Craftsman warranty

[Billy738]

Hello all,

I had a ratchet from a few years ago that I stripped the gears over torquing it. It was a made in China. I took it in yesterday and suprisingly I got a refurbished USA one!! I'll take that anytime instead of a refurb China one. Do they usually give USA ones back??

 

[Fordman7795]

Depends on what they have in stock in their refurbish bin.

 

[PureLeaf]

Its usually the other way around. You bring in your old nice USA one, and get a chinese one in exchange. So you lucked out

 

[Davefr]

Hello all,

I had a ratchet from a few years ago that I stripped the gears over torquing it. It was a made in China. I took it in yesterday and suprisingly I got a refurbished USA one!! I'll take that anytime instead of a refurb China one. Do they usually give USA ones back??

I thought they discontinued giving the refurbs as replacements because everyone whined about it and want a brand new shiny one right off the boat from China.

I guess the answer is to always ask to see if they have old stock USA refurbs in stock.

 

[MercLSU]

The ratchet may say USA on it, but where do you think the rebuild kit they used on it was made?

 

[Billy738]

The ratchet may say USA on it, but where do you think the rebuild kit they used on it was made?

Very good point!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Hi Billy: You didn't win the lottery, but sure did OK on the ratchet exchange

This is the right place to ask questions about Craftsman Tools.
There are boatloads and battleships loaded with plenty of answers..
Feel WELCOME to ask or fire away the questions

 

[Hootbro]

My two local Sears has been putting their warranty refurb replacement ratchets on a split rail peg board by one of the registers. Basically pick from the lot which one you want for the warranty replacement. They only get new off the rack if either one model is not available as a refurb or you have a super hissy fit not wanting a used one back.

 

[kythri]

The ratchet may say USA on it, but where do you think the rebuild kit they used on it was made?

It was made in the USA. The Asian repair kits don't fit the USA ratchets, and vice versa.

 

[MercLSU]

It was made in the USA. The Asian repair kits don't fit the USA ratchets, and vice versa.

Hm, that's interesting. I don't have any of the non-USA ratchets but I may pick up one to look at the differences.

So are the USA rebuild kits all NOS or is Sears for some reason keeping production of these in the USA? Not discounting what you're saying but it seems that if Sears is still refurbishing these (USA ratchets), they would just move production of the parts required to do so overseas with the rest of it.

 

[LB-1911]

Hm, that's interesting. I don't have any of the non-USA ratchets but I may pick up one to look at the differences.

So are the USA rebuild kits all NOS or is Sears for some reason keeping production of these in the USA? Not discounting what you're saying but it seems that if Sears is still refurbishing these (USA ratchets), they would just move production of the parts required to do so overseas with the rest of it.

Differences?
Plenty of photos @

Chinese vs. USA Craftsman RP ratchets (PICS)
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126875

Just using up existing stock of repair kits.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Hm, that's interesting. I don't have any of the non-USA ratchets but I may pick up one to look at the differences.

So are the USA rebuild kits all NOS or is Sears for some reason keeping production of these in the USA? Not discounting what you're saying but it seems that if Sears is still refurbishing these (USA ratchets), they would just move production of the parts required to do so overseas with the rest of it.

An interesting question comes to mind: Would it be cheaper for Craftsman to replace with a Chinese ratchet,, or produce kits for the USA ratchets, and pay out labor fees for an associate to install them? If there are still NOS repair kits on hand?? Use them up?/

 

[MercLSU]

Thanks for the link, a very good read. I wonder what they'll do when they exhaust their existing stock of repair kits...the cost of starting new production (likely overseas) of repair kits for the USA ratchets vs. sunsetting them and going with only non-USA ratchets. I think I have enough USA ratchets and a few NOS kids to last me a lifetime, but it will be interesting to see.

***And my apologies, but I did do a basic search before posting my first reply, but must have used the wrong key words or missed that post. Lots of repetitive threads regarding Craftsman and USA vs. non-USA production

 

[Hootbro]

My understanding is that Asian made repair kits are showing up for the old USA made ratchet refurbs.

 

[MercLSU]

An interesting question comes to mind: Would it be cheaper for Craftsman to replace with a Chinese ratchet,, or produce kits for the USA ratchets, and pay out labor fees for an associate to install them? If there are still NOS repair kits on hand?? Use them up?/

Hah, I type too slow apparently. But had the exact same thought. I figure we'll find out in the next couple of years? Not to beat a dead horse, but I hope Sears is still around in that time frame.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Of the few tools I have ever warrantied at Sears, I have never gotten a refurb back. I don't have any non-USA ratchets or sockets, but the last Made in the USA ratchet I got was nowhere near as nice as the one I traded in. I should have kept it and got a repair kit.

 

[Billy738]

It was made in the USA. The Asian repair kits don't fit the USA ratchets, and vice versa.

That's true too

 

[Billy738]

Its usually the other way around. You bring in your old nice USA one, and get a chinese one in exchange. So you lucked out

Rather get a USA haha

 

[drwheels]

My two local Sears has been putting their warranty refurb replacement ratchets on a split rail peg board by one of the registers. Basically pick from the lot which one you want for the warranty replacement. They only get new off the rack if either one model is not available as a refurb or you have a super hissy fit not wanting a used one back.

Same at one area store.

 

[stage20]

my store has a small 7 drawer skinny truck box behind the counter and each drawer has a different type and style ratchet.

i turned in a 1/4 drive ratchet and she asked me what style i wanted because they didnt have my exact one and there was a thin profile and a fine tooth round head in there.

i took the round head

 

[mikebaker1129]

Hm, that's interesting. I don't have any of the non-USA ratchets but I may pick up one to look at the differences.

So are the USA rebuild kits all NOS or is Sears for some reason keeping production of these in the USA? Not discounting what you're saying but it seems that if Sears is still refurbishing these (USA ratchets), they would just move production of the parts required to do so overseas with the rest of it.

They did,new kits are Asian sourced. The older kits still in inventory are USA made,but the newer kits for the RP are Asian and the quick release is different.