ICON vs SUNEX

[87FoRunner]

One of our newer techs at another branch just dog piled his box full of the entire Icon line. I was out there helping for a week recently. Only issue I see is skipping 24mm in the impact line.

Curious, what brand box?

 

[Cgw1984]

I will have to agree. I don not understand the dislike with ICON. I have bought a couple of tools and they are very good and the warranty thing, I do not buy a tool based on warranty. Performance is the key to me. Does it help me do my job better, then that's what is important

I actually only own 1 ICON item, the roto head 3/8. I dont like it as much as my cornwell blue power version (i know, one taiwan ratchet vs another), but the blind "hurr durr icon is blanket bad" **** is funny to me. It seems so simple to me.. if i do t like a tool or a brand.. i dont buy it. I guess some people are just incensed that it may compete with (insert fav. Brand) here for less money, OR it may be the same as another taiwan brand for more money. But, again, dont buy it then? I see the value in a same day exchange warranty vs. A wait on shipping warranty, and MAY pay more for that comfort.. if i like the product.

Using your own money to warranty (buy) another product instead of relying on some company to replace a 3 dollar socket. Much easier and less hassle, imo.

I dont see the logic in NOT using the stated warranty. I agree that on a cheaper item such as a socket, the warranty shouldnt be the deciding factor. But if an item i buy has a warranty, id be a fool to buy a new one instead of exchanging my broken scrap metal for new. When my in warranty car breaks, i dont think "eh, better go buy a new fuel pump from the dealer". I think "eh, better take it to the dealer and have them fix it, as they said they would."

 

[lardy1]

I never understood the passion inspired by the pro/anti- Harbor Freight threads and I agree with the above poster. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Many of us don't like HF. Most can give legitimate reasons why. But to imply that every item sold by them is junk is nonsense. There are guys in Garage Journal forums that spend their careers using a broad spectrum of brands. From Snap On to Pittsburgh. Two of them that I respect remark that Icon ratcheting wrenches are among the best available.

I live 35 miles from the nearest HF. So convenient shopping and ease of warranty don't apply for me. As for Icon brand, I see them as overpriced compared to their competition. I can name several personal reasons why I don't want to spend my money there. Many of which may mean nothing to anyone else. But it's my money. My choice. And that applies to all of us. Those that spend money at HF and those that don't.

What I really don't understand is why anyone would care.

 

[Mr_B]

I dont see the logic in NOT using the stated warranty. I agree that on a cheaper item such as a socket, the warranty shouldnt be the deciding factor. But if an item i buy has a warranty, id be a fool to buy a new one instead of exchanging my broken scrap metal for new. When my in warranty car breaks, i dont think "eh, better go buy a new fuel pump from the dealer". I think "eh, better take it to the dealer and have them fix it, as they said they would."

You would obviously use a warranty if you purchased tools with a warranty and it usable to your needs at no real cost or inconvenience .
Principle of self warranty is you take some thought on purchase source/price to likely warranty use, required speed of warranty needed etc and when makes better costing or faster less hassle more flexible replacement you can .self warranty' .
Lot of good tools from taiwan and japan of great design and quality that it stupid limit your choices over warranty on items less than 20bucks (impact sockets are 2 or 3 bucks each).

Last 20 years should also learnt most the likely problems of life warranty : Brands fold, retailers fold, ease of warranty changes, warranty T&C change, tool design/quality/coo changes so replacement not worth owning etc etc .
Self warranty on sockets wrenches pliers and screwdrivers good way go these days, buy quality and design you like at low cost and you can replace 3 or 4 times for damage loss theft or design upgrade and still spent less than brands with decades of proven defect only warranty support .
Seems a no brainer to me, I like my MAC man replacing my drill bits free for life but sockets for example not such a great deal and current crmo tempered way too soft for safety/liability reasons they disappointing to use and you can find better out of taiwan in durability and design for fraction the cost .