I'll join in hating Sears now

[M. Blue 240]

I've skimmed the several threads on here about the downward spiral of Sears, but have taken to shoving my fingers in my ears and humming. I had hoped there were a couple of years left for me to piece my set together before everything went to China, I was wrong.

In Novemeber I bought one of the boxed sets (someting like 180pcs.) all USA made. After using it for awhile I've found some small gaps I wanted to fill. On my list: 6 point 3/8" drive deep metric sockets (w/o the stupid "easy-read" numbers), stubby 3/8" ratchet, flex head 3/8" ratchet, 1/2" breaker bar, and 3/8" extension set.

Tonight I made a trip to the mall for the first time this year and thought I'd price everything out. This is what I found:

Stubby ratchet COO Taiwan
Flex ratchet COO China
Breaker bar COO China
Deep sockets - no longer available
Extension set - MADE IN USA! They're on sale though, so they're going away(2 sets on the shelf) and after paying bills tonight I'm in the hole and don't have the $20 to go snag them quick.

Now I feel stuck. I want my set to match (I'm ocd that way), but I want USA tools. If I'm going to buy China **** I might as well go to HF, which is closer and cheaper. Hopefully when I finally have money for more tools I'll be able to find used items on eBay. Whats on my list right now won't even give me a full set of CM, just enough that I don't curse not having it while working on the cars.

/

 

[OEXL16B]

I find the good stuff at industrial supply stores.







.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Can I just point out how ironic it is that a US citizen is complaining about tools not being produced in USA doesn't have $20 to pick up tools! It sounds very "I want the best" but "I can't afford it". Perhaps you're a good example of why the tools are moving overseas?

Not meant to be offensive or critical.

 

[Rico.]

Can I just point out how ironic it is that a US citizen is complaining about tools not being produced in USA doesn't have $20 to pick up tools! It sounds very "I want the best" but "I can't afford it". Perhaps you're a good example of why the tools are moving overseas?

Not meant to be offensive or critical.

That would be a very valid point.... IF the Chinese made Craftsman tools were much cheaper
than the USA made Crftsman tools. It would seem that they are not.

 

[5mall5nail5]

That would be a very valid point.... IF the Chinese made Craftsman tools were much cheaper
than the USA made Crftsman tools. It would seem that they are not.

I guess what I meant was that yes while there is no US made craftsman alternative to the Chinese made craftsman stuff, the $20 extension kit that he didn't have the money to buy at the time is just a good example of our economy. We want it made in the USA even if we can't afford it. But if we can't afford it and we don't buy it they are not going to keep making it here. If this thread showed that he bought out all of the remaining USA inventory then I would understand the point, but to complain that the craftsman brand is moving to China and that there was an extension set for $20 made in USA but he couldn't afford it at the time is an exact "macro" image of our economy right now.

I hate too hate that some products are moving to chinese production... but the truth is there are US manufactured brands that I could buy, but I can't afford them. So, I don't complain

I am new to this forum but I see an awful lot of "We hate ______ because they are made in Taiwan or China now." I agree! I wish it were made in US. However, our country does not support itself! If we had enough people paying the (slight, in some cases) premium for a product for the USA tag, then the premium would fall. But the truth is 99% of our country does not care that the thing says China, they want it for $5.99 not $19.99 - its sad but true. A USA set of 12 pc sae wrenches wouldn't be $350 if our country supported itself more than it does.

 

[cgv69]

Can I just point out how ironic it is that a US citizen is complaining about tools not being produced in USA doesn't have $20 to pick up tools! It sounds very "I want the best" but "I can't afford it". Perhaps you're a good example of why the tools are moving overseas?

Not meant to be offensive or critical.

On top of that he has a "Volvo for life" banner

BTW - I guess opinions vary but I don't find there to be anything stupid about the "Easy Read" engraving. I actually think it's an excellent idea that I hope others adopt but I get your OCD issue with it.

The only thing I can tell you is start looking at ebay, craigslist, etc. as you can probably find what your looking for there. The question you have to ask your self is, what are you going to do 5-10 years from know when one of those tools breaks or gets lost?

 

[dale500]

If your town has an Ace Hardware give them a look. They carry a good selection of Craftsmen tools and their movement is slower than a Sears store. The ones around still here have lots of made in USA tools still on the shelves.

Dale

 

[HandyManny]

Overall, not sure that we should be complaining that Craftsman has gone Chinese or that the recent USA made stuff wasn't all that great to begin with. Recently (over the last 10 years) I've been seeing Taiwan made hand tools that far exceed the quality level of most of the recent USA made Craftsman. I fully understand and appreciate American pride, but I don't pat the USA made stuff on the back when it's becoming inferior. I just don't support that in todays market. Maybe the Chinese can do the newer Cman some justice.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

BUY USED.

Gort.

 

[litng1]

Feels like a family member has died to me.imported craftsman tools

 

[JC23]

BUY USED.

Gort.

/\ This...

Swap meets, flea markets and garage sales.

I have created a full, second set of tools and am working on a third. I stand less of a chance on getting junk if/ when I break one!

 

[HandyManny]

BUY USED.

Gort.

/\ This...

Swap meets, flea markets and garage sales.

I have created a full, second set of tools and am working on a third. I stand less of a chance on getting junk if/ when I break one!

I agree. If it's quality you are after in Craftsman then just seek out the older tools that were made before the 1990's. Otherwise I can see no reason in buying a newer Craftsman tool simply because it has USA stamped into it. To me the level of overall quality in USA made Craftsman stuff has significantly declined in recent years. I think it's pretty narrow minded to want new USA stamped tool over their newer Chinese made replacement. Buy quality, that means going with the older stuff and avoiding most of the recent USA stamped Craftsman tools.

 

[5mall5nail5]

I was actually more impressed with the USA Kobalt tools I have (wrenches specifically) vs Craftsman

 

[cascivic]

I guess what I meant was that yes while there is no US made craftsman alternative to the Chinese made craftsman stuff, the $20 extension kit that he didn't have the money to buy at the time is just a good example of our economy. We want it made in the USA even if we can't afford it. But if we can't afford it and we don't buy it they are not going to keep making it here. If this thread showed that he bought out all of the remaining USA inventory then I would understand the point, but to complain that the craftsman brand is moving to China and that there was an extension set for $20 made in USA but he couldn't afford it at the time is an exact "macro" image of our economy right now.

I hate too hate that some products are moving to chinese production... but the truth is there are US manufactured brands that I could buy, but I can't afford them. So, I don't complain

I am new to this forum but I see an awful lot of "We hate ______ because they are made in Taiwan or China now." I agree! I wish it were made in US. However, our country does not support itself! If we had enough people paying the (slight, in some cases) premium for a product for the USA tag, then the premium would fall. But the truth is 99% of our country does not care that the thing says China, they want it for $5.99 not $19.99 - its sad but true. A USA set of 12 pc sae wrenches wouldn't be $350 if our country supported itself more than it does.

i COULDNT agree with you more!! i get this all the time at work (manager for a large home goods retail chain) people always want all clad cookware but then they see its 650 bucks compared to the Emeril pro clad(thats farmed out offshore by all clad themselves) thats 299....they always are like whats the difference? There really isnt much difference (all clad has metal lids so theres some more metal in it but still) I explain "these are made by union iron workers in pennsylvania,,,and these are made in china" 10 to 1 buy the emeril

 

[HandyManny]

I guess what I meant was that yes while there is no US made craftsman alternative to the Chinese made craftsman stuff, the $20 extension kit that he didn't have the money to buy at the time is just a good example of our economy. We want it made in the USA even if we can't afford it. But if we can't afford it and we don't buy it they are not going to keep making it here. If this thread showed that he bought out all of the remaining USA inventory then I would understand the point, but to complain that the craftsman brand is moving to China and that there was an extension set for $20 made in USA but he couldn't afford it at the time is an exact "macro" image of our economy right now.

I hate too hate that some products are moving to chinese production... but the truth is there are US manufactured brands that I could buy, but I can't afford them. So, I don't complain

I am new to this forum but I see an awful lot of "We hate ______ because they are made in Taiwan or China now." I agree! I wish it were made in US. However, our country does not support itself! If we had enough people paying the (slight, in some cases) premium for a product for the USA tag, then the premium would fall. But the truth is 99% of our country does not care that the thing says China, they want it for $5.99 not $19.99 - its sad but true. A USA set of 12 pc sae wrenches wouldn't be $350 if our country supported itself more than it does.

Yeah but at the same time I can't support inferiority just because it's stamped USA. I want to support USA made goods but I'll buy quality over COO. There are still a few great makers of USA made tools around. I'll would support them before I go for the Taiwan equivelent. But I won't blindly buy USA simply because that maker is prostituting our flag on their packaging and producing a higher priced inferior product. I think that has been the case with Cman for a while now.

 

[otis66]

If you have to buy fron Asia buy GearWrench. But first take a look at SK and Wright tools.

 

[powertrip]

Ummmmm, he can't afford the craftsman stuff he wants right now so you recommend sk and wright??

 

[Brownsfan]

Wrong post

 

[otis66]

I don't hate SEARS. I just no longer have a reason to go to SEARS. Any Craftsman too I break now will be replaced with SK.

 

[mmack66]

I wonder how Sears is able to handle the pressure of having the fate of the entire American economy resting on their decision to offshore the manufacture of Craftsman tools?

 

[concealer404]

I wonder how Sears is able to handle the pressure of having the fate of the entire American economy resting on their decision to offshore the manufacture of Craftsman tools?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[powertrip]

I wonder how Sears is able to handle the pressure of having the fate of the entire American economy resting on their decision to offshore the manufacture of Craftsman tools?

some people think it is the end of the world

 

[ishiboo]

On top of that he has a "Volvo for life" banner

What's there to be confused?

The 240 was the vintage Craftsman... well-made in Sweden and a quality car for a decent price.

Then, like modern-day Craftsman moving to China, Volvo got bought by Ford, shifted production overseas and turned into Ford Taurus clones for the same higher price.

 

[ishiboo]

I've skimmed the several threads on here about the downward spiral of Sears, but have taken to shoving my fingers in my ears and humming. I had hoped there were a couple of years left for me to piece my set together before everything went to China, I was wrong.

In Novemeber I bought one of the boxed sets (someting like 180pcs.) all USA made. After using it for awhile I've found some small gaps I wanted to fill. On my list: 6 point 3/8" drive deep metric sockets (w/o the stupid "easy-read" numbers), stubby 3/8" ratchet, flex head 3/8" ratchet, 1/2" breaker bar, and 3/8" extension set.

Tonight I made a trip to the mall for the first time this year and thought I'd price everything out. This is what I found:

Stubby ratchet COO Taiwan
Flex ratchet COO China
Breaker bar COO China
Deep sockets - no longer available
Extension set - MADE IN USA! They're on sale though, so they're going away(2 sets on the shelf) and after paying bills tonight I'm in the hole and don't have the $20 to go snag them quick.

Now I feel stuck. I want my set to match (I'm ocd that way), but I want USA tools. If I'm going to buy China **** I might as well go to HF, which is closer and cheaper. Hopefully when I finally have money for more tools I'll be able to find used items on eBay. Whats on my list right now won't even give me a full set of CM, just enough that I don't curse not having it while working on the cars.

/

So... you bought a set knowing that Craftsman was moving production overseas, admittingly in hopes you'd have time to buy before it was gone... you didn't, and now you hate an entire company for it?

The feeling is mutual... Sears hates you

 

[Jure]

you guys have to move on german tools,well since snap-on and cman are no longer made in US,its much better to pay some $ for stahlwille,gedore,hazet,wiha,unior,elora etc etc then to pay for junk MADE IN CHINA or MADE IN TAIWAN...and tools made in taiwan are "decent"...but made in china is JUNK!

 

[NWphotog]

you guys have to move on german tools,well since snap-on and cman are no longer made in US,its much better to pay some $ for stahlwille,gedore,hazet,wiha,unior,elora etc etc then to pay for junk MADE IN CHINA or MADE IN TAIWAN...and tools made in taiwan are "decent"...but made in china is JUNK!

That's funny considering your location.

 

[Jure]

That's funny considering your location.

do you even know where my location is located?

 

[NC-Fordguy]

the daily sears bashing thread..............

 

[sooperdave]

I traded in a new 1/2 inch ratchet made in china, for a refurbished usa one yesterday. The one in hicksville ny had almost no made in usa ratchets. The guy working there said the new, chinese ones are better because the internal gears are now forged as opposed to cast, and the tolerances are tighter. They sure don't feel better. But can anyone confirm the former?

 

[cgv69]

Originally Posted by cgv69 View Post
On top of that he has a "Volvo for life" banner

What's there to be confused?

The 240 was the vintage Craftsman... well-made in Sweden and a quality car for a decent price.

Then, like modern-day Craftsman moving to China, Volvo got bought by Ford, shifted production overseas and turned into Ford Taurus clones for the same higher price.

I thought it was pretty obvious but I guess I have to spell it out. In the OP's original post, he states he wants only US made tools but presumably by his avatar, he only buys foreign made cars. I find that to be a funny contradiction.

In reality, he has helped contribute to the very thing he's bitching about! The Economy does not operate in a vacuum. Everything you buy from chewing gum to silverware to tools to cars all have an effect on each other.

In this case the way it works is: the more people buying foreign cars, the less cars Detroit makes. The less cars they make, the fewer employees they need and the fewer parts they need from suppliers. The fewer parts being made by suppliers, the fewer employees those suppliers need and that flows all the way down the supply line.

The fewer skilled tradesman in US factories, the fewer tools being bought in the US. The more people unemployed in the US, the fewer people buying tools in the US. The fewer tools being bought, the more the US tools suppliers have to find ways to cut costs.

So the next time the OP wants to be get mad about Chinese made Craftsman tools he needs to remember he helped play a role in making it happen

 

[ishiboo]

I thought it was pretty obvious but I guess I have to spell it out. In the OP's original post, he states he wants only US made tools but presumably by his avatar, he only buys foreign made cars. I find that to be a funny contradiction.

On the contrary, I think you missed the humor in my post.

 

[pipsters]

I thought it was pretty obvious but I guess I have to spell it out. In the OP's original post, he states he wants only US made tools but presumably by his avatar, he only buys foreign made cars. I find that to be a funny contradiction.

In reality, he has helped contribute to the very thing he's bitching about! The Economy does not operate in a vacuum. Everything you buy from chewing gum to silverware to tools to cars all have an effect on each other.

In this case the way it works is: the more people buying foreign cars, the less cars Detroit makes. The less cars they make, the fewer employees they need and the fewer parts they need from suppliers. The fewer parts being made by suppliers, the fewer employees those suppliers need and that flows all the way down the supply line.

The fewer skilled tradesman in US factories, the fewer tools being bought in the US. The more people unemployed in the US, the fewer people buying tools in the US. The fewer tools being bought, the more the US tools suppliers have to find ways to cut costs.

So the next time the OP wants to be get mad about Chinese made Craftsman tools he needs to remember he helped play a role in making it happen

Maybe he only buys used cars so 100% of the money stays in the states...I have a Volvo, VW, and Toyota all gotten used.

 

[sooperdave]

Maybe he only buys used cars so 100% of the money stays in the states...I have a Volvo, VW, and Toyota all gotten used.

But buying those used keeps resale up, which helps new car sales for those brands.

 

[Zeke]

I wonder how Sears is able to handle the pressure of having the fate of the entire American economy resting on their decision to offshore the manufacture of Craftsman tools?

I'm sure this post was in jest. It should have been posted in green font, but this forum is behind the times in that respect.

My reply: Sears is one of the greatest American institutions. They stood for quality and service at one time. They made merchandise available to folks everywhere, not just near a store.

They fucked the dog over time and became a joke that Walmart enjoyed. The tools Sears offered were one of their last legacies after Kenmore became diluted with the sales of every other appliance made. That would have been like being able to buy Craftsman tools and Alltrade on the same aisle. Some say that's about what you were doing anyway. Only the hand tools were supposedly the stout American made ones.

But Sears did stand for something in its day and it's not so much about the American economy as it is about the American legacy and how they lost track.

In the long run, that will affect the economy.

 

[pipsters]

But buying those used keeps resale up, which helps new car sales for those brands.

No the only thing that kept resale up was Cash 4 Clunkers, hell it raised the value of some of my cars.

 

[cgv69]

On the contrary, I think you missed the humor in my post.

Apparently

Maybe he only buys used cars so 100% of the money stays in the states...I have a Volvo, VW, and Toyota all gotten used.

And that's different how? It's not about keeping the money in the US, it's about keeping the American worker working. If you only buy used foreign cars, you're still not buying new American cars. Less American cars bought, less built. Less built, less employees, etc., etc., etc..

 

[relic7680]

Wanna complete your set with the good old stuff? One word....EBAY

 

[pipsters]

Apparently

And that's different how? It's not about keeping the money in the US, it's about keeping the American worker working. If you only buy used foreign cars, you're still not buying new American cars. Less American cars bought, less built. Less built, less employees, etc., etc., etc..

More "foreign" cars are built in the US than American cars - VW, Subaru, BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, Kia...

70% of GM cars are made outside the US

I buy US stuff when able but my job is not to buy a new product to give someone a job, sorry, you are way out of line here. I'm not in debt like the majority of Americans because of it.

 

[LumpyMusic]

I bought a US made chisel at Sears today. Asked the kid at the checkout if he was Chinese. He just looked at me funny. Then he gave me 10% off. And gave me a coupon for $15 off my next purchase of $100 or more. I'm pretty sure he would have carried the chisel to my car for me if I'd asked.


Lumpy

You Played on Lawrence Welk?
Yes but no blue notes. Just blue hairs.

www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[frankush]

I think we all know that Sears has been in trouble for quite a few years now. I wouldn't be surprised if the Craftsman line had the best retail numbers of any Sears products sold. Returns on investment is what I'm talking about. By outsourcing off the US shore and expanding their selling market (Ace Hardware, Menards and Kmart) they are probably hoping to increase market share and sales. If it falls flat, we'll all know about it when Sears goes belly up. It's not just a sign of what Sears has become but it mirrors the USA in general as said many times before.