Lowe’s not stocking Craftsman?

[Jtels85]

With the holidays behind us, I realize that a lot of tools were sold for the holiday season... however, Lowe’s hasn’t been keeping up with restocking a lot of items since well before Christmas. Single screwdrivers, pliers, some wrenches, wrench sets, etc... same SKU’s have been bare going on 4-5 months without being restocked. Other Craftsman items are well-stocked and collecting a thick layer of dust (impact socket sets and extension bar sets come to mind), because the prices are so outrageous. All of this is prevalent at at least 4 locations I frequent.

It just kinda seems like their pricing, marketing and availability are jacked up across the board. With so many other options out there, you’d think they would want to be competitive.

Anybody else notice what I’m talking about?

 

[Sine Swept]

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the Kobalt stuff over the new Craftsman displays.

 

[Jtels85]

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the Kobalt stuff over the new Craftsman displays.

That’s the other thing... I know the Kobalt presence was getting smaller during the Craftsman transition, then they made a come-back and now they’re reducing the brand again.

I just get the feeling none of the top brass at Lowe’s know what the hell they’re doing. You don’t exactly need a degree in business or marketing to know somethings not right.

 

[four.cycle]

Perhaps they are re-thinking their strategy and long-term objectives while allowing the monetary investment in inventory to dwindle.
Too many variables involved with not enough time elapsed to try to make an informed call about what it is they're doing.

 

[rtz]

I bet all the returns were sinking them. I imagine they will "give" the brand to Ace.

 

[four.cycle]

I would tend to doubt that.
The net amount would be relatively insignificant in the larger picture, and if there were any great number people people returning old Craftsman items to Lowes, a good portion of them would be new potential customers.

Too soon to try to make a call on this right now. All the involved parties are most likely in that "growing pains" stage and there's no doubt going to be some trial and error involved in the process.

Remember that battleships are not able to turn on a dime at sea.

 

[AndySomogyi]

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the Kobalt stuff over the new Craftsman displays.

Totally agree, Kobalt was much better quality than Craftsman.

I’ve always used Craftsman tools, and honestly I’ve always hated them. I hate their square, boxy feel. I was so glad when Kobalt came out, I loved their look and feel and very nice finish, IMO, Kobalt was right between Cradtsman and Snap-On quality.

But the new Craftsman tools are even worse than before, and I really miss Kobalt.

I might have to give Icon a try, might have to switch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ckeene]

I like your avatar picture

 

[nieuport17]

No difference on my Lowes. Just visited them tonight. Lowes’ Craftsman is still over priced.

To me, Sears’ Craftsman quality is so so, but good deal when they go on sale.

Lowes’ Craftsman quality is also so so, but the price is way too high. Maybe they are priced for the US made later.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Their Craftsman prices are too high. The new Craftsman red they use does not match the old Craftsman red and makes the brand look cheap.

How does this

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set/1000595129

Compete with (I just bought this for $99 - prices vary by zipcode)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-268-Piece-H268MTS/203541462

Or this ( I initially bought this as a present but Sears no longer believes in using packing material and the case arrived broken. I returned it and got the kid the Husky set above)

https://www.sears.com/kd-tools-telescoping-mirror/p-00999030000P

If Lowes cannot get me, a diehard Craftsman fan to buy, they are definitely doing something wrong.

 

[yrly]

It’s the product of a dumb purchase agreement. Stanley still has to pay Sears for this. It drives up the cost. From the press release...

“As previously announced, Stanley Black & Decker has made a $525 million cash payment to Sears Holdings at closing and will make a $250 million payment at the end of year three and annual payments to Sears Holdings of between 2.5% and 3.5% on new Stanley Black & Decker sales of Craftsman products through year 15.”

Since the deal closed in 2017 Stanley has to still cough up $250 million in 2020 plus 2.5-3.5% of sales for the next 12 years. This doesn’t sound like much but since they slapped craftsman on everything that $1000 snowblower at Lowe’s makes Sears $25-$35. Sears will be gone and since the leftover entity will still exist Stanley is gonna be feeding Fast Eddie’s hedge fund money for the next 12 years still.

To make a profit on the stuff they have to charge more. It leaves the stuff at a competitive disadvantage. Sears can market competitive versions as long as it exists (probably online only even) since they’re not paying extra they can sell for less. While there are fewer stores it undermines online sales mostly. Meanwhile Home Depot isn’t stuck with any such problem with Husky, nor is Harbor Freight.

I’d assume Stanley and Lowe’s entered into an agreement of some kind to have all the Craftsman stuff there but if it doesn’t sell Lowe’s can probably find ways to adjust floor space to put more Kobalt back into the mix.

Then on top of all that stuff the quality of this stuff isn’t that great. Kobalt was largely better. The Great Star sourced stuff Sears is selling is better made, plus some date code evidence suggests they also mended ways with Apex as a supplier meaning they can sell rebranded Gear Wrench.

As of now it’s mostly an overpriced tool chinese Stanley quality, but if you want chinese Stanley just go buy them at Wal-Mart.

If they kept the prices where they are and start making it in the USA it might be different if the quality is there. I think once the factory is on line though they’ll have to drive the prices up again to cover the royalty costs if they intend to make money. While I hope they don’t I suspect they don’t have a choice.

 

[lardy1]

I try not to use big box stores so I haven't been in a Lowe's since mid November (I think it was). I couldn't believe the way they had relegated the former store brand to a very small area and had Craftsman splattered all over everything in sight. I thought then (not that I care) that they were taking a pretty big gamble with that move.

 

[1982fxr]

I don't own any new Craftsman, but consider kobalt basically junk.

had to buy a set of wrenches when I couldn't find one doing suspension work once, could see it bend. Wrapped it in rags in case it broke, didn't want to cut my hand open. Still have the pieces of ****.

You know you're using junk *** wrenches when you have an escape route every time you put it on a fastener.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

I miss the Kobalt brand as well. They may not have been the best but far better quality than the new Craftsman. They should expanded there own brand.

 

[zendriver]

In the end one is paying for the name, but they are stuck between and rock-and-a-hard place IMO.

Producing and selling a Cman 250pc imported tool set now for $100 and then simply triple the price when they are better "made in America" and buyers will readily go for it?

Not seeing it, since the expectation of Snap On quality at Harbor Freight pricing, will be in effect.

Maybe they are trying to "soften the blow", by not giving away the current products

 

[USAMatt]

Their Craftsman prices are too high. The new Craftsman red they use does not match the old Craftsman red and makes the brand look cheap.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this. The new red reminds me of the professional battery tools sears had years ago. Very toy like.. I really wanted a new 3000 series box but the red doesn't match any of my other Craftsman/Waterloo boxes. I'm waiting for a stainless option or hope they tone down the red. I think it's a huge turn off.

Our Lowe's is bringing back Kobalt in a big way. It makes me wonder what's going on behind the scenes. I know there's over a dozen new brushless Kobalt 24v tools coming in 2020. I bought into the Craftsman V20 line but they really need to step up their game. If this is as good as it's going to get I'll probably be forced to jump ship. Milwaukee, Makita and even the new MetaboHPT lines have my attention at the moment. I'll buy Craftsman's new USA hand tools if they're reasonably priced and high quality though.

I don't blame Lowe's for any of this. I don't even blame Sears now. It's all on SBD. Craftsman will only be as good as SBD will let it be... If they want it to be a great, well respected and higher tier brand, they can make it so. If they want to keep it dumbed down and lower rate, then this is what we have.

 

[bob15]

Just curious, when you guys say you miss Kobalt, which Kobalt do you miss? Williams-made or Dahaner-made?

 

[allinon72]

Lowes is just a mess overall, they are like the dollar general of home improvement stores, by design seemingly. Their product mix ***** including Craftsman, which they're quickly turning into just another cheap, overpriced brand. Their app ***** and it's nearly impossible to look anything up. I avoid them like the plague.

 

[Sine Swept]

I have a few square drive extensions with knurling that I really like. I'm not saying I like Kobalt best, it just has a good feel in the hand over the Craftsman stuff.

 

[Fedwrench]

Just curious, when you guys say you miss Kobalt, which Kobalt do you miss? Williams-made or Dahaner-made?

I would guess Taiwan/PRC China made Kobalt is what they're missing.

I mean williams made Kobalt was over 20 years ago when williams still had a factory in Columbus, GA.

The Danaher stuff went away like 10 years ago

 

[measuredtwice]

I would guess Taiwan/PRC China made Kobalt is what they're missing.

I mean williams made Kobalt was over 20 years ago when williams still had a factory in Columbus, GA.

The Danaher stuff went away like 10 years ago

Is 10 years a long time?? Gosh, I'm old.

 

[pontgta]

I don't own any new Craftsman, but consider kobalt basically junk.

had to buy a set of wrenches when I couldn't find one doing suspension work once, could see it bend. Wrapped it in rags in case it broke, didn't want to cut my hand open. Still have the pieces of ****.

You know you're using junk *** wrenches when you have an escape route every time you put it on a fastener.

I gave all my kobalt tools away! I just could not get use to them.

 

[metaldad]

wasnt impressed with the kobalt line, from a few years back.
fwiw, menards has stocked some craftsman.
i really dont need anything, so, i never really looked

 

[wazzabie]

Stanley is building a new plant in Ft. Worth Texas to make Craftsman sockets and wrenches. When these are in stores I'm expecting a return back to quality.

 

[Coach James]

It's interesting reading that some folks miss Kobalt. A year ago, almost every thread that mentioned Kobalt was full of comments that Kobalt was "trash", "junk", or something of that sort. I don't feel much one way or the other. I have some Kobalt hand tools and they work fine. I would like to see a picture of a bent Kobalt wrench or any wrench that bent from just pulling with one's hands.

Coach

 

[bwringer]

Lowes is just a mess overall...

Ding ding ding, we have the winner.

bLowe's is the closest home store to my house, yet I regularly drive past them another ten minutes to the Home Despot. But most of the time I usually proceed another 20 minutes to the nearest Meanards.

The reason is that bLowe's specializes in being out of stuff. They're experts in the empty shelf, unparalleled in their ability to have a lack of that specific super common thingamwhatsit I need.

"Surely", thought I one day, when I was young and naive, "Surely they will have 20 foot rolls of 1/4" copper line so I can get this furshlugginer water filter installed quickly..."

Nope. Empty.

"Surely they will have white 10x4" floor registers, furnace filters, or these common plumbing fittings...." Time and again, nope, nah, and nuh-uh.

So I am not shocked that their stocks of Craftsman stuff are lacking.



And yeah, FWIW I agree that the made in Taiwan Kobalt hand tools were very often excellent quality with reasonable pricing. I have quite a bit of it in my collection.

But Chinese Craftsman-branded imitation stuff at higher prices... no.

 

[willbird]

I saw craftsman tool boxes at Menards ?

 

[LB-1911]

I saw craftsman tool boxes at Menards ?

Yes, One of several threads.
Spotted Craftsman at Menard's today

 

[vssjim]

I never bought any Kobalt after the Williams US made tools went away and just don't see a reason for Craftsman until the Ft Worth stuff is up and running and we will see how it goes. I own a lot of Craftsman stuff but none since it went off shore. Lowes when they brought out Kobalt years ago tried to sell it hard and expanded the line and had good tools but it seemed like one day they loose interest in stuff and it goes dark. So time will tell and we will see.

 

[darkzero]

My local Lowes seems to be well stocked. But that's probably not due to restocking, the stock has always just been there (not selling).

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the Kobalt stuff over the new Craftsman displays.

Same here. Lowes is blue, I used to like going to Lowes more than HD cause they're closer to me & cause the have AC (in the hot summer), HD has swamp coolers. Now when I walk into a Lowes all I see is red in the tool section.

I'm not a fan of the SB&D Craftsman. When they bought Craftsman I got my hopes up but nope, I've lost complete interest in the Craftsman name now. Most of SB&D Craftsman is just expensive rebranded Stanley stuff. Yeah sure some things aren't but that's how I see it. I'd rather (but I won't) just buy Stanley or Dewalt (for power tools) over Craftsman.

 

[mrjaw14]

My local Lowe’s is all craftsman all the time now. Kobalt is stuffed in a small section now, probable just for warranty replacements

 

[mudflap]

Ding ding ding, we have the winner.

bLowe's is the closest home store to my house, yet I regularly drive past them another ten minutes to the Home Despot. But most of the time I usually proceed another 20 minutes to the nearest Meanards.

The reason is that bLowe's specializes in being out of stuff. They're experts in the empty shelf, unparalleled in their ability to have a lack of that specific super common thingamwhatsit I need.

"Surely", thought I one day, when I was young and naive, "Surely they will have 20 foot rolls of 1/4" copper line so I can get this furshlugginer water filter installed quickly..."

Nope. Empty.

"Surely they will have white 10x4" floor registers, furnace filters, or these common plumbing fittings...." Time and again, nope, nah, and nuh-uh.

So I am not shocked that their stocks of Craftsman stuff are lacking.



And yeah, FWIW I agree that the made in Taiwan Kobalt hand tools were very often excellent quality with reasonable pricing. I have quite a bit of it in my collection.

But Chinese Craftsman-branded imitation stuff at higher prices... no.

It's the same at my local Lowes, i drive past it to go to Menards. Lowes is always out of common items, 20 Amp Square D breaker was the last thing i wasted my time looking for there.. But they never seem to run out of those 5 gal buckets that are at the end of every isle...lol.

 

[dthor68]

I am no fan of Craftsman, even the old USA Craftsman stunk. However, it still comes with a lifetime warranty. So no matter how bad it is if you break it, take it back to Lowes for the rest of your life. My Lowes has just a few Kobalt items left. Who will sell Kobalt when Lowes phases it out? You can forget about the Kobalt warranty, unless they will swap it with a Craftsman.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ellison struggled with JCP too. Seems like Lowes is more guesswork than game plan.

 

[darkzero]

They just opened up a DIY Home Center near me last month where the old OSH was. I used to love OSH cause they were the closest to me & they carried stuff that big orange & big blue didn't. DIY Home Center seems to be the same, used to go to the one by my old work but I'm never in that area anymore. I'm so glad they opened near me, no more going to Lowes for me, just DIY HC & HD hopefully. But the store is not fully stocked yet. Prices on the stuff I have bought already were pretty good too.

 

[American Locomotive]

I guess I just don't understand where SBD and Lowes were trying to position Craftsman.

Historically, Craftsman hand tools were made in the USA, with solid quality and a great warranty. Their ratchets weren't exactly smooth operators, but they were durable enough. Of course, Sears tossed all of that out when they offshored all of Craftsman socket and ratchet production, but kept the same prices on everything.

The problem is the import brands like GearWrench and whatever have increased their quality so much, that they're pretty close if not equivalent to old U.S.A. Craftsman. But why would you pay Craftsman USA prices for what are in all likelihood the exact same sockets that all the Taiwanese brands are selling here?

Same thing when I looked at their power tool lineup at Lowes the other day. None of the Craftsman tools look particular good, or really feel like quality pieces when you pick them up. Even the Porter Cable stuff feels better, which is odd since they're probably the same guts.

 

[yrly]

I am no fan of Craftsman, even the old USA Craftsman stunk. However, it still comes with a lifetime warranty. So no matter how bad it is if you break it, take it back to Lowes for the rest of your life. My Lowes has just a few Kobalt items left. Who will sell Kobalt when Lowes phases it out? You can forget about the Kobalt warranty, unless they will swap it with a Craftsman.

I doubt Kobalt will be gone entirely. I just saw a commercial for a Kobalt drill during the 4pm football game.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I still use my Willaims made kobalt wrenches every day. wish they were still around. like them better than my snap on wrenches...

Lowes ***** /end thread

craftsman already died. let them go in peace.

 

[yatg]

They just opened up a DIY Home Center near me last month where the old OSH was. I used to love OSH cause they were the closest to me & they carried stuff that big orange & big blue didn't. DIY Home Center seems to be the same, used to go to the one by my old work but I'm never in that area anymore. I'm so glad they opened near me, no more going to Lowes for me, just DIY HC & HD hopefully. But the store is not fully stocked yet. Prices on the stuff I have bought already were pretty good too.

OSH went to **** after Sears bought it in 96. Used to be more of a farm supply type store where you could buy nails and such in bulk or find the oddball PVC fitting. Sears turned OSH into a mini Home Depot clone with everything in plastic baggies. Then Lowes bought it in 2013 and it went out of business in 2018. Probably a move by Lowes to reduce the smaller hardware store chain pool. OSH had Craftsman even after Lowes acquired it.

 

[darkzero]

OSH went to **** after Sears bought it in 96. Used to be more of a farm supply type store where you could buy nails and such in bulk or find the oddball PVC fitting. Sears turned OSH into a mini Home Depot clone with everything in plastic baggies. Then Lowes bought it in 2013 and it went out of business in 2018. Probably a move by Lowes to reduce the smaller hardware store chain pool. OSH had Craftsman even after Lowes acquired it.

Yep, although I don't remember any OSH stores in my area that far back, we had Builder's Emporium. Many of the OSH stores closed here & there but the one by my house did really well cause of it's location. Seemed to even do better when Lowes took over. They finally closed only when Lowes finally closed all of them. That's why I have high hopes for DIY Home Center that moved into the OSH location. OSH was on the expensive side for pricing.