For years Sears has been testing the waters with imported tools that are branded Craftsman. Japanese wrenches. Taiwanese ratchets. In the past, these products haven't been all that successful for Sears because people just didn't buy them. I’ve seen a lot of that imported stuff hanging around at the Sears Outlets, even when I was kid. Now, even I think that things have changed a bit and the newer generation of people generally just care less about where the tools and other things they buy are made. This is just the latest testing of the waters by Sears to see if Craftsman tool buyers are willing to pay for more profitable imported tools with the Craftsman brand name. Rest assured, if people buy the imported stuff for the prices they are charging, there will be more imported tools branded Craftsman. It's certainly a deliberate plan by Sears to make the Craftsman brand more profitable. Either to make them more money directly or to make the brand even more valuable for a sale or spinoff. If people don't buy the highly profitable imported tools, there will be more USA made Craftsman branded stuff, until the next testing of the waters.
My little rant about Craftsman tools
- Thread starter IBJanky
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slipjointed
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Exactly. These companies are constantly on the prowl for ANY chance they can get to dump American workers and inflate their wallets. Anyone who doens't understand this is a deliberate attempt by Sears, just isn't tuned in.
honcho
Well-known member
Craftsman is a brand name owned by Sears Holdings
Craftsman is a well-known and valuable brand and for many people, the brand has more value than where the tool is made as long as the tool gets the job done at a cost acceptable to the customer. Products made outside the USA have become so common that most consumers have resigned themselves to buying foreign-made goods even if they would prefer to purchase domestically produced items.
The Craftsman brand manager(s) decide what will be sold and what companies will manufacture the items for Sears Holdings. For many Craftsman hand tools, it is Danaher (now Apex Tool Group). Apex makes tools that are sold under a variety of brand names and has their own manufacturing facilities around the world. The Danaher product managers work with the Craftsman brand managers to propose tools and price points. Depending on how deep their working relationship is with Apex, Sears and Apex may share detailed sales and production information to figure out how to make tools that will make the most money for both Apex and Sears. It is not about making the best tool possible for a given price, it is about making a good enough tool at a given price. That's why you see many common tools saying they meet the ANSI or ISO standard for the particular class of tool. One, that covers the manufacturer's rear for meeting a well-known standard and if the tool fails from being pushed beyond the limits of the standard, they've got cover against liability. Cheap tools meet the standards but may not exceed them the way a premium tool does. This is an oversimplification of how it works but Sears Holdings and their suppliers are out to make money and unless the consumers DEMAND USA made products and do not spend their money on the foreign made goods then Sears and other companies will continue to source products from the lowest cost producers around the world. It's all about the Benjamins.
STinks, but that's where we're at. Don't blame Sears, blame us for selling our souls to have things a few pennies cheaper.
Craftsman is a well-known and valuable brand and for many people, the brand has more value than where the tool is made as long as the tool gets the job done at a cost acceptable to the customer. Products made outside the USA have become so common that most consumers have resigned themselves to buying foreign-made goods even if they would prefer to purchase domestically produced items.
The Craftsman brand manager(s) decide what will be sold and what companies will manufacture the items for Sears Holdings. For many Craftsman hand tools, it is Danaher (now Apex Tool Group). Apex makes tools that are sold under a variety of brand names and has their own manufacturing facilities around the world. The Danaher product managers work with the Craftsman brand managers to propose tools and price points. Depending on how deep their working relationship is with Apex, Sears and Apex may share detailed sales and production information to figure out how to make tools that will make the most money for both Apex and Sears. It is not about making the best tool possible for a given price, it is about making a good enough tool at a given price. That's why you see many common tools saying they meet the ANSI or ISO standard for the particular class of tool. One, that covers the manufacturer's rear for meeting a well-known standard and if the tool fails from being pushed beyond the limits of the standard, they've got cover against liability. Cheap tools meet the standards but may not exceed them the way a premium tool does. This is an oversimplification of how it works but Sears Holdings and their suppliers are out to make money and unless the consumers DEMAND USA made products and do not spend their money on the foreign made goods then Sears and other companies will continue to source products from the lowest cost producers around the world. It's all about the Benjamins.
STinks, but that's where we're at. Don't blame Sears, blame us for selling our souls to have things a few pennies cheaper.
slipjointed
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They've been trying to slip in imports long before the American consumer was resigned to buying them. They (and other companies like them) are just as responsible as the consumer, if not more.
Either way, the seeds they have sown are now being harvested, and they're getting rewarded for shipping American jobs overseas, with poor sales due to a failing economy. How do these geniuses fix the problem THEY created? Ship more jobs overseas... yeah, that'll help sales.
In the 50's, American manufacturing was more than 50% of the economy, now it is less than 10% and still dropping. Those manufacturing jobs were a HUGE portion of the tool buying public that shopped at stores like sears. They also provided some stability and security to our economy during times of international turmoil.
Many of those regions still have not recovered. I hope that the execs that decided to ship our jobs overseas are happy when all the money they earned is worth toilet paper.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
So I stopped by the Sears Outlet, which is in the mall that I boycott because of some policies, just to see if I could have some input on this.
They didn't really have a tool section. There was a pack or two of ToolMaster screwdrivers, some really flimsy Cman tool cabinets and two other brands of boxes. That mall and store was depressing so I didn't stick around.
They didn't really have a tool section. There was a pack or two of ToolMaster screwdrivers, some really flimsy Cman tool cabinets and two other brands of boxes. That mall and store was depressing so I didn't stick around.
kythri
Well-known member
And this is the whole reason that other brands have removed the USA markings from their own line-ups.
Yep. I can see it coming. I wonder how those buyers/fanbois will react when it finally happens.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I've been swinging by my Sears Outlet about twice a month for about the last year or so.
Tool selection is little-to none, meaning either people are swooping on the deals fast, things are being sent off to a different facility, or sales are so lackluster that little is being sold, thus even less is being returned as scratch and dent.
A few of my local regular Sears stores have added a "markdown aisle" where all the tools and items smaller than a toaster go to be sold off, but at the outlet store, there are rows and rows of refridgerators and stoves at really good prices. Very little or no tools or boxes, but large durable goods out the ying-yang.
As for Sears, my breaking point was when the chrome line-wrenches went overseas. I'll still buy Craftsman for low use tools as long as the USA label is there, but the slow erosion of both quality and COO is making it harder and harder to choose them as a prime choice no matter the ease of convenient stores and warranty.
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I'm sorry. What? Sears hasn't lowered their prices one penny after shipping production overseas. It's not about consumers wanting cheaper goods, it's about Sears trying to prop up their failed business model.
kythri
Well-known member
I'm sorry. What? Sears hasn't raised their prices significantly because they've been able to maintain profit margins by outsourcing. It IS about consumers wanting cheaper goods.
Failed business model? There sure are a lot of illiterate Internet MBAs that have no clue what the word "failed" means.
I dont really agree with this. They've come out with a lot of new tools lately that are dirt cheap [relatively speaking]. Most of the new imports are what Sears sells for <20 during the holidays, check the upcoming black friday catalog and it will be loaded with them. The only real exception to this are some of the replacement Cman pro tools but i could probably count those examples on one hand. I actually think the latter is due to the ineptitude of who ever controls stock pricing rather than greed. At some point someone will notice those $100 sets of wrenches they buy from china for $10 arent moving and correct that error.
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honcho
Well-known member
You're only looking at one part of the business equation when there are many variables. Sears is a mass market retailer and not just a tool seller. They're trying to stay in business and turn a profit. They may not have lowered prices (and I resent them replacing usa made tools with inferior chinese imports at the same price) but they haven't necessarily raised prices either or the prices haven't risen as fast as they could have have risen.
I don't understand all this venom for businesses trying to make a profit. People are quick to blame the retailers and manufacturers but they're just trying to stay in business and make a profit. For-profit businesses, unless privately owned, are legally obligated to make money for their shareholders--failing to do so is a breach of the obligation of management and the board of directors. Unless you work for the government or a non-profit, the goal of business is to empty your wallet and fill their bank account. It's not about producing the best of anything or fulfilling your heart's desire for USA made quality tools at reasonable prices. There will be the Snap-On's of the world to sell to the people who are willing to pay top dollar for "premium" products and the Harbor Freight's to people only willing to pay much less.
You get to vote for politicians only once every few years, you get to vote with your money (if you have any!) every day. Problem is, most of us are sheep swayed by advertising and cultural trends and not by facts and practical economics. Do we need iphones or expensive sports drinks? Why would anyone pay hundreds to go to a popular band concert or sporting event? Heck, why would pay for television when there's perfectly good shows on free TV. How does your employer get money to pay you? If you're self-employed, do you sell your services for what you can get from the marketplace or for less? The economy is a complex place and workers all over the world--not just in the USA--are being tossed around by forces that are beyond their control.
Bottom Line: You don't have to like what Sears does with their tool offerings but you don't have to spend money there either.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
You're so right - this outlet was a big fridge/washer/dryer/stove lot. I think I'm going to swing by the Sears store at another mall this morning to have a look.
ibedayank
Well-known member
I bought Craftsman because it was CRAFTSMAN made in the USA and was good stuff for the $$$
I still buy craftsman but now I buy older USED craftsman....
quality is just not was it once was
and if i wanted cheaper tools i would buy greatneck or one of the other **** brands
I still buy craftsman but now I buy older USED craftsman....
quality is just not was it once was
and if i wanted cheaper tools i would buy greatneck or one of the other **** brands
kennyb52
Active member
I always thought that Craftsman was only sold a Sears and no where else until they were bought by the owners of Kmart.Last week I saw a small Craftsman toolbox at Costco.Whats up with that?
ibedayank
Well-known member
I always thought that Craftsman was only sold a Sears and no where else until they were bought by the owners of Kmart.Last week I saw a small Craftsman toolbox at Costco.Whats up with that?
add
menards
kmart
acehardware
SMKS
Well-known member
And
Amazon
Summit
Craftsman is a recognized brand, so Sears is expanding it beyond Sears stores in an attempt to get more sales.
kennyb52
Active member
Wow.....where have I been?
(not at menards,ace,amazon or summit)
(not at menards,ace,amazon or summit)
I was reading the thread and thought the OP had a valid point as I've noticed the same thing at Sears. Made in the USA, to me, is a sort of "trade dress" for Craftsman tools... you expect them to be made in the USA like you expect Makita power tools to be light blue and black. Now, if Craftsman has a rebranded Knipex made in Germany or a high quality plane made in England, then so be it... but when their bread-and-butter wrenches are made in China, then, to me, that's an issue.
I own some PB Swiss tools made in Switzerland and some Wiha and Knipex tools made in Germany. Even though Germany, Switzerland, and Japan make extremely high quality tools, a Snap-on torque wrench, for example, wouldn't be the same if it were made in any other country other than the United States. I think Danaher/Apex is starting to trade away one of the things that differentiated them from their competitors by selling tools made in China.
One other thing... somebody stated that all Craftsman ratchets were ****, including the slim profiles. Well, that's just trash talk, as the basic Craftsman ratchets are good quality, but the slim profile high polish ratchets are excellent quality. As an FYI, I own a set of Snap-on Dual 80s (that are simply awesome) as well as an anniversary set of the Craftsman slim profile wrenches... and I paid less for the entire Craftsman 3 piece set (on sale) than what you'd pay for just one Dual 80 3/8 ratchet off the truck.
I own some PB Swiss tools made in Switzerland and some Wiha and Knipex tools made in Germany. Even though Germany, Switzerland, and Japan make extremely high quality tools, a Snap-on torque wrench, for example, wouldn't be the same if it were made in any other country other than the United States. I think Danaher/Apex is starting to trade away one of the things that differentiated them from their competitors by selling tools made in China.
One other thing... somebody stated that all Craftsman ratchets were ****, including the slim profiles. Well, that's just trash talk, as the basic Craftsman ratchets are good quality, but the slim profile high polish ratchets are excellent quality. As an FYI, I own a set of Snap-on Dual 80s (that are simply awesome) as well as an anniversary set of the Craftsman slim profile wrenches... and I paid less for the entire Craftsman 3 piece set (on sale) than what you'd pay for just one Dual 80 3/8 ratchet off the truck.