Opinions Wanted

[Renchi]

I recently sent an older Snap-On ratchet in for repair. A couple weeks later I got a new (or maybe refurbished?) FBF80 ratchet back. At the time I was thinking that this was outstanding customer service. Then I actually used the ratchet and got a ton of chrome flakes imbedded in my skin. I hadn't noticed it at first, but the chrome on this ratchet's handle is absolutely awful!

From what I can tell the tooling mark seems to indicate 2013 as the date of manufacture, but it is also stamped with USA. That has me confused because I was under the impression that the newer ratchets aren't stamped USA anymore. To me it looks like the handle was rechromed without having been properly cleaned first. If it is a new handle, there are multiple layers of defective chrome.

I would feel like a bit of a tool to call Snap-On and complain about an upgraded replacement ratchet, but, on the other hand, I can't really use this one at the moment. What would you guys do?

 

[bobcatdan]

Call them up, if chrome is flaking big enough to cut, it is warranty. The USA stamp has returned, it is around the handle.

 

[toolaholic]

Call them! They need to know something went amiss in the re chrome. Plus they claim to be the best and have a avid following. They should be more the willing to rectify the situation.

 

[young_buck]

You definitely should call them. If the chrome is that bad it is means for warranty, and yes the USA stamp has returned, I just bought a FHLF80 on Wednesday and it is stamped. Best of luck with your warranty!

 

[Renchi]

I was hoping to update this thread with something far more positive, but at the moment I am rather dismayed...

To their credit, Snap-On's customer service representatives have all been amazingly wonderful to deal with. They agreed to warranty the ratchet because of the defective chrome on the handle. The new ratchet finally arrived today, but the chrome on this ratchet's handle is even worse!

What gives here? The previous ratchet had a 2013 marking on it, and the new one has a 2014 marking on it. Obviously some period of time existed between the manufacturing of the two ratchets, so it would have to be an insane coincidence for me to get two ratchets with bad chrome if such defects are considered very uncommon. Is there some sort of quality control issue going on with the bent handle ratchets that the customer service representatives may not be aware of?

If someone here has a recently manufactured FBF80 ratchet I would greatly appreciate you taking a look at the handle for me. Please let me know if you see any problems with the chrome in and around the grooves and letters/numbers.

This will give you an idea of how bad the chrome really is. I had the ratchet resting across my legs a few moments ago, and now that I have moved it I can see a bunch of tiny chrome flecks all over my pants. This is just awful.

 

[331CID]

Something is amiss. Not normal. Chrome flakes to the point of cutting you, as stated, it's warrantied


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[saryon7]

I would love to see a picture of the ratchet.

 

[3baygarage]

I always wanted to say this:

 

[matt01073]

I use and buy almost exclusively snap on tools at work an have for almost 30 years , i have seen very little with chrome issues , usually a chrome 1/2 socket thats been impacted to death and the chrome peals on the edge and once or twice a wrench that has flaked around the open end . all of which was warranted without issue . all of the new ratchets i have and have seen have a very nice finish I find it very hard to believe this post and im sure a local snap on dealer would swap out a ratchet on he spot if it is true

 

[gsingh]

Any pictures?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[Renchi]

..... I find it very hard to believe this post .....

There is no need to be rude...

I have plenty of other Snap-On tools myself. My original ratchet was only replaced because I had basically worn it out over a period of roughly 20 years, and there were no longer any parts available to repair it with. I generally consider Snap-On to be among the best when it comes to quality and durability. I have never experienced or seen any problems like this before.

 

[Renchi]

For those of you asking about pictures, I am not sure if my camera will be able to properly capture the details. I will give it a try though (probably after the holiday weekend).

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

So what are you going to do since you found out the replacements replacement is flaking also?

 

[Renchi]

So what are you going to do since you found out the replacements replacement is flaking also?

Yeah... about that...

I called and spoke with a Snap-On representative again. This time my experience on the phone was the exact opposite of my prior experiences. This last guy I talked with really sucked. He kept interrupting me, would not answer my questions, and only seemed concerned with getting back the defective ratchet so that the problem could be evaluated and a "national stop order" (or something like that) issued. I would have been happy to help with that, but he was unwilling to provide me with another ratchet. I regularly use a bent handle ratchet, so the idea of being left without one for what could be a very lengthy period of time while all of that other stuff took place was unacceptable to me.

For now I may try buffing this ratchet's handle. If that does not work I will either need to wrap some tape around the handle or remember to always be wearing gloves when I grab it.

I have also considered that it might be nice to replace the all chrome handle with a comfort grip handle or a custom hard handle. The problem is going to be finding a handle. Snap-On only offers the comfort grip (without the actual handle) as a replacement part. Maybe someone here can help me find one.

 

[Wamsutta]

I bet you wish you had your original ratchet back. All it needed was a rebuild kit.

 

[ADSR]

Pictures or i call Troll.

 

[Jswain]

You'll believe him when there is a national "stop order" put in place after TWO ratchets have had faulty chrome...LOL

 

[G_P]

If the chrome is flaking to the point that it cuts your skin and leaves shiny flakes all over your clothes any camera should easily be able to take a pic decent enough to show it.

 

[Hiball]

Crazy interwebs..

 

[DieselSaves]

Try taking the ratchet on an SO truck. A dealer should be able to warranty it for you. This might take more time and some coordination but the dealer can't in good faith hand you a defective new ratchet.

 

[bareass172]

Having a "sort of" similar experience with a Williams driver in this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245027
It's not SnapOn, but a Snappy brand. Still waiting for resolution on mine too.

 

[GSMotorrad]

For those of you asking about pictures, I am not sure if my camera will be able to properly capture the details. I will give it a try though (probably after the holiday weekend).

You have time to post lots of responses, but you spout weak excuses when we ask for pics? How hard is snapping a few pics? If you can use a ratchet, I'd think a camera should also be part of your repertoire. Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Having a "sort of" similar experience with a Williams driver in this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245027
It's not SnapOn, but a Snappy brand. Still waiting for resolution on mine too.

Just tell em to give you a snap on "instinct" (or hard handle; your choice) driver if they can't get it right with their williams stuff. Seriously man, take off the kid gloves.

GS-->Some people (including me) didn't really enter the modern age where you bluetooth your pictures to your computer. Some of us still have dinosaur **** and have to connect the camera to the computer. Hell, my camera takes batteries...actual friggin batteries.

 

[redwrench60]

It's not hard to believe that if one ratchet had bad chrome then another one made during the same time period could have bad chrome also. Think about it, in a manufacturing facility nobody makes just ONE bad part.

I myself once bought a set of Snap On male/female pipe plug sockets and they had the same problem. Chrome coming off in big flaky shards even inside the cardboard box they came in. (Yes Snap On sockets used to come on metal racks in small cardboard boxes) the replacement set was the same because they were probably made side by side. Finally the third set was the perfect quality I expected and my dealer was patient with me and just as concerned as I was.

I don't need pics to believe that chrome can be defective right out of the box from any company and this isn't the way we treat new members here. Would some of you guys call the OP a liar if he were in front of you?

 

[GSMotorrad]

I don't need pics to believe that chrome can be defective right out of the box from any company and this isn't the way we treat new members here. Would some of you guys call the OP a liar if he were in front of you?

I had a problem with new chrome out of the box, but the manufacturer required that I send them pictures, and then they were helpful and sent me a replacement. If I hadn't sent them pics, I'm not sure they would have helped me at all.

He's asking for our opinion, and some of us are asking for pics. I don't see what the big deal is.

If the OP was right in front of me, I would tell him to bring said ratchet right in front of me as well, so I could see it in person.

 

[Renchi]

Wow! I thought this forum was for the discussion of tools. I did not realize that by updating my thread I would be subjecting myself to criticism and name calling. I feel no need to defend myself against the attacks, so I am not going to waste my time making anymore posts in this thread. A few of you will undoubtedly enjoy using that as a reason to flame me some more.

Carry on...

 

[KamiCrit]

So no pics?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious to see what the flaking looks like and where it is. I have 9 Dual 80 ratchets and I haven't seen any flaws in their chrome.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Wow! I thought this forum was for the discussion of tools. I did not realize that by updating my thread I would be subjecting myself to criticism and name calling. I feel no need to defend myself against the attacks, so I am not going to waste my time making anymore posts in this thread. A few of you will undoubtedly enjoy using that as a reason to flame me some more.

Carry on...

You would have been better off just not posting at all. You only proved our point. Who cries when asked for pics? It's a common phrase, "Pics or it didn't happen", but to whine about it? Geez, there should be a minimum age requirement to join this forum. Hey, you asked for our opinions.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Wow! I thought this forum was for the discussion of tools. I did not realize that by updating my thread I would be subjecting myself to criticism and name calling. I feel no need to defend myself against the attacks, so I am not going to waste my time making anymore posts in this thread. A few of you will undoubtedly enjoy using that as a reason to flame me some more.

Carry on...

Your prior username would be a suitable replacement for pics.

 

[ADSR]

Your prior username would be a suitable replacement for pics.

Hmm.....

 

[Mechanical Noise]

For those of you asking about pictures, I am not sure if my camera will be able to properly capture the details. I will give it a try though (probably after the holiday weekend).

Press some sticky tape on the bad chrome area. Pull it off and some shiny flakes of chrome will stick to the tape.

 

[Tucko]

Just tell em to give you a snap on "instinct" (or hard handle; your choice) driver if they can't get it right with their williams stuff. Seriously man, take off the kid gloves.

GS-->Some people (including me) didn't really enter the modern age where you bluetooth your pictures to your computer. Some of us still have dinosaur **** and have to connect the camera to the computer. Hell, my camera takes batteries...actual friggin batteries.

I'm with you on this. I'm as far advanced technically as I want to be. I just barely disconnected my rotary phone....I have an old digital camera that I spent a fortune on for my wife, and she used it exactly zero times. So I use it, to try and get a little teenie bit back on my investment...Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play a record.

 

[Tucko]

You would have been better off just not posting at all. You only proved our point. Who cries when asked for pics? It's a common phrase, "Pics or it didn't happen", but to whine about it? Geez, there should be a minimum age requirement to join this forum. Hey, you asked for our opinions.

Are you serious? That's lame. It's not like he's talking about something complicated and hard to understand. Do you know what a rachet is? Do you know what flaking chrome is? Is your imagination so horrible that you need pictures?? Do you still read **** and Jane books too?