Knipex...and the trucks

[Xcursion88]

Just wanted to throw this observation out there...
Snapon is the only tool truck that doesn't insist on having the knipex handles labeled with their "brand"

Matco, Mac Cornwell all sell Knipex...but all insist on personalized handle coverings.

I bring this up because if you had to warranty a set of Knipex and a tool truck vanished from an area (they do) do you ultimately have to still go through the branded company or will Knipex warranty them regardless?

 

[pizza]

my guess (not based on anything) is that knipex won't warranty something that's been rebadged. i'd be really surprised if they did.

 

[RoundedNut]

Your warranty contract is always with the entity that sold you the item. That contract may state that the seller will handle warranty claims or that the "manufacturer" will or that the seller will handle claims up to a period of time and then the manufacturer's warranty may apply. The manufacturer is always the brand on the tool as the customer is not expected to be aware of the supply chain.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I would imagine you're stuck dealing with the company whose name is on them. This is a big thing in general when dealing with tool trucks, be it rebranded products or things they make - you're paying for support. Built into the price of those tool truck rebrands is a huge warranty liability for people like me who make use of it. Point being, the truck and the tools are only part of the equation, as a vanished driver means no more service or warranty convenience.

Whether knipex considers warrantiable what a tool truck does, is also a consideration. Knipex is likely not swapping out pliers when the teeth are destroyed, whereas most trucks will do so with pliers.

 

[KnurledNut]

In past times, some were branded Blue-Point.

 

[Xcursion88]

my guess (not based on anything) is that knipex won't warranty something that's been rebadged. i'd be really surprised if they did.

A lot if not most or all of them carry two identifications. Tool truck name on the rubber grip and usually somewhere else on the tool Knipex can be found.

 

[Bradc1989]

Don’t know if it’s been said, but knipex off the cornwell truck are still labeled knipex

 

[Xcursion88]

Don’t know if it’s been said, but knipex off the cornwell truck are still labeled knipex

Either you misunderstood or understood and wrong..
Mac/Matco/Cornwell all sell Knipex but Snapon is the only one without any personalized notation.

The other three all have their name on the grip which is the point of this....and warranty

 

[pizza]

seems like no one has firsthand experience. just ask knipex.

 

[plinker]

I would imagine you're stuck dealing with the company whose name is on them. This is a big thing in general when dealing with tool trucks, be it rebranded products or things they make - you're paying for support. Built into the price of those tool truck rebrands is a huge warranty liability for people like me who make use of it. Point being, the truck and the tools are only part of the equation, as a vanished driver means no more service or warranty convenience.

Whether knipex considers warrantiable what a tool truck does, is also a consideration. Knipex is likely not swapping out pliers when the teeth are destroyed, whereas most trucks will do so with pliers.

This^

With an online account, you can use it to obtain warranty through Matco, so not a huge issue there. It's no more inconvenient then mailing whatever tool in to Knipex (or other brands). I prefer to get Knipex stuff from a tool truck just for warranty purposes. Based on their website they seem a bit like Klein in wanting RMA's receipts, etee. then deciding if it qualifys.

As far as Knipex warranting something they made for a truck brand, I think it's kind of along the lines of a "question nobody asked" until now. I'd email Knipex about it if it's a problem.

 

[Bradc1989]

Either you misunderstood or understood and wrong..
Mac/Matco/Cornwell all sell Knipex but Snapon is the only one without any personalized notation.

The other three all have their name on the grip which is the point of this....and warranty

I missed that part in the op. I’ve bought multiple sets off the Cornwall truck and none of them were labeled Cornwall. This would have been about 3 years ago

 

[81turbota]

My SO driver warranties Knipex. He admits he usually eats it but all part of keeping a solid customer base.

I have dealt with Knipex directly once. A heavily worn set of Cobra pliers, they said they didn’t cover normal wear and tear but still sent a replacement in good faith.

 

[toolenthusiast]

my guess

i would imagine

In reality you can just send a polite email to the tool’s manufacturer and they will be more than happy to warranty it, even if their name isn’t on it whatsoever. For example, EZRED has swapped out a ratchet for me that was branded as Cornwell.

 

[Fedwrench]

who has ever broken a pair of Knipex anything?

 

[KnurledNut]

who has ever broken a pair of Knipex anything?

Wranglerstar

 

[William Payne]

I’m so tempted to start a whole thread on warranties. Maybe it’s just me but if I buy something and it fails due to a defect or something within a short period of time I will go through the warranty process.

But if I’ve genuinely worn something out and had years of use out of it I just forget about warranties and buy another one.

My 15 year old snap-on ratchet is starting to a little bit of play in the gears but barely noticeable really, couldn’t care less about warranty on it I’ve had it for years and it’s paid for itself. When it breaks if available I’ll just buy the rebuilt kit or replace it.

My beef with the warranty system is that it’s abused. People on this very forum buy tools second hand that are worn out and go straight to the dealers and swap them for new ones. That may as well be fraud as far as I’m concerned.

My tools are my livelihood, they make me money.

 

[dstblj52]

I’m so tempted to start a whole thread on warranties. Maybe it’s just me but if I buy something and it fails due to a defect or something within a short period of time I will go through the warranty process.

But if I’ve genuinely worn something out and had years of use out of it I just forget about warranties and buy another one.

My 15 year old snap-on ratchet is starting to a little bit of play in the gears but barely noticeable really, couldn’t care less about warranty on it I’ve had it for years and it’s paid for itself. When it breaks if available I’ll just buy the rebuilt kit or replace it.

My beef with the warranty system is that it’s abused. People on this very forum buy tools second hand that are worn out and go straight to the dealers and swap them for new ones. That may as well be fraud as far as I’m concerned.

My tools are my livelihood, they make me money.

with tools trucks thats a huge part of what your paying for, so no i don't see that as fraud its part of what your paying for especially on something like these knipex pliers where they charge twice normal retail

 

[William Payne]

with tools trucks thats a huge part of what your paying for, so no i don't see that as fraud its part of what your paying for especially on something like these knipex pliers where they charge twice normal retail

I understand that. What I more meant was regarding the fraud comment were people who buy a tool used for next to nothing that’s all abused and worn out then go to the tool truck and swap them out using a warranty they never paid for.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I understand that. What I more meant was regarding the fraud comment were people who buy a tool used for next to nothing that’s all abused and worn out then go to the tool truck and swap them out using a warranty they never paid for.

While I totally get the sentiment and dislike the idea of dealers and manufacturers replacing junk tools - the warranty was paid for.

That's part of the game. The company wins on some warranty to low use users, and loses on others. Unless it was snuck out the back door, the warranty was paid for. Now, whether the fine print agrees with transfer of the warranty is a different matter, but somebody paid for that warranty.

"Broken, please replace" is why tool truck sockets are $25 a piece.

 

[RoundedNut]

While I totally get the sentiment and dislike the idea of dealers and manufacturers replacing junk tools - the warranty was paid for.

That's part of the game...

Ya, the situation is like trying to beat the house at a casino. The tool truck companies have it all calculated out and they always win. There is no free lunch.

They train the truck operators to up sell on warranty issues (I've seen an old training video on youtube) and no operator is going to a shop full of veterans who have all the tools and only need warranty service. That's why its a pyramid scheme where new mechanics pay for the veteran's warranty service.

The only way someone can win at a casino is card counting at blackjack and by replacing junk truck tools. Regular customers of tool trucks lose in many ways. For example, the majority of tools will never need replacing because they are used infrequently and/or in low stress situations. So its pointless to pay multiples of the usual cost for every tool.

 

[dstblj52]

Ya, the situation is like trying to beat the house at a casino. The tool truck companies have it all calculated out and they always win. There is no free lunch.

They train the truck operators to up sell on warranty issues (I've seen an old training video on youtube) and no operator is going to a shop full of veterans who have all the tools and only need warranty service. That's why its a pyramid scheme where new mechanics pay for the veteran's warranty service.

The only way someone can win at a casino is card counting at blackjack and by replacing junk truck tools. Regular customers of tool trucks lose in many ways. For example, the majority of tools will never need replacing because they are used infrequently and/or in low stress situations. So its pointless to pay multiples of the usual cost for every tool.

seriously what does a mcc piece cost worse case is a question most never both to ask

 

[Bradc1989]

who has ever broken a pair of Knipex anything?

After seeing a ~250ish lb guy, about 2 years ago, give his pair of 10” alligators a good solid,single bounce with his foot, and the bolt break loose, and seeing him still use them as lately as Friday, Im almost to the point of saying they’re indestructible

 

[M635_Guy]

I understand that. What I more meant was regarding the fraud comment were people who buy a tool used for next to nothing that’s all abused and worn out then go to the tool truck and swap them out using a warranty they never paid for.

I'm sure it happens, but I honestly don't think it happens enough to worry about, at least with tools. I know companies like LL Bean had to change their policies due to gross abuse (guy wears shoes for four years, wears them out, requests replacement under "Lifetime Warranty", which makes me want to punch said guy), but I have to think companies like Snap On see single-digit percentages of the scenario you're referring to.

 

[Xcursion88]

the majority of tools will never need replacing because they are used infrequently and/or in low stress situations. So its pointless to pay multiples of the usual cost for every tool.

Or...
..............
Or...

Most tools don't need replaced because of the build quality and being the proper tool for a specific job.

Yes we all have used that flat screwdriver for something that a pry bar would be better suited...
But I'm talking about the guy using a 3/8 dr socket with an upper adapter, 1/2" dr 36" breaker bar...because he doesn't have the right size in the proper drive size.
Those people are few far and in between and most of those people are using HF type tools anyway.

 

[GenryMorales]

Your warranty contract is always with the organization that sold you the review. This contract may state that the seller will handle warranty claims or that the "manufacturer" will. Or that the seller will handle claims up to a certain period, after which the manufacturer's warranty may apply. So here's a tip, use trusted sources like here. The manufacturer is always the brand name on the tool, as the customer should not know about the supply chain.

 

[richfinn]

I would buy direct from Knipex and take my chances with warranty to be honest.

 

[Ton ton]

Your warranty contract is always with the organization that sold you the review. This contract may state that the seller will handle warranty claims or that the "manufacturer" will. Or that the seller will handle claims up to a certain period, after which the manufacturer's warranty may apply.

Welcome to garage journal. Nice to see farmers on garage journal.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

who has ever broken a pair of Knipex anything?

I certainly never held onto hardened steel with my knipex pliers before. Nope. I don't know how the teeth got damaged...

 

[Ton ton]

While I totally get the sentiment and dislike the idea of dealers and manufacturers replacing junk tools - the warranty was paid for.

That's part of the game. The company wins on some warranty to low use users, and loses on others. Unless it was snuck out the back door, the warranty was paid for. Now, whether the fine print agrees with transfer of the warranty is a different matter, but somebody paid for that warranty.

"Broken, please replace" is why tool truck sockets are $25 a piece.

If only the impact sockets were $25 a piece I would be happy.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I certainly never held onto hardened steel with my knipex pliers before. Nope. I don't know how the teeth got damaged...

No, definitely didn't hold harden steel with them and then brap the impact in something on the other side. Spinning the hardened steel in the knipex at 1000rpm.

Nope, definitely not me.