Dear Sears (5 years from now)

[BRIANBB]

Dear Sears:
As you now know you made a mistake in the past that could have been avoided if you listened to your customers who bought your tools for many years instead of the bean counters wanting profit. The reason we bought your tools was they were made in the U.S.A. and were priced fairly. They were not Cadillac tools from a truck but just good quality everyday tools that worked great, were dependable and put Americans to work in your factory. We didnt buy cheap import tools from overseas because we were supporting jobs here with the purchase of yours. Seems to me that if you would have increased the price and cut some overhead and told the bean counters to leave well enough alone the tool division would be a prime example of supporting american workers. The price would still be less expensive than the truck brands and be good quality.
So I am sorry that after so many years you have to liquidate the tools manufacturing and sell out to the Overseas concern.
Maybe its time to go back in time to 2013 and re-evaluate whats is more important to Craftsman and return to the "MADE IN AMERICA" labeling that built the company and impacted so many lives, young and old. There are lots of citizens needing work and this would be a great oppurtunity for YOUR future.
Heres hoping I wont have to look you up in history books instead of on the shelves.
I am available for in person opinions. Just look me up at the nearest mechanic,air conditioning,plumbing,carpentry, home garage anywhere in America.

 

[toolstools]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I could care less if its American. Craftsman still has the warranty. Example, craftsman usa side snips-18 bucks. Duralast-6. I buy for warranty and not coo. Sears will never cut prices 66% to compete. Craftsman will still have the warranty, regardless of where they're made. You are fighting a loosing battle most people dont care about

 

[d.mcfarland]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I could care less if its American. Craftsman still has the warranty. Example, craftsman usa side snips-18 bucks. Duralast-6. I buy for warranty and not coo. Sears will never cut prices 66% to compete. Craftsman will still have the warranty, regardless of where they're made. You are fighting a loosing battle most people dont care about

Low carbon steel is cheaper.

Trust me, companies listen to consumers because, after all, consumers are where their revenue comes from.

On a side note, it would be cool to see the average yearly income of an individual compared to their COO preference.

 

[Strouty]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Trust me, companies listen to consumers because, after all, consumers are where their revenue comes from.

They have.......

I could care less if its American. Craftsman still has the warranty. Craftsman will still have the warranty, regardless of where they're made. You are fighting a loosing battle most people dont care about

The problem is not the companies, it is the customers. We who believe in "made in USA" are the minority. Sad but true.

 

[BillK]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Brian,
I might be 100% wrong, but I bet if you were to stand in the tool dept at Sears, and ask the average buyer "why do you buy Craftsman tools" the answer would be because they are a great bang for the buck. Absolutely nothing to do with where they are made. I bet 75% of my tools are Craftsman and I will continue to buy them as long as the quality stays about the same as it has been. I dont really care where they are made. I own a couple of the best cameras made and I guarantee you they were not made in the USA. Virtually all of my Ham Radio Equipment is made in Japan. My Tahoe was assembled in Mexico. Do you want me to keep going ???

I also buy as much as I can at Sears because they are an American company, employing American workers.

And I also agree that we do not need ethnic slurs here, or anywhere as far as that goes.

Just my opinion,

 

[dwatsonkc]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

It's simple really.


Just provide a good quality product, reasonable price, make it fairly easy to purchase, and deliver as expected.

Isn't that what you have done for the last few decades? It's sad....

It reminds me of a government institution when I try to order from them. "we are right and you are stupid".

5 years ago it would have been Bush's fault. Obama will can save it. He can bail it out with his handouts and it will be fixed.

 

[bdamico]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Dear Sears:
As you now know you made a mistake in the past that could have been avoided if you listened to your customers who bought your tools for many years instead of the bean counters wanting profit. The reason we bought your tools was they were made in the U.S.A. and were priced fairly. They were not Cadillac tools from a truck but just good quality everyday tools that worked great, were dependable and put Americans to work in your factory. We didnt buy cheap import tools from overseas because we were supporting jobs here with the purchase of yours. Seems to me that if you would have increased the price and cut some overhead and told the bean counters to leave well enough alone the tool division would be a prime example of supporting american workers. The price would still be less expensive than the truck brands and be good quality.
So I am sorry that after so many years you have to liquidate the tools manufacturing and sell out to the Overseas concern.
Maybe its time to go back in time to 2013 and re-evaluate whats is more important to Craftsman and return to the "MADE IN AMERICA" labeling that built the company and impacted so many lives, young and old. There are lots of citizens needing work and this would be a great oppurtunity for YOUR future.
Heres hoping I wont have to look you up in history books instead of on the shelves.
I am available for in person opinions. Just look me up at the nearest mechanic,air conditioning,plumbing,carpentry, home garage anywhere in America.

Revised. Dear Sears. I'm sorry Americans didn't care enough for American tools to pay higher prices. And I'm sorry those who said that Americans really want american made tools and would pay significantly higher money for them were wrong. And I'm sorry so many people complained about your switch of manufacturing. And I'm sorry my concept of a fair price for american tools is based on a misconception about how much it would cost to make the goods in american. And I'm sorry that most of the people who say they care only buy US craftsman tools when they are in the bargain bin after failing to sell at a reasonable price...

 

[Strouty]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I also buy as much as I can at Sears because they are an American company, employing American workers.

This is why America is going to lose out, people think that sears and walmart are helping america because they employ Americans. These employed Americans offer no real "benefit" to the future. I know I am going to get a lot of **** for saying that, but it is true. It will probably be construed as a religopolitcracist remark and the thread will get locked so....

IBTL

 

[rslaback]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I buy my tools for value not country of origin. I really don't care at all where they were made.

Sears will continue to exist, Craftsman as well. My personal employment advice: don't be surprised if your job gets outsourced if you picked a job that is easily outsourced. It is a kin to a beekeeper complaining about getting stung.

 

[Car_Guy]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

The core of the problem is that Craftsman should be spending their advertising dollars educating the public on why their tools are better and worth the small premium over the off shore brands. (throw some patriotism in there too) Quit relying on the name to say quality, because that will only go so far.

 

[dwatsonkc]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

The reason I buy from Sears (and sears.com) is to buy USA made tools. Its the only place I know as a go-to place for that. (in the past)

It's the USA consumers (us) fault we have very few choices in USA made. Im gulity as the rest as most of my purchases are based upon price. (IMPORT ) However when I want to buy what I know is the best purchase overall it is so difficult.... that is whats sad.

 

[Russianstyle]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Agree, sadly no more craftsman for me

 

[dwatsonkc]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

This is why America is going to lose out, people think that sears and walmart are helping america because they employ Americans. These employed Americans offer no real "benefit" to the future. I know I am going to get a lot of **** for saying that, but it is true. It will probably be construed as a religopolitcracist remark and the thread will get locked so....

IBTL

Agree.
Free markets is why why we have been the economic leader. It's only when we start "protecting" we decline.

 

[rslaback]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

The reason I buy from Sears is to buy USA made tools. Its the only place I know as a go-to place for that. (in the past)

We have this really cool new thing now called the internet. You should check it out.

 

[rsanter]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

How about stopping those crazy 50% off sales on stuff every other month that has trained all of us to wait till it's on sale again.
Plus that devalues tour tools to the sale price....always
How about you bring the prices down a little, make it here in the USA and do more realistic sales. Statistically you will end up better off.
And please cut the fat out of your system, the way you buy then clearance tells me that your operation is very haphazard

Bob

 

[ADSR]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

This is why America is going to lose out, people think that sears and walmart are helping america because they employ Americans. These employed Americans offer no real "benefit" to the future. I know I am going to get a lot of **** for saying that, but it is true. It will probably be construed as a religopolitcracist remark and the thread will get locked so....

IBTL

Agreed. Sad but true.

 

[dwatsonkc]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

We have this really cool new thing now called the internet. You should check it out.

I'm on the internet.... Really? I just turned 12.

 

[justanengineer]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Dear Sears, I am sorry all of these knuckleheads keep creating threads crying about the demise of domestic Cman manufacturing despite the fact that you still sell a ton of tools made in the US....

I wandered through Sears last weekend. Not sure where all of these Chinese RP wrenches or half of the other foreign **** you fellas keep seeing is, but its not here. I bought the biggest set of screwdrivers they had, $19 for 23 made in US.

Admittedly, many of the prices are seriously up and quality on some items is pretty bad.

 

[KPSquared]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Geez, if I only bought "Made in Canada" stuff, I would have a VERY thin collection. . .

Keep up the good fight guys. You know you'll lose, but it's fun to read about in the mean time. The opinions of the few are far outweighed by the dollars of many.

It's a global economy. Get used to it.

 

[ssentt]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Agree, sadly no more craftsman for me

with one exception

As long as I can find a USA made tool at sears I will buy it if I need it. I will not buy a craftsman tool made in china, no exceptions. I will take my hard earned american dollars and go to menards and buy masterforce sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers or any other tool there that is made in the USA. I know the number is limited but they have the same lifetime warranty too. I don't have a local sears anymore but I have a menards. Sears is like a hot girlfriend that screws your buddy then wants you back. Just wasn't as good the second time. Shame on me, screw you sears. I will support american jobs not overseas jobs if at all possible.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Heres my personal experience on how to improve a product and increase profitability at the same time,its called competition!
Find a way to make a product that's actually atleast as good/preferably better than the competition is making and sell it at a competitive price!
Quit with the whining about buy American no matter what bs already and make them actually compete to get your money for their product!
This sounds like the same whining bs the Harley Davidson guys have been spewing for years about Japanese motorcycles ,they don't like be reminded about that big ol Kawasaki plant in Lincoln Nebraska where lots of bikes were being assembled by American people starting in 1976.
The same people that pay insane amounts of money for a pile of parts based on a design that was proven to be better suited for pulling a plow than making horsepower 50 years plus years ago!
Give me a brake already with the but its American made **** already on the Harleys,when you point out the decent parts on it which have made in japan stamped on them they really go off the deep end.
Hell they paint the inside of the engine/trans castings with glyptol paint to seal them because theyre so damn pourous,but hey theyre American made so I guess quality doesn't matter!
So as long as Im continuing to spend my money on tools I will continue to buy based on quality,not point of origion.
Next time your on a snap-on truck start checking where their electrical/electronics tools are made and with whose parts.

 

[c39er]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I used to buy Sears upper line professional Craftsman hand tools. Now most of them are not available anymore. They have weird name new line tools from different parts of the world, mainly China.
I have alway liked buying craftsman because I could replace a hand tool with one that looked exactly the same and fit right back nicely with my other sockets and wrenches for the last 40 years. Now because of COO that some say doesn't make a bit of difference-it does! thats not possible so I'm done with crapsman tools for the most part.
Not sure that I'm going to like a mish mash of assorted tool brands in my tool boxes.

 

[Delta74]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I liked Cman tools, but I could care less if its made in the USA, maybe living in Canada has something to do with that, I want a quality tool for a fair price, sorry i dont see the value of Snap-on, its an F'ing wrench with a serious mark up for a name and before you say it, I HAVE used them in the shop, same with Mac, sorry but I dont see there worth vs price. Just like my American made Import truck, its a better value then chevy, dodge, for fit and finish and dependability. when the US starts putting quality back into there goods for a fair price I will buy American, cause its the best bang for the buck.

 

[cityhick]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Originally Posted by HMCFab9
Agree 100%!
I was in Sears recently & one of the first things I asked was: "Is it still made in USA, or is it Chinkanese ****".

I don't think phrases based on ethnic slurs are appreciated here. Those of us who avoid Chinese products do it for economic/political reasons, not because we dislike Asian people.

Thank you stephen9666.

HMCFab9....it looks like you may have edited your post and removed your racial slur. I hope you did because you realized that its not only ignorant to feel that way but even more ignorant to say it. My wife is asian and we have two little girls who look everything like their mother and nothing like me. I am all for a good asian joke and hear them quite often from friends and coworkers but if someone ever came right out and called my wife or two little girls a chink or gook I will probably kick their teeth in. You may want to stop for a second or two before you speak so you dont make a fool out of yourself or end up with some unplanned dental work.

 

[Nostraquedeo]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Originally Posted by HMCFab9
Agree 100%!
I was in Sears recently & one of the first things I asked was: "Is it still made in USA, or is it Chinkanese ****".





Thank you stephen9666.

HMCFab9....it looks like you may have edited your post and removed your racial slur. I hope you did because you realized that its not only ignorant to feel that way but even more ignorant to say it. My wife is asian and we have two little girls who look everything like their mother and nothing like me. I am all for a good asian joke and hear them quite often from friends and coworkers but if someone ever came right out and called my wife or two little girls a chink or gook I will probably kick their teeth in. You may want to stop for a second or two before you speak so you dont make a fool out of yourself or end up with some unplanned dental work.

Oh...the irony looking at your username!!!!! You do know the definition of the slang word hick.....right? Look it up on Urban dictionary....

Here......

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hick

 

[Rebelphotog]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I do my best to buy American made every chance I get. Unfortunately, I don't often have a choice. I like to support my local shops and businesses as well. That being said, I don't have a problem buying something made in another country, as long as that country isn't China. Why? Because I don't like ******* my money away on worthless ****.

I'm sure there are some other countries whose manufacturing is sub-par at best. However, China is the one who seems to have the most junk that I run across. It angers me even more that I may spend my money on an item I have known to be made in the US of quality materials, only to find out it was outsourced without my knowledge and I have now bought junk unexpectedly.

All of that being said, I no longer buy anything with the Craftsman name on it. In fact, I don't shop at Sears if I have a choice. The only reason I shopped there in the past was for Craftsman tools and I've got better alternatives these days.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I could care less

Only in America is this said and mean the opposite.

The rest of the world say " I couldn’t care less, meaning “it is impossible for me to have less interest or concern in this matter, since I am already utterly indifferent”.

 

[Higgins]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

IMHO - For major tool purchases, why should I shop at Sears when I have Craigs List, Ebay, and local Car Show Events. I can still find made in the USA tools, at deeply discounted prices, and in most cases the tools are lightly used! It may take me a little while to locate what I need, but that's part of the fun..............

 

[Norcal]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I prefer to call Chinese origin products as ChiCom, there is also Chiwanese as a discription for Asian origin products, but I don't get as pushed out of shape when they are made in Taiwan, Sears going to China means that they are no different then HF, so might as well go to HF & cut out the middleman.

 

[dadsEH]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Going to china is not neccessarily all bad. The Chinese are able to compete on one thing only at this point in time...labour rates. Thanks to the UAW and other assorted unions, you guys have screwed yourselves. Sure the Chinese products are **** but they are Cheap! Outside this forum 60% of shoppers will compare price before quality. Its only when they get the product home and use the product does the quality ( or lack of) become apparent. Make no mistake... the Chinese know exactly what they have to do to get and maintain market share.
If the tools made in China are made to American standards whats the beef? Lets rewind to 1960 and the 'made in Japan' concept... they started out making toy ,tabbed together, toys and they were shizenhousen!! The buzz word for inferior products when I was a teenager was .."Jap ****". It took an American to go over there and and show them how to make quality products using TQC ( Total Quality Control). Today, everything that GM / Ford does in the way of quality they picked up from Japanese philosophy gleaned over many years of looking over the fence and asking themselves "how can we do better".
3 words.... Control The Process....
Its a big wheel, it will turn! its just a bit sad that most of you and I wont be around to see it.

 

[toolstools]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Wow. American dollars? Where does anyone get that there dollar is American? For the people who religiously buy usa tools, you are all hipocrits. If you all are so concerned about usa made, then noon of those people should have: tv, computer,cell phone,labtop,radio,or any electroincs made. How many people own something sony o Microsoft?

 

[santagary]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Your ****** and ****** are made overseas...so why are you so particular about your tools?

 

[Strouty]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Only in America is this said and mean the opposite.

The rest of the world say " I couldn’t care less, meaning “it is impossible for me to have less interest or concern in this matter, since I am already utterly indifferent”.

Are you the official police on this statements misuse? IIRC you said the same thing the other day to another GJ member. It doesn't matter "irregardless" I could care less.

(lets see if anyone gets my quoted reference. I have had such a hard time trying not to make fun of people using it.)

And this is all meant as pure sarcasm for the people who can't understand this without someone telling them.

Back on topic (headline in 5 years) "Craftsmen Tool Division bought out by long time competitor Harbor Freight Tools."

 

[rohartman]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Originally Posted by dadsEH
Sure the Chinese products are **** but they are Cheap! Outside this forum 60% of shoppers will compare price before quality. Its only when they get the product home and use the product does the quality ( or lack of) become apparent. Make no mistake... the Chinese know exactly what they have to do to get and maintain market share.

"There is Hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." John Ruskin 1819-1900

Ruskin was a little bit of a weirdo but I have always liked that quote. I think of that when ever I buy something cheap.

 

[NHBandit]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

This is why America is going to lose out, people think that sears and walmart are helping america because they employ Americans. These employed Americans offer no real "benefit" to the future. I know I am going to get a lot of **** for saying that, but it is true. It will probably be construed as a religopolitcracist remark and the thread will get locked so....

IBTL

So if you KNOW your comments might cause a thread to get locked why post them ? Do you think giving your personal opinion is more important than the potential opinions of those guys who won't get heard once the thread is gone ? Maybe if you know your post is going to be too controversial you should just keep it to yourself or modify it so it's not instead of posting it anyway & then typing "IBTL"... That makes it appear that you think whatever you have to say is so important that it HAS to be said no matter what trouble it causes. You seem to enjoy creating drama.. Just a thought. As to the original post I'm not even sure Sears will still be in business in 5 years. Reading some of these posts I see that I'm not the only one who ONLY goes to Sears to look at the tools. Make those no better than the other tool stores that sell imported stuff and my reason for going there is gone. I have a Harbor Freight and a Northern Tool store within a 20 minute drive if I want something cheap. Goodbye Sears. It's been fun.

 

[shoturtle]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

I could care less if its American. Craftsman still has the warranty. Example, craftsman usa side snips-18 bucks. Duralast-6. I buy for warranty and not coo. Sears will never cut prices 66% to compete. Craftsman will still have the warranty, regardless of where they're made. You are fighting a loosing battle most people dont care about

So so true. As long as the tools works and is of decent quality and it is simple for them to warranty. The sears customer will continue buying their tools. And for the value thing, compare to other economical tool options, they really can not be beat when comparing their tool set options. They are a better deal then kolbalt or husky. While HF is cheaper, their tools are not as good quality as Craftsman, Husky or Kobalt.

There is just way to many sears basher on GJ.

 

[Whiskyb]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

It is impossible for a North American company to compete with any country that rapes the enviroment. There are more countries than just China that put factories near water and dump all there waste into it. Streams are filled with all kinds of toxins. Pollution control is non existent.

Here we have so many health and safety rules (most are good) and enviromental laws that companies spend way more of there profits just keeping up with new and sometimes silly legislation

We have all heard and read stories of the Chinese drywall scandal. Inferior markings for grade on fasteners. Lead paint still being used on childrens toys.

It would be a long list if every issue was addressed.

 

[mrjaw14]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

The American public has spoken, they want the cheapest priced goods they can buy, and are willing to sacrifice quality to get it. Most "men" in the country don't know jack S about tools...just that they are shiny and they get them at Christmas because the wife went and picked it out. Sears and other companies like them cannot survive on just the purchases of those of us who want US made tools, we don't have the purchasing power to keep them in business.

This attitude is negatively impacting the US economy as more and more manufacturing goes over seas. Even the president is acknowledging that the decline of US manufacturing is hurting us in his state of the union address and is lauding the companies that are coming back....so US manufacturing does make a difference. And it's important to tell companies that it makes a difference. Public request for cheaper goods is what started this, only public request for the return of US jobs and rise in quality will fix it.

Perhaps this is a pipe dream, but so was the dream of a free country to those who started the revolutionary war in the 1700's

 

[toolstools]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Lets look at something else, guns. How many of you guys own an sks,an ak47, a takerov, mossberg, or a mosin nagant? Maybe some of you are lucky enough to own a dragonuv. Ak47s are built to amazing quality, with sks's not being far behind. This thread is completely pointless imo.

 

[NHBandit]

Re: Dear Sears(5 years from now)

Lets look at something else, guns. How many of you guys own an sks,an ak47, a takerov, mossberg, or a mosin nagant? Maybe some of you are lucky enough to own a dragonuv. Ak47s are built to amazing quality, with sks's not being far behind. This thread is completely pointless imo.

So if you think the thread is pointless, instead of ignoring it and moving down the page to something that interests you, you intentionally try to get it locked ? You know what I think ***** ? People who think this place is here only to entertain THEM...