What makes Craftsman hand tools Inferior?

[nbruno]

I grew up on CM tools, my father had the 2 screw drivers, a crescent wrench and a hammer type toolbox and didn't know which end of the screwdriver to hold.
So at 16yrs old I bought my first tool set, A CM 200ish piece set (back in 83-84). I thought they were the greatest things ever to grace a toolbox.
Fast forward post college and I'm actually starting my hobby/job using tools and amassing a legitimate tool collection I realized that the CM brand is not what it once was and had to start buying higher end tools. I still have a soft spot for what was CM and love the memories, just don't love the product anymore.

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[kythri]

China-made sockets actually are better than the last of the USA sockets, Those flat-out ****.
Apparently made out of some metal even softer than Chinesium, and heat-treating was non-existent.
Now, the older USA-made sockets are as good as any middle-of-the-road USA brand and the New Britain sourced ones were great for their time.

Complete opposite of my experience, but continue the hyperbole, by all means.

At least you're not claiming that they're made of "powdered metal" like one individual used to lie about.

 

[ER70S-2]

When Sears (or more likely their vendors) move production over seas many just didn't see an emotional reason to remain loyal.

There was no practical reason to stay loyal, either.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I can sum it up in one word why I consider Craftsman and a bunch of other dime store tools inferior.......... Experience

 

[skruft]

I found no big problems with Craftsman USA hand tools except the old raised panel pear shaped ratchets of the 50s-70s were no good (failed too easily) and the original Professional screwdrivers wore out easily. Craftsman hand power tools were all bad, especially anything with variable speed. They failed in light use.

I have no experience with their imported tools.

 

[Yarpo]

Like the title says, what is it that makes the Craftsman brand "inferior" (as stated by a lot of GJ members) to other hand tools?

Are tools breaking from proper use?

Mine just showed up broken

 

[jonshonda]

I would consider craftsman consumer grade equipment. They do have stuff that could be considered for professional use, but that is a very limited amount relatively speaking. I have craftsman sockets and ratchets and feel they are adequate for getting **** done around the house, but beyond that I would need to loom elsewhere and spend a lot more cash.

The only craftsman tools I cannot stand are their ratchets....but again what should I expect for the price I paid?

 

[6PTsocket]

I think you pretty much know how 90% of the responses will go. But the reality is that they're medium quality, medium priced tools that do the job.

I have lots of old made in USA Cman that I bought back in the '70s after I got my first job. It all still works like it did when I bought it. The only replacement pieces I've had to buy were because I lost them. I also have a few of their made in China tools (mostly sockets), but they seem to work fine too.

The biggest problem with Cman is that most people that invested in Cman tools years ago bought them because they were reasonably priced and had a lifetime warranty. Sears betrayed that trust by making tools in China and making it more difficult to warranty a tool that has clearly been abused.

Yes, the RP wrenches are short and not that smooth. But my hands must be a little tougher than most respondents, because I can use them all day long and not complain about them hurting at the end of the day.

As others have pointed out, they are no longer a good buy. Their current quality can be matched or beaten for less money. You have to look at value. They are overpriced for what rhey are. If I can get much better for what they charge, that makes them junk. I routinely see reviews of stationary tools and the Craftsman tool will be identified as being virtually the same as another brand that is selling for much less.

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[Mikeske]

I do not really have any experience with the current offerings from Craftsman as we lost all the Sears stores in my area several years ago and since there is other brands that are nearby and much cheaper then the offerings that they have I just say that I do have a set of Craftsman that I had since the mid 1970's and even then they ok for home use but for professional use they were marginal. The ratchets even then were rather crude and noisy and but did the job in a ok manner. I had long ago stopped using Craftsman in the professional work as they just could not handle the work I was doing. Inferior not really good for home owner use but beyond that NOPE..

 

[tonyciambrone]

Craftsman ***** and has sucked for many years. Screwdriver tips wear out, sockets crack, the raised panel is the worst design ever. Clearances are not tight on open end wrenches, finish is poor. Selector switches do not engage etc etc etc. Probably up until the 1970's Craftsman was excellent. I love the old Craftsman toolboxes, grinders, drill presses etc. Even the old hand tools were decent. Everything new *****, with the exception of some Armstrong/ Craftsman Industrial/ Professional.

 

[Tallpilot]

China can make good stuff but they will cut every corner they can get away with. The only way to get anything made to spec there is to randomly QA about 40% of the production. It is also true that most of the blame falls on the company ordering the product not the factory. That is the real story here. Most companies have decided that lower quality at a higher price point is a good business strategy. So far they seem to be mostly correct. Most 'consumers', a pejorative, will choose price over quality.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Sears lost its way in the late 1980s. Quality suffered across the board on clothing, tools, and appliances. Service took a nosedive and any sort of warranty replacement became difficult. They reversed and flip flopped and weasled out of agreements and policies. Most people did as I did and reluctantly found other sources.

Wards died. Western Auto died. Radio Shack is history. Kmart, Dilliard's, and JCPennys are shadows of their former self. There are too many to name.

I still use the CM I bought in the 1970s. Ive lost enough that I need to replace tools when I build my garage. It won't be Snap-On or Craftsman. I am OK with that.

 

[xin]

Sears lost its way in the late 1980s. Quality suffered across the board on clothing, tools, and appliances. Service took a nosedive and any sort of warranty replacement became difficult. They reversed and flip flopped and weasled out of agreements and policies. Most people did as I did and reluctantly found other sources.

Wards died. Western Auto died. Radio Shack is history. Kmart, Dilliard's, and JCPennys are shadows of their former self. There are too many to name.

I still use the CM I bought in the 1970s. Ive lost enough that I need to replace tools when I build my garage. It won't be Snap-On or Craftsman. I am OK with that.

I think you hit it spot on, they were racing to the bottom with low quality flea market items. When the manufacturing goes so does the country.

 

[jonesg]

Like the title says, what is it that makes the Craftsman brand "inferior" (as stated by a lot of GJ members) to other hand tools?

Someone please say something besides pointing to Chinese manufacturing.

Dies anyone have some fact-based data to support the inferiority claim? Are tools breaking from proper use? Are they rounding nuts and bolts? Have there been injuries?

Ok, to be fair I know the finish isn't as awesome. But was it ever (the satin finish I mean)? And I know Craftsman ratchets aren't stellar either. But were they ever (compared to premium brands)? So let's leave those 2 points out and lets focus on form, fit, and function of things like wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, etc.

Dont get me wrong, I wish it was all USA too.

Who wants to go first?

I'd rather not say.

 

[openwheelracing88]

It is about the skills. I can do a better job using cheap Craftsman than most with SnapOn.

 

[kkroger]

I've got some OLDER Craftsman Tools that are quite nice, work great haven't broken, etc etc etc... I have had NEWER USA Craftsman that had poor markings (unreadable) peeling Chrome, poorly formed hex in sockets and 12 point in sockets... I may have multiple Craftsman Wrench Sets... I still use em. I have sets of Snap-On Wrenches and I seem to recall Craftsman having a similarly finished set, albeit not flank drive, but a full polished wrench, I like the Snap-On Long style combination wrenches, I like the Snap-On Line Wrenches but I have S-K and C-Man in those as well and they work fine. Just the workmanship and fit and finish on some of the newer C-Man tools are sketchy, I've never experienced that with Snap-On, SK or Wright, if I am buying a semi "Premium" brand name like Craftsman for the Warranty and quality and I get a Chinese made tool with a sketchy Warranty policy I may as well get Harbor Freight, Last time I tried to warranty something at sears they demanded that I bring in the SET that it was part of for warranty.... Hoping Stanley B&D fixes that but I fear it is hopeless...

 

[Jtels85]

For your average Joe like myself, Craftsman tools can be a real bargain if you know how do it right. The ShopYourWay and Win It apps from Sears offer daily games you can play to earn SYW points. Combine those with “FreeCash” and you can spend next to nothing on some expensive items.

You also have to do your homework online. Just last week, 1/2” standard length impact socket sets in both metric and SAE were listed on sale online for $21.38/ea. In the store, the red/white sale tag said $54.99. I took them to the register, showed the clerk my phone and they were price matched. After using the points and FreeCash I accumulated over the last week, I paid $27.73 out the door for both sets. You can’t buy both sets that cheap at Harbor Freight, even with your 20% off coupon. Do your homework and play the game right. I’ve bought some expensive Craftsman tools for pennies on the dollar just by playing their silly ShopYourWay games while I’m enjoying my morning bowel movement.

Regardless of where the tools are made, Craftsman still has some real gems...

84T low profile ratchets, impact sockets, regular sockets, bolt-out sets, master rethreader set.... The tools aren’t bad for Harry Homeowner. Using every day professionally... probably not. But you can literally buy this stuff less than Harbor Freight charges for their ****, you just have to invest some time.

As for the last of the USA made sockets being trash... are we talking about G2 or G2D laser etched sockets? I started buying my first tools in the mid-late 2000’s, so naturally those are the sockets I ended up buying. I’ve put many of them, including some of the larger 1/2 sizes through hell and back... breaker bars with a cheater slipped over it... bent the bars but the sockets are still intact. I haven’t had any issues with chrome peeling or metal cracking.

Raised panel wrenches serve me just fine. They are my primary go-to wrenches. Forged in USA, “VA” stamped. No problems with them whatsoever.

The raised panel ratchets... terrible. I even feel like the China made raised panel ratchets are better quality than my USA made ones from around 2008.

 

[BFHtime]

I feel that you get what you pay for I general. Craftsman had some very nice premium ratchets that were not cheap and were top quality. Not all there other ratchets **** either, although some still do.

Depending on the manufacturer their were some quality pieces for the money in the past.

As far as raise panel wrenches hurting the hands. Lol. My Snap-On wrenches with sharp edged beams dig in significantly more, than craftsman, including the professional polished wrenches that craftsman made. The ratcheting end of their ratchet wrenches have the best action of any ratchet wrenches I have tried so far. I have compared them to many. There have been times where my Craftsman wrenches could do things that my Snap-On could not, (fit in tight spaces). You need the right tool for the job.

I do not like how they made the tools really cheap in quality, and brought production to China. I think they tried to compete with Chinese tools, at other retailers. I feel they should have kept Craftsman US made and at least medium quality and came out with another brand name to compete with Chinese brands a lower price point, to compete for business where people only shop price and not quality. Just my opinion.

Not everything Craftsman was junk.

 

[Fender1325]

I for one think the raised panel wrenches are comfortable. They fill my hand better than a lot of other expensive wrenches. They do however, spread and round off nuts under a lot of torque. That's the deal breaker for me.

 

[dan360]

Years ago, decades really, Sears & Roebuck would "house brand" many quality products with their own monikers. (Montgomery Ward did the same. RIP Monkey Ward.)

Craftsman tools were made by well respected American tool & die makers.

Sears Model 53 and 54 rifles were the Winchester Model 70 and Model 94, respectively.

We all know about how certain Kenmore appliances are some of the best ever built.

Sears, when faced with the realities that time had passed their business model by, for various reasons much too complex to get into in this thread, cut costs, cut service, made shopping in their stores a literal pain in the ***, and lost loyal customers that began the now unstoppable snowball rolling down the hill.

Unfortunately they killed a valuable brand in the process. Craftsman will never be what it was, ever. Kenmore is beginning to get there, too.

All very sad, really.



Costco is doing what Sears used to do. Offer quality products as house brands. Their business model is different, but has similar characteristics of what Sears USED to be. It's only a matter of time before consumer switch happens and we'll see how Costco responds. Amazon is coming on fast, for better or (most likely) worse.

 

[BFHtime]

I for one think the raised panel wrenches are comfortable. They fill my hand better than a lot of other expensive wrenches. They do however, spread and round off nuts under a lot of torque. That's the deal breaker for me.

I agree with open ends spreading under load, raise panel and professional smooth finish both do this.

This is why I think is is funny when people say get good tools only if you are a professional. I am of the opinion that a professional is less likely to get into trouble with an inferior tool. Someone who has less experience needs the better tool more, because they have a higher probability of rounding or stripping a fastener than a professional. With experience you get a feel of when something is about to let go.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Complete opposite of my experience, but continue the hyperbole, by all means.

At least you're not claiming that they're made of "powdered metal" like one individual used to lie about.

If "powdered metal" is strong enough for high performance high-horsepower auto applications, I am sure it is strong enough to make a wrench from.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/connecting-rods/

Interesting tech.

 

[Al Borland]

Never cracked any of the Craftsman sockets, but did "bell" a few of the 12-point 1/2" sockets from the end of the USA era. Older Harbor Freight sockets used to do this as well.
Socket ends up no longer cylindrical, and then slips and rounds off bolts.
Before you ask, Yes, there were breaker bars involved. Possibly cheater pipes too. Removing bumperboards and bollards in warehouse spaces.

 

[rharman]

Vast majority of my hand tools - ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, tap & die - are Craftsman. But.... They're almost all 40 or more years old. They have served me well for a ton of motorcycle, car, and household repairs. I've only had to return one tool for warranty replacement that I can recall.

 

[Moparman390]

It's not such that they are inferior as that they are not the kind of tools targeted at a great many people here. What they are today is good enough DIY/home owner tools at a reasonable price. Are they Snap-On quality, no way, but they are on par with Husky, Kobalt, and other consumer tools, people forget who their target market is. Most of their stuff is better than HF, although HF does have a few nice things. Leaving the US for China on most production ticked a lot of people here off as finish slipped.

Now I have lots of USA and Chiba made Craftsman, angst as an IT guy who does basic home owner and car stuff, they are great. They have met all my needs so far. I got most everything with a combination of, on sale, buying online with store pickup, SYW reward and surprise points, I've probably paid only around 50% of retail for all my Craftsman tools. They have the advantage of being the most complete line at any retail outlet, they make just about everything, don't skip many sizes, sell it in singles, and stock it in store. Also their big sets have low prices per piece. This makes filling in and expanding on sets easy as well as warranting without having to bring in the whole set. I've only ever had to warranty two tools and it was quick and easy. Also I like the RP wrenches as they are wider they don't dig into your hand as much as the thin ones.

Are they the best, no, do they get the job done at a reasonable price, yes. They are what they are and soon SBD will be running the show expanding Craftsman to everywhere they can and doing more US production, I like it.

 

[6PTsocket]

It's not such that they are inferior as that they are not the kind of tools targeted at a great many people here. What they are today is good enough DIY/home owner tools at a reasonable price. Are they Snap-On quality, no way, but they are on par with Husky, Kobalt, and other consumer tools, people forget who their target market is. Most of their stuff is better than HF, although HF does have a few nice things. Leaving the US for China on most production ticked a lot of people here off as finish slipped.

Now I have lots of USA and Chiba made Craftsman, angst as an IT guy who does basic home owner and car stuff, they are great. They have met all my needs so far. I got most everything with a combination of, on sale, buying online with store pickup, SYW reward and surprise points, I've probably paid only around 50% of retail for all my Craftsman tools. They have the advantage of being the most complete line at any retail outlet, they make just about everything, don't skip many sizes, sell it in singles, and stock it in store. Also their big sets have low prices per piece. This makes filling in and expanding on sets easy as well as warranting without having to bring in the whole set. I've only ever had to warranty two tools and it was quick and easy. Also I like the RP wrenches as they are wider they don't dig into your hand as much as the thin ones.

Are they the best, no, do they get the job done at a reasonable price, yes. They are what they are and soon SBD will be running the show expanding Craftsman to everywhere they can and doing more US production, I like it.

It takes all those discounts to get the price down to what they are worth. There is some stuff sourced from good manufacturers. It is just too depressing to go in there. Online hasn't a clue. They will take an order and tell you it is no longer available, two weeks later. Then they will give you discount coupons based on your recent purchase that you could not complete. K Mart has the same Craftsman stuff at different prices. Their online web site is a disasterThey charge sales tax on shipping .. . HUH!! I wish they would get it over already. I think 2018 is the year. They have not had a profirable quarter in 10 years. Their stock is at about $6. Home Depot is at about $190. That tells you something

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[Aberdale]

When you ask "What makes Craftsman hand tools inferior?", the first question that comes to mind is, inferior to what? I believe Craftsman hand tools are equal to all other tool lines in their price range. They are inferior to some of the higher priced professional brands, But they hold their own against Husky, Cobalt, Stanley, and others. They're better than the cheap tool lines, and inferior to the more expensive ones. In the end, you get pretty much what you pay for.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Just my opinion, but A lot of Harbor Freight hand tools are as good, or better quality, at often 1/2 the price.

Usability-wise, they are the same, IMO

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-pi...lerId=SEARS&prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

I have found that with SYW, many Craftsman tools are FREE.

As a matter of fact, I bought a few winter shirts on clearance and got $52 in SYW points to get even more free tools.

Where else on this planet can you buy stuff you normally would buy elsewhere for the same price and get free tools? I am not talking a free $2 flashlight, I am talking thousands of dollars of tools for FREE.

 

[Cato]

They are OK for what they are. But be warned buying them only make sense when they are on sale - which is often. If you pay full price for Craftsman stuff, you are throwing money away.

 

[4 FN 27]

Today's Craftsman tools? Nothing if they are sitting on a Shelf at Harbor Freight.

But put them on a Sears shelf 20 years ago...every tool on either side of them.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

It takes all those discounts to get the price down to what they are worth. There is some stuff sourced from good manufacturers. It is just too depressing to go in there. Online hasn't a clue. They will take an order and tell you it is no longer available, two weeks later. Then they will give you discount coupons based on your recent purchase that you could not complete. K Mart has the same Craftsman stuff at different prices. Their online web site is a disasterThey charge sales tax on shipping .. . HUH!! I wish they would get it over already. I think 2018 is the year. They have not had a profirable quarter in 10 years. Their stock is at about $6. Home Depot is at about $190. That tells you something

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Sears is failing because people like you with an axe to grind and spread false information.

Your state legislation dictates whether or not sales tax is charged on shipping costs. https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/...-sales-tax-on-online-shipping-fees-Should-you

Every retailer has some orders that get canceled. If you go read the Slick Deals forums you will see it is rather common among many big name retailers. As a matter of fact, this is a huge problem in all of retail. http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/retailers-suffer-the-high-cost-of-overstocks-and-out-of-stocks/

If you go to BrickSeek, you will see that many retailers have different prices at different stores. This is a huge issue on SlickDeals with many Walmart YMMV deals posted.

For the quarter ending 4/29/2017 Sears posted a $302 million profit. This profit was not from the sale of Craftsman or for any other non-recurring items.

It used to be that in America, we rooted for the underdog or the fallen angle. Nowadays people just pile on and kick others when they are down.

It used to be that good products at a fair price was what people wanted, now people just want mass quantities of junk at the lowest price possible. Sears tried to fight that trend and paid dearly for it, they were about 20 years too late with the cheap Chinese **** trend.

Just remember one thing, when Sears goes under, a part of America dies with it.

 

[EddyCurr]

Vast majority of my hand tools - ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, tap & die - are Craftsman. But.... They're almost all 40 or more years old. They have served me well for a ton of motorcycle, car, and household repairs. I've only had to return one tool for warranty replacement that I can recall.

Like rharman, the vast majority of my hand tools are Craftsman.

Only mine are 50+ years old.

From a very early age I had access to tools and the inspiration to use them. In fairly short order, I was gifted w/ a few Craftsman tools as a Christmas present - probably to forestall raids on the tool collections of others. Not too long after, I received a Craftsman 6-drawer top chest (Beach?). In time I bought a 2-drawer riser and a 8-drawer roll cab to put under the top chest. I filled that box to the brim and put what wouldn't fit into cabinets and on shelves elsewhere in the garage. Besides the hand tools (imperial and metric), there were also timing lights, engine analyzers, and other items.

I still have it all. (Actually, there are a sizable number of duplications now because of a collection I inherited.) The only Craftsman tool I bought that truly disappointed me was the set of ratcheting box-end wrenches - I still have them, too. I don't have a single regret about any other Craftsman item I own.

I know Snap-On, Bluepoint, Proto, Mac, S-K and other hand tools. I have some specialty tools from two or more of them - tools that were not only costly, but somewhat difficult to find out about and subsequently purchase.

Like booze in the days of prohibition: I needed to know someone, who knew someone; then I needed to go to an industrial area in a remote part of town, knock three times on the side door of a nondescript building and say the secret password to be let in to the order desk area. Nothing was out on display. My own catalog? Ha ! Browse the 3 y/o dog-eared one they kept under the counter, or forget about it. How much for that? "If you have to ask, kid ..."

While I envied SOME features of some of the pro hand tools, opportunities and life choices established that I could get further along in other ways than by earning a living with my tools.

I was close enough to the trades-culture to recognize the role that marketing, peer pressure and one-upsmanship played in brand selection and loyalty. Your position in the shop pecking order, opportunities for career advancement and so on were in no small part established by your taste in 'toolery'. Proven skill and established qualifications combined w/ a selection of mixed 2nd/3rd tier tools in a battered box, usually took a back seat to someone fitted out w/ one or more of most everything a 1st tier supplier offered (w/ NO off-brand contamination) all bundled into a matching multi-story roll cab - regardless of the latter guy's come-back ratio or ability to outperform flat rates.

That is a sucker's game to find yourself trapped in. Just look at listings for used Snap-On, Matco or similar tool storage units for an idea of how much of a price premium people have willingly paid to purchase some of the cachet associated w/ certain brands. Extrapolate the storage unit price premium out to include all the different types of tools and instruments a tech/specialist is going to need - it makes for an eye-watering career expediture.

The money I spent on Craftsman tools back in the day sure worked out well for me.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I agree with just about all the previous post. Up to about 5 years ago you could go to any large Sears and the inventory was huge. Now the shelfs seem like they less than half stocked.

 

[PugetDude]

What makes Craftsman hand tools Inferior?

It's no "what", but "who"...
... Eddie Lampert.

 

[anndel]

I have some old USA made CM and some newer china made CM tools. They work the same as my SO or SK tools. THE CMs are in the 3 emergency packs in each vehicle and the SOs, SKs are in the shop in the locked toolbox.

 

[mudflap]

I agree with open ends spreading under load, raise panel and professional smooth finish both do this.

This is why I think is is funny when people say get good tools only if you are a professional. I am of the opinion that a professional is less likely to get into trouble with an inferior tool. Someone who has less experience needs the better tool more, because they have a higher probability of rounding or stripping a fastener than a professional. With experience you get a feel of when something is about to let go.

I have always thought the same thing about road bags...Alot of folks talk about keeping their lesser quality tools in their vehicle for emergencies "road bag"... But thats where you need good tools..."that wont let you down" (term used alot here).... If a tool "lets you down" at the shop....who cares..? you have 3 more there just like it...or other options.. I know at work we dont keep junk tools in the service trucks.... out on a service call is where we need the good stuff,,,

 

[Citation]

I have always thought the same thing about road bags...Alot of folks talk about keeping their lesser quality tools in their vehicle for emergencies "road bag"... But thats where you need good tools..."that wont let you down" (term used alot here).... If a tool "lets you down" at the shop....who cares..? you have 3 more there just like it...or other options.. I know at work we dont keep junk tools in the service trucks.... out on a service call is where we need the good stuff,,,

That may depend on the type of failures you expect to have. The last automotive failure I dealt with was a failed alternator. Short of having a couple of swivels and extensions in my car set of tools (as well as the spare alternator) I wasn't going to change that one on the road... 2 hours from home. So I went to Walmart and invested in two car batteries and the cheapest set of metric wrenches they had. The batteries gave me enough run time to get home and the 10mm wrench, though very cheap, was more than sufficient to actually do the job. Really, all I need are tools that are sufficient for the job. Anything that I'm going to fix on the move is likely not something that is going to illustrate the difference between a good (or at least decent) tool and a cheap thing.

Do note that you are talking about a service truck where your purpose is to fix something when you get to a location. Many of us carry a limited set of tools so we can fix random things when we just happen to be there. Hence the free HF multimeter lives in my car while the Fluke sits on the bench next to the oscilloscope.

 

[PFSard]

Sears is failing because people like you with an axe to grind and spread false information.

I'd like to read the study or studies that detail this statement. Can you provides reference(s) that support this as the primary cause of the demise of Sears?

 

[RAS61]

Sears is failing because they never adapted, especially with increased and improved competition. And this is across the board, not just tools.

 

[JR7]

I think Sears is failing because they're more interested in financial engineering than running a retail business. The leadership just wants to gut the company and it's pretty obvious. It's too bad because they could be a good store, but at this point they need to make a lot of big changes in management (that's if the directors even cared, which they probably don't).

What I hate about going there is being asked to sign up for their cards/rewards/points programs -or whatever it is that they have- over and over. If I signed up for those things at every store I shopped at...... I'd rather just not be badgered about it three times every time I go to the checkout. At least the other stores I shop at will just ask "will this be on your [insert store] card today?" and leave it at that. But not Sears. They have to keep asking about their rewards programs over and over and it's really annoying. If they would leave me alone I wouldn't mind going there more often despite the shrinking inventory of products that I actually want.