Craftsman lifetime warranty (2017): did it need fixing?

They Fixed It / Stanley Black & Decker

2017

Stanley Black & Decker

Before: Craftsman hand tools, swapped at any Sears if they ever failed to give 'complete satisfaction.'
The fix: Stanley Black & Decker bought the brand from Sears for about $900 million and moved it into Lowe's and other stores.
Then: The lifetime warranty survived, no receipt needed, but now covers tools that 'fail to perform.' With most Sears stores closed, a swap depends on which retailer stocks the tool, and counters vary.

Half took it back

Still lifetime. Getting it honored depends on the store.

Your call

More fixes nobody asked for

2016

Apple

Before: iPhones with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
The fix: Dropped the jack from the iPhone 7. Phil Schiller said it came down to one word: courage.
Then: Apple announced $159 AirPods at the same event. No iPhone since the 7 has had a headphone jack.

Kept it.

Still gone, ten years later.

Your call

2021

Microsoft

Before: A Windows taskbar you could put on any edge of the screen, as far back as Windows 95.
The fix: Windows 11 locked the taskbar to the bottom of the screen.
Then: Users asked for it back for five years. The September 2026 Patch Tuesday update added top, left and right positions, rolling out gradually and set in Settings, not by dragging.

Took it back

Movable again from September 2026, minus drag-and-drop.

Your call

2011

Netflix

Before: Netflix: DVDs by mail and streaming, one account, one website.
The fix: Split the plans with a price hike, then said DVDs would move to a separate site called Qwikster.
Then: Netflix lost 800,000 US subscribers that quarter. Reed Hastings killed Qwikster on October 10, 2011, about three weeks after announcing it.

Took it back

Qwikster never launched. The price increase stayed.

Your call