Worst warranty policy

Kampfer · **on:** November 19, 2015, 08:51:46 AM

So which knife/ tool company do you think has the Worst warranty policy?

We often praise X company has good warranty or Y company took care this or that.
Let's see which one has the worst policy.

Sea Monster · **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2015, 10:15:54 AM

I don't think I've ever had much of a problem with manufacturer's backing up their warranty, (Traser maybe?)

I can't really think of anyone to slander tool or knife wise in the warranty department.

Local dealers on the other hand seem to do everything they can to avoid submitting warranty claims, and I usually find myself going straight to the producer/importer to get satisfaction.

Seriously Retailers - the one thing you have above online shopping is customer service. Sort it out, or go hungry.

Oh, and Toyota.
I've never dealt direct with Japan, but every Toyota dealer and support network agency I have dealt with - pack of cheatin' smurfs.

sLaughterMed · **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2015, 01:36:30 PM

Good question. I suppose the absolute worst experience I had with aa knife or tool company was Gerber I suppose. They gave me aa hard time about replacing their terrible carbide cutters for about a minute, but when I said i don't know..." when they suggested buying new ones the representative sent new ones free.

I think that counts as a good experience though. At worst, it was just ok experience, but still, my problem was resolved, with minimal arm twisting by both sides.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2015, 02:02:52 PM

I can't say who it was, but when I dealt with the Canadian rep for one of the big companies I was treated like a freeloader looking for a handout. I was very disappointed in the service, and only after telling them who I was and suggesting that I go to discuss this with the Powers That Be at Head Office did they decide to do their job.

Again, I hate to say who since I would hate for the biggest company in the multitool industry to get a black eye over an incompetent representative.

Suffice it to say, I eventually got the service I expected (and was told flat out that I only got it because of this site) and from now on I will only deal with the US office.

Def

dks · **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2015, 02:09:55 PM

In which country?

For example, LM will replace/repair anything (GOOD) but the local dealer charges a $30 fee (BAD), so repairing a LM Micra is pointless.

I have no experience with anybody else.

sawman · **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2015, 03:29:28 PM

I had a bad experience with Buck knives some 12 years ago. I purchased a number of 560x's and the rivets were not completely stamped on any of them. CS offered little sympathy and I wound up demanding my money back. While I still am a fan of Buck, I never forgot this experience.

dks · **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2015, 03:41:11 PM

Sawman jogged my memory

A few years ago I had the backspring break on a nearly new boker plus (I used it once and it snapped during the night, whilst the knife was closed- bad casting).

I emailed Boker twice, using their official email in Germany and have never heard back from them.

I thus never bought another one of their products and they have lost several hundred Euros from my, plus, I tell people to avoid their products.

- ohh, oh, and SOG, despite all the people here buying the Powerduo when it came out, trusting them, and then being really disapointed with its quality, has never apologised, offered to fix the problem or even improve that product.... That says a lot...

anditsgone · **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2015, 04:53:20 PM

I've only had great warranty service with victorinox and leatherman.
I never used the warranty on any other company.

Although it does annoy me when i see 160+ euro cold steel knifes with only 2 year basic warranty. If you really stand behind a product you give at least 5 years warranty against production faults like breaking a spring or something.

If i where a knife manufacturer i would probably not cover abuse like breaking a blade while prying but i have deep respect for the companies that do cover that.

Toolslinger · **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2015, 05:44:17 PM

I had an OK experience with KAI (Kershaw/ZT) warranty department.

I had a ZT0301 that developed lock slip. I could lightly push the spine of the knife and the lock would fail.

I e-mailed them to ask if it was covered and all I got was 'We can't say, send it in.'. Being in Canada, sending the package to the States isn't exactly cheap (especially since I wanted it tracked/insured to know it got there).

I sent the knife in and never heard a word from them. Several weeks later there was a box waiting in my mailbox with the repaired knife (swapped the lock scale). The return package was without tracking or insurance.

Wasn't a horrible experience but definitely not great.

anditsgone · **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2015, 07:18:46 PM

Best customer service i ever had was when i asked Rolls Royce if they could send me an brochure for a presentation for school. They where very friendly and responded with in in hour calling me sir even though i was 14 at the time. I recieved the brochure two days later send by the Royal airmail express service.

The best service i ever had. If i can ever afford an Rolls Royce i will definatly buy one because they treated me like a king even though they knew i was 14 years old.

Hats of to Rolls Royce

Sea Monster · **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2015, 07:30:18 PM

Quote

The best service i ever had. If i can ever afford an Rolls Royce i will definatly buy one because they treated me like a king even though they knew i was 14 years old.

Hats of to Rolls Royce

So it could be a good investment for them for the cost of a few glossy catalogs.

They might be playing a long game though

rdub934 · **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2015, 08:17:35 PM

Quote from: dks on November 19, 2015, 03:41:11 PM

- ohh, oh, and SOG, despite all the people here buying the Powerduo when it came out, trusting them, and then being really disapointed with its quality, has never apologised, offered to fix the problem or even improve that product.... That says a lot...

They have now: they discontinued it (4 years later

) and they changed the name to Reactor

but I guess we don't really know anything about that one, yet