Ace hardware and Craftsman

[moronmountain]

So both of the local Ace hardware stores near me only have a tiny little display of Craftsman tools. Is this the same everywhere, or do some of the stores have a more complete line?

 

[dan76]

All I'm seeing is a limited selection.

 

[moronmountain]

All I'm seeing is a limited selection.

Yeah I was wanting to grab a bunch of sockets in the 12 point variety while they have their whole June sale thing. All I've seen are the 104 piece 1/4-3/8drive socket set, their gimmicky wrenches, and a few small electric tools. The same tools they've been using for their daily give-aways. Oh well.

 

[Erle385]

i want to go check this out

 

[poprockcrusher]

a hardware store ? where ?

 

[fordbroncodave]

i think kmart stocked more craftsman

 

[lwram]

I'm guessing since they just started carrying craftsman that it will take a bit to get larger displays and more selection

 

[J..D]

They are doing test stores if all goes well Craftsman will get it's own aisle, so I was told.

 

[dkroth]

They are doing test stores if all goes well Craftsman will get it's own aisle, so I was told.

Right. Some bright bulb at Ace or Craftsman put this deal together. To get if off the ground they make up a kit - "end cap in a box" - and send it out FedEx or UPS to make sure all the stores have it in time for the ad campaign.

If it meets expectations, or whatever, they fill the normal distribution channel with hundreds of new SKUs and tens of thousands of items, all of which cost $millions and a bunch of training. They'll have to send new floor plans to all the stores, too. The logistics of a rollout like this are substantial.

 

[a390st]

The pathetic little end cap they had at my local Ace was just silly. It was some sort of tiny little plastic box tool kit for a nothing special price. I would like it better if they would just get rid of the garbage Ace tools they sell and replace them with Craftsman.

 

[hoopty388]

I saw this on a tv ad the other day.

I am an advid cman fan even after all the trash talk on here, but I saw this and shook my head. what's next 7-11?

 

[J..D]

Can you please explain why Ace carrying Craftsman is a bad thing?

 

[T56 Impala]

Lets see.... Sears, based in Chicago. ACE, Based in Chicago. (Well, not actually, but its in the Chicago burbs.) Its not too much of a stretch to believe they could be good partners.

 

[Fedwrench]

Can you please explain why Ace carrying Craftsman is a bad thing?

I think it will speed the demise of US made Cratsman into a mostly Chinese made line of tools to lower price further.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I really think Craftsman needs to keep something like their Pro line of tools Made In USA no matter what for those of us that are willing to pay a little extra for quality tools. They could do it for everything. That or just leave things be and send their Evolv line to China.

 

[fordbroncodave]

when they start investing in the 80 teeth ratchet designs and get rid of those damn oil less air compressors i will think more of them. but until then, i still think craftsman brand ***** and can try harder to produce a better product.

i think the hardest thing for craftsman and sears to admit is that they are trying to move out to produce tools much cheaper to keep the prices on the shelves the same.

i think ace should set up one of those big fancy glass display cases with various snap on sets and sell them for a profit (priced higher then if on a tool truck so they don't get pissed off for losing sales)