Please help with warranty info

[FullKustom]

Am I trying to make sense out of nonsense here, or does anyone understand this at all?

First off, Craftsman warranty...
'Non-industrial-rated products are not warranted for commercial use.'

At first I understood this to mean anything not labeled 'professional' could only be warranted for home use. There aren't many 'Craftsman Professional' hand tools, but their mechanic's tool modules are listed in the catalog as 'Craftsman 1,470-piece Professional Tool Set'. There are clearly over a thousand tools that are not Craftsman Professional in this set, so are they warranted or not? If so, what hand tools are not warranted, just the precision (micrometers, torque wrenches, etc.) tools?

Secondly, Snap-on warranty...
' ... 3. Warranty – Professional Use for Products. Snap-on warrants to Customers who purchase Product from authorized Snap-on distribution channels for use in their profession that Snap-on® brand Products and Blue-Point® brand Products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a duration described in each Product's warranty code. The warranty duration depends upon the nature of the Product ... This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned ... Snap-on does NOT provide any warranty for ... products subjected to "abnormal use" ... "Abnormal use" includes misuse, accident, modification, unreasonable use, abuse, neglect, lack of maintenance, use in product-related service, or use after the product is significantly worn ... '

Does this mean I must purchase tools only from their website or from a truck dealer to get warranty? No E-Bay or Craigslist? What is the 'warranty duration' for hand tools, apparently not lifetime? Does the 'abnormal use' definition of 'use in product-related service' mean a tool that is used normally is considered to have been used abnormally?

Thanks for any help, I have looked through the forum already, but couldn't find specific answers based on the actual wording of the warranty. Sorry if I missed it somewhere.

 

[Junkman]

Both the Craftsman and Snap On warranties are only as good as the store or dealer that you deal with. If a Snap On dealer doesn't want to replace a item, all he has to do is ask for your original receipt for the product. If you didn't purchase it new from a Snap On dealer, then it isn't covered. Most Snap On dealers don't make an issue of this, nor does the company. If it is a Snap On tool that fails, then they replace it, provided that it wasn't abused. Some dealers will even replace an abused tool for a good customer.
Craftsman tools guarantee isn't what it used to be, but generally speaking, they will still replace a broken or defective hand tool. Some stores have become a little more difficult in getting them to replace the tool, but if you try another store, there isn't a problem. It all depends on the store or department manager. Make a fuss, and they usually give in..

 

[Danglerb]

Warranty in print means nothing in practice.

In practice the man in the truck or behind the counter is who decides on a case by case basis how a warranty is handled. Some of the truck brand guys are great, some ****. Sears is a bit more consistent, but if one store turns you down, just come back on a different shift or try another store.

Some find Sears a bit more agreeable if you don't show up with a box of broken tools in your work clothes.

Where you buy the tools only in practice makes a difference by creating a personal relationship and goodwill with the seller.

Also look at this thread and others.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11569

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Both the Craftsman and Snap On warranties are only as good as the store or dealer that you deal with.

Warranty in print means nothing in practice.

In practice the man in the truck or behind the counter is who decides on a case by case basis how a warranty is handled.

What these guys said.

I have never had a problem warranting tools with Sears or SO except that I always end up buying more stuff. Never been asked for a receipt or challenged either way.

That said I take very good care of my tools and have had very few breakage problems. I never broke a ratchet but once had the spring break. The SO dealer comletely rekit the ratchet at no cost. I also had peeling chrome on a SO ratchet once. The dealer replaced that one too (called it a safety issue).

On an old episode of American HotRod one of the guys heated and bent a Cman wrench for some reason. He exchanged at Sears. Of course the TV cameras may have had some influence.

~Steve

 

[Stuey]

The Craftsman warranty means that if you want them to warranty a tool, don't go in with your logoed coveralls or similarly obvious work clothes.

 

[Merkava_4]

I never will forget the post that nissan_crawler made about a Craftsman Professional wrench he tried to get replaced at Sears. They told him it wasn't warrantied for professional use.