Employ people in the tool department who still have pride and knowledge of tools and what they do.........Not some grumpy retiree that gives me **** about wanting a USA made replacement tool if I need to warranty it. Then has the nerve to go on questioning my reasoning for wanting a USA made tool, as he sits on his keyster collecting Social Security from the country he doesnt give a **** about.
Sears and Craftsman Want Your Feedback!!!
- Thread starter Stuey
- Start date
Reviews seem a little mixed.
Are those a whole lot better than the new HF low profile ratchets that you can get for less than half the price of this USA set? http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283095
It seems like that's where a lot of Sears/Craftsman customers are going to end up instead...
n8n
Well-known member
I guess the reluctance is that let's say you have one of the old decent ratchets that Sears sold, say one of the Easco made RHFT deals. It breaks. What do they do for you warranty wise?
I *know* Williams will take care of me, because they've done it once already. Yes, they discontinued the old "Superratchet" S-52 and don't carry kits for it, but they replaced it with a shiny new S-52A which is different, yes, but not noticeably inferior.
I also trust that SK would do the same, or that if I needed a kit for a Snap-On ratchet that I'd be able to buy one. (I haven't broken either yet though, touch wood.)
Will Sears still be around to warranty their good ratchets 10 or 20 years from now?
Unfortunately, this seems to be a downward spiral. They not only need to convince me that their products are as good as and as good a value as the tools that I've already switched to, but that they will also be around as a company, AND choose to still keep making replacement parts for and/or make tools as good as the tools that I originally paid for.
This is a huge hill to climb. They're looking pretty questionable as a company, and also they have already disappointed me by not stocking rebuild kits for the old, good ratchets and by warrantying my good old USA made breaker bar by replacing it with a new Chinese breaker bar. So on all three points they've lost my business.
Sure, the new premium ratchets are good, but to buy one I'd need to believe that either Sears will stock parts for them indefinitely, or that whatever they replace it with and consider to be an equivalent replacement in the future will be as good. I really don't believe that anymore.
At this point I don't know if there really is anything that they can do to win me back, but what I've said above is the minimum that HAS to happen if they are ever going to regain their position as the undisputed go-to brand for the ambitious DIYer.
impactsocket
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2014
- Messages
- 769
SK almost went out of business recently. Sears may go away but CM will still be sold else where.
jeff lary
Well-known member
When I walk into the Sears in our local Mall I had better be able to answer all my own questions. There is always an 18 year old girl at the counter that does not know the difference between a shovel and a screwdriver. The people on the floor are a joke, skinny jean wearing 120 pound " men " that have no idea where to find and automatic center punch or for that matter what one is to begin with.
Most if not all the people I know cannot afford the Mac, Blue Point Snap On yada yada. We just want a good tool to last a long time 20 years plus would be a good starting point. And fellas when it does fail, don't act like your doing me a favor by exchanging a broken screwdriver just do it shut up and smile. Chances are we will be back ,act like we are bothering you and you can guess the rest.
Most if not all the people I know cannot afford the Mac, Blue Point Snap On yada yada. We just want a good tool to last a long time 20 years plus would be a good starting point. And fellas when it does fail, don't act like your doing me a favor by exchanging a broken screwdriver just do it shut up and smile. Chances are we will be back ,act like we are bothering you and you can guess the rest.
stevenhs
Well-known member
1) Make the website simple as possible. Easy to search. Easy to navigate. Please no pop up coupons.
2) Made in USA tools. I dont mind paying more
2) Made in USA tools. I dont mind paying more
it is really disappointing when something like a set of stubby wrenches has lots of feedback about being made in the USA but when they show up on my doorstep they are clearly not made in the USA. Depending on what state they are delivered to you might get USA tools or you might get Chinese tools. There are lots of place to buy Chinese or Taiwanese tools for considerably less money all over town or the web. The set I received are going to be returned and I am probably not going to waste the time playing tool roulette with Sears ever again.
Growing up, I was always told by my Grandpa, Dad and Uncles that Craftsman was a good quality tool. I wish I had purchased more before they starting outsourcing their manufacturing to foreign lands…
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Growing up, I was always told by my Grandpa, Dad and Uncles that Craftsman was a good quality tool. I wish I had purchased more before they starting outsourcing their manufacturing to foreign lands…
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
thesilverone
Well-known member
^The USA inventory probably ran dry
back that up with proof.
yes, sk went out of business. sk may have had some product that was not quite up to snuff but they had a lot of stuff that was very good and innovative. ratcheting wrenches, air tools, ratcheting screwdrivers, and trim tools just to name a few. taiwan, french and us made.
sears and craftsman have whored out the name with a bunch of ****. there may not be much left to salvage and i don't think it is a given that they will always be around.
they used to say pontiac and oldsmobile would never go away either.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
OP, have you seen or heard anything from the Sears / CM side on this thread? Seems like we've provided some good thoughts collectively. I'm anxious for action now... I maybe buried 6' under if I wait for Sears to acknowledge and react though..
Dennis
Dennis
slyonedoofy
Well-known member
Just so you know, at Sears, when you leave feedback on the survey from the receipt it goes directly to the store you purchased the item at.
So, if you go online and do the survey it shows up at the store under the persons number that rang you up.
The sad part is when some idiot helps you and pisses you off and then some other poor girl rings you up and she gets a bad review on her record.
The store, managers of each department, and employees are scored on this feedback.
This is tracked and used to rank stores nationally against each other.
It also is part of what dictates which upper management people getting bonuses.
Feedback is discussed every morning during a quick meeting with employees before opening.
So, if you go online and do the survey it shows up at the store under the persons number that rang you up.
The sad part is when some idiot helps you and pisses you off and then some other poor girl rings you up and she gets a bad review on her record.
The store, managers of each department, and employees are scored on this feedback.
This is tracked and used to rank stores nationally against each other.
It also is part of what dictates which upper management people getting bonuses.
Feedback is discussed every morning during a quick meeting with employees before opening.
holdtherice
Active member
Sears and Craftsman have both been going downhill for a long time. The Craftsman move to Chinese made is like them running up the white flag. It signals they know they've lost and just want to wring a few more dollars out of a once trusted and respected brand. Wal-Mart kicked their *** with always low prices. Amazon kicks their *** with a better website and better service. Staff at the local Sears can just as easily annoy me as make me happy. I don't think Sears is going to make it, SYWR is more like playing lotto than shopping. What good is a "lifetime hand tool warranty" if you can't trade for a comparable USA tool? More importantly, what good is the warranty if everyone thinks Sears management is not planning to keep Sears a going concern?
People loved Craftsman because they wanted the option for the affordable "better" tool, made in USA, with the great warranty. Gimmick tools, cheaper import tools, poor service, sketchy pricing and lack of confidence are what destroyed Craftsman.
People loved Craftsman because they wanted the option for the affordable "better" tool, made in USA, with the great warranty. Gimmick tools, cheaper import tools, poor service, sketchy pricing and lack of confidence are what destroyed Craftsman.
Yes, and no.
Sears' tool team has been very appreciative for the feedback, and I think they are genuinely interested in making improvements.
The person I spoke to at Craftsman isn't a decision maker, and he only contacted me after seeing the post on ToolGuyd. Let's just say that his words were promising, but then disappointing. I haven't a clue as to what to expect from them.
I really don't expect to be kept in the loop, but I hope to be.
Exceller8
Well-known member
All the Sears that I've been in lately are a sloppy mess with lazy employees. Sears used to have to cleanest stores around and they seemed to really care. Just like going to Chinese tools, they just don't care anymore. Anything to save the bottom line.
I for one am done with Sears. Their just not a company that I want to spend my $$$ with. It's sad really!!!
I for one am done with Sears. Their just not a company that I want to spend my $$$ with. It's sad really!!!
impactsocket
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2014
- Messages
- 769
Have you noticed when there is a China made Craftsman tool deal in the hot deals section of garagejournal.com, the tool is sold out real quick.
I think most do it yourself guys/gals are not willing to spend top dollar on USA made Craftsman tools.
Craftsman has to make their tools overseas to compete with their competitors.
Craftsman should sell more tools at Costco with a greater discount. Perhaps offer the entire catalog of Craftsman tools on costco.com with a greater discount and allow for free pickup at a local Costco.
I think most do it yourself guys/gals are not willing to spend top dollar on USA made Craftsman tools.
Craftsman has to make their tools overseas to compete with their competitors.
Craftsman should sell more tools at Costco with a greater discount. Perhaps offer the entire catalog of Craftsman tools on costco.com with a greater discount and allow for free pickup at a local Costco.
Last edited:
FBJR
Well-known member
I think much of what I have to say has been said. Last time I took a ratchet in for "exchange" it was the round head fine tooth I loved and was given a cheap teardrop toggle thing.
I remember wanting to go to Sears just to look at tools, now its why? Much is not Craftsman, not in stock and overpriced for what it is.
I don't care where its made, in the USA is better of course. But quality rules at a fair price. I don't care if its rebranded, quality speaks for itself anytime.
I even had a fire around 10 years ago. Big toolbox was cooked, but almost every tool was still usable and I use them to this day. Some cleaned up nice, some not but they work!!
I always tried to get sets though, it saved lots and volume is the key to it all. I still have most of them and the nice cases stay in my vehicles.
Now 90% of my handtools tools are craftsman and would guess they are over 30 years old. About all I have bought in the last 20 years are a few sockets and some of the gearwrench tools.
I do like the Nextec cordless tools though and have a couple sets for around for little stuff.
When I was young I could barely afford Craftsman, but thats what I would get. In fact I still have a 5hp Compressor from 95 that still runs good and will go up for sale. But Champion replaced it as Sears had nothing.
Same with a Drill press. Saw a nice Craftsman full size online and I like my little tabletop so looked there first. Price was OK but nothing in stock (no full size) and a week to get it. So Lowes got my business and I saved $100.
I joined the Craftsman Club, but never heard one thing from them, why join?
Is it really 245 am,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
JM2CW
I remember wanting to go to Sears just to look at tools, now its why? Much is not Craftsman, not in stock and overpriced for what it is.
I don't care where its made, in the USA is better of course. But quality rules at a fair price. I don't care if its rebranded, quality speaks for itself anytime.
I even had a fire around 10 years ago. Big toolbox was cooked, but almost every tool was still usable and I use them to this day. Some cleaned up nice, some not but they work!!
I always tried to get sets though, it saved lots and volume is the key to it all. I still have most of them and the nice cases stay in my vehicles.
Now 90% of my handtools tools are craftsman and would guess they are over 30 years old. About all I have bought in the last 20 years are a few sockets and some of the gearwrench tools.
I do like the Nextec cordless tools though and have a couple sets for around for little stuff.
When I was young I could barely afford Craftsman, but thats what I would get. In fact I still have a 5hp Compressor from 95 that still runs good and will go up for sale. But Champion replaced it as Sears had nothing.
Same with a Drill press. Saw a nice Craftsman full size online and I like my little tabletop so looked there first. Price was OK but nothing in stock (no full size) and a week to get it. So Lowes got my business and I saved $100.
I joined the Craftsman Club, but never heard one thing from them, why join?
Is it really 245 am,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
JM2CW
Attachments
Last edited:
When I go to Sears website (www.sears.com) I get announcement : sears now offers international shipping! Great - since I am from Iceland. And subsequently I get the prices in euros.
Here is the problem:
I click on item: Craftsman 34" 5-Drawer Truck Road Box Black for $539.96
The site takes me to the item page and flashes for just a brief moment the dollar price of 539.96 and then reloads and then shows the price in euros: EUR 685.72 As you know the euro is still worth little more than the US dollar so this is strange. I choose to see the price in US dollars and got $701.95
If I proceed to checkout, this is what I get:
Items: USD 701.95
Shipping: USD 428.52
Duties & Taxes: UNPAID
Order Total: USD 1,130.47
Ok, since shipping, taxes or duties are not included - why do I have pay extra $162 for the toolbox? And not only the toolbox, this seems to be the case for all items!?
Needless to say I am not interested in doing business on those terms.
Here is the problem:
I click on item: Craftsman 34" 5-Drawer Truck Road Box Black for $539.96
The site takes me to the item page and flashes for just a brief moment the dollar price of 539.96 and then reloads and then shows the price in euros: EUR 685.72 As you know the euro is still worth little more than the US dollar so this is strange. I choose to see the price in US dollars and got $701.95
If I proceed to checkout, this is what I get:
Items: USD 701.95
Shipping: USD 428.52
Duties & Taxes: UNPAID
Order Total: USD 1,130.47
Ok, since shipping, taxes or duties are not included - why do I have pay extra $162 for the toolbox? And not only the toolbox, this seems to be the case for all items!?
Needless to say I am not interested in doing business on those terms.
Last edited:
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Have you tried to get the online chat service to explain that? I've had tremendous luck with the last person who seemed to really know how to dissect and explain that.
Good Luck..
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Thanks Stuey.. I hope the leaders at CM have half the sense they need to, to review and act on our comments.. Keep us posted as you hear or learn anything from them..
Thank you for posting this link. I have not bought or shopped in a Sears for nearly a decade after they changed their "lifetime guarantee" policy and began sending tools to you instead of pulling them off the shelf. Gave me a chance to leave my experience with them.
I did walk into a Sears in Indianapolis last weekend, ??Cornerstone Mall?? on the north end. It was horrible. Empty floor space, some shelves were half full of merchandise, it looked like a cheap outlet store. There were just enough people on the floor to man the cash registers. The only thing missing were the going out of business signs, 70% off everything in the store. It was sad. Sears used to be so much fun as a kid.
I did walk into a Sears in Indianapolis last weekend, ??Cornerstone Mall?? on the north end. It was horrible. Empty floor space, some shelves were half full of merchandise, it looked like a cheap outlet store. There were just enough people on the floor to man the cash registers. The only thing missing were the going out of business signs, 70% off everything in the store. It was sad. Sears used to be so much fun as a kid.
elmwood
Member
Hæ! Somewhat off-topic: how about trying it through the Craftsman Web site?
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00926372000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
No I have not tried that, thanks for the suggestion.
Hæ!
Thanks for the suggestion, it seems international shipping is not an option on the Craftsman web site. It's not a big deal for me since the shipping rates are pretty steep rendering most purchases pointless.
However I don't think this double pricing is a mistake.
Where to start?
If your product is no better than Harbor Freight, why should I go to you rather than them? If there's nothing to distinguish it from the mediocre chinese product at Lowes/HomeDepot/Autozone/Menards, why should I go to you, especially when I have 2 Lowes, 3 Home Depots and gawd knows how many Autozones closer? If ALL THREE of the big tool retailers (Sears/Lowes/HomeDepot) have taken their house brands off shore, it seems like the first one to realize "duh, there's an opportunity here" and TAKE the opportunity will be able to grab the bulk of the market that does want Made In USA. There may not be enough such market for all 3, but there sure is for just one.
Get people who USE and LOVE TOOLS involved in your product development and testing. Listen to them.
Craftsman still has some good tools in the brand, but the days of seeing a new Craftsman tool and automatically assuming that it's a good tool are long gone. There's way too much crappola carrying the Craftsman name, and apparently more on the way. I personally hope y'all can turn it around, I'll be rooting for you, but you'll have to be serious.
- Minimize the # of gimmick tools.
- Don't put "Craftsman" on ANY handtools that are Made in China. That's why you have the Companion and Evolv brands.
- Stop pumping up the piece counts in sets with allen keys and hex bits. It's BS
- Compatibility - strive for it. That means compatible not only with other C'Man products, but just as importantly, compatible with your competitors.
- Sales - reduce the frequency that any given item goes on sale. If it's 50% off 90% of the time, is it really 50% off? Such tactics scream "scam"
- Market Position - aim for Craftsman to be a solid purchase by the serious hobbyist/DIY or journeyman tradesman. In portable power tools, it should be comparable to Makita/DeWalt/Milwaukee/Bosch, but definitely ahead of Ryobi.
- Craftsman Professional/Industrial - keep the range of these products modest. Make sure they are equivalent to best in class. Keep them in production for a good long time. Make them in America. Even the power tools. These can be your halo products, do it right, both from a product and a marketing standpoint.
- Use the Evolv brand for the gimmicks.
- Website: Sear's website needs serious work.
- Brand/lifestyle gifty stuff: Make sure it WORKS. Harley-Davidson doesn't sell **** clocks, because if they did, every time their customer looked at that H-D clock that can't keep time, the customer will get pissed and associate H-D with **** product.
If your product is no better than Harbor Freight, why should I go to you rather than them? If there's nothing to distinguish it from the mediocre chinese product at Lowes/HomeDepot/Autozone/Menards, why should I go to you, especially when I have 2 Lowes, 3 Home Depots and gawd knows how many Autozones closer? If ALL THREE of the big tool retailers (Sears/Lowes/HomeDepot) have taken their house brands off shore, it seems like the first one to realize "duh, there's an opportunity here" and TAKE the opportunity will be able to grab the bulk of the market that does want Made In USA. There may not be enough such market for all 3, but there sure is for just one.
Get people who USE and LOVE TOOLS involved in your product development and testing. Listen to them.
Craftsman still has some good tools in the brand, but the days of seeing a new Craftsman tool and automatically assuming that it's a good tool are long gone. There's way too much crappola carrying the Craftsman name, and apparently more on the way. I personally hope y'all can turn it around, I'll be rooting for you, but you'll have to be serious.
- Focus on function, not flash.
- Focus on quality.
- Country of Origin IS a aspect of quality to a significant portion of the market, a portion that is currently under served.
- Choose your customer, the guy who expects to use a hand tool for decades, a power tool for years. These are the people who casual tool users turn to for buying advice. Craftsman used to occupy the vast middle ground in tools, but y'all have joined the race to the bottom. Leave the "use it once or twice" market to others.
- Make your simple tools bulletproof. Look at the following the Blockhead grinders have here. If any of your product planners or marketing people even THINK "hey, let's get some planned obsolescence going here", take 'em to the top of the formerly named Sears Tower and defenestrate them.
JKennedy
Well-known member
To the Sears Associate,
I'm 21. I Am the next generation of diy-er and workforce.
I know I'm a small fraction of profits but if you bring back the professional line, or just a core USA line I will buy craftsman tools. I will be a loyal customer till, hell, I'm 60.
I am currently in a place where I have to literally search for good tools at fair prices.
Bring back quality, the name, the store of my father.
I promise you many people my age would also back this and be faithful.
Please consider my comment.
Thanks, Jordan
I'm 21. I Am the next generation of diy-er and workforce.
I know I'm a small fraction of profits but if you bring back the professional line, or just a core USA line I will buy craftsman tools. I will be a loyal customer till, hell, I'm 60.
I am currently in a place where I have to literally search for good tools at fair prices.
Bring back quality, the name, the store of my father.
I promise you many people my age would also back this and be faithful.
Please consider my comment.
Thanks, Jordan
toolnut
Well-known member
Bring back the Sears /Craftsman that was quality made in the USA stuff we learned to rely on and have been used in our families for years that had our respect. The cheap stuff leave to the outlet stores….
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
I thought I would bump this thread, and see how many GJ'rs have heard the AM/FM radio adds for Craftsman I've heard lately (within the last couple of weeks)? They are playing on the father son grandfather "handed down" nature of the old Craftsman brand. I'm not sure if that ploy will work if the product isn't made in the USA.
Anyway, chime in if you have witnessed or heard the ads..
I have in Central Indiana / Indianapolis @ WIBC
Dennis
Anyway, chime in if you have witnessed or heard the ads..
I have in Central Indiana / Indianapolis @ WIBC
Dennis
back2class
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,723
Don't know why I am bothering....BUT. I will state the obvious and state that I am well connected in the USA tool industry. Ed Lampert is who he is. He has no capacity or interest in seeing Craftsman prosper as a brand long term. Wring out every bit of value the brand has in the short term. That means what more and a continued wave of what we have been seeing. All the bean counters are looking out for their own azzes and 1-5 year cycles.
That said, in a tool lovers utopia.
1)Bring back all the hardline to USA if there is a USA facility that can produce to a realistic price point.
2)Position Craftsman where is has traditionally been. Mid tier. Use Evolve to compete with the low end.
3)Offer some deep discounted basic sets to bring new consumers on board..but loose the all over the place sales on other items. Drives consumers away.
4)Keep the gimmick tools seasonal. We all know they mean big bucks to Sears, so why loose them?
5) Lastly, and most realistically find a real partner like HD or Lowes and do like Stanley tried to do in the 90's with Husky. You have just about enough juice left with the American consumer to revive it that way...but we both know that will never happen unless Craftsman becomes more independent.
Realities are this is done. Americans do less tool work, offshore pricing on tools, endless life cycles hardline, short term profits and stock price needs by Sears and their managers are all working against Craftsman. While I think Ideal has the right ideas with SK in that America needs a Mid-market and Craftsman is/was a lock on that market....Sears Holdings is not interested in the slow long road to building that market and it may not jive with the Sears Department Stores...but the department stores are dying and do you sacrifice Craftsman to satisfy short term needs?
That said, in a tool lovers utopia.
1)Bring back all the hardline to USA if there is a USA facility that can produce to a realistic price point.
2)Position Craftsman where is has traditionally been. Mid tier. Use Evolve to compete with the low end.
3)Offer some deep discounted basic sets to bring new consumers on board..but loose the all over the place sales on other items. Drives consumers away.
4)Keep the gimmick tools seasonal. We all know they mean big bucks to Sears, so why loose them?
5) Lastly, and most realistically find a real partner like HD or Lowes and do like Stanley tried to do in the 90's with Husky. You have just about enough juice left with the American consumer to revive it that way...but we both know that will never happen unless Craftsman becomes more independent.
Realities are this is done. Americans do less tool work, offshore pricing on tools, endless life cycles hardline, short term profits and stock price needs by Sears and their managers are all working against Craftsman. While I think Ideal has the right ideas with SK in that America needs a Mid-market and Craftsman is/was a lock on that market....Sears Holdings is not interested in the slow long road to building that market and it may not jive with the Sears Department Stores...but the department stores are dying and do you sacrifice Craftsman to satisfy short term needs?
akrisher13
Member
Hey everyone,
I worked at Sears for 5-6 months in the tool department and was ashamed. Trying to help someone/anybody out with a warranty was such a pain in the *** and makes you look bad. Having to ship it to the customers house rather than just having it was a disgrace. Wish and hope things change for the better because they are going downhill fast and probably wont last too much longer if they keep it up at this pace.
I worked at Sears for 5-6 months in the tool department and was ashamed. Trying to help someone/anybody out with a warranty was such a pain in the *** and makes you look bad. Having to ship it to the customers house rather than just having it was a disgrace. Wish and hope things change for the better because they are going downhill fast and probably wont last too much longer if they keep it up at this pace.
ssdave
Banned
Craftsman has been the most trusted brand in America for decades. As stated in numerous posts already, the company has been selling out on that trust by going to cheaper, poorer quality tools for years. Having a few gimmicks and polished tools to try to keep a shine on the reputation really isn't fooling anyone. Going to Evolv junk and putting the Craftsman name on it, in the interest of a few short term sales by fooling the customer, has gutted what little reputation is left.
If you want that trademark to be worth something; remove the Craftsman name from the junk, just put Evolv on it, nothing else. Then, make the Craftsman stuff in the US, and keep the quality at mid-level, SK or so, like it was in the 60's. Keep the price where it needs to be to make money, and invest to compete for the long haul. There's 10 or 20 home mechanics or homeowners who will buy the cost effective tool over the truck brands or industrial tools, because the price vs quality tradeoff is more appropriate for their use. Don't stoop to trying to compete with Harbor Freight, they are positioned to out-compete you on the low end junk. To survive, you will need a quality reputation to sell the Craftsman tools through Ace and other stores (think Home Depot and Lowes) after Sears and K-Mart go out of business for good. Make a core, hardline tool selection, and keep with it. Use gimmicks and novelty tools for seasonal sales and such as volume builders, but the brand reputation depends on the solid dependability of the hardline.
I personally quit purchasing Craftsman tools in 2000. I had a set of zirconium nitride bits given to me as a gift. I do machine work, so have a good set of values of what bits should do. I have great sets in my shop; the Craftsman ZN bits were superfluous so I threw them in my carpentry tools. I tried to cut some mild steel with the 1/8" ZN bit, at an appropriate speed, with a cordless drill. It rounded off and melted instantly. Obviously was defective. I took the set in to Sears and told them that they were defective. They refused to even look at them; said they were expendables and not warrantied. I argued that they were 100% defective, not worn out. No result. The salesman did tell me that I could bring in every other Craftsman tool I owned and they would replace it with new, no questions asked, defective or not, as they were unconditionally guaranteed. I did exactly that; I brought in every tool that showed damage or was worn out, and exchanged for new. Then I put them all on ebay, and replaced them with Snap-on, Proto, SK, and Matco. I have very few Craftsman today, I think the only ones are some old, offset double box. I had one of those bend recently, took it in and they replaced it with a junk one that wasn't safe to use because of the quality. The salesman argued with me, told me he would warranty it, but I should be ashamed because I had to have had a cheater bar on it to have bent it. I told him no, I had my foot on it, taking off an exhaust bolt, and that the proto I had used to finish the job hadn't bent. The shiny, new one went to ebay too.
Here's the gist of a long winded rant:
Make quality tools, for a good price, and stand behind them. That's the secret to success. Anything else is just fluff.
If you want that trademark to be worth something; remove the Craftsman name from the junk, just put Evolv on it, nothing else. Then, make the Craftsman stuff in the US, and keep the quality at mid-level, SK or so, like it was in the 60's. Keep the price where it needs to be to make money, and invest to compete for the long haul. There's 10 or 20 home mechanics or homeowners who will buy the cost effective tool over the truck brands or industrial tools, because the price vs quality tradeoff is more appropriate for their use. Don't stoop to trying to compete with Harbor Freight, they are positioned to out-compete you on the low end junk. To survive, you will need a quality reputation to sell the Craftsman tools through Ace and other stores (think Home Depot and Lowes) after Sears and K-Mart go out of business for good. Make a core, hardline tool selection, and keep with it. Use gimmicks and novelty tools for seasonal sales and such as volume builders, but the brand reputation depends on the solid dependability of the hardline.
I personally quit purchasing Craftsman tools in 2000. I had a set of zirconium nitride bits given to me as a gift. I do machine work, so have a good set of values of what bits should do. I have great sets in my shop; the Craftsman ZN bits were superfluous so I threw them in my carpentry tools. I tried to cut some mild steel with the 1/8" ZN bit, at an appropriate speed, with a cordless drill. It rounded off and melted instantly. Obviously was defective. I took the set in to Sears and told them that they were defective. They refused to even look at them; said they were expendables and not warrantied. I argued that they were 100% defective, not worn out. No result. The salesman did tell me that I could bring in every other Craftsman tool I owned and they would replace it with new, no questions asked, defective or not, as they were unconditionally guaranteed. I did exactly that; I brought in every tool that showed damage or was worn out, and exchanged for new. Then I put them all on ebay, and replaced them with Snap-on, Proto, SK, and Matco. I have very few Craftsman today, I think the only ones are some old, offset double box. I had one of those bend recently, took it in and they replaced it with a junk one that wasn't safe to use because of the quality. The salesman argued with me, told me he would warranty it, but I should be ashamed because I had to have had a cheater bar on it to have bent it. I told him no, I had my foot on it, taking off an exhaust bolt, and that the proto I had used to finish the job hadn't bent. The shiny, new one went to ebay too.
Here's the gist of a long winded rant:
Make quality tools, for a good price, and stand behind them. That's the secret to success. Anything else is just fluff.
Last edited:
kctyphoon
Banned
figured id add my latest experience - to their testament - sears actually turned me onto trying out some Knipex tools since they seem to be the only B&M store having them on the shelves, so i was able to hold and then buy my first set of Alligator pliers.. however, the vast majority of peghooks were completely empty, so the sales of the Knipex linesman pliers, 10" diagonal cutters, and 8" diagonal cutters went to Amazon. i later went back and picked up the Knipex mini bolt cutters, but still - another $100 in sales went to Amazon instead of a local store - just because the pegs were empty..
another thing that NEEDS to stop with sears, is this insane price game they play, were the same item is 5 different prices depending on what store you go in.. case in point - the dewalt ratcheting wrenches i posted in the hot deals forum.. depending on what store, or what sears website you went on, the price for same exact item was either $39, $59, $69, $72, $89 or $99.. not to mention that prices vary so much, and change week to week, that MOST of the hand tools are never priced correctly on the shelves.. so items ring up for half what you though they were, and i wouldnt have spend 20 minutes thinking about the purchase, and would have likely left with more items in my bag had the prices simply been marked correctly.
another thing that NEEDS to stop with sears, is this insane price game they play, were the same item is 5 different prices depending on what store you go in.. case in point - the dewalt ratcheting wrenches i posted in the hot deals forum.. depending on what store, or what sears website you went on, the price for same exact item was either $39, $59, $69, $72, $89 or $99.. not to mention that prices vary so much, and change week to week, that MOST of the hand tools are never priced correctly on the shelves.. so items ring up for half what you though they were, and i wouldnt have spend 20 minutes thinking about the purchase, and would have likely left with more items in my bag had the prices simply been marked correctly.
Last edited:
Duth62
Banned
Sears and Craftsman are like B&W TV and hula hoops. They need to die and move on.
HF and Northern need to add "Pro" sections and start dealing some of the upper crust brands.
How nice would it be to go into a place like that and be able to buy a killer torque wrench,welding hood and meter and pass to the front for a halfass level, some weed pulling gloves and extension cord ?
Then walk back to the pro arena and pick up a high end micrometer, back to the front for a cheapo digital caliper etc etc etc.
Proto and Beech boxes at the back.
HF stacks at the front.
SK and Supercombos at the back
Pittsburgh-Tekton at the front.
Matabo-Fein-Bosch(German) at the back and el cheapo Chinesium **** like Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaukee
up front 
HF and Northern need to add "Pro" sections and start dealing some of the upper crust brands.
How nice would it be to go into a place like that and be able to buy a killer torque wrench,welding hood and meter and pass to the front for a halfass level, some weed pulling gloves and extension cord ?
Then walk back to the pro arena and pick up a high end micrometer, back to the front for a cheapo digital caliper etc etc etc.
Proto and Beech boxes at the back.
HF stacks at the front.
SK and Supercombos at the back
Pittsburgh-Tekton at the front.
Matabo-Fein-Bosch(German) at the back and el cheapo Chinesium **** like Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaukee
up front Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
I searched for about 15 minutes and could not find the thread... help?
LordPsychon
Well-known member
Sears and Craftsman are like B&W TV and hula hoops. They need to die and move on.
HF and Northern need to add "Pro" sections and start dealing some of the upper crust brands.
How nice would it be to go into a place like that and be able to buy a killer torque wrench,welding hood and meter and pass to the front for a halfass level, some weed pulling gloves and extension cord ?
Then walk back to the pro arena and pick up a high end micrometer, back to the front for a cheapo digital caliper etc etc etc.
Proto and Beech boxes at the back.
HF stacks at the front.
SK and Supercombos at the back
Pittsburgh-Tekton at the front.
Matabo-Fein-Bosch(German) at the back and el cheapo Chinesium **** like Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaukee
Amen to that, brother.
My problem with Sears has been the bizarre pricing on tools, can never actually tell if something is on sale or not. I bought a Max Axxess socket set yesterday for $62.99 because it was the only accurately priced set in my store - one said it was $59.99 but was actually $99.99 and the guy at the register said that it was last $59.99 in December (!!!!) The Craftsman brand has been so diluted that quality assurance has floated down the stream into the ocean. My new Max Axxess set has a lousy 3mm socket (poorly drilled but really, 3mm? how often am I going to use that?) and a 7/8" socket with peeling chrome (don't use it often but peeling chrome? really?) Not sure if I want to take it back because the rest of the sockets are in great shape as are the ratchets and extensions.LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I played with them at the store and I found them to be quite nice, I considered them when I wanted a few fixed head ratchets to complement my snap-on flex heads, so why did I pay the extra for the snap-ons? Because Sears will likely discontinue them just like they did with everything else pro and if I ever have a problem I'll be stuck with some chinese pile of **** that will just end up in the trash bin. I spent the extra and got some snap-on comfort grip fixed head ratchets, if I ever have a problem I know my snap-on driver will take care of me and I'll still always have a quality product. I considered the Craftsman rebranded Knipex pliers as well but I doubt craftsman will have those for long either so I stuck with Knipex branded ones.
Edit: I've been disappointed in Sears almost every time I've been there. OccAsionally I'll still drop by if I need something like an individual socket or wrench for a project on the weekend, just about every time I've been they didn't have what I wanted and I ended up going to Home Depot. The hooks are always empty and out of stock. My local Sears has had the same empty Knipex hooks for months now. It's absolutely pathetic. I'm surprised they aren't out of business yet.
Last edited:
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Interesting... Thank You..
Matabo-Fein-Bosch(German) at the back and el cheapo Chinesium **** like Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaukee
What about Drillmaster and Chicago Electric? That can be for the super cheap people. I was like a thirsty man in the desert when I first got married and was first buying tools. I bought a new Craftsman cordless drill, but it died after 2 years of light use, so then I bought a Drillmaster 18v drill. I actually think it was as well made as the CM.
Now I have Ryobi 18V lithium tools like the impact, multitool, recip, circ. I remember a few years back actually contemplating the HF compact impact (1/4") because it was only $19 (no battery/charger). But the torque was only like 300 inch pounds or something. Glad I left it on the shelf.