Broken Halfords Advanced Torque Wrench
Broken Halfords Advanced Torque Wrench
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Discussion

Goatwidcoat

Original Poster:

90 posts

54 months

Yesterday (07:55)
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My Halfords Advanced 200 torque wrench stopped clicking yesterday. It's just over 3 years old and has always been stored at 0 when not in use. I understand Halfords have a lifetime guarantee however I've never read the small print (who does) and you need to be able to produce a calibration certificate every 18 months for them to replace. I also do not have the email receipt but do have the order confirmation number so I am sure if I called they could use that to track it back.

Am I right in thinking that not clicking is a broken mechanism and not a case of recalibrating? Worth finding somewhere to repair or just buy another for £130? It's had average use for a home wrench. I switch to winter wheels on two cars each year and a set of track wheels for another that are switched out and torque checked maybe 5 times a year.

ChocolateFrog

33,259 posts

192 months

Yesterday (08:01)
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Firstly I'd just go in to store and hand it to them and say it's broken.

They won't necessarily be up on the small print either. You might just get a replacement or you might get a new ratchet mechanism, not sure how it works with TW's

They tend not to quibble about most things.

Goatwidcoat

Original Poster:

90 posts

54 months

Yesterday (08:28)
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ChocolateFrog said:
Firstly I'd just go in to store and hand it to them and say it's broken.

They won't necessarily be up on the small print either. You might just get a replacement or you might get a new ratchet mechanism, not sure how it works with TW's

They tend not to quibble about most things.
That is probably the best port of call to start with and play dumb on the warranty technicalities. Worth a punt to save £130!

Goatwidcoat

Original Poster:

90 posts

54 months

Yesterday (15:46)
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I got hold of the original email receipt but unfortunately the manager was very clued up and you could tell he was dreading following up the "as long as you have a receipt... and certificate to show it has been calibrated." Looks like it's time to buy a new one.

Edited by Goatwidcoat on Monday 3rd November 15:52

markiii

4,121 posts

213 months

Yesterday (16:29)
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never needed a receipt on any of my warranty replacements

Sheepshanks

38,274 posts

138 months

Yesterday (16:39)
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Hmm…worked for this guy: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Unless there’s been a recent policy change I’d be minded to try a different store, maybe at a time when there’s less likely to be a manager around.

itcaptainslow

4,282 posts

155 months

Yesterday (16:48)
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I've never needed a receipt for claiming under the lifetime warranty. If one store isn't playing ball, try another. My local store quibbles like mad around batteries (when the store manager is involved, who quite frankly is the most wilfully unhelpful individual), but the one ten miles up the road is ace.

MRichards99

325 posts

147 months

Yesterday (17:02)
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Sheepshanks said:
Hmm worked for this guy: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Unless there s been a recent policy change I d be minded to try a different store, maybe at a time when there s less likely to be a manager around.
Not Halfords specific but I normally choose a Sunday where there's a disinterested looking teenager doing refunds/exchanges.

E-bmw

11,562 posts

171 months

Yesterday (17:05)
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The only difference here is that it is specified that it be calibrated.

100% agree with never needed a receipt as (let's be honest) even the Halfrauds duty teenager knows it can't have been bought elsewhere.

Goatwidcoat

Original Poster:

90 posts

54 months

Yesterday (17:07)
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itcaptainslow said:
I've never needed a receipt for claiming under the lifetime warranty. If one store isn't playing ball, try another. My local store quibbles like mad around batteries (when the store manager is involved, who quite frankly is the most wilfully unhelpful individual), but the one ten miles up the road is ace.
I did find the original receipt in the end before I went. They did say all Halfords Advanced lifetime warranty items are normally exchanged on the spot, apart from the torque wrenches which specifically state the need a calibration certificate every 18 months and to be fair on the website for the item that requirement is clearly stated. Not that any of us read that far of course.

There are a couple of other stores only 15 minutes or so away so I will try both of them too before spending another £100+. I just need to go in when a young lad behind the till doesn't know the rules and just sorts it out there and then!

Edited by Goatwidcoat on Monday 3rd November 17:13

Pica-Pica

15,583 posts

103 months

Yesterday (17:53)
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Goatwidcoat said:
itcaptainslow said:
I've never needed a receipt for claiming under the lifetime warranty. If one store isn't playing ball, try another. My local store quibbles like mad around batteries (when the store manager is involved, who quite frankly is the most wilfully unhelpful individual), but the one ten miles up the road is ace.
I did find the original receipt in the end before I went. They did say all Halfords Advanced lifetime warranty items are normally exchanged on the spot, apart from the torque wrenches which specifically state the need a calibration certificate every 18 months and to be fair on the website for the item that requirement is clearly stated. Not that any of us read that far of course.

There are a couple of other stores only 15 minutes or so away so I will try both of them too before spending another £100+. I just need to go in when a young lad behind the till doesn't know the rules and just sorts it out there and then!

Edited by Goatwidcoat on Monday 3rd November 17:13
I don't see how lack of calibration affects that claim.

Inbox

790 posts

5 months

Yesterday (18:17)
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Could AI mock up a cert? You wonder how far they will go in checking the cert is legit when it is really just a box ticking exercise.

Inbox

790 posts

5 months

Yesterday (18:19)
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Inbox said:
Could AI mock up a cert? You wonder how far they will go in checking the cert is legit when it is really just a box ticking exercise.
Yes it can, a couple of signatures and you have a 'valid' calibration.

Or you could say it broke during calibration so they won't issue a cert.

Sheepshanks

38,274 posts

138 months

Yesterday (18:25)
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Pica-Pica said:
I don't see how lack of calibration affects that claim.
Same. I wonder what's behind it?

E-bmw

11,562 posts

171 months

Yesterday (19:09)
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Sheepshanks said:
Pica-Pica said:
I don't see how lack of calibration affects that claim.
Same. I wonder what's behind it?
I am guessing proof that it has been stored properly & not abused.

magpie215

4,822 posts

208 months

Yesterday (19:21)
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Looks like it would need a cert for a warranty claim.