Damaged Cornwell Ratchet. Thoughts?

[shoggoth80]

Ok. So, I grabbed what should have been a pretty good deal from eBay.
Item was listed as very good condition. It doesn't fit my idea of very good condition. It's got a little chrome chipping/peeling. Doesn't affect how the tool works. I could live with cosmetic flaws, I don't care THAT much about them.

More importantly, I pulled the guts to clean, inspect, and regrease. There are 3 damaged teeth on the drive. If you hit those and cranked hard, I am sure it would slip. Mechanically unsound is not my definition of very good, at any price.

I think it is an older JR40. Long 3/8ths drive hard handle. So... I have already emailed the seller with a "dude, wtf?" Do I push for a partial refund, to help offset the costs of a rebuild kit? Because they money I spent should have bought a fully functional ratchet. Do I see if I can get it warrantied through Cornwell over the chrome? Do I push for full refund? I don't agree with paying shipping to return it, because I bought it in good faith, its condition is not my bad.

It is otherwise a pretty well made ratchet. Smooth in the hand, and after taking it apart, the machining on the inside is better than I would expect to see.

I'm cool with used tools looking used. I'm not ok with used tools needing repair right out of the gate without ever using it, and especially when that wasn't declared in the listing. Thoughts?

 

[Hiball]

"Dude Wtf" <--- probably not the best way to start a resolution process, I suspect filing a EBay claim will be your best option. Chances are, the seller didn't realize some teeth where compromised, Not everyone takes there ratchets apart and visually inspects every aspect. The best part, EBay will take care of you.

 

[redwrench60]

I like those older Cornwell ratchets. Best standard tooth ratchets out there. Call Cornwells customer service line and ask for a kit. They'll probably send you one free of charge.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Ok. So, I grabbed what should have been a pretty good deal from eBay.
Item was listed as very good condition. It doesn't fit my idea of very good condition. It's got a little chrome chipping/peeling. Doesn't affect how the tool works. I could live with cosmetic flaws, I don't care THAT much about them.

More importantly, I pulled the guys to clean, inspect, and regrease. There are 3 damaged teeth on the drive. If you hit those and cranked hard, I am sure it would slip. Mechanically unsound is not my definition of very good, at any price.

I think it is an older JR40. Long 3/8ths drive hard handle. So... I have already emailed the seller with a "dude, wtf?" Do I push for a partial refund, to help offset the costs of a rebuild kit? Because they money I spent should have bought a fully functional ratchet. Do I see if I can get it warrantied through Cornwell over the chrome? Do I push for full refund? I don't agree with paying shipping to return it, because I bought it in good faith, its condition is not my bad.

It is otherwise a pretty well made ratchet. Smooth in the hand, and after taking it apart, the machining on the inside is better than I would expect to see.

I'm cool with used tools looking used. I'm not ok with used tools needing repair right out of the gate without ever using it, and especially when that wasn't declared in the listing. Thoughts?

I bought a Craftsman RP 1/2" #44809 in a lot buy from a guy on Ebay over the summer. We dealt back and forth on price and he relisted it and I bought it. However, like your seller, he didn't disclose that the unit was jammed shut with rust.

I told him, "Look, give me the $4 so I can either pay my way to Sears for a kit or exchange it". I wound up having the kit in stock, and I dumped out the guts and in 10 minutes, it was brand new again. I saved the internals as they looked fine, just have to be soaked good in oil to clean up.

I would make sure you can get the kit first---call Cornwell and make sure that they have the kit on hand. Go from there. In the meantime, file a case.

(I got the $4 refund).

No, a defective ratchet is not "good working" order. It's junk (until it's fixed).

 

[chris142]

Ill ask the cw guy if he can get a kit for it

 

[Brownsfan]

I have that same ratchet without the handle(all chrome ) and it is the smoothest ratchet I own. I love it. If it's not as described then get a refund. But Cornwell will warranty that.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Even if they tested it, the seller may not have known it, I had a proto ratchet a while back that did not slip but is did have a broken tooth. I would try and get a partial refund if possible, but you may be past that. It is usually best to be a diplomatic as possible when dealing with eBay sellers/buyers 99.9% are honest.

FWIW: I have an identical ratchet and I freaking love, it in spite of the fact that it has a rather low tooth count. I think the hard handle is my favorite part. Would love to have a 1/2" version but I have yet to find one.

 

[shoggoth80]

First. The " dude wtf?" isn't how I actually phased things. Odds just a goofy way of saying "I have a problem here..." with fewer words.

I do like what I see and feel with this ratchet, aside from the damaged teeth. Even with them the action is still smooth. The nearest Cornwell guy is a few towns away from me ( about 45minutes). Gave him a call.

 

[Brownsfan]

Contact Cornwell directly. They will take care of you. I have after my guy went under.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm glad I don't sell on Ebay

Most techs I've worked with never take their ratchets apart. They use them until they break and then take em to the truck dealer. I know the journal is the home of the red lube of love (only without its namesake Merk) and a 100 threads about which ratchet lube is best but, the truth of the matter is most people hawking tools on ebay aren't that **** or knowledgeable about tools. This often gives us great deals but, from time to time the deal isn't as great as it might be. I think you guys are being too hard on the seller but, that's just my opinion. You guys never cease to amaze me.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I'm glad I don't sell on Ebay

Most techs I've worked with never take their ratchets apart. They use them until they break and then take em to the truck dealer. I know the journal is the home of the red lube of love (only without its namesake Merk) and a 100 threads about which ratchet lube is best but, the truth of the matter is most people hawking tools on ebay aren't that **** or knowledgeable about tools. This often gives us great deals but, from time to time the deal isn't as great as it might be. I think you guys are being too hard on the seller but, that's just my opinion. You guys never cease to amaze me.

I had a guy ping me on a set of microfiche that I sold for a LLV truck (USPS truck) recently. Mind you, I've sold dozens of these sets before and he says, "where's the body info?" I replied to him politely that GM made the chassis, he bought a GM microfiche set and Grumman made the body, so find a Grumman parts book.

You could argue either way. I think the seller should have known better. Maybe a partial refund makes everyone happy.

 

[Brownsfan]

I'm glad I don't sell on Ebay

Most techs I've worked with never take their ratchets apart. They use them until they break and then take em to the truck dealer. I know the journal is the home of the red lube of love (only without its namesake Merk) and a 100 threads about which ratchet lube is best but, the truth of the matter is most people hawking tools on ebay aren't that **** or knowledgeable about tools. This often gives us great deals but, from time to time the deal isn't as great as it might be. I think you guys are being too hard on the seller but, that's just my opinion. You guys never cease to amaze me.

Until I joined this site I didn't know that anyone lubed their ratchets. I never did and still haven't. I have sprayed wd40 on one or two before . But never took one apart and lubed them up. And I also didn't know so many worred so much about a tools warranty. So much so that you would think there would be a hearing in Congress about tool failure rates.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Until I joined this site I didn't know that anyone lubed their ratchets. I never did and still haven't. I have sprayed wd40 on one or two before . But never took one apart and lubed them up. And I also didn't know so many worred so much about a tools warranty. So much so that you would think there would be a hearing in Congress about tool failure rates.

I could say the same, but not because of this site per se. I had the kits in stock for a few years, but I got curious one day after having to rebuild one because I had to get it going. Then the "addiction" to keeping the old and fixing started. I took apart one that I found with my Dad when we were out for a walk in 1976. It fell out of a car as it beat the light through an intersection. My dad picked it up and it's been with me evern since. I just took it apart last year to clean it up. Didn't even need it.

 

[shoggoth80]

Oh... the LLV. ******** underpowered S10 under the hood. Lol. I am fairly familiar with them at this point. Not much to them. I say they are death traps. Don't believe me? Take one that's old enough to have a degree, vote, and drink with 120K on the clock down the freeway. Easier to work on then the FFV, but those handle so much better.

I'm don't think I am being overly harsh. I paid for a used tool, that I was pretty sure was going to look like a used tool (cosmetics don't matter so much), that was supposed to be mechanically sound. If I can get a rebuild kit on warranty, life is good. If I have to pay for a rebuild kit...I kinda want the difference refunded.

 

[Moose364]

Well to start with how much did you pay for it, I mean at $100.00 is one thing but if you got it for 5 dollars and Cornwell will send you the repair kit, then repair it and move on if you will read most all auctions say used with no warranty. I think it is a risk we all take buying something we can't lay our hands on before shelling out money

 

[shoggoth80]

Paid $31 for it, auction stated "used, very good condition" in the description. The whole point of buying used, is getting a decent piece, at a bargain. At $30, I'd expect just about any hand tool to function. I have seen auctions stating "needs repair." Pictures were also shoddy on this auction, but the BIN price was affordable. I was hoping that the seller was just bad with a camera. Like I had said...I find the tool cosmetically fine for the price paid on a used tool. It's the guts that concern me. I didn't buy it because of "ooh pretty!" I bought it because "hey, Cornwell!"

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Most likely the seller spun it around, flipped the switch, spun it the other way and called it good. They usually aren't actually testing them out, unless it's the original owner just thinning out the box. It is on the seller though for making sure the actual condition matches the listing.

Send them the picture of the busted teeth and they should work with you on a partial or full refund. No seller wants to pay return shipping on a broken tool that they now can't make any money from.

 

[Wamsutta]

You can send the whole ratchet into CW and they'll send you a new one. I'd ask for the metal handle though. By the way, Permatex green synthetic brake lube works very well on CW 30 tooths.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Oh... the LLV. ******** underpowered S10 under the hood. Lol. I am fairly familiar with them at this point. Not much to them. I say they are death traps. Don't believe me? Take one that's old enough to have a degree, vote, and drink with 120K on the clock down the freeway. Easier to work on then the FFV, but those handle so much better.

I'm don't think I am being overly harsh. I paid for a used tool, that I was pretty sure was going to look like a used tool (cosmetics don't matter so much), that was supposed to be mechanically sound. If I can get a rebuild kit on warranty, life is good. If I have to pay for a rebuild kit...I kinda want the difference refunded.

The LLV is of course a RHD S10 chassis used for US Postal Service use. They were made from 1987 to 1995 and Grumman supplied the body for them.

 

[shoggoth80]

Sent an email to the warranty department to see what they say.

Poncho. I wrench for the Post Office. Typically I fix semi trailers... but I also fix plenty of carrier vehicles as well. This includes the silly little LLV. They get thrashed hard. The year range is 1987-1994. The 94's are the best ones. Lol. The 2.2L has more oomph than the Iron Duke 2.5, but the 2.5 is easier to work on.

 

[shockwave]

Just call up Cornwell and get replacement those coarse tooth Cornwell ratchets are great

 

[Ponchoguy]

Sent an email to the warranty department to see what they say.

Poncho. I wrench for the Post Office. Typically I fix semi trailers... but I also fix plenty of carrier vehicles as well. This includes the silly little LLV. They get thrashed hard. The year range is 1987-1994. The 94's are the best ones. Lol. The 2.2L has more oomph than the Iron Duke 2.5, but the 2.5 is easier to work on.

The GM fiche I have shows them through 1995.

 

[shoggoth80]

Maybe the late 94s are considered 95 model years? Based on our number systems, they stop at 94 though.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm also in the 'seller didn't intend to deceive' camp. They sold what seemed to be a functioning used ratchet. I doubt they took it apart to inspect or deceive. It's just part of buying used stuff.

Considering a new one is $93.70 I think you still made out even if you BUY a head kit. Like has been said, just call them with the ratchet part number, tell them what's wrong with it and that you don't have a dealer. They'll take care of you.

Here's my JR-40. Just like yours but all chrome handle. Cornwell makes the best and smoothest standard tooth count ratchets. Get a kit, it'll be worth your extra effort.

 

[greenlizard]

I have a coarse (standard) tooth standard length 3/8 Cornwell. The local truck guy told me he thought mine was 1930's era. Externally the finish is well worn but a rebuild kit when I got it twenty years ago has made it my go-to favorite ever since. You should definitely give yours a try. Or sell it to me...

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I bought a used Snap On SL80 on ebay that skipped, but the chrome was fine (unlike yours). I don't know if the seller had ever used it, so I never contacted the seller. I ended up calling Snap On and getting a repair kit. I think they sent it for free, or it was $10 (I can't remember). I say buy a repair kit and move on if you can get over the chrome issues.

 

[Fedwrench]

Chrome peel? Does it have chrome peel from wear or someone using it as a hammer? if chrome peel without hammer marks, mail the entire ratchet to Cornwell and they'll send you a brand new one. of the new one will have a different shaped handle though.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Maybe the late 94s are considered 95 model years? Based on our number systems, they stop at 94 though.

If they used the same VIN system as the rest of the world for civilian vehicles, the 10th digit would be "R" for 1994 and "S" for 1995.

I also have the parts catalog electronically on my computer and it clearly shows 1994 and 1995 models.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Here's my JR-40. Just like yours but all chrome handle. Cornwell makes the best and smoothest standard tooth count ratchets. Get a kit, it'll be worth your extra effort.

Absolutely agree. They give so much confidence especially in the long handle version for high torque stuff.

 

[sberry]

I'm cool with used tools looking used. I'm not ok with used tools needing repair right out of the gate without ever using it, and especially when that wasn't declared in the listing. Thoughts?

Good lesson, you paid 31 for a used 3/8 ratchet. Remember this and don't do it again.

 

[shoggoth80]

Meh. I've gotten a few other really good deals by setting dollar amounts and not exceeding them. Last time worked out quite well.

 

[sberry]

I havnt went thru the internet shopping for used tools but I been to a few flras with tools, I cant recall ever seeing a good used 3/8 ratchet for sale. They are too small and over stressed most of the time when they are for sale. I am sure there are exceptions but its an item I wouldn't really consider looking for used.

 

[dngrmse]

Hey Op, I can totally relate to your dilemma here. I just bought a US-made Thorsen 3/8 socket set at a garage sale this weekend for 50 cents from my neighbor who lives a few doors down. Well the ratchet only works in one direction! WTF? So I am weighing my options.

Should I :
a. Ask for a partial refund, and fix it myself.
b. Insist the seller repair it at his expense.
c. Ask for a FULL refund and return it.
d. **** it up as lesson learned and never buy anything from his garage sale again.

I'm leaning towards option B. Here is the set in question:

 

[shoggoth80]

Wow. Sarcasm. Not overly appreciated here. People seem to be missing the point that it was advertised as "very good condition," which it wasn't. I know well the phrase of caveat emptor. I am not new to eBay. However, in my many years of using it, I've only ever had a couple things go awry. The cool thing? The seller and I reached an agreement, and all is well.

Buying used does not entail buying junk. There are many, many threads that advocate buying used truck brand tools to get good quality at budget prices. If it didn't work, people wouldn't recommend it. It's simply harder to be certain of something's condition when done through an online vs. in person transaction. Even then, in this case, the flaw wouldn't have been readily apparent. Patent faults vs. latent faults. In business the latter can bite you in the ***.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Did the seller or Cornwell ever get back to you?

BTW I agree, it should have worked 100%, I buy 3/8 ratchets used all the time and rarely have problems with them. Although I did buy a fl80 that needed a kit, seller noted that it was untested, but even still I was a little bummed (I was anxious to use my first snap on ratchet) but a quick call to snap on had me fixed up

 

[dngrmse]

Hey Op, not sarcasm. I would have done exactly what you did. My poor attempt at a light hearted joke I guess. Anyway, I sincerely hope the seller does the right thing for you. Good luck.

 

[Altec]

Wow. Sarcasm. Not overly appreciated here.

I appreciate it.

 

[shoggoth80]

We need a sarcasm font. Lol. If it had been advertised as untested, or any variant of...I wouldn't be the least bit perturbed by it.

And yes, the seller and I reached an agreement, and all is well. Now I get to go about trying to get in contact with Cornwell in one fashion or another to facilitate repairing it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Great to hear that!

Curious to hear how Cornwell handles it, they are one company I have yet to deal with.

 

[Ponchoguy]

We need a sarcasm font. Lol. If it had been advertised as untested, or any variant of...I wouldn't be the least bit perturbed by it.

And yes, the seller and I reached an agreement, and all is well. Now I get to go about trying to get in contact with Cornwell in one fashion or another to facilitate repairing it.

Good deal and good luck. I wouldn't be any different in your situation.