Any Updates on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets?

[jon619]

For the people that haven't seen them in the store, you might check online to see if your sears store even has them. If it's in stock, they're probably hiding in the back.

 

[Skin]

Okay buddy, how about for starters putting maybe a 18" x 36" or similar size cardboard poster with a picture, details, and maybe a few professional reviews somewhere near the ratchet section inside of sears so that people can get a little info about the new premium ratchets. That would be pretty inexpensive to have one piece of cardboard inside each sears store... or would that be out of budget?

They dont normally do that so i think you're expecting a bit much. And they come out with a lot of **** every year.

Next, if sears has enough money maybe they could you know, actually put one set on display - if that is too big of a financial risk for them do I really want to trust investing in a tool collection with a 'lifetime' warranty from a company which is apparently on the brink of financial ruin? I'd honestly rather buy a snap-on ratchet even though it is more expensive... at least they can afford to have them inside their tool trucks . To ask a customer to spend more money than he/she probably ever has on a craftsman ratchet wouldn't it be nice to handle it and see it first-hand before ordering? Lets not even get into warranty issues as mrholeshot as already experienced.

Its up to the stores that got them to put them in plain view. Like previously stated normally its done via planagram and many stores, like mine, dont have the room. In my local stores instance they jammed a couple on display and put the rest on the bottom of the case. Not entirely sure how you can fault sears for what the shelf stockers are doing.

Lets get into those warranty issues. My 1/4" flunked out [locked up twice randomly while reversing] i walked back into my store, handed it to the kid and he gave me another no questions asked. My god the horror.

Like tool trucks the help you get is hit and miss. Did it occure to you that his store *****? Its not exactly rocket science for these people. The policy of sears is actually to order anything they dont stock in the case of warranty replacement. I wont pretend to know whats going on in the heads of the employees in his case, but blaming sears corp for the crappy handling of a customer in a sears store is just plain silly. How many crappy truck dealers have we read about and that famous customer service over the phone?

Oh and how about getting the sales associates to help market the the new products and give out a little literature on the new ratchets and up-sell them? They do it on appliances...

Have you been in any retail store lately? Asking for knowledgable service in ANY retail operation, especially those that hire on minimum wage, is laughable. In many instances you're literally better off consulting your fellow shoppers.

That could be a start and it would not risk sears going bankrupt in the process. If you don't agree with me that's perfectly okay with me. To imply that I would need a ratchet thrown at my head though upon entering a store though seems a bit antagonistic however and I take offense to that..

you called sears incompetent due to, what i assume was, a lack of marketing during, your words "christmas time" i merely pointed out that there is a rather large ad in the christmas catalog and questioned what more you'd expect of them to do. You think they should launch some large campaign, i personally find that a bit unrealistic. To each their own.

 

[zer0cell]

Happy holiday to you mr skin

 

[billymade]

When the thin profile ratchets first came out; they had a display unit with the ratchets attached to the end cap near the primary flow of customer traffic in the hardware dept... showing: how they could fit in tight spaces, had 60 teeth, display graphics comparing them to other brands etc.... maybe in the spring when they change the planogram, they will do this! Time will tell! The display was good because you could touch, feel, play with them and I think they had some fasteners that you could turn as well, to get a feel for the ratcheting action... lets hope they do this for these new ratchets as well!

 

[amolaver]

if they'd just sell all 3 as a bundle for $150, i'd buy 'em. but having been burned for i think around $50 by buying the thin profiles singly and then having the bundle come out...i'm waiting. i want them - i love the handle profile - but i want all 3 and i don't think its unreasonable to expect some discount for buying them all at once.

ahm

 

[GrayFox]

Went to store to see if they had them(Fairlawn,OH). looked around couldn't find them. Talked to a sales woman she couldn't find them. Called manager who looked it up and put the wrong item number (45282 instead of 25482). After finding it in his system he said he had two in stock even though the in store computer for customers said one. Low and behold they didn't have any that he could see on the shelf.

 

[Buckgnarly]

If anyone REALLY wants one you HAVE to do the order online and pickup in store. It was suggested to me, I took my chances. I talked to some young guy, he looked, no dice. We talked to some older guy, he looks, no dice.
I finally left the tool dep a little frustrate, placed an order at the women's shoes kiosk for in store pickup. Wife and I left for dinner.....
Get a text 15 min after I place the order at the kiosk, all 3 are readu for pickup. Yeah right I tell my wife.....go back 1.5hrs later, low and behold they are there. Talk to the manager, turns out the merchandise pickup/warehouse guy was the one to "find" it.

Bottom line, if you REALLY (not jsut to check them out_ them, order online to pickup.

 

[billymade]

buy online and store pickup is the way to go... as I said before... if someone can find them; the store pickup process will make it happen. The people who work in the warehouse; generally know where the stock is or will look for it... the sales people do not fulfill the store pickup order... however, they used to ask me for help finding things... I was a MCA who stocks, orders, and brings out the stock from the warehouse to the retail floor. After the truck is off loaded and the stock comes to the floor; any overstock is put away by the guys in the warehouse... so, 9/10 they put those ratchets away somewhere in the back... so, they would know where they are!
However, the OHC (on hand count) which is the database tracked on the computer; is notoriously wrong... so, don't hold your breath!

 

[Old Donn]

Used the 1/4" on my old Chevy and '80 Harley this afternoon. So far, so good.

 

[eurokid]

Just picked up the 1/4" drive and 3/8" drive 84 tooth ratchets this evening. At first I couldn't find them so I asked if they had any. The first person I asked didn't know anything about the new 84 tooth ratchets. He didn't even know that they carried them. The second person I asked had to ask someone else and he knew where they were. After ten minutes of asking and looking I was on my way out with my new ratchets. So far I like, by far the best ratchet from Craftsman to date IMHO. Also picked up a 6" and 8" "Beak Jaw" crescent wrenches, 1/4" drive palm/finger ratchet, and a 1/4" DR 10" locking extension. Gona go back soon and get the 10" beak jaw wrench, and the 1/2" drive 84 to complete the set.

 

[wrenchr]

I still need the 1/2 to complete my set to.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

I finally got them in hand at a Sears Hardware store today. The handle needs a bigger radius in the sharp corner and the actions isn't significantly smoother than my FACOM 72-tooth ratchets. I'll wait until I can find some used ones or when Sears puts on a deep discount.

 

[zer0cell]

...when Sears puts on a deep discount.

I'm afraid this may only happen if they are on clearance or being discontinued. I don't see them being one of those items that gets big discount specials. I could be wrong though...

 

[leod]

they have this at store near me, played around and i really like the long handle. they need to put a flex head too

the switch is the same as the thin profiles. i like the beak jaw wrench too but i already have a regular adjustable wrench

 

[Old Donn]

I still need the 1/2 to complete my set to.

Me too, but I'm in no big hurry. My 1/2" ratchets haven't seen the light of day recently. When I do need one, it's usually the Cman 1/2" flex head. That said, like some others here, I'll pick up one of the new ones when/if they ever go on sale or are disc'd.

 

[welderwink]

So I went to my local Sears Hardware today to take a look at these premium ratchets. They had 5 in stock. Two 1/2 drive, one 3/8 drive and two 1/4 drive. I went with the intention of buying a 1/2 drive ratchet. And I couldn't pull the trigger. One reason was the price to quality. It just didn't seem to me to be a 80 dollar ratchet, in other words it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality. And the other reason was the size of the ratchet. Its HUGE. Long handle and a big head. I just wasn't satisfied with the feel of it in my hand. So I left a little disappointed, but with my wallet a little heavier then I thought it was going to be.

Thats just my 2 cents on these ratchets.

 

[4x4gearhead]

They're sealed.

No snap ring and thin stamped steel plate. They have a thicker steel plate secured with two screws. There are o rings on the gear and under the selector switch.

Thanks guys for answering my question, I havent seen any in store so i was just wondering, ive always been a hater of the snap ring and the thin plate that always bowls out when side loads are applied (not usually on purpose).

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

So I went to my local Sears Hardware today to take a look at these premium ratchets. They had 5 in stock. Two 1/2 drive, one 3/8 drive and two 1/4 drive. I went with the intention of buying a 1/2 drive ratchet. And I couldn't pull the trigger. One reason was the price to quality. It just didn't seem to me to be a 80 dollar ratchet, in other words it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality. And the other reason was the size of the ratchet. Its HUGE. Long handle and a big head. I just wasn't satisfied with the feel of it in my hand. So I left a little disappointed, but with my wallet a little heavier then I thought it was going to be.

Thats just my 2 cents on these ratchets.

You could tell all that without even using it? What's your secret?

Can people that don't own tools stop commenting on their quality?

 

[welderwink]

You could tell all that without even using it? What's your secret?

Can people that don't own tools stop commenting on their quality?

How can you not tell upon picking something up and holding it for a few mins that you dont like the feel of it? Its a weird shape. The feel of a tool is personal preference, I am sorry that my preference offends you. In the future when I dont like the feel of something in my hand, Ill still buy it to satisfy you.

 

[Hiball]

How can you not tell upon picking something up and holding it for a few mins that you dont like the feel of it? Its a weird shape. The feel of a tool is personal preference, I am sorry that my preference offends you. In the future when I dont like the feel of something in my hand, Ill still buy it to satisfy you.

+1..... Thanks for "Your" Opinion.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

How can you not tell upon picking something up and holding it for a few mins that you dont like the feel of it? Its a weird shape. The feel of a tool is personal preference, I am sorry that my preference offends you. In the future when I dont like the feel of something in my hand, Ill still buy it to satisfy you.

You didn't say the way it felt, you said the quality of the tool didn't compare to other brands. Standing in the aisle at Sears holding it doesn't give you any clue. You don't like the feel of the handle, whatever. Your opinion. Just don't sit here and spit out garbage about it not being up to par when you've never even used it.

Have your opinion all you like, that's great. If you want to buy some tools to satisfy me, I'll send you a list and my address.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

+1..... Thanks for "Your" Opinion.

-1. Mind if I have "My" opinion as well.

 

[Hiball]

You didn't say the way it felt, you said the quality of the tool didn't compare to other brands. Standing in the aisle at Sears holding it doesn't give you any clue. You don't like the feel of the handle, whatever. Your opinion. Just don't sit here and spit out garbage about it not being up to par when you've never even used it.

Have your opinion all you like, that's great. If you want to buy some tools to satisfy me, I'll send you a list and my address.

NO... HE DIDNT.

So I went to my local Sears Hardware today to take a look at these premium ratchets. They had 5 in stock. Two 1/2 drive, one 3/8 drive and two 1/4 drive. I went with the intention of buying a 1/2 drive ratchet. And I couldn't pull the trigger. One reason was the price to quality. It just didn't seem to me to be a 80 dollar ratchet, in other words it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality. And the other reason was the size of the ratchet. Its HUGE. Long handle and a big head. I just wasn't satisfied with the feel of it in my hand. So I left a little disappointed, but with my wallet a little heavier then I thought it was going to be.

Thats just my 2 cents on these ratchets.

HIS OPINION

-1. Mind if I have "My" opinion as well.

Nobody questioned your Opinon, So i would say "Yes" you can have your opinoin.

This place is Awesome...

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

NO... HE DIDNT.

HIS OPINION



Nobody questioned your Opinon, So i would say "Yes" you can have your opinoin.

This place is Awesome...

"it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality." - welderwink


I didn't hurt your feelings did I? If so, I apologize.


I probably could have just bit my tongue, but you didn't here, so why should I?

 

[welderwink]

So I went to my local Sears Hardware today to take a look at these premium ratchets. They had 5 in stock. Two 1/2 drive, one 3/8 drive and two 1/4 drive. I went with the intention of buying a 1/2 drive ratchet. And I couldn't pull the trigger. One reason was the price to quality. It just didn't seem to me to be a 80 dollar ratchet, in other words it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality. And the other reason was the size of the ratchet. Its HUGE. Long handle and a big head. I just wasn't satisfied with the feel of it in my hand. So I left a little disappointed, but with my wallet a little heavier then I thought it was going to be.

Thats just my 2 cents on these ratchets.

I clearly said I didnt like the feel.

 

[Hiball]

"it didn't compare to Snap On or Matco quality." - welderwink .

Wow... Again his Opinion as i quoted "ME" in the Previous post.

I didn't hurt your feelings did I? If so, I apologize.

Uh.. After you attacked his Opinion by posting this (Have you already forgotten):

You didn't say the way it felt, you said the quality of the tool didn't compare to other brands. Standing in the aisle at Sears holding it doesn't give you any clue. You don't like the feel of the handle, whatever. Your opinion. Just don't sit here and spit out garbage about it not being up to par when you've never even used it.

Have your opinion all you like, that's great. If you want to buy some tools to satisfy me, I'll send you a list and my address.

Please go back and Re-Read the Order of how things broke down..

LMAO....

I probably could have just bit my tongue, but you didn't here, so why should I?

Sorry... It was My Thread, i created it and i dont want to listen to a bunch of whining. I asked a simple ******* question, I didnt ask for people to come in here and get all upset when other members Opinions dont jive with there's, Give your Opinion and Move on.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Wow, what a bunch of women. I think I'll go argue with my wife instead. At least I get something out of that.

Have a great day.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Uh.. After you attacked his Opinion by posting this (Have you already forgotten):

How can you not tell upon picking something up and holding it for a few mins that you dont like the feel of it? Its a weird shape. The feel of a tool is personal preference, I am sorry that my preference offends you. In the future when I dont like the feel of something in my hand, Ill still buy it to satisfy you.

Please go back and Re-Read the Order of how things broke down..

LMAO....

He said that, by the way.

Ok, now I'm done.

 

[Hiball]

He said that, by the way.

Ok, now I'm done.

Fixed.. Have fun arguing with your wife.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Fixed.. Have fun arguing with your wife.

She's not nearly as fun to argue with as everyone here.

 

[fflintstone]

I went to a decent sized Sears today to check them out. No joy, and the staff had no idea of what I was talking about.

 

[blue dog]

I went to a decent sized Sears today to check them out. No joy, and the staff had no idea of what I was talking about.

This has been my same experience at 5 different sears in the Los Angeles basin over the course of last 3 months.

 

[williaty]

they rounded it to 84 to avoid confusion, the pawl is stamped "84 1/2".

Perchance did you see that on the pawl of the 1/2" version of the ratchet? Thus indicating that you were looking at the 84 tooth, 1/2" version of that part?

 

[Sterff]

Welderwink: Thanks for sharing your opinion.

 

[cglasgow]

This just gets better. Sears.com no longer shows my local stores when I check availability. The closest store it shows is 20 miles away, and they get farther away from that.

And I can't even find the premium ratchets on craftsman.com.

I really don't think they want to sell these things!