When you purchase Craftsman tools, you are likely to be rewarded with a lifetime warranty.
Consumers expect the same warranty when they purchase from any retail outlet. Keep in mind that the warranty is valid for as long as the parts are in good condition.
Ultimately there are some questions you should ask whenever there’s a warranty on your items.
Do Craftsman, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware honor this warranty? This article provides a comprehensive guide on these.
Craftsman tools have a lifetime warranty
Craftsman tools come with lifetime warranty coverage for most of their tools.
Unlike many other warranties, a lifetime warranty covers the actual tool and not the parts.
The only exception to this is for tools that are electrically powered. These tools are covered under a limited lifetime warranty. Regardless of which category you buy your Craftsman tool for, you should be able to make a claim.
How to claim a warranty at Craftsman
To claim a warranty, you must contact the retail chain where you bought the tool. You will be provided with a claim form.
Once you fill out the form, you must provide information like the tool’s model number, any other numbers that may be on it, and your personal information.
Once you’ve completed the form, you’ll have to mail it to Craftsman for a replacement.
Does the manufacturing location affect warranty
No, it doesn’t. It doesn’t matter where you purchased the item — as long as it’s Craftsman’s, the warranty is valid.
Since the relaunch of the Craftsman brand, the company has pledged to increase U.S. manufacturing of its hand tools.
Currently, Craftsman products are manufactured overseas, but a spokeswoman for the company said it’s too early to announce exactly where the new production will take place.
A Springfield plant, which once manufactured Craftsman ratchets, closed down in 2005.
Lowe’s offers a lifetime warranty on Craftsman’s tools
Lowe’s is another retail location that offers a lifetime warranty.
However, be aware that if you buy Craftsman tools at Lowe’s, the warranty will be limited to that store.
While Lowe’s does carry Craftsman tools, it’s worth checking the brand’s warranty policies to ensure you get the best deal possible. The quality of Craftsman tools makes them worth the investment.
Ace Hardware honors the warranty
Unlike other stores, Ace Hardware does not accept the lifetime Craftsman warranty. If you purchase a Craftsman tool from an Ace Hardware store, you can exchange it for another one within 30 days of purchase.
It will only be accepted in the original packaging and with valid proof of purchase.
If your tool is faulty, simply take it back to the Craftsman store for exchange or refund. This is an exceptional deal for a lifetime tool.
Do you need a receipt to get a product replaced?
If you’re having problems with a Craftsman tool, you can send it back for a free exchange, if you’re unhappy with it.
As long as you’ve purchased it from a retail store, you can do so as long as the tool is still under the lifetime warranty.
If you’d like to exchange it, you must bring the receipt along. You can also return it to a Craftsman store, as long as you have the receipt.
If you’re not able to pick up the product in person, you can use a shipping service, such as UPS or FedEx.
Ace Hardware and Warranty: an Overview
Ace Hardware honors craftsman’s lifetime warranties, but it’s important to know the limitations.
If you’d prefer a delivery service, you can try to get your product delivered to a participating Ace Hardware store. If you have purchased the product from a reseller, be aware that shipping fees are not included.
If you bought a product from an independent Ace Hardware store, you may be able to claim your warranty by following certain steps. Ace Hardware stores can provide free assembly and delivery services.
If you buy a tool from an independent Ace Hardware store, you can also request to receive a lifetime warranty from the craftsman who built it.
However, Ace Hardware honors the craftsman’s lifetime warranty only if you’ve purchased it directly from an authorized seller.
Although many people think that Ace Hardware stores accept the Craftsman lifetime warranty, the reality is that they can’t exchange or refund Craftsman tools.
This is a problem, because most Ace Hardware locations operate under a cooperative retail business model.
Therefore, they can’t accept a lifetime Craftsman warranty for hand tools.
Instead, Ace Hardware offers lifetime warranties for its store-branded hand tools.
To qualify for this full warranty, your Ace Brand Hand Tool must meet certain expectations.
The ACE website and other services have provisions that limit your legal rights.
You agree to resolve any dispute with the company through binding arbitration.
You may also choose to sue if you believe the company has violated your intellectual property rights.
A dispute over a product or service cannot lead to a class action lawsuit.
However, if you are unhappy with your purchase, you can file a complaint in small claims court.
What to expect from Lowe’s warranty
You may be wondering if Lowe’s will honor your Craftsman’s lifetime warranty if you bought a tool from them.
While the policy may leave you with a feeling that the product you purchased is not as durable as it should be, it is still a good option if you are looking for a replacement for something that broke on you.
However, you should be aware that Lowe’s part numbers are not interchangeable with those of Sears, so you may have to call another store to find out if they will honor the warranty.
Many people like Craftsman’s tools for their quality and their lifetime warranty.
Unfortunately, Lowe’s has not embraced this policy and is refusing to honor the lifetime warranty for their Craftsman hand tools.
Although this is unfortunate, the quality of Craftsman tools remains high, and customers love the lifetime warranty for their purchases.
While the price difference may be significant, Craftsman products are still available at other stores.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the Craftsman brand has lost a great deal of the brand’s recognition.
Many tools are now sold under other names, such as Kobalt. As a result, it’s difficult to get the lifetime warranty from most stores.
If you are planning to buy a Craftsman tool from Lowe’s, be sure to read the warranty before buying it.
