Snap-On's warranty...

[mmack66]

It may have been said already, but its not taking anything out of Snap-ons bottom line. The tool was sold and snap-on received their fare share at some point in the tools history, so if its broken its broken regardless of who now owns it and it should be warrantied. If Snap-on refuses to honor it and then you go out and buy a new one They have in fact made money twice for all intents and purposes. The price anyone pays for Snap-on is high because that life time warranty cost is built into every tool made, so regardless of who or how someone came to own it that warranty should be honored

Regardless of the initial sales price, if people are buying more and more second-hand Snap-On tools, and warrantying them for new, it would have to eat into their bottom line.

Prior to eBay and Craigslist, I would think that the opportunities to pick up second-hand Snap-On tools were very limited.

I do agree that if a tool has a lifetime warranty, it should be warrantied for legitimate reasons, regardless of the provenance of the tool.

 

[Skin]

What I wonder is how this impacts warranty claims on tools made/sold before they changed their terms.

I believe legally they'd be grandfathered in however once you get a replacement updated terms apply to that.

 

[markitsnappy]

i posted this in another thread but that thread died so here it is again:

I love my snap on tools, but I am just a DIY at home mechanic and I could never justify buying snap on tools brand new at full price so I buy all of them used. But just as I could never justify buying a tool at full price I could never justify trying to return one of my second hand tools for one that is brand new from snap on. I do applaud snap on for simply enforcing they're already in place policy on returns. For all of us that buy used snap on, lets admit it. WE DO NOT AFFECT SNAP ON IN ANY POSITIVE FINANCIAL WAY. so why should we expect them to financially take care of us? Are they a charity? no they are a business and are in the business of making money.

I remember a thread a couple of months ago where a poster was complaining that sears would not warranty a rusty rotted ratchet that he found inside of a car he was fixing. I seem to remember him getting flamed to no end for that. I think part of the reason craftsman is in the state it is in now is because of its no questions ask policy. every one on this website complains about the the chinese made craftsman tools now being sold at sears. how would you feel about SNAP ON TOOLS PROUDLY MADE IN CHINA?

 

[otis66]

I have a feeling the only people having problems with Snap On Warranty are people in the used tool market. I have never had a problem warranting any of my Snap On tools. Other than #2 phillip screwdeiver blades I have only warrantied Six Snap On Tools. A 1/4" Allen socket keeps breaking ( I use with butterfly impact gun). My Snap On Roto Ratchet ( It was left in the rain) A Snap On S-72 ( I took it apart and lost a spring). An old Snap On 3/4" deep 3/8" drive socket I tried to break my self ( All I did was distort the socket),One Snap On 3/8" drive ratchet 30 tooth ( Gear skipped .Snap On replaced ratchet with the new sealed head ratchet #f830), and one Snap On Ratcheting Screwdriver #SDM211B ( Ater 24 years ratchet started to hang up. Screwdriver was replaced). The only MAC tools I had to warranty were two 3/8" drive ratchets( gear skipped). I have one MAC 3/8" drive ratchet bought in the 80's with oem gear still in it. One 1/2 drive flex head ratchet (chipped chrome), and a MAC screwdriver bit ( used with butterfly impact gun), Matco tools warrantied one Whitte #2 Screwdriver. I've been turning wrenches since 1982.

 

[bgott]

Ironically i can buy a broken cornwell ratchet on ebay, mail it in, and have a new one in a about 8 business days.

I work with a guy that has had nothing but problems getting his Cornwell tools warrantied through the mail. The last go-around he sent off two pairs of pliers in April and got them back last week. One pair they sent was the wrong ones and both of them are marked "Made in China".

Oh, we work in a shop and he bought them off of the Cornwell truck, when we had one.

 

[closetoreality]

I spent about 45 min going through this thread, some comments made my head shake, while others had me nodding with agreement.

I have only replaced one tool with Snap-On and had no issues, and hope it continues when the time comes I need another replaced.

Honestly if your not buying it straight off the truck, or from the site then you do not hold the right to voice an opinion on any warranty situation.

Furthermore as others have stated if you second hand buyers developed a relationship with a local dealer and were open with him you may actually get somewhere.

Personally, I currently have two local dealers I have alot of respect for and give my business to. They are both great guys and have done nothing short of take care of me. So when I see posts on here slamming Snap-On I raise an eyebrow.

Are they perfect? No their not no one is, but they are as close to it as your going to find with todays standards.

You brag about spending thousands of dollars on Snap-On tools but you complain about needing to hold onto a receipt?

You have more issues than worrying about Snap-On' warranty regulations if your too lazy to file your receipts. Like maybe fine tuning your personal standards.

Play by the rules and you shouldn't have a single friggin issue with Snap-On.

Thats my rant, take it for what its worth and I apologize ahead of time if I offended anyone or hurt any feelings.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I see two points here....

Keep your receipt if you're going to mail stuff in or have a good dealer.

As the pic posted of the 1982 catalog, snappy has changed their warranty policy. Since snappy date codes their tools, tools sold before the change in warranty should be covered as stated at that time. I"m not sure the legal ramifications of imposing a more strict warranty policy on stuff sold with a more liberal warranty, but ethically that's very, very weak.

I wonder if these actions are ignorance/poor training on the part of the snappy phone customer service folks(Kinda like when some folks have issues exchanging stuff at sears) or is this actually the norm.

I got most of my snappy tools back in the 1970s and early 1980s so just for the shnitz and giggles, they next time I break something, instead of swapping it out with the local guy, I'll try snappy cooperate and see what happens.

 

[Skyline]

Regardless of the initial sales price, if people are buying more and more second-hand Snap-On tools, and warrantying them for new, it would have to eat into their bottom line.

Prior to eBay and Craigslist, I would think that the opportunities to pick up second-hand Snap-On tools were very limited.

I do agree that if a tool has a lifetime warranty, it should be warrantied for legitimate reasons, regardless of the provenance of the tool.

It's wrong to blame eBay and CL.

If anything, what has really created a large amount of second hand Snap-on tools on the market is the lousy economy for the last 4 years. It has hit car dealerships particularly hard, and a lot of technicians had to find different professions, or were forced to sell their tools to put food on the table.

Prior to eBay and Craigslist, the method of transfer was just different. Technicians still died, got disabled, changed jobs, couldn't cut it, or got laid off. And their tools went to someone else. Maybe it was a yard sale, maybe through word of mouth, maybe a fleemarket, maybe an auction house, maybe back to the Snappy guy. What eBay and CL did accomplish is to allow sellers to get a much better value due to creating an easier selling/buying market. But before eBay and CL, no one would throw out Snap-on tools when they didn't need them anymore. SOMEHOW they eventually made their way to a new owner. And with the possible exception of a few nutjobs on this board, to my knowledge, most deceased technicians don't get burried with their tools.

 

[otis66]

I emailed Snap On tools and SK tools last night about warranty's. I have not heard from Snap On but SK tools emailed me back. SK will replace any tool tha has not been abused or modified. No reciept needed. The SK warranty was easy to find, and easy to understand. The only problem I saw with SK warranty was "expected life of tool" but SK will warranty any SK tool as long as it has not been abused or miss used. I'm still waiting to hear from Snap On. I emailed Matco this afternoon and I'm waiting for a reply.

 

[MetalsRecycling]

Something I found very interesting is the differences in the major tool manufacturers websites concerning warranty information. Of all of them, I found SK the easiest to find. It's right up front on the website, no searching necessary. There is a big block labeled WARRANTY for you to click on. Searching IS necessary on all the other websites and, ironically, Snap On seems to be the most difficult to find. Interesting? Also, SK has been USA made since 1921, and still today ALL of SK tools are manufactured in USA. I don't think ANY of the other manufacturers can make that claim.

 

[warmpancakes]

Sk has screwdrivers and ratchets sourced from overseas in the past

 

[VolvoMan]

I've only skimmed through this thread, which is like fully reading some, but a couple of things to comment on:

1: If none of your tools are older than you are, there is absolutely no reason why a Dealer or Snap On shouldn't honor a genuine Warranty Claim. As far as they are concerned, in my case all the tools I have were bought at some point by the business I owned jointly with my dad, and I grew up in. It is absolutely not a reasonable expectation that someone still has the dealer receipt for a wrench they bought 35 years ago. Course you could show them a browned blank sheet of paper, they'd never know the difference.

2: the warranty in force is the warranty that was in published when the tool was first sold, not the one in the catalog today. SO could go to 12 months warranty tomorrow and it wouldn't mean a damn for the tools in your box already, the're still lifetime covered.

3: Snap on dealers sell used tools from time to time, ie from repos, trade ins, upgrades etc, every time I've bought these, I've been assured the warranty still covers.

4: on the other hand, there are some people selling broken Snap On tools on eBay, on the grounds they can be replaced free, If I was SO corporate, this'd piss me off a bit, chances are, they're being sold because they were broken through abuse.

5: Every Snap On dealer I have ever met has been handed a broken tool to replace the first time I met them, they have never griped and replaced without question. Then they get my business. (about a dozen or so)

It pays to know what year the tool was made, then when you say you bought a tool 25 years ago (and it matches) they will believe you.

Also, when the dealers return the warranty tools, they just hand them back in a box, no receipts or anything, they then get PAID for the replacement from Snap On. All this said, there are of course a couple of bad apples on the trucks from time to time. One trick I heard of from an ex-dealer is to charge for a ratchet repair kit which they helpfully fit for you, then offer to throw the old bits away for you, straight in the returns bucket, that way they get paid twice. If they won't replace under warranty, don't let them have the old one, try another dealer.

 

[redmagne]

To many people sending in their yard sailing/road finds.

With all due respect a quality tool that costs as much as SO tools do, should be replaced when broken no matter who the original purchaser was... As is the case w/ Craftsman. I do not mean to suggest that Craftsman tools are equal to SO, I have thousands in my SO tools and have trouble w/ warranty before. By comparison, I've take 40 yr. old tools back to Sears w/ not a single question. With the ever increasing prices and warranty troubles, Craftsman pro series tools are starting to get my attention....

 

[VolvoMan]

For all of us that buy used snap on, lets admit it. WE DO NOT AFFECT SNAP ON IN ANY POSITIVE FINANCIAL WAY. so why should we expect them to financially take care of us? Are they a charity? no they are a business and are in the business of making money.

You're wrong on this point, but not in a bad way, what you're forgetting is where you are buying the tools from. Look at it this way, it's 2005:

Joe the Mechanic gets laid off after 15 years in the trade, he's bitter and broke, so he decides he's had enough of the Motor trade he's going to do something new instead. Joes tools sit around in his Garage until Sarah, his wife, gives birth to a bouncing Baby Girl.

Joe decides that as he's done with the motor trade and has a well paid new job working for Lehman Brothers, he might as well sell those tools cause he's not going to use them anymore, he can even afford to get his car serviced at the dealer now. Also, as a new found financial wizard, he knows they're an asset that's depreciating and not working for him.

Joe sells the tools on eBay, and puts together a nice little sum to invest in the market for his daughter's college fund. Dave the DIYer is happy too because he just got a great deal on all those Snap On tools from Joe, and he can now get to work restoring those old cars that have been sat in his back yard all those years.

Fast forward to October 2008, lets go back and visit Joe and Dave:

Joe's life has gone all to hell, his employers are gone, he didn't even get a severance check and with all the chaos in the financial markets, no-one is hiring. With a 3 year old Daughter, Joe needs to find a job and quick, so he goes back to what he knows, being a Mechanic. Joe's lucky, he's found a local up and coming Auto restoration shop that's hiring.

Joe gets the job at the restoration shop that's made a name for itself restoring 70's muscle cars for rich men that haven't lost everything in the fall. Only thing is, Joe now needs to buy all new tools because he sold all his old ones. Fortunately, Joe's new Snap-On dealer can arrange financing on a good starter kit for Joe, and the weekly RA will take care of the rest.

Joe's also got a couple of apprentices to look after, so he's initially too busy to notice that his new boss's tools all have Joes initials engraved on them........

So, there you have it' that's (POTENTIALLY) the financial impact you have on Snap-On's business, and they know it too.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

With all due respect a quality tool that costs as much as SO tools do, should be replaced when broken no matter who the original purchaser was... As is the case w/ Craftsman. I do not mean to suggest that Craftsman tools are equal to SO, I have thousands in my SO tools and have trouble w/ warranty before. By comparison, I've take 40 yr. old tools back to Sears w/ not a single question. With the ever increasing prices and warranty troubles, Craftsman pro series tools are starting to get my attention....

And just how do you like those made in China Craftsman tools?

 

[otis66]

Sk has screwdrivers and ratchets sourced from overseas in the past

I've never seen a SK ratchet made any place but the USA. Some of the SK Screwdrivers were made in Franch. Now all SK tools are made in USA.

 

[MetalsRecycling]

I've never seen a SK ratchet made any place but the USA. Some of the SK Screwdrivers were made in Franch. Now all SK tools are made in USA.

Yes, at one point SK merged with Facom tools, a French based company, and a limited number of tools were manufactured in France, mostly screwdrivers, never any sockets or ratchets. Today, ALL SK tools are made in USA.

 

[DOG1]

15 pages of this?

 

[Hiball]

Yes, at one point SK merged with Facom tools, a French based company, and a limited number of tools were manufactured in France, mostly screwdrivers, never any sockets or ratchets. Today, ALL SK tools are made in USA.

Not exactly true... There where plenty of facom based Sk ratchets.

 

[Hiball]

15 pages of this?

And 100% of your posts are here... Crazy.

 

[t4runner]

I have been retired for some, I have about 6-10 broken sockets and at least 10 screw drivers with broken handles [ the ones with the black handles I didnt break them they just for lack of a better term corroded ]. I have contacted SO and was told to get in touch with a dealer in my area. They supplied names of dealers with e-mail addresses. I e-mailed one guy and have yet to get a response. I want them replaced but lets be honest Im not in the market to buy any more tools. So as of now I keep the broken stuff in my car and when I see a SO truck Ill pull over and see what happens.

 

[otis66]

Not exactly true... There where plenty of facom based Sk ratchets.

What is a FACOM based ratchet?

 

[KinzeMech]

And just how do you like those made in China Craftsman tools?

I don't like the idea, but having taken the time recently to consider it, I don't really know why anymore. I prefer USA tools when the quality is superior. The thing is, that assumption doesn't always stand anymore. When I opened up a package of Craftsman tools some time ago, to find the locking pliers in it stamped "China", I was disappointed. After using them for a year, I prefer them over my USA made Irwin vice grips. This is but one example. I won't be proud of a junk tool no matter what you stamp it with.

 

[Hiball]

What is a FACOM based ratchet?

Palm control Sk ratchets, since Stanley now owns facom you can find these under Mac also I believe.

 

[otis66]

I have been retired for some, I have about 6-10 broken sockets and at least 10 screw drivers with broken handles [ the ones with the black handles I didnt break them they just for lack of a better term corroded ]. I have contacted SO and was told to get in touch with a dealer in my area. They supplied names of dealers with e-mail addresses. I e-mailed one guy and have yet to get a response. I want them replaced but lets be honest Im not in the market to buy any more tools. So as of now I keep the broken stuff in my car and when I see a SO truck Ill pull over and see what happens.

I've had my broken MAC "Macimizer" scredriver in my car for 2 years now. I have not seen a MAC tools dealer in years.

 

[otis66]

I have been giving my father Snap On Tools for years. Birthday, fathersday, Christmas. I would say I have givin my father over $2500 worth of Snap On tools. My father does not have any reciept for any of the tools I have givin him over the years. My father has never been on a Snap On truck. NONE OF HIS TOOLS ARE UNDER WARRANTY?

 

[Hiball]

I have been retired for some, I have about 6-10 broken sockets and at least 10 screw drivers with broken handles [ the ones with the black handles I didnt break them they just for lack of a better term corroded ]. I have contacted SO and was told to get in touch with a dealer in my area. They supplied names of dealers with e-mail addresses. I e-mailed one guy and have yet to get a response. I want them replaced but lets be honest Im not in the market to buy any more tools. So as of now I keep the broken stuff in my car and when I see a SO truck Ill pull over and see what happens.

FYI.. Some of those old black hard handled screwdrivers where known to self destruct, it's a common issue do to the material used (don't recall the name). I've personally read tons of threads concerning this issue and snap on stood behind the defect in most if not all.

 

[Mike662]

Honestly if your not buying it straight off the truck, or from the site then you do not hold the right to voice an opinion on any warranty situation.

As a home mechanic and secondhand buyer, I agree with most of your post, but not this part. I think everyone has a right to voice an opinion on the warranty situation.

And as I said earlier, as a secondhand buyer, I have no gripe with Snap On enforcing this policy. It just makes it less likely that I, personally, will buy Snap On tools.

Look at it this way. Let's say I need a ratchet. My options do not include buying a new SO ratchet off the truck. Well, I could, but as a DIYer on a limited budget, I don't think it's the best use of my money. So, my options boil down to buying a used SO tool, or a new Craftsman, Wright, Armstrong, Kobalt, etc.

Even if I find a great deal on a used Snap On (let's say, 50% of retail), I'm still going to pay more for that one than for a new ratchet in most of the other brands. However, I know that if I break the SO, I may have trouble getting a new one. If I break the Craftsman, I can walk into any Sears and get a new one. Heck, I could buy a used Craftsman and still not have a concern about the warranty.

Now, all things (including the warranty) being equal, I might still choose to buy the used Snap On. Because I know I am getting a great quality tool which I will probably never break. However, given the warranty issue, all things are not equal.

Again, in my situation, I have no problem with SO enforcing this policy. But it effects my personal buying decision.

And that's just my opinion, which I hope you will agree I am entitled to voice.:

 

[MetalsRecycling]

I have been giving my father Snap On Tools for years. Birthday, fathersday, Christmas. I would say I have givin my father over $2500 worth of Snap On tools. My father does not have any reciept for any of the tools I have givin him over the years. My father has never been on a Snap On truck. NONE OF HIS TOOLS ARE UNDER WARRANTY?

Now this drives home the point I was trying to make way back in the beginning. Something to think about for anyone investing in Snap On tools.

 

[Hiball]

Now this drives home the point I was trying to make way back in the beginning. Something to think about for anyone investing in Snap On tools.

Tools are still warrantable thru a truck, I would recommend to anyone looking to invest in snap on to keep there receipts.

 

[MetalsRecycling]

Not exactly true... There where plenty of facom based Sk ratchets.

I stand corrected. I did not know the palm control ratchets were manufactured in the Facom plant. But TODAY, ALL SK tools are made in USA. I'd like to know if any of the other major tool manufacturers can make that claim, if anyone knows.

 

[Hiball]

I stand corrected. I did not know the palm control ratchets were manufactured in the Facom plant. But TODAY, ALL SK tools are made in USA. I'd like to know if any of the other major tool manufacturers can make that claim, if anyone knows.

Everything Wright tools "manufactures" under the "Wright" line is US made (ratchets, sockets, wrench's,extensions,bit drivers etc). Now... They do have a cougar line that is susceptible to some overseas influx of late and they sell other brands in there catalog, such as Irwin, mayhew etc... But they are there own companies and not stamped with the wright name.

 

[redwrench60]

I took a broken breaker bar and a screwdriver on the Snap-On truck today and I told my dealer they were for a buddy who got them from his father. My dealer said "oh yeah?" and I said "yup".........then he made the fu**ing things up.

 

[closetoreality]

As a home mechanic and secondhand buyer, I agree with most of your post, but not this part. I think everyone has a right to voice an opinion on the warranty situation.

And as I said earlier, as a secondhand buyer, I have no gripe with Snap On enforcing this policy. It just makes it less likely that I, personally, will buy Snap On tools.

Look at it this way. Let's say I need a ratchet. My options do not include buying a new SO ratchet off the truck. Well, I could, but as a DIYer on a limited budget, I don't think it's the best use of my money. So, my options boil down to buying a used SO tool, or a new Craftsman, Wright, Armstrong, Kobalt, etc.

Even if I find a great deal on a used Snap On (let's say, 50% of retail), I'm still going to pay more for that one than for a new ratchet in most of the other brands. However, I know that if I break the SO, I may have trouble getting a new one. If I break the Craftsman, I can walk into any Sears and get a new one. Heck, I could buy a used Craftsman and still not have a concern about the warranty.

Now, all things (including the warranty) being equal, I might still choose to buy the used Snap On. Because I know I am getting a great quality tool which I will probably never break. However, given the warranty issue, all things are not equal.

Again, in my situation, I have no problem with SO enforcing this policy. But it effects my personal buying decision.

And that's just my opinion, which I hope you will agree I am entitled to voice.:

I stand correct myself, you do have a right to voice an opinion.

 

[Mike662]

I stand correct myself, you do have a right to voice an opinion.

 

[pipsters]

Maybe Snap-On is essentially saying "we don't want DIY'ers business".

There are local supply houses in my area that have posted signs that state "We do not sell to the public". Kinda along the same idea.

 

[otis66]

Palm control Sk ratchets, since Stanley now owns facom you can find these under Mac also I believe.

My Palm control ratchets were Made In USA.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

And just how do you like those made in China Craftsman tools?

Can't speak for whom you were quoting, but the few that I have seem to do fine...no complaints

 

[Hiball]

My Palm control ratchets were Made In USA.

I don't want to get into a COO debate but I rebuilt a 3/8 and 1/4 palm control ratchet and the rebuild kits where clearly marked "Made In Italy". <---- facom design.

 

[otis66]

Tools are still warrantable thru a truck, I would recommend to anyone looking to invest in snap on to keep there receipts.

I have the receipt but my father has no receipt. My father also live 500 miles away.