Armstrong Tools Warranty

[crtt1976]

To whom this may concern, I am a big fan of Armstrong tools and own quite a few of them. I have a 11-973 ratchet that needs a head kit and have read on Garage Journal to call the customer service # for warranty service. To make a long story short this was a complete waste of my time. It seem as though Apex does not fool with warranty issues or that is what the more than kind male customer service rep told me. Actually the man was quite an *** to me. He told me I had to go thru a distributor. This would not be a problem if a distributor was not so far from me. But called Fastenal closest to me, no problem they are ordering me a kit. The man I talked to was nice with no probleems or attitude. It seems that a lifetime warranty anymore is not what it should be and you don't necessarily get what you pay for as far as warranty goes. These tools are not cheap, which everyone knows. I don't use them to make a living just my own work at my home. This has just really ****** me off and I am really going to think as to whether or not to buy any more Armstrong tools. Sorry folks, just needed to vent a little.

 

[mrholeshot]

When it comes to the Apex group I feel your pain. The head of warranty at Apex is Helland Wait. If you need warranty go to Helland Wait, lol

 

[treasureseeker]

I got Armstrong to warranty a ratchet for rust through Fastenal but it took three months as the ratchet was struck at their hub waiting on more information from Fastenal. It took following up with Fastenal to determine what happened to the ratchet.

 

[I can fix anything]

I called them for a kit and had it in a few days at no charge.

 

[RM209]

I just spoke with Armstrong about the same warranty issue within the last few days. They were very clear that warranty issues are handled by distributors, but offered that NAPA stores are Armstrong distributors, in addition to the large well-known distrbutors, such as Fastenal. When I mentioned that I'd had problems obtaining warranty service through one of their distributors, the Armstrong rep offered that ISN is one of their distributors that handles warranty service on a regular basis.

I'm going to visit ISN in the next few weeks, so I guess we'll find out.

RM209

 

[ajchien]

Can someone tell me which tool companies are now part of Apex?

 

[billymade]

Here are the brands they have swallowed up; I'm beginning to feel nauseated.. how about you? Add Matco to the list; IDK why they aren't listed on the site... most of the hardline of the Craftsman tools are OEM by some division of Apex as well...

http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands/

 

[mrholeshot]

Here are the brands they have swallowed up; I'm beginning to feel nauseated.. how about you? Add Matco to the list; IDK why they aren't listed on the site... most of the hardline of the Craftsman tools are OEM by some division of Apex as well...

http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands/

I'm feeling about Apex the same way they feel about me FU, lol I won't buy another tool or steer anyone towards them. I bought some Wera and some Wright yesterday.

 

[trout]

Here are the brands they have swallowed up; I'm beginning to feel nauseated.. how about you? Add Matco to the list; IDK why they aren't listed on the site... most of the hardline of the Craftsman tools are OEM by some division of Apex as well...

http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands/

I wonder why they don't list Matco, Kobalt, and Craftsman.

 

[matthew]

Add Matco to the list; IDK why they aren't listed on the site...

Technically Matco isn't part of Apex, it was retained by Danaher. Danaher is, of course, a partner with Cooper in Apex...

 

[matthew]

...and Craftsman isn't their brand. They supply to Craftsman, but not all Craftsman items are made by Apex (screwdrivers and pliers, for example, I believe come from Ideal, right???)

 

[Pharmteck]

If you bring a Armstrong tool in to my Fastenal you get a NEW one in return. That's it. The way it should be.

 

[Wrenches of Death]

I called them for a kit and had it in a few days at no charge.

I had the same experience a couple of years ago for a 3/4" drive ratchet kit that I ordered to fix a friends ratchet. He was going to toss it.

If I remember right, I think that that ratchet was a fancy looking clone of the Craftsman 3/4" drive ratchet.

WoD

 

[I can fix anything]

I had the same experience a couple of years ago for a 3/4" drive ratchet kit that I ordered to fix a friends ratchet. He was going to toss it.

If I remember right, I think that that ratchet was a fancy looking clone of the Craftsman 3/4" drive ratchet.

WoD

The lady I talked to was very nice. I got my kit about 6 months ago.

 

[bargainzplus+]

where do you go about replacing or warranting APEX sockets? do they have a mail-in location or a number to call?

 

[MC1983]

Fastenal has been pretty good to me in terms of warranty replacement. Instead of ordering me a rebuild kit for the ratchet, they jut ordered a new ratchet. Only problem for me is Fastenal is only open until 5 and M-F. I usually have to sneak out of work or try to make it on my lunch break if I need anything from them.

 

[sumner52000]

I stopped by Fastenal on a friday afternoon to warranty an armstrong ratchet. They ordered one and i picked it up at lunch time on monday. My Fastenal has great customer service.

 

[mooman]

I don't get the rant. Apex told you to call Fastenal, you did, and you are getting what you need. Did I miss something?
What were your expectations?

 

[Kirbot]

I emailed Armstrong a while back asking a question about how to get the tools warrantied.
I never did hear back.
Needless to say, I wasn't impressed.

 

[mrholeshot]

I emailed Armstrong a while back asking a question about how to get the tools warrantied.
I never did hear back.
Needless to say, I wasn't impressed.

Their policy is "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"

 

[bargainzplus+]

I just emailed APEX direct and they replied with: "Apex sockets have a 6 month warranty. For replacement, please contact the distributor from whom you purchased the sockets."

What company is going to bring in customers with a policy like that??

 

[mrholeshot]

I just emailed APEX direct and they replied with: "Apex sockets have a 6 month warranty. For replacement, please contact the distributor from whom you purchased the sockets."

What company is going to bring in customers with a policy like that??

Apex tool group warranty training" Take out Gun, shoot self in foot"

 

[crtt1976]

Mooman, what I expected was a little better customer service. If you see for yourself on other posts on this thread, people were sent kits via mail. Because Mr. Attitude decided he would not send me one via mail, guess what? 35 min drive for me one way to get this taken care of when he could have sent me one. As far as I am concerned I don't think that is such a GREAT EXPECTATION.

 

[Jrussell86]

I called them last Monday about some broken Gearwrench tools I had after having no luck at Sears where I purchased most of them. Also had no luck at Advance Auto where I had purchased a few things. The woman on the phone told me to take them to Fastenal for warranty but I feel like a **** taking them a bunch of broken tools when I never do any business with them. I decided to just fill out there form and email them. Now over a week later no reply. I had a few broken things about 3 years ago and they told me no problem to throw them in the scrap metal and I had replacement in a few days. I have over 1k or Gearwrench tools alone but like the OP I probably wont be purchasing anymore from them. It seems everyone is getting this way I guess I will have to go 100% Snap On.