where can I warranty Proto?

[volaredon]

I am doing an inventory of sorts on my tool chest, and took a box of broken/worn out Mac and SO to my buddy that is a mechanic at a dealer to get warrantied for me. Crapsman is easy to get situated, but I have a couple of Proto extensions that no longer hold their sockets, which is an irritating PITA Where can I get Proto tools warrantied?
I started wrenching in 1987 and got out in 05 now diving back in head first, so I have had alot of these for a long time.

 

[Jason280]

I believe you can warranty them through Stanley...

 

[wafrederick]

You can send them into Proto,there is an address you send them to.If they are the old Challenger line,you get Blackhawks for replacements.The Challenger line is no longer made and has been discontinued.


STANLEY PROTO INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
2195 EAST VIEW PKWY. STE. 103
ATTN: WARRANTY RETURNS
CONYERS, GA. 30013

 

[Turbo_Prop]

I warranty'd some through a local Fastenal store. Didn't even have to pay shipping. Dropped them off in a plastic bag, picked them up a week later.

 

[jacked_72]

Maybe Grainger. They gave me a rebuild kit for my ratchet.

 

[metaldad]

Provided it's not an impact item, Grainger should even exchange.

 

[volaredon]

cool and thanks. fastenal is supposed to be a dealer for Armstrong as well but with the hassle they gave me on my 3/4 drice ratchet IDK if I wanna try them again, but Grainger sounds promising esp. being there is one near my new job I'm about to start.

 

[carcajou]

You can send them into Proto,there is an address you send them to.If they are the old Challenger line,you get Blackhawks for replacements.The Challenger line is no longer made and has been discontinued.


STANLEY PROTO INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
2195 EAST VIEW PKWY. STE. 103
ATTN: WARRANTY RETURNS
CONYERS, GA. 30013

Have you warrantied Proto wrenches lately? I phoned Proto today and was told that because my wrenches (Proto pro's) were purchased in the 80's and 90's they were past their "useable lifespan of 20 years" and therefore no warranty! I'm not giving up this easy and any names and phone numbers you may have would be helpful. I'm hoping the CSR was just clueless but when my local Acklands Grainger rep phoned she got the same runaround. Round 2 tomorrow, any advice?

 

[MJB24]

Have you warrantied Proto wrenches lately? I phoned Proto today and was told that because my wrenches (Proto pro's) were purchased in the 80's and 90's they were past their "useable lifespan of 20 years" and therefore no warranty! I'm not giving up this easy and any names and phone numbers you may have would be helpful. I'm hoping the CSR was just clueless but when my local Acklands Grainger rep phoned she got the same runaround. Round 2 tomorrow, any advice?

I just warrantied a 1/2" proto not more than a few months ago. I called and they said they dont offer a repair kit and to just mail it in. Brand new ratchet showed up not too long after. I would maybe just mail it in with a note telling them you are expecting a replacement.

 

[volaredon]

Have you warrantied Proto wrenches lately? I phoned Proto today and was told that because my wrenches (Proto pro's) were purchased in the 80's and 90's they were past their "useable lifespan of 20 years" and therefore no warranty! I'm not giving up this easy and any names and phone numbers you may have would be helpful. I'm hoping the CSR was just clueless but when my local Acklands Grainger rep phoned she got the same runaround. Round 2 tomorrow, any advice?

weird for something sold with "lifetime" warranty... what constitutes lifetime? as long as the company exists? the orig buyer's lifetime? or some arbitrary number put onto them by the company

 

[unslow1]

I called Monday and they wouldn't warranty a Challenger extension. The woman on the phone said we haven't made those in 15 years. I would also be interested if someone had a contact that would expedite the warranty process.

 

[carcajou]

OK Today i phoned Proto back and another lady answered. I was asked to phone a different number which didn't work but after a couple more calls i found out Proto DOES have a Canadian warranty depot. (different CSR) Proto USA told me they would get back to me in 2 weeks or less with an RGA number, needed to return any tools for warranty. Proto in Mississauga gave me one over the phone, no waiting. I sent them in today for warranty and i'll post an update when i know more. They needed a detailed description of the tools i wanted to send in and approximately how old they were. I think some of the CSR's at Proto USA need to be better trained.

 

[sumner52000]

Do Proto C-Clamps have a warranty. I have one where the screw is bent, and hte frame has a little bend also.

 

[Conductor562]

Do Proto C-Clamps have a warranty. I have one where the screw is bent, and hte frame has a little bend also.

Yes and you can also warranty Proto through Grainger.

 

[unslow1]

You can send them into Proto,there is an address you send them to.If they are the old Challenger line,you get Blackhawks for replacements.The Challenger line is no longer made and has been discontinued.


STANLEY PROTO INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
2195 EAST VIEW PKWY. STE. 103
ATTN: WARRANTY RETURNS
CONYERS, GA. 30013

When were you able warranty? I have called twice in the last couple of weeks and both times they told me I was out of luck. All my Challenger tools have no warranty.

 

[SMKS]

Here's the Proto warranty off of their website. They specifically say the warranty is "for the useful life of the product against defects in material or workmanship." They also say the warranty specifically "Does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear."

So, denying warranty on older tools does seem within the limits of their warranty. Now, is that what the warranty said when the tools were new? I don't know.

It seems all tool companies are starting to have to wrangle with this, now that there are tools that are decades old that are floating around. SK has been denying warranty on tools that are just worn out or old and rusty.

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/support/Pages/Warranty.aspx

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

Except as specified below, Proto Industrial Tools, a business unit of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ('Proto') warrants any of its Proto® branded products, including products sold by Proto Industrial Tools that are marketed as products "by Proto," for the useful life of the product against defects in material or workmanship.

Torque Wrenches, Torque Multipliers and Torque Testers are warranted for one year, except for calibration which is warranted for 90 days from date of purchase. Torque products can be repaired and recalibrated for a nominal charge at the Proto authorized repair center located at 2195 East View Parkway, Ste 103, Conyers, GA, 30013 or any other such location as may be designated by Proto. Defects in material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced at no cost: all other repairs will be at a nominal charge. Torque products are precise measuring devices that require care in handling. Proto recommends that all torque wrenches be recalibrated once a year or more, depending on usage.

DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATION

This limited lifetime warranty:

​Is subject to the disclaimers and limitations described below and is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that vary by state.

Does not extend to products that have been improperly used, altered, or repaired by any entity other than Proto.

Does not cover the following categories of products: universal sockets, universal joints, thin-wall impact sockets, adapters, and retaining rings.

Does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear.

Does not extend to any claim for incidental, consequential, or special damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.

Proto makes no representations beyond those contained in this Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Employees and agents of Proto have no authority to make representations of any sort beyond those contained in this Limited Lifetime Warranty.

 

[sgs236]

I used the following link and found a local distributor in my area that has been really good about warranting Proto tools for me. I have only taken a couple of tools to them be replaced, but they have replaced them on the same day. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/_layouts/StanleyProto/distributor.aspx

 

[unslow1]

I used the following link and found a local distributor in my area that has been really good about warranting Proto tools for me. I have only taken a couple of tools to them be replaced, but they have replaced them on the same day. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/_layouts/StanleyProto/distributor.aspx

Thanks for the link. I just called the only one in the area and they wouldn't do it.
They said to call Proto.

This just ticks me off because I have a lot of Proto, Stanley and a ton of Challenger. Snapon gave me no hassle. Never have had to warranty any MAC. Don't have much Matco. I think in the future I will just avoid this company.

 

[Steinmetz]

weird for something sold with "lifetime" warranty... what constitutes lifetime? as long as the company exists? the orig buyer's lifetime? or some arbitrary number put onto them by the company

The "lifetime warranty" is mythological. It doesn't exist. All written warranties are governed by the Magnuson Moss Act, and it does not address the "lifetime warranty".

It's a sales gimmick. If you received an exchange that appears to be outside the confines of the written warranty, consider it an expression of goodwill by the manufacturer.

 

[RM209]

You can send them into Proto,there is an address you send them to.If they are the old Challenger line,you get Blackhawks for replacements.The Challenger line is no longer made and has been discontinued.


STANLEY PROTO INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
2195 EAST VIEW PKWY. STE. 103
ATTN: WARRANTY RETURNS
CONYERS, GA. 30013

I had the same experience; it was probably two years ago. Not sure how many you tried to warranty, but I only had one Challenger wrench to warrantly; the customer service rep was very courteous, and just like above, Proto sent a Blackhawk wrench as replacement.

BTW, although I'm not a lawyer, it's my understanding that when a product is purchased, the warranty that was in effect at the time of the sale extends through that product's life. There have been numerous examples of manufacturers having to provide product support long after they ended manufacturing or distributing a specific product.

RM209

 

[unslow1]

I had the same experience; it was probably two years ago. Not sure how many you tried to warranty, but I only had one Challenger wrench to warrantly; the customer service rep was very courteous, and just like above, Proto sent a Blackhawk wrench as replacement.

BTW, although I'm not a lawyer, it's my understanding that when a product is purchased, the warranty that was in effect at the time of the sale extends through that product's life. There have been numerous examples of manufacturers having to provide product support long after they ended manufacturing or distributing a specific product.

RM209

Just the one extension. I can buy another on Ebay for $13. I have MAC, Craftsman, GearWrench and Snapon of the same size. It's more the point of paying for a warranty they sold and won't honor. That and the hole in my socket set.

 

[vssjim]

What I found has worked the best is to just send in the tool to Georgia HQ's with note and they will send you a replacement of a like product.

 

[unslow1]

What I found has worked the best is to just send in the tool to Georgia HQ's with note and they will send you a replacement of a like product.

I may give that a shot. I just sent the customer service an email. It's useless to me if a socket won't stay on.

 

[sberry]

I put it in the broken tool pile.

 

[wafrederick]

I sent in a 7mm shallow socket to that address,a Proto challenger that was broken and sent me a Blackhawk socket for a replacement.

 

[padronanniversary]

I sent a ratchet back a while ago. It took about 3 weeks to get it back, and it was new. I was hoping that they would just send me my old one with a repair kit

 

[mikebramel]

The tool is not defective, it is worn out. Buy a new one

 

[carcajou]

OK Today i phoned Proto back and another lady answered. I was asked to phone a different number which didn't work but after a couple more calls i found out Proto DOES have a Canadian warranty depot. (different CSR) Proto USA told me they would get back to me in 2 weeks or less with an RGA number, needed to return any tools for warranty. Proto in Mississauga gave me one over the phone, no waiting. I sent them in today for warranty and i'll post an update when i know more. They needed a detailed description of the tools i wanted to send in and approximately how old they were. I think some of the CSR's at Proto USA need to be better trained.

Okay UPDATE TIME! It took 33 days but the replacements for the wrenches i sent in arrived today. I ended up with asd style replacements as i suspected being thats what they are selling at the moment. Here's what i learned.
1) If the chrome is flaking or peeling they will replace them. GOOD
2) You get back wrench for wrench , no exceptions Kinda *****
I sent in 15 wrenches, some doubles and sent in a note asking for a complete set if possible if i was getting ASD replacements. NOPE
3) The finish and styling of the replacements (satin) was Ok but not as good as past models (1200 series, 3000 series) DISAPPOINTING
4) In the end i'm not happy or unhappy about the whole warranty process/outcome. Maybe thats all they are after.

 

[blackz26]

Okay UPDATE TIME! It took 33 days but the replacements for the wrenches i sent in arrived today. I ended up with asd style replacements as i suspected being thats what they are selling at the moment. Here's what i learned.
1) If the chrome is flaking or peeling they will replace them. GOOD
2) You get back wrench for wrench , no exceptions Kinda *****
I sent in 15 wrenches, some doubles and sent in a note asking for a complete set if possible if i was getting ASD replacements. NOPE
3) The finish and styling of the replacements (satin) was Ok but not as good as past models (1200 series, 3000 series) DISAPPOINTING
4) In the end i'm not happy or unhappy about the whole warranty process/outcome. Maybe thats all they are after.

You got back usable tools. What's not to like? Like others have said, lifetime means lifetime of the tool, not owner. How could you not be happy? They could have of blown you off altogether

 

[sberry]

its just personal buti am not going tru the hassle for something that i could replace for 20$. people drive a 40k car and lose sleep and worry, fuss and panic about the 'what if',,,, aint even happened yet and worry about a socket they bought on sale for a dollar.

 

[Hootbro]

its just personal buti am not going tru the hassle for something that i could replace for 20$. people drive a 40k car and lose sleep and worry, fuss and panic about the 'what if',,,, aint even happened yet and worry about a socket they bought on sale for a dollar.

Well that is you and not everybody is you in how they value their time nor are they wrong if they differ.

Also do not see anybody in this thread talking about trying to get a dollar socket or a bucket of rusted flea market tool swapped out. What I see is some people with honest use tools trying to get some resemblance of warranty honored.

 

[SMKS]

2) You get back wrench for wrench , no exceptions Kinda *****
I sent in 15 wrenches, some doubles and sent in a note asking for a complete set if possible if i was getting ASD replacements. NOPE

You sent in a hodgepodge of sizes, including doubles of some sizes, and expected to get a complete set in return?

For real?

 

[carcajou]

You sent in a hodgepodge of sizes, including doubles of some sizes, and expected to get a complete set in return?

For real?

Definitely not "hodgepodge" .They were all from the same series/vintage pre ASD, most of them larger sizes. I just thought it wouldn't be a big deal to get a set. I'll just purchase the 2 missing wrenches and make a set.

 

[tmike14400]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but...

I have a Challenger 1/2" ratchet (Model #1660-3) that I've owned for about 30 years and it's one of my favorites. It broke a few days ago - it no longer locks in only one direction, now locked in both. I pulled it apart and one of the pawls is broken - everything else looks good.
If Proto is no longer warrantying these (and even if they were, I want the exact same ratchet back, not another style or brand), where can I get a rebuild kit?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[wafrederick]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but...

I have a Challenger 1/2" ratchet (Model #1660-3) that I've owned for about 30 years and it's one of my favorites. It broke a few days ago - it no longer locks in only one direction, now locked in both. I pulled it apart and one of the pawls is broken - everything else looks good.
If Proto is no longer warrantying these (and even if they were, I want the exact same ratchet back, not another style or brand), where can I get a rebuild kit?
Thanks,
Mike

No longer made,the Challenger line has been discontinued for a long time and you will get a Blackhawk for a replacement.