Lifetime Warranty – What is it worth?

sailingseadragon

sailingseadragon

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Aug 21, 2006
203
Pearson 367 Alexandria, VA
There have been several threads discussing lifetime warranties.

A good knife is an important part of most sailor’s safety gear - as important as a harness or life vest, so my post.

Last summer I dropped and broke the tip off of my Squire Buck knife that I purchased in the 70’s – a pocket knife I carry with me all the time. While this is not my primary sailing knife, I have become quite attached to it.

Buck Knives come with a “Forever” Warranty.

Over the Christmas holidays I decided to return the knife for repair. I explained in my note, included with the knife, that I broke the knife (my fault), requested to have it repaired, and explained I was more than willing to pay for the repair. Yesterday my repaired knife arrived in the mail with a note reminding me that every Buck Knives comes with a “Forever” warranty – no charge.

Also included was coupon for 25% off on my next Buck Knife purchase.

Great product – Great Service – Happy customer

Garner
 
redunculous

redunculous

.
May 13, 2011
420
Hunter 40.5 Legend Jupiter
Good to know

Going to order one I think as a result of this review

Want to PM me that 25% off? :D

Seriously though - nice to see companies that still operate that way.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Great service. Leatherman has a 25 year warranty with similar service levels. They have never asked me for proof of purchase. I usually send mine back in every couple of years and they send me a refurbished unit with new blades and freshly oiled. You can have them simply service your original but that adds about a week to the turnaround time.

A few years ago I found a Wave in the street that must have slid off a vehicle as it was all scratched and even had a ding on the one end. I explained to them that I did not purchase this knife and it appeared to fall off a car and bounce down the road. They were happy to replace it for me.
 
Richard Bryer

Richard Bryer

.
Jun 3, 2004
890
Hunter 34 Toronto, Ontario Canada
Because of a life time warranty, I was able to get a brand new $70 fender from WM because my old one developed a hole. I very much respect companies that will stand behind their products to that extent, and will pay a premium for those products.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

.
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Richard Bryer said:
Because of a life time warranty, I was able to get a brand new $70 fender from WM because my old one developed a hole. I very much respect companies that will stand behind their products to that extent, and will pay a premium for those products.
Click to expand
Is it a Taylormade fender?
 
Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

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Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
I've had my Leatherman replaced, in a store that sells them. Showed them what broke, they handed me a replacement, no questions asked.

I was saddened to learn though that Buck knives are now made in China. I have one with a broken blade, and am debating whether to have it fixed, or just forget it
 
Gene Neill

Gene Neill

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Sep 30, 2013
3,689
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
Tilley Hats has a great lifetime warranty.

I finally wore my favorite old Tilley hemp hat to shreds last year. I sent it back, and they sent a new one, no questions asked. They'll even send you back your old hat if you want it, minus the sewn-in tag. Don't even need a receipt.


EDIT: oh yes, and MagLight has a good warranty also. It costs a couple bucks but they either rebuild or replace your flashlight forever. Of course, they ain't the best flashlight anymore, but that's another story.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Just because something is made in China does not make it bad(aside from supporting US manufacturing)

The Chinese can build products to very high specifications.
 
sailingseadragon

sailingseadragon

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Aug 21, 2006
203
Pearson 367 Alexandria, VA
TSBB2

For what it is worth, my knife was returned a new tip on the blade. I know this because I can identify the blade as my original blade (a dumb move years ago marked the blade for life).

Based on the turn around time, it hard for me to believe that went to China for repair...

Just a repair thought.

Garner
 
W

Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
I have found with lifetime warranties (or 10 or 25 year warranties, for that matter) that I lose the thing before I can make a warranty claim. ;-)
 
Scott

Scott

.
Sep 24, 1997
242
Hunter 31_83-87 Middle River, Md
Great company Buck

Last Christmas time I sent 3 #309 knives to Buck. My grandsons are now old enough to carry a pocket knife, and I wanted to put them in their stockings. I called Buck to get a return authorization # and a voice recording, Joe Buck, answered the phone and instructed me to call him personally if I was not satisfied with any aspect of my ensuing conversation.
They fixed the knife that needed new rivets, would not replace the broken blades on the other two. However, they returned 5 knives, the two not fixed, one fixed, and two new ones. The first thing I looked at was the country of origin on the new ones. U.S.A. Maybe they keep some old spares around for replacements.
Needless to say, I could not have been happier! :dance:
Oh yeah, I also got a 25% off coupon.
 
R

Ray Bowles

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Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
Prominent name products with lifetime warranties, such as Buck, for years have been advertized as made in the USA. Buck just moved its entire production facility to Post Falls Idaho which is very close to where I live. I would be truly surprised to hear that they are resorting to China to manufacture their products after all that investment.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

.
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Richard Bryer said:
Yep it was a Taylormade.
Click to expand
Taylormade has a great guarantee on their fenders, but I suspect WM is more convenient.

Today, my local Ace Hardware replaced a leaking Chinese-made plumbing supply line I'd bought there a few years ago. $5.00!

The same, but different. :D
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Buck is my favorite. A 110 in my pocket, and a 119 if I ever go back to work. Buck used to make a 'Yachtsman' knife with marlin spike. I lost mine and cannot find another. Too bad, great knives.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Chris Patterson said:
Oh Woody, TELL me you don't own that knife.:cry:
Click to expand

no but i will soon :D....there are a lot of them on ebay from 35 dollars and up ...just not sure weater to get the one with the nickel bolsters or not ..i have about three 110's but well used...i do have one of thoses west marine riggers knives (SOG) bought it on sale for 19.00 and i guss it will do in a pinch but would love to have a better one thats for sure.....

regards

woody
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Well, if you have to make that decision, that Buck is a FINE piece of equipment. I lost mine, and actually THREW my Davis overboard before that wretched thing killed somebody..
 
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