I bought a new (Exhaust Technologies parent company) aircat "Nitrocat" 3/8" air impact wrench on Ebay in August. It was much cheaper (Taiwan) than quality name brand tools, but it boasted a 1 year warranty. I got it and right away, this tool did not have the power that it was advertised to have, but it seemed adequate, so I continued using it.By May it was so weak, it would not loosen a 3/8" bolt. So I sent in in for warranty repairs. I sent it by DHL, it was received by their warranty center in 4 days. I got a call from them over 2 weeks later, (Expedient service) only to leave a voice mail telling me they have an estimate for the repairs.
I returned their call 1-2 hours later, and this guy was gone for lunch, so I left a message stating there must be some mistake, this product is under warranty. The guy I talked to this time, could not help me, but he said he would relay the message and I would be called back after lunch. I was not I waited 1 more full week, still nothing. So I called back again, this time I spoke to the guy working on my air tool. (He forgot to call me back, then went on vacation for a week.) I am beginning to be quite impressed with this organization. He informed me that the failure was caused by "dirty air", and therefore was not covered under warranty. He also quoted me a price of 165.00 to repair it, which is about 130% of the cost of a new one. I told him that it was unlikely that dirty air had caused this failure because I work in a large truck shop with several other mechanics and we all have several air tools, 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" drives air drills, die grinders, cut off tools, etc, the only tool that failed, was this imported piece of crap. All of the other tools (which are much older and have much more use) are still operating fine.
They could not explain this, they just kept repeating the same thing, "No, it was caused by dirty air". I later decided to email aircat with my problem. They responded the same thing, no warranty, but they would however look into the matter. I have emailed them asking if anything has changed several times, they do not reply. First of all I should have been aware of what I was buying, because if you visit their website, they mislead customers into thinking that this is an American tool, designed and built in U.S.A., but it is of course not made in the USA, for if it were it would cost more, and it would perform as it should, and the company would stand behiond the product as reputable U.S. Tool manufacturers do.
Also try to find an actual physical address for this outfit, it is not proudly displayed on their website, probably a rented mailbox somewhere. This is a fly-by-night company, misleading customers, not honoring the warranty that they advertise which helps peddle their inferior junk. I haved owned Snap On, IR, and MAC air tools, all of which are far superior to this Taiwan/China scrap, but if there ever was a warranty issue, these other companies stand behind there product. Do not buy from this company unless you do not plan on using their products, then it may last through the warranty period.
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