Sears Sells Reman. Ratchets as New!

[autoace]

I received my five round head, fine tooth, Craftsman ratchets today! I opened the box, remembering the fond memories I had of my 70's versions, I no longer have.

The 1/2 inch drive regular one was fine, as well as the 1/2 inch drive flex head, and the regular 3/8 inch drive.

The 3/8 flex head, was missing the detent ball, in the anvil and the 1/4 inch drive looked like an old ratchet, that was bead blasted and re-done, you could see pits and imperfections in the ratchet body, and it wouldn't reverse without the help of pliers. I should have took pics., but I was on my way to Bangor, and anxious to get them replaced, at the Sears there.

Sears does not sell these in the store, so I have to wait until they send out new ones(7 to 10 business days).

The tool manager says that this style ratchet isn't manufactured new anymore, and all round head, fine tooth, ratchets(the ones with the thumb wheel) are re-built ratchets, that are resold Hence no store stock.

I really like that style ratchet so hopefully I get some good new/used ones the second time around. At least the head mechanisms is still metal in these, but by the looks, of even the good ones I bought, they do show signs of previous use per say.

Am I angry, no, not really, I have received worse botch jobs from better tool vendors, so **** happens. The Sears employees were courteous, and expressed their discontent, with Craftsman quality control, of late years.

I know some other guys here bought some of these also due to the previous thread, hope you all have better luck!

 

[billymade]

The quality control on the Danaher ratchets has really gone down; I heard the change to the Dallas foundry, has seen a higher QC problem. I think this excuse has some merit, IMHO. I have unpacked ratchets, breaker bars and other tools; right out of the box and they had rough edges that would cut you, chipped chrome, ratchet quick release buttons missing, poor ratcheting action.... I could go on and on. I don't know if the "tool manager" is right (I have never, ever heard of this); Sears does not sell rebuilt ratchets as new but does exchange rebuilt ratchets for warranty. You probably, could call the catalog directly and get the ratchets warranted; since they are special order anyway. There is little comparison, between the quality and performance of the 70s era ratchets and the ones being produced now... earlier tools were made by other vendors and the current Danaher production, many times, disappoints! I would almost prefer a good condition vintage fine tooth ratchet; then the currently produced units.

 

[autoace]

The quality control on the Danaher ratchets has really gone down; I heard the change to the Dallas foundry, has seen a higher QC problem. I think this excuse has some merit, IMHO. I have unpacked ratchets, breaker bars and other tools; right out of the box and they had rough edges that would cut you, chipped chrome, ratchet quick release buttons missing, poor ratcheting action.... I could go on and on. I don't know if the "tool manager" is right (I have never, ever heard of this); Sears does not sell rebuilt ratchets as new but does exchange rebuilt ratchets for warranty. You probably, could call the catalog directly and get the ratchets warranted; since they are special order anyway. There is little comparison, between the quality and performance of the 70s era ratchets and the ones being produced now... earlier tools were made by other vendors and the current Danaher production, many times, disappoints! I would almost prefer a good condition vintage fine tooth ratchet; then the currently produced units.

Don't know if he was right or not, but the round head, fine tooth ratchets are no longer mentioned in the new catalog. He called some place at the register and told them about it. He threw the defective ratchets in a bin/hole under the counter, and gave me an authorization number for my replacements. The ratchets that came through in good condition seem to work fine, but the two others were garbage. He offered me any other ratchet I wanted (drive size for drive size),even the next generation ones, as a replacement, if I wanted them. He said "upgrades" are not the norm, but would do it for my inconvienence. I told him thanks, but I really wanted a working set of these "old school" ratchets. It was after this, he told me about the cease of manufacture of these ratchets.

 

[autoace]

Just an added note, I arrived at Sears about 6:00 PM, the store was a ghost town. The parking lot was soo empty, I thought they might be closed, keep in mind this is the only real Mall in this area. looks like the economy is really hitting the fan here in Maine There were three associates, just sitting on the lawn tractors, sipping coffee They told me it's been like this for about a month, except on saturdays, and even those days are way off! Ouch!

 

[ImportTuner]

Any pictures of the remanufactured ratches? I don't believe Sears can legally sell remanufactured ratchets as new ..

 

[bmwpower]

Any pictures of the remanufactured ratches? I don't believe Sears can legally sell remanufactured ratchets as new ..

 

[autoace]

Like I said, UPS came just as I was headed to Quirk SAAB, in Bangor, so I grabbed the defects and ran. Sorry Anyhow, I don't think they were super old ratchets, i.e. what will they do with the "new" ratchets they threw in the bin? I bet they would fix and re-sell, I bet some ratchets used for a month or so, get this re-sell treatment also. If they were not "used", they were very poor quality new ones. I cannot change the thread title, so lets just say they looked reman., and the Sears manager, offered the above statement.

 

[-B-]

Just an added note, I arrived at Sears about 6:00 PM, the store was a ghost town. The parking lot was soo empty, I thought they might be closed, keep in mind this is the only real Mall in this area. looks like the economy is really hitting the fan here in Maine There were three associates, just sitting on the lawn tractors, sipping coffee They told me it's been like this for about a month, except on saturdays, and even those days are way off! Ouch!

Maine mall ? SP ? not unusual during the great vault removal we were given permission to carryout work during the day. That was a very unusual thing to do for such work (600lbs hammer , 2 90lbs hammers, 1 chipper, and 2 40" exhaust fans) we never did work during the day as the back wall was a grill for Friendlys.

 

[autoace]

Maine mall ? SP ? not unusual during the great vault removal we were given permission to carryout work during the day. That was a very unusual thing to do for such work (600lbs hammer , 2 90lbs hammers, 1 chipper, and 2 40" exhaust fans) we never did work during the day as the back wall was a grill for Friendlys.

It was the Bangor mall, The Maine mall you are thinking of is about 225 miles south of here. You must be thinking of the Maine mall, just south of Portland.

 

[autoace]

Merkava didn't post yet, let me see, I'll do it for him.

Craftsman ratchets are an embarassment to the made in USA stamp. I hope they all get melted like the scrap metal they are.

That should cover it.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Well, FWIW, I had a similar experience. Got a 1/2" RHFT that was a dud (ratcheting action was ****, the guts were fudged) that I had to get rebuilt right out of the box. Nothing wrong with the ratchet, it was obviously brand new and the body was spotless, but the gut kit was defective from the factory. New gut kit and it worked like a charm.

Got the 1/2" flex from the factory with the same exact problem. Took half a dozen gut kits at one store, all duds. Took a single gut kit at another store, solid gold. Don't know if the guy just wasn't installing them right the first time or what (I can't believe that many bad gut kits in a row and then the first one works at another store).

Still, I reported it to Sears and that was all I could do. I definitely think they have defective batches of gut kits, although I never had issue with the ratchet bodies themselves. I've got one in every size, multiples in some cases (1/4" and the 1/2" flex) and have yet to see one that didn't look brand new. The guts, on the other hand, were obviously never QC'd.

Just my $.02

 

[gatewaysysop]

Merkava didn't post yet, let me see, I'll do it for him.

Craftsman ratchets are an embarassment to the made in USA stamp. I hope they all get melted like the scrap metal they are.

That should cover it.

These RHFT are the only, and I mean only Craftsman ratchets that I'll own, period. I've tried a lot of others, either in store or at someone's house or whatever, including the new 60 tooth ones, and there is no comparison whatsoever. Not in strength, not in design, not in reliability and not in ratcheting action.

Frankly, I would take my RHFT over even my 'Dual 80' series Snap On ratchets any day of the week, without a second thought, but that's as far as my loyalty to Craftsman ratchets goes. I have no issue with your statement as applied to any other Craftsman ratchet, but the RHFT are a cut above the rest (by a long shot).

 

[Merkava_4]

Merkava didn't post yet, let me see, I'll do it for him.

Craftsman ratchets are an embarassment to the made in USA stamp. I hope they all get melted like the scrap metal they are.

That should cover it.

LOL!!!!

Nicely done.

 

[autoace]

These RHFT are the only, and I mean only Craftsman ratchets that I'll own, period. I've tried a lot of others, either in store or at someone's house or whatever, including the new 60 tooth ones, and there is no comparison whatsoever. Not in strength, not in design, not in reliability and not in ratcheting action.

Frankly, I would take my RHFT over even my 'Dual 80' series Snap On ratchets any day of the week, without a second thought, but that's as far as my loyalty to Craftsman ratchets goes. I have no issue with your statement as applied to any other Craftsman ratchet, but the RHFT are a cut above the rest (by a long shot).

When they are right, I agree. The above post was a funny for Merk., and his "love" for the Craftsman ratchets.

I have had alot of garage visitors pick up my standard teardrop ratchets and ask how I got them soo smooth, when they usually feel like junk. I was messing around in the garage one day, took apart a standard "hated" teardrop ratchet, and slightly chamfered the edges of the anvil gear, then I did the same with the pawl, and adjusted the spring pressure, added some permatex red goo, and PRESTO. The damn things are smoother than a lubed Cornwell ratchet. They were soo smooth and tight, I started using them all the time If you re-engineer the ratchet, they are a nice piece, maybe I should send Merk. one of my rebuilt Craftsman ratchets.

 

[Merkava_4]

After using premium truck brand tools for so long, going from a Cornwell tool to a Craftsman tool would be like going from Reser's Baja Cafe' taquitos to Jose' Ole' taquitos.

 

[Kevin54]

Sears has had a problem with ratchets for years and they know it. That is why they started giving rebuilts instead of new for the warranty. For one, I have a problem with that, for another, they are stamping some of them with "rebuilt" on the handle. And after looking through the new Sears Tool catalog I had to shake my head. Quality goes down, warranties from some stores are useless, but the prices still continue to climb. I hate to admit, but some of the Chinese junk surpasses Craftsman.

 

[Scooterfish]

So what have you paid or would you pay for a RHFT Cman good condition 70s era at flea/ swap meet?

1/4dr 3/8dr 1/2dr

 

[billymade]

From a Sears local store/corporate point of view; they have quotas that they have to meet, each warranty exchange is kept on record. The PMT (the guy who is responsible for rebuilding the ratchets) and local store management tries to keep under the what the quota is; for the exchanges they rebuild the ratchets and try to exchange the majority of those warranty situations with a rebuilt ratchet to keep within the quota amount. They will be flagged and most likely, the regional manager will call them on this, if they exceed the quota amount of new vs. rebuilt ratchets being given out. If you want a new ratchet; take one up to the counter when you need a exchange; a Sears Corporate customer satisfaction policy is that they will (should) give you a new ratchet if you (the customer) requests it. If you do not get a new one or the associate refuses to give you one; ask for a store manager or worst case scenario; call the Sears Customer relations hotline to get the situation handled.
While we are the subject of the fine tooth ratchets; if you go into a store and try to get a warranty exchange on those ratchets, you will get a rebuilt one as a exchange, because they are not available at the store... period. If you want a "new" warranty exchange; you have to request one to be sent to you through the mail; this requires the Sears associate to call the catalog and have it sent to you free of charge. They will take your old ratchet and they will send you a new one in the mail; the process takes 7-10 working days. The order will require your name, address, phone # and at the end; be sure to get the order/confirmation #, in case something goes wrong and you do not get your tools when you should. Otherwise, you have no way of proving that you exchanged the tool or the warranty tools were ordered; aside from goodwill of management, you could be stuck without any tools, a good manager should be able to resolve the issue. Having the order/confirmation #; would help avoid the problem in the first place and have proof of the transaction; with the confirmation #, you can deal with the catalog directly, over the phone and get the situation handled.
The tools that go in the "bin" are either put in a 50 gallon drum in the warehouse and sent to be melted, this keeps production costs down and are turned into "new" tools. If the ratchet is rebuildable, not defective, not too worn, engraved, esthetically displeasing or damaged (a currently shipping ratchet and not obsolete) and they have the kits on hand; they will be cleaned, rebuilt and given out as warranty exchange ratchets.

 

[davestonner]

I purchased the 260 pc tool set from Sears for Christmas. The 1/2" ratchet had a sticker on the handle and a barcode that said "rebuilt". This was in a NEW tool set off the shelf at my local Sears. I'll take a photo and post when I get the chance.

 

[slack]

I have unpacked ratchets, breaker bars and other tools; right out of the box and they had rough edges that would cut you...

I've experienced this with Snap On, too. Recently, with new ratchets. The banding around the shaft, where they put the model number, being very sharp.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I hate to admit, but some of the Chinese junk surpasses Craftsman.

If we're talking anything other than a "new", proper RHFT, I would completely agree with that statement. I would take Taiwan made ratchets of everything else they sell today.

 

[autoace]

^^^^
I like the next generation ratchets, the action is very good, and the smooth handle is comfortable, and easy to clean. I would rather use a 3/8 inch drive Craftsman next gen in an engine bay, over a Cornwell. I have/had a Cornwell hard handle, that looked pretty bad after 4 light jobs. I have found the next generation thin profile Craftsman ratchets very good. The fine tooth is nice, and the finish is durable. I have to "rough it" for awhile tool wise, so I can report on Craftsman durability, after a year of hard use, we'll see.

 

[Senorpablo]

I got the exact same order last week and wasn't thrilled. The 3/8 flex was super stiff at the flex joint. The ratchets I received seemed to be new, though they didn't arrive in great condition.

All the ratchets were thrown loose and unwrapped into a rather large box full of foam peanuts. They have dents and chrome chips from banging into each other. Oh well--sears mail order service *****.

 

[Senorpablo]

When they are right, I agree. The above post was a funny for Merk., and his "love" for the Craftsman ratchets.

I have had alot of garage visitors pick up my standard teardrop ratchets and ask how I got them soo smooth, when they usually feel like junk. I was messing around in the garage one day, took apart a standard "hated" teardrop ratchet, and slightly chamfered the edges of the anvil gear, then I did the same with the pawl, and adjusted the spring pressure, added some permatex red goo, and PRESTO. The damn things are smoother than a lubed Cornwell ratchet. They were soo smooth and tight, I started using them all the time If you re-engineer the ratchet, they are a nice piece, maybe I should send Merk. one of my rebuilt Craftsman ratchets.

I really appreciate your practical approach to tools. It's refreshing to hear a professional who hasn't been completely brainwashed by truck tool nonsense.

I expect folks would love to see a writeup/photos of your ratchet-smithing endeavors.

 

[Stuey]

Oh man, that stinks. I'm eager to see how this all plays out.

It could just be that Sears' inventory is all kinds of screwy. A few weeks ago, many of these ratchets were sold out online. If they were sold out and no more are being produced, and stores don't carry them, where did they come from?!

 

[loubapache]

I ordered a set (three) of these and they came with no packaging either. There is a piece of paper with barcode on the handle and that is it.

 

[a390st]

I've talked to them numerous times when they were out of the rhft ratchets and they always gave me the shipment dates for new lots of them. Every time I checked back, they were in when they said they would be.

 

[cruiser808]

^^^^
I like the next generation ratchets, the action is very good, and the smooth handle is comfortable, and easy to clean. I would rather use a 3/8 inch drive Craftsman next gen in an engine bay, over a Cornwell. I have/had a Cornwell hard handle, that looked pretty bad after 4 light jobs. I have found the next generation thin profile Craftsman ratchets very good. The fine tooth is nice, and the finish is durable. I have to "rough it" for awhile tool wise, so I can report on Craftsman durability, after a year of hard use, we'll see.

Hey autoace - I do concur with your assessment on the CM ratchets. I have to say, after repairing and maintaining ratchets from almost every major US manufacturer both old and new, I give traditional CM and Cornwell pear heads high marks because they use snap rings as opposed to plate screws. I'm by nature and tool investment a Proto tool guy, but all the older Protos, Snap-ons and other pear heads use plates and screws that often rust or sieze to the point of locking in the internal mechanisms. Opening them up often means breaking something. Sometimes I'm lucky with a long soaking in Kroil, sometimes it doesn't matter what I do.

I also favor round heads for maintenance or repair purposes. As long as the round head handle is not stripped, I simply pop in another assembly and the ratchet is ready for work. So sure, I love and crave all the high end ratchets known to man, but for repair work in the field, give me the Cornwell's and the CM's or the repairable round heads. After all, a ratchet is what a ratchet does, especially when it's in your hand and the job has to be done fast.

 

[PowderKeg]

Man, this is depressing - recommend to someone that the RHFTs are some of the best ratchets out there, and then hear this. Well, glad I got mine so many years ago when quality was a bigger priority. Guess I'll take it a little easier on mine from now on - it's not like they're my ONLY ratchets.

 

[autoace]

I really appreciate your practical approach to tools. It's refreshing to hear a professional who hasn't been completely brainwashed by truck tool nonsense.

I expect folks would love to see a writeup/photos of your ratchet-smithing endeavors.

I was brainwashed and spent all kinds of money with different truck tool brands, just to be unimpressed, for the most part. Proto from Grainger, and Craftsman are fine for all hand tools. For specialty stuff and scanners, etc...sometimes "truck tool type" tools are necessary, but most guys spend all kinds of money they could have spent elsewhere, alot better.

One good thing about this economy is, I have learned where I spent money wrong! Not too bad, but enough to get my attention.

 

[cruiser808]

Man, this is depressing - recommend to someone that the RHFTs are some of the best ratchets out there, and then hear this. Well, glad I got mine so many years ago when quality was a bigger priority. Guess I'll take it a little easier on mine from now on - it's not like they're my ONLY ratchets.

Powderkeg - when I was a poor planning/engineering student and newly wed in the early 80's, the RHFT's were the only ratchets I could possibly afford and that was pushing it. Now, I remember buying the cheaper CM ratchets on my initial purchase, but I hated them and immediately upgraded to the RHFT. At the time, Sears would let us just pay the difference, which at that time, was minimal. So, I've had all the five CM RHFT's from that time and it was a great decision. I like them so much, I bought some backups that include one of the first 1971 1/2" models.

 

[autoace]

I got the exact same order last week and wasn't thrilled. The 3/8 flex was super stiff at the flex joint. The ratchets I received seemed to be new, though they didn't arrive in great condition.

All the ratchets were thrown loose and unwrapped into a rather large box full of foam peanuts. They have dents and chrome chips from banging into each other. Oh well--sears mail order service *****.

Are you sure the damage was from the ratchets banging together? I didn't find any chips in the box, with my order? The rough condition of two of the ratchets, is what made me think they were remans! One was missing the dang detent ball.

I bought these to replace a lot of Snap-on/Cornwell ratchets I sold in Uncle Henry's. I had a set of the 70's version ones, and wanted to badly replace those classic Craftsman ratchets. I kept most of the profit from the "designer" ratchets and bought these with a small portion of the profit.

The three that were right were excellent. These ratchets can be a pain to take apart and re-assemble. To lube them, just squirt some Kroil in the mechanism where the clip is under the anvil, and wait until it creeps to the other side. Work the ratchet and repeat process after hard use, before putting them away.

Take the ratchets you are not happy with to Sears and they will have others sent to you!

 

[autoace]

Oh man, that stinks. I'm eager to see how this all plays out.

It could just be that Sears' inventory is all kinds of screwy. A few weeks ago, many of these ratchets were sold out online. If they were sold out and no more are being produced, and stores don't carry them, where did they come from?!

Exactly, where did these come from, they were not in the plastic hangers or anything! They were just loose, and the two defective ones were very very poor, as far as the ratchet body is concerned. Wish I had taken pics, the 1/4 inch drive didn't even have a round head, it was all distorted, soo bad the mechanism barely worked and was loose in the ratchet body!

It's not just Sears, I have received duds from Snap-on and Cornwell, that were just as bad now and then. The difference with Snap-on is they wouldn't even replace the new defective ones. Sears was at least willing to deal with the problem, in a nice fashion.

 

[kythri]

Since these ratchets aren't stocked in stores, they never had the plastic hangers.

You'll find that a lot with catalog/online sales of stuff that isn't kept in the store - it's loose-packed in the box. It probably lives in a big bin on a shelf in a warehouse, waiting for packing.

 

[Senorpablo]

Since these ratchets aren't stocked in stores, they never had the plastic hangers.

You'll find that a lot with catalog/online sales of stuff that isn't kept in the store - it's loose-packed in the box. It probably lives in a big bin on a shelf in a warehouse, waiting for packing.

It's pretty bush league to me. It wouldn't take any time at all to roll them all into a strip of butcher paper--a couple wraps individually, throw the next into the snowball bundle and repeat.

It's just common sense that a bunch of loose heavy stuff is going to collide in a huge box and get damaged.

 

[goodfellow]

Many of the Craftsman and KD items I order from the Sears website come directly from Danaher. No Sears packaging -- just a loose item with a Danaher return address and a Sears sales receipt.

 

[kythri]

It's pretty bush league to me. It wouldn't take any time at all to roll them all into a strip of butcher paper--a couple wraps individually, throw the next into the snowball bundle and repeat.

It's just common sense that a bunch of loose heavy stuff is going to collide in a huge box and get damaged.

Mine didn't.

All 5 RHFT ratchets, the 3/8" full-polish stubby, and 6 sockets. All arrived in a box of packing peanuts. No damage, no issues.

It's a hunk of hardened metal. Packing it to avoid it clinking up against another hunk of hardened metal seems like putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[tcheat]

Any pictures of the remanufactured ratches? I don't believe Sears can legally sell remanufactured ratchets as new ..

They can't, and the FTC takes a really dim view of that sort of thing.

FWIW, I have a 3/8 that my father gave me in the late 70s/early 80s. I recently ordered the 1/2 and 1/4 drive ones. They appeared to be new when I disassembled them for the Permatex treatment.

 

[autoace]

I guess I will change the thread to (Sears Sells New Ratchets, That Look Worse Than Reman Ones), at least in some cases.

I would have gladly traded the damaged new ones, for good remans if they had them! I wasn't concerned about the appearance, it was the missing parts, and lack of function that made them bad.

 

[tcheat]

Sorry, Ace, didn't mean to suggest that they aren't doing so. Just if they are, it is a really bad move on their part for a lot of reasons. I don't think that they're doing too well though, so who knows?