Halfords Professional Tool Guarantee...
Discussion
Just like to let you know how easy / hassle free it is to get a broken "Limfetime Guarantee" tool changed from the Halfords Professional range. I was at the counter buying some Oil, when I casually asked the checkout girl the procedure for getting a tool with "lifetime guarantee" exchanged. It is my 1/2 drive ratchet, it works but the reversing lever is very stiff and sticky, sometimes refusing to budge. I was bought the set as a present 5 years ago when I bough my first kit car in kit form.
SCENE 1-
Me: How do I la-de-da-di-da....
Her: Er, what is the problem?
It is the ratchet, sticky and la-de-da....
Well, we don't normally exchange due to wear and tear.
I don't think it is wear and tear, it is just stiff and temperamental. It does work, just it will not swich cleanly between "on" and "off". I am not a full time mechanic, just a hobby. Had relatively little use, just i think is is defective.
Well we do not normally cover the the lever switch, that is wear and tear, we normally cover the handle.
You mean the 1/2 soilid metal bar?
Yes.
How does that break then? Without attatching a Scaffold Pole to the end of it?
....(silence)
So you cover with your lifetime Guarantee the solid bar which will not break?
And the Square Drive metal bit.
How does that break then? Without "unreasonable force"?
Well, it can.
How? It is a solid square piece of metal?
It has a ball in it, that can break.
But isn't that wear and tear as well?
Well, how long have you had the set?
About 5 years.
Well that is a long time.
Is it? I is a bit shorter than my lifetime, I am 36. The ratchet is 5. How long are they supposed to live?
Well, it has to do with where you store them. like in the damp.
Does that invalidate the warranty?
Yes.
What, somewhere damp? Like a garage or a shed where most people normally keep their tools?
Yes.
Well. mine live in my nice warm van, in the original blown plastic box with original foam insert.
Well, it is probobly wear and tear so it will not be exchangable.
(awkward pause)
Can you get it if you have it with you?
Yes.
(I get it and hand it to her)
Ah, it has scratches all over it.
Yes, that is because it is 5 years old and I have used it.
Well it must be just worn so It cannot be exchanged.
So that is your Lifetime Guarantee is it? You must not ever use it, and not keep it in your Garage?
(silence)
Can I speak to you manager?
(she calls the manager)
SCENE 2- The manager comes over
(Girl) Dave, this Gentleman wants to exchange this.
(Manager) Have you got the reciept?
No, it was a present (I show him the sticky switch)
OK, I will get you another.
____________THE END_________________
FFS, don't you just love f
king Jobsworths? You'd think it came out of her own f
king wages!
SCENE 1-
Me: How do I la-de-da-di-da....
Her: Er, what is the problem?
It is the ratchet, sticky and la-de-da....
Well, we don't normally exchange due to wear and tear.
I don't think it is wear and tear, it is just stiff and temperamental. It does work, just it will not swich cleanly between "on" and "off". I am not a full time mechanic, just a hobby. Had relatively little use, just i think is is defective.
Well we do not normally cover the the lever switch, that is wear and tear, we normally cover the handle.
You mean the 1/2 soilid metal bar?
Yes.
How does that break then? Without attatching a Scaffold Pole to the end of it?
....(silence)
So you cover with your lifetime Guarantee the solid bar which will not break?
And the Square Drive metal bit.
How does that break then? Without "unreasonable force"?
Well, it can.
How? It is a solid square piece of metal?
It has a ball in it, that can break.
But isn't that wear and tear as well?
Well, how long have you had the set?
About 5 years.
Well that is a long time.
Is it? I is a bit shorter than my lifetime, I am 36. The ratchet is 5. How long are they supposed to live?
Well, it has to do with where you store them. like in the damp.
Does that invalidate the warranty?
Yes.
What, somewhere damp? Like a garage or a shed where most people normally keep their tools?
Yes.
Well. mine live in my nice warm van, in the original blown plastic box with original foam insert.
Well, it is probobly wear and tear so it will not be exchangable.
(awkward pause)
Can you get it if you have it with you?
Yes.
(I get it and hand it to her)
Ah, it has scratches all over it.
Yes, that is because it is 5 years old and I have used it.
Well it must be just worn so It cannot be exchanged.
So that is your Lifetime Guarantee is it? You must not ever use it, and not keep it in your Garage?
(silence)
Can I speak to you manager?
(she calls the manager)
SCENE 2- The manager comes over
(Girl) Dave, this Gentleman wants to exchange this.
(Manager) Have you got the reciept?
No, it was a present (I show him the sticky switch)
OK, I will get you another.
____________THE END_________________
FFS, don't you just love f
king Jobsworths? You'd think it came out of her own f
king wages!Apparently they do, just the solid metal handle and the solid metal square bit. Not the moving parts which might actually break. Come to think of it, they probobly cover the solid metal sockets themselves, UNLESS they are broken in which case you must have applied unreasonable pressure so they are no longer covered. Genius. Snap-On would just give you another Ratchet, I know they cost 10 times at much but even so...
LMAO this actually reminds me of the otherday.
You know they have the layout of the desk and then the parts section on the otherside. Well you know how can usually see the parts desk really clearly. Well I was stood at one for about 10 minutes looking at the guy at the other desk who had no interest in helping me whatsoever.
I gave up and rang the halfords branch from my mobile ( blackberry ) and he proceeded to walk over to the parts desk and answer the phone.
Halfords worksop..
Hi, does anyone plan on helping me here
His face was absolutly priceless.
You know they have the layout of the desk and then the parts section on the otherside. Well you know how can usually see the parts desk really clearly. Well I was stood at one for about 10 minutes looking at the guy at the other desk who had no interest in helping me whatsoever.
I gave up and rang the halfords branch from my mobile ( blackberry ) and he proceeded to walk over to the parts desk and answer the phone.
Halfords worksop..
Hi, does anyone plan on helping me here
His face was absolutly priceless.
Furyblade_Lee said:
Just like to let you know how easy / hassle free it is to get a broken "Limfetime Guarantee" tool changed from the Halfords Professional range. I was at the counter buying some Oil, when I casually asked the checkout girl the procedure for getting a tool with "lifetime guarantee" exchanged. It is my 1/2 drive ratchet, it works but the reversing lever is very stiff and sticky, sometimes refusing to budge. I was bought the set as a present 5 years ago when I bough my first kit car in kit form.
SCENE 1-
Me: How do I la-de-da-di-da....
Her: Er, what is the problem?
It is the ratchet, sticky and la-de-da....
Well, we don't normally exchange due to wear and tear.
I don't think it is wear and tear, it is just stiff and temperamental. It does work, just it will not swich cleanly between "on" and "off". I am not a full time mechanic, just a hobby. Had relatively little use, just i think is is defective.
Well we do not normally cover the the lever switch, that is wear and tear, we normally cover the handle.
You mean the 1/2 soilid metal bar?
Yes.
How does that break then? Without attatching a Scaffold Pole to the end of it?
....(silence)
So you cover with your lifetime Guarantee the solid bar which will not break?
And the Square Drive metal bit.
How does that break then? Without "unreasonable force"?
Well, it can.
How? It is a solid square piece of metal?
It has a ball in it, that can break.
But isn't that wear and tear as well?
Well, how long have you had the set?
About 5 years.
Well that is a long time.
Is it? I is a bit shorter than my lifetime, I am 36. The ratchet is 5. How long are they supposed to live?
Well, it has to do with where you store them. like in the damp.
Does that invalidate the warranty?
Yes.
What, somewhere damp? Like a garage or a shed where most people normally keep their tools?
Yes.
Well. mine live in my nice warm van, in the original blown plastic box with original foam insert.
Well, it is probobly wear and tear so it will not be exchangable.
(awkward pause)
Can you get it if you have it with you?
Yes.
(I get it and hand it to her)
Ah, it has scratches all over it.
Yes, that is because it is 5 years old and I have used it.
Well it must be just worn so It cannot be exchanged.
So that is your Lifetime Guarantee is it? You must not ever use it, and not keep it in your Garage?
(silence)
Can I speak to you manager?
(she calls the manager)
SCENE 2- The manager comes over
(Girl) Dave, this Gentleman wants to exchange this.
(Manager) Have you got the reciept?
No, it was a present (I show him the sticky switch)
OK, I will get you another.
____________THE END_________________
FFS, don't you just love f
king Jobsworths? You'd think it came out of her own f
king wages!
Had almost the exact same experience with a SatNav. Sales assistant fed me a pack of lies and BS. Reluctantly got the Manager while on lunch. He took one look at the faulty unit, found a pdf on their EPOS system which told him what do do and sorted me out with a replacement unit.SCENE 1-
Me: How do I la-de-da-di-da....
Her: Er, what is the problem?
It is the ratchet, sticky and la-de-da....
Well, we don't normally exchange due to wear and tear.
I don't think it is wear and tear, it is just stiff and temperamental. It does work, just it will not swich cleanly between "on" and "off". I am not a full time mechanic, just a hobby. Had relatively little use, just i think is is defective.
Well we do not normally cover the the lever switch, that is wear and tear, we normally cover the handle.
You mean the 1/2 soilid metal bar?
Yes.
How does that break then? Without attatching a Scaffold Pole to the end of it?
....(silence)
So you cover with your lifetime Guarantee the solid bar which will not break?
And the Square Drive metal bit.
How does that break then? Without "unreasonable force"?
Well, it can.
How? It is a solid square piece of metal?
It has a ball in it, that can break.
But isn't that wear and tear as well?
Well, how long have you had the set?
About 5 years.
Well that is a long time.
Is it? I is a bit shorter than my lifetime, I am 36. The ratchet is 5. How long are they supposed to live?
Well, it has to do with where you store them. like in the damp.
Does that invalidate the warranty?
Yes.
What, somewhere damp? Like a garage or a shed where most people normally keep their tools?
Yes.
Well. mine live in my nice warm van, in the original blown plastic box with original foam insert.
Well, it is probobly wear and tear so it will not be exchangable.
(awkward pause)
Can you get it if you have it with you?
Yes.
(I get it and hand it to her)
Ah, it has scratches all over it.
Yes, that is because it is 5 years old and I have used it.
Well it must be just worn so It cannot be exchanged.
So that is your Lifetime Guarantee is it? You must not ever use it, and not keep it in your Garage?
(silence)
Can I speak to you manager?
(she calls the manager)
SCENE 2- The manager comes over
(Girl) Dave, this Gentleman wants to exchange this.
(Manager) Have you got the reciept?
No, it was a present (I show him the sticky switch)
OK, I will get you another.
____________THE END_________________
FFS, don't you just love f
king Jobsworths? You'd think it came out of her own f
king wages!Easy, well "scene 2"


I'm probably going to regret admitting this, few years ago now.
I needed a socket set, unusual set of tools for an electronics eng, but I was told to buy one and put it on expenses.
I like halfords tools, always found them to be good, so I bought a "professional" socket set.
When I went to use it ( I'd only ever used my dads draper stuff before), I couldn't get the sockets, any of them, or the bars, to fit to the rachet ( I can see most of you laughing already).
I took the set back to the store, and spoke to the gentleman (not a spotty youth), who had sold it to me.
I explained the problem, he just couldn't help himself !
him : You asked for a professional set sir ?
me : yes
him : pity it doesn't have a professional on the other end, press the button on top of the rachet !
Thankfully the store was empty.
He still works there, he's the assistant manager, lovely chap, very helpful, but I did wish the ground would open up and swallow me at the time.
I needed a socket set, unusual set of tools for an electronics eng, but I was told to buy one and put it on expenses.
I like halfords tools, always found them to be good, so I bought a "professional" socket set.
When I went to use it ( I'd only ever used my dads draper stuff before), I couldn't get the sockets, any of them, or the bars, to fit to the rachet ( I can see most of you laughing already).
I took the set back to the store, and spoke to the gentleman (not a spotty youth), who had sold it to me.
I explained the problem, he just couldn't help himself !
him : You asked for a professional set sir ?
me : yes
him : pity it doesn't have a professional on the other end, press the button on top of the rachet !
Thankfully the store was empty.
He still works there, he's the assistant manager, lovely chap, very helpful, but I did wish the ground would open up and swallow me at the time.
theironduke said:
the most important thing though.... was she fit?
Used to be a right stunner working at the Rugby halfords, shame I moved really, complete sausagefest at both Derby ones.I tried taking one back once, they refused, but to be fair I had welded it back together... which kind of made it worse.
At least I learned that the metal used for Torx bits doesn't like heat very much. Should have taken it back first time!
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Thursday 19th November because frankly, I shouldn't be allowed near the internet 23:55
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Thursday 19th November 23:56
Nigel Worc's said:
I'm probably going to regret admitting this, few years ago now.
I needed a socket set, unusual set of tools for an electronics eng, but I was told to buy one and put it on expenses.
I like halfords tools, always found them to be good, so I bought a "professional" socket set.
When I went to use it ( I'd only ever used my dads draper stuff before), I couldn't get the sockets, any of them, or the bars, to fit to the rachet ( I can see most of you laughing already).
I took the set back to the store, and spoke to the gentleman (not a spotty youth), who had sold it to me.
I explained the problem, he just couldn't help himself !
him : You asked for a professional set sir ?
me : yes
him : pity it doesn't have a professional on the other end, press the button on top of the rachet !
Thankfully the store was empty.
He still works there, he's the assistant manager, lovely chap, very helpful, but I did wish the ground would open up and swallow me at the time.
Had the same problem here. However it took me about 15 seconds to work out I needed a socket set, unusual set of tools for an electronics eng, but I was told to buy one and put it on expenses.
I like halfords tools, always found them to be good, so I bought a "professional" socket set.
When I went to use it ( I'd only ever used my dads draper stuff before), I couldn't get the sockets, any of them, or the bars, to fit to the rachet ( I can see most of you laughing already).
I took the set back to the store, and spoke to the gentleman (not a spotty youth), who had sold it to me.
I explained the problem, he just couldn't help himself !
him : You asked for a professional set sir ?
me : yes
him : pity it doesn't have a professional on the other end, press the button on top of the rachet !
Thankfully the store was empty.
He still works there, he's the assistant manager, lovely chap, very helpful, but I did wish the ground would open up and swallow me at the time.

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