Rigid 6" sander died

[capncarl]

Today when I started using my 5 yr old 6" orbital sander that I have raved and ranted how good it is, screamed to a halt and quit roatating. I did send the warranty papers when it was bought so I figured it would have to be sent off for repairs, hoping this tool qualified for the lifetime warranty. I needed the sander NOW, the warranty papers were in the house, I was in the shop, so rather than do the paperwork I called HD and told them my sander died. They said bring it in and they would swap it out! I jumped in my sleigh and flew to HD, getting it swapped out with no problem! When I asked about the Rigid lifetime warranty agreement they shrugged their shoulders and said they would turn it in. Not the way I expected the warranty to work but Ok with me. I'm a happy sander again.
capncarl

[leehljp]

I wasn't expecting that answer but it sure was great. Glad the warranty worked for you!

[cwsmith]

Except... where does that leave you with the 'Limited Lifetime Service Agreement' ?

Normally one wouldn't go back to Home Depot, but instead would contact the nearest authorized Ridgid Service Center. That of course would take some time, and if you need it NOW, you'd be out of luck.

I do think that once you get your new sander, I would register that for the LLSA. My thinking is that a new 'replacement' is great... but if it should crap out on you within the next few years, you'll be completely out of luck if you don't.

Home Depot is funny in that they rarely understand the Ridgid 'LLSA' themselves; and while in your case that worked out really well, in some other cases, like batteries, a seemingly quick and easy replacement is found to be without warranty or LLSA further down the road (IF you don't take proper action to get it properly registered into the LLSA system).

CWS

[capncarl]

I was disappointed with the demise of the sander. It worked great, best sander I have ever used. It developed a rattle, a gyro effect and went clunk. No more sanding for this baby. Makes me wonder if the Rigid line is just a overpriced Ryobi with an appealing warranty? I understand they come out of the same factory.
capncarl

[cwsmith]

You may have a point, as I think the Ridgid line has changed significantly in the last four years. But when the product line was introduced in 2003, it promoted some significant design enhancements and components, like better motors, longer, better material cords with lighted plugs, high impact housings, excellent tools cases, etc. And with that introduction, if offered the Limited Lifetime Service Agreement to back that up!

While I think the product line is very good, there definitely appears to be a withdrawal of sorts, many of the materials (like the paper latches on the detail sander) seem to be cheaper. Gone are the good tool cases, with either bags or nothing now offered. The two-base router is gone, as well as the dropping of some of the stationary tools. Biggest problem in my opinion is the constant changing of the Service Centers themselves. It's almost like TTI has lost its enthusiasm for the line and has instead focused more on Ryobi, which has introduced a lot more innovative products in the last decade.

The "orange line" of tools seems to be better off in Europe (under another brand name) than it does here in the U.S.A.. BUT, the Ryobi line of tools has grown significantly better over the years, it's warranty has increased from two to three years and I think it's materials have become better.

I'm a fan of both line of tools. But I feel that Home Depot is in many ways the root of much of the failure with the brands too. They (HD) doesn't promote the tool line very well in the store, their employees are too often uneducated to the features and warranty/service programs, and I think we've all witnessed the decline of the stationary tool line in most of the stores.

Stiil, the Ridgid line offers some significant value, especially with the LLSA; and, I think the Ryobi line has benefited from having an in-house relationship with product line that, at least for a while, was focused on a 'better-build' policy.

CWS

[capncarl]

I fully expected to have to send the sander to a service center for the limited lifetime agreement. Since it was 5 yrs old the 3 yrs warranty noted in the owners manual had expired. The only reason that I called HD was earlier this year I saw a pallet piled high with returned tools. I inqured about them because I wanted a couple of Ryobi or Rigid battery drills for donors to see if could graft the battery connection onto my dewalts..... Another story about that later... The HD rep said they were warranty returns and I could not have them for parts. For sure I will also register this one because I may never have this luck again.
capncarl

[tfischer]

Sweet. I use that sander as well, going on 10 years old now, and love it.