Delta tablesaw- beware

[Landscraper83]

Note: this is less about the quality of the tool itself, and more about the horrible experience with delta customer service.

I bought a table saw (delta 36-725). It wasn’t long, think a week or two before it began to start slow. It got slower and slower til it eventually stopped starting. So I called delta customer service and they told me it needed new capacitors...and they sent them to me. I replaced the capacitors. Still doesn’t work. So now delta tells me it’s the motor.

This is where it gets interesting.

Deltas solution is for me to disassemble (This is one of those hybrid saws....basically a cheap cabinet saw) the saw and drive it a couple hours to an out of state “service center” where it can be repaired. So this would mean four hours driving (twice) plus an hour or two disassembly and reassembly. So this would mean ten hours of my time to fix a brand new defective saw.

Oh, and it’s during a pandemic....where I believe I’d be required to self quarantine after returning to my state.

When I pointed this out to Delta their best response was two options. Drive to another service center that’s within my state....but an even longer drive, or attempt to return it to the store (Lowe’s). I tried returning it but of course was outside Lowe’s return window since I had gone through the mess with replacing the capacitors.

They refuse to replace the saw, refuse to send me a motor that I can replace myself, and refuse to refund any amount of money that I could use to repair the saw.

So I have a brand new $600 paper weight. Delta refuses to stand behind it in any meaningful way. I’ve read they are a failing company......and I would think the horrible quality of this tool, plus their ridiculous “Customer service” plays no small role.

So please......beware of this crummy company.

 

[chuckya]

Order another and return the broken one. You have tried to fix.it the right way. Let them deal with it.

 

[belvedere]

Very disappointing "customer service"!

 

[dogdog]

Note: this is less about the quality of the tool itself, and more about the horrible experience with delta customer service.

I bought a table saw (delta 36-725). It wasn’t long, think a week or two before it began to start slow. It got slower and slower til it eventually stopped starting. So I called delta customer service and they told me it needed new capacitors...and they sent them to me. I replaced the capacitors. Still doesn’t work. So now delta tells me it’s the motor.

This is where it gets interesting.

Deltas solution is for me to disassemble (This is one of those hybrid saws....basically a cheap cabinet saw) the saw and drive it a couple hours to an out of state “service center” where it can be repaired. So this would mean four hours driving (twice) plus an hour or two disassembly and reassembly. So this would mean ten hours of my time to fix a brand new defective saw.

Oh, and it’s during a pandemic....where I believe I’d be required to self quarantine after returning to my state.

When I pointed this out to Delta their best response was two options. Drive to another service center that’s within my state....but an even longer drive, or attempt to return it to the store (Lowe’s). I tried returning it but of course was outside Lowe’s return window since I had gone through the mess with replacing the capacitors.

They refuse to replace the saw, refuse to send me a motor that I can replace myself, and refuse to refund any amount of money that I could use to repair the saw.

So I have a brand new $600 paper weight. Delta refuses to stand behind it in any meaningful way. I’ve read they are a failing company......and I would think the horrible quality of this tool, plus their ridiculous “Customer service” plays no small role.

So please......beware of this crummy company.

That model of the Delta both the delta 36-725T2 and delta 36-725 seems to have bad motor on many of their reviews. And they seems to knew this problem especially rampant with the T2 (latest model). They are not responding to Social media inquiries, either ignoring it or telling people to call their non-existing customer services. A lot of them reported crappy and rude Customer services. Just brush it off as if it was a non-issue. That is the reason I hesitate when I asked the differences between the Ridgid R4512 / Ridgid R4520(newer model) / and the Craftsman rebrand of the Ridgid (that was $499.) and this Delta 36-725T2 and 36-725 ( discontinued)

Disappointed yes, luckily I didn't purchase it.

this was my post asking about it.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=461452

 

[pizza]

bummer, sorry this is happening to you.

Order another and return the broken one. You have tried to fix.it the right way. Let them deal with it.

+1
or get another locally from lowes or wherever if that's cheaper or easier.

 

[Landscraper83]

Order another and return the broken one. You have tried to fix.it the right way. Let them deal with it.

Return it where? The store (Lowe’s) won’t take it back

 

[Landscraper83]

That model of the Delta both the delta 36-725T2 and delta 36-725 seems to have bad motor on many of their reviews. And they seems to knew this problem especially rampant with the T2 (latest model). They are not responding to Social media inquiries, either ignoring it or telling people to call their non-existing customer services. A lot of them reported crappy and rude Customer services. Just brush it off as if it was a non-issue. That is the reason I hesitate when I asked the differences between the Ridgid R4512 / Ridgid R4520(newer model) / and the Craftsman rebrand of the Ridgid (that was $499.) and this Delta 36-725T2 and 36-725 ( discontinued)

Disappointed yes, luckily I didn't purchase it.

this was my post asking about it.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=461452

I wish I knew this before buying. I did-some- research but obviously not enough. It’s amazing to me that a company can operate this way and still be in business.

 

[jonshonda]

Return it where? The store (Lowe’s) won’t take it back

I think what he means is buy another saw from Lowes, confirm the new one works. Then return the old one using the receipt from the new saw purchase. Not a great moral option, but if Delta is being a b$tch, they deserve it.

 

[dogdog]

Return it where? The store (Lowe’s) won’t take it back

He is asking you to do the shady things.

buy another one, confirm it is working then return the bad one before 30 days.


If I remember my experience with Lowes on the GE water heater. they wouldn't take it back and insist me to go contact their manufacture. and their extended warranty won't kick in until the manufacture warranty expired....

so what does that mean... you might end up with two bad table saws... Lowes is shady like that.

 

[Landscraper83]

I think what he means is buy another saw from Lowes, confirm the new one works. Then return the old one using the receipt from the new saw purchase. Not a great moral option, but if Delta is being a b$tch, they deserve it.

Ah got it, thanks for clearing that up. And an interesting idea it is.

 

[dogdog]

I wish I knew this before buying. I did-some- research but obviously not enough. It’s amazing to me that a company can operate this way and still be in business.

Delta "had" a good reputation with their machines, I still have a few planers from them that are really great. But not sure what dropped the balls on this with them.

 

[Wrench97]

Well Delta is another good American name brand that has been sold and diluted, I had several older Delta products from my dad made when they were a division of Rockwell.
Rockwell sold them to Pentair in the 1980's and they remained an ok product, Pentair was acquired by Black and Decker in 2004 and that I believe is when the decline started, Stanley of course merged with B&D in 2010 and sold the Delta name only to Taiwanese corp. Chang Type Industrial Co., Ltd. in 2011 I have not heard any good about them since....................

 

[lafester]

I think in this case the buy and return option is warranted. They should have instructed you to return it in the first place.

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[dogdog]

I think in this case the buy and return option is warranted. They should have instructed you to return it in the first place.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

No body does that even the defective GE water heater I got delivered defective ... they rather make me wait 2 weeks for a service call.. ******* lowes in this case refuse to accept it back.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for the review.

 

[joeysh03]

I think what he means is buy another saw from Lowes, confirm the new one works. Then return the old one using the receipt from the new saw purchase. Not a great moral option, but if Delta is being a b$tch, they deserve it.

Buying another one and returning the broken one is not “sticking” it to delta. It’s screwing Lowes. Lowes wont return that item to delta. It goes on a pallet with numerous other things and go to auctions, big lots, ollies. I worked retail for years, hardly anything goes back to the manufacture anymore.

I’m not for or against the idea, you spent X amount of money and expect a working product and you have that right. I would talk to a service center and see if they would warranty it, BUT if they would eat the shipping cost as its too far to drive. The repair center can deal with Delta

 

[karoc]

Hate hearing about your experience with Lowes and Delta,Lowes in my mind is representing Delta so they should make it right.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The hope is if they make it difficult enough to warranty, and annoying enough by running you around and around, you;ll just go out there and buy another one...

 

[ptschram]

The hope is if they make it difficult enough to warranty, and annoying enough by running you around and around, you;ll just go out there and buy another one...

That seems dangerously ignorant of the power of Social Media!

From having read this, I certainly won’t be considering buying Delta for new machinery and I’m a tools/machinery junkie

 

[Landscraper83]

That seems dangerously ignorant of the power of Social Media!

From having read this, I certainly won’t be considering buying Delta for new machinery and I’m a tools/machinery junkie

Which is my goal. I really don’t have any reasonable recourse at this time. All I can do is share my experience so others don’t fall into the same trap. If I can damage deltas sales even a little bit I’m happy. If enough people post similar reviews and damage deltas sales a noticeable amount......well maybe one day they’ll take notice and get better. Or they’ll go out of business.

 

[jonesg]

If you bought it using a credit card put the charge in dispute, details are on the back of every bill, you have to call the card co and follow up with a letter to get the ball rolling.
You will be assigned a resolution officer for the case and it will get their attention pronto.

 

[rsanter]

Buying another one and returning the broken one is not “sticking” it to delta. It’s screwing Lowes. Lowes wont return that item to delta. It goes on a pallet with numerous other things and go to auctions, big lots, ollies. I worked retail for years, hardly anything goes back to the manufacture anymore.

I’m not for or against the idea, you spent X amount of money and expect a working product and you have that right. I would talk to a service center and see if they would warranty it, BUT if they would eat the shipping cost as its too far to drive. The repair center can deal with Delta

Sorry but does not screw the store.
The store gets credit for the item but the manufacturer does not want the trouble or cost to shop it back.
They abandon it,to the store and the store liquidates.
The stores used to destroy the items but they now sell them off for about 10 cents on the wholesale dollar

 

[Landscraper83]

I don’t know if I’m going to do the return trick or not.

But guys......Lowe’s isn’t exactly innocent in this either. Yes, I was beyond their 30-day return policy. But it’s only that....a policy. I’m sure it could’ve been overridden. Especially when you consider I had an email chain between delta and myself discussing the defective saw WITHIN the 30 days.

I’ve actually boycotted Lowe’s over this too.

 

[acer66]

Its not just lowes, I had the same issue at HD and the stickers on products to not return the item and contact the mfr showed up years ago.

Seems like they are trying to get away from their once their very good return policy.

HD refused to take circuit breakers back last time I tried.

Thanks for the heads up op.

 

[Don1357]

I don’t know if I’m going to do the return trick or not.

But guys......Lowe’s isn’t exactly innocent in this either. Yes, I was beyond their 30-day return policy. But it’s only that....a policy. I’m sure it could’ve been overridden. Especially when you consider I had an email chain between delta and myself discussing the defective saw WITHIN the 30 days.

I’ve actually boycotted Lowe’s over this too.

What trick? The only trick I see is expecting you to drive for hours and work on their defective product for hours while there is a perfectly fine replacement at a nearby store to honor the warranty they sold you when you bought their saw. That's one hell of a trick.

Boycott Lowe's after you get your saw sorted out.

 

[Marctrees]

$600 spent on a 60 year old Delta tablesaw is much wiser than $600 spent on a shiny bright new tablesaw.

Marc

 

[pelletman]

Small claims court. Make them spend their time & money on lawyers. Name Lowe's too. Get the names of the presidents of the companys and put them on the case

 

[eyeball]

$600 spent on a 60 year old Delta tablesaw is much wiser than $600 spent on a shiny bright new tablesaw.

Marc

That $600 won’t go too far in my neck of the woods when it comes to old American machinery. When you can find something, it needs to be tweaked, fiddled, aligned, dialed in, or generally restored before it can be used, That is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Many people just want or need to buy a tool and immediately use it to complete a project.

 

[Marctrees]

Ya, true that different folks have different needs..

My comment was a bit knee jerk.

Just so tired of throwaway tools.

Marc

 

[RTM]

When you can find something, it needs to be tweaked, fiddled, aligned, dialed in, or generally restored before it can be used, That is not everyone’s cup of tea.

That sounds like most power tools these days, not just old ones. Buddy was shopping for a new high end table saw, and both the Sawstop and the Laguna had non flat tables, on the WW store showroom floor. Salesman had no idea what to say or do about it.

He bought a used Unisaw (in PA) for less money, and it was up and running the same afternoon.

 

[Will S.]

I bought a Kobalt 10" contractor's portable table saw this summer, a discontinued model they replaced with newer model. fewer features and higher price. I asked Lowe's what the policy was if it didn't suit me in any way, and he said 30 day returns for refund.

 

[neophyte]

Order another and return the broken one. You have tried to fix.it the right way. Let them deal with it.

bummer, sorry this is happening to you.



+1
or get another locally from lowes or wherever if that's cheaper or easier.

I think what he means is buy another saw from Lowes, confirm the new one works. Then return the old one using the receipt from the new saw purchase. Not a great moral option, but if Delta is being a b$tch, they deserve it.

I think in this case the buy and return option is warranted. They should have instructed you to return it in the first place.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Many stores now record serial numbers, and register those serial numbers when the item is sold.
The plus to this is you don't need to actually register an item for warranty purposes, or figure out where a receipt or proof of purchase date is later,
The downside is that simply buying a new item, and returning an old item in the same box may make the switch obvious if the item is properly checked when returned.
Also,
If you’ve already tried to fix the item using Delta supplied parts, then Delta knows who you are.

 

[Don1357]

That $600 won’t go too far in my neck of the woods when it comes to old American machinery. When you can find something, it needs to be tweaked, fiddled, aligned, dialed in, or generally restored before it can be used, That is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Many people just want or need to buy a tool and immediately use it to complete a project.

As opposed to what, having to drive three hours out and three back in to have your brand new table saw tweaked in before you can use it? I rather spend those hours doing it myself in the comfort of my garage to a machine that will outlast me.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Man- you’ve tried , IMO. Legitimately tried to work with them. Buy a new one , swap it out and return it. Problem is, your still stuck with a ****** saw that may die in 2 more weeks. If you really want to put your moral code on high alert, return the new one without a receipt, get store credit and get a better saw.... just food for thought. I neither condone nor judge , lol


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[zendriver]

Thanks for the heads up and sorry you’re stuck in the trap.

Reinforces the view the many “brand names” more often just that a name and nothing more.


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[CTyankee]

You say you were outside the return window. How far outside it? I thought most the big box stores had extended that window due to Covid. Regardless I don't know why you even bothered trying to fix the saw yourself. I would have just brought it back for a refund immediately. Obviously there is chance the replacement will have the same issues so even swapping it isn't a good option.

Good PSA warning about the saw, but can't fault Lowes if you are indeed outside the return time. 30 days is a reasonable amount of time for the products they sell. IMO and you can't expect them to deal with exceptions on a case by case basis. Maybe store managers can override it, but I doubt they're under any obligation to do so. Hope you come up with a reasonable solution.

 

[gungatim]

Buying another one and returning the broken one is not “sticking” it to delta. It’s screwing Lowes. Lowes wont return that item to delta. It goes on a pallet with numerous other things and go to auctions, big lots, ollies. I worked retail for years, hardly anything goes back to the manufacture anymore.

I’m not for or against the idea, you spent X amount of money and expect a working product and you have that right. I would talk to a service center and see if they would warranty it, BUT if they would eat the shipping cost as its too far to drive. The repair center can deal with Delta

that's because Lowes will be issued credit from the supplier...you would only see that in the accounting side of things.

 

[MFortie]

Many stores now record serial numbers, and register those serial numbers when the item is sold.
The plus to this is you don't need to actually register an item for warranty purposes, or figure out where a receipt or proof of purchase date is later,
The downside is that simply buying a new item, and returning an old item in the same box may make the switch obvious if the item is properly checked when returned.
Also,
If you’ve already tried to fix the item using Delta supplied parts, then Delta knows who you are.

Unlikely they check/record the motor’s SN. After all, the OP was willing to R&R his defective motor...

Jusy sayin’.

 

[Fatboy148]

I don’t know if I’m going to do the return trick or not.

But guys......Lowe’s isn’t exactly innocent in this either. Yes, I was beyond their 30-day return policy. But it’s only that....a policy. I’m sure it could’ve been overridden. Especially when you consider I had an email chain between delta and myself discussing the defective saw WITHIN the 30 days.

I’ve actually boycotted Lowe’s over this too.

Look at your receipt. It's not 30 days, it's 90 days that you can return a product with a receipt at Lowes. Don't feel bad, just return the saw and go to HD and buy one of your choice with the $$$.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Depending on when you bought it, HD actually extended their return period to 6 months due to COVID. Lowe’s may have done the same.


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