Craftsman tool boxes quality going down hill

[nissan_crawler]

If you want a brand spankin new box, yeah. I guess I should have said I would rather buy a good used snap-on box instead of a lesser quality new Craftsman box..

Like this one. Add says asking $4000 or even this one. As of now, $2000 and no reserve.

I saw the guy on the truck pull out the bottom drawer of a snap-on box and stand in it. I wouldn't want to try that at Sears...

Apples and oranges. Now compare used Craftsman and used Snap-On, the price gap opens up even more. I would bet dollars to dimes that those toolboxes will go much higher than that when the auction ends.

Oh, and I've stood in my box before. It's had at least 5 people sitting on it at once, too.

 

[speed bump]

If you want a brand spankin new box, yeah. I guess I should have said I would rather buy a good used snap-on box instead of a lesser quality new Craftsman box..

Like this one. Add says asking $4000 or even this one. As of now, $2000 and no reserve.

I saw the guy on the truck pull out the bottom drawer of a snap-on box and stand in it. I wouldn't want to try that at Sears...

I don't know I can buy a brand new Waterloo Magnum for $2800 (same thing as a Cman pro without the badging) with free shipping and a lifetime warrenty and a higher load capacity than any SO box other than the KRLs. Looking for a used box in Snap on with comparable specs in my area I found a KLR1023 for $8000. As far as used stuff goes I haven't seen a Craftsman Pro-box for awhile but when I did see a 41" it went for $800 for both the top and bottom cabs.

I will say that I do see one reason to buy the Snap-ons though. You can get them in purple.

 

[Matt M PA]

I suppose this isn't the best way to make a first post...but I too have been less than satisfied with Craftsman of late.

About a year ago, my wife and I bought one of the newer style cabinets...I think the "Professional Floor Cabinet". I was impressed in the store as to how the doors seem to almost close themselves, the shelves on the doors, etc. I thought it was perfect for my detailing supplies. If memory serves, it was about $300.

We took my car trailer over to Sears and bought one. The box was a bit damaged, but nothing serious. I asked the guy that brought it out to us if the box damaged should be of concern. He said that he knew this one was no damaged.

Well, we got it home, and opened the box to find a dent in the cabinet. We stood the cabinet up and both doors literally fell off! We put the pieces back in the trailer and got a replacement. This one is fine....although I think, a bit delicate.

I suppose it is possible that these things simply get damaged by poor handling, but what are the odds that I got the only bad one?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I suppose this isn't the best way to make a first post...but I too have been less than satisfied with Craftsman of late.

About a year ago, my wife and I bought one of the newer style cabinets...I think the "Professional Floor Cabinet". I was impressed in the store as to how the doors seem to almost close themselves, the shelves on the doors, etc. I thought it was perfect for my detailing supplies. If memory serves, it was about $300.

We took my car trailer over to Sears and bought one. The box was a bit damaged, but nothing serious. I asked the guy that brought it out to us if the box damaged should be of concern. He said that he knew this one was no damaged.

Well, we got it home, and opened the box to find a dent in the cabinet. We stood the cabinet up and both doors literally fell off! We put the pieces back in the trailer and got a replacement. This one is fine....although I think, a bit delicate.

I suppose it is possible that these things simply get damaged by poor handling, but what are the odds that I got the only bad one?

That has nothing to do with Sears, except for the idiot saying it wasn't damaged. I have the wall cabinets, bought 3, one was damaged, got it swapped. I had a toolbox show up to sears speared by a forklift. How in the hell can you blame the product for that?

 

[bomber]

my base and top box were Christmas presenst from all of the women in my family in the late 80s (I LOVE the women in my family!)

Not up to Snap-On standards, by any means, but they look as good as they did the day I unwrapped em (when I bother to clean them) and work identically, too -- they've gotten some tough love over the years . . . . .

the new stuff feels a bit lighter (not a scientific measure, by any means) -- but I gotta add, a number of oflks I know are in businesses that ship and/or receive large items often -- they have ALL commented on the amount of shipping damage rising a great deal over the course of the last decade or so . . . . . .

 

[Matt M PA]

nissancrawler...the damage to the box was very slight indeed...or I would have requested another one. I was amazed that this much damage was incurred by the way the box looked

I should have commented in my last post that when I contacted the store for a replacement...they didn't have one. The folks at that store directed me to another Sears Hardware Store who would not take the first one back. Something about credit to their store, etc, etc. I would have had to take the first one back...and buy the next one at the now "off-sale" price.

I called yet another local Sears...who had a cabinet...and they made the exchange with no hassle. This one has been fine...and I am pleased with it. I will say that they cheaped out by not giving enough of the little bungees for each shelf.

 

[Sniper55]

I Don'T feel there quality is going down hill i just feel you pay for what you get weather it's a $120 box or $4000 box from craftsman i had a $250 Dollar Box from them for a year and sold in the same condition i bought it in yeah it didnt have the useless option like being able to stand or sit on a draw but i will tell you i loaded that BAD LARRY UP and it had no problems now i cant speak for moving it with all that weight because any time i had to work in another bay i had my service cart and my box was stationary for 99% of the time i had it & i would of bought another one but i got a really good deal on a New CornWell Box and it was Delivered free of charge

And as far as the Dents And bends that's not Craftsman Quality that's Shipping Quality