Al Mar "Warranty"

[Sapper771]

About 4 months ago , I purchased an Al Mar Eagle Ultralight pocket knife. I had been looking for a folding knife for a while and this Al Mar was looking good. What sealed the deal was their lifetime warranty. A little over a month ago, I was taking my stuff out of my pockets when I noticed that the Eagle knife was in the bottom of my pocket. I got it out and saw that the pocket clip had broken, but the screw that secures the pocket clip to the knife was still intact. The next day, I found the pocket clip in the drivers seat of my truck. The pocket clip showed a break around the screw hole, but only a portion was broken around the arbor.

I got online and went to the Al Mar website. They have a section where you can send them a message, so I sent in a message. I waited a few weeks and did not hear anything. I got back online and sent in another message. A few weeks go by and I still had not heard anything. I decide to call them and see if they are answering the phones. They answered and I told them that I had a warranty claim. They transferred me to some guy. I explained to him that the pocket clip on the knife had broken. He immediately told me that it was not covered under warranty. He said that they treat it the same way they treat a broken blade tip. I tried to explain to him that I did not intentionally break the pocket clip , that I found it broken. He still stated that it was NOT covered under their limited lifetime warranty(with emphasis on "limited").


Just letting you guys know that Al Mar's Limited Lifetime Warranty does not cover their pocket clips, which may have some flaws in material or workmanship. I really like this knife but it will be the last Al Mar knife that I purchase.

 

[hso]

Call them and say, "Mr. "Sapper" for Gary Fadden". If Gary comes on the line just tell him the short form of the story "Eagle clip broke at screw, found clip in driver's seat, would you like me to send all the parts back so you can have it checked for defect?".

Let us know how it works.

 

[Sapper771]

I think that I did talk to a Gary. The Lady that answered the phone told me that I needed to talk to "Gary".

He wasn't rude about it, but he got his point across. I really did not like the outcome, but I am not going to push it. I will just choose to buy elsewhere next time.

 

[Piraticalbob]

Send "Gary" an email with a link to this thread. Maybe when he considers the cost of a $5 repair versus hundreds of dollars of lost sales due to his whimsical warranty, he'll reconsider.

 

[highorder]

I'm surprised to hear about Al Mar.

I'll be watching this one.

 

[BLB68]

Get a Benchmade, they seem to give away pocket clips like candy. I've gotten two perfectly good (just a bit of paint worn) clips replaced when sending in mine for other work.

 

[Ron James]

I'm rather surprised at that kind of response myself. Clips seem to be the weak link in most knives. CRKT is very good on repairing or replacing a defective knife.

 

[racine]

Well so much for me getting another specialized automatic Al Mar Sere. I can always wait to see the outcome of this. I like nice knives like my auto Benchmades, Sere, SOG Trident, Original Swiss Army, etc... Smuck warranties like this turn me off...

 

[dc.fireman]

Yes, in fact I get tired of companies who tout their 'warranties' or 'life time guaranties' and then fail to live by their published words.

 

[19-3Ben]

Bent the clip on my Benchmade Griptillian. Probably my fault! I told them so on the phone. No problem. Benchmade sent me a new clip and screws free of charge.

Next time, try Benchmade. They have awesome products and a warranty that actually means something.

 

[Wolfebyte]

+1 on the CRKT ..

I've got 3 of their folders, my M16 model will NOT keep screws in the clip. So far I've only lost the clip once, but 5 of the screws WITH blue loctite .. I just call them up and they send the screws out in a padded envelope. Usually 3 at a time.. The time that I lost the clip and the screws they sent out all the needed parts with no questions asked.