Cowboy clipper - failures/repairs

[msj]

In February of this yr (2008) I purchased a Cowboy Clipper 571 from KV Vet for just under $200. I used them for approximately 40 minutes or so to do a full clip on a horse. After they got hot, I stopped using them and went to the Oster Turbo A5's that I had with a wide blade to finish the job.

I went to use them again about a wk ago to clip the legs of same horse and the clipper blades stopped running even though the motor was running. So I took the blades off, tried another set of the same #10 wide and the same problem. :(

I called the Laube company that makes them and talked to a service technician. He told me the problem I had was quite frequent and that I'd need a tune up kit ($21.25) and a Hinge ($7.95) and Latch ($4.75) assembly to repair them and that Laube didn't do the work, I'd have to do it. :eek: I was quite flabbergasted that clippers only used for less than an hour would require $33.95 worth of repairs. The technician explained that because these clippers run at such high speeds they are high maintenance as well. :eek:

I was shocked at his explanation and actually quite disgusted. :mad:

I'm curious if anyone else has had any problems with their Cowboy clippers so soon after purchase.

Now, I will admit they are wonderful to hold as they are very lightweight and comfortable but if this is the case that they don't hold up and need a lot of repair, I'm just going to give them a toss in the garbage and count it as a bad investment. :( :(

[Quinn]

Maybe it's just me but I sure wouldn't be brushed off by a service tech. I am not in the least being condescending here. What I am saying is, unless the person you're speaking with has a "financial burden" in the company, you're not communicating with the correct individual. What you're being told is nonsense. Call back and ask to speak with whomever is in charge of the product. Let that person know you are simply not prepared to pay a good dollar for something that won't stand up to what it's advertised to do. Also let them know there are many many consumers on this thread waiting to see how it's handled. A bad review carries much more weight than a good one.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[msj]

Actually Quinn, that is exactly what I've done. I called and left a message for the General Manager to call me about Cowboy Clippers. I didn't say I had problems, just my name, phone #, and that my call is about Cowboy Clippers.

Unfortunately, it seems all calls go to voice mail so it will be interesting just how fast he gets back to me. His voice also sounded quite young - like 20-30's. Pretty young for a GM at least. :(

[Cherry]

If you don't clean the blades frequently and keep them well oiled they will seize up--no matter what brand they are.... If you did that and they still seized, good luck!

I don't think I'd buy anything but Oster, but that's just me.... I've never had a problem with that company. The problem is that not much is made in the U.S. anymore and no one seems to give a hoot about customer service and satisfaction anymore! :mad: If you stop buying a product there's always some other sucker out there who will... If you take enough people enough times you can make enough money to retire.... ;) :lol:

Seriously, I hope you can get your problem straightened out to your satisfaction.... :)

[caevent]

I have those clippers and had to have the same repair done. Mine went through about 3 horses before they stopped cutting. Clipper guy said that he sees that breakdown a lot with these clippers. :( Why can't they make the little, quiet, comfortable clippers as strong as the loud obnoxious ones? :mad:

[blaster]

I don't think I'd buy anything but Oster, but that's just me.... I've never had a problem with that company. The problem is that not much is made in the U.S. anymore and no one seems to give a hoot about customer service and satisfaction anymore!

Ditto on Oster. Say what you want, but their customer service is fabo. I've had multiple sets of blades sharpened and returned within a week. Their refurb program rocks too!

[Ambrey]

I read a lot of negative on the cowboy clippers- it's the main reason I chose the Andis instead.

[msj]

I don't believe the technician said anything about oiling. But hey that was last week when I called and I don't remember everything I did yesterday. :sigh: I know I did run them thru Blade Wash and used Clipper Kool. I know I didn't use any oil.


I'm going to wait till I talk to the General Manager and see what he says. Frankly I don't want to throw good $ after bad, especially if this problem persists. The trash can is looking awfully good.

Fortunately the Oster's that I have are also brand new. It's supposed to be a bit warmer later this week so I think my Cushing's horse is going to get a good bath followed by a lot of Show Sheen and a nice trace clip. Hopefully it will hold him thru the winter. Last yr he came to me at the end of Oct and I ended up clipping him in January because he was sweating in 30-40 degree weather. :(

caevent - did you do the repairs yourself? The tech told me the factory wouldn't do them that I'd have to do it myself. That really got my dander up! :mad:

[caevent]

msj: no, I took them to our trusty blade sharpener/repair guy. It was not expensive, as you say, but definitely disappointing. Let's just say that I will not be a repeat customer for the cowboy clippers. I may invest in the andis if my body clipping doesn't go better this year.

[bzybee32]

I've had the same problem with my Laube Cowboy clippers. I bought them brand new from Schneiders for $250. I used them to body clip two horses (stopping to clean, oil, etc regularly) and after that they stopped working. I sent them back to Laube for repairs, assuming that the repair would be covered under warranty since the clippers were only used twice. TWO MONTHS after I sent the clippers, I finally heard back from Laube that they would fix my clippers for $80! I then went around to my local tack shops and asked about repairs and none of them would even touch Laube clippers!

Over the years, I have bought both Andis or Wahl and have always had fantastic customer service and they'd always honor their warranty. Laube, on the other hand, sells poor quality clippers and backs them up with equally poor quality customer service.

[flypony74]

It is necessary to oil your blades frequently while you are clipping. Kool Lube and Blade Wash aren't going to do the trick. My clipper guy actually steered me away from Kool Lube in favor of good old fashioned oil, as he says that Kool Lube can make your blades gummy and dull faster.

I body clip with Wahl Lister Stars, and they do a great job.

[msj]

Well, I'm taking bzybee32's advice about not wasting any more money on the Laube Cowboy clippers. It took over a day for the someone to return my call to the General Manager about the clippers. He didn't even identify himself as the GM so I have serious doubts about who I actually spoke with. :confused:

As I expected, he gave the usual run around garbage excuses etc. I did tell him though that I thought any clipper that needed that much maintenance already was a poorly made product and that I intended to let the COTH bb with it's over 36K members read all about it as well as a few other equine bb so that those with horses don't make the same mistake I did and waste several hundred dollars! :eek:

I just tossed the Laube Cowboy clippers in the garbage! :( If I do anything about clipper repair, I'll get my old either Oster or Sunbeam (not sure which they are) tuned up that I've had since the 60's. The only reason I stopped using them was that they got hot fast and it took a while to cool down. I'll keep them as back up for the Turbo A5's which I know from experience are a good clipper. :)

[ZELLA]

I guess I'm the exception here. I'm into my third season with my Cowboy clippers, and I continue to love them. I do one or two body clips and one trace clip a year with them, most recently last weekend. Never a problem. While clipping, I do wash the blades frequently by dipping the running clippers in blade wash, and I lube the blades alternately with WD-40 and clipper oil.

I've never had to do any maintenance beyond simple cleaning/lubrication,

[bluecowgirl]

I went through the exact same thing you did. I ordered the products recommended and did the work per the instructions. I clipped one horse completely and did one stripe on another (thank goodness I started under the chin). I had to turn them off to answer a question and they would not run again! I am not pleased with the customer service or the product at this point.

[DogBoy]

I've had the same problem with my Laube Cowboy clippers. I bought them brand new from Schneiders for $250. I used them to body clip two horses (stopping to clean, oil, etc regularly) and after that they stopped working. I sent them back to Laube for repairs, assuming that the repair would be covered under warranty since the clippers were only used twice. TWO MONTHS after I sent the clippers, I finally heard back from Laube that they would fix my clippers for $80! I then went around to my local tack shops and asked about repairs and none of them would even touch Laube clippers!

Over the years, I have bought both Andis or Wahl and have always had fantastic customer service and they'd always honor their warranty. Laube, on the other hand, sells poor quality clippers and backs them up with equally poor quality customer service.

Hi All...I'm new to this. My friends are into barrel racing, but I am a proud owner of too many dogs.

I hope it's not inappropriate to ask, but if anybody here has a pair of Laube Cowboy/super cowboy clippers that needs repair, I would like to buy one for parts. We dropped ours new out of the package and the actual body/housing broke, $270!!! Rediculous! I can't say they are great, but I just cut on low power and take my time. I guess shaving a horse can be just a little more challenging than 6 dogs ;) So if anybody wants to get rid of them you can call me, ( 334). 790.8283

The only reason I'm willing to try to repair these is because I bought $60 worth of clippers, they didnt even work for 2 dogs. :eek:

[msj]

Hi All...I'm new to this. My friends are into barrel racing, but I am a proud owner of too many dogs.

I hope it's not inappropriate to ask, but if anybody here has a pair of Laube Cowboy/super cowboy clippers that needs repair, I would like to buy one for parts. We dropped ours new out of the package and the actual body/housing broke, $270!!! Rediculous! I can't say they are great, but I just cut on low power and take my time. I guess shaving a horse can be just a little more challenging than 6 dogs ;) So if anybody wants to get rid of them you can call me, ( 334). 790.8283

The only reason I'm willing to try to repair these is because I bought $60 worth of clippers, they didnt even work for 2 dogs. :eek:

Sorry I can't help you because after the useless response I got from the company, I just threw mine in the trash.

[NorCalDressage]

MSJ -

Didn't see this post when it was originally posted, but it does solve a mystery!

These Laube clippers were touted to be the best to me, super fast and powerful, etc. I usually use Andis for body clipping, but was convinced to splurge on these very expensive clippers!

They were crap - from the start practically. I returned them and thought I must have gotten a lemon or something, but was too afraid to try another pair.

Guess I have an answer now!

[GallopHer]

Dumb question, I know, but...how do you oil your clipper blades? Do you apply oil directly to the teeth of the blades - or on the bars on the backside of the blades? Also, what kind of oil do you use when you've used all of the oil that comes with the clippers?

Thanks.

[DogBoy]

I've been working on these clippers (Laube laser) and finally figured out what the blades are all about. If you keep multiple sets of clipper blades on hand, when one gets hot, you just tilt them back and slide on the next set.

As long as you are handy, you dont have to throw away your lousy clippers right away. If you are even a little bit handy, you can see how they can quick change. If you have used clippers and they worked fine, then came back to use them again, it could just be gummed up or rusted! There is a machine finish surface that must be perfectly smooth where the blades rub together. I think I'm going to have to do a youtube video or something as a PSA. One more thing, areas that have urine, saliva, grit or just plain filth will kill a set of blades almost right away. A good wash prior to cut can save you some time and money.

There are really only a few parts that can wear out on a good brand of clippers, thats not an excuse for Laube, but the same goes for all clippers. If you are grooming yourself, learn how to quick change blades and properly service your clippers. I'm new to this and in 1 hour I turned 3 useless Laube's into 2 working Laubes. Parts interchange as well, I have a A5 wide gap tooth blade on a Laube laser! Good luck~