That used to be true, have you tried to return a tool in the last year? They got tired of people bringing in the yard sale tools they bought for .25 and getting a new one. Hurts all of us who supported Sears for years. They refused to warranty a 1/2" ratchet because they didn't understand that under torque it slipped and I was tired of the skinned knuckles. I left it on the counter and vowed to never buy another pos product from Sears again.