Open letters to Craftsman & Sears

Stuey · Jun 21, 2012

Craftsman and Sears have finally pushed me past my breaking point, so I'm now on a campaign to publicly point out all the things that I'm unhappy about.

Why Ax Professional and USA-Made Tools?!
Fix Your Product Descriptions
Know Thy Tools

Please Fix Sears.com

(Above letters are on ToolGuyd)

I'd like you guys to share your thoughts about Craftsman and Sears, in this thread, and/or in response to my letters. The point of this is to prompt change, not to complain for the sake of complaining, however much that might seem.

My hope is that if we make enough noise, someone will listen. I have one, maybe two more letters in the works.

HandyManny · Jun 21, 2012

It certainly doesn't hurt to do so. Good luck!

DEMAYO · Jun 21, 2012

HandyManny said:
It certainly doesn't hurt to do so. Good luck!

Agreed.

It's sad to see them outsourcing, but I'm guilty of buying USA made tools from them when they reach 50% off, so I'm probably part of the problem. What gets me know is the fact that their pricing is the same but the tools are outsourced. C'mon, HF has a Taiwan sourced ratchet for $10, yours is still $30 and from China.

In the end, I fear there just aren't enough members of a tool forum to make a business case to Sears for contracting with a US manufacturer.

HandyManny · Jun 21, 2012

DEMAYO said:
Agreed.

It's sad to see them outsourcing, but I'm guilty of buying USA made tools from them when they reach 50% off, so I'm probably part of the problem. What gets me know is the fact that their pricing is the same but the tools are outsourced. C'mon, HF has a Taiwan sourced ratchet for $10, yours is still $30 and from China.

In the end, I fear there just aren't enough members of a tool forum to make a business case to Sears for contracting with a US manufacturer.

I've never been too impressed with most of the recent made USA Craftsman tools anyway. They were to me a faint shadow of their former self. Pretty much on par with the cheap economy grade USA tools were from yesteryear. When I support American made I'd rather buy higher quality and did. I just can't encourage poor quality in USA production.

boostedgt · Jun 21, 2012

i'd rather have an open letter to modern day society to stop buying throw away disposable imported ****. i do agree with your point of view though, its hard seeing a quality store and tool brand we all grew up with going down the toilet

transittech · Jun 21, 2012

Dear Sears:

My Grandfather used lots of Craftsman tools. My father has lots of Craftsman tools. I grew up as a kid helping my father fix cars using Craftsman tools. For every birthday and Christmas growing up, I always received Craftsman tools for presents. My Father and Grandfather were always proud of their tools, and taught me to be the same.

Now I am a professional mechanic, and Craftsman tools are made in China, in the same factory as MIT, Cummins, ITT, Harbor Freight, and the tools who don't even have a manufacturers mark on them. Craftsman hand tools are now the same quality level as all the discount brands, but sold at 5+ times the price. I can't buy Craftsman Professional anymore because they got discontinued.

Tell me, what should I buy my son? Way overpriced Craftsman? Why would I buy him something that neither of us can be proud of?

This is the 21st. century. This is the information age. Customers have the ability to shop around and research their purchases before buying. Want to know how to fix Craftsman? Bring real value back into the brand (Marketing can't help you with this). Make high quality tools for a fair price. Something we can be proud to own. Thats all most of us want.

Stuey · Jun 21, 2012

boostedgt said:
i'd rather have an open letter to modern day society to stop buying throw away disposable imported ****. i do agree with your point of view though, its hard seeing a quality store and tool brand we all grew up with going down the toilet

I'm all for it if they want to release throw-away tools for all the gift-givers to buy twice a year. But not at the expense of product offerings suitable for users like me/us.

But that's just one of the issues I'm trying to raise awareness about.

DEMAYO · Jun 21, 2012

I think Transittech said it best. Amen.

litng1 · Jun 21, 2012

Great post transittech.Feel the same way.

RedFordTruck · Jun 21, 2012

Stuey I agree with everything you said in those letters. Unfortunately Sears could not give a f**k.

Im done with em. Ive always been a huge craftsman fan, but everything has just become worse and worse.

Quality began to slide, and then as they moved overseas the quality hit rock bottom. Sure, it may be easy so slap a layer of chrome on an extension and have a shiny tool when you can just dump waste in China, but the quality of the tool itself is garbage. You can polish a turd, but underneath its still a turd.

Ever spin one of the new Chinese ratchets? Enough said.

Well, Big Sears in the Sky, I know you could not give a ****, but after buying many tools from you, I am DONE.

mscribellito · Jun 21, 2012

I agree with transittech... I started my tool collection because my dad and his dad used Craftsman. I started my tool collection roughly 10 years ago, to this day all my Craftsman is U.S.A. and makes up about 90% of my tools. Looks like I will be taking my business elsewhere from now on.

RedFordTruck · Jun 21, 2012

I feel sorry for men everywhere when Wives and girlfriends go and buy a Dog bone wrench as a present.

pipsters · Jun 21, 2012

I find the more expensive Craftsman products were still quality products. Examples included the impact sockets, pro prybars, pro wrenches, thin profile and 84T ratchets, etc. The cheaper RP wrenches were a good value as well as the sockets but not as "pretty" as people on here would like, but they have held up great for me, and I love the laser etching.

RedFordTruck · Jun 21, 2012

mscribellito said:
I agree with transittech... I started my tool collection because my dad and his dad used Craftsman. I started my tool collection roughly 10 years ago, to this day all my Craftsman is U.S.A. and makes up about 90% of my tools. Looks like I will be taking my business elsewhere from now on.

X2. My family has always used craftsman working on the farm. Got my first Craftsman set from "Santa" when i was little. All of it is Made in the USA.

Ive owned other brands, and a lot of cheap junk, but as I wised up, I sold the junk and went with good ol' reliable craftsman. I own 1 imported Craftsman tool, A tape measure that was made in the dominican Republic because it came in a Set someone gave me.

***** that they've gone this route. Looks like Toby Keith needs to change his song lyric. "Wont buy nothin that he cant fix, with WD-40 and a (Snap-On?) Wrench. Would that work? I wish "Wright" had 2 syllables.

Notwerk · Jun 21, 2012

I updated that image from the 2008 catalog for you. Feel free to use it in your letter.

sumner52000 · Jun 21, 2012

RedFordTruck said:
***** that they've gone this route. Looks like Toby Keith needs to change his song lyric. "Wont buy nothin that he cant fix, with WD-40 and a (Snap-On?) Wrench. Would that work? I wish "Wright" had 2 syllables.

Would Armstrong work in the song?

Notwerk · Jun 21, 2012

RedFordTruck said:
I feel sorry for men everywhere when Wives and girlfriends go and buy a Dog bone wrench as a present.

If anyone ever gives me a dogbone wrench, I'll club them with it.

RC KID · Jun 21, 2012

Since the downfall of the Craftsman product line I have moved on the the brands I couldn't afford before. But I am the guy who likes to buy things once and I would like to have them last so I can pass them on to my son.

bdamico · Jun 21, 2012

Stuey said:
Craftsman and Sears have finally pushed me past my breaking point, so I'm now on a campaign to publicly point out all the things that I'm unhappy about.

Why Ax Professional and USA-Made Tools?!
Fix Your Product Descriptions
Know Thy Tools

(Above letters are on ToolGuyd)

I'd like you guys to share your thoughts about Craftsman and Sears, in this thread, and/or in response to my letters. The point of this is to prompt change, not to complain for the sake of complaining, however much that might seem.

My hope is that if we make enough noise, someone will listen. I have one, maybe two more letters in the works.

If you read the business news, you'll see they have much bigger issues right now.

wellpoison · Jun 21, 2012

sticky??

i would gladly buy craftsman if they were still made in the usa and carried the same warranty. i dont understand why sears did this? they should have the market share of americans that dont want chinese **** but cant afford high price usa tools.

bdamico · Jun 21, 2012

wellpoison said:
sticky??

i would gladly buy craftsman if they were still made in the usa and carried the same warranty. i dont understand why sears did this? they should have the market share of americans that dont want chinese **** but cant afford high price usa tools.

It obviously didn't work now, did it? Or they would still be making them here. The economics just don't work.

egnorant · Jun 21, 2012

Sears lost me a long time ago.
Growing up it was dang near heaven to go with Dad to Sears. That was where all the stuff in the catalog was!!
Toys, clothes, electronics, tools all the stuff you were passionate about growing up.
Once I got my Sears card I would buy Christmas at Sears...Dad bought my some Sears stock for my 19th birthday and I bought more later on.
I even had Allstate insurance and financed my car via their financial group (cannot remember the name right now).
Got married and bought appliances, lawn mowers, tools, lots of household stuff, and we put it "on the card".

I was a dedicated customer, stockholder and fan of Sears.

First crack appeared when I was late on my payment. A bit of reading indicated several things to me. Interest rate had been creeping up and was at 17%. My payment was the same as normal, but a much smaller percentage was going to principle. And under the current payment plan I would pay nearly 5 times my balance and pay until I was 82 years old. I paid them off in 7 months!

My days of putting stuff on the card were over.

Allstate split off and I still own stock. Sears then had their little deal with K-Mart and as part of this they became Sears Holding Group and reallocated some stock.
My stock was put in a group that was to be bought back outright or transferred over to the new stock.
I received a letter asking me to choose which option I preferred. Since only enough stock was available to transfer about 1/2 I should hurry to let them know.

I filled out the forms and had it back in the mail within an hour, but I was too late and would get bought out.
I had inherited my Dads shares and suddenly over 50 years of Sears stockholding was over!

I still shopped there, I liked their product, was easy to deal with, prices were O.K.
Still even used "The Card" on occasion, but avoided the interest that was around 27% now. 12 months, same as cash...read the fine print buddy!

Craftsman made in China? Bothered me enough to start shopping elsewhere.

2 months ago I get a letter stating that they were cancelling my card due to lack of use.
35 years I had that card and the only time I go to Sears is to get upset trading in my old broken Craftsman tools.

3 generations of Sears loyalty are now over.

Bruce

maxspeed96ct · Jun 21, 2012

I dont understand the fuss, if you dont like craftsman tools dont buy them , simple as that.

Craftsman tools are cheap in cost compared to snap on or other big name brands. And if they are still to expensive for you stick to Harbor Freight (I do)

And everyone is bashing china made tools in every post, and how everything should be USA made and etc. Yet I see people raving and spending top dollar on German NWS tools and no one is giving them **** about not buying US made products... what gives ?

2oolhound · Jun 21, 2012

I thought Craftsman is making quality tools under their new industrial line. There have been good reviews on those tools. Trouble is no one wants to work at the USA factory for cheap wages so we, the buyers have got to pay a fair buck for the made in USA quality of yesteryear. We haven't been voting with our wallets very well or this wouldn't be happening.

The other problem is the government exports raw materials to china and very cheaply too, so it's easy and profitable for them to manufacture the goods and ship them back to us. With the money they make they buy 51% of the controlling shares in the biggest mines AND they all vote whereas we don't vote so they get their people into government so they can get more of them over here and take over from the inside.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a racist, we're all human regardless of race but you can use the scenario of Holland, a relatively small nation with a small population. The Dutch population of that small nation can see the changes in their customs and lifestyles when a significant percentage of the population is a concentration of a single ethnic group who want to bring their own customs and ways with them thereby effecting change upon the native population. It's the same thing that happened in North America when the white people came and took over from the 1st peoples. Back then they had similar concerns as we do now. Don't worry too much though, shortly after the Chinese and South Indians infiltrate the northern hemisphere I have it on good authority the Martians are coming and boy, you should see the tools they have! :willy_nil

Make sure you vote!, locally as well as nationally, and not for who your boss or "group" leader told you to because the 1%'ers on the top who tell them how to vote aren't nationalistic and want to sell evrything out from under us. We all don't have the ability to vote with our wallets in these tough times but our political vote costs us nothing.

mmack66 · Jun 21, 2012

maxspeed96ct said:
I dont understand the fuss, if you dont like craftsman tools dont buy them , simple as that.

Craftsman tools are cheap in cost compared to snap on or other big name brands. And if they are still to expensive for you stick to Harbor Freight (I do)

And everyone is bashing china made tools in every post, and how everything should be USA made and etc. Yet I see people raving and spending top dollar on German NWS tools and no one is giving them **** about not buying US made products... what gives ?

Based upon what I have read in various threads, only the purchase of new China made tools is a detriment to the American way of life. Buying used USA tools and/or tools from any other country doesn't affect the situation of the American worker.

maxspeed96ct · Jun 21, 2012

mmack66 said:
Based upon what I have read in various threads, only the purchase of new China made tools is a detriment to the American way of life. Buying used USA tools and/or tools from any other country doesn't affect the situation of the American worker.

lol damm china man, we all want quality USA made tools at Harbor Freight prices ... But its just not going to happen.

mmack66 · Jun 21, 2012

maxspeed96ct said:
lol damm china man, we all want quality USA made tools at Harbor Freight prices ... But its just not going to happen.

Years ago, I bought my made in USA Craftsman ratchets and sockets in a set, and today, much like they were then, per piece, Craftsman tools are less expensive than Harbor Freight ratchets and sockets, like under a dollar a piece. And, for now, the sets are still USA made.

So there are your made in USA tools at made in USA, less than Harbor Freight, prices.

Also, most of the "mechanics" tools at Harbor Freight are made in Taiwan and not China.

Toolhorder · Jun 21, 2012

2oolhound said:
I thought Craftsman is making quality tools under their new industrial line. There have been good reviews on those tools. Trouble is no one wants to work at the USA factory for cheap wages so we, the buyers have got to pay a fair buck for the made in USA quality of yesteryear. We haven't been voting with our wallets very well or this wouldn't be happening.

The other problem is the government exports raw materials to china and very cheaply too, so it's easy and profitable for them to manufacture the goods and ship them back to us. With the money they make they buy 51% of the controlling shares in the biggest mines AND they all vote whereas we don't vote so they get their people into government so they can get more of them over here and take over from the inside.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a racist, we're all human regardless of race but you can use the scenario of Holland, a relatively small nation with a small population. The Dutch population of that small nation can see the changes in their customs and lifestyles when a significant percentage of the population is a concentration of a single ethnic group who want to bring their own customs and ways with them thereby effecting change upon the native population. It's the same thing that happened in North America when the white people came and took over from the 1st peoples. Back then they had similar concerns as we do now. Don't worry too much though, shortly after the Chinese and South Indians infiltrate the northern hemisphere I have it on good authority the Martians are coming and boy, you should see the tools they have!

Make sure you vote!, locally as well as nationally, and not for who your boss or "group" leader told you to because the 1%'ers on the top who tell them how to vote aren't nationalistic and want to sell evrything out from under us. We all don't have the ability to vote with our wallets in these tough times but our political vote costs us nothing.

Totally off topic but there is evidence now that the white people didn't take over they were already here. Ever hear of Kennewick man?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennewick_Man

RedFordTruck · Jun 21, 2012

Looks like all the Craftsman "T-Handle" stuff is going, going, gone to China!

Decided to swing into sears to look around on my way home...

USA-made T-handle Torx drivers on Clearance... Saw Chinese made hanging in the regular spot!

2oolhound · Jun 21, 2012

Toolhorder said:
Totally off topic but there is evidence now that the white people didn't take over they were already here. Ever hear of Kennewick man?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennewick_Man

Thanks for the link. That Kennewick Man sure looks like those Martians.

OEXL16B · Jun 21, 2012

It used to be nice to go to Sears and browse the American made tools, but those days are over. Now days if you want to buy quality American made tools, you've got to either buy online or visit your local industrial supply.

pipsters · Jun 22, 2012

The sad thing about Sears and their US tools is most people buying tools really can't afford or just don't need to afford Snap-On, Wright, SK, etc. Sears was the last place you could get mid-level quality at a fair value. Honestly, if Craftsman products weren't made in the US I wouldn't have bought much if any US tools, my box would probably be filled with HF or Gearwrench. *Maybe* SK sockets but that would be it, they don't sell much beyond that and what they do sell is crazy expensive for an average DIY'er.

kippieland · Jun 22, 2012

What bothers me the most is they are still charging the same for less quality. China or no China....they have tank in quality. Obviously, this was done to save money because the ship is sinking. To me, its just another foot in the grave. But the writings been on the wall for a while now.....the USA stuff of late has sucked as well. Its a store with identity crisis!

Coach James · Jun 22, 2012

Toolhorder said:
Totally off topic but there is evidence now that the white people didn't take over they were already here. Ever hear of Kennewick man?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennewick_Man

And prior to the Clovis culture, the Solutreans.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-18/ideas/31200129_1_ice-age-stone-tools-americas

Coach

472scout · Jun 22, 2012

I can't really put all the blame on Sears when the majority of the general public will pick a $5 Chinese hammer over a quality $25 USA hammer. Just for an example.

Also did Sears own their factories for the US made Craftsman tools or did they bid them out? It's almost impossible now to find US factories that can deliver a product for a competitive price. Wages, taxes, social security, workman's comp, EPA, insurance, lawyers, Chinese currency manipulation, did I say taxes? I remember a silicon valley CEO complaining that if he wanted to build a new microprocessor factory in the US it would cost him a billion dollars more than in Asia. That's the reality.

You also have to look at the bigger picture. Sears is not just about tools. All the big department stores are getting killed by Walmart. Sears is just trying to survive at this point. Find a high school kid and ask him if he remembers anything about Montgomery Wards.

shoturtle · Jun 22, 2012

+1

No one wants to accept it, but sears is competing Walmart. And Walmart shoppers are part of the reason us products are getting fewer and fewer. So if you want us products, vote with you wallet, avoid Walmart.

Also super true about building factories in the US. It is very hard to buy a factory that produce small ticket items in the us.

472scout said:
I can't really put all the blame on Sears when the majority of the general public will pick a $5 Chinese hammer over a quality $25 USA hammer. Just for an example.

Also did Sears own their factories for the US made Craftsman tools or did they bid them out? It's almost impossible now to find US factories that can deliver a product for a competitive price. Wages, taxes, social security, workman's comp, EPA, insurance, lawyers, Chinese currency manipulation, did I say taxes? I remember a silicon valley CEO complaining that if he wanted to build a new microprocessor factory in the US it would cost him a billion dollars more than in Asia. That's the reality.

You also have to look at the bigger picture. Sears is not just about tools. All the big department stores are getting killed by Walmart. Sears is just trying to survive at this point. Find a high school kid and ask him if he remembers anything about Montgomery Wards.

iroc409 · Jun 22, 2012

kippieland said:
What bothers me the most is they are still charging the same for less quality. China or no China....they have tank in quality. Obviously, this was done to save money because the ship is sinking. To me, its just another foot in the grave. But the writings been on the wall for a while now.....the USA stuff of late has sucked as well. Its a store with identity crisis!

What other brands charge Craftsman prices for US-made stuff? Inflation is persistent. Without knowing their costs, we don't know what their profit levels are. For all we know, they were building tools at a loss here in the states.

Most people on GJ would ***** and moan and say "F Craftsman" if they raised their prices to maintain US manufacturing. Certainly, the general public isn't going to complain much about their new COO.

I find it sad as well that a favorite brand has gone the way of China. Craftsman stuff has always served me well. All my tools from years ago go basically stolen, and even stuff I bought several years ago was not up to the same quality from 15 years ago. I guess that's progress. :dunno:

HaroRider · Jun 22, 2012

Just like the next guy I like a good deal. I always look for coupons and sales. However I am gladly willing to pay the price if sears had less sales to keep their US tools.

However why would they make sales they can not afford?

iroc409 · Jun 22, 2012

HaroRider said:
However why would they make sales they can not afford?

To compete with Harbor Freight. Most people won't pay the extra price for US-Made, but they'll complain plenty about the COO. :sad:

Vinko · Jun 22, 2012

My sense -- and I know I'm painting this with a rather broad brush and am wiling to be corrected here -- is that some of those who complain are also those who are unwilling to pay what a good quality tool should really cost. So what do you expect? You delight in a getting a deal -- in sort of reveling in the fact that quality tools are being sold for near wholesale on places like Amazon -- but this practice is unsustainable. The prospects for the quality of newly produced tools is limited by a market that's used to Costco/Wal-Mart/Amazon/Bottom Line expectations. To be fair, I suspect that unlike previous generations, who saw tools as an investment, we're more likely to see these things as disposable. Just buy a bunch of cheap **** -- as long as you get a lot of it and don't have to pay much for it.

I'm willing to wager that when my grandfather bought Craftsman tools, they were proportionately a lot more money than they are now. I see this in Craftsman power tools. Hell, the old school Crafty table saws were expensive and they were great. The new ones aren't nearly so expensive (relative to yesterday's prices) and they're horrible.

What is happening and what has been happening for some time is that you've got this bifurcation into two markets -- and this isn't just tools -- and those two are cheap and really expensive. Further, cheap usually equals junk and expensive quality. This may not alway be the case, because you've also got the factor of "branding" where people will pay a premium for a brand. Because that brand has represented something (usually based upon the past) that commands a premium. Both cheap and expensive are probably both sustainable. But I'm not sure the "middle" ground is anymore. And Craftsman was that middle ground.

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