Menards really IS the modern Sears replacement for some things, including most tools one would want. The MasterForce screwdriver line is top notch, US made by Pratt Reed, and better than the budget Craftsman screwdrivers today. Sockets and wrenches in MasterForce line are also US made by Allen. Unfortunately, MF pliers are all China coo now and hammers too. Drywall tools in MF were still US made and high quality a few weeks back when on sale. The MF cordless lineup is actually really good quality and value too. What they don't sell in the higher quality levels in their own MF brand, they sell in other brands like Hitatchi, Makita, Bosch etc. - Paul
The only problem is that Menards isn't a national company. The nearest one to me is in Owensboro, Ky, 120 miles away. Until they expand into the South and the West, they can't hope to replace Sears.
As far as Sears/Craftsman feedback, where do you start?
The raised panel ratchets are an abomination and have been since day one. Their only redeeming quality was they were US made and you could tell yourself you were supporting American jobs, even if they were dismal performers at best. Now that small incentive is gone and the Chicom built ones are even worse quality, if that is possible. At this point they would be far better off finding out who builds Harbor Freight ratchets in Taiwan, have Craftsman stamped on them and sell them at a similar price point as HF. Why would I buy the RP junk for more money than a decent 72 tooth HF ratchet? Simple answer, I won't, and neither will anyone else who has modicum of tool knowledge and isn't a ***** blindly buying Craftsman because that's what Grandpappy used to fix his car in 1951.
If you must outsource tool production, at least use a country that has an understanding of how build things for a Western market, such as South Korea or Taiwan. What passes muster for working on a horse drawn wagon in China won't cut it here. Maybe one day China will catch up, but today is not that day.
Take a virtual wrecking ball to the website and start over. That thing is godawful. Simple is good, complicated is bad. Not a hard concept. Make a mobile version that interacts well with Android and iPhone, maybe even a good app. This ain't 1997.
Lose the gimmicks. The ratchet that you shove the handle in and and it spins the head has got to be the stupidest thing I've seen lately. All those open end wrenches with the cut outs to supposedly make them faster are silly as hell too. If I want a ratchet wrench I'll buy one.
I'm sure that there is more feedback I could think of, but I've wasted enough time and inconvenienced enough electrons with what I've already written, as I am relatively sure that I could mail this to Santa Claus and it would be more likely to be read than the likelihood of anyone in power at Sears reading it.
Meanwhile, here's what I think are the real world possibilities for Craftsman at this late date. Sears, by all accounts, is on life support and they will be pulling the plug soon.
Scenario 1. Craftsman goes down with the ship and ceases to be a brand. I consider this unlikely.
Scenario 2. Craftsman is bought by someone looking to break into the DIY/homeowner market, such as Snap-On.Tool line is revamped and brought to decent standards. One of the best outcomes, but I'm not sure it's very likely.
Scenario 3. Craftsman is spun off into it's own entity. Could be good or bad, depending on management.
Scenario 4. Craftsman goes the way of other old names in tools like Thorsen and is bought simply to slap on the lowest quality imports possible.
So, basically I've had to disagree with everything they have asked of me in order to buy something. I find that experience less than enjoyable. Anyone else?
