RYOBI Consumer Reviews

ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Ok, I know Ryobi tools aren't meant for jobbers, but rather home users who don't need to depend on them working consistently; fair enough. But the warranty is just awful. Tried to get warranty service for a ONE+ 18 volt charger & battery I bought from Home Depot, but HD told me I should just throw it away, that they wouldn't handle it. So I called Ryobi, and they said no, that wasn't true, that I should go back to HD and get the receipt, that they would honor the warranty. Went back to HD and did get the receipt, but they still refused to honor the warranty, said it was Ryobi's problem.

So came back home, called Ryobi again, and was told this wasn't true (maybe I was lying just to be difficult?), but I could instead go to one of their service centers who would replace it for me. I thought I was finally getting somewhere... except that the closest service center was 2 cities away. Still, since I was allegedly going to get a replacement unit, I made the drive.

When I got to the service center, though, I learned that they didn't stock replacements - never do and would need to ship it back to Ryobi, who would then ship the replacement to my front door. I would receive it in about a week. They would email me to let me know when it was shipped. Ok, fair enough. A week went by... nothing. So I contacted them, and they told me they hadn't yet received the replacement. I thought it was to be sent directly to me, so I asked about that, and was told no, it would be sent to them, and they would ship it directly to me. Well, ok.

Another week went by and I received an email from the service center, which stated, "Ryobi has changed their policy about shipping items to the customer, and also the claim approval process. I have the items in, but I need to wait for the system to show approved before I can release them. This should happen either tomorrow or Monday. Once the items are ready to be released you can come to pick them up." So now I need to drive 2 cities away again, to pick up parts that were supposed to be sent to me directly?

So I called Ryobi yet again, and was told this was all wrong - there had been no policy change, they never ship parts to the customer. When I asked why my warranty claim was being held up, I was put on hold while the girl called the service center. Ten minutes later she came back and told me I could drive up there and pick up my parts. I'm not sure I believe this. I fully expect to drive up there and be told there has been yet another change, that I'll need to walk to South Carolina or maybe swim to Korea to get my parts.

Obviously, none of the parties involved agree on anything, and everyone seems quite intent on passing the buck. It appears the goal is to get me so frustrated, I just go out and buy a new unit and forget about the warranty replacement. And I'm willing to do that but not another Ryobi. This time it will be a Porter Cable or some other brand. I strongly suggest to anyone reading this: do the same. Don't bother w/ Ryobi tools. Spend a little more and buy something that works, and that has a decent warranty. Save yourself the grief.

Ryobi battery 48v 100amp riding mower. 3 year warranty after 2 years (think 2 years and a week) stopped working., First location they told me to take it to would not work on it due to battery powered, Took it to second location (not close) and has been in shop over 3 months(mid June now end Sep) and still waiting for parts. Was not offered a replacement while in shop. Was not offered time added to warranty for shop time (over three months and 11 days, still counting).

TAMPA, FLORIDA -- Purchased the Ryobi because of the 3-year warranty. I have had it for about 2.5 years and recently turned it on and heard a loud grinding sound with no air blowing out of it. Took it to the Home Depot tool rental area that also serves as a Ryobi service center and was told I would have to pay about $18.50 to have them look at it and if the problem was covered under warranty I would get my money back. 2 days later they call me and say the blowing parts of the blower are not covered. What a sham!!! It is like saying the ice making parts of an ice maker are not covered.

A blower blows with blower parts and the warranty "promises" that it will at least last 3 years or they will repair it. So my advice is stay away from Ryobi products and Home Depot should too. Ryobi is using the 3-year warranty to sell more products but doesn't really care about living up to the warranty.

PORTLAND, OREGON -- Purchased this sprayer in June/2019 and it won't work on 03/02/2020. The warranty states 3yrs. When I call the 800 number they gave me a repair site which I called and they said they do not work on these sprayers. I called the 800 number back and they put me on hold for 20 minutes while they contacted the servicer. They then told me that the servicer was supposed to service the item but was not going to. Then they told me that I could ship the sprayer to Kelso WA at my own expense. I said that was unsatisfactory and they said that was my only option. They would not let me talk to anyone else. I contacted the Homedepot, where the sprayer was purchased, and they don't see any way to help me. They also would not let me talk to a manager.

NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN -- Purchased a compressor/inflator with a separate 18V lithium battery and charger in 2018. This summer 2019 the battery will not charge, error indicator on the charger. This renders the compressor useless. Went to Home Depot, no help. Called Ryobi and without the paper receipt will do absolutely nothing. We can trace the battery to manufacture date by serial number, but they will not honor that. Even if the battery were made 6 months before I bought it, who expects a year and a half life from a $70 battery??? I have rechargeable Dewalt batteries that are 6 years old and work just fine. What garbage are you selling Ryobi?

ST CATHARINES/ONT CANADA -- I tried to comment on Ryobi's website but that failed of course! I bought a mower (lithium) 2 summers ago and only used it the last summer as it keeps cutting out this year. I was told by Ryobi to take it to the closest service provider. I bought it at Home Depot 5 minutes from home in Canada but was told to take it to N Tonawonda in NEW YORK state across the border. I thankfully called this service provider before going and was told they were no longer allowed to work on Ryobi mowers. I then called Ryobi (one of many many calls) and was told to bring it to TORONTO even further away. I refused that offer and they reinstated N Tonawonda in the USA so off I went passport in hand to another country with my mower.

The part they need is OBSOLETE already so they are sending me a new mower minus the charger and battery. This is now over 2 months and I still haven't got a mower oh and I did explain to the woman at Ryobi in South Carolina I believe that we in Canada cut our lawn in the summer not winter. I don't think they should be able to sell in Canada if you can't fix the product here. I will tell anyone and everyone not to buy their products. They are unbelievable!! Gary

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- Most irritating purchase ever. I purchased a Ryobi 40V 14in chainsaw and within 2 hours of use the battery dies and would not recharge saying faulty battery. Had a replacement battery and charger given to me from a BRAND NEW chainsaw box by the same Home Depot where it was purchased. Within another 2 hours of use that battery was dead as well, I had tossed the receipt thinking it was just a fluke battery issue. Purchased a gas powered chainsaw after to complete the work that needed to be done. They charge 100 dollars for a replacement battery that has no guarantee of working after minimal use... Contacted the Ryobi company after the second battery died because I was told it had a 5 year consumer warranty.

They informed me that because the retailer (Home Depot) had replaced the battery and charger and not the entire unit (Chainsaw) that they were not liable under the warranty to replace the battery...seriously. The customer service representative was a joke. It sounded as if she had heard this 1000000x and was already turning me down before I even finished talking. I will never buy another Ryobi product as long as I live. I'm an arborist and trust me when I say, gas powered is the way to go with chainsaws. I pray Ryobi goes out of business.

ANDERSON, SC, NEW JERSEY -- Less than 5 years ago, I purchased a gas powered Ryobi pressure washer. Like most homeowner purchases, it is only used maybe 3-4 times a year. The unit is now in need of repair. However, the necessary replacement part is longer available, (actually it was discontinued 4,3 years after the manufacture date of the pressure washer). Ryobi's response was pretty much, “Oh well, buy another.” Making no effort to satisfy the customer, but they did tell me "We regret hearing that you view Ryobi in a less than positive manner". This was a homeowner purchase. Wouldn't it be reasonable to expect Ryobi to support their products for at least 5 years, let alone longer! Why would someone purchase Ryobi?

SHELBYVILLE, MICHIGAN -- Ordered a $15 Miter Gauge replacement part for my 10" table saw from the Ryobi website. Had to pay tax plus $9.00 shipping. It came and did not fit my saw. I rechecked the Ryobi website to be sure I ordered correctly (I had) then called to get a return authorization. I was directed to contact Gardner Inc which I find out is a distributor for them. (Ryobi's website does not tell you it will be coming from Gardner.) Gardner Inc says I will have to pay a restocking fee, pay to ship it back, and they will not refund the $9.00 original shipping fee.

So I contacted Ryobi and they agreed that it "looks" like that is the correct part on their website, but a subtle clue in fine print at the bottom of the page lets you know it is not. They admit that the website it not perfect but they can't change it to please everybody. What?! In short they will not do a darn thing! Terrible way to treat your customers! (And they no longer make the part I need!)

MICHIGAN -- Received a Ryobi 2700 psi gas power washer as a Christmas present. The very first time I used it, it would only idle and not "power up" when spraying... instead of going back to where it was purchased, had to search for one of their "approved" repair facilities quite some distance away... after being told 2 days, they finally called after 2 weeks, said it was "fixed" but I had to pay $36 for a O-ring that is a "wear" item not covered by warranty.

The thing was brand new out-of-the-box. It was "defective", not "worn". Then I get the runaround from their warranty dept... on "hold" forever, no return phone calls, finally got a "senior" warranty supervisor who had no authority to clear up the matter. I will NEVER buy a Ryobi product again and would advise anyone else considering doing so to select a competitor's product!!! I can't believe Home Depot sells this crappy line of products.