Who has the best warranty and customer service?

[poolhound]

I have said this before but the warranty service you get from WMH is just awesome.

It seems that whenever I have had any issues (all minor) with my Jet or PM stuff I send off a note to them and its always Andrea that writes back (usually within 24hrs). We have a little email chat while she gets all the info and whiz-bang, a new part or replacement is on its way to me. I couldn’t really ask for more.

This time it was a crack that appeared in one of my Jet right angle spring clamps (they are very useful). I checked on line and yes they have a lifetime warranty. A couple of emails to Andrea and a new pair are on their way.

Don’t know if any of you guys have dealt with her and WMH but their no fuss approach makes you think strongly in their favor when your next major tool purchase comes around.

It would be interesting to hear of other experiences folks have had and which manufacturers are as good.

• Bosch have been great but the only issue I have ever had is with my 1617 switch and that’s a known problem.
• I have had reasonable help from PC when needed but they have been a bit fussy over the details
• Ryobi have also been OK but I think they have now changed their policies
• Dewalt has been variable
• No experience with Delta as I the two things of their I have work great (touch wood)
• Veritas were also great when I had an issue with the MKII honing jig.

As I typed this post I realized it would also make a great poll so lets see who wins.

I know there are others but the poll only allows 12 options. you can vote for more than one.

[cgallery]

I don't know how to vote. I've been happy with the service I've received from all of the ones I own (most of the list).

[poolhound]

I don't know how to vote. I've been happy with the service I've received from all of the ones I own (most of the list).

Do any stand out from the crowd?

For example when I have dealt with PC they wanted reciepts and serial numbers and made me jump through a few hoops. I got what I wanted so was happy but it wasnt the same smooth and simple service as with WMH.

Likewise with veritas, when I reported an issue, after a very brief email to confim what was wrong they immediatley sent me a brand new unit to try with no cost on my part or need to send the original one back first. Once I confirmed the replacement fixed my issue I was able to retunr the other unit with a prepaid shipping label they had sent me.

For me good service is when they recognize how to best keep a customer truely happy and a repeat buyer without question.

[Whaler]

I really can't vote on this one. All of my power tools are Jet, Powermatic, Dewalt, Bosch and Porter Cable. I have never had to contact customer service for problem with any of them. The best customer service is a quality product to start with and a manufacturer that take care of a problem without a hassle.

[Ed62]

I also can't play the game because of never having a problem (with tools) to contact customer service about.

their no fuss approach makes you think strongly in their favor when your next major tool purchase comes around.

I think this will be more important than ever, in our economy. Those who are willing to provide it will be the last to have to close the doors.

Ed

[Uncle Cracker]

Minor problems only with Jet, Delta and Craftsman. Each resolved quickly and no regrets. No problems with any of the others.

[SARGE..g-47]

Milwaukee.. Hitachi.. Steel City Toolworks...

No problems with any but very helpful when calling to ask a technical problem. When I first got my Steel City Bandsaw just after Steel City went into businees.. I called to ask a question. I was asked how I liked their new machine. I told them I liked it well enough that I with-drew a $500 deposit on a MM-16 to buy it but.... there were a few minor kinks that needed to be corrected.

I was ask what they were so I told them that the small thumb-screws on the roller guides needed to be replaced with M6 threaded T handle knobs and... the M8 threaded allen head screw that unlocked the bottom guide bearing was a PITA to see and get to with an Allen head wrench. It needed to be replaced also. And that you could not see the gullet of your BS blade as the metal blade safety shied blocked the view.

I was asked to hold on for a minuite which I did. When they came back to the phone I was on conference call with Scott Box (president of Steel City) and their head design engineer. I told them what I felt the kinks were and how to fix them. They ask me to hold on again as they actually went to their Showroom and crawled under the BS. When they came back they told me that I had made fine points.

I recieved an e-mail about a week latter stating that M6 and M8 threaded T handles would now be on all models as they had contacted their factory in China. And... a plexi-glass window would be added to the blade safety shield so you could see the blade-gullet-bearing relationship. It doesn't get any better than that IMO.

[LinuxRandal]

I think Sarge made my point for me. Tools vary so much, that it is hard to pick just one.

While Craftsman hand tools are good (turned in under the satisfaction guarantee more then the warranty), the customer servcie, can be different, day to day, and place to place.
Their power tools however, I try to avoid.

I have a few friends, who, if I don't have experience with something, I would check with them first, before I trouble a company with something I may be overlooking. But one product, that I use, that I can pick up the phone and call the owner personally, is Eurekazone.



The other thing I learned, is you can generally get good customer service, with a please and thank you, as too many people think everything needs to be dropped for them, right then, right there.

[poolhound]

Milwaukee.. Hitachi.. Steel City Toolworks...
I recieved an e-mail about a week latter stating that M6 and M8 threaded T handles would now be on all models as they had contacted their factory in China. And... a plexi-glass window would be added to the blade safety shield so you could see the blade-gullet-bearing relationship. It doesn't get any better than that IMO.

Sarge, did they come out and retro fit your saw so at least you would benefit from your own modifications?

[herb fellows]

Sarge, what, no check in the mail?

[L. D. Jeffries]

I just have to put in an A+ for Grizly and Veritas. both these outfits ask no questions or require any paperwork to replace bum things. You can always speak to a real person who for the most part knows what they are talking about.

[Wood_workur]

I dislike Ryobi. When my BT3100 switch failed they said I'd hve to take it to a service center. I pointed out the car trip would screw up all the alignment I did and they should send me a switch. they said it was too dangerous. I told them that if they didn't send me a switch I'd ghetto rig the saw. I never got a replacement switch.

I've now got a rockler router table switch hanging from my front rail. Its a lot easier to use, and I can mover it wherever I want.

[SARGE..g-47]

Sarge, did they come out and retro fit your saw so at least you would benefit from your own modifications?

They called me and told me they would send the knobs and safety shield. I told them I took care of it the day after I got it. I went to ACE and picked up M 6 knobs and one M 8 for the main lock release and installed it.

Didn't need the metal blade guide safety shield as I sawed mine off just above the bearing as I have on every BS I have owned. You have to do the same thing with the Mini-Max and that Armadillo tail tele-scoping safety shield on it.

They just laughed and told me they figured I might have already taken care of it. I don't do a lot of procrastinating.. just "get er done" and move on.

Regards...

[SARGE..g-47]

Sarge, what, no check in the mail?

No check.. but just after the AWTS Show in Las Vegas.. Scott Box the president called me and ask if I would field test the granite jointer fence they had just previewed at the Show. I said yes.. he drove down from Murfreesboro, TN. with it in his trunk and we installed it in about 20 minutes. And I did get ask to demonstrate their machines at IWF in Atlanta last fall. I had to go down the week before for 3 days. help assemble 40 machines and set the booth up.. then work the next week of the Show. In lieu of money I ask for a Steel City 5 HP Industrail TS which I loaded on my truck the last day of the Show.

Good deal for them.. good deal for me. I have been ask to field test the new 17" Variable Drill Press also. ]They also e-mail down new owners manuals for a new machine to have me customer read. My job is too make sure it is clear to the average Joe WW who might not be so mechanical inclined and laid out in simple laymen's terms in lieu of technical jargon. I OK it or make suggestions.. send it back. They take it to print.

But hey.. even though I don't get paid monetarily.. I do get a free T-shirt ever now and then.. etc. etc... Great bunch of tool guys really, as all have spent their entire life working for Power-matic.. Delta before breaking off and creating Steel City. I can tell you they know machines and they know them well.

Regards...

[drumpriest]

I checked Jet/Powermatic. I have not had major issues, but I have had a couple of minor things, and they were the 2nd best experience I've ever had with customer service, only having been topped by Drum Workshop, but I gave DW a lot more money than I have to Jet or Powermatic, believe it or not.