SK Tools Warranty Question

[Empty Pockets]

I have had really good experience with SK replacing broken sockets. My question is : Does anyone know if the same warranty applies to SK-Wayne wrenches?

Thanks in advance

 

[DSLTRK]

Not really. Their Warranty covers SK made in the last 50 years.

Knowing Ideal and their business ethics, they will probably replace SK Wayne tools. If it were me i'd be glad they lasted 50 years and then go out and BUY a new set of SK wrenches.

 

[espyking83]

Those are pretty old wrenches.

 

[bfm336]

They have graciously offered to replace ALL previous SK as a policy - that of course they could change at any moment, and IMHO be justified in doing so if they felt the need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[espyking83]

^Pretty classy of them IMO

 

[Empty Pockets]

I ask, as I am still going through boxes that came through my father's estate... some of the tools were from my grandfather, and probably haven't seen daylight in 40 years or more.

As to Ideal, there is no doubt in my mind that they are a class operation. Wife and I have had more than one "discussion" (loud and animated), as I have been upgrading some aging tools. I particularly like the X-Frame wrenches.

 

[gdocktor3]

Yes, SK Wayne are covered under warranty as I have exchanged some before, however, you are about to get hung on here for trying to warranty tools you didn't personally buy. As I personally don't care who bought the tools and SK is a multi million dollar company, you do have to realize if everyone warrantied their hand me down, flea market, eBay bought tools, SK would suffer greatly and eventually go bust. If you have a few rare or specialty items, I'd say go for it, but don't send in a box of 30 sockets, 15 screwdrivers, 5 ratchets, etc etc. That's not right.

 

[Davefr]

I ask, as I am still going through boxes that came through my father's estate... some of the tools were from my grandfather, and probably haven't seen daylight in 40 years or more.

Personally, I'd keep Grandpa's old tools for sentimental purposes and not replace them even if they were unusable.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Personally, I'd keep Grandpa's old tools for sentimental purposes and not replace them even if they were unusable.

+1

Agree

 

[AL`]

Personally, I think tool manufacturers shouldn't offer "forever" warranties. It's bad for customers because prices must go up to subsidize abusers. But somewhere along the way, some tool company started it, and then most of the others stepped up to the line to be seen as competitive. At least with the tool truck companies like Snap on, you know they charged a ridiculous price to cover for it and so shouldn't feel bad about it in that instance. SK doesn't charge Snap on prices. My own thought is, if there is a defect in the tool, warranty it. If it prematurely fails, warranty it. If it gave faithful service and has simply worn out, buy a replacement.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Yes, SK Wayne are covered under warranty as I have exchanged some before, however, you are about to get hung on here for trying to warranty tools you didn't personally buy. As I personally don't care who bought the tools and SK is a multi million dollar company, you do have to realize if everyone warrantied their hand me down, flea market, eBay bought tools, SK would suffer greatly and eventually go bust. If you have a few rare or specialty items, I'd say go for it, but don't send in a box of 30 sockets, 15 screwdrivers, 5 ratchets, etc etc. That's not right.

Those tools that I have gone through so far have all been in pretty good shape. a little 0000 steel wool for the light surface rust and a wipe with WD-40, and they are fine.

I don't anticipate a massive return, if any. It was just a question for my own information. Besides, I am waiting for SK Day 2016 to help support the company.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Personally, I'd keep Grandpa's old tools for sentimental purposes and not replace them even if they were unusable.

Many of these tools are being sorted to pass to my 2 sons, and later to some of the grand kids.

 

[Don53]

On a bit of a tanget, but has anyone had issues with getting a response from SK on warranty items? I bought the 1/4" set a few months ago. The 13mm shallow had some pretty significant defects with the chrome. About 6 weeks ago I sent them an email via their web form. No response. Since then have sent two emails to their customer service email address (with pics). Nothing. I checked my spam folder to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Happy with the product, and really want to support US manufacturing, but this isn't good. I will call them next week, but frankly if a company is going to provide web forms for questions, and customer service email addresses, they should respond to them.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I had 2 broken sockets towards the end of last year. 1 email, then i sent them in, 10 calander days later, I had new tools. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE

 

[gdocktor3]

I send emails all the time to SK asking questions and requesting catalogs or info and always get a response. I believe the girls name is Amber if I remember correctly. I warrantied an entire set when a few of the sockets and extensions had defects. I will say they have great customer service.

 

[bfm336]

Sent them 1 email before, about a year ago, had a response in less than a day.

6-8 months ago just mailed in a socket for warranty and also asked for a ratchet rebuilt kit, they had it 2 days and sent out a new one (and rebuild kit too). Happy.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Usually get a response in a business day if not a few hours from SK.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have never had an issue with SK customer service.
They are some of the best in my opinion.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I sent an email last night and got a response first thing in the morning... we'll see how it goes for here.

 

[6PTsocket]

I just went to the SK Ideal site to read the Warranty. It says in bold print LIFETIME WARRANTY. But if you go in to read the details it is another story. It says that the warranty is for the reasonable life if the tool. If it is worn out, BY THEIR DETERMINATION, rather than defective it is not covered. It sounds like it is the tool's lifetime, not yours that is covered. I actually have an old SK socket that came in a set that they neglected to stamp. No brand name, size, circular bands, nothing, blank. I lived too far from where i bought it to take it back. On the up side, it is real easy to spot the 13 mm deep 1/4" drive socket. I have never broken an SK tool. I like the
ratchets almost as much as my old round head Williams. The 3/8 SK bent handle, swivel head "spark plug" ratchet gets into some weird places. I think I picked up, new, at the Carlisle swap meet, for cheap. All you see now is Craftsman. I am not poorer than I was when I bought my SK stuff but allowing for inflation, it seems far more expensive now than it did then. I don't remember getting sticker shock. Today you can spend a few hundred on a set of screwdrivers. If you chew up the blade, I am sure SK calls that normal wear and tear. I am pretty well priced out of the market. We all like to buy American but there are limits. When it is several times the cost of a good import the market is limited. If you make your living with them you might justify the cost but for most of us it is overkill or just ego. I had a HF 1/2" hex bit on the end of my SK breaker bar with a cheater pipe. The spec was 250 ft/lbs. I pulled until the 1/2" breaker bar started to bend, for 250 without a torque wrench. That bit was undamaged and I paid around 7 or 7 bucks for the whole set. Some of that Chinese **** really isn't.

 

[dkroth]

I warranty a tool after 6 or 8 uses, or when they're simply dirty. I like to keep them fresh!

Saves time cleaning up, too.

 

[gdocktor3]

6PTsocket - I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being declined warranty by SK. They just want you to be happy with your tools. I had two older 80s screwdrivers that were all beat up and dulled, they didn't hesitate to replace them. As for the "some of that Chinese **** really isn't" comment, I agree with you, but the key word is some. I have never picked up an SK tool and had to wonder if it was going to break or not while using it.

 

[Derek420]

I know that Snap On will replace a tool that was inherited like from father or grandfather it still counts as original owner they have never even made me send in my old one when dealing with them over the phone they just say throw it in trash. They must put a lot of trust in people because someone could give or sell broken tool to another to replace and so on. I couldn't believe they do such a thing but I honor them and toss it. They have always been polite and very nice and professional on the phone and shipping they eat and it's fast for me 3 days at most. Now S-K doesn't count inherited tools and neither company will replace second hand and I'm 100% for that it's no wonder we have to pay so much for tools with a the crooks and cons in the world.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I warranty a tool after 6 or 8 uses, or when they're simply dirty. I like to keep them fresh!

Saves time cleaning up, too.

I hope that you are not serious. That would seem to me to be abuse of the warranty. It's people that do things like that that make warranty exchanges harder for the legitimate warranty claims

 

[T45]

6PTsocket - I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being declined warranty by SK. They just want you to be happy with your tools. I had two older 80s screwdrivers that were all beat up and dulled, they didn't hesitate to replace them. As for the "some of that Chinese **** really isn't" comment, I agree with you, but the key word is some. I have never picked up an SK tool and had to wonder if it was going to break or not while using it.

SK did burn out alot of distributors when they had financial issues. Alot of folks at brick and mortar level no longer now deal with them, and they don't want to deal with warranty at all either. So this is one way you end up losing warranty support--you go to the local SK retailer/distributor and they tell you to pound sand. I have seen this in person, but just to be clear not with directly SK. Mentioning it here for a more complete picture of their customer service issues.

 

[zcbauer89]

I haven't been impressed with their warranty service. Waiting 5 months on some wrenches, that were finished real bad, like they chromed over sand. And those were the wrenches that the chrome wasn't coming off. Was told 3 weeks at the beginning of June.