Craftsman U.S.A made again?

[beneee]

Hi guys I'm new to the forum, Ive been visiting the forums for a bit now and finally decided to register. My main reason for this post is to let you guys know about an awesome deal I came across at sears in Temecula,CA. Im currently a UTI student using my G.I Bill and I was shopping around for a decent tool set.

Now I've heard a lot about Craftsman now being made in china, and how the quality has been going down. I purchased a 348pc mechanics tool set for $200 using my student discount (original price $599) and the box had MADE IN USA written on it. Got home and opened it up and was really excited to see every single tool had Made in U.S.A on it, is Craftsman going back to making tools in U.S.A or was I just lucky?? Also the other tool sets had Made in U.S.A as well.

Just thought I would come on here and see what you guys thought.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Most likely your set is old stock. Good Score.
-Sam

 

[ibedayank]

Nos!!

 

[n8n]

Sadly I am pretty sure that Sam is right... Be happy you got it while you still could though!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[beneee]

Sadly I am pretty sure that Sam is right... Be happy you got it while you still could though!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Was actually hoping they realized customers wanted U.S.A products and decided to bring production back home. Still hoping for the best.

 

[n8n]

It's temporarily increased their sales... I've snagged two different socket sets and a few loose wrenches to fill out my tool set "while I still could". Now if I need any more tools they will likely be SK, Williams, or used...

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[Jwych]

I walked around sears a week ago and was disgusted by how much made in China **** was around. Was out shopping for a set of short sae impact sockets, so said to hell with it and went home and ordered an sk set off amazon!

 

[beneee]

I walked around sears a week ago and was disgusted by how much made in China **** was around. Was out shopping for a set of short sae impact sockets, so said to hell with it and went home and ordered an sk set off amazon!

Amazon only place to pick up SK tools? Im offered 50% off from the snap on dealer at school, but i just can't seem to justify spending $4000 for a 200pc tool set even if its at 50% off, maybe in the future when my tools actually begin helping me make money.

 

[n8n]

Web sadly does seem to be the only place to buy SK at least for me. Have bought from both Amazon and Tooltopia. SK does have a dealer locator on their site but all it does for me is return Grainger locations

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[beneee]

Web sadly does seem to be the only place to buy SK at least for me. Have bought from both Amazon and Tooltopia. SK does have a dealer locator on their site but all it does for me is return Grainger locations

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Just looked up their site, only Grainger industrial came up for me. If Craftsman went back to Made U.S.A only I would not mind buying their tools at all even if it did bump up the price a bit.

 

[PC PaiN]

I've ordered a bunch of craftsman lately to fill in some holes from sockets I was missing. Every socket that I got as a single was USA. The one "set" of sockets I ordered was China.

 

[Hantke]

I've ordered a bunch of craftsman lately to fill in some holes from sockets I was missing. Every socket that I got as a single was USA. The one "set" of sockets I ordered was China.

I've been trying to find this out, there seem to be a lot of USA sockets laying around buy China sets, maybe it's a sign, we should all build our own sets!

 

[BK13]

Im currently a UTI student using my G.I Bill

Good luck with your new career and thank you for your service!

 

[beneee]

Good luck with your new career and thank you for your service!

Thank you for the support BK13.

Another thing I might mention, looked at the individual packaging and the pre pack dates were 11/13. When did Craftsman begin using china manufactures? Something inside me keeps hoping for good things to come.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I just warrantied a locking extension and a 19mm impact socket yesterday. Received a USA socket, and a Taiwan extension in return. It's a bummer.

 

[Zeroek]

The sears near me still has a lot of NOS. Especially pry bars. I still need to buy them while I have a chance.

 

[nickjj]

Most likely your set is old stock. Good Score.
-Sam

I bought a set of flare nut spanners (wrenches) which turned out to be all USA made, packing slip in the box they came in indicated they were manufactured 13th of March this year.

That may have been when they were packed as a set I suppose, makes you wonder how much stock Sears has just sitting around.

 

[nickjj]

The sears near me still has a lot of NOS. Especially pry bars. I still need to buy them while I have a chance.

Aren't they made in the USA anyway?

Is it not just the fast moving hand tools that are being offshored?

 

[n8n]

Thank you for the support BK13.

Another thing I might mention, looked at the individual packaging and the pre pack dates were 11/13. When did Craftsman begin using china manufactures? Something inside me keeps hoping for good things to come.

It's apparently been a while; I noticed Chinese made wrench sets starting to appear on the shelves around the first of the year and when I commented on it I was told that the production shift had actually occurred a year or more before (which doesn't speak well of their production planning and/or sales volume.) But in the last few months I've definitely noticed the Made in USA product disappearing and being replaced with Chinese production, now both of my local Sears are all Chinese (or in some rare cases Taiwanese) for pretty much all sets with only the loose wrenches and sockets still being USA made.

I wish I could trust that the new production was as good quality as the old USA made stuff but I'm just naturally skeptical. To my eye the open ends of the new wrenches even look all wrong and awkwardly shaped... maybe I'll be proven wrong.

The good news is that if we wait long enough either Sears will go out of business or else they'll end up shifting production back domestically eventually, as my gut feeling is that rising transportation costs and also rising wages in China and other traditional cheap offshore manufacturing countries will make importing less appealing, except for cost no object high quality goods that aren't made here (I'm thinking of German specialty tools, etc.)

It does kind of **** that I bought a whole mess of Cman stuff new in the mid-late 90s thinking "well, it's a good investment, I'm not a pro and it's guaranteed forever." Then again, I still have most of it and can count on one hand the number of pieces I've warranted, so it ain't all bad.

 

[Jwych]

Amazon only place to pick up SK tools? Im offered 50% off from the snap on dealer at school, but i just can't seem to justify spending $4000 for a 200pc tool set even if its at 50% off, maybe in the future when my tools actually begin helping me make money.

Yea i got grainger as these guys had said also. Might be worth looking at if you have a grainget near you!

 

[c-hawk19]

Amazon only place to pick up SK tools? Im offered 50% off from the snap on dealer at school, but i just can't seem to justify spending $4000 for a 200pc tool set even if its at 50% off, maybe in the future when my tools actually begin helping me make money.

Another option for SK is local tool stores. There are two here in town that if you look on SK's website aren't listed but one can get some SK from there wholesaler and the place I get most of my local tools from stocks most of SK's line and can get anything.
You might also want to look into USA made Williams, Proto, or Wright all exceptional tools at reasonable prices.

 

[woody 73]

Dear Beneeeblanco,

Edward Lampert here:

Yes, Beneeeblanco, There is a Santa Claus...and in order to keep the costs down after china we will start moving operations over to India.

All the best your good friend Edward.

 

[kippieland]

It's apparently been a while; I noticed Chinese made wrench sets starting to appear on the shelves around the first of the year and when I commented on it I was told that the production shift had actually occurred a year or more before (which doesn't speak well of their production planning and/or sales volume.) But in the last few months I've definitely noticed the Made in USA product disappearing and being replaced with Chinese production, now both of my local Sears are all Chinese (or in some rare cases Taiwanese) for pretty much all sets with only the loose wrenches and sockets still being USA made.

I wish I could trust that the new production was as good quality as the old USA made stuff but I'm just naturally skeptical. To my eye the open ends of the new wrenches even look all wrong and awkwardly shaped... maybe I'll be proven wrong.

The good news is that if we wait long enough either Sears will go out of business or else they'll end up shifting production back domestically eventually, as my gut feeling is that rising transportation costs and also rising wages in China and other traditional cheap offshore manufacturing countries will make importing less appealing, except for cost no object high quality goods that aren't made here (I'm thinking of German specialty tools, etc.)

It does kind of **** that I bought a whole mess of Cman stuff new in the mid-late 90s thinking "well, it's a good investment, I'm not a pro and it's guaranteed forever." Then again, I still have most of it and can count on one hand the number of pieces I've warranted, so it ain't all bad.

I'm sure the Chinese Cman stuff will work fine, but what gets me is they charge the same price as the USA made stuff. Cheaper to make but they make more. I do agree with you that they will be out of business soon. I don't even bother anymore.

 

[brtsvg]

Here's a market snapshot for comparison of what's happened in this local market in the last 18 months, within 50 miles of my house in Davenport, IA.

Sears has closed 2 major mall stores and no longer advertises in the newspapers. The Davenport store remains open, but with few cars in the lot on any given weekend.

Menards has opened 3 major superstores and aggressively advertises in newspapers, on TV, and has great rebate offers. fabulous tool selection, many made in USA items.

One walk through Menards and there's no reason to even consider going to Sears. With Home Depot and Lowes here as well, Sears is finished. It's about a year away from lights out here for them in my book. It can join the K-Mart that closed 2 years ago here in town.

 

[sonvolt]

Sears is their own worst enemy, they deserve to fold up.

 

[Super Sport]

I'm sure the Chinese Cman stuff will work fine, but what gets me is they charge the same price as the USA made stuff. Cheaper to make but they make more. I do agree with you that they will be out of business soon. I don't even bother anymore.

Sears prices over the past 15 years haven't gone up much...but production costs have gone up dramatically. Who says they were making much of anything on USA tools anymore?

Lowe's did the same thing when they moved Kobalt to Taiwan. I'm sure HD did as well, along with pretty much every other retailer who at one time carried USA-made tools.

 

[W0rLDWaR4]

I purchased a 348pc mechanics tool set for $200 using my student discount (original price $599) and the box had MADE IN USA written on it.

How do you sign up for the Sears student discount? I'm a student as well..

 

[Givl Reggin]

all USA made...makes you wonder how much stock Sears has just sitting around.

I would expect stock on hand of things in a retail package (like the kind you see hanging on hooks in the store) are quite small. While things like their 'modular' tool packages that come packed in a cardboard box or plastic bag don't more as fast and come from a central warehouse are much more likely to be old (still USA made) stock.

 

[BeninTucson]

Here in Tucson we're lucky to have a very good used tool store. Kent's Tools. I spent the better part of a day there last month looking through many semi-sorted bins to fill out both my SAE and Metric Craftsman socket sets. I have had missing sizes in my collection for years and, while filling out missing ones, I also swapped out more than a few 12 point for 6 point ones. All my purchased-new Craftsman items were bought piecemeal at Sears stores from roughly the early 1970s through the late '80s. If memory serves, Craftsman originally offered Metric only in 12 point and it was many years later (1990s?) that the 6 point option in Metric became available.

While getting filthy dirty sorting through boxes at Kent's (an unavoidable part of the experience, so don't wear your John Travolta Saturday Night Fever white leisure suit while doing so,) I picked correct sized sockets on the merits of minimal wear and generally avoiding items that showed signs of previous owner abuse. It hadn't occurred to me, until I read this thread today, that some of these sockets would not be USA-made. Happy to report that all of mine - both legacy new purchases of decades ago and recently purchased used ones - are all old stock USA vintage.

I should mention that I'm also very happy with select tools in my collection of various Asian and European lineage, particularly Japanese Koken Z-EAL low profile sockets and a Nepros ratchet ordered online recently. But, yes, it is sad to witness the Craftsman label sent off to China for manufacturing after so many years of being a genuine US brand.

 

[ibedayank]

Amazon only place to pick up SK tools? Im offered 50% off from the snap on dealer at school, but i just can't seem to justify spending $4000 for a 200pc tool set even if its at 50% off, maybe in the future when my tools actually begin helping me make money.

I guess using Google is a lost art for some.


"SK handtool online retailer" in the seach box works well you might want to try it once!


Here I will do it for you...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Sk+hand+tools+online+retailer&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb

Now is that so hard?

 

[03protege]

Amazon only place to pick up SK tools? Im offered 50% off from the snap on dealer at school, but i just can't seem to justify spending $4000 for a 200pc tool set even if its at 50% off, maybe in the future when my tools actually begin helping me make money.

I find a hard time justifying the price from Craftsman sockets to Snap On, but the snap on ratchets are well worth the price especially at half off.

 

[comedyman809]

yeah, be happy and don't break anything.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I could only wish that we had a used tool store any where close to me. I think I would be there all my free time... Rich

 

[3baygarage]

Dear Beneeeblanco,

Edward Lampert here:

Yes, Beneeeblanco, There is a Santa Claus...and in order to keep the costs down after china we will start moving operations over to India.

All the best your good friend Edward.

I had to google the name but too funny Woody. The guy's picture speaks volumes.

 

[beneee]

I guess using Google is a lost art for some.


"SK handtool online retailer" in the seach box works well you might want to try it once!


Here I will do it for you...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Sk+hand+tools+online+retailer&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb

Now is that so hard?

I don't recall the question ever being directed to you, but thanks anyways! Either way my question was answered a couple post before you, so you are not needed.

Jeez you remind me why I stay away from
Registering in forums. Anyways just wanted to give a heads up their is still U.S.A made craftsman sets around. Happy hunting.

 

[beneee]

How do you sign up for the Sears student discount? I'm a student as well..

http://m.sears.com/index-g.html#/dap/smobile/craftsmanclub/discountprogram

Here you go, hope you get a great deal, and enjoy school!

 

[beneee]

I find a hard time justifying the price from Craftsman sockets to Snap On, but the snap on ratchets are well worth the price especially at half off.

I'll look into what kind of deal I can get for a snap-on ratchet set.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[seagullplayer]

I bought a set of craftsman screw drivers at K-mart last fall, the packaging said made in the USA. Looks just like the set I had 20 plus years ago.

 

[Stuey]

Was actually hoping they realized customers wanted U.S.A products and decided to bring production back home. Still hoping for the best.

There are 2 types of customers - those that want to buy USA-made tools and are vocal about it on the internet, and those that want to buy less expensive tools and talk with their money.

Craftsman and Sears' sales numbers for these past few years don't show that customers want USA products, they show that customers want less expensive tools.

So they *are* listening to what customers are showing that they want.

It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is and is going to be. Maybe Craftsman will come out with new USA-made Pro tools, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[LB-1911]

How do you sign up for the Sears student discount? I'm a student as well..

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_votech?redirectType=BRAT_RULE&prop17=votech