gearwrench vs icon

[M635_Guy]

It news for some as they post the T&C link and still don't know the term details .
Snap-On is a good example of how much markup needed make loosely enforced policy for easy warranty long term viable business practice .
Back in 90's Snap-On was flawless on warranty handling, today not same experience especially newer contract truck dealers .
Lifetime warranty ease has never stayed same on any brand I have used & I very much doubt ICON be the exception ...

SnapOn is a good example of how much markup is needed to be a healthy and profitable company that supports a rolling brick and mortar sales model.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I think you may be misreading the T&C. It's a little funny to me the way they listed the info, and probably would take a lawyer to really say for sure, but I think if you read everything in context it's a little different.

The Lifetime Warranty you quoted in your first paragraph has no such proof requirements, though it does say limitations apply. It is the Limited 90-day Warranty that includes the proof-of-purchase requirement. There are two different warranties and it specifically refers to "this" warranty, which seems to be the 90-day warranty vs. the Lifetime warranty. If it said "these" warranties, then I would say it applies to both. But, maybe *I* am not reading it right? Thoughts?

Here is the full context:

Correct, this is how I interpret it. Why would conditions of the 90 day warranty apply to the lifetime warranty?

Regardless, not speaking in hypotheticals about what company will be here in 10 years and not, Icon is superior in availability and warranty to Gear Wrench at the moment and for many, also superior in quality. No one here can guarantee even Snap-On will be around in 10 years so speculating longevity of a brand, especially a "top tier" house brand by one of the largest names in the game is meaningless.

 

[Alpine4x4]

It news for some as they post the T&C link and still don't know the term details .
Snap-On is a good example of how much markup needed make loosely enforced policy for easy warranty long term viable business practice .
Back in 90's Snap-On was flawless on warranty handling, today not same experience especially newer contract truck dealers .
Lifetime warranty ease has never stayed same on any brand I have used & I very much doubt ICON be the exception ...

Again, my Snap-On guy doesnt bat an eye. I walk on with a broken tool and its either fixed, replaced, or a new one ordered without a question asked. I have the same experience with HF. I took a 3/4" drive set back to HF at one point because one of the sockets was double cut and the other wouldnt fit on the 3/4" drive end of a ratchet. They went through 3 brand new sets to find me working sockets. Great CS from them.

 

[Mr_B]

I think you may be misreading the T&C. It's a little funny to me the way they listed the info, and probably would take a lawyer to really say for sure, but I think if you read everything in context it's a little different.

The Lifetime Warranty you quoted in your first paragraph has no such proof requirements, though it does say limitations apply. It is the Limited 90-day Warranty that includes the proof-of-purchase requirement. There are two different warranties and it specifically refers to "this" warranty, which seems to be the 90-day warranty vs. the Lifetime warranty. If it said "these" warranties, then I would say it applies to both. But, maybe *I* am not reading it right? Thoughts?

Here is the full context:

I'm not misreading it .
It done on purpose for people who don't read or question everything fully and just assume just like they assume it likely easy warranty forever lol ...
You will find more details on the limited lifetime warranty in the product manuals but it same as other lifetime warranty basically .
You also find basic proof of purchase requirement for lifetime and 90 days goods on the website warranty link is same .
I've asked 2 separate managers basics of ICON returns as I'm trade using them and got over 35 years of experience dealing with wanky warranties .
The warranty terms are a typical flexible understanding on purpose to allow easy adaption on how friendly or unfriendly they want be .
Some links and screenshot below to substantiate the facts of ICON warranty requirements and exclusions ...

* I not beating on HF ( I know some get upset if think you a HF Hater), warranty been fine for me so far but I been around long enough know it not likely stay easy swap out for the long haul, really is a case of be sure to know the real details prior to making purchase choices and realise that lifetime warranty isn't worth a great deal on low cost low failure rate basic hand tools .

Do You Need A Receipt For A Harbor Freight Warranty?

Harbor Freight is committed to ensuring our customers feel confident about their purchases. We offer a lifetime warranty on our hand tools and a limited 90-day warranty for everything else. In orde…

go.harborfreight.com

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/56000-56999/56470.pdf

 

[89MustangGX]

I'm not misreading it .
It done on purpose for people who don't read or question everything fully and just assume just like they assume it likely easy warranty forever lol ...

You may very well be right about it being ambiguous on purpose.

Here's another interesting link to read...
https://go.harborfreight.com/can-i-make-a-return-at-harbor-freight-without-a-receipt/

Many of the products Harbor Freight sells, including all hand tools, have a free lifetime warranty on them. That means you can bring that product back for replacement at any point in time – with or without a receipt – should it fail due to mechanical failure.

I have made two Icon returns - ironically not because of broken tools, but one set had two of the same size in it and one set had a mismarked socket. One time they did the whole check the computer thing, the other they just opened a box and gave me a socket and told me to have a nice day.

-----

BTW, did you notice that the torque wrench "lifetime" warranty you linked is different than the "lifetime" warranty in the warranty section of the website? The website indicates it is for the lifetime of the original purchaser, while the link you posted indicates it is for the useful life of the tool.

 

[Mr_B]

You may very well be right about it being ambiguous on purpose.

Here's another interesting link to read...
https://go.harborfreight.com/can-i-make-a-return-at-harbor-freight-without-a-receipt/


I have made two Icon returns - ironically not because of broken tools, but one set had two of the same size in it and one set had a mismarked socket. One time they did the whole check the computer thing, the other they just opened a box and gave me a socket and told me to have a nice day.

-----

BTW, did you notice that the torque wrench "lifetime" warranty you linked is different than the "lifetime" warranty in the warranty section of the website? The website indicates it is for the lifetime of the original purchaser, while the link you posted indicates it is for the useful life of the tool.

They are incredibly inept and partly on purpose on the warranty fine details, if doing it right you would have a specific link to ICON limited lifetime warranty terms and be sure your staff understand and adhere to them nationwide .
When I questioned it in store it was stated it original purchaser and within useful life of tool in terms of expected fair working lifespan which in itself is open to all sorts of magical equations to get a number lol .
Limited lifetime warranty always means maximum loopholes, they state manager got final say, My manager on the day said he happy replace as long as not obviously abused or modified and it not from expected lifespan wear & tear. Main plus is HF has been constantly pretty fair on warranties to date and managers don't want take ballache from consumers but the warranty terms are less friendly and the future of tool retail also looks less friendly for pricing and profit ...

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I ended up gearwrench ones, tooltopia had on them sale for $ 128. My snap on guy warranties gearwrench. My coworker bought gearwrench from him.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I haven't been to a Harbor Frieght in years and have never touched an ICON tool. My old Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches are nice but the last set I got was very low quality and the flare nut wrenches I got from GearWrench were junk. I'd take the chance on ICON only because I lack faith in the Gearwrench wrenches.

The only brand I trust for flare nut wrench is snap on. My old craftsman rounded the nut on my old old car. I had bought the snap ons and removed easily

 

[snickers muncher]

The only brand I trust for flare nut wrench is snap on. My old craftsman rounded the nut on my old old car. I had bought the snap ons and removed easily

You are right. I realized in hindsight that I should have bought the single wrench from Snap On instead of a set of lower quality. One used Snap On is probably much more reasonable.

The GW did work well on transmission lines, but forget about smaller brake lines.

 

[jpaw]

I ended up gearwrench ones, tooltopia had on them sale for $ 128. My snap on guy warranties gearwrench. My coworker bought gearwrench from him.

Just be careful, my Matco guy used to warranty Gearwrench but he said that there were two levels and the store bought ones had a different part number.