont advertise it in any way on the store page of any product that I looked at. Went their website and had to click "Warranty Information" in the links at the very bottom of the page to find this...



90 days for factory defects. And you better have a receipt. I'm assuming if the tool breaks, its on you.

Some of the prices they're charging with a warranty that isnt even on par with Harbor Freights 90 day hassle free warranty is telling, not to mention the lifetime no hassle warranty on their Pittsburgh hand tools. I mean these people are selling a stubby adjustable wrench for $53 with this warranty. And thats the Amazon price, $67 on their website.

Take your money to companies that stand behind their products and have a warranty designed to protect you rather than a warranty designed to protect them.

 

[Legion Prime]

I always just assumed that anything advertised on amazon, facebook etc was garbage and made a point not to waste my money on anything I saw advertised there.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I almost bought one of their axle nut sockets on Amazon a few minutes ago. They advertised a lifetime warranty on that page, so this is surprising. Seems they are lying on the listing. The pickings in the size I needed were slim.

I wonder how the quality is, but in the end I paid the extra money for a Lisle socket.

I thought about going with Tekton, but I bought a Tekton socket the other day and just got it and I'm extremely disappointed in the quality of it. It looks worse than most HF sockets I've seen. It feels cheap, had multiple dings and blemishes in the finish that had just been plated over, etc.

 

[lardy1]

Before you write Tekton off, send them an email. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that they make it right. Their warranty and CS are outstanding.

 

[dsaabm]

You bring up a good point. They are another one of these whack-a-mole brands selling private labeled tools from China/Taiwan catalogs through heavy marketing. There are gems sold through some of these brands but I don’t expect warranty. If it’s defective out of the box return through Amazon. Who knows if these companies will be around in 3-5 years to warranty anything even if they did advertise a real warranty.

 

[Bannik254]

Bought my first set of 3/8 dr hex bits in both metric and SAE off of Amazon, ARES branded. Not the first, but second day using them, 1/4 hex bit snapped resulting in a completely cut and peeled the skin off my knuckle. Was so pissed, I checked and saw the bits were still within the amazon return window, threw the bit sets in a random box, dropped off at UPS store. I Bought Tekton hex bits to replace. Whether it's hammering the bit into a cherry red hot stuck fastener, occasional impact use, they hold up well. Only the smallest size, the 1/8 tends to twist when tightening too much. Tekton has warrentied my 1/8 twice now, no questions asked.

 

[Fedwrench]

A lifetime warranty gives you a lifetime of failed tools.

ARES, ABN, and the other Amazon mystery brands can be hit or miss on quality & durability. As others have mentioned, they offer some gems and a few turds in the mix.

I view all of their offerings as disposable.

For not much more money in some cases, you could buy the Capri or Tekton branded version and get a great warranty. However, as I mentioned in my opening remark, I would have a tool that doesn't fail under normal, sustained use, than one that I have to replace, weekly, monthly, or annually.

For the individual that bought an ugly Tekton socket above, did you order it from Tekton.com? Visit their warranty page and send them a picture of it, voicing your concerns.

Every manufacturer slips up once in awhile but, I've found Tekton's current socket offerings to be nicely finished inside and out.

 

[ThePostman]

Not too many companies make magnetic spark plugs sockets, the only thing i own by ares.

 

[RoundedNut]

There is some entitlement in thinking that a manufacturer needs to replace tools forever under any use/abuse. Some truck brands offer them sometimes to build goodwill but the expectation is that customers continues to buy more tools. Consumer brands can offer them for the image as the return rate is small enough.

Knipex's warranty and experience ***** compared to Harbor Freight so its no indication of quality.

A straight-up warranty is similar to Proto's: "the useful life of the product against defects in material or workmanship". Generally speaking, defects in materials and workmanship show up quite early under regular use so it doesn't matter whether such a warranty is 3 months or a year or longer.

 

[Al Borland]

A lifetime warranty gives you a lifetime of failed tools.

ARES, ABN, and the other Amazon mystery brands can be hit or miss on quality & durability. As others have mentioned, they offer some gems and a few turds in the mix.

I view all of their offerings as disposable.

All very good points.
I don't worry much about hand tool warranty because they are a means to an end, not an end unto themselves.
If i try a tool/brand and they break/don't work/****, I will buy something else next time.
Not worth my time to chase a warranty on a socket or a screwdriver or whatever.

 

[Azzkker]

I had to buy an ares 15010 volvo timing tool set for a customer car several months ago and it is well built. Never had any of their regular tool stuff in my hands so can't comment about the sockets and such. But their specialty tool kits I have used in the past have always performed the task at hand.

 

[four.cycle]

inquiry sent re COO on ratchets 01/08/24 11:16 PST

 

[four.cycle]

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:​	RE: NEW ARRIVAL for NEW YEAR belt service
Date:​	2024-01-10 10:48 am
From:​	ARES Tool <[email protected]>
To:​	four.cycle

Our products are manufactured in Taiwan.
Thank you for your interest in our brand.

Emily Wanjiku Customer Service VA P: 206.453.6776

| www.arestool.com | Seattle, WA QUALITY CONSTRUCTED, TECHNICIAN APPROVED​

 

[milkovich]

I don't want to put anyone on blast because it's not my style, but I just inquired about warrantying a simple screwdriver that broke (snapped inside the handle) from a VERY RESPECTABLE made in Germany screw driver company that touts its "No Hassle Guarantee" and was simply told that that model is discontinued. Full stop. That was the "hassle free" part I guess. I've also broken tools that were out of warranty and the manufacturer simply sent me another one. My point is that the warranty that is written down is not necessarily the way the company does business. FWIW, I've been happy with the few things that I have from Ares (mostly 1/4" hex bits) and micro ratchets.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I always just assumed that anything advertised on amazon, facebook etc was garbage and made a point not to waste my money on anything I saw advertised there.

This!

 

[four.cycle]

^ Like many other companies, Ares sells only direct from their own website or through Amazon.

Welcome to the modern age.

 

[toyotadriver]

I recently bought some Astro Pneumatic ujoint sockets from Amazon. They had the specs I wanted. Got them and they seem to be well made. I was disappointed that they only have a 1 year warranty not a lifetime like so many others. I didn’t notice the 1 year warranty when I ordered them. But, I will rarely use them as they are a niche tool so I’m sure they will last just fine.





Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.

 

[dchawk81]

Lifetime no hassle warranties are going the way of the Buffalo as people abuse the system.

 

[four.cycle]

-------- Original Message --------


edited for brevity

Subject:​	RE: NEW ARRIVAL for NEW YEAR belt service
Date:​	2024-01-10 3:11 pm
From:​	ARES Tool <[email protected]>
To:​	four.cycle

Hi BK,

We started up in 2015 with eBay as our primary selling platform, moving quickly to Amazon in the following years as it made logistical sense for us.

We do have several sourcing locations depending on product family, so if you or anyone you're chatting with ever have questions about a specific SKU's sourcing, just let us know, and we'd be happy to answer. Thanks again for your interest!

Michael M. Customer Service Lead P: 206.337.7613

| www.arestool.com | Seattle, WA QUALITY CONSTRUCTED, TECHNICIAN APPROVED​

 

[Southernbuild]

Personally, I like the idea of a 90 day defect warranty. Free tool replacemnet for life if you wear it out is crazy if you actually think about it. I wonder what percentage of tool cost, is actually the manufacturer funding the tool replacement "fund"....

Especially, in the extreme end such as Snap-On, I'd be much happier paying half as much upfront, knowing that "if" I ever wore it out, I'd then have to personally fund the replacement.

 

[F-22]

Over here in Europe, lifetime warranty is super rare/unusual.

 

[finn]

A lot of bad information in this thread. First of all, has anyone actually gone to the Ares website and clicked on the warranty information subject line? Do it. Their tools, with the normal exceptions like torque wrenches have a limited lifetime replacement for tools bought through their own website or through Amazon. You do have to either register or retain your receipt. I called to register a set of ratchets and someone picked up the phone on the first ring and we were done maybe two minutes later.

Try that with Snapon.

The ratchets were nicely finished chrome 90 tooth in a fitted foam carrier. They seem as smooth as any other sourced ratchets . They also have 120 tooth versions and a Quick Look at their catalog suggests they have a product line that covers a large portion of what comes out of Taiwan.

Will they last ? I don’t know So far so good, but they are just for my home garage, so they get light, personal use. They cost $38, 38 months ago when I bought them, so that’s $.33/ month each so far, with absolutely no sign of failure.

These tools aren’t for everyone, but take the original post, with its bad information, with a grain of salt.

 

[dchawk81]

A lot of bad information in this thread. First of all, has anyone actually gone to the Ares website and clicked on the warranty information subject line? Do it. Their tools, with the normal exceptions like torque wrenches have a limited lifetime replacement for tools bought through their own website or through Amazon. You do have to either register or retain your receipt. I called to register a set of ratchets and someone picked up the phone on the first ring and we were done maybe two minutes later.

Try that with Snapon.

The ratchets were nicely finished chrome 90 tooth in a fitted foam carrier. They seem as smooth as any other sourced ratchets . They also have 120 tooth versions and a Quick Look at their catalog suggests they have a product line that covers a large portion of what comes out of Taiwan.

Will they last ? I don’t know So far so good, but they are just for my home garage, so they get light, personal use. They cost $38 months ago when I bought them, so that’s $.33/ month each so far, with absolutely no sign of failure.

These tools aren’t for everyone, but take the original post, with its bad information, with a grain of salt.

AFAIK you don't have to register with snap on or have a receipt.

I was at a garage getting my truck inspected and the snap on guy handed the owner a new screwdriver and told him to stop using them as a chisel.

 

[finn]

AFAIK you don't have to register with snap on or have a receipt.

I was at a garage getting my truck inspected and the snap on guy handed the owner a new screwdriver and told him to stop using them as a chisel.

Of course you don’t, in the real world, but if you read the SnapOn warranty, it does state that they can ask you for proof of purchase. This has been covered before in multiple threads. The three minute phone call to register these inexpensive ratchets didn’t measurably impact my quality of life.

I probably have a dozen or more SnapOn ratchets, some costing hundreds of dollars each. These wouldn’t likely replace them in a professional daily use setting, but they appear to be equal to other Taiwan tools in their price range, and offer some utility for most users without mortgaging the farm for a set of SnapOn equivalent ratchets.

 

[four.cycle]

I recently bought some Astro Pneumatic ujoint sockets from Amazon. They had the specs I wanted. Got them and they seem to be well made. I was disappointed that they only have a 1 year warranty not a lifetime like so many others.

Don't know why we're discussing AstroPneumatic in a thread about Ares, but.... .

Universal Joint sockets were/are considered a "specialty tool", and as such may be subject to different warranty terms than other items offered by the same manufacturer.
Real-world example: Indestro Super 2712UV - 2724UV 3/8" drive 6-point universal joint sockets were ALL stamped "NOT. GUAR." right on the item. Also all of their 3/8" drive hex bits 2755-2761

Several other tool manufacturers offer specialty tools in their line-ups which are also NOT guaranteed, among them the Snap-on Tool Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

More to the point:

If you are breaking tools, you are doing something wrong.

 

[finn]

Don't know why we're discussing AstroPneumatic in a thread about Ares, but.... .

Universal Joint sockets were/are considered a "specialty tool", and as such may be subject to different warranty terms than other items offered by the same manufacturer.
Real-world example: Indestro Super 2712UV - 2724UV 3/8" drive 6-point universal joint sockets were ALL stamped "NOT. GUAR." right on the item. Also all of their 3/8" drive hex bits 2755-2761

Several other tool manufacturers offer specialty tools in their line-ups which are also NOT guaranteed, among them the Snap-on Tool Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

More to the point:

If you are breaking tools, you are doing something wrong.

And to that same point, if you’re paying $38 for three ratchets, and then complaining about warranty, there’s a disconnect. Especially when there’s a lifetime warranty in place anyway.

 

[Zeus36]

 

[$olo]

I keep seeing Ares tools advertised across amazon and other places, decided to take a look.. They're pretty enough and as far as I can tell come in at a price point a littler higher than Tekton in most cases.

But wouldnt you know it, when you start getting curious about what kind of warranty they offer, they dont seem too proud of it as they dont advertise it in any way on the store page of any product that I looked at. Went their website and had to click "Warranty Information" in the links at the very bottom of the page to find this...



90 days for factory defects. And you better have a receipt. I'm assuming if the tool breaks, its on you.

Some of the prices they're charging with a warranty that isnt even on par with Harbor Freights 90 day hassle free warranty is telling, not to mention the lifetime no hassle warranty on their Pittsburgh hand tools. I mean these people are selling a stubby adjustable wrench for $53 with this warranty. And thats the Amazon price, $67 on their website.

Take your money to companies that stand behind their products and have a warranty designed to protect you rather than a warranty designed to protect them.

Warranty

WITH ARES, YOU'RE BACKED BY THE ARES TOOL PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE! ARES TOOL warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. A defective product may be returned for a free replacement within the specified warranty timeframe from the date of...

www.arestool.com

I only have one or two of there items I got in a pinch they are not terrible
As of today most of there stuff is lifetime like a lot of companies. Whose lifetime and their quality is up for grabs.
Anything Stanley you call in they mail it out. Craftsman or Channellock I go to ACE or Lowes they just swap it out. Harborfright has never given me an issue. Gear wrench wants pictures but other than that no problems. Most to all Duralast you can swap at Autozone. https://www.autozone.com/lp/duralast-tools
These should not confused with DuraTech from Amazon LOL

• • Lifetime Warranty:
    DuraTech offers a lifetime warranty on its products, meaning that if a tool breaks, they can provide a free replacement.
    
    
    
  • https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1WCS8V46VCK99/?tag=atomicindus08-20
  
  The prices of all tools seem ridiculous over that last 10 years and post covid. If you wanna buy Snap-on Mac and/or Matco you can, I did. take video's of your tools and get them to you insurance(legal theft coruptpooration) company ASAP. Those the crackheads favorite to steal and pawn. Property crime is up and law enforcement is hobbled. Good luck to all. I wish you great tool buying and using experiences.
  
  
  

 

[Beerhippie]

I always just assumed that anything advertised on amazon, facebook etc was garbage and made a point not to waste my money on anything I saw advertised there.

I see you don't actually shop at Amazon. It's where I get most of my name-brand tools--Knipex, Klein, Milwaukee and Pferd come to mind immediately, as those are my most recent purchases.

You just gotta learn to winnow the wheat from the chaff.