New Craftsman Hand Tools Warranty Process at Lowe’s Let’s Put it to the test! Will it Pass or Fail??

WARRANTY INFORMATION
CRAFTSMAN warranties are important to our customers. We will, of course, honor existing warranties and provide similar warranty protection for all new CRAFTSMAN products.
Full Lifetime Warranty
If the product fails to perform for any reason, we will replace it. Return damaged product to a stocking Retail Partner or call 1-888-331-4569for details. No proof of purchase required.
Note: Same Warranty for all New Craftsman Models (Model # starting with “CMHT”) and older models (Model # starting with “9”)
Certain Exclusions: Warranty does not cover expendable parts which can wear from normal use (i.e. blade in a knife)

[@TrakSpock1]

Keep the Craftsman videos coming! In my 30-plus years of wrenching with Craftsman tools, I think I've warranted exactly one Craftsman branded tool.....a screwdriver that broke the tip off. I still have my original Craftsman tool set plus two other USA-made Craftsman sets I purchased prior to 2009. Don't abuse your tools, clean them after each use, and they'll last a lifetime.

[@ClientGraphics]

TrakSpock1 That really is great advice. If you don’t abuse your tools and clean them they sure can hold up a lifetime. Even just a grease rag rub or shot of WD-40 to keep surface rust off helps keep them looking good.

[@granadojl]

I literally have only damaged a hand full of flat blade screwdrivers... of course using them as prybars. Great advice to those who just don't know simple tool maintenance.

[@kentdavis7279]

Thanks for post so glad to know Lowe’s got this right, that chrome peal on a socket is razor sharp...hand injuries bite! I’m totally good with a new socket w/ life warranty even if from China. I always clean and even service my own Craftsman Ratchets, open up clean and lubricate and they usually click like new, (maybe need a pall, spring or bearing) keep those made in USA wrenches turning!

[@CCscott]

Unfortunately not all employees will be as cool as this one was. I’m not sure he should’ve allowed you to keep the old socket though. What’s preventing you from exchanging for another?

[@AAP0000]

He is an honest guy.

[@CCscott]

@@AAP0000 You’re a cutie

[@AAP0000]

@@CCscott Oh. Thanks a bunch! 😘

[@bobbygarrett9588]

Holy Crap, good to know. Got a butt ton of 3/8" 12 point sockets and two 1/2" breaker bars that have seen better days. Thank You for another great video.

[@cmos9020]

That's great. Tried a CMan screwdriver exchange at Ace recently and they gave me crap for the stock numbers being different on the new vs old tool. They we're otherwise 100% identical. Ace employees can definitely use that quick reference guide!

[@googleusergp]

Ace is hit or miss. My local one, no problem. Went to a store in NJ up near my sister, was a hassle. Blasted them online, went right to Lowes and swapped them out. I very rarely swap out tools, but when I buy them in a tool lot, I save what's good and swap out the rest.

[@tommyapplegate30]

It would be good if they were like that with their older Kobalt.

[@jdtractorman7445]

@Lupe Filbey Stop posting that crap, no one cares.

[@jdraupp]

They used to be able to do this. Lowe’s is basically giving up on the Kobalt brand.

[@andybub45]

That is the quickest lowes checkout I have ever seen

[@TerryDiDonato]

Great video, I tried to replace a Craftsman socket and screwdriver yesterday at the Lowes in Missouri City, Texas and the Customer service rep said NO. the items had to be purchased at Lowes and gave me the craftsman 800 #.

[@ClientGraphics]

Hopefully the 1-800 number can help, sounds like a training and educational opportunity for Lowe’s staff at that location.

[@googleusergp]

OPE stands for "Outside Power Equipment" (mowers, blowers, etc.).

[@craigjorgensen4637]

After many years in the tool business I can say that the vast majority to tools that break are the result of abuse. Some heavy users NEVER break a tool. Some guys could break ball bearings with a rubber mallet!

[@Tailgatesntoolboxes]

I had a craftsman socket crack on me changing a alternator on a k5 blazer years ago....I didn't abuse it. It just cracked I guess. I have also broke socket adapters too but that was too much stress with a cheater bar lol I also have broken new tools write out of the package...I broke 2 KOBALT slip joint pliers trying to change a motorcycle mirror Broke a set of Pittsburgh black n yellow handled vise grips . the fell apart as soon as I went to lock them down on a bolt I was trying to remove. Also the Pittsburgh screwdrivers with the orange handles with the black squishy grip...some of the tips broke and fell off as soon as I touched the screw I won't buy any craftsman tools unless they are made in the USA. I bought a USA made tape measure n it already had defects on it n I wasn't too impressed with the quality

[@craigjorgensen4637]

LongIslandP8ntball some of the Pittsburgh tools are pure junk but I have to admit that Harbor Freight has come a LONG way since the early days. Some of their upper line stuff is equal to hand tools that cost ten times ( or more) then the big brands.

[@Romulan112]

I have older Craftsman socket sets. My 1/4" sockets also don't have the detents in it. Its flat. I won't exchange them for new ones because I think the metal of the new ones is not as hard as the older American ones. Also, the new ones don't have detents in them neither. They have ridges which makes it a pain to get the socket off the extension bar. Its pretty tight and is hard to take off when you have greasy hands. If I break a socket, i just replace it with a gearWrench socket, which do have the detents.

[@ChrisMFlorida]

I brought in a 20 year old 3/8 wrench with a broken rachet mechanism and spoke to the tool associate first and he confirmed that I can just swap it. When I got to customer service the associate said the craftsman part numbers don't match and if I can't find a matching part (stamped on the tool) I would have to call craftsman. I went back to the tool associate and he said BS and so I returned to the customer service desk and spoke to a manager. The customer service manager said it was fine, replace with the matching wrench and due to the age of the tool the part numbers won't match. Just my experience.. if you're not sure find a manager or store manager. Well worth the 15 minutes to get the tool warrantied.

[@wesdoobner7521]

I tried taking an old 1/4 inch drive ratchet with some broken teeth back a few days ago. It took a while waiting in line, and then waiting for the tool person to go find the right replacement, but eventually they replaced my old ratchet with one of the new fully polished ones, and it is very nice. Also heavier than the old one. They did ask for my ID which I don't care about one way or the other.

[@ThomasPartida]

That’s awesome! I have some old craftsman tools I inherited but with a warranty like this i will definitely be buying more.

[@scoob66]

Glad to see they're good with it. I have a bunch of hand down ratchets from my grandfather that are all on their way out

[@benb5430]

Never been to a lowes that had socket drawers like that really cool

[@U.S.A5]

Today I have a bad experience with Lowe's I have the same Channellock but without a plastic grip and they refused to change it and they said if they do not have to pay sales tax I post a video on the KZbin under title Lowe's refuse to exchange Craftsman tool

[@johnlamb8228]

How funny. @ 1:34 the card with the Lifetime Warranty policy has ratchets misspelled. "RACHETS, SOCCKETS & EXTENSION BARS" Also note "NO RECEIPT OF PURCHASE REQUIRED" even though a Lowes employee just gave me a receipt on an exchange and told me to keep it in case I ever needed to exchange the ratchet. Looks like Lowes is still trying to figure this all out as when I did the exchange, they had me go get the replacement ratchet from the isle - it had a price of $24.95 - and take it back to exchanges. At Exchanges, they took my ID, issued a gift card for $32.95 for some reason, and they used the gift card to purchase the ratchet. They then provided me my ID, and empty gift card, the new ratchet, and a receipt for a $32.95 purchase for a $24.95 ratchet - that is a lot of tax for someone - 32%.

[@davidstepeck2644]

When the Lowes employee says he can have rhe old socket he's like "really" Haha

[@hawkenman.549]

Like anything else, it depends on the person you get and if they really want to help or not. I brought back a 1/4 inch drive 6inch extension. Since they only sold 4inch or 8inch, they said there was nothing they could do for me. I was willing to pay the difference in price but they said no. If I had gone back the next day and gotten someone different, maybe things would have been more favorable.

[@cup_and_cone]

I've got about a dozen cracked/broken Craftsman sockets from the last 30 years of mechanic usage. Never bothered to warranty any of them because the Sears was so far away. I wonder how pissed Lowe's would be if I brought them all in at once for replacement?

[@Tyler-gb5sl]

That seems to work a lot better than it used to with any Sears hometown store I used to go to. Those sears stores put me through hell trying to get things warrantied, good riddance Sears/craftsman era. It was pretty pathetic at the end.

[@Superspreader11]

Just left Lowe's and they will exchange sockets and screwdrivers, and extensions, however they will not accept things such as Ratchets if your ratchet does not have the same model # that theirs does which unless it's a new Chinese will be different, you have to call the 888 number and use option 4, because if you use the option for Sears purchase it's a dead-end loop.

[@johnlamb8228]

I just did this today. Took an older "Made in the USA" ratchet into Lowes and they exchanged it. I had to go find the "like" replacement ratchet and take it and the bad ratchet to Exchanges, provide an ID, and wait for about 5 minutes and they issued a $32.95 gift card and then purchased the new ratchet for $32.95 (even though in the isle it listed for $24.95). They handed me back an empty gift card, my ID, the new ratchet, and a receipt which they stated I would need if I were to ever need to change the ratchet again. Really, what happened to the "no ID required" lifetime warranty and what was with the $32.95 exchange versus the price in the isle of $24.95? Is Lowes making a commission off of every exchange?

[@ChrisMFlorida]

I got that same run around story here.. I spoke to the Customer service manager and got it warrantied. Some associates are just not informed of the policy.

[@VRCM_Skywarn_XUSA]

I got a bag of broken craftsmen tools... Weighs about 40 pounds. I spoke to Lowes tool pusher...yesterday. He said...yeah. Bring it in. I said the entire bag? He said yup. So tomorrow. I'll be at Lowes on Monday getting new tools. 🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧

[@googleusergp]

If at all possible, dismantle, clean and lubricate your old USA made Craftsman ratchets as they are far superior to the new imported ones. I do it all the time. 9 times out of 10, they need a cleaning and relube. In a very small amount of cases, they will need a rebuild kit. I just rebuilt a #42793 ratchet that was in the radiator support of a Ford Torino for the better part of 30 years and it works like new. On that one, I did have to use a rebuild kit.

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Where did you get the kit from and are they still available?

[@googleusergp]

@@mostlymoparih5682 If you can find a Sears still around, some still give them to you. If not, people sell them on Ebay.

[@B.r.i.a.n.1]

No luck in NY with craftsman exchange. Couldnt even exchange my kobalt ratchet because I refused giving government ID which they run through some unknown 3rd party system for no reason since the owner is irrelevant.

[@yrtuag]

I have a large Craftsman plane that's broken, I wonder if I'd have any success in returning that 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@craigjorgensen4637]

JimWest Don’t think so. Not a hand tool!

[@oblivieon1567]

Thanks for posting this video. I was wondering how the Lowe's Craftsman warranty exchange would work. From what I've seen online it seems the ratchet exchanges are hit or miss which is a shame, I'm surprised they don't have boxes of rebuilt ratchets like Sears did. But at least it seems simple enough with the sockets, screwdrivers and stuff like that.

[@googleusergp]

9 times out of 10, your Craftsman ratchet just needs to be dismantled, cleaned and relubed to work like new for years and years. I fix them all the time.

[@puupii9432]

Glad they gave you a new one. But they shouldn't have given the old one back to you. You could just give your old socket to someone else and now they can swap it out also and get a brand new socket. I'm pretty sure the clerk wasn't supposed to do that but what matters is that they honored the warranty.

[@vince8498]

My experience at the Lowes Westhills store in Calgary is that they do not honour the Craftsman warranty

[@Bradsmobilecarcare]

That’s great that they did that. The Lowe’s stores in Raleigh NC want exchange one piece at the time. They are requiring you to bring in full sets.

[@ClientGraphics]

YourWay LawnCare Does your store have single sockets? To be fair it truly depends upon the item because they don’t stock singles of the Gun Metal chrome sockets so you would have a miss match with some people caring and others not. Seems like a big waste to exchange a set if they have a like or similar single.

[@Bradsmobilecarcare]

Yep they have single sockets in the store and had the one I needed in a single. They stated that Craftsman’s policy was you have to exchange the entire set and not a single piece. Called Craftsman and they stated the same thing. So instead of digging out an entire set of tools from my tools box I just went and purchased that socket in Gearwrench from an auto parts store.

[@jeremydavis2595]

@@Bradsmobilecarcare This crap is why I switched to Harbor Freight. Anyone can knock it if they want. Their hand tools all have a no questions asked lifetime warranty. I twisted off a socket adapter that came as a 4pc set. Took the broken one in, cashier pulled up my account and told me to go pull a new set off the shelf. Brought it to her and she pulled the one I needed out of the set. I think they put sets like that in the discount bin if a piece is removed for warranty. I have a complete set of tools in my box for not boat load of $ and if it breaks I can get it replaced without hassle.

[@michaelmcguffin5534]

Do all Lowe's haven't those cases of single sockets? That's pretty cool

[@sneakysnake109]

I was under the impression that Lowes wouldn't warranty old Sears Craftsman items. Do you think they did this exchange because they didn't know, or is that going to be their policy going forward.

[@ClientGraphics]

As the policy was described to me for any and all Craftsman hand tools (old Sears Craftsman items and new Stanley Black & Decker Craftsman) like sockets, ratchets, and wrenches it was an exchange for like or similar item if in-store and in-stock. Otherwise call 1-888-331-4569.

[@sneakysnake109]

@@ClientGraphics Thanks for the response

[@bobbybridges189]

@@ClientGraphics I've called the 1888 number a couple times and they were very helpful. Sent me a new screwdriver to replace my broken one free of charge.

[@aviorperformance]

I tried doing an exchange today and the lady in customer service shot me down. She didn’t know anything about warranty exchange. Told me to call craftsman. So it seems stores will be hit or miss. I’ve since emailed craftsman.

[@tommywalker742]

I sure hope you kept the old socket. Two for the price of one!!!

[@toolnerd]

Thanks for the video!

[@ClientGraphics]

Sure thing. The next time I had to warranty something they forgot how to and asked for ID and needed a store manager. Hopefully you have a good experience as I hear it is now hit and miss.

[@vr4runner]

What if it’s part of a set? …they’d probably just match it the best they could

[@CamoCollie]

Hope I can do this with my extension. It came with a set and is extremely hard to add or remove any socket on it.

[@jasonjammin8697]

I came here because i seen a thrift picker was doing this.I had no ideal what he was doing.He would find some at garge sales and take them back to lowes.wasnt his main gig but just one thing .

[@oscarquezada895]

I have no issue with Lowe’s warrant my Craftsman, But they alway ask me for my driver license and input it into their computer.

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

Lowes will not accept a return unless it was bought there. Save your receipts folks! I never had an issue with Sears on an exchange.

[@crippleguy415]

Can I just get an USA made ratchet rebuilding kit for my 1971 era 3/8" ratchet ? Rather than exchanging it for some Chinese made pos ?

[@guzforce]

I changed my broken Torx socket from Sears at Lowe's and they check my driver's license and charged me "tax's" for the warranty.

[@ClientGraphics]

Yikes, Lowe’s is becoming less friendly on the Craftsman warranty

[@DEEPMOODYPURPLEBLUES]

How the hell does THAT make any sense when you already paid the tax on the original purchase. You weren't making a new purchase, you were simply exchanging the part, as per the lifetime warranty. What a scam. smdh

[@fike301]

My lowes doesn't sell everything in singles... Like my snap ring pliers. So no warranty for me! Tekton or Pitts pro for me

[@Kianrui]

Should I choose Kobalt or Craftsman hand tools??

[@kylevictor5793]

Nice video. From what I heard the exchange policy in the beginning was confusing but also lowes didnt have the inventory they do now of craftsman which is making it easier. I'm wondering if the places asking for drivers license are attempting to do it as a return and not doing it right in the system and as time goes on that will not be an issue.

[@ClientGraphics]

It was really confusing and ever changing in the beginning and could be today still as not all stores have the larger Craftsman Roll out. I probably spent 5 minutes each visit at Lowes asking about warranty and each time it was a little different. The last visit I saw them referencing cards and was like, "Can I just see your material and I'll give it back when I'm done."

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

How does it not have detents?

[@ClientGraphics]

To me it would seem a step in the manufacturing process was missed. I have a few full Stanley sets were the entire set 4mm thur 13mm has all detents missing. Thankfully I have so many sets in 1/4" I simply have just dismissed the fact it's annoying.

[@savingmoneyunapologetically]

How did you get the how-to warranty card that tells them what to do and how to do it at Lowes? Thx

[@ClientGraphics]

I saw the customer service pull it out to reference how to do exchanges and simply asked if I could see it as I have other craftsman products and was interested what and how the process works and the rest is in the video.

[@Anonymous01416]

It all depends on the employee and how much he knows. One associate told me no, the part number must match and the old ones don't match with the new which no fucking shit, I know they don't match. So that was my issue finding out.

[@johnmoyer2849]

I called that fucking number and got a god damn 3 hour run around.Nothing like being on hold for close to an hour Passed to someone else and on hold 45 more minutes.Finally passed to a 3rd person.On hold an hour never answered.

[@ClientGraphics]

That sounds awful, do they have bad hold music?

[@marcmckenzie5110]

Promising!

[@SDMFTommySick]

I don't understand why they gave you back the old socket

[@ClientGraphics]

Tommy Sick I don’t either, but I can tell you that if you do a phone warranty with Stanley Black & Decker for Stanley items then nine times out of 10 they ship you a replacement and you just pitch the old on you own for small items like that.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Tommy Sick they were foolish to give back the old socket. A person could exchange it again. They should just destroy it.

[@DEEPMOODYPURPLEBLUES]

@@craigjorgensen4637 That's the reason for them asking some folks for ID when doing a warranty replacement, apparently. I just spent nearly two hours on the phone with sears' craftsman warranty people the other day and they tried to ID me over the phone - presumably to ensure no parts are exchanged twice. I still haven't heard back from their "warranty team" as to whether they'll actually honor my warranty request or not.

[@mikecarone7320]

When Sears sold them it was like pulling teeth to warranty ratchets

[@googleusergp]

Never had that. They even gave me the kits so I could fix them myself and keep my old USA gold. Of course I went in there with the kit # in my hand, making it easy for them.

[@TomyOtis]

YO..........COOL !

[@jimfeaster4837]

Cant hear !

[@ClientGraphics]

Hopefully you figured out your sound issue as 600+ other views and no issues and it played fine for me. You can always turn closed captioning on or try google/KZbin support. Best of luck 🍻

[@kevinragsdale6256]

I wouldnt trade a usa one for a china one

[@aguilayserpiente]

The 888 number leads nowhere. Let Stanley know.

[@ClientGraphics]

Just tried it and it still gets to Craftsman 1-888-331-4569

[@aguilayserpiente]

@@ClientGraphics 888--> if you get an automated direction system leading nowhere because you must select where you purchased your product and will not receive tool repair consistent with the warranty. In the case of Lowe's you are told to take the broken tool to Lowe's. Lowe's does not repair tools. In the case of Sears being the place of purchase, the phone system leads to Sears washers and refrigerators, at a different call center unrelated to tools. In both cases, if you should speak to someone, the call center disavows knowledge of the repair guarantee. We are then proposed by the store a swap for one's broken premium grade ratchets 44814, 43176, 43797, etc, for the base model raised panel instead of a rebuild (even though those parts are still made by Craftsman's manufacturer the Apex group). The call center is a subcontractor with no ability (if you stumble onto a live person) to inform Stanley B&D of these problems. I wrote to Stanley B&D resulting in a call from the B&D historian, who was unaware of the above problems.

[@ClientGraphics]

I called the number then selected option 2 then 1 then 3 then 6 then 5 and was able to get a person. Gave them my Sears Craftsman USA Ratchet item number 44995 that is having issues. That was definitely routed back to Sears for a replacement.

[@richardelliott7022]

If it is that easy to warranty an old craftsman sockets Lowes will go under like sears

[@oASSAULTo]

All the new stuff is Made in Taiwan, made in USA very hard to find

[@grousedog88]

Craftsman warranty is show me the receipt.Then they wipe their ass with it.

[@gtp1172]

How much better ro u want it!,F!

[@cloudend]

There was no smartness involved in this video.

[@robertmoore5724]

Dont buy a gen from them they dont honor their warranty