I bought my Milwaukee M18 jigsaw about nine months ago and have only used it for less than 100 cuts. Recently, while trying to cut some half-inch plywood, the chuck turned 90° and popped off due to the piston. I attempted to put it back on, but ended up opening the jigsaw to fix it. After struggling for an hour to get the spring attached again, I gave up and sent it to Milwaukee for repair. However, they refused my warranty claim, stating that my attempt to fix it voided the warranty. This seems harsh, especially since I only tried to fix a loose part. I searched online before I opened it but couldn't find anything confirming this situation regarding the warranty policy. Am I just misinformed?
3 Answers
In general, a warranty can be voided if you open the tool to make repairs. Many brands, like Milwaukee, might see any self-repair as potential misuse. If something goes wrong post-repair, they might think it was your fault. It sounds extreme, but it's pretty standard practice. I think they’d be more forgiving if it was just a simple reassembly without damage.
Honestly, Milwaukee's warranty is kinda tough. I’ve heard from others that tampering even a little can void it. Some companies allow some repairs without voiding, but it varies. In your case, if they reported excessive damage or received it in pieces, that might have been enough for them to reject it altogether.
True, I think there needs to be a balance between DIY fixes and warranty claims. It's frustrating, especially when you're just trying to fix something small.
You've got a point, but most warranties do have strict terms. Not every product allows for user repairs without voiding the warranty. However, in practice, a lot of users open their tools and don't run into issues unless something drastic happens that they can pin on you. Just be cautious next time!
Yeah, it seems like they might be looking for any excuse to deny claims. When I had an issue with my tool, it helped that I didn't open it and just sent it back right away.