The Story of the Defective Switch and My Attempt to Return It to Peachtree

I was at the Woodworking Show in West Springfield this past weekend. I was looking for a large paddle switch to turn off my table saw. Peachtree has always been my “go to” company for things like this. So I purchased a Fulton Power Tool Switch from them for $25. I got it home and began the very simple set up but when I tried to use the large paddle to turn off the machine, it worked only intermittently… maybe once every 10 pushes! This is not only defective but could be outright dangerous. I’m pretty good with equipment having done this for many years but I had another woodworker also check it out. It is clear that the unit was defective. I called Peachtree this morning thinking that a good company would replace the unit at no charge. Well, was I wrong!!! I talked with a person in sales and was told that they would replace it if I shipped it back to them AT MY EXPENSE! I explained that the unit was defective and that shipping both ways should be at their expense. When I got nowhere, I asked to speak to a supervisor and talked with David. It seems that Peachtree’s policy is that it is MY responsibility to get it to THEM at my expense. Then they will look at it and repair or replace the item and, if it is defective, they will pay return shipping. I kept trying to explain that defective merchandise is different from a simple “I don’t want it” return but David kept telling me that I wouldn’t expect Home Depot to pay for my gas to return a defective item and they won’t pay for shipping.
So… 2 things… stay away from the Fulton Power Tool Switch and get your wallet out if you have to return something to Peachtree.
If anyone has a solution to this, I’d love to know.
Ellen