I've been buying Craftsman tools for over 20 years and really can't complain about the quality of the older stuff. But with regular use, they do wear out. My wife went to the mall yesterday so I sent one of my broken ratchets to have it exchanged. This one - http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-in-d ... =39869:3:0 . She was told by the kid at the counter that it's no longer available then reached into a bin under the counter, that she saw was just full of random tools, and handed her this beat up POS.
I know it may not seem like a big deal but they did replace it with a refurbished, lesser quality tool. I went from a 45 tooth with an 8* swing to a 36 tooth with a 10* swing. They used to replace broken tools with new ones. Then the went to the free "repair kits" for a while. Now this refurbished BS. The last broken socket had to be "special ordered" and shipped to me because they refused to break up a set and were out of stock with singles. I think I'll just buy off the trucks from now on. Rant concluded.
I know it may not seem like a big deal but they did replace it with a refurbished, lesser quality tool. I went from a 45 tooth with an 8* swing to a 36 tooth with a 10* swing. They used to replace broken tools with new ones. Then the went to the free "repair kits" for a while. Now this refurbished BS. The last broken socket had to be "special ordered" and shipped to me because they refused to break up a set and were out of stock with singles. I think I'll just buy off the trucks from now on. Rant concluded.