Can I still exchange a Craftsman tool?

[milkman636]

I just broke my 30-year old Craftsman wrench this evening, made in USA, and the local sears is long gone. Do other stores still honor the warranty? Can I still swap it out for a free replacement?

 

[defranks]

Lowe's sells Craftsman tools and honor's the lifetime warranty. I think, though I am not positive, that Ace Hardware does as well.

 

[tallyho8]

I just broke my old Craftsman 9/16 wrench and I was wondering the same thing. Lowe's handles them but I don't know if they still observe the warranty but I am sure someone will answer this rather quickly.

Edit: We got our answer while I was still typing.

 

[Topzide]

I believe that Stanley tools brought the Craftsmen brand. Stanley are also lifetime warranty and all I had to do was call, send pic's and wait for the replacement. Not sure if Ave or Lowes handles that in store but it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst case is they say no!

 

[Richard]

My experience was, Lowes did NOT honor the warranty of those items that were "old stock".

They gave me an 800 number to call. It was a bit of an annoying process BUT, once the gal found the specific item (10" long 1/2" extension for sockets that was buggered up) They sent me one without any more issues/questions AND, I didn't have to send the original in.

A takeaway of that for me was, one could (evidently) call and tell them they had a ??? item and they'd send it to you.

They might have changed the process by now, my experience was roughly two years ago. If they keep the same process today, it could be abused.

 

[fruitcakesa]

My local Ace exchanged my 3/8th ratchet. He just took one off the sales display.
They don't carry all the tools but everyone uses a 3/8th so they are usually in stock

 

[DieselBound]

I believe that Stanley tools brought the Craftsmen brand. Stanley are also lifetime warranty and all I had to do was call, send pic's and wait for the replacement. Not sure if Ave or Lowes handles that in store but it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst case is they say no!

That piqued my interest as I was aware that Danaher once owned Craftsman: I worked at Fluke up to around the time that Danaher bought Fluke, so there was a bit of a personal interest in this sort of thing. A quick peek, though it's from 2012, is that Danaher (and Cooper) sold Craftsman (part of Apex) to Bain Capital (ugh):

Danaher, Cooper Sell Tool Venture for $1.6 Billion | American Machinist

This thread has motivated me to finally look to get around to having an old 1/2" drive Craftsman ratchet replaced:thumbsup:

 

[4get gto]

My local Ace exchanged my 3/8th ratchet. He just took one off the sales display.
They don't carry all the tools but everyone uses a 3/8th so they are usually in stock

My local Ace told me they wouldn't replace any Craftsman tool unless I bought it from them AND have the receipt..!

 

[Jstpssng]

My local Ace told me they wouldn't replace any Craftsman tool unless I bought it from them AND have the receipt..! ��

I would find someplace else to shop.
This

Note: Same warranty for all new CRAFTSMAN models (Model # starting with 鼎MMT? and older models (Model # starting with ??
No proof of purchase required. Return damaged product to a stocking Retail Partner or contact Customer Care for details.

(bold added.)
is what Craftsman says.

https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information

 

[Frankenkubota]

Lowe's sells Craftsman tools and honor's the lifetime warranty. I think, though I am not positive, that Ace Hardware does as well.

I Got a 3/8th craftsman ratchet set for my 16th birthday I think. I just turned 68. It just broke. Took it to Lowe’s. No problem, no forms, no begging, no hassles, very simple.

Unless it’s a POS from hf, I only buy Ridged. I know there are lots of good tools out there. I used to work at Milwaukee Electric Tool so I know they got good stuff. I’ve had a ton of lousy jobs but deburring aluminum castings 8-10 hours a day, by hand, on piece work convinced me it was time to go back to school!

Ridged stands behind their product better than the rest, imho.