"Lifetime" Waranty and HC Batteries

[GaryC]

BrandMan, am I reading this right! I just recieved some Ridgid literature on the new line of cordless drills. It states that if the tool is purchased during the "lifetime" warranty period, the battery packs are covered for life since the warranty also covers "normal wear items". Am I to assume that Ridgid will replace the battery packs as they wear out without charge? If so, how complicated a process will this be. Considering that replacement batteries are often just short of the cost of an entirely new drill, this sounds too good to be true since they generally last only a year or two. I suspect that this warranty is not as it reads.

[mr man]

I know your asking Brandman, but I can answer it if you wish..

The warranty is as it reads. You wear the battery out, you get a new one, just as it states. It is a service warranty as stated, so way down the road you would have to get the packs "serviced" I.E. replaced. However, I would suspect that less than three years or so you could probably work something out with your local Home Depot. Many of them (the stores) process a drill swap out with customers with bad batteries by sending a new drill back to the company with a customers old batteries to get credit for the complete kit, and giving the customer the new batteries.

The current introductory warranty on the new tools is probably one of the best ones in the business, and is better than the old Ridgid warranty as it warranty’s normal wear, as most warrentys do not.

[ 09-22-2003, 12:21 AM: Message edited by: mr man ]

[GaryC]

Mr man, thank you for the reply.I do not want to run this into the ground but due to my past experiences with service centers (of various brands) as well as some dealings with Home Depot I just cannot imagine you would be able to walk in to a service center or a HD with a battery that will no longer hold a charge and walk out with a new one. It just seems too good to be true, especially in light of the process you stated HD has to go through in order to get credit for the exchange. I can just picture the look on some HD employee's face when I walk up to him and say I am here to swap batteries.

[mr man]

I understand your concerns. I wouldn't go the HD route unless the drill was under three years of age or so. Be sure to keep your receipt, and make a copy of it as they fade out.

Your right as most stores think it’s a bit strange when a customer walks in with just a battery, however, if that’s a problem, just take in the whole kit. The factory has no problems giving the stores credit for items that are legitimately under warranty and that is taken care of when the rep visits the store on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Outside of a few years, you’re probably looking at taking it or mailing it to a service center to be taken care of. IF you have had problems with one center in the past, try another one.

One thing is for certain you are covered.

[ 09-21-2003, 08:22 PM: Message edited by: mr man ]

[jauto98]

Don't want to sound rude or anything, but let me get this straight :confused: . If I purchase say the 4 piece Ridgid cordless combo kit before Jan 1, 2004. I have a lifetime warranty for everything that is in the kit including tools, batteries and bag. This includes the replacement of batteries if they were to fail, not hold a charge, or have a reduction of battery performance. In addition, does the warranty also cover issues such as bad switches, motors, etc. Does this mean the lifetime of the items or for as long as I own the tools.

And if I were to have a problem, all I have to do is show them the paperwork, and either HD or an authorized repair shop will replace or repair the item? This just seems to good to be true. Ridgid must have a lot of confidence in these tools. And also, way in the future, will parts be available to repair or replace the item. Will they replace with a comparable unit?

Off topic, was wondering if the batteries can be left in the charger with no to little decrease in battery performance. Also, how come the drill in the combo kit doesn't have a one-hand chuck like the other drills. I really like this feature that DeWALT uses instead of using two hands to tighten the chuck up. Once again, sorry if this may seem rude. Thanks

[GaryC]

OK, I'm going to give it a try. I'll be buying a R83015. If the thing is just half as good as my TP1300 and 3612 I'll be happy.

[BrandMan]

Jauto98,

Answer to question 1) Yes, for you lifetime, so long as you keep the proof of purchase. Go to Kinko's and laminate it!

Answer to question 2) We used a ratchet style chuck on the drill on the combo kit because it is a hammer drill. The standard X2 series have single sleeve chucks, like you mentioned that you like on that other brands line of tools.

[johnboynotbilly]

I just returned the dewalt kit I bought a month ago so I could purchase the ridgid brand!!!! That's exactly what the ridgid name stands for, quality. I have been using ridgid tools for fifteen years and if they make it, it's the best period. Today on the job everyone wanted to know where they could get these tools. I was a die hard dewalt man but that was until I found out you guys made cordless tools. kudos. p.s. they are that good check them out. All you have to do is listen to the motors and tell they are going to last.

[jauto98]

johnboynotbilly, see that you purchased one of the ridgid kits, which one did you get? How did it compare to the DeWALT in terms of performance. Currently have purchased the DeWALT DW4KIT-2 and am seriously considering purchasing the Ridgid version and returning the DeWALT kit. Lack of reviews and being unproven is my main drawbacks with the Ridgid version. Wish there were more information available about these new power tools. Thanks

[Mike3206]

One other question. there are companies out there that give a "lifetime" warranty, but when the time comes to do the right thing, they state that the product is at the end of it's usefull life expectancy, and therefore will not warranty the product. Does the Ridgid policy have any small print?

[BrandMan]

No small print. We have been around for 82 years. You know where to find us... We will support you, and all of our end users.

[Dan Case]

Originally posted by BrandMan:
No small print. We have been around for 82 years. You know where to find us... We will support you, and all of our end users. Strong words, BrandMan. Strong words, Indeed. It would appear that the overall move here is to align the Ridgid power tool line with the tool line that really is at the core of that 82 year history -- the Ridgid plumbing tool line, which is pretty much the gold standard of the industry. I don't trust a plumber who doesn't own at least one Ridgid tool. smile.gif

It should be noted that the terms of the lifetime warranty specifically state that the warranty does NOT cover "any malfunction, failure or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repair by other than an authorized service center..." In other words, drop your drill off of the roof of a building and it fails -- well, that's not necessarily covered, Bubba. Use your cordless drill as a hammer? Well, that sounds like misuse to me. :D OTOH, if you use it day in and day out in a normal construction or industrial environment, and it quits -- well, keep the receipt and you're covered. Not bad at all, IMHO.

Still, I can't resist the question... there does come a time in the life of every power tool when it's just plain worn out. If I'm reading you correctly, Brandman, is "just plain worn out" covered as well? Is there a point at which the term "End Of Life" comes into play? 75 years from now, when we're all gone, will my grandchildren be hitting up the folks at Ridgid for new batteries? :D

The lifetime warranty is a great marketing ploy. It really positions the tools well. I was comparing the Ridgid cordless drills to the Dewalt equivalents yesterday, and as one guy that was doing the same said, "I guess they've gotta have a lot of faith in their product to give it a warranty like that." Once that initial surge of the new tools gets out into the field, they'll sell themselves.

D.

[BrandMan]

Yes Dan, a lifetime warranty is marketing. All warranties are. They are also a promise that is carefully crafted to be something that the company issuing it is willing to fund and back.

We proise to warranty the tool from defects in material and workmanship. If RIDGID tools go down on you because we did not make a good tool that day... Our bad. General misuse and abuse - hey not many if any at all companies absolve the owner from some accountability. Time - I think we all logically understand that tools are not designed to work forever. Very few if any mechanical items last forever. Besides - these forum pages have been busy of late with discussions of new technology advanceing the performance of tools.

As a company we want to be in a position to continue to offer you new tools with innovation and technology that make you more productive. We would hope that you would be in the market, for whatever reason, for new tools when we present them.

The lifetime purchase agreement that is offered now through December 31, 2003 - Includes free service on normal wear items like
batteries, brushes, motors, gears and switches.

This applies to the new power tool and wood working items in the RIDGID line.

Excludes:
Blades, Bits, Sanding Paper
And other Consumable Accessories.
Also excludes misuse and abuse of tool. So - in this instance, normal wear would be covered.

It is a judgement call, as you hinted at. But we aren't out to get anyone and at the same time we honestly need to protect ourselves, as would you, from being taken advantage of. We want to honestly support you and the use of our product.

[Rafael]

Warning to everyone: HD receipts will not last a lifetime, they are thermal and will fade to an unreadable state within a few years. Photocopy your receipt, laminate, and put into a safe.
Brandman, is that december 31st date for manufacture or purchase?

[BrandMan]

purchase

[Dan Case]

Originally posted by BrandMan:
Yes Dan, a lifetime warranty is marketing. All warranties are. They are also a promise that is carefully crafted to be something that the company issuing it is willing to fund and back.
Well said, BrandMan. At the risk of sounding like a cynic, I expect that some team gathered around a conference table literally calculated the worst-case cost of providing that promotional warranty, and included it somewhere in the rollout cost analysis.

I also suspect that someone, somewhere, is under strict orders to make sure that there are NO BAD DAYS during production of the tools to be sold during this period. :D That's a good thing, actually -- it will develop a habit of strict QC that will endure long after the promotional period. One thing that has been learned about offshore production of tools (or anything else, for that matter) is that in many cultures (like China and Taiwan)the factory workers will only produce top-quality product when they are actively monitored and held to high standards. The fit and finish of the new Ridgid tools I've seen so far speak volumes about the quality of the QC staff in the plants where these are being built. And, those motors surely won't be found in even the best of Ryobi's "stuff." These are tools made to compete with the "big boys." I think you'll even see them in plumber's trucks before long. ;)

I don't think the HD stores will be putting very many RTV tags on the new Ridgid power tools. I'll be very surprised if I ever learn otherwise.

D.

[Cutbuff]

Brandman,

You state a very compelling case for the quality of the new Ridgid line backed by the Lifetime Service Warranty which includes "normal wear" items, and since it includes batteries, this becomes very attractive and provides a great deal of confidence to the future purchaser.

It seems a pity however, that this is only a sweetener for the 3 month introduction phase of the new line. Since come January 1, 2004 as well as the Lifetime reverting to 3 years as we are all aware, the "normal wear" statement also disappears! :confused:

So much for your confidence in this new battery/charger technology...just really a carrot dangling during the PR and intro phase of the marketing plan I guess. Worst case a minimal number of purchasers are out there with this hot Warranty, stating what a great product and what a great company to stand behind their products in this way. The ongoing purchasers from January have a conventional 3-year Warranty where Ridgid has stepped back from it's backing of "normal wear". Quite sneaky eh...

David

[BrandMan]

At least we have moved beyond discussing the color! ;)

The intro warranty offer is a motivation to try the new tools. The 3 year warranty is the best warranty in the industry. We are fully supporting the product. I guess I would challenge that someone should burn up a tool first and see how we handle it rather than speculating or debating it.

[Cutbuff]

Good comeback. Like many others, I'll be buying a cordless tool during the next three months specially to take advantage of the lifetime "normal wear" policy. Most likely next year for further stationary tool purchases since we know that if there is going to be a warranty claim it's usually in the first 18 months or so of hobbyist use.

Almost, but not quite the best Warranty in the business. That now goes to Milwaukee. Who on October 1st will roll out their 5 year Limited Warranty, leaves Festool and Ridgid in second place with 3 years and Delta and 4-5 others with 2. Only Lifetime out there now seems to be the WMH Tool Group (Jet, Powermatic, Performax). They have a Lifetime "on selected tools",their just not saying which ones!

Yep, I'm keeping a scoreboard! - must get a life :(

David

[Deblieux]

BrandMan,
"At least we have moved beyond discussing the color!" . . . and that happened when we got to see that these things don't really glow-in-the-dark like the colorized photos.
All of the issues that any of us have had about the transition have fallen away as the truth is exposed. That seems to leave the only concern being if OWT will in fact live up to their warrantee. And as you challenged ". . . that someone should burn up a tool first and see how we handle it rather than speculating or debating it", I too, will become a "crash test dummy" and see how you do. I'm trusting your word, BrandMan, that you, Ridgid, and OWT won't let me down.

[Dave Arbuckle]

That seems to leave the only concern being if OWT will in fact live up to their warrantee.

Um, you misspelled "RIDGID" there... ;) I don't give a flying fig what OWT does, as the man said earlier, "we know where Ridge Tool is".

Dave

[jip]

Hm...

Are there any discounts coming up for the Christmas season? I am thinking about outfiting my shop w/ all Ridgid tools and could benifit from the Lifetime warranty and perhaps save some money.

I need a planer, joiner, miter saw, a nice cordless drill. Now, only if there is a way that I can convince my wife that this is the best route to go w/.

- Jimmy

[ 09-24-2003, 02:49 AM: Message edited by: jip ]

[Deblieux]

Dave,
That is one of the issues I continue to wrangle with. The Warrantee http://www.ridgid.com/manuals/RIDGID3yr.pdf states:
This product is manufactured by One World Technologies, Inc., under a trademark license from RIDGID, Inc. All warranty communications should be directed to One World Technologies, Inc., attn: RIDGID handheld and stationary power tool technical service at (toll free) 1-866-539-1710.
So regardless of what BrandMan or the anonymous MrMan say here, the piece of paper in the box is the contract.
Knowing where Ridgid is doesn't mean a thing unless you're going to make a pilgramage to BrandMan's house to show him what an excellect new axe handle you have added to your tool box, and ask him if he'd like to see how it is used.

[BrandMan]

our role, and the role of RIDGID, Inc. as you noted in the warranty statement, is to make sure that the warranty is executed consistenly. By Ridge Tool or by OWT. I would ask that you not split hairs on who is behind it but rather look at the brand on the name plate. It is RIDGID that is backing the tool. Regardless of who is behind the name plate - it is our job to make sure that execution is predictable to you.

[Deblieux]

BrandMan,
I wouldn't split hairs, except the stated sentiment and the experience of others with OWT has been less than satisfactory, and Ridgid has not exactly demonstrated a White Knight to the Rescue approach.
At present the picture is that Ryobi, not Ridgid, is OWT's model for customer service, and that is almost as bad as my Health Insurance Provider's customer care.
Poor customer service has run more than one company into the ground, which I trust Ridgid will take corrective action, and not allow to happen.

[Dave Arbuckle]

the stated sentiment and the experience of others with OWT has been less than satisfactory

I'm not sure if I'm played the Devil's Advocate or not, because I've never dealt with OWT even a little bit.

But, if you're referring to the recent transfer of RIDGID/ETC service over to them, and the ensuing SNAFUs, maybe a little grace period should be granted? Think back a couple years to when Delta's service was moved to Tennessee to be with Porter-Cable. That wasn't even a change in company, and it was a nightmare that lasted around a year.

I would hope that the folks at RIDGID will not take lightly destroying such a long-lasting brand name.

Dave

[johnboynotbilly]

Jauto98, I bought the R922 kit and I had the dw4kit2 as well. In my opinion the ridgid out performs the dewalt quite handily, and don't let it being a new product scare you it's from ridgid. I probably sound like a company rep, but these tools are the best I have used; and I buy a lot of tools.Oh, by the way, the drill will turn a dewalt backwards so fast it looks like Cheetah doing backflips.

[ 09-24-2003, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: johnboynotbilly ]

[redline]

Johnboynotbilly wrote:
-----------------------------------------
"...the drill will turn a dewalt backwards so fast it looks like Cheetah doing backflips."
-------------------------------------------

:eek: Now you don't see tool reviews doing this kind of test in a torque shootout !! Cool! :cool:

[Fahrenheit451]

Hey Brandman, does this warrantee apply in Canada as well? It appears that although we are on the same continent Canada and the U.S. have different rules when it comes to warrantees.

[thegreatcanadianbeaver]

Brandman, I too would like to know what this great warranty will mean up here in Canada. The guys at my local HD have said that the Ridgid Rep. is comming in next week with the first shipment of your cordless drills and this "too good to be true" warranty is the selling point for me.

[steb]

I was concerned about the life time warranty also on the cordless drill, but I made sure to pick up one of their sales pamphlets describing the lifetime warranty. It clearly states that the battery packs have a lifetime free replacement. I don't know about Canada though. I'm just adressing the too good to be true.

[ 09-29-2003, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: steb ]

[Mark IV]

steb is right. See if they have the 12-page Ridgid flyer in the store on the New Ridgid Power Tool Family.

Turn to page 3, far right, bulleted details of the warranty (if purchased through Dec. 2003).

4th bullet: "That means free battery packs for life."

Pretty straightforward. It does go on to remind you to hold on tightly to that proof of purchase. I will. :cool:

[foneman]

I had a HD employee tell me that the Rigid Lifetime warranty on the Batteries is a one time thing. He explained that they will replace the battery once but after that you are on your own.

I have two questions:
1. Is this true that it is one time?

2. If it is one time, is it for one battery or both?

:confused: John

[RGad]

Not to stretch this out, but applying a warranty to a battery is a bit more complex than assuming that, "If it ever fails to hold a charge, it must be defective and therefore should be replaced."

Batteries have useful lives. The lifespan of storage (rechargeable) batteries is a function of number of cycles, adjusted for rate of discharge, depth of discharge, temperature, charging regimen, and other factors. Even a perfect battery perfectly maintained gives up some of its life every time it is charged.

What I suspect this means is that, if a battery fails to hold a charge, and if inspection shows that it has been through significantly fewer cycles than it was designed for, it was out of manufacturing spec and will be replaced. What it does not mean is that you have prepaid a lifetime battery replacement service.

Let's be reasonable, guys.

[Dave Arbuckle]

Quoth BrandMan (obviously an authorized speaker for Ridgid, what with him being the appointed moderator of this forum):

No small print. We have been around for 82 years. You know where to find us... We will support you, and all of our end users.

Am I the only person left who will take someone at their word? Maybe so...

Dave

[UO_Woody]

Significant flaw I've mine Dave A.

I'm a trusting person. Tell me a story, and it becomes history. Tell me a lie, it becomes fact.

Tell me the truth, and I'm full of doubt.

What more could you expect from someone who thinks in his sleep about wood and it's grain?

Batteries such as Makita's, have chips in them now. To regulate witch cell is low/high charge, and regulates the recharger power to that perticular cell. It's beyond rocket science to me on this matter, and I could care less. I charge my batteries about 3 times weekly full cycle. If I get 4 years out of a (2) set batter per tool, I think I'm way ahead. If I get between 1 and 2 years, which I'm experiencing with some of my tools, I need to change brands.

Before I invest in another brand, I'm waiting for reports of success/failure; Then making my decission. While comparing battery cost/efficiency to replacement cost. It may actually be cheaper to replace off brand batteries as to outputting big $$ up front for highly effective units. (now you know some of the details of my job, and it sucks!)

[steb]

I'm not taking Brandman at his word. I read the warranty and it's pretty explicit. If you don't believe the warranty then don't buy the product. Go get a dewalt. I'm sure they'll stand behind their one year warranty.

[Cutbuff]

I'm completely lost on some of the posts to this particular issue. Now Woody has chipped in, and now I'm even more confused by his statements.

The Ridgid brochure states quite clearly, that they will replace battery packs for the life of the tool or even the owner!

This is better than any other service warranty out there. Therefore, even if it does not mean what you think it does, it's still better than anything else out there. It's a no-brainer, especially after looking at, and handling these real decent new tools.
smile.gif
David

[Mike3206]

Yea, Woody's post confused me too. he says that he needs to get x years out of a pack because it's too expensive to replace, but he seems to be saying that he needs the Ridgid to be tested before he'll switch. Ridgid seems to have taken all the guesswork and comparisons out of battery shopping for now with their warranty, so if I'm in the market for a new drill, it's a no brainer.

And to Brandman, we all criticized the flowing orange tools, but now that they're in the store, they look subdued as compared with the pics we were being supplied. Also, many claim they can "feel quality". If that is true, the Ridgid sure would feel like quality. (still think the orange is overkill on stationary tools though)

[Mark IV]

Dunno what could be "cheaper" than "free battery packs for life". :confused:

For laughs, I called Ridgid customer service to see whether they had the parts in the system and what they might cost. I asked the nice lady for the part on the motor/gear drive assembly in my new X2 drill (from the exploded parts drawing that's included with the product). There is absolutely nothing wrong with mine, but I thought I would see what might happen if I had a catastrophic failure on the most expensive and vital assembly.

The price isn't in the system yet, but the part number with description is. This does not surprise me on a tool that's only been in stores for weeks, but I had to ask, what if I needed that part right now? She replied that either Ridgid, or HD, would just replace the whole tool on the spot.

That, to me, is satisfactory. I don't know what more you could really ask, except to have the motor not fail in the first place, and guess what? It hasn't. Life is good.

The warranty, including the battery deal, is spelled out in plain English, the people and the store back the product (granted, HD may take a bit of convincing, but that is not unique to Ridgid tools), and the Ridgid service people were at least able to locate the part in the system immediately. I know others have had their past experiences but this appears to be a simple, straight up deal.

[Cutbuff]

Welcome to the forum Eric.
Ridgid Woodworking Tools are no longer exclusive to HD, they are available from a number of dealers. See the web site.

David

[jon]

well i have been working on cordless tools for 8 years now. the new ridgid x2 sounded like the dewalt with the torque of a milw.thats good. i hope ridge is ready to stand behind ther warranty.everything breaks. well i dont know if we will be a warranty center for your power tools or not.(just threading,draincleaners and a few others at this time) i see hd doing a lot of swapping out.

[jakeboxer]

ericsuro <----- this must be what one of them TROLLS looks like :rolleyes:

[splinters]

Th last cordless drill I bought was a 14.4v B&D Firestorm a few years ago. I see that they have changed the design some including the battery. I am seriously looking at the Ridgid cordless drills for a step up from B&D. So my question for Ridgid is what about 5 or 6 years down the road on my 'lifetime' warranty, my Ridgid battery fails. By then the design of the Ridged cordless drills will probably have changed. Will Ridgid be able to replace the out-of-production battery? Or further in the future when there is some new kind of battery that has replaced what we use now? The Marketing gurus may believe in the 'lifetime' warranty but will the Engineering staff be able to follow through?

[Tony A]

I'm new to this board but just read through all the comments on the warranty. Let me ask for a bit of clarification on the details. My questions:

1. Let's say in 4 years the batteries only hold 60% of their initial charge. What is considered enough of a loss in charge to warrant replacement? 20%, 40%, 97%?

2. Let's say in 7 years all power tools are powered by fuel-cell batteries (or, maybe the battery attachment changes), and my batteries are only good for 10% of the original charge, and you don't even offer these batteries any more. What will Ridgid do for me?

3. Let's say the chuck can no longer grip drill bits, & they are always slipping. Will that be covered under warranty (ie 'normal wear' vs 'abuse') ?

4. OK, It's now 8 years in the future & I walk in Home Depot with the drill that I was given as a replacement 4 years earlier (so it's the 2nd drill & I want a third). Does the warranty carry over from the tools I buy to the ones they're replaced with. (I can picture a discussion where the customer service person says "This warranty is for tools bought in '03 and this is a '07 model so it can't be covered...)

I do understand that this is not a "no matter what" warranty, but I (as probably many others here) have been burned by what should have been covered by warranties (ie: Sears once tried to give me a "Sears" brand shovel to replace the broken "Craftsman" shovel since they didn't carry "craftsman" shovels at that store any more, & I knew that the "Sears" shovel would no longer have the 'lifetime' warranty...) I'm sure this thread would be a mile long if we all went into our experiences.

Oh, and for grins, let me note that I'm MALE. I don't care about color!!! :oD Well, that's not quite true, if these tools were bright pink... (sigh!)

Thanks to all
-tony
Looking at the jig saw (corded) & the combo-cordless... Let me ask, any odds of there being a cordless 18v hammerdrill + recip. saw, I find the cordless circular saws to eat batteries too quickly and simply aren't worth it for my work...

[Mark IV]

Page 3, far right, bulleted details of the warranty (if purchased through Dec. 2003):

4th bullet: " That means free battery packs for life. "

Hmmm...

What if a giant radioactive asteroid covered with flesh-eating microbes was on a collision course with earth, and all the world's governments got together and launched all their ICBM's at it at once, but it blew up into fragments and the biggest chunk the size of the Arctic icecap kept heading towards earth at 20 million miles per hour and was 30 seconds away, and just then the release on my battery wore loose after 7000 consecutive years of round-the-clock use, and it was extremely inconvenient?

WHAT THEN, RIDGID????

Under this much horse$h!t, there has got to be a pony.

[Dave Arbuckle]

UPS ain't gonna be able to get it to you within 30 seconds, Mark4. After that, the warranty is void... :(

Dave :D

[BloodSweatnTears]

I just returned my Ryobi combo set last night to HD and bought the new 4 piece combo from ridgid and I really like it so far. The dual battery charger is incredible. It charged both batteries in 15 minutes. Everything seems to be very well made .I haven't used it at work yet as to give you a honest opinion on performance ,but will be working these tools this week and will post my findings.Love this Lifetime gaurantee...beyond incredible.
There is one suggestion I have for Ridgid...replace the soft carry case with a hardshell and the kit will be perfect. I find it a pain in the a$$ to get them all in the bag.Just don't make a suitcase like Ryobi..copy the dewalt case. :D

[BloodSweatnTears]

I used my new Ridgid cordless circular saw & drill today and I am definitly impressed. There is no comparison to what I was useing ,these tools blow the Ryobi away in every aspect.
Thanks for the super deal and the great tools Ridgid!!! :D

[Fahrenheit451]

Brandman, I haven't heard your response on the warranty. Is this lifetime warranty available in Canada? We do want to know what the great "Oz" has to say.

[BrandMan]

The warranty is the same in the United States as well as in Canada.

[Tony A]

All,

I was hoping for a response to my post a few days ago. As I didn't get one (other than the sarcastic ones, gee, thanks guys!), I called the Ridgid number to get some answers. For all those who'd like to know more, let me share what I learned.

1. (Question was 'how much charge loss does a battery need to lose before it's covered by warranty) Customer Service had no idea, and Technical Support didn't give an exact answer. But, I was told that the service center would determine this, and it would be something reasonable. For instance, he said if the drill only runs for 10 minutes, the battery should be replaced. That's not much charge left, but at least it's not a unrealistic written rule either.

2. Tech service fellow said that if the tool isn't made anymore, then they would give me whatever new equivalent tool is available. So, if drills are run by 'fuel cells' and my old one dies, I'm in luck!

3. If the drill chuck starts slipping, it IS covered by the 'normal wear' warranty.

4. When you return a warrantied part (ie battery), the replacement DOES continue to carry the same 'lifetime' warranty.

I hope this helps some of the other skeptics like myself believe that this is a real, viable warranty...

-tony

As a side-note, I've already gotten the Ridgid corded jigsaw, and a 10" miter saw. The jigsaw REALLY impresses me, lots of power, good feel, good visibility cutting right side up/upside down/upward/downward. It'd be nice to get a little dust collector bag with it, but I've already rigged one up. Haven't played with the miter saw yet (got it yesterday), but the demo model looked rock solid & it should have plenty of power for me... Oh, and I talked a good friend into getting the 4-piece cordless set, but he is now just a regular friend because he wouldn't let me take them home & try them out (for a few months)... I plan on getting a set of these as well before year-end.

[lbman]

I am a HD associate and the way we handle the lifetime warranty receipt issue is to take the customer to the special service desk and have the tool purchase put on a "will call". By doing this the customer gets a 8.5 x 11 receipt on standard copy paper. It takes a few extra minutes but it makes the customer happy.

[AUTOMED.ca]

1st - Don't laminate your HD receipts!
Many laminators use heat to seal the two plastic halves together, The HD receipts are thermal paper they will turn black if exposed to sufficient heat!
2nd - Don't put tape on the receipts either this will make the writing on the receipt disappear within weeks!

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING TO YOUR RIDGID HD RECEIPT(S) TEST IT ON A HD RECEIPT YOU DONT NEED ANYMORE!

:confused: BrandMan; Will a photocopy of the original HD receipt(s) accompanied by the faded illegible thermal paper HD receipt(s) work in 17 years when I need lifetime warranty service done on my new 4 piece 18V kit?

[ 10-27-2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: AUTOMED.ca ]

[BrandMan]

I would think that a photo copy and the accompanyment of the faded register tape would work.

[dutchman]

WARNING!!!!!!!! DO NOT LAMINATE YOUR RECEIPT!!!!!! Laminators use heat!!!!!!!!!!! The thermal receipt you run through will turn black!!!!!! Just tried it. I snipped a piece of my receipt off and tried it first!! Trust me on this one!!

[dutchman]

Now that I've made a complete idiot of myself because I didn't see the end of page to yet, I'm glad someone else already thought of the same thing. I do have a question that I'm dying to ask while I'm here. Is Ridgid intending to develope a realistic hard case for the new 4pc. combo that I just bought? I knew ahead of time that it had a bag, but I never suspected that I was going to have to solve a jigsaw puzzle to fit the tools into the bag, leaving my most used tool, the drill on the bottom of the heap. Ridgid took the time to build in safety rubber so your tools wouldn't get scratched up when you set them down out of the bag, but you still have to pile them onto one another in the bag. The Ridgid name and quality of the tools as well as the unrefusable lifetime service warranty forced me to buy the tools, But having spent $500.00 on the set, I'd like the same ability to protect my tools from damage as the fellow who buys a fourteen volt cordless for far less. I've owned my Dewalt cordless drill/saw set since 1998. And still sold it recently for $200.00, because I take care of my tools. Please tell me there will be a hard case soon, and it won't cost me an arm and a leg!!! Love the tools HATE the bag!!!!!!

[dutchman]

I'd like to second what Mark IV said. I've also had to call Ridgid because the fence on my TS2424 had quite obviously been struck by a fork lift during shipping. The very polite woman first asked me what was my address. I simply answered. and she said, "Thank You, it will be sent out today." I got it in two days I've used Ridgid tools in all forms, and I've never had a complaint about them, accept that bag.