Home Depot sells a Ridgid 14.4 1/2" - 415 inch/lbs. of torque with two batteries and a dual charger for $199 and they warranty the thing for life - and they say it covers "all defects in workmanship or materials and normal wear and tear items. That means free battery packs for life." I haven't used them, but man that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!
The Milwaukee is far and away a more durable tool,
thats one of the reasons i went with the panasonic. the milwaukee is a fine tool dont get me wrong. all my corded drills are milwaukee and i wont have it any other way. the panasonic is much lighter and more compact and is very well ballanced too. skeez
and i think you will find it wont cover the batteries when they were out either. it only covers them if they like explode or something or other. wearing out IS the life time of the tool. skeez
Nope - batteries are covered. It was discussed in another thread per my google search
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WRT to "the lifetime of the tool" I don't know WTF that means, but I'd have to argue hard that since they say they cover "normal wear items" it gives you a pretty broad base from which to argue.
I'm sure some of the old farts around here have drills that are 20+ years old.
I have a 14.4 Ryobi that came in a kit with a little circular saw, a flashlight, two batteries, charger and a case . Purchased these a couple of years ago and all of them have taken a beating and work like new.
NOTE: This is VERY long and boring and specifically relates to the RIDGID powertool warranty now going on at Home Depot. You've been warned!
Indeed! Arguing is a god given right - especially on Usenet, where the most vehement are frequently the most often wrong.
Stopped by HD in Camillus, NY and picked up a Ridgid flyer that has photos and specs on a bunch of different tools both corded and cordless. The flyer has the following language on page 3.....
Introductory limited LIFETIME SERVICE WARRANTY* on all RIDGID handheld and stationary power tools purchased from Sept. through Dec. 2003 plus our 90-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE*
- LIMITED TIME OFFER: On all purchases of RIDGID Hand and Stationary Power Tools from September 1 through December 31, 2003!
- Don't miss this chance to receive a life time of service* on these power tools designed to be used "day after day".
- This lifetime service warranty* covers all defects in workmanship or materials AND NORMAL WEAR ITEMS. (emphasis added)
- THAT MEANS FREE BATTERY PACKS FOR LIFE. (emphasis added)
- PLUS: our 90-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE POLICY*. Our commitment to you that these tools will perform to your requirements.
- Remeber to hold on to your receipt! Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting the limited Lifetime Warranty Service and to participate in the 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee Policy.
see details by visiting
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or by calling 1-866-539-1710
I went to
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and was initially unable to find the correct warranty when I went to >Support>Warranty>RIDGID Power Tools Warranty
That link directed me to
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The title of that warranty is "RIDGID HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL LIMITED THREE YEAR WARRANTY AND 90-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE POLICY"
I was indeed a bit dismayed to see the three year limitation in the actual text. In digging around their site a bit, I ended up in their Forums section, did a search on "home depot warranty" and saw this post -
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that post, their was a link given to the CORRECT warranty as follows -
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title of this - the correct warranty - is "RIDGID HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL LIMITED LIFETIME SERVICE WARRANTY"
Now, I do have to say that I do NOT think it is possible to find or get to that link by simply navigating the
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website. Other than doing a search on their Forums section and then clicking on the above referenced link within the post, I have been unable to find that link. Odd, I'd say. And indeed, that is in large part why I'm wasting so much time writing this.
In any event, the germane sections of the warranty are as follow:
WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE LIMITED LIFETIME SERVICE WARRANTY This warranty covers all defects in workmanship or materials and normal wear items in this RIDGID tool for the lifetime of the tool. This warranty is specific to this tool purchased between 9/1/03 and
12/31/03.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED This warranty applies only to the original purchaser at retail and may not be transferred. This warranty only covers defects arising under normal usage and does not cover any malfunction, failure or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repair by other than an authorized service center for RIDGID branded hand held and stationary power tools. Consumable accessories provided with the tool such as, but not limited to, blades, bits and sand paper are not covered.
Now, I (personally) would say that batteries are "normal wear items" and not "consumable accessories provided with the tool" - especially in light of what was written in the Ridgid flyer that I picked up at Home Depot. To wit "That means free battery packs for life."
In light of all that - I'd say your covered, and that Ridgid/Home Depot will really hear about it to the tune of a class action lawsuit in the event that they don't honor the battery replacement commitment.
(aka "Desperately seeking the bottom of the food chain"?)
For your edification, the complete text of said warranty:
RIDGID. HAND HELD AND STATIONARY POWER TOOL LIMITED LIFETIME SERVICE WARRANTY Proof of purchase must be presented when requesting warranty service. Limited to RIDGID handheld and stationary power tools purchased between 09/01/03 and 12/31/03. 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.
90- DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE POLICY During the first 90 days after the date of purchase, if you are dissatisfied with the performance of this RIDGID tool for any reason you may return the tool to the dealer from which it was purchased for a full refund or exchange. To receive a replacement tool you must present proof of purchase and return all original equipment packaged with the original product. The replacement tool will be covered by the limited warranty for the balance of the LIFETIME service warranty period. WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE LIMITED LIFETIME SERVICE WARRANTY This warranty covers all defects in workmanship or materials and normal wear items in this RIDGID tool for the lifetime of the tool. This warranty is specific to this tool purchased between 9/1/03 and
12/31/03. Warranties for other RIDGID products may vary. HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE To obtain service for this RIDGID tool you must return it, freight prepaid, to an authorized service center for RIDGID branded hand held and stationary power tools. You may obtain the location of the authorized service center nearest you by calling (toll free)
1-866-539-1710 or by logging on to the RIDGID website at
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When requesting warranty service, you must present the proof of purchase documentation, which includes a date of purchase. The authorized service center will repair any faulty workmanship, and either repair or replace any part covered under the warranty, at our option at no charge to you. WHAT IS NOT COVERED This warranty applies only to the original purchaser at retail and may not be transferred. This warranty only covers defects arising under normal usage and does not cover any malfunction, failure or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repair by other than an authorized service center for RIDGID branded hand held and stationary power tools. Consumable accessories provided with the tool such as, but not limited to, blades, bits and sand paper are not covered. RIDGID, INC. AND ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES, INC. MAKE NO WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR PROMISES AS TO THE QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE OF ITS POWER TOOLS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY STATED IN THIS WARRANTY. ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS To the extent permitted by applicable law, all implied warranties, including warranties of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, are disclaimed. Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, that cannot be disclaimed under state law are limited to three years from the date of purchase. One World Technologies, Inc. and Ridgid, Inc. are not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
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