Craftsman is at Lowes

[Coach James]

I stopped at Lowes today and they had several C-man boxes on display. They had stickers "Made in USA of global and domestic components". They all looked good, but were all 18 inch deep bottoms and 16 inch deep tops.

Also had a lot of C-man hand tools for sale. I looked at the wrenches, still China COO, but they were not the massive lobster claws I see in Sears.

Coach

 

[JoeNES]

Thanks for the tip! Come ooooooooon Made in USA tools

 

[Coach James]

Yep, I hope we'll see some C-man USA made tools soon too.

Coach

 

[Jaysreal]

Yes, gald SBD is sticking to their story as they said:

Lowe's will sell Craftsman in store by mid year 2018.

SBD will stock Lowe's with current production Craftsman using portions of Sears stock until SBD begins to produce Craftsman on their own IN AMERICA.

As an aside, Stanley Black and Decker also purchased Waterloo industries to produce the boxes and a few years ago Craftsman corrected the "lobster claw" on at least their raised panel wrenches.

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[James-W]

I don't think Craftsman Tools made in the USA are going to make a big splash in the tool market world. There are too many other brands that have sprung up and those are quite good. Besides that, the Craftsman name has taken so many hits in the recent past that I doubt they will ever recover and be what they once were.

As far as Lowes, we don't have a store near where I live, closest one is about 45 minutes away. I have only been there one time and I wasn't all that impressed with the place. I mean, they do have a lot of stuff, but the prices are roughly the same as the other stores like Home Depot. If they were closer then maybe I would shop there, but being as far away as the store is I don't see any benefit in shopping there.

 

[Rickster]

I think if they just focus on the core upscale/semi-pro tool market theyll do fine. The likes of the Craftsman Pro wrenches, the 80tooth Ratchets and the Pro screwdrivers were really nice. Just need to stay away from all the gimmicky tool stuff... I dont need a screwdriver with a built in flashlight or a robo-grip......

There's still a lot of brand loyalty there. I see it at garage sales all the time where the Cman stuff is way over priced because it's perceived to have a higher quality. Remember that car ad where they said "Its not your father's Oldsmobile" maybe they need a "These are your father's tools" ad.

 

[sberry]

Doesn't bother me, just don't care. Ha

 

[JR7]

I don't typically go to Lowe's but next time I do I'll see what they have. Last time I was there was about a month ago and they didn't have any CM yet. Not that I need any more tools at the moment but I'm curious to see how well they do and what new stuff they come out with.

 

[pawel]

So can we start bringing tools to Lowes for warranty if needed?

 

[AmishFury]

I don't think Craftsman Tools made in the USA are going to make a big splash in the tool market world.

really depends on pricing... if the USA CM is priced maybe just a few dollars more than the Kobalt it might lure some shoppers over considering you know they will make sure to put it big and bold on the packaging that those new CM tools are MADE IN USA

but i could see Lowes trying to make sure the price difference is high enough to avoid putting a hurt on their house brand

 

[Alchymist]

Local Lowes (central PA) just got some Craftsman boxes in stock - look to be priced to compete with HF. Only two sizes on display - a stack of boxes still in cardboard, and the larger - (48"? 52"? whatever) with the barbecue grill top box. Didn't have much time to peruse, and didn't see any hand tools.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If all Lowes is going to sell are a limited number of basic Craftsman tools, it isn't going to do much for the brand. Sear's lack of inventory, the warranty problems that causes, and other issues have to be resolved if Craftsman is ever to recover. The only Craftsman items that are worth buying to me are those rebranded ones that come from a reputable supplier. Rebrand examples include the Wilde striking prybars, Knipex Cobras, various Lang tools, and Vaughn hammers. If Lowes isn't going to stock any of the good stuff, let alone handle any warranty claims, I don't see this improving things anymore than when Ace hardware started selling Craftsman.

 

[James-W]

If all Lowes is going to sell are a limited number of basic Craftsman tools, it isn't going to do much for the brand. Sear's lack of inventory, the warranty problems that causes, and other issues have to be resolved if Craftsman is ever to recover. The only Craftsman items that are worth buying to me are those rebranded ones that come from a reputable supplier. Rebrand examples include the Wilde striking prybars, Knipex Cobras, various Lang tools, and Vaughn hammers. If Lowes isn't going to stock any of the good stuff, let alone handle any warranty claims, I don't see this improving things anymore than when Ace hardware started selling Craftsman.

I agree with you, but I am a bit more pessimistic than you are. I have several really old Craftsman wrenches and they are very nice tools. But in recent years the Craftsman name has been associated with crappy imports and that has caused a great deal of damage. In my opinion it is going to be VERY difficult for any company to promote the Craftsman brand name after having had so much bad press. I would like to see it happen, but I don't think I want to hold my breath until it does.

 

[seanb02]

Ohhh Craftsman. Honestly they used to be decent for regular homeowner use back when the majority of folks fixed their own stuff and even good for the light duty entry level mechanic. Now they are less than that of even HF type stuff. I do hope that Lowes will fix the problem areas, but I seriously doubt it considering the big box store mentality. Folks will continue to buy however, based on the name, and that is where the marketing strategy comes in. It is what it is, and my opinion is not set in stone and will change dependent on how quality goes.

 

[RandyRanderson]

I think if they just focus on the core upscale/semi-pro tool market theyll do fine. The likes of the Craftsman Pro wrenches, the 80tooth Ratchets and the Pro screwdrivers were really nice. Just need to stay away from all the gimmicky tool stuff... I dont need a screwdriver with a built in flashlight or a robo-grip......

There's still a lot of brand loyalty there. I see it at garage sales all the time where the Cman stuff is way over priced because it's perceived to have a higher quality. Remember that car ad where they said "Its not your father's Oldsmobile" maybe they need a "These are your father's tools" ad.

Yep. I stopped at a yard sale last summer. Guy had several toolboxes full of tools. He told me each piece, not counting the boxes themselves, was $1. Except Craftsman, they were $3 each. So I bought a handful of Snap On wrenches in sizes that I didn't need lol

 

[cdeer001]

There are too many other brands that have sprung up and those are quite good. Besides that, the Craftsman name has taken so many hits in the recent past that I doubt they will ever recover and be what they once were.

Wasn't this the same with Harley Davidson and the AMF buy-out ( 69'-81')? They went to **** and came back. Maybe Craftsman can do the same? I'm hoping so.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

So can we start bringing tools to Lowes for warranty if needed?

Maybe eventually. Right now all they have in the store is Craftsman tool boxes and storage systems. At our local store there's a sign on the door saying to warranty all Craftsman tools online. I forget the exact website address, I'll check when I stop this week.

 

[Shane6377]

I would love to see Craftsman return to quality USA made tools but I’m skeptical that it will happen. There are obvious exceptions but I think that the average person shopping for tools from Lowes doesn’t want to pay extra for quality.

Most people that I know that consider themselves DIYers do little more than hang pictures on their walls or assemble IKEA furniture and they aren’t going to pay a premium for tools.

Chinese Craftsman tools will last a lifetime for someone who only uses it a handful of times in their lifetime and I think that is the target market for Lowes.


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[Moparman390]

It's like this discussion is occuring in a vaccum without any of the knowledge gained from prior discussions of the same topic.

Here are some bullet points to help out:

Lowes does not own Craftsman
Stanley Black & Decker owns Craftsman
Craftsman is still one of the strongest, best selling, tool brands
Craftsman is still perceived by consumers, in general, to be the #1 tool brand in quality
The Craftsman items being launched at Lowes now are a starting point
SBD is going to bring Craftsman production back to the USA where it can
More USA production will take time to implment
Craftsman tools are completely sufficient for the needs of their target customer
SBD is over $1billion into Craftsman now, you will see more Craftsman tools than ever before
You will see Craftsman tools in more places than ever before

 

[tdwpgtp]

I, personally, couldn't see myself buying any Craftsman tool over the Kobalt equivalent. I have had such bad experiences with Craftsman products of the last 10 years, and such excellent experiences with Kobalt.

The tool boxes, in particular, strike me as odd. Kobalt's box at any given price point feels like a much more solid piece of gear VS the equivalent craftsman, and they look better.

It is a shame that new Craftsman tools aren't durable like the ones that I have inherited, but I don't see them getting any better.

 

[nelstomlinson]

It is a shame that new Craftsman tools aren't durable like the ones that I have inherited, but I don't see them getting any better.

Craftsman is no longer a Sears brand. For the first time ever, the Craftsman name is owned by a manufacturer. You don't see things getting any better yet, but you might over the next few years. Stanley wants really badly to get some good out of the name they bought. They may not run it into the ground.

 

[highland512]

I, personally, couldn't see myself buying any Craftsman tool over the Kobalt equivalent. I have had such bad experiences with Craftsman products of the last 10 years, and such excellent experiences with Kobalt.

The tool boxes, in particular, strike me as odd. Kobalt's box at any given price point feels like a much more solid piece of gear VS the equivalent craftsman, and they look better.

It is a shame that new Craftsman tools aren't durable like the ones that I have inherited, but I don't see them getting any better.

The Kobalt boxes might feel, look, and in fact be better boxes. But I guarantee you if a Kobalt box and a red cman box was sitting side by side Henry the home owner in suburbia hell with his set of Walmart screw drivers and 3/8 socket set missing half of the sockets would buy the cman because thats what pawpaw had.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I, personally, couldn't see myself buying any Craftsman tool over the Kobalt equivalent. I have had such bad experiences with Craftsman products of the last 10 years, and such excellent experiences with Kobalt.

The tool boxes, in particular, strike me as odd. Kobalt's box at any given price point feels like a much more solid piece of gear VS the equivalent craftsman, and they look better.

It is a shame that new Craftsman tools aren't durable like the ones that I have inherited, but I don't see them getting any better.

I have to agree, the Kobalt stuff I've purchased has solidified their reputation in my eyes as offering quality above HF, but without the price tag of the professional brands like SO/Mac/etc. My toolbox is a mix of Kobalt and HF though, as I'm just a hobbyist, but I haven't had any complaints. My experience with Craftsman hasn't been nearly as positive, my buddy has a decent amount of Craftsman wrenches and they simply don't feel as sturdy as my Kobalt stuff.

I'm all for competition in the tool market, and I hope they do well, but I don't know how much I trust SBD to fix what's been broken for so long. With the ratchets being based on the unservicable FatMax as it is (according to another thread), I think that a full redesign is the only thing that could make the brand valuable again, at least to people who didn't grow up with Craftsman as the go-to brand.

 

[Mikeske]

My local Lowe's store has this right at the front door. The place has always been a disorganized mess and now more so. Craftsman at Lowe's just does not fit in my eyes but it is what it is.

 

[winlinmac]

Has it rolled out yet to all stores in the continental United States? Or only select few? I have yet to come across any, and Sears guy just told me the other day that Craftsman is no more to them; even Amazon has taken over Sear's Kenmore line

My local Lowe's store has this right at the front door. The place has always been a disorganized mess and now more so. Craftsman at Lowe's just does not fit in my eyes but it is what it is.

 

[WWheeler]

Has it rolled out yet to all stores in the continental United States? Or only select few? I have yet to come across any, and Sears guy just told me the other day that Craftsman is no more to them; even Amazon has taken over Sear's Kenmore line

Nothing Craftsman at our Lowes yet as of Monday. Our Sears still has all their stuff. Was there yesterday and bought a couple Craftsman 5gal buckets and a Bucket tool bag.

AFAIK the deal worked out last year with Stanley allows Sears to sell all of their same Craftsman lines for 10 yrs from when it was inked, so 9 more years to go online and in the stores they can manage to keep open. Stanley bought the name only to be able to use it on their own newer lines of tools.

Edit: Looks like Sears still owns Kenmore and that deal with Amazon just allows Sears to sell the brand through their site, so 'taken over', notsomuch. Sears has been trying to sell Kenmore and Die Hard like they did Craftsman but so far no takers.

 

[dwasifar]

Has it rolled out yet to all stores in the continental United States? Or only select few?

My wife tells me that the Gurnee IL Lowe's has the Craftsman boxes near the entrance as of yesterday.

She also says the guys in the tool department aren't impressed and say the Kobalt boxes are better. I haven't looked at the new Craftsman boxes yet, but I have a Kobalt and it's darn good. Funny, because as I understand it, the Craftsman and the Kobalt are both made by Waterloo.

 

[ARFLY]

My local Lowe's store has this right at the front door. The place has always been a disorganized mess and now more so. Craftsman at Lowe's just does not fit in my eyes but it is what it is.

It was like that at the local store today also. Just inside the door there is a huge card board cutout sign that says welcome Craftsman. So far there are a lot of tool boxes of various kinds, tool sets up to a 309 piece set, workbench, storage cabinet, and pressure washer. No individual tools and no power tools.

 

[Mikeske]

It was like that at the local store today also. Just inside the door there is a huge card board cutout sign that says welcome Craftsman. So far there are a lot of tool boxes of various kinds, tool sets up to a 309 piece set, workbench, storage cabinet, and pressure washer. No individual tools and no power tools.

Thats what I noticed yesterday when I was in to pick up some planer knifes for my Dewalt planer.

 

[Rickster]

Yup..... Today my local Lowes has a bunch of Craftsman tool boxes and tool kits on display as you enter. The Kobalt tool boxes were around the corner burried on the end cap with some flag stuff.

 

[Moparman390]

Finally some new news. Among other things, yes, Lowes will be stocking Craftsman power tools and individual hand tools later this year, as anticipated by many. As I stated before, what they have now is just a start.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/05/20/craftsman-tools-at-lowes-bad-news-for-sears-holdin.aspx

 

[r.czankner]

I can say I was not that impressed with the toolboxes. I think the drawers flex way too much and the slides seem to be junk.

Thats compared to Mac, Snap on, and Vidmar's though.

 

[southalabama]

Lmao.

Comparing a craftsman box to Mac, Snap on or Vidmar?

Surely you jest??

 

[chaosracing]

I missed this when I posted about seeing CMan tool boxes at a local Lowes. They did not have any tools though. Some of the boxes looked very similar to the Kobalt ones they had, so possibly same manufacturer? I kinda went away from Craftsman once their stuff was being made in China. Hopefully sometime Stanley can bring production back to the US, but the damage might be done. Add into a watering down of the brand now and it will not be long before the brand is gone. Stanley used to be all over the place.....but not as much. HF is stepping up with better quality tools, so Stanley better get off their butts and start working harder.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

So if you swapped the Cman badges for Milwaukee on those red boxes, could you tell the difference?

 

[r.czankner]

Lmao.

Comparing a craftsman box to Mac, Snap on or Vidmar?

Surely you jest??

Even compared to and older craftsman/waterloo boxes, they are junk.

I would expect something USA made to be durable.

100 lbs per drawer is nothing.

 

[r.czankner]

So if you swapped the Cman badges for Milwaukee on those red boxes, could you tell the difference?

I honestly think the Milwaukee boxes are better.

I looked at toolboxes at the actual sears today and the Craftsman Pro Series seems to be more durable and not made in the USA.

 

[Here2Learn]

Even compared to and older craftsman/waterloo boxes, they are junk.

I would expect something USA made to be durable.

100 lbs per drawer is nothing.

In my opinion, 100 pounds per drawer IS SOMETHING at that price point.

 

[M_George]

I looked them over last night. Not much different than the Kobalt boxes, except "Made in USA" They have the low cost black boxes as well, I wish they would get rid of those before they damage their name. I have an HF and Husky boxes in my garage, The Craftsman boxes are a lot nicer than the HF ones, but not as rugged as the Husky.

 

[dkroth]

Lowes has a new CEO. Hired today, from JC Penney.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-c-penney-ceo-quits-to-join-lowes-1526996187

In case you hit a paywall:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lowes-names-j-c-penneys-125027735.html



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