Replies

1. 
   TomW | Apr 14, 2007 11:46pm | #1

   probably out of their return policy but it should still be under warranty. Take it to a service center and have it repaired.

2. 
   cadiddlehopper | Apr 14, 2007 11:52pm | #2

   They may fix it rather than replace it. They even handled shipping it to the repair station for me. The main thing is to have a record of the purchase such as a sales receipt. I don't know what else they will accept. Mine was about as old as one can be when they replaced it. They had repaired it once before, but their service agent could not seem to get it right the second time. Remember: The Depot gives a lifetime warranty.

   Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   TomW | Apr 15, 2007 12:47am | #3

   read the terms of that warranty carefully, I'd bet it is not nearly as good as it sounds.

1. 
   user-83153 | Apr 15, 2007 05:00am | #4

   You'd be surprised Tom. Rigid offers a lifetime warranty on all of their tools. All you have to do is register them on their website when you buy them. It is very comprehensive. They will even replace the batteries on a cordless drill for life. If they are willing to replace a part like batteries that they know will eventually fail they shouldn't have any problem with any other malfunctions.

                      Rob

1. 
   dgreen | Apr 15, 2007 05:18am | #5

   It's a three year warranty. You can register for a "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement" that they very specifically say is not a warranty.------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

1. 
   user-83153 | Apr 15, 2007 04:28pm | #7

   dgreen,

     If you go to their website their is a page that explains their Limited Lifetime Warranty. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/RIDGID-Warranty

              Rob

2. 
   dgreen | Apr 15, 2007 11:00pm | #14

   Here is a quote from and a link to the page I got the info from.

   "ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONSThis Limited Lifetime Service Agreement is not a warranty; it does not alter or limit the 3-Year Limited Service Warranty provided with your product, and it is not intended to create any implied warranties or rights of any kind including any warranties of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE."

   http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0916571149.1176666986@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceaddkjjfikdecgelceffdfgidgml.0&MID=9876 ------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

2. 
   TomW | Apr 15, 2007 05:51am | #6

   better look again at how they define life. According to their verbage it is for the life of the tool, and warranty is limited to materials and workmanship, not normal wear and tear.

   Maybe I'm too cynical but it appears to me to be nothing more that a slick marketing tool. 

1. 
   user-83153 | Apr 15, 2007 04:32pm | #9

   Tom,

     I went to the website and looked it up, you are right. It only applies to defects in material and workmanship. I am 99% sure that this is not the way it was written a couple of years ago when they first started it. Maybe they didn't count on as many people doing the paperwork required and started having second thoughts. I know I didn't just make that up about the batteries, I must have read it somewhere.

                              Rob

2. 
   xedos6 | Apr 16, 2007 12:54am | #15

   Rob - you're right. About 2-3 years ago , around the time they changed from grey to orange bodies, HD - Ridgid were offering an unlimited lifetime bla bla bla.  The terms called for them to cover EVERYTHING, yes EVERYTHING including , batteries, blades ect...   It did not last long, and I'm pretty sure every tool in the lineup was covered.  I'm sure a battery drill(s) and the planer were in the mix.  I remember thinking about their long term exposure $$$ to such a program. 

   My only guess is that they wanted to give the new brand a quick jumpstart by creating some buzz like:  just think how great our stuff is if we're willing to cover everything for life.  Or they had a new MBA dream up and sell the program only to be in the unemployment line once Nardelli saw the #'s 3 qtrs. into the program.

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 15, 2007 04:31pm | #8

   If you can't find the receipt (for warranty service documentation), try to remember how you paid.  If you paid with a credit card, they may be able to track down the date you purchased it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Apr 15, 2007 06:00pm | #10

   Morning Quickstep..

   As Forest Girl mentioned, if you paid by credit card you may be in luck. I just returned a Shop Vac I bought at Lowe's about a month ago that I had never opened. Un-like me.. I normally keep the receipt and staple it to my shop manual for whatever tool which gets filed alphabetically in a shop manual file case.

   But... keep in mind it was Lowe's and not home depot. They easily found it with the credit card I used. The lady said she could do the same if it had been check and several other ways. Cash is the worst option in this scenario.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/15/2007 11:01 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 15, 2007 06:35pm | #11

   As I recall there is a 90 warranty on Ridgid power tools. Ridgid also offers a "Free Lifetime Service Contract" which you could have signed up for when you purchased the tool. Under this agreement everything is covered but you need to send the tool to the Ridgid service center.

   Howie.........
6. 
   AB | Apr 15, 2007 07:25pm | #12

   Hey Quickstep, just go to HD and in a nice friendly way explain to someone what you have and what you want. I bet you get it.

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 15, 2007 10:30pm | #13

   Amen, always try that first.  It often works!  We just returned a pair of running shoes to Big 5 sports that had been worn enough to look used, but had the tongue just come right out one morning when Nick was getting dressed to go work out.  The probably were worn 20 times or so.  They took them back, no problem, gave us store credit since we didn't have the receipt.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

7. 
   nikkiwood | Apr 16, 2007 01:14am | #16

   I think, generally, the return policy will be much influenced by the competitive nature of your particular market.

   In other words, in my market (MN), HD and Menards are ubiquitous, and now Lowe's is making a strong effort to build up the number of their stores.

   As a consequence, they're all duking it out in the marketplace, and they're all bending over backwards to be amenable about returns.

   I'd say haul it back, tell them your story, be nice, and see what they will do. If the returns person is not agreeable, ask to see the assistant manager responsible for the tool department. The AM's at HD have the power to do pretty much anything they want -- irrespective of the formal returns policy.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

8. 
   dude | Apr 16, 2007 10:34am | #17

   i got lots of rigid tools and have that spindle sander & have no trouble with it

   when i have any trouble with something i  go to the return desk first and if i have any hassle with them i deal with the store manager who usually gets his ears cleaned out if he gives me any hassle

   you do not have to take it back to the same branch you bought it at ( i learned this from a employee of mine who worked there part time ) & i have done it

   as for rigid i have called tech support about bearings in a edge planer and they said take it to service rep , when  i asked them about my installing them  they said ok and sent me new ones by courier 7 i lve in canada and the parts were in the US

   PS. the problem wasent the bearings it was my fault for feeding to fast and went away after i got more patient , i was trying to mill up a couple of thousand ft of maple , cherry and birch for stock and was new to the game at the time

9. 
   vespid | Apr 16, 2007 11:20pm | #18

   it is only a bad capacitor, replace it and it will work fine

1. 
   dgreen | Apr 17, 2007 12:41am | #19

   Where would the capacitor be on a universal motor and what would be its purpose?------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore