Tommy J.

My air compressor went down, and I was at first relieved to discover that Northern Tool in nearby Arnold, MO, serviced compressors. I took my compressor to them and ante'd up the $35 diagnostic fee. Eight days later, I got a call from Tim, the technician. Tim informed me that he had spoken with the Makita parts warehouse, and that the only part available for my tool was the complete compressor/electric motor assembly, which cost $400. (My compressor retails for $359 brand new.) I was skeptical, so I looked on the internet and found a bunch of companies which sold the individual parts necessary for rebuilding my compressor. I called Tim back and informed him of my discovery. His reaction was that he would have to charge me 60% more for the parts if he bought them on the internet. I asked him if I could buy the parts on the web so he could repair my compressor, and he told me that he could not guarantee the work if I did that. He also said, "Plus, it comes as a unit, and I would have to take it apart to fix it"! Really, Tim? Gee, I never expected that you would have to actually take it apart to repair it! I will let the reader draw their own conclusions from these facts. As for me, it cost me $35 to learn my lesson, and I still have a broken down compressor. I'm never going back to Northern Tool. You shouldn't either.