The next "Craftsman" brand

[Parrothead]

I would have said the same thing about offshoring production, but look what's happened with both wrenches and sockets...

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

And look what's happening to Craftsman because of it.

 

[Parrothead]

But, I really think some of you are selling the American initiative spirit low. While it might be true that interest in auto mechanics is low, I wouldn't say that that in necessarily an encompassing position on all skilled "hobbies" by a long shot. As far as automotive goes:

1. We've created cars so that very little needs done to them until they've got a 100,000s of miles on them, thus most kids will never NEED to do much to their car.

2. Modern cars are boring, aerodynamic lookalikes. They don't spark interest like they once did.

3. The tools / equipment needed to properly diagnose, and work on modern cars is extensive.

Because of this, I feel like a lot of people who once would have spent their free time tinkering with cars, are now involved in fields such as, Robotics, Web Design, Fabrication, Computer Programing, Micro-Processor Projects, UAVs, Model Rockets, 3D Printing, metal casting, machining, and lots of other cool projects.....

That's not a bad thing; just different.

I'd add in the home improvement part of the equation. With HGTV and the DIY network, never before have more people done more to their homes in "improvements". The focus has shifted from cars to houses is what I am seeing. Home Depot and Lowes are growing, not because of their mechanics tools, but because they can sell you a new bathroom vanity and laminate flooring. It's not bad, it's just different. I've got a friend who couldn't find the drain plug on his car if you paid him, but he did lay 3/4 oak flooring throughout his house and install a tile shower. Again, not bad, just different.

 

[Steinmetz]

"...I have a 15 yo daughter and I tell her all the time. Many of you won't like this, but whenever we are out and see some tatt'ed up guy…"

"Tatted up" women are the real indicator that the end is near...

 

[n8n]

And look what's happening to Craftsman because of it (offshoring).

Yup. The point I was trying to make was that corporations sometimes do things that make no damn sense to us from a consumer's perspective.

The flip side is that the market to which they are trying to appeal may not be us here at GJ, and while we grudgingly switch to SK, Wright, Proto etc. their actual target market might be perfectly happy with Chinese lobster claws.

 

[LawnDart79]

... Kids are growing up without fathers or seeing their fathers only on the weekends. Women are raising our sons. Traditions like self reliance and getting your hands dirty just for the fun of it are going out the window.

We, as a society, are being conditioned to accept and praise this trend. If a person brings it to light, that person is shouted down by others. In our society we are taught that we must praise the single mother and her great accomplishments. While I do understand that some mothers become single mothers due to circumstances beyond their control, many could have controlled it and chose not to and instead chose to be irresponsible.

Deadbeat fathers reproducing and leaving, is also a huge problem. These lowlife scum ought to have a severe *** kicking. I don't totally blame them though as the mothers did have the choice to keep their legs SHUT but chose not to. Nobody ever wants to demonize the woman though, only the man. In reality, both ought to be judged equally.

Like it or not, the traditional family, mom, dad (married to one another), kids, all in the same house IS the ideal situation and should be the social norm. Unfortunately, it's becoming less and less so.

...and now back to the Craftsman thread!

 

[back2class]

Several reasons its done. SOME have been mentioned here and some not.

1) Takes many years to build a tool brand, maybe even generations. No CFO or bean counter has a vested interest in what a company does over the next 5 years, never mind 30 years. Bigger companies it is stock price and smaller companies the typical job hopping of 4 years is the norm.
2)While I like the point on HGTV and it is valid. Most people are doing less "blue collar" type hobby stuff. Look at the massive amount of old woodworking tools and even mills and lathes that were sold to homeowners through the 70"s. Much more a throw away society and more service type mindset rather than manufacturing.
3)Smart kids are now almost always pushed towards college. Lots of smart mechanics and tradesmen, but even more dumb ones and hacks. The non serious mechanics don't even buy decent tools for the most part.
4)Global Economy. Partly refer back to 1, but with very few and larger hardline manufactures moving production to Asia, even companies that want a quality USA made product can't get it unless they do it themselves and that is not realistic anymore.
Basically there will be nothing to replace Craftsman. You will find some outlets pushing decent Asian tools like Husky or Duralast, but don't expect much long term with support or continuity from them. The biz model and the consumer has moved away from that model. I think we will see Craftsman re-born through Lowes or HD at some point after Sears squeezes the life out of it. But it will just be a name and follow the same pattern that Husky did at HD about 15 years ago when they tried to go head to head with Craftsman. Some of you may remember that.
On the bight side, it doesn't even matter to me or you. Buy good tools on Ebay. Craftsman or even better stuff. Outside of screwdrivers, it's not often I break a Craftsman tool. Maybe loose a socket once in a great while and all can be purchased on ebay with ease. The things warranty really matters on (I go through screwdrivers, punches and torx drivers) Just buy snap-on for those limited things.

 

[OctoMan]

I've found good deals at thrift stores, and antique car swap meets. I'm talking vintage hand tools such as SK, Craftsman, Armstrong, Williams, Bonney. You may also check Harry J. Epstine who sells closeout tools many American made at a good price. Most of the CL ads for tools will cost a fortune but occasionaly you find a deal.

 

[terry603]

Once Sears finally closes it's doors for good, the next Craftsman will be ................






......... wait for it .............









CRAFTSMAN !

Craftsman has already made deals to have their tools sold in Ace hardware stores, K-mart (which won't be around much longer either), and some other hardware chains. As the brick and mortar stores disappear, they will make more deals to get into other established retail outlets. While Sears slowly circles the drain, Craftsman and other Sears brands will still be available to the homeowner market. The brand will still be in the public's conscience, it'll just be in another "around the corner" store. It won't matter how bad the quality gets, the uninformed will still buy the tools because of the name and because they'll replace other brands on the shelves. Making them the only option at the time of purchase.

correct me if I am wrong, craftsman is the name sears owns and sells where and how it wants
craftsman is not a name brand that sears buys to sell, like SK

someone owns the craftsman name and may sell it after sears,maybe not
remember red devil items? this name has also been sold a number of times, last I knew this name was sold to big lots to use

 

[erty67]

 

[Ign]

I'd add in the home improvement part of the equation. With HGTV and the DIY network, never before have more people done more to their homes in "improvements". The focus has shifted from cars to houses is what I am seeing. Home Depot and Lowes are growing, not because of their mechanics tools, but because they can sell you a new bathroom vanity and laminate flooring. It's not bad, it's just different. I've got a friend who couldn't find the drain plug on his car if you paid him, but he did lay 3/4 oak flooring throughout his house and install a tile shower. Again, not bad, just different.

That may be. And it's gotta be nice for contractors actually because I think most people get in over their head and give up.

That said I was thinking about "driving in a nail straight" previously mentioned in the thread. I honestly don't know that I could on my first try because I hate carpentry, and well I hate nails as they make no sense to me mechanically in relation to durability and holding power. I can drive a screw straight in with an impact driver . Given my opinions it's no surprise that I've tooled up a well-equipped metalworking shop for myself, and I burn wood for heat.

I agree w most that HF will probably fill the void, but they'll have to open A LOT more stores to come close. Presently it's still just major metropolitan areas that have HF's, at least in Colo and NM

 

[cstreu1026]

The funny thing about this thread (and a lot of others) is that I was in a Sears Hardware store not more than a hour ago and every hand tool I looked at from hammers to wrenches to screwdrivers said Made in the USA. It is sad when someone can't even change a tire but I can't blame folks not wanting to do more significant repairs on modern cars consider their complexity the specialty tools needed. I know a lot of Mustang guys that are still intimidated but the OHC engine even though they've been around for many years now and are relatively simple compared to hybrids, etc.

Now the scarier problem should be that Sears is selling American made tools of decreasing quality and/or increasing costs but its a common occurrence in many business.

 

[jakemac]

correct me if I am wrong, craftsman is the name sears owns and sells where and how it wants
craftsman is not a name brand that sears buys to sell, like SK

someone owns the craftsman name and may sell it after sears,maybe not
remember red devil items? this name has also been sold a number of times, last I knew this name was sold to big lots to use

You're correct in that Sears Holdings owns the name that is put on rebranded tools. But, the Craftsman brand was spun off as it's own division of SH several years ago. As such, SH could still run it long after the retail stores are gone. The survivability of the Craftsman name isn't tied to Sears stores alone anymore. Whereas, Red Devil (I still miss their enamels, they were much better than Rusoleum) was it's own company that went belly up and sold off the name for someone else to use. The same was done by Delta with the Rockwell name. The Craftsman label has already been set up to continue after Sears Holdings leaves the direct retail market. By entering into supply agreements with other retailers, like Ace, they've already begun the process of keeping the brand alive.

As for the quality, well, time will tell if it continues to decline or if they choose to turn it around.

 

[Moose97]

Hey, a "Craftsman" thread that got interesting...cool.

I agree with some others that the next Craftsman will be Craftsman. Craftsman, Diehard and Kenmore are trusted brand names that will survive the Sears decline. Who will sell them and where is undetermined but I'd bet they will hang around.

As far as younger people not being into DYI, especially automotive, I think that this is a disturbing trend. I work with a couple of guys in their early 30's. One is limited in automotive knowledge and the other hasn't got a clue. Can't change a tire or replace a battery. Would never consider changing oil or even a light bulb. Says his tool box has a AAA card, a cell phone and a credit card.

Today is my son's 16th birthday. He helps me with any automotive job I do. He changes the oil in our cars himself. I turned bicycle maintenance over to him for his bikes and his 2 sisters a couple of years ago. I don't even touch them. He has a similar story about being with a friends family and having a flat tire. He basically schooled the friends dad on changing tires. He has helped build barns, ran electricity, ran water lines and a myriad of other things around the farm. He plays sports and likes video games like every other kid but he also understands a man's role and what will be expected of him when he has a wife, a home and a family.

I don't understand a society where we hire everything to be done. Why would you want to pay someone to change the oil in your car when you can do it yourself for half the money in about as much time? I don't get it but I can at least feel confident that I have prepared my son to be self sufficient in a world that is quickly forgetting the definition of the word.

 

[DennisH2014]

I'm 21, and most people my age have been perfectly described in one way or another by someone in this thread; it's downright disappointing. Everyone hires someone for something they don't understand, they don't want responsibility, or the challenge, or the knowledge and I'll never understand it.

I am all about the thrill of the challenge, of accomplishing something new, different, and learning from it! The feeling of working with my own two hands and making something "come to life" so to speak, is an incredible feeling that can't be matched.

I'm mostly into cars and technology myself, but almost entirely self-taught over the past 2 years; my dad never knew much about cars, but is a very hands-on kinda guy, so I've learned a lot of DIY handiwork from him, and I sorta ran with the idea. It ended up being coworkers/friends that got me into cars about 2 years ago when they convinced me to buy an RX-7; since then I've done countless stereo installs, alarm systems, lights, water pumps, drive/timing belts, interior swaps, and just did a clutch a few weeks ago. Nothing better than being able to finish a job myself, and not be reliant on someone else!

 

[zkling]

This is a great thread, we went from a craftsman alternative to a deep look into the younger generation of today.

 

[DennisH2014]

This is a great thread, we went from a craftsman alternative to a deep look into the younger generation of today.

Agreed! I'm glad to be doing my part by encouraging my friends to get their hands dirty!

 

[Snap_cap]

Traditions like self reliance and getting your hands dirty just for the fun of it are going out the window.

Much truth in that remark, sad really.

 

[Snap_cap]

Very true. I don't think any tool brand can reach the iconic status Craftsman did because the circumstances that created it—being nearly synonymous with the nation's largest retailer and growing through the rise of the automobile, the middle class, and the DIY culture that went with it all—will never be duplicated.

Furthermore, being made in the USA contributed greatly to pride of ownership, and that's mostly gone at this price point too.

Ironic that as they've destroyed the reputation of the brand so rapidly, now they are selling the merchandising (hats, T-shirts, etc.) that are really quite nice that Sears never really bothered with a decade or two ago.

 

[cheechi]

Nothing will replace Craftsman. Nothing will replace Sears. Why would anyone want to?

Let's see, there's the tradition of the catalog bought houses, synonymous (depending on what part of the country) with Sears Houses or Craftsman Houses, as well as being a department store that will change your tires & oil, as well as sell you a heat pump for your house, as well as an above average selection of automotive and (at one time) woodworking tools. Who would want to do all of that?

The problem is Sears didn't transition well from the time one company could do all that to now, when it's clearly not working. If you have a Sears at the mall, with their tire & lube center, do you also have an autozone at the mall? NAPA? How many stores at that mall sell furniture or appliances? In most cases, probably somebody also does, but what Sears sells isn't really the same as the Pier 1 type 'furniture' which is the best you'd find from almost any other mall store.

To be fair, Macy's and the rest aren't doing so well either. I think now that many families are used to going to more than one store to get things (as opposed to the 50's and 60's when store loyalty was the main goal of marketing) and the internet is a part of every step of the shopping experience, people are ok getting wrenches at a different store than toasters. We'll survive without "one store to rule the mall".

I know this won't happen, but this would be an ideal opportunity for small businesses to come back to the retail space en force. The internet will not fully replace B&M stores like most people think, but retail can easily be taken back from the big guys with some eagerness and effort by a large group of little guys.

 

[TTA579]

Wow, this is a weird thread.

Original question; I hope that Craftsman becomes independent, and continues to sell in places like Ace and OSH. Otherwise, I see Harbor Freight providing product that is comparable to much of Craftsman's current hand-tool offerings.

Single Mothers/Tattoos; That's a huge minefield. I'm engaged to a woman who was a single mother and is tattooed. She's made questionable choices, but her kids are not broken. I don't even know how "tattooed" or "single mothers" got blamed for anything related to this thread, but I'll be damned if she doesn't do a lot of DIY around the house and she teaches her kids to do it too. (Though the brats keep asking why I like working on cars.)

DIY culture; it's still out there. But, we live in the age of instant gratification, kids want things NOW. They grew up with CONSTANT entertainment, and patience is going to be a very difficult lesson for them. DIY is not instant, and it's not easy. Most kids will quit before they try. I think "millennials", my generation, are right on the front edge of this. I'm a patient guy who likes to get my hands dirty; my brother, a year younger, won't even mow his own lawn.

 

[jd_1138]

If I were Sears, I'd sell off most of the square footage of their cornerstone mall locations and pair it down into a neat little piece of Americana. Bring back the classic vintage Sears logo. Give the contract for basic hand tools to North American tool co's. Focus on tools, equipment, backyard furniture, hardware, rec room stuff. Get rid of the clothing and housewares. Instead have an area in the back with counters with catalogs like the old school catalog stores had for people to order that stuff.

 

[Southernbuild]

And, I wonder if the information age will actually help revive some of the "lost arts" / skills. Now, an unprecedented amount of information, on skilled trades, is freely available to anyone. The amount of trade related information on sites such as YouTube, Indestructibles, and sites such as this is amazing, and covers even the most arcane of subjects. I wonder if this recent surge in information, will stimulate a reversal in the trend....

 

[bonneyman]

I just read a statistic yesterday that 2/3 of teenagers don't know how to change a tire. I just hope that they polled mostly teenage girls?

That's because kids nowadays think everything can be fixed with a cell phone. Just call AAA or daddy, whoever is closer.

 

[bonneyman]

If I were Sears, I'd sell off most of the square footage of their cornerstone mall locations and pair it down into a neat little piece of Americana. Bring back the classic vintage Sears logo. Give the contract for basic hand tools to North American tool co's. Focus on tools, equipment, backyard furniture, hardware, rec room stuff. Get rid of the clothing and housewares. Instead have an area in the back with counters with catalogs like the old school catalog stores had for people to order that stuff.

I'd shop at a store like that.
But, then again, I'm a middle aged fart who loves America and enjoys fixing things. Who cares about my opinion?

 

[kiatech]

 

[Southernbuild]

Also, this has been one of the more interesting "Craftsman" threads that I've read.

 

[AndrewV]

^^^^^^^
Save it, a collector will pay up for it in 10yrs.

 

[Big Gus]

Also, this has been one of the more interesting "Craftsman" threads that I've read.

Interesting indeed!

 

[petalmasher]

Not having access to tool trucks, I order most of my tools on line, but sometimes I need a tool faster than Amazon can get it to me, and that is where Craftsman always came in handy: Reasonable Price, high enough quality to stand up to frequent use, and Available at the nearest shopping mall; not at all like the disposable single use tools like I have gotten at Walmart when I was in a pinch.

I've noticed that Channellock seems to be expanding beyond their typical tongue and groove pliers niche; Like Craftsman tools were, they aren't quite as good and the SK/Wiha/Klein/Xcelite tools I typically order on line, but once I have them I feel no need to replace them, my Channellock "crescent" style wrench is one of my favorite tools. Having Been unhappy with some of the Chinese-made Craftsman tools I've used, I now go to the nearest hardware store and look for blue handles when I need a tool today.

 

[JKennedy]

I'm a pretty young guy, i'm only 20.My history with mechanics, tools, and craftsman are still very new. The whole reason I started this thread is because I don't want my generation to be full of crappy tools and guys that can't change a tire or fix the kitchen sink. I hate that my generation is that way. Maybe I should be with yall old farts

 

[JKennedy]

If I were Sears, I'd sell off most of the square footage of their cornerstone mall locations and pair it down into a neat little piece of Americana. Bring back the classic vintage Sears logo. Give the contract for basic hand tools to North American tool co's. Focus on tools, equipment, backyard furniture, hardware, rec room stuff. Get rid of the clothing and housewares. Instead have an area in the back with counters with catalogs like the old school catalog stores had for people to order that stuff.

That would be amazing. My wife could never get me outta there!!!
That's like what I picture when I think about an American hardware store!

 

[west wind]

Its interesting to me how the fall of the Craftsman brand is being assosiated with whats going on with American youth and the next generation of Americans. Where I work in California, the whole shop I work with are Mexican American technicians. I am the only technician born and raised in America. My father was a heavy equipment mechanic. I buy Snapon. They buy harbor freight. The other technicians think I am stupid for buying quality tools and make fun of me (jokeing) at breaks calling me rich. Not saying anything negative about them as we are all friends, and they are a great bunch of guys. Not sure where I was going with this.

 

[petalmasher]

Its interesting to me how the fall of the Craftsman brand is being assosiated with whats going on with American youth and the next generation of Americans.

I think the problem is that the world is changing and people resent that it is no longer the same place where they grew up. The world has always changed and always will. The only thing that hasn't changed is that teenage boys are always irresponsible punks who forget to get their oil changed.

One guy hates the tattooed punk who knocks on the door to pickup his daughter just like my girlfriend's dads hated the punk who showed up with a ring in one ear and my Grandfather hated my Dad's sideburns and bell bottoms... on and on back to when homo erectus sat around the campfire bitching about how kids these days only want to hunt with stone axes and nobody is man enough to club an animal over the head with log anymore.

 

[petalmasher]

I'm a pretty young guy, i'm only 20.My history with mechanics, tools, and craftsman are still very new. The whole reason I started this thread is because I don't want my generation to be full of crappy tools and guys that can't change a tire or fix the kitchen sink. I hate that my generation is that way. Maybe I should be with yall old farts

It's OK man, your generation can write code and build RC drones, which will be much more useful skills in the future when the world is out of oil and someone needs to know how to take care of our robot overlords

 

[jd_1138]

I'm a pretty young guy, i'm only 20.My history with mechanics, tools, and craftsman are still very new. The whole reason I started this thread is because I don't want my generation to be full of crappy tools and guys that can't change a tire or fix the kitchen sink. I hate that my generation is that way. Maybe I should be with yall old farts

Age is just a #. You, sir, are rare -- like most of us on Garage Journal, you care about quality -- quality tools, quality mechanical knowledge, etc.. The world is being deduced to #'s on a spreadsheet, and most people buy **** tools at Wally-World and don't know any better.

Ever read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"? Awesome book. It's about how far removed the average person is from basic material science, quality, and the nature of the physical world.

 

[back2class]

That would be amazing. My wife could never get me outta there!!!
That's like what I picture when I think about an American hardware store!

If I were Sears, I'd sell off most of the square footage of their cornerstone mall locations and pair it down into a neat little piece of Americana. Bring back the classic vintage Sears logo. Give the contract for basic hand tools to North American tool co's. Focus on tools, equipment, backyard furniture, hardware, rec room stuff. Get rid of the clothing and housewares. Instead have an area in the back with counters with catalogs like the old school catalog stores had for people to order that stuff.

They do and they did. For a while in the late 90's there were a bunch of Sears Hardware stores. Chock full of tools and yard stuff with some building materials. The stores were maybe 1/5 the size of a HD or Lowes. Loved them! Last one I remember was Bristol, CT back around 2005. What you describe kind of still exists. They have Sears "hometown" stores. They are owned by individuals and not Sears. Pretty much a mini Sears. They sell appliances, mattresses, TV's and tools, but no clothes or Jewelry. They are about the size of a CVS or Rite-Aid. Almost every town around here has one. I think it is a rural market thing.

 

[jd_1138]

They do and they did. For a while in the late 90's there were a bunch of Sears Hardware stores. Chock full of tools and yard stuff with some building materials. The stores were maybe 1/5 the size of a HD or Lowes. Loved them! Last one I remember was Bristol, CT back around 2005. What you describe kind of still exists. They have Sears "hometown" stores. They are owned by individuals and not Sears. Pretty much a mini Sears. They sell appliances, mattresses, TV's and tools, but no clothes or Jewelry. They are about the size of a CVS or Rite-Aid. Almost every town around here has one. I think it is a rural market thing.

Yep, there's one near here. It's called "Sears Hardware". I guess they call some "Hardware" rather than "Hometown"? They should convert the mall locations to a similar concept. And they should give their hand tool production contracts back to North American co's and stop this Chinese BS.

I go to the local Sears Hardware for lawn and garden stuff. I have a Craftsman mower, weedwhacker. And I buy my tuneup kits there for my lawnmower. Along with garden tools, basic hardware, etc.. I usually go to the mall location for tools, though. I am just at the mall more often (the wife).

 

[petalmasher]

I do think this comes into play a lot when talking about tools. I am 29 so naturally most of my friends are around my age. Give or take a year or two. EVERY one of them takes their car or truck to get the oil changed, brake pads done, tires rotated. All of the most basic maintenance. Nobody is willing to get a little dirty anymore. I would DIY even if it didn't save me a nickel. There is just something satisfying as hell about working on your own things and having the tools to do so.

Meh, I'm 34 and I don't do any of that stuff. I drive a company car and charge oil changes to the company, but even if I didn't, I wouldn't change my own oil. It Doesn't have anything do with not being able. I spend 55-60 hours/week fixing other peoples stuff. The last thing I want to do on my weekend is devote several hours to doing mind-numbing menial maintenance on my car. I can spend 3-hours on an oil change (between going to buy the oil and filter, doing the job and cleaning up after myself) or pay $30 for someone else to do it. That's $10/hour. I wouldn't work to get paid that much (hell, I wouldn't work for 3x that much), so I won't work to save that much.

 

[Pumpman1968]

He's your daughter's boyfriend because you haven't told her what to look for in a MAN. Don't hate me, I'm just the messenger.

THIS is the main problem today....parents not telling their kids what's right and what's wrong. If they don't know what is wrong (associating with worthless individuals who are just leeching off of others), no one will. If the parents don't tell the kids to associate with people that are trying to get out there and kill it, they won't.

I have a 15 yo daughter and I tell her all the time. Many of you won't like this, but whenever we are out and see some tatt'ed up guy, face/head full of piercings, raggedy clothes, hair looks like it was combed with a towel, I point to 'it' and tell her, in no uncertain terms, "Don't bring that home. Don't associate with it. He isn't thinking about the future."

Talk to your kids, folks. Teach'em some stuff. They might push it away at first, but explaining to them that they might appreciate it one day might wake them up and the next time the oil needs to be changed, they might be willing to help out or even want to do it themselves.

Huh..........never thought of advising my kids on how to be successful young adults. Thanks for setting me straight and letting me know that I'm the problem

sar-casm [sahr-kaz-uh m]
noun
1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark

 

[cstreu1026]

Meh, I'm 34 and I don't do any of that stuff. I drive a company car and charge oil changes to the company, but even if I didn't, I wouldn't change my own oil. It Doesn't have anything do with not being able. I spend 55-60 hours/week fixing other peoples stuff. The last thing I want to do on my weekend is devote several hours to doing mind-numbing menial maintenance on my car. I can spend 3-hours on an oil change (between going to buy the oil and filter, doing the job and cleaning up after myself) or pay $30 for someone else to do it. That's $10/hour. I wouldn't work to get paid that much (hell, I wouldn't work for 3x that much), so I won't work to save that much.

I couldn't agree more. There are somethings I am willing to do myself and others just aren't worth my time. The perfect example is changing the oil in my wife's Toyota Sienna. At $75 with the dealer ship actually charges about the same or a little more to change the oil and rotate the tires than I can do it for at home when you don't figure in my time. I'd rather spend the time hanging out with my son playing with his trucks and trains or reading books than laying on my back changing the oil.

However you and I know how to do it and choose not to but there is an entire generation that doesn't have a clue how to do simple routine things which is unfortunate. I think its a by-product of the mentality society has developed with regards to education, specifically that everyone needs to go to college.