I had both of mine replaced last year under warranty because they quit working then one of them started acting up again this year so I took a much closer look at the mechanisim and found that there is a problem with the metal bar that is spring loaded and catches on the teeth as you tighten the straps, it sometimes gets just a little bit crooked and won't allow the mechanisim to work properly. If you figet with the handle a little and look closely at that metal bar (don't know how else to describe it) just make sure it sitting horrizontally in the ratchet mechanisim and that it drops all the way back down or the straps don't retract correctly. I hope this makes a tiny bit of sense.
