Powertool warranty service, shaking my head

[Brad_bb]

So I've slowly been switching over my cordless tools to the red brand out of Wisconsin.  I had a compact inflator that I've had about a year or so.  Well I've learned that you have to take it easy on them and don't let them overheat.  I was topping off the 4 trailer tires and the spare and by the end the inflator gave and overheat signal on the screen.  I stopped, but it was too late as the pump seal was gone.  It wouldn't pump air.  The pump was pumping but it wasn't sealing.  Therefore it made a louder vibration noise and you could hear it wasn't right anymore.  It was under warranty though.  I found there was a service center about 35-40 minutes from me and it was on the way to where I was going to buy several trailer loads of hay from.  So I dropped it off on my way.  I was hoping it would get fixed before my last trip for hay so I could pick it up on the way, but no such luck.  The day after my last load they called to tell me it was ready.  So I go to pick it up.  I get it home and try it on a tire.  It's making the same vibration and not inflating.  I call them and when comparing the serial number it becomes clear and the service guy says it looks like they just put your malfunctioning unit in a bag and had you pick it up.  He said they don't actually fix them, they're supposed to replace them with a new unit.  I didn't want to do all that driving two more times so he told me to go online and the red company will pay the shipping each way and all you need to do is take to  Fed ex in a box.  I did that and two weeks later got a notification that my tool was on the way.  Received it and tried it out and it was making the same vibration and not inflating.  I look at the serial number and it's my old unit.  They did it again!!! I had even noted what happened the first time.  I called them last night and this time they immediately shipped out a NEW unit and gave me a scan code to ship the old unit via Fed Ex again.  Unbelievable.

[YellowHammer]

I have seen this as a pattern for several months and it came to a head this Christmas.  Half of the electronics, power tools and cameras I bought for myself and family for presents were defective out of the box.  Some had obviously been used and repackaged, some had parts missing, some had scratches and stuff on them.  

So I took all the defective presents back and proceeded to send them back with "I want this replaced, not fixed" notes inside the boxes.  I marked each item in a place that I could identify later and send them back.  One of the items came back in a brand new box, packaged like new, and it was mine! I could tell from the hidden mark I had put on it.  Of course, it still didn't work.   

It seems obvious that some or many of these mail order mostly Amazon companies are using the "they won't send it back if it's broke" strategy and are re mailing instead of repairing.  

So my strategy has changed also.  I do not ask for an exchange or repair, I process a refund, then order the product from a different vendor, and put an appropriate review on each site where it has happened.  

It has happened way too many times to me lately for this to be merely coincidence or accident. It's becoming policy.  

[petefrom bearswamp]

Bought several Ridgid cordless tools 20 years ago with lifetime warrantee on the tool, charger and even battery.
Only one left, the drill I bought for myself, all the others which I bought for my grandson for his college graduation in the building trades were lost or he never bothered to pursue the warranty.
I have gone through at least three batteries and one charger so far and although the nearest service center now is about 80 miles away the defective units have always been replaced with new.
Back when I bought them there were 2 service centers close by, but they no longer do the ridgid stuff.

[Chuck White]

I also bought RIGID cordless products.

About 4 years ago I bought a DRILL and DRIVER kit, and like Pete said, the drill and driver have a lifetime warranty, and so does the charger and the batteries!

[Okrafarmer]

I live near the TTI national hq for USA. I buy a lot of Ridgid and Ryobi tools from the outlets. It's a bear getting them serviced, though.

[YellowHammer]

I'm not sure how to use any tool's lifetime warranty.  To us, power tools are basically disposable, especially chop or miter saws, nail guns, air tools, stuff like that.  Chop saws, for example, we wear them out about once a year, then something happens.  A plastic part breaks, a blade guard breaks, a motor goes out, the blade brake fails, something or other goes out and it makes the unsafe or unusable.  I used to take it to a service shop and they say they can handle it, but it will take 6 weeks to many months.  I've never had a "I'll have it running tomorrow" response.  So I tell them I need one now, because if it I need it, then I need it, today, we use them all day every day.  I have two chop saws in operation in our business, each in its own building or work area.  

I just shrug my shoulder, I don't have the time to wait, and just buy another at the local Lowes or Home Depot, go home and set it up and start using it.

Usually, I just give the used one to a customer who says they will through the trouble to fix, sometimes I just chunk them in the bin and try a different brand that may last longer.

I had not heard Rigid had a lifetime warranty on batteries, I'm constantly buying new batteries for Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee products.  How are new batteries obtained?

[Stephen1]

I had not heard Rigid had a lifetime warranty on batteries, I'm constantly buying new batteries for Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee products.  How are new batteries obtained?

I have the 18volt NI Cad Dewalt tools. It was 9 pack of tools given to me years ago. I have not worn out these tools but the batteries were the biggest expense. I then discovered aftermarket  Lithion ion batteries for these tools. They cost half as much, go in the same charger as the nicad, and some I have been using now for 2 years. 

[rusticretreater]

The markup on battery packs is huge, so they select less than optimal batteries.  Some battery packs are a bunch of little batteries wired in series to create voltage.  They are just like batteries you use in daily life.

Awhile back I got fed up with it and bought a somewhat expensive spot welder to make my own battery packs.  There are smaller ones that you can charge with USB and are portable. Some are around $50.

You weld strips of metal onto the ends of batteries to join them together.  You can buy the best batteries and make a stronger renewed battery pack for less 1/2 price of a replacement.  You can also change the type of battery. Plenty of youtube vids on how to do it.

The welder ends up paying for itself.

[Big_eddy]

I'm not sure how to use any tool's lifetime warranty.  To us, power tools are basically disposable, especially chop or miter saws, nail guns, air tools, stuff like that.  Chop saws, for example, we wear them out about once a year, then something happens.  A plastic part breaks, a blade guard breaks, a motor goes out, the blade brake fails, something or other goes out and it makes the unsafe or unusable.  I used to take it to a service shop and they say they can handle it, but it will take 6 weeks to many months.  I've never had a "I'll have it running tomorrow" response.  So I tell them I need one now, because if it I need it, then I need it, today, we use them all day every day.  I have two chop saws in operation in our business, each in its own building or work area.  

I just shrug my shoulder, I don't have the time to wait, and just buy another at the local Lowes or Home Depot, go home and set it up and start using it.

Usually, I just give the used one to a customer who says they will through the trouble to fix, sometimes I just chunk them in the bin and try a different brand that may last longer.

I had not heard Rigid had a lifetime warranty on batteries, I'm constantly buying new batteries for Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee products.  How are new batteries obtained?

It used to be you took the old battery to a service center and a month or so later a new one arrived in the mail. 
Nowadays, with a properly registered battery and a scan of the original receipt, you go online and make a claim and it ships out a day or two later.
I have had several batteries replaced over the years and never had a claim problem. I probably have 10 batteries so I can be without one or two for a bit

[peakbagger]

The markup on battery packs is huge, so they select less than optimal batteries.  Some battery packs are a bunch of little batteries wired in series to create voltage.  They are just like batteries you use in daily life.

Awhile back I got fed up with it and bought a somewhat expensive spot welder to make my own battery packs.  There are smaller ones that you can charge with USB and are portable. Some are around $50.

You weld strips of metal onto the ends of batteries to join them together.  You can buy the best batteries and make a stronger renewed battery pack for less 1/2 price of a replacement.  You can also change the type of battery. Plenty of youtube vids on how to do it.

The welder ends up paying for itself.

Be careful on DIY re-celling battery packs. A lot of batteries on the market are seconds and thirds. Factories use matched cells.  A lot of lithium battery fires are caused by cheap battery packs made with unmatched low grade batteries.