Lowes Kobalt Warranty?

[jonathan75]

I tried to replace some Kobalt side cutters today that has a broken spring and they gave me trouble and wouldn't replace it. The guy looked at it and said we don't carry that on our shelf. (I found it in a bundle pack but not by itself.) Then he took it from me and pressed it open and closed and said "See it still works."

Does anyone have any experience on replacing tools at Lowes? This experience has turned me off from buying any further tools from them.

 

[woody 73]

Jonathan Sorry to hear this news but you got Mr. lowes (The store **** Head); take the new package with the brand new pliers and your old broken pliers to the exchange desk, (or whatever name they are calling it) and just let them do a simple exchange.

Be sure and find a package that has the words Forever warranty (or something like those words) and Don't take no for an answer. If they say receipt needed you say ******** (in a very nice way with a big smile on your face).

Remember they need your dollars and they need you to be a repeat customer forever, so killing you off for a small ticket item only kills them off in the long run.

PS: If they still give you trouble (which it should not happen) remind them that the pen is mightier then the sword, in other words by telling us on the World wide Web you are telling others in a single key stroke not to buy their tools!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

As said above, go grab the replacement pliers (even if it is a set) and take them to the Customer Service desk.

I exchanged my Danaher era Kobalt ratchets for some of the new style, customer service warrantied them no problem (completely different ratchets and part numbers).

 

[wvrailroader]

Kobalt warranty depends on entirely which employee you deal with. I returned a Torx driver a while back and they wanted me to bring in the whole set. I said I had purchased this separately - no set. They swapped it out. I have taken other things back and had no questions asked. Just keep trying different employees till you find one that will make it right.

 

[Eric Commarato]

I hate Lowes, it's all Chinese ****...HF has better Chinese ****!

 

[Bricen18]

I recall the warranty as hassle free. I'd go back and try again.

We used to exchange 5lb sledges when I worked construction





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RedneckWelder]

Never had a problem with wrenches, screwdrivers, or sockets/ratchets.

I tend to buy Channellocks or other brands of pliers and such though so I don't know how they handle the Kobalt brand of pliers

 

[jonathan75]

Thank you for all the feedback. I contacted Lowe's corporate and waiting for a reply now. I don't want to waste more time at the store and rather they smooth things out for me ahead of my visit. We will see what they have to say and let you all know.

I exchanged my Danaher era Kobalt ratchets for some of the new style, customer service warrantied them no problem (completely different ratchets and part numbers).

I have a older Kobolt socket set when they were made in the USA also. It is in my work tool bag and I fly all over the country with it. Hopefully the ratchet does not break. I would like to keep the USA made and not have to deal with this hassle again.

Just yesterday I exchanged a 20 year old screwdriver at Sears with no problems. Why can't they do it like that?

 

[Stuey]

Kobalt warranty depends on entirely which employee you deal with. I returned a Torx driver a while back and they wanted me to bring in the whole set. I said I had purchased this separately - no set. They swapped it out. I have taken other things back and had no questions asked. Just keep trying different employees till you find one that will make it right.

That's unfortunately true.

If you have problems with one associate, escalate the issue. A manager isn't going to want to bicker with you for long and has a higher chance of resolving things to your satisfaction.

 

[jonathan75]

If you have problems with one associate, escalate the issue. A manager isn't going to want to bicker with you for long and has a higher chance of resolving things to your satisfaction.

I am a Kobalt exchange virgin and really had no clue how they do things. So last weekend after taking my son to the Kids Project class I inquired and the lady said you need a receipt, blah blah blah. And I said that means they have no warranty then, who keeps the receipts. And she replied a lot of people but she would consider changing it out this one time. But when I went yesterday she was not there and I got Mr. Lowes.

 

[mmack66]

I hate Lowes, it's all Chinese ****...HF has better Chinese ****!

Most of the decent ratchets and sockets are made in Taiwan, which I guess some folks might consider to be Chinese, but most folks don't. Same with Harbor Freight.

 

[jonathan75]

Most of the decent ratchets and sockets are made in Taiwan, which I guess some folks might consider to be Chinese, but most folks don't. Same with Harbor Freight.

Yes, Taiwan made I won't hesitate. They make some good tools in Taiwan.

 

[woody 73]

jonathan When you get the chance be sure and send them a link to this post I am sure they will be interested in reading some of the replies:

http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ageView?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&faqId=8

Woody

 

[cheechi]

Be careful about one thing. The 'sockets for life' thing, you might have a store full of Kobalt evangelists and they will all stick to it. Even though they warranty basically every Kobalt branded item for life, you have to register the socket sets, starting around 05 or so, in order to get that warranty.

Used to be you could bring in your set with a space missing and walk out with a new loose one to fill it up. Now they still claim they'll replace lost & stolen, but you have to register and wait for it to go through the mail. Since they changed to this, I'd say my luck is about 50%. If I need a socket replaced I have a store near me that usually will do it if I ask twice.

I hope you got the name of the guy who you had an issue with.

 

[jonathan75]

Here is the reply I got today. I will see if the store contacts me tomorrow or not.

Hello Jonathan,

Kobalt pliers have a lifetime guarantee, and no receipt is necessary for their return. Since the store had no kits in stock to replace yours, I’ve asked that store management resolve this for you. A member of store management will contact you within 24 hours. I want to maintain your confidence in Lowe’s and in Kobalt tools.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you,
Lowe's Customer Care

 

[Engine]

I tried to replace some Kobalt side cutters today that has a broken spring and they gave me trouble and wouldn't replace it. The guy looked at it and said we don't carry that on our shelf. (I found it in a bundle pack but not by itself.) Then he took it from me and pressed it open and closed and said "See it still works."

Does anyone have any experience on replacing tools at Lowes? This experience has turned me off from buying any further tools from them.

Typical response from a Lowes employee. Some of them really know their stuff and the others (the majority) could care less if you are satisfied/disappointed/pissed, etc. If they give me that attitude now, I courteously ask to talk to the manager and to "see if there are any other options."

To their credit, I have been seeing some improvement in the helpfulness of the Lowes employees lately in my local stores. Temporary? Maybe.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I have pair like that from other brand, I hate that spring, I removed it..

 

[tedsters]

sorry to hear about your experience at Lowe's, the one by me is great at replacing stuff i would have personally asked for the manager of the tool department in charge or the store manager sounds kind of like the person may not even of worked in the department was just filling in and maybe not familiar with the tool policy never the less it should not happen good way to turn a life time customer away over a few dollars.
i would ask for who is in charge if it happens again.....anywhere theres a lifetime warranty

 

[saturninin]

took in a set of Lineman pliers where the spring was having issues and they gave me a new set even though the part numbers were different.... but like for like..... and while I was doing that..... I remembered that I had a pair of diagonal pliers out in my Junkyard bag.... went and grabbed that out of the car... replaced both of them no real questions asked

 

[jonathan75]

The store manager called me. He said to come in and ask for him and he will take care of it. The way he sounded was that he would do anything needed to make it right. Guess I will find out later.

 

[jonathan75]

I took the multi pack and my old side cutters to the front desk and asked to speak to the manager as requested. He didn't hesitate to cut open the package and give me the new cutters with no questions asked. Too bad it was not that easy the first time.

 

[CJM8515]

Live and learn, but always ask for a manager and make a stink. Worst they say is no..

 

[jonathan75]

Live and learn, but always ask for a manager and make a stink. Worst they say is no..

I usually do and probably would of but I was in a hurry that day. But corporate might of had something to do with how smooth it went the second time. The way the manager looked made me wonder if they get dinged in some way when bad feedback comes in.

 

[jonathan75]

Look what I found when I took my son to the Kids Workshop. Of course I didn't buy anything because the warranty is too much hassle. They probably should hang onto the whole package for future exchanges but it could be too much to keep track of. But this is the package that they took the side cutters out to replace mine.