Craftmans

[boo coo tracks]

1/2 socket rachet won't change directions. How good Sears guarantee??
Tracks.

 

[vette-kid]

you will sometimes get mixed opinions on this. It all depends on the local department manager. At my local sears it would not be a problem, Im sure they would swap it without any hassle.

 

[zackwatt]

I thought it was a lifetime guarantee, take it back and get it replaced anytime...

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I thought it was a lifetime guarantee, take it back and get it replaced anytime...

The question is with what?

He doesn't list the model, is it one that they carry in the store, catalog only, discontinued, etc?

The best defense is what he is doing. Knowing what your going into.

 

[bobs409]

You should be able to walk into any Sears store and hand it to a worker, get a new one for free with no questions asked. If by chance it's an older type they don't carry anymore, they will give you a similar one to replace.

And by the way, get used to doing it because these ratchets continuously break.

 

[eborcim]

take the broken one with you, get your reasonable replacement ratchet off the rack yourself and take them both to the counter.

 

[Matt M PA]

At our local stores...they often give a rebuilt ratchet that could be worse than the one your broke. If they have no rebuilts...then you get a new one.

 

[bry@n]

At our local stores...they often give a rebuilt ratchet that could be worse than the one your broke. If they have no rebuilts...then you get a new one.

Same here. Been lucky so far.

 

[Gary S]

If by chance it's an older type they don't carry anymore, they will give you a similar one to replace.

My 30 year old Craftsman ratchets have always worked perfectly. My newer style ones I bought a few years ago were crappy from the start. My last new one gave up in less than a year. When I took it back to Sears, the guy at the counter asked me if I would exchange the new style one for an old style rebuilt one. I jumped at the chance to replace the new failure with an old one. Now it works like tools did back in the old days.
Sears Craftsman quality has suffered like most products made today.

 

[rsanter]

At our local stores...they often give a rebuilt ratchet that could be worse than the one your broke. If they have no rebuilts...then you get a new one.

they will try to do this but I point out the condition of mine verses what they have rebuilt and tell them no thanks.
sometimes they will give me a new one and sometimes they will take mine to the back and rebuild it while I wait

bob

 

[BillK]

boo,
Every time this has happened to any type of rachet I have owned, a good soaking with WD40 and working the direction knob or lever back and forth has always fixed it. And for you Craftsman "foes" .... I have had to do this more often to my Snap On ones than the Craftsman ones

 

[MR. R]

As a weekend warrior with tools, when I have had problems with Craftsman, my store has been great about replacement with any warranty items. It is all in how you approach the salesperson. Usually a new item rather than a rebuilt, recognizing quality issues over the decades. I may not be at the level of tool expertise that most of you are but I am satisfied with Craftsman so far.

 

[Art From De Leon]

As a weekend warrior with tools, when I have had problems with Craftsman, my store has been great about replacement with any warranty items. It is all in how you approach the salesperson. Usually a new item rather than a rebuilt, recognizing quality issues over the decades. I may not be at the level of tool expertise that most of you are but I am satisfied with Craftsman so far.

Wisdom beyond your years. They are marketed to far different working enviornments, NOT skill levels. Once you try a premium tool, you will appreciate the difference. If you ever use a premium tool as a replacement for a non-pro tool that has broken under the same working conditions, you will see that the price difference is not all due to 'buying the name'.

 

[boo coo tracks]

One side U.S.A.-VQ-44809 other side CRAFTSMAN
tRACKS

 

[Craftsman]

That's Craftsman's standard one and is usually always in stock at most Sears stores. You should have no problem going into Sears, getting the replacement, and having the cashier swap them out for you. Not too big a fan of that one, though. I have one that came with a set and keep it as a back up. I prefer the polished thin-profile (44996) and round handled ones (44814).

 

[Markgyver]

Everyone of my craftsman ratchets that came with my set have done that I have taken them back and they have let me upgrade to the nicer ratchet they have.

 

[Gary S]

I prefer the polished thin-profile (44996) and round handled ones (44814).

I bought a new round handle one and it didn't last a year. I was lucky enough to be able to trade it in for an old style flat handle rebuilt ratchet that is 10x the tool the new round handle one was.
No more new Craftsman round handle ratchets for me. I'll buy old rusty ones at garage sales before I'll have another new round handle one.
I have two 40 year old flat handle ratchets that have worked perfectly, and the new one didn't last a year.

 

[gsport]

in my experience of taking back an bad ratchet.... i went and picked the one i wanted off the shelf and took both to the counter. their response was that's not the one we replace with and gave me a lower grade one.... oh well, least i got a new one out of the deal.... good luck with your exchange.

 

[Craftsman]

I bought a new round handle one and it didn't last a year. I was lucky enough to be able to trade it in for an old style flat handle rebuilt ratchet that is 10x the tool the new round handle one was.
No more new Craftsman round handle ratchets for me. I'll buy old rusty ones at garage sales before I'll have another new round handle one.
I have two 40 year old flat handle ratchets that have worked perfectly, and the new one didn't last a year.

Yes, I agree, most of the old stuff I have from my father and grandfather seems to have been built like a tank. My only complaint about Craftsman these days is that they seem to have more of a QC issue than before. I've gone into several stores in the area and tried out the same product (the round handle ones I have) and it seemed like the entire inventory they had was ****. I prefer to buy the tools from a Sears store, so I can make sure I'm satisfied with the quality of the tool before I leave the store with it. The round handle ones I have are solidly built and I've never had a problem with them.

 

[billspit]

I've never had a problem returning a broken Sears Craftsman tool for a new one. Periodically I take a few of my screw drivers and get new ones too. The tips round off. I've been waiting for someone to accuse me of using one for a paint scraper, but that hasn't happened.

 

[autoist]

Never, ever had a problem swapping out broken Craftsman tools - even screwdrivers.....at stores from Alaska to Georgia, all across country!

 

[Eds_tls]

I worked at Sears Hardware many moons ago.

Their return policy was very liberal. I can't think of one instance where we turned someone down for any reason.

 

[brownbagg]

I have not been turn down but has recieve a rebuild which I have no problem with unless somebody name is engraved on it. so like other say, go get one off the shelf. I also make sure to buy something too $19 socket set some wrenchs etc

 

[Art From De Leon]

I have not been turn down but has recieve a rebuild which I have no problem with unless somebody name is engraved on it. so like other say, go get one off the shelf. I also make sure to buy something too $19 socket set some wrenchs etc

Self perpetuating returns?

 

[bry@n]

When I return stuff, I usually go with a box full. Usually it's something like 10-20 tools being warrantied. I have done this 4 times without issue. I will say, it's easier to do it at a Sears hardware store then the local mall store.