TOOLS: Craftsman tool warrenty

[gisnar]

Last time I will buy Craftsman!
Broke a 1/2 drive 19mm socket - no big deal right. So I bring it to local sears store and am told we no longer sell tools so we can not replace it. So I ask now what? Well you can drive to another store - nearest is 30 mile away. Let s see for a $5 tool spending that much gas makes sense right? So I call Sear and speak to 12 different people until I am told to go suck eggs. There is no one I can send the tool to for replacement, I will just have to drive 60 miles round trip if I want it replaced.

At least if I buy Snap-on, Mac, Napa, SK they have never given me a problem about tool return.

Corporate Sears has just gotten to big to give service. No more Craftsman for me.

[Ben]

What about K-Mart? They sell Craftsman tools now.

[Sang]

As Ken once said to me, "all a lifetime warranty does is guarantee that you'll replace the part for the rest of your life"

[electromr2]

Sorry to hear your pain.
I cracked a 17mm Craftsman socket the other day. I also had a Craftsman screwdriver that pulled apart. I walked into our local Sears. The saleman took one look, didn't say anything, and walked over and got my free replacements.

A big difference though is our Sears has a huge tool section...so they better replace them.

[sully]

Wow.

I've used my 1/2 inch drive as a hammer on occasion(it was closer than the hammer, and it was late and I was frustrated). Broke the drive/loosen selector switch completely, it was obvious what I'd done. They just laughed, handed me another and tried to sell me a hammer.

[Gairloch]

Originally Posted by sully

They just laughed, handed me another and tried to sell me a hammer.

I also have not had any problems getting my craftsman stuff dealt with at Sears.

[Bak@EMSPowered]

I've never really bought Craftsman... but hey. I wanna tell you something too.... GO SUCK EGGS!! haha.. jk

[SilverFire]

If you have a broken hand tool (from pretty much any recognizable brand), you can exchange it for a "Power Fist" version at any Princess Auto. If they give you any flak, tell them you've done it before and to check with a "leader". I spent 5 years working there and did it all the time when I got stuck at the returns desk. The first time I heard that, I was surprised, but both the buyer and the owner (of the whole company) backed it up...

Sure, Power Fist doesn't have the reputation of Craftsman, but they're just as good. Same goes for Mastercraft and all the other house brands of hand tools. Often they're even made in the same plant and just have different lettering on one side.

[TomsMR2]

craftsman tools pretty much suck, almost anything (usa made) with a lifetime warranty is going to be comparable or better. with all those low-end usa made tools, just buy whatever brand the closest place to your house has!

[sleepermr2]

crafsman isnt that bad. most of my tools are craftsman. its a whole lot cheaper than mac, snap-on, etc. plus with some of the snap-on reps i have had problems getting tools warrantied. the only plus side is they come to my work. tools are gonna break no matter what brand they are. never had a problem with sears or craftsman though

[fidget]

I've never had a problem with getting my craftsmen tools replaced. Walk in hand them the broken tool and they hand me a nice shiny new one. While they may not be top of the line they work well enough for me.

[EL PAALO]

snap-on ftw.
especially since the local dealer lives 5 minutes away.

[Weasy2k]

Originally Posted by SilverFire

If you have a broken hand tool (from pretty much any recognizable brand), you can exchange it for a "Power Fist" version at any Princess Auto. If they give you any flak, tell them you've done it before and to check with a "leader". I spent 5 years working there and did it all the time when I got stuck at the returns desk. The first time I heard that, I was surprised, but both the buyer and the owner (of the whole company) backed it up...

Sure, Power Fist doesn't have the reputation of Craftsman, but they're just as good. Same goes for Mastercraft and all the other house brands of hand tools. Often they're even made in the same plant and just have different lettering on one side.

If you are wondering why people are not acknowledging this post its probably because princess auto does not exisit in the USA :P

I worked there for 3 years as well (hydraulics) until i told the "leader" to suck eggs and left :P

but you are right heh i did that all the time with anything even crappy tire **** that they wouldn't even return,.

The pain in the ass thing about buying cheaper tools is that you ALWAYS break them at the worst times. I try to only buy better name brands now, especially since i make my living working on cars and need these tools to work.

[tstoney82]

Originally Posted by Ben

What about K-Mart? They sell Craftsman tools now.

not all k-marts sell craftsman tools. plus, k-mart doesnt do the warranties. they tell you to go to sears. then, when you get your "replacement" tool, its actually a remanufactured/fixed tool; unlike snap-on, mac, or whoever else that just gives you a new one.

my local k-mart actually has a sears outlet inside of it, which sells certain tools, but basically just hammers and complete tool sets......none of which they will warranty in the store. the closest sears to me is 30 minutes away, so i sold all of my craftsman stuff to a friend of mine and got snap-on, mac, and a few cornwell tools. now, if i want something warranted, they come to me.

[Russell the Love Muscle]

^^ did you realize that this thread is 2.5 years old?

[8589]

Originally Posted by Russell the Love Muscle

^^ did you realize that this thread is 2.5 years old?

not anymore...altough prices may be off by now, walked twice in the last two months n prices were way high to me, still good deals to be found at sears on line...if there is a DIY guy who can order n wait for delivery..

[jasenklems]

just so everyone knows k-mart bought sears it was not sears that bought k-mart.. I was doing some work for sears about 3 years ago and I got to talk to some corporate smucks and that is what he told me that they got bought out by k-mart...... you would think that sears was in a good way but they were hurting real bad and now k-mart prices have gone up 50% compared to what they were.... BUT K-MART still does layaway and that is a good thing for most people I think

[Maruki-kun]

Originally Posted by jasenklems

just so everyone knows k-mart bought sears it was not sears that bought k-mart.. I was doing some work for sears about 3 years ago and I got to talk to some corporate smucks and that is what he told me that they got bought out by k-mart...... you would think that sears was in a good way but they were hurting real bad and now k-mart prices have gone up 50% compared to what they were.... BUT K-MART still does layaway and that is a good thing for most people I think

don't think so, Sears Holdings Co. not Kmart holdings..

[8589]

Originally Posted by Ku-sama

don't think so, Sears Holdings Co. not Kmart holdings..

Two wounded giants..have to think hard when was the last time actually shopped at any..to me both are like the dollar store: I go there for just "that" item

[Maruki-kun]

who doesn't shop online anymore? I mean really. lol