Tool warrantys meen nothing!

[TNT Autowerkz]

I happen to be in Autozone the other day picking up a part that a customer that I'm painting a truck for had ordered. As they were busy and had many customers in front of me I decided to look at the hand tools, I got to noticing the the Duralast Taiwan made tools were few but the same name tools made in china was many. So I finally got to get the part I needed and asked about the tools thing, I was told that Autozone Is going to have their tools made in china now rather than Taiwan. So on my drive back to the garage I got to thinking If Taiwan is the better tool out of the two and every manufacture switches production to China then a warranty of any kind is null. Here's why If I buy a Taiwan tool and it breaks some time down the road and I take it in for exchange then I'm going to get a China made tool, It's not of the same quality as the one I bought, So why not just buy China to began with then the exchange quality would be the same as my old tool. Any thoughts!

 

[seanb02]

What makes you think the China version is not the same quality as the Taiwanese version?

 

[TNT Autowerkz]

What makes you think the China version is not the same quality as the Taiwanese version?

It's a general understanding that the Taiwanese brands or makes are a little better!

 

[MattT]

Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose with warranty replacements. Pretty much every tool I've ever warrantied has been truck brand. There's been a few times I've gotten **** as replacements but it's been balanced out by the free Dual 80s and such

 

[Skin]

What makes you think the China version is not the same quality as the Taiwanese version?

In this case they aren't, at least as far as design aesthetics are concerned. The older color coded Duralast stuff and Snap-on clone ratchets were/are really nice.

 

[Git]

It's a general understanding that the Taiwanese brands or makes are a little better!

Things can be made in China that are 'a little better' - it just depends if the vendor is willing to pay for it

iPhones and DJI Drones are just a couple of examples

 

[byoungblood]

I bet that 99% of the people who buy tools at AutoZone don't care where the tool is made. If it breaks, they go to the store and get a replacement.

If the warranty on a tool concerns you that much (and people on this board get WAY too worked up over tool warranties!) buy a well known brand that either manufactures the tools themselves, or isn't constantly changing the source of their house branded tools.

 

[dogdog]

I bet that 99% of the people who buy tools at AutoZone don't care where the tool is made. If it breaks, they go to the store and get a replacement.

If the warranty on a tool concerns you that much (and people on this board get WAY too worked up over tool warranties!) buy a well known brand that either manufactures the tools themselves, or isn't constantly changing the source of their house branded tools.

It won't make a differences with a well known brand... F-U Channelfucks, and you would think this well known company would do better on warranty on their cheese selector on their ratchet....

 

[Air21]

Your only option is to buy a USA Made Bridgeport mill, a Hardinge lathe, source good ol' American steel and start manufacturing your own hand tools. Then you can thumb your nose at those "doctors" and big government EPA and start chrome plating in your garage. I suppose you could look for a surplus drop forge on auction but I'm trying to keep things cost effective...

THEN you'll know exactly who is making your tools and what sort of quality they put out. The only downside is that same guy is sleeping with your wife AND your daughter calls him Daddy...

 

[Shehzada]

Things can be made in China that are 'a little better' - it just depends if the vendor is willing to pay for it

iPhones and DJI Drones are just a couple of examples

I concur 100%

Sent from my mobile device

 

[Dmoen]

Your only option is to buy a USA Made Bridgeport mill, a Hardinge lathe, source good ol' American steel and start manufacturing your own hand tools. Then you can thumb your nose at those "doctors" and big government EPA and start chrome plating in your garage. I suppose you could look for a surplus drop forge on auction but I'm trying to keep things cost effective...

THEN you'll know exactly who is making your tools and what sort of quality they put out. The only downside is that same guy is sleeping with your wife AND your daughter calls him Daddy...

[emoji102]


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[reader2580]

Things can be made in China that are 'a little better' - it just depends if the vendor is willing to pay for it

iPhones and DJI Drones are just a couple of examples

Is there any tool vendor that is specifying better hand tools from China? It seems almost universal that vendors are using the lowest bidder from China to make more profit. Quality and usability be damned. I bought a Husky wrench for a project and it was way out of spec. I returned it and spent a whole lot more on a set of USA wrenches from Harry Epstein.

I have heard of companies shifting production to China and lowering prices while still doubling or tripling their margins.

 

[CTyankee]

As someone mentioned, I don't think the warranty is high on the list of a shopper of Autozone tools. And for the record...I'm just that type of shopper, except I prefer what Advanced Auto sells.(Gearwrench)..which apparently now is in the same Taiwan/China boat. YMMV

Here's why If I buy a Taiwan tool and it breaks some time down the road and I take it in for exchange then I'm going to get a China made tool, It's not of the same quality as the one I bought, So why not just buy China to began with then the exchange quality would be the same as my old tool. Any thoughts!

I see some problems with this line of thinking...but that's JMO.

 

[sberry]

Worry about a wrench worth a dollar or 2? IF,,,, it breaks.

 

[Brownsfan]

As someone mentioned, I don't think the warranty is high on the list of a shopper of Autozone tools. And for the record...I'm just that type of shopper, except I prefer what Advanced Auto sells.(Gearwrench)..which apparently now is in the same Taiwan/China boat. YMMV



I see some problems with this line of thinking...but that's JMO.

The new Duralast tools are Gearwrench clones. Made by Apex tools. While Taiwan made doesn't necessarily mean better quality. In this case it is. The older Duralast tools were actually really good quality for the money.

 

[joey1320]

Your only option is to buy a USA Made Bridgeport mill, a Hardinge lathe, source good ol' American steel and start manufacturing your own hand tools. Then you can thumb your nose at those "doctors" and big government EPA and start chrome plating in your garage. I suppose you could look for a surplus drop forge on auction but I'm trying to keep things cost effective...

THEN you'll know exactly who is making your tools and what sort of quality they put out.

This x 100.

As long as I can walk into the store with a broken tool and walk out with a new one, without having to pay for it, I'm okay.

If you want quality, source the best tool by asking people in this forum.

 

[finn]

Worry about a wrench worth a dollar or 2? IF,,,, it breaks.

Exactly!

People get too worked up about minutia, in my opinion.

 

[PartsGuy]

Generally, if you're buying tools at AZ, its only because you're buying parts there.... and their "lifetime warranty" on stuff like brake pads (which NOBODY should offer "lifetime" warranty on, because they are MEANT to wear out) is what attracts their clientele. Their refund/return policies are liberal, so bottom-feeders who want something for nothing love the place. If I'm buying anything there, its a DIRE emergency, and I don't give a damn what the warranty is. Come to think of it, I guess I could just buy it, use it roadside, and return it... everyone else seems OK with that!

 

[Whoismiked]

Is there any tool vendor that is specifying better hand tools from China? It seems almost universal that vendors are using the lowest bidder from China to make more profit. Quality and usability be damned. I bought a Husky wrench for a project and it was way out of spec. I returned it and spent a whole lot more on a set of USA wrenches from Harry Epstein.

I have heard of companies shifting production to China and lowering prices while still doubling or tripling their margins.

Milwaukee is made in china but their products are great.

Apple phones are made in china, no matter if you like apple products or not, you have to admit their build quality is great.

I see people make the common mistake of equating overseas manufacture with low quality, which is much less true now than it was in the past. Companies can demand the same tolerances from a Chinese manufacturer as an American one, American manufacturers can cut nearly as many corners in materials and skilled labor as Chinese ones.

Sadly most companies are choosing the cheaper quality and labor to make more $, but it is not because China cannot produce quality products. But also, just because something is USA or Taiwan doesn't mean it is good quality.

 

[Tallpilot]

Things can be made in China that are 'a little better' - it just depends if the vendor is willing to pay for it

iPhones and DJI Drones are just a couple of examples

Nobody is suggesting that the Hans are genetically incapable of quality manufacturing. The OP is suggesting that a $15 ratchet made there is probably pretty much junk.

Why do people get all worked up about that very logical assumption?

Yes, you can also buy cheap garbage that says USA on it.

 

[bonneyman]

Your only option is to buy a USA Made Bridgeport mill, a Hardinge lathe, source good ol' American steel and start manufacturing your own hand tools. Then you can thumb your nose at those "doctors" and big government EPA and start chrome plating in your garage. I suppose you could look for a surplus drop forge on auction but I'm trying to keep things cost effective...

THEN you'll know exactly who is making your tools and what sort of quality they put out.....

Man, if only that were possible....

 

[sberry]

Why is it junk,,, cause its retail is only 15$ I bet you could find it elsewhere for more money, even a different label. Napa had some 30$ ones junk.

 

[paulm12]

..... Sadly most companies are choosing the cheaper quality and labor to make more $.

My view is that there is nothing inherently wrong with "making more money". We all do that. Businesses need to make money. And quite often they can make lower quality products because that is what most people will buy. The consumer (for the most part) sets the market, not the producer.

And thats my $0.02 (or can I get $0.03 for it ???)
.

 

[CTyankee]

Nobody is suggesting that the Hans are genetically incapable of quality manufacturing. The OP is suggesting that a $15 ratchet made there is probably pretty much junk.

Why do people get all worked up about that very logical assumption?

Yes, you can also buy cheap garbage that says USA on it.

My logical assumption could be the junk one was the one that broke. You know....the one made in Taiwan

 

[Professional Tool User]

Made in China tools can be good. It's just a matter of the private labeler choosing a reputable supplier and not choosing the lowest bidder. I honestly don't have a problem with Made in China tools as long as I get my fair share of the cost savings. The main reason why I would even pay a bit extra for Made in Taiwan tools is that across the board, quality seems to be more consistent.

 

[derosa]

Is there any tool vendor that is specifying better hand tools from China? It seems almost universal that vendors are using the lowest bidder from China to make more profit. Quality and usability be damned. I bought a Husky wrench for a project and it was way out of spec. I returned it and spent a whole lot more on a set of USA wrenches from Harry Epstein.

I have heard of companies shifting production to China and lowering prices while still doubling or tripling their margins.

Although I will lean heavily away from buying China and even Taiwan I wouldn't suggest that they're using the lowest bidder. I've used ratchet sets from the lowest bidder that my dad bought when I was a kid. I'll admit 12 year old me had some decent strength but those ratchets stripped out pretty quickly trying to get the blade of a lawnmower. I've seen the same **** being peddled in the dollar stores and even the 5.00 bin at the auto parts places from time to time. Sockets crack easy and wrenches snap with little effort. Most of what I've seen coming out of China is current HF quality which isn't as bad as people make it out to be and is dubiously worse then their Taiwan equivalents. For a lot of people, it is good enough.

 

[Whoismiked]

My view is that there is nothing inherently wrong with "making more money". We all do that. Businesses need to make money. And quite often they can make lower quality products because that is what most people will buy. The consumer (for the most part) sets the market, not the producer.

And thats my $0.02 (or can I get $0.03 for it ???)
.

Absolutely. The more companies succeeding and giving consumers more options and market competition is great for us.

I think having some cheap options out there is a good thing for many people, they have their place.

What I don't like to see is when a company starts off with a good quality product, starts to earn a reputation for said quality and draws in a good customer base and then, without any warning or indication, switches their product to a much lower quality version and charge the same amount. Basically a bait and switch.

 

[finn]

Absolutely. The more companies succeeding and giving consumers more options and market competition is great for us.

I think having some cheap lower quality options out there is a good thing.

What I don't like to see is when a company starts off with a good quality product, starts to earn a reputation for said quality and draws in a good customer base and then, without any warning or indication, switches their product to a much lower quality version and charge the same amount. Basically a bait and switch.

I don’t see how that’s a bait and switch scenario.

It’s more a logical progression under capitalism. Our system stresses profit as a measure of success for a corporation, like it or not. (I don’t personally like it, but it’s the system we live in and encourage by our tax codes).

If a corporation can generate higher profits for the shareholders, isn’t that what they should do, as long as they are playing by the rules? Nothing says they shouldn’t follow the marketplace, and over the years the market has clearly shouted out that cost is more important than perceived quality.

 

[eschoendorff]

It won't make a differences with a well known brand... F-U Channelfucks, and you would think this well known company would do better on warranty on their cheese selector on their ratchet....

Lol. Wait... wut???

 

[bushmechanic]

What makes you think the China version is not the same quality as the Taiwanese version?

Typically, you don't move from Taiwan to China laterally, so far as quality goes.

China isn't normally capable of producing what many of us would consider acceptable quality unless a foreign company builds the factory, tools it, and arranges the materials for them. That's sad, but it's a fact.

So, unless that's happening in this case, the tools will be lower quality.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is capable of some of the best work in the world; with or without help. There are many more small manufacturing operations and quite a bit more innovation happening.

Now, in China, there are smaller operations, as well. They do their best, are attentive to every customer that ends up with their products, and are excited when contacted about them.

They do suffer the same materials and technology limitations, however; especially as what they do make is ripped off constantly. They simply cannot break that quality ceiling to take it to a genuinely competitive level.

 

[sberry]

Sure they can as proved by Stanley socket sets from Walmart powered by a HF breaker bar. You could rebrand those any way you want and the user couldn't tell the difference.

 

[finn]

Typically, you don't move from Taiwan to China laterally, so far as quality goes.

China isn't normally capable of producing what many of us would consider acceptable quality unless a foreign company builds the factory, tools it, and arranges the materials for them. That's sad, but it's a fact.

So, unless that's happening in this case, the tools will be lower quality.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is capable of some of the best work in the world; with or without help. There are many more small manufacturing operations and quite a bit more innovation happening.

Now, in China, there are smaller operations, as well. They do their best, are attentive to every customer that ends up with their products, and are excited when contacted about them.

They do suffer the same materials and technology limitations, however; especially as what they do make is ripped off constantly. They simply cannot break that quality ceiling to take it to a genuinely competitive level.

Lots of baseless generalizations and stereotyping here.

You are aware of the Chinese space program and their recent landings on the far side of the moon, aren’t you?

As far as I know , they did it without your help or advice.

Mine either.

 

[dogdog]

Lol. Wait... wut???

That was the last ChannelFak tool I bought and will the be last..end of story.

as for the OP....

warranty is they will replace your broken tool with a equivalent ratchet.... or socket or what not tools... regardless of COO... not sure what this fuzz is all about, not like it's something new... sears have been doing it, as well as almost about 99% of the company that have been honoring their warranties... Would it be more logical for the company to have a one off made just for you or have a stash of reserves just for warranty purpose and hold stock to end of time ?

 

[f121]

China isn't normally capable of producing what many of us would consider acceptable quality unless a foreign company builds the factory, tools it, and arranges the materials for them. That's sad, but it's a fact.

Incorrect. However they typically have no quality control, so products can vary wildly and often decrease in quality over time. With western QC, you can get good products.

Nowhere is immune to cost cutting, I got my SO hose tool warranties...new one feels very cheap and flimsy compared to the 15yo originals. Not going to complain because they were free and they work, but I bet they'll fail in 5 years.

 

[ChrisLS8]

It won't make a differences with a well known brand... F-U Channelfucks, and you would think this well known company would do better on warranty on their cheese selector on their ratchet....

About 85.3% of your posts are complaining about CLs warranty I noticed

 

[dogdog]

About 85.3% of your posts are complaining about CLs warranty I noticed

I figured you didn't get a good grade in math or statistics ?

Not sure where you get 85% from on this thread or on this forum...

What can I say, old man holds a grudge... and this is one of the company that hides behind their fake warranty on ****** products that broke on first use...

 

[Clcartagena89]

Don't buy channellock? To me most of the channel lock stuff is garbage in the first place USA made or not.. Knipex, Snap on (non channellock rebranded stuff) and even some of my sunnex and gearwrench pliers are 10x better than anything channellock I've used..

 

[ChrisLS8]

I figured you didn't get a good grade in math or statistics ?

Not sure where you get 85% from on this thread or on this forum...

What can I say, old man holds a grudge... and this is one of the company that hides behind their fake warranty on ****** products that broke on first use...

I figured you would get the hint at sarcasm since no one is going to catagorize your posts for a percentage.

I just remember the word Channellfuck in many other threads

 

[dogdog]

I figured you would get the hint at sarcasm since no one is going to catagorize your posts for a percentage.

I just remember the word Channellfuck in many other threads

LOL.... sarcasm

but I am old and the grudge is real....

 

[bushmechanic]

Lots of baseless generalizations and stereotyping here.

You are aware of the Chinese space program and their recent landings on the far side of the moon, aren’t you?

As far as I know , they did it without your help or advice.

Mine either.

Did I say Chinese people couldn't do stuff? No, I didn't.

Did I say their government couldn't do stuff? No, I didn't.

Do I need to specifically state that many Chinese factories were planted like weeds and raised in a government-hamstrung environment that encourages and even mandates mass export versus internal innovation and quality, and as a result are entirely unable of equal competition without foreign investment, because of the way the place is run?

Do I need to specifically state that in order to get things done properly there, you've got to show the government that you're willing to bend over and play ball, demonstrate how it's going to encourage and retain their power structure, or simply be big enough that they can't afford to say no?

I mean, how specific to I need to be before you people stop shoving words in my mouth?

I work directly with several factories in China, I've arranged consultation in language, organization, and production; developed technology for them, secured shipments of antiquities through exhaustive negotiation and padding within their power structure for museum exhibits, and have even had several products designed, produced, branded, and distributed as private labels... ENTIRELY in China!

So, you can take your attitude and shove it; along with your other cronies that want to start the "let's make someone defend the obvious, and then pick apart and demand irrelevant details" argument.

That **** doesn't fly with me. You don't get away with trying to put things in my mouth just because you've got a handful of people here who will bow to the exercise, and then invariably claim you didn't bring the first bad attitude to the table, which you were and potentially still are intending to do.

You stick your hands in my mouth, and I'll bite your damned fingers off and swallow them.

If you wanted to ask a question, you should have politely asked. You didn't want to, though.