Possibly the greatest story in the history of consumer relations is the story of the “Nordstrom tire return.” Have you heard it? Legend has it that in 1975 a recently opened Nordstrom department store in Alaska had been renovated from an automotive establishment. A customer went into the new Nordstrom and claimed the tires he purchased weren’t holding up properly. The Nordstrom associate, who had presumably never sold a tire in his life, tried to explain the situation to the elderly man. Further confused, the man said he didn’t know where else to take them because “this is where I bought the tires.” Instead of arguing with the gentleman, the associate asked what he paid and promptly refunded $25 each for the tires and invited him to come back to Nordstrom to shop in the future. No wonder Nordstrom is held in such high regard for their customer service!
Fast forward to 2013 many miles away, and a gentleman out of Indiana sends his Sure-Fire blow torch to the address of the company from which he bought it in the 70’s. His enclosed note reads “Dear Sure Fire, I have tried several different tanks but the flame will not stay lit. Please repair or replace.” LockNet’s family heritage boasts a long line of inventors and sure enough, the grandfather of our current CEO invented the Sure-Fire blow torch and produced and sold it until selling the company in 1983.
Sure-Fire 30 Years Later
So what do you do when a previous customer sends you a malfunctioning product 30 years after you’ve quit producing it? We’re no Nordstrom, but we took it to the only man we could think of that could fix it. Benson Miller, the son of the Sure-Fire inventor and LockNet founder, who responded promptly with “I’ll tinker with it and get it fixed for him.”
We’re proud to say this valuable [and loyal] customer will be receiving his newly fixed Sure-Fire blow torch in perfect working condition in the next couple of days. It’s been a lovely trip down memory lane that we are pleased to share with you. Do you have a similar story as a consumer or as a brand? We’d love to hear about it!
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I also still use mine that’s identical to the one in your story! Best tourch head I’ve ever used! I use it for everything! Been know to use to light a cigarette a few times when I smoked! Oh the igniter has a failed a few times but I was able to get one from grill lighters when needed and make do. Loved the story, found it looking for another igniter.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Jeff!
I have the same looking model and was trying to use it but center button stays in keeping gas flowing but cant make spark to get flame serial # 0148316. Suggestions? Used many times years ago and great tool.haven’t used now in 5 years or so but with knob stuck in, cant use.
Hello, I have a very old Sure Fire T-500-Pro propane torch. It has worked flawlessly all the time Ive owned it. Now, it leaks gas where it screws on the tank and starts on fire when using it. I just threw out the plastic pouch it came in with the instructions. Is there supposed to be some rubber o-ring in the threaded bottom part of torch where it screws onto the torch, or is something else going on with the torch? It has been such a reliable tool for me! Bruce Lanham
My Sure Fire T110 will not light would like to repair myself but don’t have a repair manual where can I get it.