Ethics - is it OK? [Archive]

Stuart

16th August 2006, 02:36 PM

Sadly, as discussed in the other thread, it is exactly this attitude of buying something then returning it after the weekend (a free weekend hire) that has cost GMC a small fortune, as there are a LOT of people who do it, and the reason that the 30 day satisfaction guarantee will not be available from GMC in the near future.

So it is reassuring to see that there is a general consensus against it, but sadly, it is not a true reflection of modern society.

Gumby

16th August 2006, 02:43 PM

So it is reassuring to see that there is a general consensus against it, but sadly, it is not a true reflection of modern society.

I like to think it's not a true reflection but the usual crap we have to put up with because of a minority of selfish pricks.

Stuart

16th August 2006, 02:48 PM

Cliff Rogers

16th August 2006, 03:02 PM

No, borrow it from a mate/neighbour/FIL instead. :D

Wongo

16th August 2006, 03:07 PM

No, borrow it from a mate/neighbour/FIL instead. :D

and don't return it.:D

Bodgy

16th August 2006, 03:09 PM

You should hear how much it was happening......as a total % of buyers, it may be small, but the actual number of people doing it (that I don't know specifically) was large enough to be costing thousands of dollars in lost sales (and of course the item then cannot be resold).

I would personally never do it, it;s dishonest and pretty lowlife. It hurts the rest of us.

Stuart, what you said is undoubtedly correct, however here we move from ethics to business.

The innovative 30 day return policy may well have cost GMS 100s of K, however it was a marketing strategy to instill customer confidence when the brand was still young and had a poor reputation. So it may have cost a bit to honour, but I'd be certain it worked out beautifully for GMC. Costly but effective.

A different set of market conditiions now prevail. The brand is established, its channels mature and the product reputation has greatly improved. I think they are seen as the best of the 'badge engineers'. The accquisition of Triton was brilliant and probably cost bugger all. This would have helped in their positioning.

So, the strategy worked, is now redundant, cost a lot, so is being discontinued.

Groggy

16th August 2006, 03:09 PM

The sad thing is, grown women buy a dress for their daughters to wear to a special event, then return it he following day (didn't fit).

I have seen men returning used circular saws, hammers and levels because "they are not what they wanted", which is a euphemism for "the pergola is finished".

Retailers are equally at fault for accepting these items back. They simply pass the cost onto the rest of us or the manufacturer - who increases his price to cover it.

floobyduster

16th August 2006, 03:12 PM

You mean you have mates who actually lend you their tools?????????? :D

I thought the Super Cheap adds applied - go buy your own :)

silentC

16th August 2006, 03:19 PM

Yes yes yes, but where is "the other thread"? :mad:

I once knew someone who bought a cocktail dress to wear to the B&B ball at Bondi on New Years Eve. She had it dry cleaned and returned it the next week. She was such a nice girl too. Went back to England a few weeks later :)

Stuart

16th August 2006, 03:20 PM

I would personally never do it, it;s dishonest and pretty lowlife. It hurts the rest of us.

Stuart, what you said is undoubtedly correct, however here we move from ethics to business.

The innovative 30 day return policy may well have cost GMS 100s of K, however it was a marketing strategy to instill customer confidence when the brand was still young and had a poor reputation. So it may have cost a bit to honour, but I'd be certain it worked out beautifully for GMC. Costly but effective.

A different set of market conditiions now prevail. The brand is established, its channels mature and the product reputation has greatly improved. I think they are seen as the best of the 'badge engineers'. The accquisition of Triton was brilliant and probably cost bugger all. This would have helped in their positioning.

So, the strategy worked, is now redundant, cost a lot, so is being discontinued.
That is definitely a valid point. Sadly though, the scheme would have continued indefinitely if not for the dishonest ##### out there.

As to marketing schemes - yeah it definitely was used to establish a foothold in the market, and it was very successful. Next strategy was lasers, and again, it apparently worked an absolute dream. The next one is the move to using magnesium, as it weighs less, (or conversly is stronger than aluminium for the same x section), machines easier, and casts quicker, all of which is a financial benefit, passed onto the consumers. Along with the fact the tools are lighter and stronger.

Markw

16th August 2006, 04:18 PM

The demographics which apply to users of this site are shown by the poll. :)

If you're willingly give up your valuable internet time/bandwidth, personal time, whatever to help people overcome some difficulty or lack of understanding you are likely to be a member of this forum. :) To be this sort of a selfless person you would be unlikely to rip some one or some company off in this pre-meditated fashion. quod erat demonstrandum

The gutter crawlers in my area aren't even computer literate but would jump at a chance for a "something for free" scam. Coversely to this, many of them are so lazy the thought of actually working to construct something would never appear in their tiny neanderthal mind. :mad:

craigb

16th August 2006, 04:39 PM

Yes yes yes, but where is "the other thread"? :mad:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=36096

silentC

16th August 2006, 04:42 PM

I'm shocked and appalled. I think I will write a letter to the local paper about this.

craigb

16th August 2006, 04:56 PM

I'm shocked and appalled. I think I will write a letter to the local paper about this.

Disgusted of Pambula? :D

silentC

16th August 2006, 04:58 PM

Merimbula News Weekly knows me as a regular contributor :D

I was in Column 8 the other day too ;)

bitingmidge

16th August 2006, 05:01 PM

My state member of parliament has resigned over it, now we're having an election!

P:cool:

Eddie Jones

16th August 2006, 05:45 PM

What a bluddy stupid question.

What answer were you expecting? Yeah, fine, stuff honesty!
Get real mate.

Waldo

16th August 2006, 05:52 PM

G'day,

No.

To the low life that do this sort of stuff, "Get them up against the wall", and "Somebody should bloody well shoot the lot of them!". :mad:

Ahh, to quote Pink Floyd and Ted Bullpit in one go. :D

Gumby

16th August 2006, 06:08 PM

What a bluddy stupid question.

What answer were you expecting? Yeah, fine, stuff honesty!
Get real mate.

bluddy (sic) stupid response :cool:

Iain

16th August 2006, 06:58 PM

I bought a GMC ROS which is a POS, upon reflection I could have taken it back but I consider it was my poor choice and will probably offload it at a garage sale one day.
What makes it worse is that I have Festool Rotex and don't really know what possessed me to buy it:confused:
So, on answer to the question, unless it is faulty, no.

Gumby

16th August 2006, 07:08 PM

Bodgy

16th August 2006, 07:27 PM

Different question entirely. I took back their Powered Router table after about 3 weeks because it just doesn't do the job, clogs up with dust and can't be adjusted. It's a complete waste of money. I bought the Triton the day I returned that GMC piece of rubbish.:D

Gumby, if you're feeling guilty, I have the same POS, which I'll sell you cheap!

Construction has begun on a killer table to house the new Jet insert and lifter.

Gumby

16th August 2006, 07:32 PM

Gumby, if you're feeling guilty, I have the same POS, which I'll sell you cheap!

Construction has begun on a killer table to house the new Jet insert and lifter.
:D No mate, not feeling guilty at all. If they sell crap like that, they get what they deserve. Having said that, I have a shed full of cheap stuff inc some GMC which I'm very happy with (see the video - if you dare) :D

Exador

16th August 2006, 07:40 PM

In another thread I read something that got my attention and I thought it needs to be discussed.

Do you think it is OK to buy something, fully intending to return it under warranty when you finish with it?

If it's crap, yes. I assume you're referring to a comment of mine and as I said, the product was good, so no need to return it.

Personally, I reckon the 30 day return warranty is a good statement of confidence in one's product and it occasionally prompts a sale. Nothing wrong with that.

Stuart

16th August 2006, 07:41 PM

What a bluddy stupid question.

What answer were you expecting? Yeah, fine, stuff honesty!
Get real mate.
Might be better to find out all the background and think it through before criticising the question.:mad:

Perhaps the poll may not elicit any contradictory reactions, but I'm not convinced that there are some who believe otherwise, even if they are not prepared to tick the relevant box. If it gets them to question their values, then many here would feel that the thread has had purpose.

It may be Craig, that your comment:

"I'll take it back next week, tell them I'm not happy and trundle down to Carbatech" was interpreted in a different way than you meant when you wrote it.

Exador

16th August 2006, 07:50 PM

It may be Craig, that your comment:

was interpreted in a different way than you meant when you wrote it.

It certainly sounds like it. I have bought 2 GMC tools now, the 9.25" Platinum range saw, which is a fantastic buy, to the point that I'm thinking of buying another to put a finer blade on; and the biscuiter. both have been bought for commercial use and both were bought in the cynical expectation that they'd be rubbish and hence end up returned. Neither has.

I don't see why anyone would expect me to deny that the warranty was in my mind when I bought the things. If it wasn't there, I would have bought a 'quality' brand.

Stuart

16th August 2006, 07:56 PM

Not at all mate - think others read it the same as I originally did - that it was bought with the intention of returning it under warranty when Carbatec was open. I can see now how you did mean it to be read.

So no slur on your name, but this thread does raise the awareness that there are plenty of people out there (not necessaily on the Ubeaut forums) that would do just that.

My first purchases of GMC were definitely done with the confidence that if I wasn't happy after 30 days I could take it back. Thinking back, I seem to recall that I did once- can't remember what it was, but it was a shocker, and I bought an alternate brand at the same time, so I certainly couldn't be accused of using the 30 day satisfaction guarantee for a free weekend rental.

namtrak

16th August 2006, 08:18 PM

What a bluddy stupid question......

Yeh and my teacher used to say there was nothing such as a stupid question.

I actually felt the question was valid, just because we all (on face value) seem to have the same values, doesn't necessarily mean we can't question our value systems - at the end of the day that's what makes us human.

If the question had been "Do you take claim extras on your Tax Return?" do you think it would still be stupid? Given that 'claiming extras' requires you to take the money off other people, force costs up and general add to the Cost of Living etc

Sturdee

16th August 2006, 08:26 PM

If the question had been "Do you take claim extras on your Tax Return?" do you think it would still be stupid? Given that 'claiming extras' requires you to take the money off other people, force costs up and general add to the Cost of Living etc

My experience has been that not enough people claim their rightful entitlements and have paid too much instead of claiming extras. :D :D :D

Peter.

Bodgy

16th August 2006, 08:57 PM

; and the biscuiter. both have been bought for commercial use and both were bought in the cynical expectation that they'd be rubbish and hence end up returned. Neither has.

I don't see why anyone would expect me to deny that the warranty was in my mind when I bought the things. If it wasn't there, I would have bought a 'quality' brand.

Mate, if you send this to the GMC marketing people, they will probably send you a free tool.

What you've just written completely vindcates their marketing strategy.

Gotta admire them!

Groggy

16th August 2006, 08:58 PM

If it's crap, yes. I assume you're referring to a comment of mine and as I said, the product was good, so no need to return it.

Personally, I reckon the 30 day return warranty is a good statement of confidence in one's product and it occasionally prompts a sale. Nothing wrong with that.Exador, I was referring to your post:

'I needed a biscuit joiner on the weekend and Carbatech aren't open on a Sunday, so down to Bunnings I go and come home with a shiny new GMC 1200W model, thinking "I'll take it back next week, tell them I'm not happy and trundle down to Carbatech". Problem is - it's too bloody good to do that so, sorry Carbatech.'

By the way it is written it is very clear you never intended to keep it, and only when you found it useful did you decide to keep it, but there is no doubt this was to be used and returned - a free loan. If you meant that you would try it and return it if it was no good, you did not say it. If I am wrong then I apologise, but I am going by what you wrote.

Gaza

16th August 2006, 09:01 PM

What about if you buy a drill ie $69.00 hammer drill with a "home warranty" use the crap out of it at work then take it back causes it died. I think this just as bad.

I did return a tool once after i used it but it was a piece of crap and was not a cheapy either, plan to buy new one next time is required. (different brand)

namtrak

16th August 2006, 09:04 PM

My experience has been that not enough people claim their rightful entitlements and have paid too much instead of claiming extras. :D :D :D

Peter.

I reckon your probably right, but as an example I know someone who claimed a Toyota and a Corolla in the same tax year - not me, I should point out.

Who else hasn't exaggerated their tax claims - those log books just seem to fill themselves up beyond 5000km :) And continuing the theme, what is the difference between bodging a tax claim and returning a used item, after use? Just an hypothetical at this stage :)

Groggy

16th August 2006, 09:15 PM

What a bluddy stupid question.

What answer were you expecting? Yeah, fine, stuff honesty!
Get real mate.I guess I expected some discussion, which is happening, not someone to attack the fact the question was asked in the first place. I've seen in other forums people answer yes, and argue their case. You are the first I've seen that has nothing of value to add and have been purely negative.

BTW, one person in the poll has voted yes.

Bodgy

16th August 2006, 09:22 PM

And continuing the theme, what is the difference between bodging a tax claim and returning a used item, after use? Just an hypothetical at this stage :)

There's a world of difference.

Nobody compells you to buy the tool in the first place

Taxation is theft.

ernknot

16th August 2006, 09:56 PM

The ability to return faulty goods is part of our legislation. For a company to try and snare customers with the " 30 day satisfaction" are asking for trouble even though they would have assumed that the average good joe would be drawn to their lower price and at best get the market share from the weekend warriors. I have know of a few cases where people have bought items like portable generators etc., took them away for a weekend and returned them claiming they did not get enough power to do the job etc.
These low lives are a burden on all of us by increased costs and the destruction of trust between retailer and customer. I have had a situation where I wanted to buy a particular tool but was apprehensive because of the cost. I was invited to take it home and try it out. It did such a good job that I bought it even though it was more than I was initially prepared to spend. I must admit that I knew the retailer reasonably well for him to trust me.
Those who deliberately "buy" these tools and return them once the job is done are really only social parasites on the community and business. It would be much simpler if there was a no return policy for items that are 100% functional, and return only those that fall within the warranty parameters. I read that some one bought a tool and found it to be absolutley wrong for the job and that happens. Before you leave the store you need to establish if there is a return policy for cases like this, or do more reasearch in a forum like this to get a multiple opinion before you buy.

Zed

16th August 2006, 10:00 PM

re original question, if you have to ask "is it ethical?" the next question would be "who taught me my ethics ?":(

obviosly the answer is no.

Zed

16th August 2006, 10:02 PM

Taxation is theft.

Bodge, Taxation WITHOUT REPRESENTATION is Theft. If you get taxed for a worthwhile purpose (such as improving hospitals or water quality its fine, if you get taxed to fund the local council slush fund thats wrong...)

Stuart

16th August 2006, 10:26 PM

The ability to return faulty goods is part of our legislation. For a company to try and snare customers with the " 30 day satisfaction" are asking for trouble even though they would have assumed that the average good joe would be drawn to their lower price and at best get the market share from the weekend warriors.
I don't think it is a matter of "snaring" customers, more a matter of aleviating their concerns about buying a cheaper tool of an (then) unknown brand.

I have know of a few cases where people have bought items like portable generators etc., took them away for a weekend and returned them claiming they did not get enough power to do the job etc.
The real test is: in returning it, have they bought a bigger one to cope with their needs.

What about if you buy a drill ie $69.00 hammer drill with a "home warranty" use the crap out of it at work then take it back causes it died. I think this just as bad.Absolutely, and in fact the GMC warranty does not cover you, so if you have used it for trade, you are not entitled to the warranty. There is an exception: Platinum GMC tools are warrantied for trade use.

Exador

17th August 2006, 05:41 AM

Exador, I was referring to your post:

'I needed a biscuit joiner on the weekend and Carbatech aren't open on a Sunday, so down to Bunnings I go and come home with a shiny new GMC 1200W model, thinking "I'll take it back next week, tell them I'm not happy and trundle down to Carbatech". Problem is - it's too bloody good to do that so, sorry Carbatech.'

By the way it is written it is very clear you never intended to keep it, and only when you found it useful did you decide to keep it, but there is no doubt this was to be used and returned - a free loan. If you meant that you would try it and return it if it was no good, you did not say it. If I am wrong then I apologise, but I am going by what you wrote.

I did fully expect to return it, as I fully expected it to be sub-standard, but I needed the tool and I was prepared to take the chance. the chance paid off and I actually paid more for the GMC that I would have for the Carbatech tool. I should also say that if the GMC unit had been the 850W unit that was on display in Bunnings, I would have walked out without it, simply because it looked like a piece of junk. I can see how you could misinterpret what I said originally though - I perhaps wasn't as explicit as I could have been. Still, GMC can't complain, they sold a tool.

Exador

17th August 2006, 05:48 AM

Mate, if you send this to the GMC marketing people, they will probably send you a free tool.

What you've just written completely vindcates their marketing strategy.

Gotta admire them!

I agree. Their warranty is exceptional and their tools are getting much better. Still a bit too much of the gimmick in some of them, but the biscuit joiner in question is a fine, easy to use, fit-for-purpose tool. The only thing I can really criticise is that it could do with a soft-start, as the starting torque is enough to screw it off line when machining into large panels away from the edge (when the top plate can't be used), but I'm sure every other unit out there is similar and it's just a matter of doing final alignment with the thing running.

Eddie Jones

17th August 2006, 06:01 PM

bluddy (sic) stupid response :cool:

Please explain why you think my response was stupid. Did you really think anyone was going to defend being morally bankrupt?

Groggy

17th August 2006, 06:38 PM

Please explain why you think my response was stupid. Did you really think anyone was going to defend being morally bankrupt?Since you called my original question "bluddy stupid", I'll answer.

Your response:

Did nothing to add to the thread and only sought to aggravate others.
Assumed in advance that no-one would argue the case - without knowing (in fact, one person who responded does think it is ok).
Did not allow for the fact that the original question did not require anyone to "defend" anything, only to select an option from an anonymous poll - what have they got to lose?If you have nothing of value to add, why waste your time being negative? Just ignore the thread and move on.

echnidna

17th August 2006, 06:46 PM

Pretty sad day when someone cannot express an honest opinion on a forum without being called negative and told to move on.

Groggy

17th August 2006, 06:50 PM

Pretty sad day when someone cannot express an honest opinion on a forum without being called negative and told to move on.But it's ok to call someone else's questions "bluddy stupid"? It was an honest question.

Gumby

17th August 2006, 06:50 PM

Pretty sad day when someone cannot express an honest opinion on a forum without being called negative and told to move on.

even sadder day when an 'honest opinion' is delivered with such malice.

E. maculata

17th August 2006, 08:41 PM

Even sadder state of events when Gumby doesn't make fun of Blokes taking 'emslves way too seriously:p IMHO that is;)

Gumby

17th August 2006, 08:42 PM

Yeah, those were the days :D But I've reformed. ;)

Stuart

17th August 2006, 08:47 PM

Plasticine does that

Bob38S

18th August 2006, 12:30 PM

Sadly, as discussed in the other thread, it is exactly this attitude of buying something then returning it after the weekend (a free weekend hire) that has cost GMC a small fortune,

Not an acceptable practice at all - if something had to be termed un-Australian then surely this goes against "A fair go for all"

as there are a LOT of people who do it, and the reason that the 30 day satisfaction guarantee will not be available from GMC in the near future.

So it is reassuring to see that there is a general consensus against it, but sadly, it is not a true reflection of modern society.

Have never met any of these people but I would like to enlighten them as to what their selfishness mean to others.

Bob

outback

18th August 2006, 02:21 PM

You lot don't reckon the gurus at GMC weren't aware that there were people out there that would take advantage did you?

C'mon, these blokes are smart, real smart. They knew exactly what they were doing, how to do it, why to do it, and when to stop doing it.

Buzzer

18th August 2006, 03:20 PM

I have been to an auction where they sell faulty/returned goods back to the retailers, all be it, I have only been to one.

The prices received for these goods at this auction, were generally 40-60% of the retail prices as far as I could tell.

I believe the manufacturers are not losing all that much if these prices are the norm.

Cheers.

jamesross

18th August 2006, 09:56 PM

No way

dalejw

19th August 2006, 03:37 PM

I've got to be honest here and say that I inadvertently did this the other day.

I bought one of their framing guns for a one off job I was doing. The way I saw it was that it would get the job done ( I included the price of the gun in the quote to the customer) and then hang around in the shed waiting for the next job.

As it turned out, the safety lockout often didn't reset after firing the nail and removing the gun from the timber. Sometimes the nose needed to be pushed into the timber 4 or 5 times to get it to fire. It was also pretty stiff even after oiling so it made skew nailing a pain in the ####.

I persevered with it for a few days and got the job done and went back to bunnings with it. After explaining the problem they offered me a new gun or a refund.

I thought about it and then said bugger it and asked for the refund.

If it had worked faultlessly I wouldn't have been back in Bunnings with it but given the circumstances I didn't feel too bad about getting a refund for it even though it had been used on the job.

The cash did however go towards a new Hitachi NT65 C bradder (such a nice tool :D ) that will get a heap more use than the framing gun would have.

Edit: As for the members sending reddies and calling me a crook for this post, surely this is what the 30 day satisfaction guarantee is all about. It's not about taking it home and looking at it in the box for a month. It's about taking the tool, using it and deciding if it's up to scratch. It wasn't... I took them up on their guarantee. Simple as that.

If you are going to call me a crook, do it in the forum where everyone can see it and we can argue about it in the public forum.

Eddie Jones

19th August 2006, 07:09 PM

Since you called my original question "bluddy stupid", I'll answer.

Your response:

Did nothing to add to the thread and only sought to aggravate others.
Assumed in advance that no-one would argue the case - without knowing (in fact, one person who responded does think it is ok).
Did not allow for the fact that the original question did not require anyone to "defend" anything, only to select an option from an anonymous poll - what have they got to lose?If you have nothing of value to add, why waste your time being negative? Just ignore the thread and move on.

It seems logical to me that anyone who would waste electrons by asking such a question is either (1) very bored or (2) is seeking group approval because he does that sort of thing himself. Wonder which?

OK now I will do as you suggest, ignore this thread and move on.

Gumby

19th August 2006, 07:25 PM

You waste your share of electrons too.

Please close the door on your way out :cool:

Sturdee

19th August 2006, 07:28 PM

As it turned out, the safety lockout often didn't reset after firing the nail and removing the gun from the timber. Sometimes the nose needed to be pushed into the timber 4 or 5 times to get it to fire. It was also pretty stiff even after oiling so it made skew nailing a pain in the ####.

Clearly defective and dangerous. Needed to be returned for your own safety.

Peter.

old_picker

19th August 2006, 07:33 PM

MMMM Bought a GMC Compressor the other day and was casually informed verbally that bunnings dont do warranty returns on gmc stuff any more.
On the packaging writ large is the 30 day satifaction / 2 yr replacement jargon plus "return it to the place of purchase".

Under the trade practises act they could not refuse to take it back.

Any one who buys or has bought a tool with the intent of returning it after a weekends work has done all of us a disservice and stuffed up a great consumer oriented sales policy. A policy that got many of us into tools we would normally not have purchased at a price hitherto unavailable.

To all those who have done it
!@$#$#@!#$%$%$%$^&$$#&%$&**(_(

In future I will be looking at whether it is worth getting into a major hassle with gmc plus the risk of getting stuck with a piece of crap tool. In other words I would be looking at paying more for a tool that has good reputation for quality instead of taking a punt on the cheapie. It was good while it lasted.

I have acually noticed things arent quite as friendly at bunnies lately and also noted that a few things they used to sell are no longer avalable.
IE CMT router Bits and brad point drill bits to mention just two. I have found myself at the local Mitre 10 and total tools a lot lately.

Markw

19th August 2006, 07:39 PM

I bought one of their framing guns for a one off job I was doing. As it turned out, the safety lockout often didn't reset after firing the nail and removing the gun from the timber. Sometimes the nose needed to be pushed into the timber 4 or 5 times to get it to fire. It was also pretty stiff even after oiling so it made skew nailing a pain in the ####.

I persevered with it for a few days and got the job done and went back to bunnings with it. After explaining the problem they offered me a new gun or a refund.

There is a huge difference between the pre-meditated act of fraud/deception and what you did. Your actions were precisely what the 30 day satisfaction policy was all about. You were dissatisfied and got your money back for a sub-standard and somewhat dangerous tool. Why would you want one of these given your experience.

Had your intent from the start been to return it under all circumstances for a refund then my comments would have been somewhat different.

dalejw

19th August 2006, 08:13 PM

There is a huge difference between the pre-meditated act of fraud/deception and what you did. Your actions were precisely what the 30 day satisfaction policy was all about. You were dissatisfied and got your money back for a sub-standard and somewhat dangerous tool. Why would you want one of these given your experience.

Had your intent from the start been to return it under all circumstances for a refund then my comments would have been somewhat different.

Yep, that's what I thought. Didn't think it put me in the catagory of a crook.

Other things I do put me in that catagory but I keep them to myself :D

If there is one tool you definately want to be sure when it's going to work and when it's not it's something firing 90mm nails :rolleyes:

felixe

19th August 2006, 09:04 PM

Dalejw,
The nail gun problems, especially with the safety feature, sound like a warranty return, so with or without the satisfaction guarantee you would have to return it as the faults clearly make it an unsafe and unsuitable product.
I have returned tools to Bunnings, a crappy ozito stapler (what was I thinking:eek: ) and a terrible ozito belt sander that the tool guy convinced me to buy instead of the makita; it was a piece of s$$t, the plate was not flat, so I got my money back and went to trade tools instead (what was I thinking:eek: :eek: )

For the record my answer is NO!:D

Bodgy

19th August 2006, 09:28 PM

Whilst this is, at best, only peripheral to this thred, I'd like to put things in perspective, at least from my view.

I have, or had had, the following GMC tools, all bought on 'special', as is my wont:

Big 235 circular saw - Ripper
Jack Hammer Drill - Only used 3 times, lug driving the bit in hammer mode sheared, returned full refund. Product now discontinued.
1200 watt router - Ripper
Powered router table - POS, nuff said
Dowel joiner - Average, but works
Steel cut off saw - Ripper
9" angle grinder - Absolutely ripper
Tile cutting saw bench - Sort of OK
Compressor - works as to specs (shoudl've got a bigger one)

I would not have bought the above without the 3 yr warranty. The 30 day return helped too, but it was the warranty that was most operant. Trade Practices says you may return goods that do not do what they are sold to do.

old_picker

19th August 2006, 09:38 PM

Groggy

19th August 2006, 09:46 PM

Well, the thread seems to have pretty much run its course by now. Some interesting comments throughout.

The question never related specifically to GMC, it was very general in nature and was meant to cover those people who deliberately buy something and intend (before even arriving at the store to buy) to return an item for a refund even if it performs well and has no flaws. In short, a free hire.

I know there are some who have no qualms whatsoever doing this, stating the retailer or manufacturer know what is going on and if they don't like it they should not offer such a warranty.

Others, myself included, see the warranty as there only to be used if the tool does not perform to spec, is damaged or does not meet the stated role it is built for.

benchdog

19th August 2006, 10:53 PM

gmc tools I bought:
Tiny Portable compressor - ripper used it for 18 months stilll goes
1200 watt router - good tool use it heaps
Jig saw - works fine no complaints
Drill press [small one] - POS had it replaced got a refund on #2
18 watt drill - damn good tool
table saw - crappy and downright dangerous - took it back
40 litre compressor - just got it seems to work fine.

and i am pretty fussy about tools....
bought 7 tools by gmc and kept 5.

The keepers are great tools for the price but the returns were totally POS

agreed, i love the planer thicknesser ($199) belt and disk sander, circular saw, used for docking to length of long pieces so i can bring them into workshop. the only gmc tool ive returned under warranty was a whipper snipper and that was because it was a gutless piece of sheet.