Interesting Sears Survey- WHAT?!?!

[Loscaldazar]

I got a very interesting survey from sears about their tool section that I started not expecting much, and then was floored. Pictures attached of some of the questions and ideas they are considering.






Yup. They are contemplating bring in truck brands into the stores (or other high quality brand). Also had a few questions about expanding CMAN Industrial/Pro as a premium brand to compete with the tool trucks.

 

[kythri]

Interesting, but I'm jaded enough by now that I'd be surprised if it ever came to fruition.

I'd like to see it, though.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

If this actually happens I think it is fair to say I will **** a brick. I won't believe it until I see it in a local store.

 

[mmack66]

So Snap-On, Mac, and Matco are going to allow brick-and-mortar sales, in the same store?

This sounds like someone's dream fantasy.

Like Kythri, I'm skeptical about it ever happening.

 

[jd_1138]

Makes sense -- give the people who care about quality a better selection and then give the people who don't give a rat's *** about quality their own little hardware style store with $2 pliers made in India/China.

Trying to be the lowest common denominator for both groups pissed off both groups.

 

[Strouty]

When will this be posted at Snopes?

 

[kunkernator]

I would love the Snap On/Mac/Matco theory, but I noticed it also mentioned Craftsman Industrial. That seems a little more realistic, and makes more sense. Going back to the "good, better, best" model.... Evolv, Craftsman, Craftsman Industrial.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Not saying that the truck companies would do something like this with sears, but could you imagine the mess it would be. Every truck brand flea market and garage sale tool walking in for warranty, Mr. Joe Dunnobetter asking WTF to sales clerk when he sees the truck price tags.

If it did happen and I owned a tool truck, every warranty piece I had to handle would be going right to this store just so I wouldn't have to do the warranty leg work.

 

[redsand187]

So Snap-On, Mac, and Matco are going to allow brick-and-mortar sales, in the same store?

This sounds like someone's dream fantasy.

Like Kythri, I'm skeptical about it ever happening.

I doubt it's really likely. But, there is a lot of potential for those brands to get into major brick and mortar stores. I can't really imagine all of those brands though, I'd think someone like Snap-on would make a deal to be the exclusive premium brand.

Although, look at power tools in home depot and lowes. Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch, Hilti, etc... are all sold side by side.

 

[John in OH]

Where do you see any reference to SO, Mac or Matco?? I only see the term "premium tools/brands" that could mean tool brands like SK, Wright, Proto, Armstrong etc. Or, possibly, not so premium (but OK) brands like Gearwrench, etc.

As others have mentioned, I'll believe it when I see it!

 

[panknuckshovel]

Where do you see any reference to SO, Mac or Matco?? I only see the term "premium tools/brands" that could mean tool brands like SK, Wright, Proto, Armstrong etc. Or, possibly, not so premium (but OK) brands like Gearwrench, etc.

As others have mentioned, I'll believe it when I see it!

Right here, third bullet point.

 

[Strouty]

Someone is having fun with us. Sounds more like a tool library experiment. The liability would be enormous the benefit to sears would be nil.

 

[Jim C.]

I'd be amazed if even half of the things listed actually happened. I think it would be great, but I'd have to see it to believe it. I really hope it happens. Good for us and good for Sears.

Jim C.

 

[mmack66]

I doubt it's really likely. But, there is a lot of potential for those brands to get into major brick and mortar stores. I can't really imagine all of those brands though, I'd think someone like Snap-on would make a deal to be the exclusive premium brand.

Although, look at power tools in home depot and lowes. Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch, Hilti, etc... are all sold side by side.

Power tools have always been sold in this manner, and a lot of them are owned by the same companies.. Tool truck companies, on the other hand, operate under an Amway/Tupperware business model that isn't well suited to brick-and-mortar sales. They essentially would be saying F-you to all of the tool truck drivers.

 

[Brownsfan]

I don't see any of the tool truck brands doing this. I could see Armstrong, SK , Proto Wright etc being sold in this Matter. It would piss off all the franchise distributors if they did this. Part of the benefits of ownership of these franchises is the fact you can't buy them in stores.

 

[Strouty]

The only thing about this is that Snap On has whored its name out before.

 

[John in OH]

Right here, third bulet point.

You're right!! Guess I need to read a little slower. Sorry for muddying the water!

 

[oldldh]

I hope it does happen...

I hope they start by mailing out hard copy, paper catalogs...

I would love to see it...If it did, it would force Home Depot, and Lowes, etc to raise their games to compete...

It would be smart business...

I would also like most of it to rebadged American made stuff...

It would be nice...

But---will it happen???

 

[Strouty]

Eddie will never let it happen. Only someone that wants the company to have a future would be able to do this.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Eddie will never let it happen. Only someone that wants the company to have a future would be able to do this.

Correct, but eddie does want the assets to have a future. The names and the real estate are all he is interested in.

 

[redsand187]

Power tools have always been sold in this manner, and a lot of them are owned by the same companies.. Tool truck companies, on the other hand, operate under an Amway/Tupperware business model that isn't well suited to brick-and-mortar sales. They essentially would be saying F-you to all of the tool truck drivers.

If they see it as a way to make more money, they will gladly say F-you to the tool truck drivers.

A lot of the tools that these brands sell aren't actually made by themselves either. A lot of stuff is contracted out. They do make a lot of their own basic tools, but a lot of stuff is bought and rebranded.

It wouldn't be that hard to see them bring silver eagle or bluepoint into stores, outsource more and more to China.

The power tool model can be used to show that it's feasible and that they wouldn't be reinventing the wheel.

Snap-on is a publicly traded company a deal that gets them into more hands, even if it doesn't earn more profit will likely make the company more valuable, as stupid as that is.

The other companies are privately owned, but that doesn't mean they aren't looking to sell to private investment companies. You make a big deal like this and your price increases, you sell, and let the new investment company figure out if it was a good deal or not. Good way to put an extra few hundred million or a billion bucks in your pocket if you are already looking to sell.

 

[panknuckshovel]

If they see it as a way to make more money, they will gladly say F-you to the tool truck drivers.

A lot of the tools that these brands sell aren't actually made by themselves either. A lot of stuff is contracted out. They do make a lot of their own basic tools, but a lot of stuff is bought and rebranded.

It wouldn't be that hard to see them bring silver eagle or bluepoint into stores, outsource more and more to China.

The power tool model can be used to show that it's feasible and that they wouldn't be reinventing the wheel.

Snap-on is a publicly traded company a deal that gets them into more hands, even if it doesn't earn more profit will likely make the company more valuable, as stupid as that is.

The other companies are privately owned, but that doesn't mean they aren't looking to sell to private investment companies. You make a big deal like this and your price increases, you sell, and let the new investment company figure out if it was a good deal or not. Good way to put an extra few hundred million or a billion bucks in your pocket if you are already looking to sell.

Silver Eagle would be less than zero problem, Danaher is already making that and Craftsman.

 

[Strouty]

Correct, but eddie does want the assets to have a future. The names and the real estate are all he is interested in.

Then maybe he is involved, this way he can rent out parking lot space for repair jobs.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Then maybe he is involved, this way he can rent out parking lot space for repair jobs.

Yah, buy the part and the tool then fix your car in the parking lot like AA or AZ.

 

[woody 73]

I have some land for sale oh did I forget to mention all the alligators that roam around during the day!

 

[MikeF2316]

Like most, I'd like to see it happen. Like most, I don't believe it will. And if it did, I'm sure we Canadians would be left out.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[bczygan]

Companies that are on the way down the ******* often try to solve their problems by reaching out like this.

Problem is, that it only shows how out of touch with reality they are, that they have to ask these questions.

And by this time, it's way too late anyway.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

One question to the OP, how was this a survey?

 

[PFSard]

Loscaldazar >> Any idea why you received this email?

- Did anyone else receive this?
- Is this a followup on the Requests for Comments type thread that appeared on GJ a few months ago?

 

[mmack66]

If they see it as a way to make more money, they will gladly say F-you to the tool truck drivers.

A lot of the tools that these brands sell aren't actually made by themselves either. A lot of stuff is contracted out. They do make a lot of their own basic tools, but a lot of stuff is bought and rebranded.

It wouldn't be that hard to see them bring silver eagle or bluepoint into stores, outsource more and more to China.

The power tool model can be used to show that it's feasible and that they wouldn't be reinventing the wheel.

Snap-on is a publicly traded company a deal that gets them into more hands, even if it doesn't earn more profit will likely make the company more valuable, as stupid as that is.

The other companies are privately owned, but that doesn't mean they aren't looking to sell to private investment companies. You make a big deal like this and your price increases, you sell, and let the new investment company figure out if it was a good deal or not. Good way to put an extra few hundred million or a billion bucks in your pocket if you are already looking to sell.

What are you talking about? Sears Holding Corporation isn't going to buy Snap-On, Mac, or Matco, just so they can offer an even bigger selection of crappy made in China tools.

 

[Jim C.]

......As much as I'd like to see a return of Craftsman Professional, the failure of the premium ratchets shows that Sears' customers aren't really interested in premium-priced products anymore......

I don't know about that. Were the premium ratchets a failure? I have two of them and I think they're great tools. I also believe there would be many former and current Sears customers who would gladly welcome back more expensive, higher quality, USA made tools. If such tools were on the Sears shelves now, the lower end tool buying consumers would eventually figure it out and make their way to Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. to find what they were looking for. Sears could re-build its tool product line and once again be known as a mid to higher end tool retailer. I'd love to see Sears and Craftsman tools bounce back. It all seems too good to be true, so again, I'll believe it when I see it. Hope it happens.

Jim C.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Loscaldazar]

One question to the OP, how was this a survey?

I just took screen shots of the written text, not the questions. After each box of text it had a few questions on whether or not I would be more likely to shop there, what I liked, what I didn't like, what I thought they should add/take away, etc.

Loscaldazar >> Any idea why you received this email?

- Did anyone else receive this?
- Is this a followup on the Requests for Comments type thread that appeared on GJ a few months ago?

I received this email just in my email. Probably selected because the only thing I purchase at sears is tools (that I usually get for free because of their random surprise points).

 

[Farmall450]

That's impressive. I'd love to see it.

 

[Jim C.]

The premium ratchets were a failure. A noble failure, but a failure nonetheless. They're being clearanced now. They were barely in stock for the last year or more before that. Stores would have one in each size, if that. They're good ratchets, just like the Armstrong/Matcos/GearWrenches on which they're based, but if no one bought them, they were a failure.......

Oh. Okay. Sure. Thanks for voicing your opinion. You can be the definitive source when it comes to identifying failure.

 

[Strouty]

I just took screen shots of the written text, not the questions. After each box of text it had a few questions on whether or not I would be more likely to shop there, what I liked, what I didn't like, what I thought they should add/take away, etc.

Makes sense now, thanks for adding that.

 

[Sky Chief]

I received this survey as well and took the time to fill it out.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I'm just going to say Autozone effectively has

"Associates with increased training for assistance with auto projects"

1. If you re-read the whole thing with an eye on what Sears may be attempting to do, you might seem some patterns you recognize.

2. Sears isn't going to delve into the parts market.

So good luck with all that.

 

[ChevyEFI]

And the apparent lean towards retail showing continued or increasing, rather than diminished, volume reminds me of Rupert Murdoch investing heavily in newspapers.