A reason to support Sears..

[shocker998md]

I can say that more then one company does this, Not only for reservists either. A good buddy of myne joined the Marine Corps and use to work for general electric. They saved his spot at the plant, and his time in service counts towards him working at the plant. He went active duty and is finishing out his five year contract, they even sent care packages out to us on our last deployment. There are still some companys out there that help out and its greatly appreciated by us guys serving.

 

[Concrete B]

It is impossible to please people on this site

 

[Lkdelta]

First lad was standing in truck engine compartment when lifting chain snapped, breaking his jaw.

Second unlucky lad was pulling a stuck vehicle from a snow bank when nylon tow strap snapped, whacking him hard enough to knock out his two bottom teeth

Thank you sears for the troop support!
I don't think either one of these situations above had any business using the material they were using or standing right next to a "line under exteme load" in an area where things could go wrong very quickly

 

[premierplayer]

Thanks Jman for sharing this info, and a big thanks to Sears for supporting our troops and ultimately our country.

 

[Steevo]

Sears could refuse to replace a broken Craftsman tool, and I'd still shop there because of this policy toward employees.

 

[Wes28376]

It is impossible to please people on this site

Couldn't agree more. People complain about Sears quality and when Sears stepped up and created a great truck quality ratchet people start bashing it because it is too expensive.

 

[gatewaysysop]

You buy sockets based on how they look?

I should have been more clear. Most of mine are the laser etched or the laser and engraved ones. I'd rather they all have the same markings if they're going to be 99% Craftsman either way, so yes, to that end, and because I had the means, I figured I'd pick up the few I was missing before they changed the way they mark them and since I finally have a place to store the singles now that I have the Hansen trays in my new box. Otherwise they'd just be rolling around somewhere, unorganized, so I hadn't bought them before now.

That and the thought that maybe some of them would move to China production and, regardless of quality, not even be of the same basic design. After I saw what they did to the palm/thumbwheel ratchets when it went off-shore, it made me wonder.

Seriously, lighten up. It's not like I was crying about the double detent thing or something.

 

[eoaspen]

I have been a long time Sears customer. My first tools were Craftsman and I still have and use every one. I was in the store today looking at sale items and noticed a sign stating that 10% Military discounts were available to active duty and retired. Must be a new policy to match HD and L##e's.

 

[TENEIGHTY]

That's awesome! I will support them 100% Craftsman here I come!

 

[Aberdale]

I support Sears (Craftsman) with my business, but not because of the way they treat their employees serving in the armed forces. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great, but it's an employee benefit. Not a customer benefit.

The reason I support Sears is they offer good value. i.e.; Good products at a good price. That's the only reason I support any retailer. If they don't offer good products at a good price, I'll support another retailer that will.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I support Sears (Craftsman) with my business, but not because of the way they treat their employees serving in the armed forces. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great, but it's an employee benefit. Not a customer benefit.

I would think that would be a customer benefit as well. If two companies had the same exact products, quality, value, etc. and one does whats Sears is doing and one doesn't, I know who I would choose. You are indirectly supporting the military through Sears as opposed to other companies that don't go out of their way to support their military employees, but instead choose to do only what is required by law. I'm glad you do shop at Sears, but your comment burned me a little. I choose who gets my business based on a little more than what is on their shelf at what price.

 

[ecotec]

most of my tools are craftsman. i use a craftsman tool almost every day of my life.

but, i only buy the american made ones.

the minute the plain old raised panel wrenches and the ratchets and sockets and other hand tools are made in a foreign country, i will be done with sears. at that point, i will never spend another dollar at sears again. i will only go in there to get tools warrantied.

k-mart went into chapter 11... releasing themselves of pension liabilities... came out... bought sears for 11 billion. i like my craftsman tools. i like being able to warranty my tools in pretty much any city in the country. but the company has done some absolutely despicable things, and i no longer feel any loyalty to them.

i still buy mostly craftsman tools, but if they hit a tipping point i will only go into sears to extract my pound of flesh.

 

[Jack90210]

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp

Wow. It's true!

 

[Homoudont]

I've spent more money at Sears the past 5 years then at Harbor Freight in the same time span, and it's not even close. I've always gotten good customer service at Sears and feel their stuff is priced about right. After reading the OP's post I'll go out of my way to make sure my next purchase is from Sears.

 

[HSpencer]

I worked for Sears for 11 years from 1963 to 1974. Most of that time I was in the Army National Guard and was treated most fairly by the management. This was a good time for working for Sears as it was of the "old breed" of Sears. I worked Service Department, Hardware, Paint, and ended up as Auto Center Assistant Manager. I left them in 1974, and went Active Duty Army.

 

[santagary]

I think I have purchased over the years every tool that Sears has sold. Can't think of one I don't have. Just bought their newest last week, the right angle drill/driver and their cordless inflator which uses their 19.2 volt battery system....really a cool tool.

 

[atari]

I took drivers edd at sears, I met my wife in that class. I get a lot of my tools there too. Glad to hear they stand behind our military. On a side note Honeywell international pays you your full salary when you are active so you get paid buy the military on top of your regular salary. My thermostat says Honeywell and so does my paycheck.

 

[JBC]

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. " General Dwight D. Eisenhower

I buy my tools from Sears. It is good to see that they still act on principle.

JBC

 

[Jazz]

I bought some items from Sears that were on sale and I'm glad that I did. I'll try to give them some business in the future when I can. Thanks for the info.

 

[Miter Wrench]

I've bought so many things from Sears over the years and will continue to support them. Besides, it's only a 6 minute walk to Sears from my house.

 

[vbnash]

Sears may not be everything to all but will be extremely missed by a me and a large number of people if they went out of business. They have a large selection of quality tools with a great no hassle warranty. I go there as my first choice. I think we can all complain about service at one time or another, whether snap-on or Sears.

 

[glockman]

Someone said their power tools are ****. They sell every make I can think of, Dewalt, milwaukee, craftman. If that poster was talking about the Craftman brand of power tools, I have both a Dewalt and a Craftman cordless impact screw driver (takes hex bits, not the socket type impact). The Craftman one drives harder, faster and lasts longer than the Dewalt, even with a brand new battery in the Dewalt. I think the yellow one was $150, the Craftmans was $79.99. Just my experience, yours will/may vary.

 

[Rte66Charlie]

THANK YOU SEARS!

God Bless Sears and God Bless our Troops............

All you posters that are sooooo upset that Sears is getting tools made in China????? Shut the **** up! It is an American company, selling an American brand, and they will stand behind it 100% if it breaks. Do you know where China is buying all their scrap steel from right now to MAKE this stuff??? Aaaaah, USA.

I'm sorry if UNIONS made it more efficent for Sears to go off shore to produce our sockets, but you can kiss my *** - Sears is a great company, they support our troops more than they have to, and I'll buy their China made **** till HELL freezes over, because they will replace it when it breaks........(if I don't use a ratchet for a hammer)

 

[DropZoneNET]

Folks be careful of offshore tools and equipment.

If your life depends on it not breaking, do not buy cheap no-name imports from China...

I know of two people who both lost their front teeth when chain/tow strap broke under load.

First lad was standing in truck engine compartment when lifting chain snapped, breaking his jaw. Read really fine print on store bins when buying chain as it will clearly state not to be used for lifting for a reason.

Second unlucky lad was pulling a stuck vehicle from a snow bank when nylon tow strap snapped, whacking him hard enough to knock out his two bottom teeth ($2,000 dental bill).

Same goes for cheap abrasive wheels which will break in two, sending grinder or cut saw bouncing across shop floor, or in my case ripping/tearing down my left leg.

So you know a few guys who used Chinese tools improperly and that is supposed to be a good reason not to buy them?

There are plenty of valid reasons not to use certain Chinese made products, but failure due to improper use is not one of them. ANY product, when used for a purpose other than what it was designed for, can lead to problems.

Now back on topic:

I commend Sears for their willingness to support their employees who are serving this country. If they were truly ONLY concerned with their bottom line, they would cut this practice. Many people don't know that they do it anyways, so it would save them money and produce very little bad publicity if they decided to axe it.

Sure, the main focus of a corporation is profit generation, but clearly there are other intentions that are honorable.

THANK YOU SEARS!

God Bless Sears and God Bless our Troops............

All you posters that are sooooo upset that Sears is getting tools made in China????? Shut the **** up! It is an American company, selling an American brand, and they will stand behind it 100% if it breaks. Do you know where China is buying all their scrap steel from right now to MAKE this stuff??? Aaaaah, USA.

I'm sorry if UNIONS made it more efficent for Sears to go off shore to produce our sockets, but you can kiss my *** - Sears is a great company, they support our troops more than they have to, and I'll buy their China made **** till HELL freezes over, because they will replace it when it breaks........(if I don't use a ratchet for a hammer)

The bit I highlighted is all that I am going to comment on. It is simply incorrect.

I will only respond with things for you to read:
http://www.worldsteel.org/?action=newsdetail&id=317
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_production_by_country

 

[Rte66Charlie]

The bit I highlighted is all that I am going to comment on. It is simply incorrect.

I will only respond with things for you to read:
http://www.worldsteel.org/?action=newsdetail&id=317
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_production_by_country

Sport, sorry, you're an idiot - read your own ******* chart - that is China's EXPORTS, not IMPORTS...........THEY ARE GETTING THEIR STEEL FROM the US.

If you can't understand this, walk down to your local steel supplier, and ask them who is responsible for increased steel prices.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Sport, sorry, you're an idiot - read your own ******* chart - that is China's EXPORTS, not IMPORTS...........THEY ARE GETTING THEIR STEEL FROM the US.

If you can't understand this, walk down to your local steel supplier, and ask them who is responsible for increased steel prices.

Wow.

Calm down bud, this isn't that serious. This is a great thread and I'd like to see it stick around. I'm with you, but you don't need to act like this.

 

[quick60]

I have a set of 18V cordless Sears Craftsman tools, Drill, recip saw, skilsaw, and light. A complete kit that Cavalier Ford was giving away if you bought one of their F150s in 2004. Every one of those tools is still going strong after 6 years. Still have one of the original batteries too. Also recently bought a Sears Craftsman portable 18V fan that the batteries are compatable with.

 

[milkovich]

I worked in department 9 (tools) for 5 years in the 90's and was always treated fairly. Tons of training and we used to be on comission. Yes, there were chronic abusers, that's why there's no more warranty on tape measures anymore.

I'll continue to buy Craftsman hand tools as long as they're u.s. made. It was a great company to work for and while I've had clerks who were less then optimum, I'm not going to get all huffy and walk out and start buying Kobalt/HF junk. I like my knuckles too much.

Plus they sell dickies... c'mon!

 

[nevets]

Thanks for posting this. I try to buy from sears anyways. They will keep my business as long as they keep carying USA made tools. The way i look at it is if want foriegn tools i can get em for cheaper than from them so if im gonna get craftsman its gonna be american made.

 

[rwhite692]

One thing that I really respect sears for as well, is that they generally have good parts availability for the older Craftsman tools, even going way back. They maintain a good database / parts interchange via their parts website.

I have a Craftsman band saw manufactured in 1965 for which they still stock several of the key parts (and not just because the design of the saw stayed essentially the same for many years).

 

[DropZoneNET]

Sport, sorry, you're an idiot - read your own ******* chart - that is China's EXPORTS, not IMPORTS...........THEY ARE GETTING THEIR STEEL FROM the US.

If you can't understand this, walk down to your local steel supplier, and ask them who is responsible for increased steel prices.

...Please explain how their exports being higher than ours by 509.7 million tonnes equates to them importing their steel from the US. They are the worlds largest producer of the stuff.

 

[kdtjb]

I haven't got any better service from anybody else than Sears. And if they are watching out for the guys that are watching out for me, thats even better. Guess thats why I haven't seen any terrorist in there picking up tools lately.

 

[bmwohio]

OP, good to know....thanks for the thread. Try to buy my hand tools and other supplies from sears.