SK has started rejecting tools for warranty..

[Fedwrench]

Tools wear out. Tools used improperly like chrome sockets on pneumatic tools are abused. Use a ratchet as a hammer=abuse. Pry with a screwdriver, etc.
This policy is nothing new. Hell in the old SK catalogs they had a full page explaining their warranty policy complete with pictures of damaged tools like bent screwdrivers, rounded square drives, and ratchets used as hammers to show tools that they wouldn't warranty.
I think asking a tool company to warranty an old rusty tool is **** but, that's just my opinion. Rust is a lack of maintenance to me.
What's the lifespan of a tool? I would rather have a well made tool that doesn't fail through normal use than a lifetime supply of failed tools.
Nobody makes tools that won't wear out. I think sometimes people expect too much from a warranty. Tools wear out and need to be replaced.
Everyone ******* about Craftsman going to PRC produced tools but, think about all of the warranty abuse Sears endures. It's amazing they're still in business.

 

[SMKS]

Just to compare, here are some excerpts from various companies' warranty statements showing their exceptions. Long story short, every tool company has a lot of exceptions to the lifetime warranty.

All of them say wear is an exception.

Emphasis added by me.

Snap-On
Link to Snap-On warranty

Snap-on does NOT provide any warranty for (1) products labeled other than Snap-on or Blue-Point or (2) products subjected to "abnormal use". Products that are not labeled Snap-on or Blue-Point are subject to the warranty provided by the manufacturers of those products and Snap-on will pass along any such warranties. "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.

MAC Tools
Mac Tools link

Mac Tools warrants any of its manufactured products for the expected life of the product against deficiency in material or workmanship.

...

This LIMITED WARRANTY does not extend to a product manufactured by Mac Tools that in Mac Tools' judgment was improperly used, altered, abused, or repaired by others.

MATCO
Matco Warranty

Matco shall have no obligation pursuant to the Matco Warranty with respect to any tools or parts which in Matco's sole judgement have been altered damaged, misused, abused, badly worn, lost or improperly maintained.

Williams Tools
Williams warranty

J.H. Williams Tool Group, does not
provide any warranty for: 1) consumable products, 2) products
subjected to abnormal use, 3) normal wear and tear of products.
onsumable products are goods reasonably expected to be used
up or damaged during use. Abnormal use includes
misuse, modification, neglect or lack of maintenance.

Klein Tools
Klein tools warranty

Klein Tools warranty covers any defects in quality or workmanship. It does not cover a tool if the tool simply wears out or has obviously been abused.

Our quality data demonstrates that we have very few quality issues. Those that we do find are addressed aggressively. Our quality is excellent because we use the highest quality materials and employ the most modern manufacturing and quality systems in the world - right here in the USA.

 

[Danglerb]

I don't care what they say, what do they do when you have a tool you aren't happy with.

Practice trumps policy.

 

[byoungblood]

Those tools look like they were fished out of a boat bilge. I don't know anybody who would warrantee those tools.

Chris

Agreed. There is a huge difference between them warrantying a socket that has only seen very light use, is still relatively new, and has chrome flaking off and rust all over it vs. a 40 year old one that has been dinged up and is rusting as a result.

 

[back2class]

I would have not sent some of that stuff in. The ratchet did suprise me THAT IT CAME BACK...but seems that is corrected. Some of those tools just look like old tools.

 

[dabirdguy]

Guys, the point here was that they have changed their policy, not to get a debate about these tools. It was meant as an FYI.
Am I unhappy with SK? No. It still own and use a LOT of their tools.
Will I buy more? Yes. As needed.

Are they still on par with the currently accepted practice at Snap-On? No.

These are questions that you need to know the answers to when paying a premium for tools.
Glenn

 

[WHT]

Can you tell us what is wrong with these tools? From looking at your pics it's difficult to tell. Most of them just look old and rusty. I don't think tools being old and rusty from neglect would be covered.

That is what it looks like from the pictures.

 

[plinker]

I'm not really sure what to make of the square drive marring as I have some 1/4 and 3/8 drive sockets and with the exception of an 1/4 drive air ratchet have only been used with hand powered ratchets and breaker bars.

Some of these sockets have the square drive end somewhat marred, but I do not have an impact in either of those drive sizes just one in 1/2 drive.

And just about all my most used sockets look the way I described, dosent matter if they are S-K, Craftsman or even Snap-on.

It's pretty easy to tell if an impact has been used as it chew the corners of the square first. It's pretty easy to tell with an impact.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Warranties are tightening up across the board with tool companies. Why? Because of the current craze with reselling old stuff. I've seen tons of people show up in Sears, on the Snapon truck, on the Mac truck and at various industrial suppliers with arms full of swap meet and yard sale **** expecting it to be warrantied out so that they can sell it for more money on Ebay or at the next flea market.

Should a manufacturer be responsible for replacing stuff that was originally purchased 3 or 4 owners ago? Too many people have screwed up warranties for everyone else through pure abuse. I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who has never warrantied something I bought second hand.

 

[diesel research]

Hopefully more companies begin to follow suit and reverse the downward abusing trend sears is championing (with that warranty). BUT maintaining or improving quality while maintaining or improving price.

 

[AL`]

Should a manufacturer be responsible for replacing stuff that was originally purchased 3 or 4 owners ago? Too many people have screwed up warranties for everyone else through pure abuse. I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who has never warrantied something I bought second hand.

Amen brother. Preach it.

Having said that, I think manufacturers are partially to blame for going down that road to begin with. It's foolhardy to have a generous lifetime warranty and naive to believe it wouldn't get abused.

 

[JohnFreeman]

"I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who has never warrantied something I bought second hand."

There's at least two of us....

 

[William Payne]

"I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who has never warrantied something I bought second hand."

There's at least two of us....

I know this is the first place that I had ever heard of such a practise. I was allways under the impression that warrenties were for when buying new only and that buying used was a buyer beware kind of thing. I also was under the impression that warrenties were for when something was defective or not as it was meant to be. I mean things do wear out thats why companies sell replacement parts and why there are tradesman out there who job it is to maintain and repair things.

 

[csargents1546]

I agree those tools have seen better days, for the reps at SK, they have their guidelines to go by, I had to do something similar when I worked at HD. I was the defective merch associate. Had the same type of pictures of product on what the vendors would allow credit for. Had those come to me i would also have rejected them. To the op, sorry to be negtive. You definatley got your moneys worth out of them. Figure 30 years time 365 day= 10951 days or so. If you paid 30 dollars them that works out to less than a penny a day. Buy some new tools and retire those to the scape bin.

 

[DonkDonk]

I don't really understand this thread. The tools look like old used tools. If they did not have a mail in service would you feel comfortable taking them in and handing them to someone face to face to ask that they be replaced? I sure wouldn't.

Another thing that I don't understand is the talk of SK's warranty "changing". This is a new company, they do not have to warranty ANY of the old tools so I would consider myself lucky if they replaced anything at all.

But then again I feel bad going in to Sears to get a socket replaced that I know I broke while using a 3' cheater pipe on.

Gist is that "lifetime warranty" has no legal meaning, some other part of the warranty has to define it, otherwise its whatever the manufacturer says it is. Oddly a commonly accepted lifetime warranty when it is not defined is however long the item in question is produced and sold.

Go buy a $2,000 Wilton vise with a "Lifetime" warranty. They consider "Lifetime" to be 7 years.

 

[byoungblood]

Go buy a $2,000 Wilton vise with a "Lifetime" warranty. They consider "Lifetime" to be 7 years.

I guess that is the outlook of some people at Snap On also. I just tried to get them to send me a repair kit for an old ratchet and the individual I spoke to said it would be on my own dime because the tool was out of production.

I sent them an e-mail through their website just a few days ago, and now there's a repair kit on its way to me. Sometimes it just depends on who you're dealing with I suppose.

 

[plinker]

Sometimes it just depends on who you're dealing with I suppose.

That has quite a bit to do with it.

You can go to Sears (for example) and depending on the person your dealing with either have a good experiance or a bad one.

 

[William Payne]

I guess that is the outlook of some people at Snap On also. I just tried to get them to send me a repair kit for an old ratchet and the individual I spoke to said it would be on my own dime because the tool was out of production.

I sent them an e-mail through their website just a few days ago, and now there's a repair kit on its way to me. Sometimes it just depends on who you're dealing with I suppose.

Maybe im just strange but I honestly wouldn't mind paying for a repair kit for something like that, if I had an old tool that I really liked and wanted to keep getting use out of it I would have no problem paying for the repair kit.

I understand the lifetime warranty thing and honestly have never had to use it but in my mind things get worn over time and after a certain amount of time goes by I for whatever reason forget about warranties. I guess I am too used to warranties on other things that only last a set time.

I would never think to try and claim warranty on a second hand item as mentioned by some in this thread that would just seem wrong to me, like abusing the system.

 

[Danglerb]

Tool companies choose the type of warranty they want to offer, so I feel zero guilt taking a second hand tool in for warranty replacement under the same terms as if I purchased it myself. Sellers of used Snapon and Craftsman get MUCH higher prices for the tools by pushing the ease of warranty replacement, and I don't like that.

My Snapon guy is great, and I want to keep it that way. Snapon warranty isn't "free", you pay for it by creating good will buying new tools, and not trying to warranty a bucket of rusty sockets.

Thats what I tell the guys trying to sell me a Snapon tool that is beat up and engraved, but still works, that NO it is NOT a warranty replacement, and its NOT just as good as a new one or even a nice used one. My guy would warranty it for me, but it would cost me in good will for future warranty items.

 

[NastyNate]

What happened here? Ive owned a few older SK ratchets over the years all bought second hand. Used em as a hammer, pry bar, and tossed aside and have only had one break when using breaker bar. I took some parts out and tossed it away. Without knowing the specifics, that ratchet looks like it shouldnt be warrantied. I grow tired of paying higher prices so others can return ****. Again no offense to you if this truly broke under normal use, just doesnt seem that way.


On average any given "hand tool" warranty return ends up costing the company anywhere from 2-4 sales of exact same item just to break even.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

A BATCH ? WHAT THE HELL ? a batch

 

[dabirdguy]

The brazed ratchet broke due to a flaw in the casting. There was a bubble inside the metal where it split the size of a BB.
It broke when I was using the ratchet to remove a 3/4" bolt. My longer SK 1/2" drive ratchet was on the other end of the bolt.
I brazed it back together when SK was out of business. It worked after the repair to lightly tighten bolts, but I wouldn't trust it with anything that had to have large torque.

 

[Toolhorder]

I started a thread about this new policy months ago and was promptly stomped on by the SK fanboys. Good luck, I warned ya! LMFAO!

 

[tbobbo]

I am real happy I drink kool aid.........

 

[Hiball]

I started a thread about this new policy months ago and was promptly stomped on by the SK fanboys. Good luck, I warned ya! LMFAO!

New Policy?

 

[Toolhorder]

New Policy?

Yep, I sent in a broken ratchet that cracked from the head to the neck of the handle and it wasn't abused or anything and got a new ratchet back but also a 4 page laminated on a keyring binder of photos of what they will not cover.

I posted that dings on heads of ratchets are on the deniable warranty list and I was flamed hard by the SK lovers on the forum. Looks like I was absolutely correct.

So if you pay good money for a ratchet and drop it a couple dozen times over the years as a pro wrench (happens all the time with greasy hands) and your "lifetime warranty" ain't worth squat.

I won't spend a dime with SK in the future.

 

[treasureseeker]

Amen brother. Preach it.

Having said that, I think manufacturers are partially to blame for going down that road to begin with. It's foolhardy to have a generous lifetime warranty and naive to believe it wouldn't get abused.

I have never met anyone that has sent in a Sk tool in for warranty but have known many that have broken items and see a lot of broken at estate sales. I would venture the percentage of tools sent in for warranty compared to sold is extremely small for SK. I would also venture that the price for an Sk tool has the probability of warranty build in and what is the actual cost to make a few sockets. Sk has done little to set them apart as a better alternative to Craftsman.

 

[Hiball]

Yep, I sent in a broken ratchet that cracked from the head to the neck of the handle and it wasn't abused or anything and got a new ratchet back but also a 4 page laminated on a keyring binder of photos of what they will not cover.

I posted that dings on heads of ratchets are on the deniable warranty list and I was flamed hard by the SK lovers on the forum. Looks like I was absolutely correct.

So if you pay good money for a ratchet and drop it a couple dozen times over the years as a pro wrench (happens all the time with greasy hands) and your "lifetime warranty" ain't worth squat.

I won't spend a dime with SK in the future.

So you did get a New Ratchet? They just showed that Ratchets used as hammers wont get warranted? I really dont feel that dings on the Head is a warranty issue as i have alot of Ratchets with Dings, Now... If the Ratchet Head Cracks from being Dropped a few feet, Thats another story. Ill try to keep that in mind next time i sling a ratchet across the shop. LOL...

Ideal is in a tricky Sitsuation, They aquired a company that was notorious for Poor customer service in there later years. With that Said.. They were not obligated to "Warranty" Anything that was previously sold before there aquistion. I expect by some of the posts here at GJ you can imagine that they have probably been hit with a TON of Warranty service Claims. Im not sure how "Correct" you are based off this post as some of these tools are Iffy at best and probably twice as old as i am. Im not sure if im a "SK Lover", I do own alot of SK tools along with Wright, Snap on along with Tons of other brands and Warranty doesnt mean Near as much to me as it does to alot of people here. I Not only have Current SK production tools but ive been around SK tools that are 25+ years old and My grandfather cant remember ever warranting a Drive tool. I Honestly think that Other Tool Manufacturers are gonna start cracking down on Warranty's, Maybe not Snap On.. They Price there tools accordingly and Market them to the People that need that service.

BTW.. I read your post and didnt see any "SK fan boys", I did see people that had differing opinions of how Warranty's are interpeted in regards to "Abused" tools.

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

SK did the right thing. I'm glad they rejected your frivolous claims.

The tools were well made and lasted a long time and served you well.

They didn't break from normal use or poor quality.

You aren't entitled to a lifetime a bright shiny new tools.

I buy quality tools so that they don't break when I need them, not so I can play games by unreasonable interpretation of what a warranty is or should be.

Hopefully, ridiculous people will get the message and SK can focus on building quality tools for those who like being able to complete projects with them. The warranty mongers can go buy cheap chinese made tools every year if they like to look at shiny things.

I hope SK is successful so I will be able to continue to buy well made tools. I applaud them in their efforts to control costs so they can serve their real customers and wish them the best in their efforts of shedding the warranty mongers.

I see no reason for me to pay a built in warranty monger fee when all I want is a good, reliable tool, for a decent price.

I really like SK ratchets. Maybe it's because I grew up using my dad's when I was 6 years old.

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

SK makes good tools at a good price.

If you want to be able to wear tools out then turn them in for warranty, buy something that costs 3x as much so they can afford to to that.

I've said this before, but I would rather have a tool that never needs a warranty than a company that replaces everything.

My opinion is that it probably has been abused if it is bent - hand tools don't bend if used properly. Nicks may or may not show abuse.

I don't see a problem with a company holding the line on their warranty policy - in fact, I'd rather they did.

I agree 100%.

 

[Hiball]

The tools were well made and lasted a long time and served you well.

They didn't break from normal use or poor quality.

You aren't entitled to a lifetime a bright shiny new tools.

I buy quality tools so that they don't break when I need them, not so I can play games by unreasonable interpretation of what a warranty is or should be.


I hope SK is successful so I will be able to continue to buy well made tools. I applaud them in their efforts to control costs so they can serve their real customers and wish them the best in their efforts of shedding the warranty mongers.

I agree 100%, I dont care if your talking about SK, Craftsman, Armstrong, wright or Snap On. I "Was" a big fan of Craftsman tools, but i think they could see the writing on the wall, They still offer some quality tools at Great prices but they Lost alot of Customers by trying to compete with "Imported" Tool Manufacturers.

 

[Greatbear]

I run across people at swap meets on the prowl for broken, used-up old tools from current manufacturers. Often carrying a bucket, they swing deals for next to nothing, and once they've hauled their booty home, they lean on the tool manufacturers for warranty replacements. They are then back at the next big meet with stuff trying to flip for nearly new (or more) prices. These are the folks that have not only ruined friendly policies from various stores and manufacturers, but have raised prices for everyone. Of course they whine and whinge about how much the stuff costs these days. They are not deserving of the least amount of respect.

 

[Shipfittin]

I Honestly think that Other Tool Manufacturers are gonna start cracking down on Warranty's

I think so too, in this economy it's got to be hurting. I know some people disagree with this but I really think it's really hurting Craftsman bad. People complain that they are moving a lot of their tools to China but at the same time, so many people are abusing their warranty. Sears never intended for someone to spend $15 at a flea market, take those tools into their store for warranty replacement and walk out with $200 worth of tools.

I'm surprised some of these companies don't require you to register the tool after purchase. Then they would have it on file that you purchased such and such tool from them.

 

[Toolhorder]

So you did get a New Ratchet? They just showed that Ratchets used as hammers wont get warranted? I really dont feel that dings on the Head is a warranty issue as i have alot of Ratchets with Dings, Now... If the Ratchet Head Cracks from being Dropped a few feet, Thats another story. Ill try to keep that in mind next time i sling a ratchet across the shop. LOL...

Ideal is in a tricky Sitsuation, They aquired a company that was notorious for Poor customer service in there later years. With that Said.. They were not obligated to "Warranty" Anything that was previously sold before there aquistion. I expect by some of the posts here at GJ you can imagine that they have probably been hit with a TON of Warranty service Claims. Im not sure how "Correct" you are based off this post as some of these tools are Iffy at best and probably twice as old as i am. Im not sure if im a "SK Lover", I do own alot of SK tools along with Wright, Snap on along with Tons of other brands and Warranty doesnt mean Near as much to me as it does to alot of people here. I Not only have Current SK production tools but ive been around SK tools that are 25+ years old and My grandfather cant remember ever warranting a Drive tool. I Honestly think that Other Tool Manufacturers are gonna start cracking down on Warranty's, Maybe not Snap On.. They Price there tools accordingly and Market them to the People that need that service.

BTW.. I read your post and didnt see any "SK fan boys", I did see people that had differing opinions of how Warranty's are interpeted in regards to "Abused" tools.

I think you're missing my point. Say a ratchet in the life of it's use gets dropped all over several times. The head is most likely dinged up and then it cracks the way mine did. SK tells me to eff off on the warranty because they say it was used to hammer something. That's BS and that's my point. If a ratchet can't be used as a hammer without breaking it's not worth **** anyway in my book. I'll pass on SK from now on. Snappy just takes care of EVERYTHING without question.
I got cars to fix I don't want to be worried if I drop something is my warranty going to be denied later.

 

[Hiball]

I think you're missing my point. Say a ratchet in the life of it's use gets dropped all over several times. The head is most likely dinged up and then it cracks the way mine did. SK tells me to eff off on the warranty because they say it was used to hammer something. That's BS and that's my point. If a ratchet can't be used as a hammer without breaking it's not worth **** anyway in my book. I'll pass on SK from now on. Snappy just takes care of EVERYTHING without question.
I got cars to fix I don't want to be worried if I drop something is my warranty going to be denied later.

I have a hard time believing that a Ratchet Head is gonna crack from being dropped and if its a SK-Wayne Ratchet its Earned its Keep Obviously... and Again SK Did warranty your "SK-Wayne" Ratchet so i havent missed your Point.. I dont think anyone is saying you have to Buy SK, You cant go wrong with Snap on and there Warranty is First Class.. No doubt, But there is a Cost associated with that service and its not for everyone.

 

[Toolhorder]

I have a hard time believing that a Ratchet Head is gonna crack from being dropped and if its a SK-Wayne Ratchet its Earned its Keep Obviously... and Again SK Did warranty your "SK-Wayne" Ratchet so i havent missed your Point.. I dont think anyone is saying you have to Buy SK, You cant go wrong with Snap on and there Warranty is First Class.. No doubt, But there is a Cost associated with that service and its not for everyone.

Still I think you're missing the point. Mine broke from hand use tightening a bolt. It literally snapped and cracked down the side of the head. Nothing to do with being dropped. What I'm saying is if that happens again and the head is dinged from dropping in a couple times SK will use this to deny warranty.

 

[treasureseeker]

I run across people at swap meets on the prowl for broken, used-up old tools from current manufacturers. Often carrying a bucket, they swing deals for next to nothing, and once they've hauled their booty home, they lean on the tool manufacturers for warranty replacements. They are then back at the next big meet with stuff trying to flip for nearly new (or more) prices. These are the folks that have not only ruined friendly policies from various stores and manufacturers, but have raised prices for everyone. Of course they whine and whinge about how much the stuff costs these days. They are not deserving of the least amount of respect.

This doesn’t seem likely. Snap on wants you to call in for a call tag, and if you have a lot of items for warranty they will keep track and quickly want to see a receipt. If we are talking Craftsman their items sell for so little it wouldn’t be worth the effort. Sk you could send in the items and they may warranty them and the value of Sk on a secondary market is pretty much garage sale prices just like Kobalt. What company tool did you say they were buying used and reselling after getting replacements.?

 

[Hiball]

Still I think you're missing the point. Mine broke from hand use tightening a bolt. It literally snapped and cracked down the side of the head. Nothing to do with being dropped. What I'm saying is if that happens again and the head is dinged from dropping in a couple times SK will use this to deny warranty.

All tools Fail, Ratchets break, It happens everyday and id say 1/4" is near the top in Ratchet Gut/Replacements. Im curious, Did SK send you a letter warning that this type of damage wouldnt be warranted or are you just assuming based off there Literature (BTW,Always been that way) they will deny you if your ratchet head cracks again? Where you the Sole Owner of this ratchet?

 

[SMKS]

This doesn’t seem likely. Snap on wants you to call in for a call tag, and if you have a lot of items for warranty they will keep track and quickly want to see a receipt.

I've warrantied several things directly though Snap-On (including some expensive ratchets). They've never said a peep about a receipt.

I think people abuse the Snap-On warranty more than you think. How many NEW Snap-On tools are sold on GJ and ebay? Where do you think brand new tools come from that are sold for less than new?

 

[Hiball]

Still I think you're missing the point. Mine broke from hand use tightening a bolt. It literally snapped and cracked down the side of the head. Nothing to do with being dropped. What I'm saying is if that happens again and the head is dinged from dropping in a couple times SK will use this to deny warranty.

Man you have terrible luck with SK 1/4" Drive Ratchet heads Cracking.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49238

Here you go,




***** the kit had a 3/8 SK ratchet and a 1/4 SK ratchet and the 1/4 ratchet has a crack around the head of the body but it does still work. It's still sad though. No fixing that.