Do people really care where tools are made

[Brownsfan]

I know its been said here many times that most of the target Craftsman customers don't really care where tools are made. But I think they do. Look at the reviews of the tools on Sears.com. I was looking at the reviews of the 42pc bit socket set and most reviews expressed disappointment in being made in China. Even their Facebook page is post after post of people expressing their disappointment. Maybe Sears will read these and listen to what customers want. I have heard the Lowes coo switch argument and how no one cared. But Kobalt tools do not have the legacy that Craftsman tools do. I truly believe that people are just buying Craftsman and assuming they are USA made because they have always been made here. And I think Sears knows this and is counting on it.

 

[bobcatdan]

I do care where stuff is made. On one hand I wish everything I owned was made In a proud US factory. On the other hand, give me a good imported product for the right price, I can be pulled to the dark side. Sunnex impact sockets are a great example. I wanted a complete but not expensive set of impacts for home, sunnex fits the bill. Damn good sockets, I like them every bit as much as my truck brand impacts. Now you pull a Mac and try to sell me imports at classic Mac prices, go to hell. As for craftsman, I'm sad to see the name bastardized, but general quality has been slipping for about 10 years. All in all since there was little at sears I wanted to buy before the switch, I'm not at much over the loss.

 

[justtools]

I Have a friend who travels to China. He said in China the US made tools sell for discounted prices. It looks like everyone cares where the tool is made.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm like you two guys, I'm not fanatical but I will always choose a quality US made item over an import one. It's partly a patriotic thing and part a quality thing but it is very important to me personally.

 

[Ruger_556]

Most people do care but are not as vocal about it as those that do not care... I'll buy USA tools and truck parts whenever I can. If they're too expensive I'll settle for Tiawan. The PRC doesn't get a dime of my money if I can avoid it.

 

[Rakoprtr]

I want to keep Americans employed esp in these hard times but I'm more about the effectiveness of a product over Coo I've had ****** us made stuff and good out of us made stuff it usually not that way but every now and them that's how it happens I just want the best product I can get for the job at hand

 

[PelicanPines]

I'm a craftsman guy. I can't understand spending SO prices, so I stick with sears made in USA. Will switch to SK or another USA made tool when sears goes under. I see the quality difference and I have bent wrenches made in China. I can't remember breaking more than 1 made in USA craftsman wrench.

 

[Brownsfan]

Guys. Look at their Facebook page when you get a chance. Its freaking brutal. I will only buy USA made Craftsman at this point and have been buying Snap On, Wright and SK when I need something new. Also mixed in some USA Williams. I really wonder if the higher ups look at the page or reviews or even this site. The hand tools need to be made here again. Or the keep the current China made stuff and charge less and roll it into the Evolve line. And have Craftsman still USA made and quality

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Sadly, I think sears could not care less about their Facebook page. They have a lot on their plate right now and COO concerns is not at the top.

 

[McFarmer]

ABC Anywhere But China.

I should explain that further. Our trade balance with China is unsustainable. No way can we keep sending them money like we are doing. I wouldn't buy from them if it was twice the quality at half the price. Yes, I know sometimes there is no alternative, like my ipad.

It goes without saying I buy US made products first, and will pay a premium, but I have no problem with international trade. The more we keep folks employed, the better for all of us.

 

[sonvolt]

I only buy USA made hand tools, I work for a US machine tool builder and I will always spend the extra $$ to support US jobs. Now back to craftsman, they are focused towards the homeowner based upon the decisions of their executive board. There was a time when they sold good tools at a fair price, except those raised panel ratchets.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Not to beat a dead horse but the Craftsman thing gets a lot of attention because they really hitched their wagon to "Craftsman: made in the USA" for many, many years. They pushed it as a point of pride to the point where you heard "Craftsman" and it instantly made you think of "Murica!" and "Quality!"

 

[Techie1961]

I will try to buy tools (and a lot of other items) that are first, made in my country which is Canada, second from the USA, third from another 1st world country that has solid trade with us, fourth from China, etc. and lastly from Korea. The Korean community is very strict on purchasing supplies and parts only from other Koreans where possible. When I worked in automotive parts manufacturing there were many supply jobs that just weren't available due to them sourcing only with Korean suppliers.

 

[Davefr]

As long as COO correlates with Quality. So far it's been a pretty close correlation.

If that correlation falls apart then no one will care. However 95% don't care anyway since low price trumps everything else!!

 

[CJM8515]

Dont care so long as the tool is quality and works. Some tools more than others I care about the quality more, depends on the tools use.

 

[abvw]

This makes me laugh.

You guys really think buying a set of wrenches (most probably once in your lifetime) will keep your fellow citizens employed? Tool manufacturers can probably churn out a lifetime supply of wrenches of specific size for warranty and sale in the time it tales me to finish this post. Tools are not commodities or services that you pay for regularly, it doesn't matter where they are made since you're buying a US brand anyways. You want the tools made here, bet you anything its not made by a US citizen.

The irony is that people here preach about buying USA made tools but never paid full MRSP for them. Some even thinks buying used tool will stimulate and preserve the economy and labour force. The only thing keeping Americans employed is services.

 

[rsanter]

Some do and some don't.
Just like some people will only stay in 4star hotels and are willing to pay for it and others won't pay more that $100 for a night.
Sears is catering to the lowest common denominator customer just like Walmart does. Many of those people shop price only and don't care about anything else.
Sears is just copying what others are doing but not doing a good job of it.
Sears is trying to copy amazon. And failing
Sears is trying to copy wallmart. And failing

Bob

 

[kenburkholz]

Over the rainbow, follow the yellow brick road, Let the rough end ride and let the slick end slide, Sweat the petty things, don't pet the sweaty things. Remember, as Dorothy Gail said, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME !!!!!. Sometimes, things happen to change your priorities. Enjoy the tools but, don't let the squabbling make them a bone of contention. Ken.

 

[justtools]

There a millions of people buying tools every day. The COO does make a difference.

 

[Coopduc]

I couldn't care less where a tool is made.
What I do care about is:
1. will do the job I need it to do for as long as I need to do it.
2. Is it within my price range.

 

[catalytic]

I care where tools are made. I am always willing to spend more time looking and spend more money on an equivalent USA, German, British, or Swedish-made tool, and I use this as a heuristic when deciding between brands or models I don't know. It has nothing to do with politics for me -- I just buy the best quality I can find, and COO is often an informative heuristic.

Pretty much the only tools I own with COO other than these were bought because I have additional knowledge that a foreign brand is better (Mitutoyo measuring tools) or because I was in a rush and grabbed a cheapie from local big box stores when I needed something and couldn't wait to have a preferable version shipped to me. I also have a some imports in my traveling tool box (I don't bring the Snappy rats on the road...)

 

[cheechi]

First, the big poster child for this whole issue is always going to be Craftsman. And it's partly about them selling the USA made as a feature, but mostly in the severe drop in quality from USA to China. They could have got a lot better quality from a chinese factory if they wanted it. So to a large degree, bringing up Craftsman on either side of the debate is kind of hurting your argument. Sears just made ****** decisions.

At the same time as manufacturing has moved, the level of quality that's acceptable for goods of all kinds has decreased. Clothing, furniture, you name it. Disposable economy and the people who fuel it will always choose with cost as the primary or maybe only factor. Short sighted, but I do think some of it has to do with the way technology is moving, outmoding several expensive prior purchases leaves you burned. If you spent $1200 on VHS and then the same on LaserDisc, would you again spend the same on DVD or wait and see? A $99 player will get you by while the uncertain technology is sorted out in the market. When it dies, a $99 bluray will too.

I didn't used to care myself. I feel like manufacturing is a thing the first world economy evolves past. Not all, but certainly simple stamped and forged pieces like a combination wrench. Same as we have outgrown making any kind of electrical components or printing circuit boards. Much more advanced than hand tools and yet which moved out of the US borders first?

Quality is what I look for. Specifically the sweet spot. I have been burned by tools that cost a lot and tools that cost a little, failing. I have been pleasantly surprised by several very cheap (looking, feeling, and costing) tools that are great. I have been more impressed with how good GW is for the cost, for example, than how good I could get spending more on truck brands. Some guys need it, some guys don't. I won't criticize someone for buying what fits their needs but I always start with the middle and go up or down as needed.

 

[gagreen]

This makes me laugh.

You guys really think buying a set of wrenches (most probably once in your lifetime) will keep your fellow citizens employed? Tool manufacturers can probably churn out a lifetime supply of wrenches of specific size for warranty and sale in the time it tales me to finish this post. Tools are not commodities or services that you pay for regularly, it doesn't matter where they are made since you're buying a US brand anyways. You want the tools made here, bet you anything its not made by a US citizen.

The irony is that people here preach about buying USA made tools but never paid full MRSP for them. Some even thinks buying used tool will stimulate and preserve the economy and labour force. The only thing keeping Americans employed is services.

I know far more americans employed as factory workers/assemblers than I know of any other job. Visit some small town in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, or Michigan and tell me about all americans being to proud to work in a factory. The American job market is much more than services. Guess where rolls royce builds a large quantity of their turbine engines, or where honda builds their civics, or where allison builds transmissions for everything, every Boeing aircraft in the sky... The list of what we manufacture is actually pretty astounding. We are losing jobs in manufacturing in part to factory migration but the larger threat to manufacturing and factory jobs is automation. We are extremely technologically advanced and companies are taking advantage.

I agree with you tho, buying second hand anything does not help secure employment for anyone. Growing up in a UAW family (grandpa-chrysler dad-gm) I was always told I could buy any used brand I wanted but if I buy new it better be one of the big three, now two. Buying a used American car does not support the American (or Canadian or Mexican) who assembled it, same goes with anything.

 

[TexF18]

I try to buy usa made tools exclusively. I threw a B**** fit at sears when i found out i couldn't buy a usa made ratchet. They had 10-15 of every ratchet made in china but only had 1 sku for the usa made ratchets which were out of stock. My wife thought i was being over dramatic about it.

im 28 and ive always helped my dad fix our 3 suburbans growing up. Id hand him wrenches and screwdrivers all craftsman. Only saw a hand full of tools fail in that time. We had some snap ons but i always thought of craftsmans as the best. Its just sad that sears took a big dump on craftsman tool.

 

[MagnumForce]

I still think Craftsman is the the best bang for your buck when you balance quality and price. Some stuff, notably screwdrivers, punches and chisels are still made in the USA.

I absolutely refuse to pay snap on, mac or matco prices when craftsman will do the job just as well for a quarter of the price and last for as long as I will ever need them. Are the expensive tools nice? Sure, are they 4 times the price nice? Not even close, like designer handbags for men as guys at work say.

Even if Sears goes under I fully expect Craftsman to stay around, the brand is too valuable not too.

 

[rockinacummins]

Ehhh... Idk. I have a little of it all. I just use what I need. However, since I joined GJ, I tend to only look to buy USA stuff now. Unless it's something I really really really need and it's like half the price...

 

[AndrewV]

For me. Yes, and no.
It's mainly the products quality.

If i can get it us, canada, or tiawan im happy.

But i work i have Snappy, matco, mac, a few craftsman, lisle, and so on. So regardless, most is us.

 

[OkRider]

Sadly, I think sears could not care less about their Facebook page. They have a lot on their plate right now and COO concerns is not at the top.

Yea, no kidding. Remember when Sears used to have a tool catalog? I don't think they have printed one in the last 5 years. Just another sign of the corporate non-tool using micromanagers dwindling commitment to their tool using customers.

 

[Xavier from France]

I prefer to buy some tools MADE IN FRANCE because quality is always fine but sometimes I'm buying some MAGNUSSON tools MADE IN TAIWAN which are very cheap, good quality and lifetime warranty. I NEVER buy MADE IN CHINA tools wich are **** "quality". I have MADE IN GERMANY tools as well with very good quality. In France MADE IN USA tools are not sold on stores (Only by internet).

I would like to know which brand / COO Chinese people are buying ! Perhaps there have good quality tools they keep for their country ?

 

[monomach]

Quality/value trumps COO for me. I'd say my breakdown for new hand tool purchases is about 65% US, 29.5% Taiwan, 5% European countries, and 0.5% China. Used purchases are 100% US.

It seems like no one is forcing Chinese contractors to practice quality control in hand tool factories the way they are in some of the power tool factories. If Milwaukee can keep them in line, why can't Apex?

The dirty little secret no one wants to admit to is that Taiwan's manufacturing quality has just about caught up to ours.

 

[Exceller8]

I care where my tools are made. With that being said, I do own about 30% import tools based on my needs as a DIY guy. What really bothers me is when an American made tool, like a Craftsman socket set for example, has a retail of $49.99 and then the COO is changed to China and the retail remains the same. That is just pure greed plain and simple. If I buy an import tool the price MUST reflect that it's an import tool. I'll pay more for an American made product but not 5 to 10X the price.

 

[Travinsky]

I personally try to buy whatever works best and is not made in a Communist/Socialist/etc country. So in my life I have to agree with monomach's purchase breakdown, but I was surprised 10 years ago when I got home and saw Made in China on my Sear's heavy duty floor jack. A couple years later it started leaking and I didn't feel like tapping it out so I gave it to my neighbor's son as a worthwhile project. $159 lost but never forgotten and I will never purchase Sears again unless meets the criteria in my first sentence.

 

[1982fxr]

I know far more americans employed as factory workers/assemblers than I know of any other job. Visit some small town in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, or Michigan and tell me about all americans being to proud to work in a factory. The American job market is much more than services. Guess where rolls royce builds a large quantity of their turbine engines, or where honda builds their civics, or where allison builds transmissions for everything, every Boeing aircraft in the sky... The list of what we manufacture is actually pretty astounding. We are losing jobs in manufacturing in part to factory migration but the larger threat to manufacturing and factory jobs is automation. We are extremely technologically advanced and companies are taking advantage.

I agree with you tho, buying second hand anything does not help secure employment for anyone. Growing up in a UAW family (grandpa-chrysler dad-gm) I was always told I could buy any used brand I wanted but if I buy new it better be one of the big three, now two. Buying a used American car does not support the American (or Canadian or Mexican) who assembled it, same goes with anything.

depends what the person does with the money you just gave them...

 

[jrobb316]

The vast majority of my hand tools are USA made. I believe there is a difference. The last straw at sears was when I went in and needed to warranty an extension. I swapped it out and when I got to work and examined it (since it would just slide right off my cordless impact) it was a Chinese replacement. Pure junk and i'll never buy a craftsman tool again that isn't made domestically. Taiwan has very good quality. If you are fortunate enough to own the Taiwan gear wrenches versus the newer Chinese ones, you know what i'm talking about. The Chinese ones are garbage. Other than that, I have a large selection of German pliers which I love. I don't buy Matco anymore due to almost nothing on the truck being made domestically anymore. If i'm going to pay high prices i'd rather buy snap on. I recently rounded out my impact socket selection with Proto USA sockets. Very, very nice for the money.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I have very few non USA tools. I buy USA, and I encourage people to buy USA as well. It keeps me employed.

 

[M-EGT]

I care where the tools are made because:
a) I want the tools to be made in a country where there are fair labor laws; b) where there are environmental laws; and c) the quality control [will likely] be better.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I know its been said here many times that most of the target Craftsman customers don't really care where tools are made. But I think they do. Look at the reviews of the tools on Sears.com. I was looking at the reviews of the 42pc bit socket set and most reviews expressed disappointment in being made in China. Even their Facebook page is post after post of people expressing their disappointment. Maybe Sears will read these and listen to what customers want. I have heard the Lowes coo switch argument and how no one cared. But Kobalt tools do not have the legacy that Craftsman tools do. I truly believe that people are just buying Craftsman and assuming they are USA made because they have always been made here. And I think Sears knows this and is counting on it.

I'll use craftsman china if the price is right. The fit & finish isn't great but looks like it's getting better, now the price has to match what they're selling; it usually happens when stuff is on "sale" or clearance.

 

[stovebolt6]

Like others, I don't break my neck trying to find only USA made tools; however, I like to buy American made stuff as often as I can.. being from Canada it may not seem like it matters much, but I like to help out my neighbours.

 

[Adam.C]

Of course buying used US made items helps the OEM. I buy Snap On without hesitation because I know I can sell it at a high price. It's one of the selling points the truck drivers use to justify the new price.

The same is true about cars. New Chevy traverse is like $35000. 2 years later its worth $20000. If it held its value better, I'd be more inclined to buy new. That low second hand price tells me the traverse doesn't have high quality (not sure if that's true or not of even if my numbers are right. Just going from memory)

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I agree with you tho, buying second hand anything does not help secure employment for anyone. Growing up in a UAW family (grandpa-chrysler dad-gm) I was always told I could buy any used brand I wanted but if I buy new it better be one of the big three, now two. Buying a used American car does not support the American (or Canadian or Mexican) who assembled it, same goes with anything.

I disagree, if the big 3 were still sourcing all of their parts in the USA then used cars would continue to support US manufacturing as they all need repair and maintenance..........and this comes from the grandson of a former GM assembly line worker. There was a time when Checker and Auto Zone only sold US manufactured auto parts, many of which were made by UAW workers. My grandfather was one of the largest Ford and Mopar parts wholesalers in America and he bought striaght from Ford and Chrysler (we're talking semi trucks of one part number.)