Anyone else having problems finding craftsman screwdrivers in stores.

[matthew.lassig]

I know most of y'all will say they are junk, and I'm beginning to agree. However I have a broken tip flat blade and another Phillips with a broke edge and I cannot find any in store for replacements. I've been to Waco, Austin and San Antonio in my travels for work and still no luck for replacements. They have sets but very few singles on the racks.

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[Fly YX]

I think they changed vendors between Thanksgiving and Christmas not Western Forge anymore. I know the store in Milwaukee had a new shipment of the Chinese ones but it's
a store that's on the chopping block.

 

[bsaint]

I cant find anything in a Sears store anymore. I still go in there for the free heat and exercise.

 

[JackVegas]

They are still there but all Chinese now. My store definitely has a smaller amount of stock though

 

[Danglerb]

Try order online with store pick up, then ask for the swap at pick up?

I would aim at getting the extreme grip.

 

[mowkep]

The local Ace Hardware has a decent supply

 

[kythri]

Try order online with store pick up, then ask for the swap at pick up?

You'd have to pay up-front for it.

The tool department staff is supposed to order a replacement for you shipped to your home if they don't have the replacement on the shelf. OP, have you tried that avenue, or are you just checking the shelf yourself, and not engaging staff?

 

[jonshonda]

They are junk. Do yourself a favor and put your money and efforts towards a nice set and maybe use them as they are intended.

Think of the natural resources wasted in manufacturing cheap junk screwdrivers every year.

 

[Billythekid1]

My store in Florida still has them

 

[anndel]

So far all Sears stores in Hawaii carry only chinese made Craftsman tools. Checked the closest Ace and same there.

 

[matthew.lassig]

I've asked the staff about it and they tell me, " yes they are making them still but we are working on getting more in." Usually it is some person who doesn't look like they care about working there at all.
Checked ace hardware and they had what I needed. Yea I'm prob not buying craftsman anymore.

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[jakemac]

Last I heard, Western Forge refused to renew their supply contract with Sears due to concerns over Sear's financial viability. They were afraid that they wouldn't get paid.

Since Sears no longer owns Craftsman, I'm not sure where they're going to get screwdrivers or what brand name they will be sold under.

 

[PugetDude]

Think of the natural resources wasted in manufacturing cheap junk screwdrivers every year.

Good to know Al Gore is on the GJ! Welcome.

 

[M_George]

I would hold out to see what Stanley B&D offers in a few months. Else, there's a lot of goods brans out there. Wera, SK, and Gearwrench to name a few. There's always the Box Stores, just as good as craftsman probably better.

 

[jonshonda]

Good to know Al Gore is on the GJ! Welcome.

My friends call me Al.....you can call me Alan.

 

[PFSard]

I buy decent quality screwdrivers for $1.00-2.00 each at estate sales and garage sales. I wouldn't waste time chasing CM warranties for their screwdrivers. I would wait until Stanley Black and Decker gets rolling for warranties (to see how they handle this and what they are supplying).

 

[Jtels85]

The new clear handle screwdrivers (Made in China) began showing up before Christmas. Most of of the 7 Sears locations near me in Ohio have sets and singles. The singles were being shipped in plastic bags for a few weeks and now they are on plastic tags. I’d imagine they aren’t any better than the crappy Western Forge screwdrivers.

As of a few weeks ago, Sears/Craftsman is now selling red & black handle screwdriver sets, made in China. They look like the ones that used to be sold only in Canada.

 

[PFSard]

Think of the natural resources wasted in manufacturing cheap junk screwdrivers every year.

For that matter, the amount of junk produced period. Now there's a problem that needs solving. **** sold to the consumer.

 

[ganymede]

Hey everyone!!
DONT criticize throw away culture.
Every time you do a bald eagle gets punched in the face !!

 

[jakemac]

As of a few weeks ago, Sears/Craftsman is now selling red & black handle screwdriver sets, made in China. They look like the ones that used to be sold only in Canada.

They were probably shipped south to restock the US stores once all the Sears/Canada stores locked their doors. A temporary solution to a permanent problem.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Matthew,

Just take this opportunity to replace it with a better screwdriver.

 

[mikebaker1129]

My store was out also, they swapped me a set of the Japanese made Craftsman Vessels.

 

[Gmonkee]

Is Sears still hawking the CM package look alike off brand stuff? I was wondering if that was a band aid or the future of Sears.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I got tired of constantly breaking mine or the heads getting worn quick and just ponied up for a set of Snap On hard handles. Worth every penny paid.

 

[John in OH]

I don't think I would waste my time trying to get a warranty replacement on a Cman screwdriver. Toss it in the trash can and go buy a decent screwdriver ... they aren't that expensive.

Two weeks ago I bought a new #2 Phillips Carlyle screwdriver at NAPA for a bit over $5. Carlyle are not US made (Tiawan) but they are really decent screwdrivers and there's a NAPA in every town.

 

[Jim c]

Craftsman gets a pretty hard treatment on GJ mainly, I think, because, as many others have pointed out earlier, craftsman is just a brand name: they don’t actually make anything. Instead, craftsman is a marketing game of various toolmaker products, and their screwdrivers have always been one of their weaker areas. When I was working on cars back in the 80’s and early 90’s it was well known that you didn’t pry on anything with craftsman screwdrivers because they would snap off the tip every time. Everybody in the shop was well aware of that. And so we would always have a Mac or matco or snap on screwdriver to pry back the brake calipers and never use a craftsman for that purpose. Nice looking screwdrivers, just not very useful as a tool. Really sad to hear that they have become even cheaper today.

 

[Htscheg]

A friend of mine who is heavily invested in Craftsman said you can call cust service and they would honor the warranty online. Not sure how it works but hope it helps

 

[bubinga]

The local Ace Hardware has a decent supply

Will Ace warranty them though?
IDK, My Ace seems to bee fussy in general, but I never tried to warranty craftsman there.

 

[kythri]

Since Sears no longer owns Craftsman, I'm not sure where they're going to get screwdrivers or what brand name they will be sold under.

Sears sales agreement to SBD allows them to source products to sell under the Craftsman name independently of SBD in perpetuity, and royalty-free for 15 years.

Ultimately, they may choose to source these products from SBD, but they're not required to.

As such, I don't think you're going to see Craftsman-branded products abandoned by Sears anytime soon.

 

[jakemac]

True. That was part of the point I was trying to make, although I didn't state it clearly.
Sears is free to source tools from anywhere, it's just not clear what label they'll slap on the junk they buy.

 

[dnschmidt]

All this effort to warrantee garbage screwdrivers? You're kidding right?