End of the KOBALT Brand

[sdquick]

I have had good experiences with returns. Last week I took a ratchet in and asked about the lifetime warranty. They said yep, do you want the same style? I said i guess, and they pulled one out from under the counter that matched and said they know some people have sets that they want to keep the same. They did not ask me for anything and handed me an exchange receipt and I walked out.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I exchanged 1 ratchet at sears, had no problem, no receipt required. That was probably 20 yrs ago.

 

[Clint S]

I have had good experiences with returns. Last week I took a ratchet in and asked about the lifetime warranty. They said yep, do you want the same style? I said i guess, and they pulled one out from under the counter that matched and said they know some people have sets that they want to keep the same. They did not ask me for anything and handed me an exchange receipt and I walked out.

Just too back 2 ratchets and half dozen broken sockets. No hassles, no receipt. Just asked me the same ?? do you want the same style?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Lifetime warranty is a lifetime warranty, I just buy ones that are made in the USA, even if they are lower quality and break, who cares I just exchange it for a new one.

I care..... IF, I'm half way through working on something, I don't want to have to drive 20 miles to get "another one", as I need to get that job done!

For ME, some times, time does matter!

SO, I try to buy good quality tools, and no I don't have a tool box full of Snapon....

SR

 

[Wagtail]

For anyone that's been living under a rock lately....

The Craftsman brand was purchased from Sears by Stanley

Craftsman (tools) - Wikipedia

From that link....

"In March 2017, Stanley Black & Decker acquired the Craftsman brand from Sears Holdings. Sears maintains the right to manufacture and sell tools using existing supply channels under the Craftsman name for 15 years after the deal closed. In April 2018, Lowe's now sells the Craftsman tools.[1]"

Um... Well, I guess I live under a rock then.

It's a nice rock. Not quite a Hobbit Hole, though.

[Note: "Lowes" is a clothing shop in Australia.]

 

[RickB]

With all this corporate consolidation and global outsourcing I've given up trying to keep track of who's making what where, fortunately I was able to accumulate most of the tools I will probably ever need while we were still making them here in America.

Exactly.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Just wondering how the Kolbalt warranty works, do you need a receipt? I've never had an issue exchanging Craftsman. Although nobody carries a 1/2" drive swivel in my area, they did give me the option to order one free.

Any updates on Lowes going to Craftsman? I live in SE Alabama and last time I was in Lowes I didn't see craftsman available.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I care..... IF, I'm half way through working on something, I don't want to have to drive 20 miles to get "another one", as I need to get that job done!

For ME, some times, time does matter!

SO, I try to buy good quality tools, and no I don't have a tool box full of Snapon....

SR

Who owns just one set of very specific tools? Lol

I have broken plenty of tools, I’m hard on tools but I also have adapters and adjustable tools.

I have never once been able to not finish a job because of a broke tool. I broke two ratchets and a extension trying to brake loose a rounded lug that an idiot room mate Fked up, I got it done, I made him exchange them because I broke them on his screw up, I got them back good as new. One was craftsman, one kobolt.

I still stand by buying American lifetime tools even if they aren’t the best out there.

 

[tjkubota93]

Who owns just one set of very specific tools? Lol

I have broken plenty of tools, I’m hard on tools but I also have adapters and adjustable tools.

I have never once been able to not finish a job because of a broke tool. I broke two ratchets and a extension trying to brake loose a rounded lug that an idiot room mate Fked up, I got it done, I made him exchange them because I broke them on his screw up, I got them back good as new. One was craftsman, one kobolt.

I still stand by buying American lifetime tools even if they aren’t the best out there.

A lot of people. Tools are supposed to work when everything else breaks. I want 1 good one, not 2 or more crappy ones. But I made my living with tools I had to buy for several years. A tool used properly should not break. A lot of them are too expensive to buy duplicates.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Who owns just one set of very specific tools? Lol

The nuts on the front of one of my tractors are something like 36mm... I broke that socket and I only had one, that size. It was a hassle having "right then" to buy another socket!

I replaced the socket with a Proto brand and ended that problem...

SR

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Um... Well, I guess I live under a rock then.

It's a nice rock. Not quite a Hobbit Hole, though.

[Note: "Lowes" is a clothing shop in Australia.]

You live under the 3rd rock...

 

[Deere Dude]

So where is a guy supposed to take a broken Kobolt wrench now?
I have a few broken Craftsman tools laying around so at least I have a place to return them. Haven't been in a Sears store in 10+ years,

 

[Oldoak]

A tool used properly should not break.

:thumbsup:

I couldn't count the number of times I have seen shade tree mechanics putting long pipe extensions on breaker bars or using regular sockets with impact wrenches. Or using taps and dies without applying the proper cutting oil. Then complain when they break.

 

[Ford850]

Here's a link to all of the current Craftsman tool warranties:
WARRANTY INFORMATION | CRAFTSMAN(R)
For the basic hand tools, the coverage is still very good. There are some items that are a little odd, for example the Tap and Die sets:
"CRAFTSMAN Hand Tool Full Warranty
If any tap wrench or die stock of this CRAFTSMAN tap and die set ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be replaced free of charge. This warranty does not cover taps, dies, screw extractors, or other set pieces, which are expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period." :confused3:

 

[Michael Aos]

All of the Craftsman tools (mostly socket sets) I looked at Lowe's today were made in Taiwan.
All of the Kobalt tools I looked at Lowe's today were made in China.

I had pretty much given up on Craftsman, but now I'm thinking I'll give them another chance.
--

 

[Oldoak]

This warranty does not cover taps, dies, screw extractors, or other set pieces, which are expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period."

Understandable. Those items wear from normal use alone and get dull. I wouldn't expect them to be replaced under that circumstance. :confused3:

Of course, if I were in charge, I would have never replaced any broken tool that had signs of obvious abuse either.

Personally, with all the big conglomerates and multi-national corporations today, I don't care where the tools I purchase are manufactured, as long as they do the job I expect of them. However, I also keep in mind "you get what you pay for".............................well sometimes.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Do you mean "Craftsman" or is this some oriental manufacturer trying to sound German?

I never did win any spelling bees. So much for spell check; which does not work for me on TBN. Works fine in other programs. It is "Craftsman". By the way all the boxes are labeled prominently "Made in China".

Ron

 

[ch47dpilot]

Here's a link to all of the current Craftsman tool warranties:
WARRANTY INFORMATION | CRAFTSMAN(R)
For the basic hand tools, the coverage is still very good. There are some items that are a little odd, for example the Tap and Die sets:
"CRAFTSMAN Hand Tool Full Warranty
If any tap wrench or die stock of this CRAFTSMAN tap and die set ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be replaced free of charge. This warranty does not cover taps, dies, screw extractors, or other set pieces, which are expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period." :confused3:

The holder for the taps broke on mine. I was under the impression that tap & die sets weren't covered. I guess I'll have to stop in my local store next time I'm near by (35miles away)

 

[Ford850]

The holder for the taps broke on mine. I was under the impression that tap & die sets weren't covered. I guess I'll have to stop in my local store next time I'm near by (35miles away)

Yep, the holders/handles are the only things that are covered in the sets. I agree that makes sense, but it sounds funny to say a set has a warranty while only 1 or 2 of the pieces are actually covered.

 

[PILOON]

I always expected some smart a-s clerk would say -Since it broke, the life was over.