life time warranty ended

As a former Sears manager, I can tell you that they should have
exchanged it then and there. In some cases, certain products are no
longer available. What they have been doing is to exchange it (i.e.
like a tape measure) and give you one with the caviat that certain
exemptions now apply to future exchanges and/or returns.

If you had the receipt, they may have been able to do a refund...but
you probably don't have it and they'll likely not be able to find it
either.

The biggest issue causing this is that many people are buying used
tools at a pawn shop, then going in to exchange them for new ones.
You wouldn't believe the stuff I saw people try to return. Also, if
it was abused, you're warrantee is void. I saw a guy try to return a
drill that was obviously dropped...and he denied that is what
happened. Then later in our conversations, I asked him where he was
when he dropped it, and he replied "on the roof." Ooops...peole lie.
Needless to say, his warrantee was voided...and he then attempted to
drive to 3 other nearby Sears to exchange it...and of course I already
had called ahead to let them know he was coming.

The good old days are gone...thanks to people who try to cheat the
system. Unfortunately, it vicitmizes a lot of innocent people.