I have a few broken Thorsen tools that need replacing so I was wondering where I could take them. They are supposedly warranted for life. Thorsen's customer service has not replied to a request I made a week ago.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I found this posted on a Tool Tech Web Board - hope it helps you out.
Thorsen tools used to be part of Olympia Group which went bankrupt in 2006 and was purchased by a Chinese firm. Thorsen was sold to Woods and moved to Carmel, IN.

Iwould send a letter directly to the Office of the President at the address below and mention the problem you are having.

Note that the fellow below had to wait 7 weeks for a replacement.

"
Posted by Steve (IA)

I ask this board a while ago for help finding supplier of Thorsen tools as I had some sockets that were worn or broken and wanted to try their guarenteed for life claim. I got their new address (below) and sent in 4 1/2" drive sockets.
7 weeks later the UPS man knocks on the door with 4 brand new in the package sockets. The look good, bright and shiny. Package says imported from Taiwan and Lifetime Warranty. Hope these last as long as the 1st set did. I remember my dad using these tools in the early 60's, but don't know when they were new.

For replacement:
Woods Industries
510 3rd Ave.
Carmel, Indiana 46032
1 800 428 6168 Steve"

THORSEN CORRECTION

Information about where to find Thorsen Tools, published in our February issue, was incorrect. Several years ago, Woods Industries sold Thorsen Tools to Olympia Tools. Olympia went out of business this past winter. As far as officials at Woods know, no company sells Thorsen Tools today. Woods Industries, which manufactures electrical cords, now is located at 5541 W. 74th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268, 317/844-7261.

The new Olympia Group looks like a chinese firm tht bought the name at the bankruptcy court as they seem to be in the "development" business.

I also found a court case against Thorsen by Easco tools for Intellectual Property Rights filed in FLA last year. Looks like Olympia lost and went belly up to avoid paing the judgement.

Northern Tools caries the line, and they are a major chinese tool importer. Maybe they will honor the warranty. I checked the latest catalogue and they still carry them as a leverage tool siupplier but no sockets, etc listed. try an inquiry to http://NorthernTool.com and see what happens.
When I was the Customer Service Warranty rep for an italian Motion Picture Lighting manufacturer we had a similar problem. The firm originally had two partners who split up and both used the same design for their lights. The other guy went belly up and we would get his customers calling us for warranty issues. I found that by explaining the situation and covering 50% mof the warranty cost brought me a tom of new customers as all the parts and accessories were the same and could be swapped.

Maybe NorthernTool will be smart and do the same hoping you will remember and buy from them again.

Sorry for the bad news.

I read the post about the guy who waited 7 weeks to only get replacements made in Taiwan. I've tried contacting Woods and all I could do is leave a voicemail. I found a website for Thorsen tools and that's were I tried contacting them the first time.
http://thorsentoolco.com/

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

The jobber that supplies most of the construction crews in our area said they had "gone chinese"...

The same outfit just bought Fuller Tools in Queens, NY and shut down the HQ 2 weeks later and is moving everything to China with an office somewhere in either Nevada or California (Long Beach?).

See if they honor the warranty, best of luck.

I'm not holding my breath. I doubt I'll get replacements yet alone a reply from them.
I'll stick with crapsmans until they go chinese.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Well here's a follow up. I never heard back from Thorsen. I guess they don't care anymore about the people who own their tools. Scumbags!
I'll stick with Craftman's.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I followed this thread trying to get a warranty coverage on my plug socket. I been trying to get hold of someone at the company and wrote couple of letters and they were all ignored. From this forum, I contacted the Thorsen by email, and I got following responses:

======================================================

In order to get a replacement, you can either bring it in to our warehouse in Ontario,
California for exchange or send me the broken tool and a $4.00 Check or Money order
Payable to Thorsen Tool Co (for shipping charges)
Make sure to attach your ship to address (NO PO Box) and copy of this Email to:

Thorsen Tool Co
1932 S Lynx Ave
Ontario, CA 91761

(Please Note; No exchanges on any tools with RUST on them).

Thanks, Lucas

From: Michael Kim [mailto:cmk033@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 12:01 PM
To: Lucas Lukassian
Subject: RE: Warranty on Thorsen Handtool

smaller one, 1/2" drive.

-- Michael Kim (cmk033@yahoo.com)

--- On Wed, 10/26/11, Lucas Lukassian <llukassian@thorsentoolco.com> wrote:

From: Lucas Lukassian <llukassian@thorsentoolco.com>
Subject: RE: Warranty on Thorsen Handtool
To: "Michael Kim" <cmk033@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 9:47 AM
What drive.

Thanks, Lucas

From: Michael Kim [mailto:cmk033@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 7:25 AM
To: Lucas Lukassian
Subject: RE: Warranty on Thorsen Handtool

Lucas,

It is 5/8".

-- Michael Kim (cmk033@yahoo.com)

--- On Wed, 10/26/11, Lucas Lukassian <llukassian@thorsentoolco.com> wrote:

From: Lucas Lukassian <llukassian@thorsentoolco.com>
Subject: RE: Warranty on Thorsen Handtool
To: "Michael Kim" <cmk033@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 9:08 AM
What size is it?

Thanks, Lucas

From: Michael Kim [mailto:cmk033@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:58 PM
To: Consumer Support
Subject: Warranty on Thorsen Handtool

Hello,

I have a socket to remove a spark plug and is no longer working properly. I think all it needs is a rubber piece inside the socket to grab onto the plug to pull out. The tool came with a lifetime warranty and I've been trying to get a coverage for the tool for sometime without a success. You folks have a good habit of ignoring your customer request. I do not know how you will stay in business if you keep ignoring customer responses.

Let me know what action for me to take. I can mail the socket back to you or you may have a better police to give out the warranty. Thanks in advance.

-- Michael Kim (cmk033@yahoo.com)


=====================================================


I do not know why this guy name Lucas asked me about the socket size or drive size then to tell me either to visit the company in California or pay $4 shipping charge. Plus I will have to pay the shipping to send the socket to California (I live in Illinois). I can buy a damn thing from local Sears store, probably less than that of shipping.


I feel like I've been in a loop of joke from this guy name Lucas Lukassian from Thorsen Tool Company.


I do not know why they can send me to a local Thorsen retailer to take my socket for a replacement, like Craftsman hand tools do.


These guys are either stupid or dumb enough to turn away their loyal customer. I will never, never buy anything that is made by Thorsen.


-- Michael