Craftsman Tools - Here's my receipt from 1977

[GrayFlattop]

Not sure if this should be in the Vintage Tools discussion, but there is probably enough cross-pollination for anyone interested. Found this receipt in one of my storage drawers. Long ago and far away, you could go to your local Sears store and place an order to be shipped to the store for a modest amount ($1.27 in this case). Since the store was <2 miles from where I was living, that was easy for a young man with no money.

The shipment typically arrived at the store a few days after ordering and you could pick it up and pay at the service counter (service - remember that concept?)
Some of the items were on backorder - crossed-off in red. I probably have everything to this day. Prices looked cheap based on today's costs, but I doubt I was making more than $2.00/hour at that time.

No internet, no computers - just a 3-or 4-part carbon paper form that made the rounds.

Using the magic of the internet, I've decoded the stock numbers:


Some of the items were probably to replace lost tools or to fill out a set. In the case of the drill bits and 20" extension, I had a need - same with the 1/4" combo wrench. My first Craftsman wrench set was DOE - not sure why - probably because it was cheap when on sale. The Sears ads in the Sunday paper was something to look forward to every week.

Back then there were not a lot of options for quality tools and there was always a Sears nearby. Before this time - when I was younger, going to Sears or the local hardware store with my dad was a regular activity.

I kinda wish I kept more of the receipts, but I thought that the GJ folks might enjoy this.

 

[Samuel D]

Looks like $1 (USD) in 1977 would be worth about $5 nowadays, to give people some idea what those items were worth.

I wasn’t around in 1977 but am old enough to remember filling in forms that looked a bit like that one for all kinds of things, from developing photographic film to ordering books. Hoards of people must have been employed to make the forms, decipher the scribbles on them, fix the counting errors, send letters back and forth to extract the missing payment of $0.48, etc.

Can you remember what you wanted the 20-inch extension for? Must have been a pressing need for you to blow $4.86 on the problem!

 

[GrayFlattop]

And that's why Sears built a HUGE office building in the 70's - 100 stories of clerks, buyers, etc. Each store had a bunch of clerks in the back end as well.

I seem to recall needing the 20" extension when removing a stubborn transmission from one of my project cars at the time. I remember swearing and spitting because the "conga-line" of shorter extensions was too wobbly.

 

[Wamsutta]

Somebody sure has some fancy handwriting whoever they are.

 

[finn]

And that's why Sears built a HUGE office building in the 70's - 100 stories of clerks, buyers, etc. Each store had a bunch of clerks in the back end as well.

I seem to recall needing the 20" extension when removing a stubborn transmission from one of my project cars at the time. I remember swearing and spitting because the "conga-line" of shorter extensions was too wobbly.

My wife worked in the Sears Tower in 75-76. A lot of the space was rental spasm, not Sears Employees.

Her company was an actuarial firm, and had no connection to Sears, other than they were the landlords.

I recall that her office was on something like the 67th floor. Not many people wanted to get on the elevator with her when she was eight months pregnant.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Not mine, that's for sure. I HATED Penmanship. Yeah - they used to teach everyone how to write cursive in a specific way. I think it was called the "Palmer method", but it's been a long time since I thought that much about it.

Here's a photo of the Sears store that I frequented:

It was one of the smaller ones. The larger multi-story stores were about 4 miles away from this one.

 

[GrayFlattop]

My wife worked in the Sears Tower in 75-76. A lot of the space was rental spasm, not Sears Employees.

Her company was an actuarial firm, and had no connection to Sears, other than they were the landlords.

I recall that her office was on something like the 67th floor. Not many people wanted to get on the elevator with her when she was eight months pregnant.

I think that they built it to have plenty or room to grow into. Back when they thought the future was unlimited. Before the tower was built, their headquarters at Homan and Arthington was a sprawling piece of real estate. My sister did some modeling there in the 60's.

 

[Old Man Roger]

That’s how they taught us to write in catholic school, and damn sure better be using your right hand too..

After about 15 years of manual labor or turning wrenches, and not much writing, my ole nun teachers would have been be horrified to see my hand writing. And it hasn’t gotten any better in the following decades..lol

 

[captain14]

Everything listed in the receipt was SAE. No metric tools. I bought my dad a Craftsman metric set of wrenches and sockets for Xmas during the timeframe. They were considered an add on at the time.

Did you park in front or did they have a separate entrance in the side for the tools and paint department? I always remember the catalog order pickup location was always in the basement, except one store I went to in Lavale, Md. that was a much smaller store too.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Did you park in front or did they have a separate entrance in the side for the tools and paint department? I always remember the catalog order pickup location was always in the basement, except one store I went to in Lavale, Md. that was a much smaller store too.

Oh ya, almost forgot about the dingy hallway..lol

 

[MileHighRover]

Somebody sure has some fancy handwriting whoever they are.

Back when writing was important. I don't think most public schools even teach cursive anymore.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Did you park in front or did they have a separate entrance in the side for the tools and paint department? I always remember the catalog order pickup location was always in the basement, except one store I went to in Lavale, Md. that was a much smaller store too.

This location was on a slab. After the photo (taken when it was built in '57) they built an "Auto Center" on the South side (Right side of the photo) of the building.

The larger stores (North & Harlem or Oakbrook) had multiple entrances. This one was just a local strip mall it had appliances, paint, some furniture, tools and auto parts. No clothing at all. That store did a robust catalog pick--up business.

 

[LOW1]

Oh ya, almost forgot about the dingy hallway..lol

The store I went to had that hallway but there was a “Family Portrait Center” and hair salon at the end of it.

 

[Kuma601]

Somebody sure has some fancy handwriting whoever they are.

In those days they taught kids how to use a pen for attractive writing. I recall the entry level drafting classes we went through pages of lettering exercises to conform to how blue prints were supposed to look. The niece now 19 didn't go through cursive writing so when the wife penned her a letter she was unable to read it.

Mom born in 1927 had great cursive writing. Most people's writing is chicken scratches (mine included) these days.

 

[wolfinator]

Looks like $1 (USD) in 1977 would be worth about $5 nowadays, to give people some idea what those items were worth.

I wasn't alive in 1977, but the thing I noticed eyeballing the prices is...they really haven't changed much. If I set out to buy as like-for-like as I can I'll pay about the same.

For example if I want a (USA made) #2 x 4" screwdriver, I'm going to pay around $7-8:

#2 Phillips Hard Handle Screwdriver | TEKTON | Made in USA

The #2 Phillips screwdriver (standard 4-inch blade) has a classic square handle made from highly durable glass-reinforced nylon. Made in USA. DSP31002.

www.tekton.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C15DTJ5F/?tag=atomicindus08-20

According to the inflation calculator I used, $1.52 converts to $7.70 today. So the same price.

Similarly, I checked the 3/4 combo wrench. $2.46 converts to $12.46. And lol and behold:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QP4JM51/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q01O158/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Both are about $12 (although now imported).

This plays to a theory I have - lots of goods are not as cheap now as people think, on a like for like basis...

 

[GrayFlattop]

In those days they taught kids how to use a pen for attractive writing. I recall the entry level drafting classes we went through pages of lettering exercises to conform to how blue prints were supposed to look. The niece now 19 didn't go through cursive writing so when the wife penned her a letter she was unable to read it.

Mom born in 1927 had great cursive writing. Most people's writing is chicken scratches (mine included) these days.

Yeah - my mom had beautiful writing as does my bride. I was never great at writing longhand, but found my niche at the drafting table

Now lettering for drafting - THAT was something. Hours of practice - remember when your teacher would circle your errors, lol. Pencil was challenging enough, but ink on vellum - it required a level of precision and concentration that I'm surprised I had.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Back when writing was important. I don't think most public schools even teach cursive anymore.

I think you're right. I vaguely remember hearing about it on the news years ago.

This location was on a slab. After the photo (taken when it was built in '57) they built an "Auto Center" on the South side (Right side of the photo) of the building.

The larger stores (North & Harlem or Oakbrook) had multiple entrances. This one was just a local strip mall it had appliances, paint, some furniture, tools and auto parts. No clothing at all. That store did a robust catalog pick--up business.

We had a few just like yours and a couple that were part of malls.

The store I went to had that hallway but there was a “Family Portrait Center” and hair salon at the end of it.

Oh man those Family portrait centers...lol I remember having to put on my Sundays best for family portraits. My mother was never more excited than when they started doing the picture in picture thing..lol

 

[Old Man Roger]

What do they do about signatures? I know a lot of stuff is Docusign nowadays, but there are still times when you have to actually put pen to paper to sign your name?

 

[dchawk81]

Somebody sure has some fancy handwriting whoever they are.

Back in the day, penmanship was actually a thing.

 

[dchawk81]

What do they do about signatures? I know a lot of stuff is Docusign nowadays, but there are still times when you have to actually put pen to paper to sign your name?

✂️ occam

14 seconds · Clipped by dchawk81 · Original video "The Patriot - Recruit" by Aurelius2323

youtube.com

 

[Meursault74]

What do they do about signatures? I know a lot of stuff is Docusign nowadays, but there are still times when you have to actually put pen to paper to sign your name?

I opened up a bank account last month. I had to sign a screen with my finger. I don't write with my finger, signature looks vaguely like the one I produce with a pen.

I have to sign documents many times a day with an actual pen on paper at work. I write it extremely fast. Good luck to anyone trying to forge my signature with a pen on a piece of paper.

Someone opened up some debit cards in my name by fraud. The signature was electronic and it wasn't even my name, just a line and a dot.

I like the old school nature of cursive signatures with pen on paper.

 

[Wamsutta]

Back when writing was important. I don't think most public schools even teach cursive anymore.

I know how to write cursive, although the lowercase R is a ***** for me to write and tie with the other letters.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Started to go to Sears in 1977 with parents not to buy tools but to buy patterns and materials to make clothes to wear, crazy.

 

[dchawk81]

I know how to write cursive, although the lowercase R is a ***** for me to write and tie with the other letters.

Just think of it like a pi symbol on meth.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I opened up a bank account last month. I had to sign a screen with my finger. I don't write with my finger, signature looks vaguely like the one I produce with a pen.

I have to sign documents many times a day with an actual pen on paper at work. I write it extremely fast. Good luck to anyone trying to forge my signature with a pen on a piece of paper.

Someone opened up some debit cards in my name by fraud. The signature was electronic and it wasn't even my name, just a line and a dot.

I like the old school nature of cursive signatures with pen on paper.

My signature is so bad the bank almost always has to have a manger review my signature..lol Never looks the same twice.

I know how to write cursive, although the lowercase R is a ***** for me to write and tie with the other letters.

My “n“ and my “r” are indistinguishable.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My running joke is going to the store, using my card, they have you sign it for verification... I have done everything from a blob of curlicue to scribbled nonsense to a bunch of overlaid X's to lines up and down, and somehow they all are my "verified signature".... I wonder why they don't just give up the charade of the "signature verification" stuff since they're not verifying it against anything...

 

[NDJ]

Refreshing to see NONE of those weird *** "sevens" like people write today

 

[JeepYJ]

Here's a photo of the Sears store that I frequented:

Ah, the days when cars had soul and were stylish and didn’t all look the same like tod….oh wait…

 

[neophyte]

Somebody sure has some fancy handwriting whoever they are.

That was standard cursive handwriting at one time, and way more readable than the cursive type that proceeded it, judging from my parents cursive handwriting which would have been an earlier type.

 

[Wamsutta]

That was standard cursive handwriting at one time, and way more readable than the cursive type that proceeded it, judging from my parents cursive handwriting which would have been an earlier type.

Understandable but why did my comment make you angry?

 

[neophyte]

Understandable but why did my comment make you angry?

People stopped learning how to do proper calligraphy.
Sorry if I used the wrong emoji.
I went to school before English classes added lessons on proper emoji use.

 

[jsaw]

Yeah - my mom had beautiful writing as does my bride. I was never great at writing longhand, but found my niche at the drafting table

Now lettering for drafting - THAT was something. Hours of practice -

After learning how to do Single stroke block lettering in drafting class, I got to where I could write neater and faster than I could write cursive. I have done all writing that way for 35 years.