Craftsman Hand Tool Warranty

[Nagman]

I took my trusty Craftsman 1/2" rachet in for a replacement today as the mechanish is failing when torque is applied. I have had this wrench for over 30 years, and it was never abused.

The Cratsman Tool store WOULD NOT replace the wrench with a new one. They offered me a greasy (really), used, rebuilt 1/2" wrench instead. That wrench was not even in as good a shape as mine cosmetically.

I declined to offer and asked how this squared with the warranty. Their response was we are offering you this one as a replacement.

What a con job all these years. I am DONE with Craftsman hand tools. The warrany is not worth the paper it is printed on.

 

[bobcatdan]

It depends on the store, some will have rebuild ones under the counter, other will give you a new one. I would have asked for a rebuild kit since the brand new ones are junk.

 

[SMKS]

They've been offering refurbished ratchets for years.

You can demand a new one (which they will usually do) or try to get them to rebuild your current one.

Next time, do a search. There are lots of threads that would have informed you how to handle it.

 

[John316]

been through this BS In the past with sears. I would just insist on an new one and finally get my way, but I no longer use any CM ratchets except my RHFT, which I consider to be "out of warranty".

You could try another store or another shift. Sometimes they can be willing to supply a kit especially if you come in late morning or early afternoon when the PMT person is in.

The new ratchets are china, so if the ratchet has given you that much service, a kit may be a better option.... even if you have to buy one on ebay.

 

[IROC-Z28]

Like everyone said above, you must demand a new ratchet, has always worked for me, forewarning again as above, the ratchets craftsman made 30 years ago are not the same as today. I have an older one and a new one and the difference is amazing. I try to avoid using the new ones at all and go for a snap of that has more teeth and is far smoother.

 

[bluebolt]

My local stores either give me one as good as what I bring in or rebuild mine on the spot. Got a flex handle one for a regular handle one recently because the rebuild guy wasn't there and no rebuilt regulars.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I don't understand why you are mad? It has ALWAYS been their policy to replace your broken tool with a rebuilt one. They will sometimes be nice and give you a brand new one if they don't have a rebuilt one but they don't have to.

 

[jacked_72]

Check ebay for a rebuild kit to get it up and running again. Depending on the model, they're still relatively cheap. As for Sears warranty, it is the Wal-Martization of America. Which translates into nobody gives a **** anymore.

 

[Davefr]

I took my trusty Craftsman 1/2" rachet in for a replacement today as the mechanish is failing when torque is applied. I have had this wrench for over 30 years, and it was never abused.

The Cratsman Tool store WOULD NOT replace the wrench with a new one.

I think that was a blessing in disguise!!

Why would you want a new "toy" chinese ratchet as a replacement for a great old USA ratchet. I'd take a rebuilt one in a heartbeat if offered the choice. (just as long as it's was really rebuilt and operates fine)

 

[gatewaysysop]

I think that was a blessing in disguise!!

Why would you want a new "toy" chinese ratchet as a replacement for a great old USA ratchet. I'd take a rebuilt one in a heartbeat if offered the choice. (just as long as it's was really rebuilt and operates fine)

This.

I've paid good coin to snap up some rebuild kits which, in all honesty, I will probably never need, just in case my beloved RHFT ever have a problem. I have yet to see another Craftsman ratchet, foreign or domestic, that I'd be willing to swap it for.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Craftsman warranty seems to have been offered. The rebuilt one was most likely beat up and hence the reason why it was rebuilt, but it would have worked, and even if it failed, it could be replaced again. Ratchets are the oddball of the group. Screwdrivers can't be rebuilt. Ratchets can, and will.

 

[kythri]

Yeah, the warranty has never said anything about replacement with a new tool. It says "repaired or replaced free of charge."

That said, the warranty does go on about "complete satisfaction" so if you wanted to play games, you could essentially go through an endless return cycle of ratchets until they gave you one you wanted.

That said, while they SHOULD rebuild it, if they won't, and you can't find another store to do so, you'd be better off with a rebuild kit off eBay if you can find it, and maintain your original ratchet.

 

[ajchien]

I had a 1/4" RP that lost its detent ball. The refurbished one they game me cosmetically looked near new, which I was ok with. I'm not sure i would accept a cosmetically beat up refurbished one.

I also had a 3/8" RHFT that they offered a RP for. I turned that down, and bit a $5 kit from cripe. Sometimes paying $5 is better than free.

 

[ArtDeco]

I think that was a blessing in disguise!!

Why would you want a new "toy" chinese ratchet as a replacement for a great old USA ratchet. I'd take a rebuilt one in a heartbeat if offered the choice. (just as long as it's was really rebuilt and operates fine)

I won't warranty rachets for this reason

 

[Farmall450]

Walk in, go to the self, grab one, go to cashier, walk out.

Of course, if you want to keep your US one, just ask, and they'll rebuild it.

 

[mudflap]

Just go in, grab your new replacement off the shelf, set it on the counter with your old one. When i do that, they just do the swap. But as others have said, better to get a kit for your old USA ratchet. But dang....30yrs..? You got your moneys worth either way...I wouldnt have a cow......

 

[Pumpman1968]

Just buy a repair kit on Ebay.......still some USA made ones around. Will cost less than $10 shipped to your house. After 30 years, you got your moneys worth............just repair your old one yourself. $10 for another 30 years.......hell even 10 years......sounds like a great deal to me!

 

[erty67]

The employee did you a favor. Don't trade an old US ratchet for a chinese one. Go back and ask for them to rebuild it or just give you a kit. You'll be better off.

 

[BearCuda]

I've never had to replace any of my craftsman ratchets, knock on wood. The only one I've ever needed rebuilt was my straight handle 3/8 Snap On workhorse.

 

[F-Bobby]

I tried to get a craftsman 3/8ths and a 1/2 replaced and they outright REFUSED to give me new ones. I told them I didn't want them rebuilt because i had problems with rebuilt ones in the past. No dice. That was the moment that I totally abandoned Craftsman.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I tried to get a craftsman 3/8ths and a 1/2 replaced and they outright REFUSED to give me new ones. I told them I didn't want them rebuilt because i had problems with rebuilt ones in the past. No dice. That was the moment that I totally abandoned Craftsman.

You abandoned them for going by their warranty that you agreed to when you purchased the tools?

 

[erty67]

I can't understand why people would expect anything but a refurbished replacement under warranty. Most companies offer refurbished stuff as warranty replacements. New replacements are usually only if a refurb is unavailable. I do not fault Sears for this and to be honest some of the refurbs I've seen are nicer than what's new.