I really like life-time warranties. Canadian Tire’s Mastercraft brand carries a life-time warranty on almost all of their hand tools. It’s one of the reasons I will actually spend the couple extra bucks on a Mastercraft branded tool instead of one of the no name ones.
I recently had to return my Mastercraft 25′ measuring tape as it had sprung out (or whatever it’s called when the tape will no longer retract). Interestingly enough, this is the second one I’ve had to get replaced for the same reason. I’m not entirely sure why I’m “lucky” like this. I barely use the measuring tape. I had to get the first one replaced within a week of buying it. The second time was just last week.
So, instead of having to go buy another $14.99 measuring tape, I just walk in and show them my broken one. They get me a replacement one and I walk out with a new measuring tape. Fantastic. The best part is you don’t need your receipt to do this either, well, as long as they can identify the tool is really a Mastercraft tool.
Of course, for anything with a long term warranty it’s always a good idea to keep those receipts.
Don’t forget to make a photocopy of those receipts… the ink has this tendancy to fade after awhile.
Cheerio!
A
Not so thrilled with Mastercraft tools but love the warranty. Untill yesterday; when a branch manager told me that it doesn’t apply to professionals. Their latest model 4.5″ angle grinders give up sometimes in 20 minutes and rarely last more than a month in light use. 3 years instantly became 6 months because the tools are garbage. I will be looking further into this as he was unable to show where this ‘home use’ provision could be found in writing and i suspect he was making it up.
I’m starting to loose my faith in the mastercraft line. On a Tap&Die set which is clearly marked “Lifetime Warrenty” not “Limited Lifetime Warrenty” I was told just the other day that the warrenty does not cover the drillbits, Taps, & dies in the kit, which only leaves the Tap & Die Wrenches. What kind of false advertising is this?
My store would not return a gear wrench because I was using it on my Farm (which in there eyes is professional use) ??
TOTALLY LOST FAITH IN MASTERCRAFT TOOLS… I purchased a Mastercraft “Professional” 1/4″ drive socket wrench and went to use it to remove the retaining nut for my windshield wiper arm and it stripped the ratchet. I took it back to my local CT store and even thou it still looked new and had “Mastercraft” and their product prominently displayed on the ratchet I was informed I was going to receive less than half of my original purchase price back in store credit as that model no longer was manufactured and a repair kit was not available. Their reason for the discounted store credit was that I did not have my reciept and the tool went on the discontinued table at some point in time. I informed them that I have purchased their brand of tools for over 20 years and relied on their lifetime warranty. I kindly reminded them that they were not the only tool retailer and would switch to a real company that stood behind their tools and warranty. Hello Craftsman, I think I found myself a new best friend!!!
to increase the life of your tape measure try to let it retract slowly using the brake (or by holding it) instead of just letting go and letting it reel in at maximum speed.
thats a common cause of the spring letting go.
if you already do that then they are just crappy tapes :( but my mastercraft tape works quite well and has for quite some time under semi-regular use.
i was told mastercraft wont stand behind the stamp in the tools anymore and a reciept is required………