Any Updates on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets?
- Thread starter Hiball
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MoparMikeO
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Sears seems to be in a coma when it comes to marketing in general these days. The Craftsman Club flyers have all but stopped, and sparse when they do show up. Sale flyers in the Sunday paper have all but disappeared as well, yet K-mart always has big glossy flyers filled with their cut-rate ****, and a handful of bottom-end tools. The amount of time & $$$ I spend at Sears is way down because of this.
If they were even trying to promote these ratchets, I would buy them. As of now, my local Sears does not have them, knows nothing about them. Unfortunately it looks like I'll end up forking out the cash for snap-on ratchets to replace my sloppy Crapsman raised-panels.
Sears seems to be trying to sefl-destruct, while promoting K-mart.
If they were even trying to promote these ratchets, I would buy them. As of now, my local Sears does not have them, knows nothing about them. Unfortunately it looks like I'll end up forking out the cash for snap-on ratchets to replace my sloppy Crapsman raised-panels.
Sears seems to be trying to sefl-destruct, while promoting K-mart.
woody 73
Well-known member
I was in sears today and HF, but I never have seen those ratchets at sears. Speaking of HF I now see some well made 3/8 drive sockets that are all marked PRO and they have a nice rainbow color for $9.99 and they come with a lifetime warranty. I think sears/k-mart had better watch out!
These: ??
Anybody know COO?]
[/QUOTEIt says USA on the rarchet head.
I was told at a Sears Hardware near me that the new ratchets keep selling out as soon as they are stocked.
rhastings80
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Anybody know who makes these? Wondering if its Danaher...
Fedwrench
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in one of the other threads, an Armstrong engineer named Phil said Armstrong/danaher spent three years designing them.
wafrederick
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My Matco dealer knows a couple customers that put the Matco 88 tooth ratchet repair kits in them and did not work,do not fit.
jon619
Well-known member
That's because they only carry 1 or 2 per store. Kinda ridiculous. I went to the local Sears and I didn't see them. I checked online and it showed they had 1 available. I called up and the guy looked and found 1 3/8 and 2 1/2 ratchets just sitting in the back. I went and picked up the 3/8.
...message deleted as to not appear rude. Fine... you are right... the sears business model is an example to all of how a successful business should be run.
/Sarcasm off.
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gatewaysysop
Well-known member
I've really wanted to try these out, seriously, but I cannot track them down in store anywhere. I've gone to the two biggest Sears stores in Phoenix and neither location has them or stocks them from what I can see. Freaking joke. 
I'd order online, but I swore I'd never do that again after the last customer service experience, they've lost my business through the website for good. I hope that doesn't mean I never get to try out these ratchets, but at the current rate it isn't looking good.
I'd order online, but I swore I'd never do that again after the last customer service experience, they've lost my business through the website for good. I hope that doesn't mean I never get to try out these ratchets, but at the current rate it isn't looking good.
blue dog
Banned
I live in Los Angeles and there are at least 6 sears in with in reason driving distance from my home, not one has had these in stock, and the employees have no clue what i am talking about when i ask regarding them, basically, they have no clue they exist.
I will not buy them until i can hold one in my hand.
Wake up mr sears representative or Danaher if that is who is making them if you are reading from an anonymous, we want these and can not get them.
I will not buy them until i can hold one in my hand.
Wake up mr sears representative or Danaher if that is who is making them if you are reading from an anonymous, we want these and can not get them.
There was a post here with pics of the matco 88 guts installed in a cman ratchet and it worked fine.
mrholeshot
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I like the ratchets but I hate I can't get service on my 1/2 drive. As much as I like them I'm not sure if I would make this purchace a second time. It's as though Craftsman is pulling in two differant directions at Once. They have these really expensive ratchets and then so much stuff moving production to China. I have a feeling these ratchets will be probably the shortest production run of any Craftsman ratchet ever. As much as I like the 1/4 and 3/8 I half tempted to return them because I can't get the 1/2 inch replaced quickly. I think as far a Sears is concerned it just too little too late.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've really wanted to try these out, seriously, but I cannot track them down in store anywhere. I've gone to the two biggest Sears stores in Phoenix and neither location has them or stocks them from what I can see. Freaking joke.
Just for amusement I searched online for the 1/2 inch drive version and sears.com said the Sears at Arrowhead Mall had one in stock. I went out to be amongst the living and see what people were doing on Christmas Eve.
It wasn't on the rack with the other ratchets. I found a kid and asked him about the premium ratchets. He got a grey haired woman that said something like,"the expensive new one?" Yes, she went into the stock room and pulled it out. I said that you would have a better chance of selling this if it was on display. I burned a gift card getting it. The best part is that I got a $15 reward gift card back for spending over $75 at Sears. That's like a 20% off sale on a ratchet no one wants to sell.
mrholeshot
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Just for amusement I searched online for the 1/2 inch drive version and sears.com said the Sears at Arrowhead Mall had one in stock. I went out to be amongst the living and see what people were doing on Christmas Eve.
It wasn't on the rack with the other ratchets. I found a kid and asked him about the premium ratchets. He got a grey haired woman that said something like,"the expensive new one?" Yes, she went into the stock room and pulled it out. I said that you would have a better chance of selling this if it was on display. I burned a gift card getting it. The best part is that I got a $15 reward gift card back for spending over $75 at Sears. That's like a 20% off sale on a ratchet no one wants to sell.
No MBAs at Sears for sure
littlekillertoad
Well-known member
I keep trying to get Sears to ship some to a store near me and they just won't. I'm not driving 2 hours just to see these things.
The first time I asked, they told me to order them for store pickup and if I didn't like them, I could pay a $10 restocking fee instead. It's like I'm trying to buy something at an amusement park - I've got to pay before I can get in.
The first time I asked, they told me to order them for store pickup and if I didn't like them, I could pay a $10 restocking fee instead. It's like I'm trying to buy something at an amusement park - I've got to pay before I can get in.
I had to Ask a Sales Rep Where they Hiding them, He kinda chuckled and led me to them. They didnt have them in the Ratchet Section, They where actually on the End of a Isle and there was less than 3 of each size in stock. No Advertising, New Product stickers... etc.. they where about 10" above Eye Level.
They werent on the shelves at all, I got rather irate and the manager came out and gave me a load of bs about inventory fluxuation and black friday. that is the second time i walked out of that store pissed off and empty handed.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Just for amusement I searched online for the 1/2 inch drive version and sears.com said the Sears at Arrowhead Mall had one in stock. I went out to be amongst the living and see what people were doing on Christmas Eve.
It wasn't on the rack with the other ratchets. I found a kid and asked him about the premium ratchets. He got a grey haired woman that said something like,"the expensive new one?" Yes, she went into the stock room and pulled it out. I said that you would have a better chance of selling this if it was on display. I burned a gift card getting it. The best part is that I got a $15 reward gift card back for spending over $75 at Sears. That's like a 20% off sale on a ratchet no one wants to sell.
I'm surprised you found anyone at Arrowhead that wasn't a drooling retard. I have had no luck with those people at all, not in person and not on the phone. I refuse to buy anything there that I cannot pick up off the shelf and walk to the register with, because they have at least 5 people at all times milling around, pretending they can't see that you need help.
I absolutely hate the Arrowhead Sears, it's wore than the Sears at the ghetto Metro Center mall, because at least out there they don't pretend the customer is invisible. Of course that's probably because they're afraid you're stealing something like everyone else who shops at Metro Center.
billymade
Well-known member
The ratchets will most likely be put near the ratchet area; when they redo the "planogram" in the spring, however, we will see if they get their allocation up as well! It sounds like in many stores the allocation is 1 per store or 3 max. If they are not on the planogram; it is really only the impetus of someone on the floor who decided to put them out; otherwise, they will stay in the stockroom, I always tried to bring new items to the showroom floor but sometimes I had to make room. It depends on management as well; some like to have a real tiny showroom that it only setup according to the planogram, others want as much merchandise out as possible! My theory has always been; "if its not the floor to see, the customers won't buy it!"! Then again; the regional managers will come in and inspect the stores; it depends on their attitude about things as well.... if they don't like the way things are... they will force/tell you to change things on the spot! Sears has been screwed up forever; I don't see things getting any better, soon. Their marketing; production, product planning, oems and zillion other issues are mind boggling! I was always amazed people kept coming back for more! However, when I have gone back recently; my former colleagues have all said that traffic is way down; some have gotten jobs elsewhere to make ends meet. Wether this is the economy; customers going elsewhere (lost to other brands) or what.... remains to be seen!
The shortest production run in my memory was the "stainless" ratchets they sold for a little while in 80's; I broke mine right away! They were definitely unique but not very durable!
The shortest production run in my memory was the "stainless" ratchets they sold for a little while in 80's; I broke mine right away! They were definitely unique but not very durable!
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This is EXACTLY what I was thinking and why I consider sears to be incompetent. Seriously.... EVEN if they had to make a made in china line comparable in price and performance to Harbor freight (if they can do it why can't sears). They could still have a so called 'premium' line with a big USA flag above those sets and if they were good enough quality I think they could afford to keep them in production, but that would ONLY happen if they were truly excellent and their marketing was top notch. As it stands, as good as they may be I suspect that very few people even know they exist. It really is sad.
moparmuscle88
Well-known member
for the price, i dont think their worth it, its too much money for craftsman, unless these are way different from the other stuff they sell.
for the price, gearwrench full polish 60 tooth ratchets seem better to me
for the price, gearwrench full polish 60 tooth ratchets seem better to me
mrholeshot
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They are really nice tool truck quality but you can sell them if they sit in a stock room and if you can't replace a broken one whats the use.
Have you read the posts or looked at the pics or better yet held one in your hand? They are better than any gearwrench ratchet and IMO easily equal to the similar matco 88 tooth ratchet or snap on dual 80.
JayL
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Proudly Made in the USA with the stamp to boot while other manufacturer/s seems to think otherwise.
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mrholeshot
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While I agree how nice they are and how nice the quality is that still means nothing if the *******'s at the store won't put them out or Sears doesn't have enough sence to place enough in the stores to do a warranty exchange. As much as I like them (own all 3) it would be like owning a Dual80 thats broken and no Snap-On man around to service it and the company at a production halt. I have a 1/2 that needs replacing. It has a flaw in it that causes the lever to jam. I'm not going to open it up and try to fix it when it's never been used. Sears can't seem to do it as of yet and if they havent resolved this by Jan 15 they all go back. Sears didn't tell the employees about these and have yet to see one inside the actual store in my area. Sears.com is about as helpful as water pistol in a gunfight. It's painfully obvious that Sears rather be selling the sline wrenches, evolv and dogbones than any quality tools these days. I'm glad they had at least one person that know what real tool guys/girls want and made an attempt but it takes more than one person and a bailing bucket to keep the USS Sears from sinking. Sears has sunk to a new level stupid. The one thing that keeps them afloat (Craftsman line) is turning into a jacked up, pimped out version of Harbor Freight. At least with HF you know not to expect much. Most people still think that Craftsman is a top of the line tool. I gave a friend of mine in need a trio of Craftsman raised panel ratchets (1/4,3/8,1/2) and he said "WoW!! Craftsman!! Those are the best!!" I just smiled and thought to myself it's OK to beleive in Craftsman,The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, lol
True Sears is dying a slow death and soon will be a shadow of itself if it makes it at all. Still I think these ratchets are nice and since the matco dual 88 guts fit I am fine even after Sears is dead and gone in the next few years.
What is tough for me to understand is why they do it to both the regular line and the pro line. They could easily pimp out the regular if the kept the pro line top quality and US made. People would grumble about it but accept it. Doing it to both is burning down the house in my opinion.
SnowBlaZeR2
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I'm kind of wondering why you made that comment. Have you ever seen one, let alone use one? I'm guessing not. If that's the case, how would you have any clue?
mrholeshot
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The ratchets are worth the money, Sears just screws the experiance.
mrholeshot
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Well, SO can't stamp their dual 80's MADE in USA because johhnny cheng is building them.
I think Johnny Quest is building them in Siagon
What I don't understand, is why take like 3 years or whatever to design them and then not even bother to do some serious marketing on them and make them widely available? Just imagine if in a year or two they discontinue them because of "lack of interest", implying people don't want a good USA made ratchet, just cheap Chinese stuff... LOL.
Its like singing in the shower and only a few people can even kinda hear you and then complaining that you have talent but no one will call you, that people just don't seem to be interested in what you have to offer but you really didn't put yourself out there for the world to see...
Its like singing in the shower and only a few people can even kinda hear you and then complaining that you have talent but no one will call you, that people just don't seem to be interested in what you have to offer but you really didn't put yourself out there for the world to see...
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mrholeshot
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In reality I don't think they spent three years to develop it. I think that Armstrong/danaher had it out for three years before they turned it into a Craftsman. Three years of real world testing and they restyled it for use as Craftsman. If it took an actual 3 years to develop a ratchet then they need to stop using a file and hacksaw to build them in R&D
mrholeshot
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If it wasn't for GJ they probably wouldn't have sold but 6 of them nationwide as of today.
billymade
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If only we could talk to the Sears/Danaher marketing/product development teams; we could give them a serious earful about what they could do to make these ratchets fly off the shelf.... BUT would it really make any difference? I wouldn't be surprised if they are probably fighting to get these out and marketed well too.... they maybe fighting for a good shot at success and the dinosaur that Sears is... maybe fighting them too! I bet they are probably shackled by corporate issues that is endemic to Sears.... I mean... just look at the rest of the Craftsman tool line and what is happening! These ratchets are a shining light... in what is a whole sea of changes that I don't see are helping or creating customer loyalty for their base of customers that buys tools! I mean what is happening to this customer base anyway? Are they losing their customers? A new set of premium ratchets; as good as they are.... is not going to stem the tide of the sea of changes that they are bringing to the Craftsman line in general! If your going to make changes... make positive ones! These ratchets are from a product standpoint; a good change but as has been shown here... marketing, pricing, customer service, product availability etc. are blunting the good aspect that the product is bringing to the Sears customer or "would be" customer! Come on guys! Hit a home run for a change!
SnowBlaZeR2
Well-known member
They sold 3 before I even knew GJ was talking about them. I just happened to be in the store asking about a ratchet kit, and the guy asked me if I saw the new ratchets from Craftsman. When I saw the price tag I almost had a hear attack, and then I grabbed one. I bought the only set they had in stock.
moparmuscle88
Well-known member
yes, ive held one and felt it/ turned it. IMO they are the same in quality as a gearwrench, not up to par with a snap on f80, and i dont think theyve been around enough to really see how durable/reliable they are.
snap ons last almost a year for me before they need a rebuild, any other craftsman ive had maybe a month of daily use and theyre back to the sears store for another one
im NOT going to buy one, but if someone does who is a mechanic, post back after a month or 2 of daily shop use and tell us if it lasts or not
but opinions are opinions, im not a big fan, you obviously are, and i doubt were going to change each others minds on the subject