A post in another thread regarding tools got me to wondering. I bought some Craftsman tools years ago from Sears. The one in Greenville is closing in February. I had a ratchet that had a broke shift lever. I carried it to the Sears store recently and they would not exchange it. They had a sign up saying there are not exchanging tools under warranty. The lady told me I would have to go the Jacksonville or Raleigh store or call Craftsman. I mentioned in the other post that lifetime warranty is useless for local exchange if the retailer is no longer in business. I had read online that other people stated Lowe's would only exchange Craftsman tools bought from them. However I came across this article:
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FULL STATEMENT FROM LOWE'S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS:
"we will honor all lifetime warranties no matter where the CRAFTSMAN hand tool was purchased. We ask that customers bring in the item, and we’ll replace it if we have the product. If we do not have the product, customers can call the Customer Care Hotline (883-331-4569)."
Maureen Wallace, Lowe's
Link here: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...ill-lowes-honor-craftsman-lifetime-warranties
I'm going to carry the ratchet to my local Lowe's today to see what they say. They have the ratchet in stock (same part number). If not I can always call Craftsman. If Lowe's does replace Craftsman no matter where purchased that will be great for those of us who have Craftsman tools. Yeah Yeah. I know. Craftsman is now made overseas. Owned by Stanley, etc. The purpose of this is not to discuss which brand is better. I don't make a living turning wrenches. I just do simple task.
Something else I've noticed. The ICON brand at Harbor Freight is gaining a following. I went to the Rocky Mount and Greenville stores and only one store had ONE comfort grip ratchet in stock. All the others were sold out. They are cheaper that Craftsman at Lowes and also have a lifetime warranty. I don't expect Lowes or Harbor Freight to go under like Sears is doing. I have a cousin that buys the Pittsburgh brand at Harbor Freight. I talked to him this week and he said he has never had an issue with a return to Harbor Freight and did not need a receipt.
Another musing. I have a Stanley ratchet that the shift lever is broken on. I called Stanley earlier this week to ask about buying a shift lever to replace it. I was told they don't sell parts and they would send me a new ratchet. Came in yesterday. Great customer service.
I've been trying to do some cleaning up that is long over due. Got some tools that are rusty that I will be cleaning up. Online search reveals people use WD-40, motor oil and other things to put on their tools to prevent rust. I decided to give Fluid Film a try. Lanolin based. Non-hazardous - Non-toxic. Great test results (several Youtube videos) and some people up north apply it under their vehicles to keep them from rusting.
Question from all of this:
1. This is not for the professional (users of Snap On, Matco, Proto, etc in their line of work). What tools do you generally buy and why?
2. What do you use to clean your tools?
3. What do you use to put on your tools to prevent rust?
Fluid film videos:
"
FULL STATEMENT FROM LOWE'S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS:
"we will honor all lifetime warranties no matter where the CRAFTSMAN hand tool was purchased. We ask that customers bring in the item, and we’ll replace it if we have the product. If we do not have the product, customers can call the Customer Care Hotline (883-331-4569)."
Maureen Wallace, Lowe's
Link here: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...ill-lowes-honor-craftsman-lifetime-warranties
I'm going to carry the ratchet to my local Lowe's today to see what they say. They have the ratchet in stock (same part number). If not I can always call Craftsman. If Lowe's does replace Craftsman no matter where purchased that will be great for those of us who have Craftsman tools. Yeah Yeah. I know. Craftsman is now made overseas. Owned by Stanley, etc. The purpose of this is not to discuss which brand is better. I don't make a living turning wrenches. I just do simple task.
Something else I've noticed. The ICON brand at Harbor Freight is gaining a following. I went to the Rocky Mount and Greenville stores and only one store had ONE comfort grip ratchet in stock. All the others were sold out. They are cheaper that Craftsman at Lowes and also have a lifetime warranty. I don't expect Lowes or Harbor Freight to go under like Sears is doing. I have a cousin that buys the Pittsburgh brand at Harbor Freight. I talked to him this week and he said he has never had an issue with a return to Harbor Freight and did not need a receipt.
Another musing. I have a Stanley ratchet that the shift lever is broken on. I called Stanley earlier this week to ask about buying a shift lever to replace it. I was told they don't sell parts and they would send me a new ratchet. Came in yesterday. Great customer service.
I've been trying to do some cleaning up that is long over due. Got some tools that are rusty that I will be cleaning up. Online search reveals people use WD-40, motor oil and other things to put on their tools to prevent rust. I decided to give Fluid Film a try. Lanolin based. Non-hazardous - Non-toxic. Great test results (several Youtube videos) and some people up north apply it under their vehicles to keep them from rusting.
Question from all of this:
1. This is not for the professional (users of Snap On, Matco, Proto, etc in their line of work). What tools do you generally buy and why?
2. What do you use to clean your tools?
3. What do you use to put on your tools to prevent rust?
Fluid film videos:
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