MrCraftsmanTools
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The Complete set of Craftsman Catalogs
- Thread starter MrCraftsmanTools
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Stick Figure
Well-known member
Maybe its the fact that ebay ruined the experience for me years ago, so I don't even think of shopping there anymore.
What exactly are you talking about? What DVD and for what kind of price? So far it sounds more like something Sears should have put together and gave out to help show their fine tool heritage. Of course that would work better if I liked more of their current offerings.
What exactly are you talking about? What DVD and for what kind of price? So far it sounds more like something Sears should have put together and gave out to help show their fine tool heritage. Of course that would work better if I liked more of their current offerings.
softailgarage
Well-known member
I'm sad to hear that. I'm a huge Craftsman fan and I saw your cd on ebay. Unfortunately I cant afford the $125.00 price tag or i would have one...or 3. Maybe if you bring the price down you can make your money back by volume, not one big hit at a time.
billymade
Well-known member
I think it would be hard to ever get the money, time, investment back that you would put into a project like that; also some of the old catalogs are downloadable for free.... that wouldn't help your situation either! Have you run into any copyright issues or cease and desist letters from Sears? Its great you did this and you have an amazing amount of dedication, a huge undertaking! It can be hard to figure out the market value is for something and what people are willing to pay for something like this as well. Being able to monetize something that people are or have downloaded for free; is a tough one... how much are your dvd's? As mention above; get the price down to the point where people will actually be willing buy it... have a high price with no sales or make it affordable to the masses and sell a bunch? If your not selling any; it would seem the market is speaking to you ... telling you, the price is too high (no demand or buyers). Maybe try and change your tactics; lower the price, do some no reserve auctions etc.... see what market demand will give you. Maybe have a "sale"; get aggressive and get things rolling... certainly not selling any isn't getting you anywhere... sell 'em! 
Good luck!
Good luck!
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OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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softailgarage
Well-known member
quit wallowing in self pity...we're trying to help
B17E1943
Well-known member
I saw that, and thought that the person put an amazing amount of effort into it. Nice work! 
I'd buy it if I had the kind of disposable income to spend on something such as this, but I just don't. And, I do happen to prefer having the hard copies of catalogs/books, etc. in my hand to read, not on a screen. But it is cool to have them all on a disc like that.
I wish you luck, and I hope they start selling.
I'd buy it if I had the kind of disposable income to spend on something such as this, but I just don't. And, I do happen to prefer having the hard copies of catalogs/books, etc. in my hand to read, not on a screen. But it is cool to have them all on a disc like that.
I wish you luck, and I hope they start selling.
balane
Well-known member
It's a very nice item and it looks thorough and well put together but obviously I can't know it's true quality without using one of them. But it's hard to get people to spend $125 + shipping on anything. The economy isn't actually booming where people are running out and buying nostalgia on a whim. Why did you end the auction early anyway? You already paid insertion fees, no harm in keeping it up. Did you expect overnight success on this? The word needs to get out, it will take time. Your buyers will be very specific and it might take them a while to find you. You give up too easily which is amazing after all the time and effort you put into it. Did you ask for any feedback on this project before you started? Did anybody show interest ahead of time? How do you come up with the $125 price anyway? Did you consider direct digital download? Would be cheaper and folks can burn their own disks.
IMHO you need to do two things to get this to take off.
1.) Get the price down to where people can afford it, to where a LOT of people can afford it. You aren't going to like this but I'm thinking that will be in the $40 range and the lower the better. You've already done the work, the trick now is to sell a bunch of them.
2.) Market it. Make a web site where people can order from. Get the word out anyway you can. Take out ads in car magazines, home hobbyist magazines like Popular Mechanics and others. Purchase ad space on relevant forums to get people to your site. You did acknowledge ahead of time an advertising budget, correct? Nothing succeeds without advertising..... ever.
That's all I have to say. Good luck with it.
IMHO you need to do two things to get this to take off.
1.) Get the price down to where people can afford it, to where a LOT of people can afford it. You aren't going to like this but I'm thinking that will be in the $40 range and the lower the better. You've already done the work, the trick now is to sell a bunch of them.
2.) Market it. Make a web site where people can order from. Get the word out anyway you can. Take out ads in car magazines, home hobbyist magazines like Popular Mechanics and others. Purchase ad space on relevant forums to get people to your site. You did acknowledge ahead of time an advertising budget, correct? Nothing succeeds without advertising..... ever.
That's all I have to say. Good luck with it.
David,
It sounds like an outstanding assemblage of Craftsman Tool information. I would be very interested in seeing that. I had no idea that any such collection even existed. I don't know where you've been advertising your product, but that could be part of the problem. Maybe your target audience isn't really aware of it. Where can I take a look at it? $125 is expensive. That could be a part of the problem too. Finally, the self pity thing is a big downer!! Enough already. Maybe work on getting the word out about your product, see if you can do something with the price, and stop with the sniveling.
A final thought. Collecting things like tools, catalogs, etc, can be a labor of love. It's kind of like restoring an old car. Most of the time you never get your money back out of the finished product. You do it for the enjoyment of "the hunt", the satisfaction of completing a restoration, or of having the most complete collection, etc. I'd still be interested in seeing your collection of catalogs. I'm a fan of old Craftsman tools. Good luck and man up!!!
Jim C.
It sounds like an outstanding assemblage of Craftsman Tool information. I would be very interested in seeing that. I had no idea that any such collection even existed. I don't know where you've been advertising your product, but that could be part of the problem. Maybe your target audience isn't really aware of it. Where can I take a look at it? $125 is expensive. That could be a part of the problem too. Finally, the self pity thing is a big downer!! Enough already. Maybe work on getting the word out about your product, see if you can do something with the price, and stop with the sniveling.
A final thought. Collecting things like tools, catalogs, etc, can be a labor of love. It's kind of like restoring an old car. Most of the time you never get your money back out of the finished product. You do it for the enjoyment of "the hunt", the satisfaction of completing a restoration, or of having the most complete collection, etc. I'd still be interested in seeing your collection of catalogs. I'm a fan of old Craftsman tools. Good luck and man up!!!
Jim C.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18198
http://community.craftsman.com/topi...nd-for-all-the-Craftsman-Catalogs-on-CD/posts
Where is the ebay listing?? There may be interest out there.
http://community.craftsman.com/topi...nd-for-all-the-Craftsman-Catalogs-on-CD/posts
Where is the ebay listing?? There may be interest out there.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is the ebay auction over? I typed in craftsman tool catalog and 28 old catalogs popped up but , nothing on DVD/CD.
I've heard of this project over the years but, never saw the completed work.
I think it would be a hard sell not just because of the way the economy is but, because of the nature of the customer. People that have more than a casual interest in tools (like us crazies here), would tend to want the actual catalogs instead of looking at them on a computer. I also feel it's a very narrow customer base. You have to remember that the Craftsman tool buyer is often the guy wanting to pay pennies per piece.
However, congratulations on your effort!!! To have researched that much information took a lot of dedication, discipline, and money. Unfortunately, it's not a pursuit that would make you rich though.
If anyone has a link, please post. I'd like to see the ad.
I've heard of this project over the years but, never saw the completed work.
I think it would be a hard sell not just because of the way the economy is but, because of the nature of the customer. People that have more than a casual interest in tools (like us crazies here), would tend to want the actual catalogs instead of looking at them on a computer. I also feel it's a very narrow customer base. You have to remember that the Craftsman tool buyer is often the guy wanting to pay pennies per piece.
However, congratulations on your effort!!! To have researched that much information took a lot of dedication, discipline, and money. Unfortunately, it's not a pursuit that would make you rich though.
If anyone has a link, please post. I'd like to see the ad.
woody 73
Well-known member
David Hi,
First off I think you what you have done is fantastic and I would go ape **** if I had your CD.
Two things stop me from buying it:
Like everyone said the price is over my head and-
The last guy that sold me his very expensive computer cd of catalogs; has confused me so badly and drove me insane (not good with this new technology) that to this day I am still lost.
So as they say I am gun shy about buying another expensive cd because of all the past difficulties.
I think what you have done is wonderful...
First off I think you what you have done is fantastic and I would go ape **** if I had your CD.
Two things stop me from buying it:
Like everyone said the price is over my head and-
The last guy that sold me his very expensive computer cd of catalogs; has confused me so badly and drove me insane (not good with this new technology) that to this day I am still lost.
So as they say I am gun shy about buying another expensive cd because of all the past difficulties.
I think what you have done is wonderful...
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Too bad you weren't collecting Snap on catalogs 
Seriously though, I am interested in your work how bout a link to the auction? You realize ebay has a huge worldwide audience right? List those CDs at 9.99 plus a few bucks for shipping (what seems to be the going CD price) encrypt the CDs so they can't be copied and I'd bet you'd get your money back 10 fold within 6 months. It's all about the price point. You've already done the hard part. Don't let a nickel stand in the way of a dollar!
Seriously though, I am interested in your work how bout a link to the auction? You realize ebay has a huge worldwide audience right? List those CDs at 9.99 plus a few bucks for shipping (what seems to be the going CD price) encrypt the CDs so they can't be copied and I'd bet you'd get your money back 10 fold within 6 months. It's all about the price point. You've already done the hard part. Don't let a nickel stand in the way of a dollar!
Is the ebay auction over? I typed in craftsman tool catalog and 28 old catalogs popped up but , nothing on DVD/CD.
I've heard of this project over the years but, never saw the completed work.
I think it would be a hard sell not just because of the way the economy is but, because of the nature of the customer. People that have more than a casual interest in tools (like us crazies here), would tend to want the actual catalogs instead of looking at them on a computer. I also feel it's a very narrow customer base. You have to remember that the Craftsman tool buyer is often the guy wanting to pay pennies per piece.
However, congratulations on your effort!!! To have researched that much information took a lot of dedication, discipline, and money. Unfortunately, it's not a pursuit that would make you rich though.
If anyone has a link, please post. I'd like to see the ad.
You're right about rather having the actual paper catalog in my hands, but in reality, that's probably not going to happen. I'm not willing to put the time, effort, and money into collecting them all. I have other collections going right now. I can't afford another one.
On another note, I was, and still am to an extent, a Craftsman tool buyer. I'm gladly willing to pay more than pennies for a USA made Craftsman hand tool. If they're older "v" series tools, I'll pay top dollar without even thinking about it. There are probably some guys out there who just want the cheapest tool that will get the job done and see Craftsman tools as the way to accomplish that. Then there may be others who buy Craftsman because they realize that paying three to five times more for a competitor brand tool won't bring nearly a 300% - 500% increase in performance, durability, etc. I guess for every guy who wants tools for pennies apeice, there's an equal number of guys out there who want to grossly overpay. I tend to see Craftsman tools as a "sensible" alternative to other possibly overpriced options.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I'd probably be a buyer if the CD were priced below $50.
Jim C.
Jeff95TA
Well-known member
Maybe try selling the rights to it to Sears and let them sell them.
TreePointer
Well-known member
A consideration:
With much (?) of Craftsman production moving overseas, you might be pulling your product just when the market for it will be growing.
With much (?) of Craftsman production moving overseas, you might be pulling your product just when the market for it will be growing.
billymade
Well-known member
I wonder if you broke up the DVD into smaller CD's that only covered certain areas or things that you have; examples:
1. different eras (e.g. 20's to 40s, 50's to 70's, 80's to 90's etc.)
2. different things dedicated for each CD, tool catalogs, manuals, etc.
3. price these lower as they are not all you sell but have the option of getting everything in the DVD.
1. different eras (e.g. 20's to 40s, 50's to 70's, 80's to 90's etc.)
2. different things dedicated for each CD, tool catalogs, manuals, etc.
3. price these lower as they are not all you sell but have the option of getting everything in the DVD.
kc-steve
Well-known member
David, it sounds like you've already made your decision and doubt my input would be of interest.
I don't know EXACTLY what sort of collection you have, or what the format, but if it were broken down into individual annual catalogs where people could purchase a download of their specific desires from a secure website, you might have a self-generating income for many more years.
It's just a suggestion. Like I said I don't know much about what you're talking about, but my own interest would be in downloading single catalogs, one at the time, as I can afford them and keep coming back over a period of years. That would also require an investment that could be shared. I build websites for a living, but we would have to discuss this further if you are interested.
There might also be issues of trademark or copyright infringement though. That doesn't mean it couldn't be worked out, but it sounds like you've already given up.
Steve
I don't know EXACTLY what sort of collection you have, or what the format, but if it were broken down into individual annual catalogs where people could purchase a download of their specific desires from a secure website, you might have a self-generating income for many more years.
It's just a suggestion. Like I said I don't know much about what you're talking about, but my own interest would be in downloading single catalogs, one at the time, as I can afford them and keep coming back over a period of years. That would also require an investment that could be shared. I build websites for a living, but we would have to discuss this further if you are interested.
There might also be issues of trademark or copyright infringement though. That doesn't mean it couldn't be worked out, but it sounds like you've already given up.
Steve
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TreePointer
Well-known member
That's what I see with other collectibles. I have CD/DVD's of Lionel model train catalogs and collections grouped by production era: pre-WWII, post-WWII, 1970-2000, etc. I purchased them one at a time, when I needed them, and when cost made sense.
I purchased a 1920's CD catalog from you a few years ago. Around 2007. I never purchased anything else because I could get the other information I wanted for free or at a cost that was much less than the cd catalog. The CD catalog was very nice.
I think your mistake was not doing enough price point research. I've sold enough antique tools to know that tool collectors, for the most part, are cheap. (myself included) There are always various tools and catalogs that command a high value due to popularity and rarity but they are the exception, not the norm.
The fact that none sold on eBay shows the problem with the price point. To get these to sell the price point should be around the $20-40 range and even then I do not think you would sell enough to make the $15000 investment back. The problem with the tool collecting market is that it is a small market. IMO, a very small market. Hoarders help drive market prices up but also give a sense of more customers/collectors than is actual. Hoarders/large tool collectors may buy hundreds of ratchets but would only buy one catalog compilation.
Sorry it hasn't worked as expected but you still have a chance to recoup something.
I think your mistake was not doing enough price point research. I've sold enough antique tools to know that tool collectors, for the most part, are cheap. (myself included) There are always various tools and catalogs that command a high value due to popularity and rarity but they are the exception, not the norm.
The fact that none sold on eBay shows the problem with the price point. To get these to sell the price point should be around the $20-40 range and even then I do not think you would sell enough to make the $15000 investment back. The problem with the tool collecting market is that it is a small market. IMO, a very small market. Hoarders help drive market prices up but also give a sense of more customers/collectors than is actual. Hoarders/large tool collectors may buy hundreds of ratchets but would only buy one catalog compilation.
Sorry it hasn't worked as expected but you still have a chance to recoup something.
Givl Reggin
Banned
Did you do this for the love of Craftsman tools or to make a buck? Many people do things for the pure love of the hobby, spending time and money as they wish and then sharing their work with others without ever thinking of making a buck... I'm just saying... you should be commended for what you have put together and the amount of effort you out into it, but I don't really see it as a marketable product, not for $125, not even for $50, especially when you have some of what you have done already available for free.
I have a number of paper catalogs going back to the early 60s, they're interesting to look at, but don't really serve a practical purpose and I don't really need *every* year, Craftsman didn't change all that much year-to-year..
Copytech
Well-known member
This set isn't as complete as yours , but they are selling. Adjust your price and you will recoup your money. Also only burn a cd as they sell you will save a bunch.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sea...ultDomain_0&hash=item19c6aa88bc#ht_525wt_1057
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sea...ultDomain_0&hash=item19c6aa88bc#ht_525wt_1057
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Pity's got to go man, Take that hill!!!
Dude, price man. Like everybody's saying man. drop it and start selling BULK!
Slap it as 9.99 or maaaaaybe 19.99 + shipping and I'd be all over this like litterbox sand on a cat's ****! I like hard catalogs too, but more for what is available to buy right now. I would love to have a set on cd for reference to know what I have and what to look out for man.
So, no offense Dude but Man Up and get back on the field. You put this much work into it only to jump ship now? Come on....
Dude, price man. Like everybody's saying man. drop it and start selling BULK!
Slap it as 9.99 or maaaaaybe 19.99 + shipping and I'd be all over this like litterbox sand on a cat's ****! I like hard catalogs too, but more for what is available to buy right now. I would love to have a set on cd for reference to know what I have and what to look out for man.
So, no offense Dude but Man Up and get back on the field. You put this much work into it only to jump ship now? Come on....
OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'm not sure this option was offered, but you can also have 2 price points: One for a E copy (NO CD's, NO DVD's) and simply Email them. Make your emphasis that these are a grade above simply scanned images. and another for the "boxed set", and price accordingly. The collector types are interested, but are also inherently a cheap skate crowd generally, unless simply wealthy enough to buy any toy they want...
OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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OP
MrCraftsmanTools
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
It's OK, we still got it.
BDFan1981
Well-known member
@MrCraftsmanTools,
I would be interested primarily in the 1981 to 1986 (technically, 1981-82 to 1986-87) Sears Craftsman Tools catalogs. How much money would you want for those six years restored on DVD?
~Ben
I would be interested primarily in the 1981 to 1986 (technically, 1981-82 to 1986-87) Sears Craftsman Tools catalogs. How much money would you want for those six years restored on DVD?
~Ben
softailgarage
Well-known member
Update: About 7 months ago, MrCraftsmanTools was on another forum declaring to all that he was going to destroy all copies and be done with it. I looked the DVD up on Ebay and noticed it had come down under $100.00. Fearing that the OP would carry thru on his threat, I bought a copy, even though I was still unemployed and really couldn't afford it. It is a good CD, complete Craftsman Tool sections of the Sears Catalog, every year thats available.Obviously it was alot of work and the OP should be proud of what he was able to accomplish. IMHO, is it worth $100.00? No; tops, $30.00. The one thing that bothers me is it's set up to be installed only 2 times. One other thing, I didn't realize how repetitive the Craftsman line was, same models covered numerous years. Checking Ebay tonight I see the cd is still available, being sold @ $99.00. I would really like to see the price come down, so the OP could make this a succesfull venture. Just my 2 cents.
BDFan1981
Well-known member
I would be interested in him making individual years/seasons available. Again, my primary focus on his compilation are of the 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1986-87 catalogs.
~Ben
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ARAMP1
Well-known member
What format is the catalog in? PDF? JPEG?
jtbinvalrico
Well-known member
It's a neat idea that does have merit.......but markets will bear what they will bear.
I collect the Craftsman catalog originals, and have them from 1915 through the 80's. It's sort of like listening to the Dark Side Of The Moon on my old Technics 1200 and checking out the 12" cover art.....as opposed to listening to it as a download on my iPhone.
I collect the Craftsman catalog originals, and have them from 1915 through the 80's. It's sort of like listening to the Dark Side Of The Moon on my old Technics 1200 and checking out the 12" cover art.....as opposed to listening to it as a download on my iPhone.
BDFan1981
Well-known member
To me, this just reads self pity all over it. PLUS, using this self pity to gain interest and to sell off some more copies as well..
Sell it cheaper. How can you say you must sell it for 125 otherwise you are losing money? You can only say this if you know how many you are going to sell and since you don't, your best bet is to choose a market-accepted price and hang in there to see if you can recuperate. Also, don't say anything bad about your customers like you do now, why should they not be in their right to say they value your 'product' for less money? Why should anyone that is interested, also acknowledge the amount of money you wasted during your process of making it? Why MUST they do that according to you?
In the end, you made a smile on my face today
Sell it cheaper. How can you say you must sell it for 125 otherwise you are losing money? You can only say this if you know how many you are going to sell and since you don't, your best bet is to choose a market-accepted price and hang in there to see if you can recuperate. Also, don't say anything bad about your customers like you do now, why should they not be in their right to say they value your 'product' for less money? Why should anyone that is interested, also acknowledge the amount of money you wasted during your process of making it? Why MUST they do that according to you?
In the end, you made a smile on my face today
71goldss
Well-known member
I just checked the OP's ebay auction and he has sold at least eight copys at $99 since June (2012) based on feedback given. It seems that everyone's advise of lowering the price has improved sales. Still needs to lower much more though!