CHINA Craftsmen

[3/4 drive]

Wow, went to Sears Fri. to kill some time wile waiting for the line at the post office to go down,and found some ratchets made in China the guy in tools said the entire Cman line is going overseas.
Thats just great so if you warranty a tool you get a China replacement.
If you need a socket,ratchet, extention etc. etc. on Sun. at 3pm you can go to Sears and get China tools. I am a big a capitalist as the next guy but this realy *****. I will bypass Sears altogether after the change takes place.

 

[98TJ]

Just got the Internet in Carnegie, huh?

It's been happening for a while.

 

[Scottishross]

do the craftman's items get brought back to the usa to be packeted so they can say made in the usa lol

 

[Jarhead0408]

Tell me about it man. The store in Raleigh only has Chi-Com Rats now.
I told the guy at the register they'd be losing alot of business from me in the future.
He tried to hoodwink me into selecting the 2nd option from the bottom when it asks whether you would recommend Sears to a friend/ come back to Sears. I told him I wish I could but I selected "Would not" instead of his option "Most Likely". I'll still go to some of the other Sears around here as there mainly US made but thats it for me with the Raleigh store. I passed up on the Chinese flare wrenches that were just on sale too.

After reading alot of the stuff on here if I can't get older C-man stuff I might start buying Williams.

 

[brownbagg]

if tools are made in china that have the same quality of material and workman ship or better. i have no problem with china made material.

 

[Scottishross]

how pissed are the guys on the forum thats garage is full and only craftman's stuff

 

[nitsuj02532]

i recently swapped out a ratchet (the $35 3/8" drive low profile) and went from a US made (the snap ring snapped and pieces went everywhere) to a taiwan made version, i dont think the new own is nearly as smooth as the one i had before, it feels more like the lower end ratchet to me.

i would be ok with buying the overseas version if it was of the exact same quality, and if they lowered the price to reflect the savings they are getting my not making them here. i had though the 'evolv' tools were going to be their lower end and then just keep craftsman as the higher end and made in the USA, since they always used to make a point of advertising that they were all made in the USA, but since thats not the case, im not going to run out and replace all my tools with the 'truck brands' but when it comes time to buy a new tool i dont have, craftsman will be low on my list, id rather have a high end tool that breaks less often, i have to wait a week to be replaced, then have to deal with going to sears almost everytime i want to work on my car to get my low quality tools warrantied. I would never get rid of my craftsman stuff simply because i can return it right away if i end up having a busy weekend and go through a few ratchets, or split sockets, etc.

 

[3/4 drive]

It was a convenience thing for me on a Sun. or in the eavning if you needed something you could get a respectable tool from Sears. I know our Matco guy has been pushing the Chicom stuff for a while, and when I asked the Snappy guy to order me 2 deep sockets he brought out a whole set of China stuff and told me I could have the entire set for what I could buy the 2 S O for. He gave me the run around I never got the sockets my daughter orderd them from Snap On for me for my birthday. It's not about service it's about proffit.

 

[6768rogues]

Most of the retail buyers just want cheap stuff. There are those of us who want quality tools, but most Sears stuff goes to regular retail customers who rely on the Craftsman reputation. If it is cheap, it will sell, for a while. Sears is not a company with a long term vision, they only want to stay alive to see another day.

 

[3/4 drive]

You said it mcleodross , My buddy has been a heavy equipt. mechanic for 30 years thats all he owns and alot of his stuff is 3/4 drive while sockets are harder to brake ratchets and breaker bars do need replaced from time to time.

 

[vartz04]

I noticed that. Ill be buying craftsman sockets to fill out my hansens so everything matches but after that im done, I will just buy harbor freight stuff as they have the same warranty and the store is closer so whats the point.

I wish sears would sell the craftsman line to someone who would keep it in the USA and make it more expensive if necessary. It used to be a good way to get decent tools that were inbetween the HF quality and the Tool Truck quality. Now id say there isn't much that fills that gap.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Seriously? How many threads are there about this already?

 

[magova1104]

if tools are made in china that have the same quality of material and workman ship or better. i have no problem with china made material.

Buying USA made tools it's a really GOOD investment. Really. Even if Chinese tools are everywhere (Snap on, C-Man, SK,Blue-point,Williams,Matco, MAC, Cornwell, YES! All tools manufacturers are selling Chinese junk.) If you have USA tools, take a good care of them. Because they are rising their value! MADE IN USA it's not just a Country of Origin, it's a WORLD WIDE QUALITY STANDARD. I am a tools user,collector and seller and I been seen this for a while. Just an example: I sold a Snap on Screwdriver to a Japanese guy for $200 ,I purchased that screwdriver for $27 (USA made)! And the new Snap on model of the "same" style screwdriver cost today" $23 (China) Is this a good example?

 

[Jarhead0408]

The point is that even if the average consumer doesn't care where their tool came from and the MFG can get away with it by making it in China that I vote with my dollar. and I may be in the minority versus the majority of consumers, but I am drawing a line in the sand that I will not cross or back down from. If its not USA made I generally don't want it. To me if I go in for a product like Craftsman, Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac or Matco I want it to be USA made. I know that Kobalt is MFG overseas, I've already got that expectation so it doesn't disappoint me. But to see a brand like Craftsman go down hill like this and think that we/I won't know or care about the difference in quality is pretty bad. To quote Toby Keith: "I'm a man of my convictions, Call me wrong, Call me right"

 

[Kevin54]

 

[brownbagg]

but being made in usa doesnt guarentte quality. When i work at Ford in detriot, quality was least of their concern. If usa started turning out quality then it be a different story. its all about money. even the craftsman made in USA doent derserve to call quality. and just because the factory in china deosnt mean it not quality

 

[TexasT]

The point is that even if the average consumer doesn't care where their tool came from and the MFG can get away with it by making it in China that I vote with my dollar. and I may be in the minority versus the majority of consumers, but I am drawing a line in the sand that I will not cross or back down from. If its not USA made I generally don't want it. To me if I go in for a product like Craftsman, Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac or Matco I want it to be USA made. I know that Kobalt is MFG overseas, I've already got that expectation so it doesn't disappoint me. But to see a brand like Craftsman go down hill like this and think that we/I won't know or care about the difference in quality is pretty bad. To quote Toby Keith: "I'm a man of my convictions, Call me wrong, Call me right"

X2
Sad to see. Everyone following walmart down the road of, "I sell the lowest priced junk. Quality, well don't worry about that, look how shiny and new my stuff is".

The Bitter Taste of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness Of Low Price is Forgotten.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

Im poor so most of the tools in my garage are china besides the few ridgid tools I use for work. Im not ashamed to admit it

Only differance with my china tools is I paid alot less from harbor freight as compared to those that get them from sears

 

[3/4 drive]

I am not rich and I still buy Quality new tools as well as used tools from 2 local tool shops , and ebay as well as different tool forums I am not trying to tell anyone how to spend their money or S O is better than Mac and so on, it is just a simple observation of the state of our country.
What happens when we have to buy ALL of our food from overseas.
That will never happen right ?

 

[ctb]

Seriously? How many threads are there about this already?

You mean I missed the other threads on China craftsmen

 

[3/4 drive]

Ya you should see the way they build scaffolding from bamboo, and hold wood with their feet and cut it, or is that the Japanese, I know it was one of those nees.

 

[buening]

thus the reason I'm buying S-K now!

 

[3/4 drive]

Just returned from my local tool supply ordered 21mm & 22mm deep 6 point 3/8 drive chrome S-K they sell S-K and Wright as well as some offshore stuff not far from my house, I have been buying real heavy from him since last spring. I would rather give my money to the local guy anyway , we still buy all of our steak, ham, and chicken from the local butcher he ain't gettin rich either.

 

[Zeke]

This has driven up the price of used tools made in the US. Especially the ones stamped which all my sockets aren't.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Although, it may be beating a dead horse or getting run into the ground, as long as these threads keep coming up, it keeps the subject out front and in the open. Manytimes I've taken the survey on Sears websites, I always complain about their site and it's suckage and their tools being made in China. I've recommended this site every time.

If somebody ever does check this site, I'd be more than happy for them to see multiple threads of this subject. One day it may clue somebody in once Cman sales start to tank. It may also clue some other manufactures to keep production in the US.

 

[atotalnincompoop]

i'd pay a couple bucks extra to keep the quality up.
the entire world is about the bottom line, wall st. strikes again

 

[cowboyjosh]

Toby Keith is going to have to drop the Craftsman wrench line from his song "Made in America".

 

[matty d]

Everyone trashes Craftsman for being in China...thats OK and you can do that fine. But no one trashes Harbor Freight for all of its Chinese goods. Lots...maybe I should say ALL of the toolboxes and tools from Costco and Sams club...are Chinese. So if were gonna trash Sears, we should trash Costco and Sams etc. etc....people rave about the cabinets and chests, and drop all the trashing if the price is to their liking...

 

[cj7365]

Buying USA made tools it's a really GOOD investment. Really. Even if Chinese tools are everywhere (Snap on, C-Man, SK,Blue-point,Williams,Matco, MAC, Cornwell, YES! All tools manufacturers are selling Chinese junk.) If you have USA tools, take a good care of them. Because they are rising their value! MADE IN USA it's not just a Country of Origin, it's a WORLD WIDE QUALITY STANDARD. I am a tools user,collector and seller and I been seen this for a while. Just an example: I sold a Snap on Screwdriver to a Japanese guy for $200 ,I purchased that screwdriver for $27 (USA made)! And the new Snap on model of the "same" style screwdriver cost today" $23 (China) Is this a good example?

So when the world ends in 2012 you can barter your Made in USA tools for some food

 

[SCscoutguy]

Everyone trashes Craftsman for being in China...thats OK and you can do that fine. But no one trashes Harbor Freight for all of its Chinese goods. Lots...maybe I should say ALL of the toolboxes and tools from Costco and Sams club...are Chinese. So if were gonna trash Sears, we should trash Costco and Sams etc. etc....people rave about the cabinets and chests, and drop all the trashing if the price is to their liking...

Harbor Freight was not built on 75 years of tradition of having quality made USA tools. There is really no comparing the two.

 

[magova1104]

So when the world ends in 2012 you can barter your Made in USA tools for some food

LOL! Who says the wold will end in 2012? Mayans? Nostradamus? I don't believe in that. I am an adult already. Meanwhile in this life I will enjoy using nothing but the best in my Job, otherwise I wouldn't enjoy it. I have more than 25 years in my profession and I believe I deserve the best tools due to my professionalism.
I grew up in Mexico and I always admire the tools made ​​in USA. When I got here I started to collect only American tools. I always think: If I lived in another country and I always wanted tools made in U.S.A, now that I'm here, why I would buy Chinese tools?
Professionals use ONLY professional tools.
Cheap tools are for Beginners.

 

[3/4 drive]

You can have my USA made wrench/ratchet when you pry it from my cold dead hand.

 

[matty d]

Harbor Freight was not built on 75 years of tradition of having quality made USA tools. There is really no comparing the two.

When you take into the decline of Craftsman tradition then I guess it is a separate comparison...good point.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Yeah, seems like "Made in America" came out just a few months before C-Man was putting those shiny Chinese rats on the shelf. does he have to change it to ".......with WD-40 and a CHINESE wrench"? You think record sales are dropping now! Imagine That!

As far as beating a dead horse. Yeah, I can see and respect your point. But... I call it perseverance and determination. If their was some way I could actually FIGHT it and keep it from happening I would be the first to do so. But, since I don't know a way, I'll keep voicing my VERY loud, VERY opinionated and VERY Patriotic views. I have nothing against the Chinese. Just OUR brass at the top of the corporate ladder who don't give a damn about anything other than setting up trust funds for their kids and getting ever richer. Get rich, fine, but don't do it off my back.

And TexasT.... if it gets so bad ya'll have to secede again, say hello to your first LEGAL immigrant in a loooong time, cause I'll be there in a heartbeat.

 

[Norcal]

As long as people keep buying ChiCom ****, they will continue to sell them.

I call WalMart, Sears, K Mart, Home Depot, Blowes, Target, Costco, as part of the fundraising arm of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

 

[booya719]

Keep an open mind and it will be all good. Once you start exploring other North American brands or even some European you will realize what you've been missing out on. Craftsman in Canada has been Chinese for my lifetime so I've always considered it as just another Chinese brand. I still feel sympathy for the Americans who grew up on it though.

 

[bobforman]

I left Matco a few years ago just as they were switching to Chinese made wrenches. It seemed it was going to be hard to command premium prices for off-shore tools. I wonder how many retailers have their tools made in the same factory? Just change the label.

 

[concealer404]

You might get lucky and be like my buddy and exchange a couple dead RP ratchets... and get Next Gen ratchets in return.

Are those china? I got to mess with them this weekend and they're seriously nice. I almost forgave CM for those RP abominations.

 

[Tjc]

Are you serious?!!!!!?? I sure hope harborfreight doesnt go overseas :lolhitting: