Rejected replacement Craftsman at Sears

[wannabefast]

I just found a rusty Craftsman 3/8 ratchet, breaker bar, and wrench in the trunk of a 65 Galaxie we are restoring for a customer and I smile real big and march them right to Sears for a bright shiny new replacement for about $65 worth of tools.

When I get to the store the guy looks at me kind of nervous, puts his head down and starts telling me how the damage was obviously caused by poor maintenance. At first I got so mad I couldn't see straight. After fighting the urge and failing I tell him where to stick the rusty tools. I have been doing this for 30 years and have never had a question about a replacement I would start buying all my tools from Matco I went to lunch.

After lunch I spoke to the manager who basically said they are cracking down at the corporate level so I am looking for advice where to buy hand tools that are replaced without question. The sad part is I spent at least 7 grand with those bastards on tools, tool boxes, and mowers this year and the one time a year I take a few in for payback I get the long face.

Anyone else have this experience lately or is it just our store?

 

[le6920]

Go to a different store.

 

[philw]

Sears was the most lenient with a return policy. Most companies would look at the rust and tell you to get lost immediately---Matco included. If you are on good terms (have spent a lot of cash) with a tool truck driver then they may do you a favor and warranty it (their own brand tool, of course) but they do not have to.
Sears has been losing money. I'm not surprised they are being more strict on the policy. I don't think Sears corporate cares if it makes some customers mad by the change of policy. The bean counters have probably found out that it's better to lose some customers then to use a return policy that cost them to much money.
Where else are you going to buy hand tools at Sears prices? Lowe's seems to be just as strict and everything else is imported. Even many stores that carry imports require a receipt.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

 

[chevy302dz]

It's people like you who cause people with legit claims to get denied. You didn't buy the tools, they wern't even techinically broken, yet you demand to get new ones handed to you and have the nerve to get pissed when you don't get them.

 

[riskyvt]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

100% in agreement....sorry

 

[Jay H 237]

It sometimes helps if you go and grab the identical replacements off the shelves and bring them up to the register with the tools you want replaced.

 

[Lyaec350]

Why not just throw them in the sandblaster or an acid bath to take the rust off? Peeling chrome is a warranty issue as the sharp edges can do a number on hands. Rust is not.

 

[pattenp]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

Another 100% agreement.

 

[Garage-Junkie]

so you took a rusty tool from a customers car that you didn't buy, take it to a store, then get pissed that they didn't give you a free replacement for something you didn't buy? I think Chevy302dz has it right. Now if you were ticked that they didn't replace one of the tools you legitimately bought, then I could side with you. That's like buying a car used from a private owner, then getting pissed that Ford won't fix it for free, even though you bought tires for your truck from their parts department.

 

[garfunkle24]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

Another in agreement here. I'm not sorry though lol

 

[kwhitelaw]

Christ, you didnt even pay for the tools and you are all worked up because they wont swap them out..

 

[wannabefast]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

 

[kwhitelaw]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

well, have any of the tools YOU have purchased become rusty over the years?

its amazing that you are not seeing the point. good luck "breaking" the tools and bringing them back. maybe karma will bite you in the *** and you will get a flat tire on the way over there.

 

[garfunkle24]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

So for "working the system", we should read "fraud/theft"?? You do understand the concept of a warranty right? Even a generous "satisfaction" warranty is not an exchange program.

Edit: Lots of people "work the system" with welfare and insurance too, with the lame excuse "well I've paid enough in to it over the years..." I think those people **** too.

 

[beelsr]

There's bending the rules and then there's just not even bothering to use the lube!


Try this....

Throw them in the parts washer and let them soak, grab a scrubber from the kitchen sink and spend a couple minutes getting the worst of the rust off. Or spend 10 minutes bead blasting them a little. If you're going to abuse the returns process, you have to try and not make it so blatently obvious. Your goal is to get a shiny new ratchet for a rusted POS.

When you go to the store, do as Jay H suggests: don't go to the register first, go to the shelves and get new ones right off the bat. Then, walk to the register and put them down. Smile. Pick a busy line with a younger person and be sympathetic.

If they mention the rust, say that if the chrome didn't flake and peel, there'd be no rust. I find that, in general when returning things, it's better to just make a simple obvious statement and let the person behind the counter figure it out.

If they still hassle you, ask 2 simple questions: "what exactly is the warranty for craftsman hand tools?" and if the answer doesn't match what is printed on the back of every receipt, ask them to run out a little receipt tape and flip it over and read it together with the guy. If this fails, try a different store or a different clerk next week.

Smile. Be nice. It generally works.

 

[Kevin54]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

And if they don't replace them after that, get a good lawyer and push for a frivilous lawsuit. " No your Honor..they were not my tools, but I found them, but that is not the point, I want something for nothing, and it is owed to me."

 

[Garage-Junkie]

Wow, good upstanding American's. "Well, I've been screwing the system for so long that I'm entitled to keep screwing it". Nice posts, shows the true caliber. How about this: buy a tool used if you need a deal, then BUY replacement parts.....it's a shame that your parents didn't instill in you the belief to not screw others and not get something for free. I personally take pride in knowing I paid for what I have, and when it breaks, if it was from me being an idiot, I **** it up and pay for a new one. if it fails under normal use, then I use the warranty. Part of me feeling good that I'm not out screwing companies while other folks are.

 

[jay50]

Quit trying to scam them for something new.

You are part of the problem with the tightening of tool warranty.

 

[ironroad 9c1]

sorry , I think you guys have it wrong, far as i can tell WE Are the one that have been getting the screwing by the system, but , i agree you can't jkust take a crusty *** tool up to the counter and expect the guy to just say "OK here you go" you gotta give em a little foreplay, you need to clean em up and make it look used man, come on i know you know better.as far as returning tool you didn't buy, I know the SOB's that took mine from my apartment while i was on deployment years ago arn't having any greif.

 

[kcleere]

I just found a rusty Craftsman 3/8 ratchet, breaker bar, and wrench in the trunk of a 65 Galaxie we are restoring for a customer and I smile real big and march them right to Sears for a bright shiny new replacement for about $65 worth of tools.

When I get to the store the guy looks at me kind of nervous, puts his head down and starts telling me how the damage was obviously caused by poor maintenance. At first I got so mad I couldn't see straight. After fighting the urge and failing I tell him where to stick the rusty tools. I have been doing this for 30 years and have never had a question about a replacement I would start buying all my tools from Matco I went to lunch.

After lunch I spoke to the manager who basically said they are cracking down at the corporate level so I am looking for advice where to buy hand tools that are replaced without question. The sad part is I spent at least 7 grand with those bastards on tools, tool boxes, and mowers this year and the one time a year I take a few in for payback I get the long face.

Anyone else have this experience lately or is it just our store?

This is the most rediculous post I've ever read. It would have been one thing to have been gracious enough to realize how far outside the limits of the Warranty this was and accept the answer but to react to the dude the way you did and then leave angry....???????? Sheesh...That type of thing hurts it for the rest of us who don't try and abuse he system.

 

[krusty the clown]

Quit trying to scam them for something new.

You are part of the problem with the tightening of tool warranty.

bingo..........the warranty covers manufacturers defects and breakage, rust is niether.



GUYS............does anyone else remember robertG? this also smells like a troll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bowtie3]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

Lets just say that you had bought 10 new chevy cars over the years and one day you buy another new one, the next day you are in an acccident and the car is terribly damaged. Now its a brand new car and you have bought ten new ones before, do you feel that chevy should give you a new one? I promise you they would not, because they didn't damage yours. Its the same deal here, why should sears replace something that was damaged by no fault of their own. They have replaced way to much abused stuff over the years if I were them I would have stopped long ago.

 

[zuspiel]

How about this: buy a tool used if you need a deal, then BUY replacement parts....

That's what I just did: Got a decent deal on a SO puller set on feabay with a pressure screw that looked a bit questionable. Got the package, tried it out, ordered a replacement bolt from SO. Still seemed like a decent deal, even factoring in the cost of the replacement...

 

[old salvage]

bingo..........the warranty covers manufacturers defects and breakage, rust is niether.



GUYS............does anyone else remember robertG? this also smells like a troll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Don't remember him but I think you're right.

 

[48548]

What about the warranty statement? Also we have to assume you aren't using them in a industrial type setting like a shop because it says that they aren't warranted for that type of use, maybe that is why snap on and tool truck brands cost more? What tools aren't rated for industrial use? Where is that stated on products? Also rust might be covered under complete satisfaction, so you might be able to get them replaced for free.

 

[yellowbox]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

i agree plus you found in a customers car ...isnt that theft?

 

[48548]

If I find some snap on tools on a truck(maybe a snap on truck), can I take them home for free because I found them?

 

[sputnikv8]

Ahhh... the original poster sure brings out the Christmas spirit.



I smell a troll.

 

[goodfellow]

I don't see a problem, you wanted to abuse the system and they shot you down. I wouldn't expect anyone to replace rusty neglected tools that I found.

+1 -- why should SEARS replace tools that were obviously neglected. Abusing the warranty makes it that more difficult for people with legitimate warranty claims to get good customer service -- it just ticks the clerks off.

 

[jay50]

bingo..........the warranty covers manufacturers defects and breakage, rust is niether.



GUYS............does anyone else remember robertG? this also smells like a troll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I believe wantabefast=RobertG=troll

Well, here's something for you troll;

 

[peteco]

This thread represents the extreme of abusing a warranty. But how about "lesser" extremes. Like when I break a screwdriver because I used it to pry something, or wear it out using it as a chisel. I have warrantied these in the past but now realize this is not right. If the tool fails in its intended use, that is what the warranty is for. Last night I broke a Mac flex socket that was worn out and I tried to squeeze the ears to tighten it up. I was trying to figure out how to get it warrantied but realized: 1. I got my money out of it and 2. I broke it doing something dumb. Should the tool provider pay for this? NO.

So all of us (starting with me) should use this discussion to look at our own practices and try to be honest in all we do (even though getting a free replacement tool "feels" good at the time).

Sorry for the preaching.

I have enjoyed this forum in the short time I have been involved. Take care, God bless, and have a Merry Christmas

 

[79firebird]

Yep i see it all the times when i got tools from them in the past people using reg sockets on an impact some times they will replace em some times they will not.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Lock him up, he's a thief and a free loader who is trying to cheat the system.

Seriously, I bet you wish you never asked this question. Sounds like everyone thinks you're wrong . Me too.

Good example of what's wrong with society..... Lie, cheat & steal..... And you don't even know that's wrong...

 

[LoneGunman]

Agree with everyone else, the OP can thank himself and others like him for Sears to not blindly warranty anymore. The OP has welfare mentality and the sickening part is he sees nothing at all wrong with what he's doing.

 

[kartracer55]

They have always replaced them in the past and the warranty is the main reason I have bought all my tools from Sears when possible. I have bought enough tools from them in the 30 years of wrenching I have done to not mind working the system a little for these few. I will just break them and take them back one at a time.

Your an idiot.

 

[jimvannoy]

You steal tools out of a car that does not belong to you, claim they are rusty, take em to Sears and get mad when they don't give you shiny new one's?????? Unbelievable!!

 

[autoace]

It's people like you who cause people with legit claims to get denied. You didn't buy the tools, they wern't even techinically broken, yet you demand to get new ones handed to you and have the nerve to get pissed when you don't get them.

That's right

 

[autoace]

Yeah, I believe wantabefast=RobertG=troll

Well, here's something for you troll;

 

[autoace]

I just found a rusty Craftsman 3/8 ratchet, breaker bar, and wrench in the trunk of a 65 Galaxie we are restoring for a customer and I smile real big and march them right to Sears for a bright shiny new replacement for about $65 worth of tools.

When I get to the store the guy looks at me kind of nervous, puts his head down and starts telling me how the damage was obviously caused by poor maintenance. At first I got so mad I couldn't see straight. After fighting the urge and failing I tell him where to stick the rusty tools. I have been doing this for 30 years and have never had a question about a replacement I would start buying all my tools from Matco I went to lunch.

After lunch I spoke to the manager who basically said they are cracking down at the corporate level so I am looking for advice where to buy hand tools that are replaced without question. The sad part is I spent at least 7 grand with those bastards on tools, tool boxes, and mowers this year and the one time a year I take a few in for payback I get the long face.

Anyone else have this experience lately or is it just our store?

All is the above post needs is the word (bling) and how much money he makes, and it would be RobertB, for sure.