Tuesday, November 10, 2026Est. 2026. Most of what's in here is older.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke

They Fixed It / Stanley Black & Decker

2017

Stanley Black & Decker

Craftsman lifetime warranty

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

Source: toolguyd.com

More fixes nobody asked for

2016

Apple

MacBook Pro 2016

Before
MacBook Pro with MagSafe, HDMI, an SD card slot and ordinary keys.
The fix
Went all USB-C, added the thin butterfly keyboard, and replaced the function keys with a Touch Bar.
Then
Butterfly keys could be knocked out by a speck of dust. Apple paid $50 million to settle a class action in 2022. The 2021 MacBook Pro brought back MagSafe, HDMI, the SD slot and function keys.
Took it back

The 2021 models undid nearly all of it.

Your call

2015

Philips Lighting

Philips Hue bulb lockout

Before
A Hue bridge that ran any ZigBee Light Link bulb, including cheaper ones from GE and Cree.
The fix
A December 2015 bridge update cut off bulbs Philips had not certified, citing 'interoperability issues.'
Then
Owners with other brands' bulbs found them locked out. Within days Philips called the move 'a mistake,' said some people had been using uncertified lights without any issue, and promised an update to let them back in.
Took it back

Other brands allowed back in, plus a 'Friends of Hue' sticker program.

Your call

2021

Tesla

Tesla yoke steering

Before
Tesla Model S and Model X with a round steering wheel.
The fix
Made a rectangular, open-topped 'yoke' the standard steering wheel.
Then
In 2023 Tesla started selling a $700 round-wheel retrofit for yoke owners. It reportedly sold out in about a week.
Half took it back

A round wheel became available again in 2023, as an option and a retrofit.

Your call