[Woodworkers] Warning - Ridgid LSA

[Dave Heitstuman]

Too add a bit to Chuck's story, I randomly follow a fellows tool blog/website?  The guy does tool reviews, puts up info on new tools, specials, sales etc.  I think it was around Christmas he did a little thing about the discrepancy in I think it was some Milwaukee pricing through Amazon compared to the local pricing at a tool store and even Home Depot.  In researching it he discovered exactly what Chuck has described.  Some body buys a pallet of stuff from a wholesaler and then turns around and sells it as new product, which technically it is.  Problem is, Milwaukee does not recognize you as the original buyer and therefore it has no warranty.  It was theorized that the same thing would apply to any of the tool manufacturers.  Good enough reason right there to not support Amazon for me :)  Funny thing is that I don't buy much from Amazon anyway.  Typically it is an odd ball something I cannot find locally.  When it comes to tools I prefer to buy locally, unless I just can't pass up some screaming deal on CPO.  But even then I go to CPO/tool manufacturer.  So hopefully if I buy from CPO Makita it has it's full warranty and I am the buyer.

With that said I still wonder how the registration and LSA would work in Washington State.  The state passed a law years ago that you do not have to fill out the registration card for the warranty.  You just have to keep all of your paperwork and receipts.

From: Woodworkers [mailto:woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org] On Behalf Of Chuck Steger via Woodworkers
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 2:30 PM
To: A place where woodworkers talk about woodworking
Cc: Chuck Steger
Subject: [Woodworkers] Warning - Ridgid LSA

I've always been an advocate for Ridgid tools mainly because of their Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA). All things being equal in power tools, Ridgid stands out because of their LSA. I've used it before and they will replace everything - including batteries that won't take a charge any more. We know what batteries cost, so that alone is worth it. BTW, I don't mean to imply that I take the tools in a lot, because I don't. In fact, it has both times been for batteries.

However, I learned something new and want to pass on. Ridgid will not honor an LSA that is not sold by Home Depot or an authorized dealer. The authorized dealer is key.

For Christmas, my sister gave me the Ridgid 7 ¼" cordless circular saw. I told her I only needed the tool as I had the batteries from other 18v Ridgid tools. She bought it new, from Amazon, was fulfilled and shipped to me brand new in box. I tried to register the tool for LSA but was declined because it was sold by an unauthorized dealer. Basically, someone bought a pallet load (I'm guessing) of tools and then resold them. Ridgid looks at it as the person who bought the pallet load is the original purchaser. I would now be a secondary purchaser and not eligible for the LSA. I argued that it was bought on Amazon and was brand new and that Ridgid should stop that practice if people are "unauthorized". After all, this isn't eBay or Craigslist. I contended that Ridgid is complicit for allowing that to happen.

Bottom line is "no exceptions". Had I known this, I would have asked for a Home Depot gift certificate and bought it myself. After all, my sister did not get it any cheaper, there are just no Home depots in her town (or close by) so she ordered on Amazon.

The good news is the batteries are covered by my other LSA's but the bad news is the circular saw is not. I know it was free (gift) but a replacement (tool only) is not cheap. The moral of the story is buyer beware. BTW, I really like the saw.

Chuck

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