Kobalt lifetime warranty at Lowes

[pendragon1998]

I broke a Kobalt 1/4" hex driver (just a $5 tool) with a lifetime warranty and took it to Lowes to ask for an exchange. I cracked the socket part under very heavy use with a big screwdriver through the handle hole and a visegrip on the shaft, which left jaw marks on the shaft. They told me to grab one off the shelf and, after they took down my info, I walked out the door with a new one. I didn't have to show a receipt or anything. I know it is a minor story, but I thought I would add the data point, since we hear so many complaints about warranty service on GJ.

 

[sberry]

Yes, you don't hear much about the 1000's of items the replace.

 

[rlitman]

I've had a handful of Kobalt tools replaced. Never had to show a receipt.

In the past, they'd ring up the new tool as a return, put the credit on a store credit, and then apply that to a purchase, and hand you the replacement with a pocket full of receipts. But I think they've stopped that strangeness.

Most of the time, the customer service desk will tell me to pick the replacement off the shelf myself. If it's an EXACT match, then they'll just swap it right away. If the style has changed, they'll call over someone from the tool aisle to confirm that I picked the correct replacement. Depending on who is there and the time of day, it could be a 1 or 5 minute experience, but for me, Kobalt hand tool replacement is fairly painless.

 

[Derek420]

I love the Williams kobalt tools but no way in heck would I trade one in for the new kobalt sockets. I even have the danaher or whatever made in USA sets and like the quality of those as well. I think the quality just keeps going down sockets and ratchets because they're are trying to cheap out on us. I do have a Taiwan older ratchet and it's not bad and I compared it to the Taiwan Williams ratchet and it looks so much alike, exact quick release and anvil even chrome matches perfectly I wonder if they used same Taiwan manufacturer on those as snap on uses? I do like some of the stuff from Taiwan companies offer. Sorry to be off subject...

 

[Tim37]

While I do give Lowe's credit for standing behind thier tools with a great warranty policy. I have to say for the relatively few kobalt tools I have owned o used the warranty way too much.

 

[Deej]

dang, you all have had much better luck than i have warrantying kobalt stuff. Last time i was in there, it took 20 minutes of questions before they would let me get a replacement socket.

 

[Tim37]

Really that's strange all my dealing where more like Sears 15 years ago walk in hand them broken stuff and walk out with new in like 5 min.

 

[brassgod]

I replaced a 1/2" torque wrench under their lifetime warranty without a receipt. They just told me to get another one and did a return then purchase. I guess it's to balance out the books.

 

[alien]

I use their 25 foot magnetic tip tape measure. Right on the package it says "no questions asked lifetime warrantee". Most of the time they replace them no problem. The once or twice they started asking me questions I just smile, point to the no questions asked printing and they just do the swap?

Its the last tape measure you'll ever buy. I use the magnetic tip all the time. Big numbers on both sides of the blade.

Kind of thin blade only about 10' max stick out.