What is the big deal with this company. Their stuff is ridiculously overpriced and their warranty is terrible. I have a set of 6" dial calipers that are not that old and never worked any better than my RCBS calipers. The other day I went to use them and they no longer work right, dial stops turning even when the calipers are sliding! Contacted the company about the warranty/cost for repair. What a joke, the warranty is 1 year with proof of purchase. They want $60 to repair them, more than I paid for the RCBS. Am I missing something about the quality/superiority of their products. Their warranty certainly leaves a lot to be desired.
starrett calipers quality
- Thread starter wvuredneck09
- Start date
Sometime back on this site, someone referenced Long Island Indicator Repair Service Company as a good place to buy quality yet affordable calipers and micrometers. I checked out their website and was surprised to learn that the current manufactured products from Starrett and Mitutoyo have a lot of plastic components and they suffer from poor QC standards. I believe Brown & Sharpe will be my next purchase.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I see no problem with their warranty. If you bought it from them and it is less than a year old just send it to them proving you purchased it new. Am I missing something?
Butch
Butch
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
All starrett calipers are made in china so I go to harbour freight and spend 15.00 and have them checked out on known test blocks and you have a set for next to nothing and they measure just as good as any high end ones I have ever bought.It is sad isnt it.
It is sad, and these are a set of the older ones, made in America, no plastic. The issue with the warranty is that anything of that much more expense, compared to others, should stand behind their products longer than 1 year. If sears didn't stand by craftsman tools for life I'd buy cheaper tools and throw them away if they broke. If you want a premium price, you need to make a premium product, and stand behind it. Just my 2 cents
I'm with Butch on this one. I've had nothing but quality from Starrett, and have been using the same vernier calipers and micrometer for almost 15 years. Good tools.
It is true they are expensive, and that a cheaper pair can probably fit most users needs. My guess is that any fine tool made here will cost more than an import; I just try my best to buy American except where I just can not afford it...
Will buy Starrett again.
It is true they are expensive, and that a cheaper pair can probably fit most users needs. My guess is that any fine tool made here will cost more than an import; I just try my best to buy American except where I just can not afford it...
Will buy Starrett again.
Don't buy new starrett then, now made in china, mine are the "old" made in America and still broke with relatively little use.
Just reviewed Starretts web site, nowhere do they claim "Made in USA." anymore. They list 4 mfg. plants outside the US*, one in China where, according to Long Island Indicator Service Co., the Starrett model 1202A caliper "is clearly made" and it actually is the better model since all their other caliper models use too soft of a steel. Also their warranty.........ONE year from date of purchase.....but don't etch your ID on them as it is grounds to void the warranty.
edit- *Starrett has a total of 9 manufacturing locations, 5 of which are still located in the US.
edit- *Starrett has a total of 9 manufacturing locations, 5 of which are still located in the US.
exactly, and you pay to ship both ways, if its outside of warranty u pay more to have it repaired than you'd spend a new set with a LIFETIME warranty, sad that once great companies don't stand behind their products anymore. AKA throw-away society but if they are going to change from great products to junk they need to be competitive in the pricing. Case in point when i bought my angle grinder I paid more for a dewalt, and guess what it broke. Am I pissed, nope, just took it back to the store and walked out with a new one. If they can put a 3 year warranty on a power tool surely calipers should last MUCH longer, mine gave me about 2 years of service and wasn't used all that much in those 2 years, my RCBS calipers on the other hand are nearly 5 years old and still kicking. Should have never bought into the hype of these.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Redneck,
You have made your statement. Just buy RCBS and you won't get worked up.
Butch
You have made your statement. Just buy RCBS and you won't get worked up.
Butch
I'm not worked up about it at all, just think it is only right of me to warn others of their issues before they too buy in to the hype and purchase with the same results. If we aren't going to discuss the pro's and con's of products than why have this forum? I'm not demanding that the company change anything just informing others. I really don't see why you are so adamant in defending them? Nor do I believe for a minute that you haven't debated a purchase before and researched it first, or asked others for their input. I'm just putting my opinion out there for those that care to listen to it. Am I out of line for doing so, are product reviews allowed to be negative?
"SHOOTERS' FORUM > Gear Talk -- Discuss Pros/Cons of Gear, What to Buy > Tools, Rests, Gadgets, Hardware"
"SHOOTERS' FORUM > Gear Talk -- Discuss Pros/Cons of Gear, What to Buy > Tools, Rests, Gadgets, Hardware"
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Redneck,
I didn't say anywhere that you can't have your opinion and post it. My opinion is that I have had great service with my Starrett products and don't think the manufacturer has any obligation other than what they state.
You probably drive a Dodge and I drive a GMC.
Butch
I didn't say anywhere that you can't have your opinion and post it. My opinion is that I have had great service with my Starrett products and don't think the manufacturer has any obligation other than what they state.
You probably drive a Dodge and I drive a GMC.
Butch
Haha no I'm' a Chevy man but I get your point and have no issue with you giving your input on the product. Like I said I just wanted to put my opinion out there and yours is worth just as much as mine, exactly what we paid for them. Good news is that we have somewhere like this forum to discuss our opinions.
I have an older Starrett dial caliper, "Made in the USA", and yes, they are quality, but as unfortunate as it is, once the flood gates are opened with a copy cat product, Made in China, the USA makers have one of two choices: either be cost competitive or go out of business. No, I don't like it, but other than boycotting the Made in China, there is little or nothing we can do about it. I never thought I'd see the day when Sears Craftsman tools (and Stanley) were Made in China, but that day arrived several years ago. 
Always Look for the Union Label.
A dedicated UPS union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and, as you would expect, decided to check out the local brothels nearby. When he got to the first one, he asked the madame, "Is this a union house?"
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."
"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The house gets $80 and the girls get $20."
Mightily offended at such unfair dealings, the man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the madame responded, "Why yes sir, this IS a union house."
The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."
"That's more like it!" the UPS man said. He looked around the room and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde. "I'd like her for the night."
"I'm sure you would, sir," said the madame, then, gesturing to an obese fifty-five year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has seniority."
A dedicated UPS union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and, as you would expect, decided to check out the local brothels nearby. When he got to the first one, he asked the madame, "Is this a union house?"
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."
"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The house gets $80 and the girls get $20."
Mightily offended at such unfair dealings, the man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the madame responded, "Why yes sir, this IS a union house."
The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."
"That's more like it!" the UPS man said. He looked around the room and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde. "I'd like her for the night."
"I'm sure you would, sir," said the madame, then, gesturing to an obese fifty-five year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has seniority."
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