Is there really such a thing as a guarantee?

True stories:

I did my taxes on Turbo Tax for the last few years. The guarantee accuarcy. In 2007 they failed to report my Connecticut Income on my Mass Return but still took a credit for the income tax paid to Conencticut. I'm sure I did it right because it filed the CT Non Resident Return. For Christmas the state gave me a present in the for of a $1700 tax bill. Turbo tax guarantees that I won't have to pay penalties and interest. I filed a claim. They responded wnating more information. I sent them the information. They responded that they did could not duplicate the error. They asked me to do my 2007 taxes over again so they could verify that I did it right. Like I'm goind to push all the exact same buttons again four years later. What a non-guarantee.

I hit a pot hole and blew two tires out on my car. Cool, the tire shop soild me the extra insurnace even though I don't remember asking for it. I remeber paying under $300 for the full set about two years ago. So they replaced the two tires minus depreciation and then I was required to purchase the road hazzard warranty again. So oddly enough the bill came to $150 or half what I originally paid.

I went to PC Richard and looked at their TVs. The salesman said it was the best deal for a Sony 42" TV. I said Best Buy had it $100 cheaper and he said "we'll match the lowest offer. So I said "so I can have this for $100 more off?" He said I would have to get a sales flyer and prove that their TV was $100 cheaper and that it was the same model. I said, "or I could just go there and buy it."

Today a salesman tried to tell me I would have to pay annual maintenance on my IBM AS400. I bought it with a three year warranty. He e-mailed me saying that he had e-mails insisting that I only wanted a three year software warranty and not a hardware warranty. I e-mailed him and said that I don't remember that and could he send me those e-mails because all I had were 10 e-mails telling him I didn't want the system without three year hardware/software.

I went to buy my daughter a cell phone and the salesperson tried explaining the plan. If I took a second mortgage on got the $70 a month plan I could get unlimited text, phone, and data. I said "text?" She said yes that it how kids communicate with abbreviated words. I said s it cost all this extra to send a few bytes (yes "ROFLMAO" is only 7 bytes, not bloody kilobytes, not bloody megabytes, and not bloody gigabytes). I said when I started in computer we had to do that because there was no bandwidth and now people do it because they like too? And they pay big money for it? Holy crap.

I work in Springfield and I'm amazed at how fast they can ticket a car when the meter runs out. They have this little golf car type thing that they drive around and around and on the back it is labelled "INTERCEPTOR III." Seriously, what are they intercepting? Parked Cars? Money?

I once broke a Craftsman screwdriver. I went to Sears wondering what horrible line of paperwork and humilation they were going to put me through to get a replacement. I wore underwear made of chain mail and headed to the store. The salesman at the counter said, "sure, just go get another one." I did and he said thank you and I walked out. I almost died!!!

69_RAG_TOP wrote:
Not.


Three years ago I went to Sears to buy a Craftsman 10 inch reversible axle ring spreader pliers for removing the C clip at the end of wheel axles.

This is a specialty tool that you may use only a handful of times so I did not want to spend a lot of money on one for my tool box.

I had a choice between several Craftsman items.

There was a Sears Special purchase spreader pliers for on sale for $14.99...not sure what the quality or guaranty was for this Made in China tool but it looked cheaply made.

There was a Craftsman Standard Evolv spreader pliers for $29.99...this one looked sturdier but was still Made in China ...not sure what the guaranty was for this one.

There was a Craftsman Professional spreader pliers for $44.99...looked like a great tool. Made in the USA. I found that this tool was only available at that price in Module 9 in the 92 Piece Specialty Automotive set for $999.99. If I wanted to buy it by itself I would have to special order at $54.99 and wait a week. I needed the tool now.

I bought the standard spreader pliers for $29.99. Brought it home and I was able to change the wheel on my car trailer.

Last year my neighbor borrowed the spreader pliers. He brought it back and told me he broke it trying to take the ring off his truck axle. No problem. It is a Craftsman so I get a free one. Right?

So I went to Sears and brought it back for a free replacement. I did not qualify because:

1) I did not have the store receipt and 2) It was longer than a year since I bought it and 3) I had loaned the tool to another person.

Sears Warranty: FOR ONE YEAR from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against any defects in material or workmanship. With proof of purchase, a defective product will be replaced free of charge. This warranty does not cover expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period. This warranty is void if this product is ever used while providing commercial services or if rented to another person.

Goodbye Sears. I now only buy Snap On or Mac Tools.

The Sears warranty only applies to Craftsman brand hand tools. You may also want to stay away from Mac Tools as they no longer have any drivers in the area and you must pay shipping both ways to get warranty.

I guess my point is proven. There are no real guarantees any more.

My first car had a 5 year 50,000 mile warranty in 1986. My second in 1987 had a 7 year 70,000 mile warranty but had a had a deductible of $500 on every repair.

The tool I broke was bought at a swap meet. At Stafford Springs you can get good tools for cheap.