Sears: 'Burning cash,' closing stores

[K13]

I think that we are all missing the point on Craftsman. Yes, most people on this forum rag on them about their falling quality. It's undeniable. But I would guess that the vast majority of people in our country have no idea about all of that and still see Craftsman as a great-quality brand. Most people have never heard of Snap-on, let alone SK, Blackhawk, Enderes, or Mayhew. For most people, Craftsman is their first thought. And even if you tell one of these people that the tools aren't what they used to be, they always just say, "who cares if it breaks, everything is guaranteed for life?".

I think that there is value in the name. Imagine if Harbor Freight bought them....

I think the reason the average joe thought of it as a good name was because it was associated with Sears because Sears was thought of as a quality retailer selling quality products. With Sears out of the picture I don't think non tool people will give a **** about seeking out a specific brand of tool to buy they will buy whatever is available to them where they shop especially the newer buyers as they have little to no experience dealing with Sears or Craftsman. Craftsman reputation is so tarnished with tool guys that they have lost that aspect of sales as well and it would take a lot of work for a new owner to get that trust back. My guess is when Sears goes Craftsman will go right along with them.

 

[RalphInCA]

Maybe craftsman should go the tool truck route?

 

[sselander]

Here is another recent one on Sears that I read

Sears is dying: What the ubiquitous store’s death says about America
The middle class shrunk, American culture became atomized and a nation’s beloved department store was the casualty

http://www.salon.com/2014/04/13/sears_is_dying_what_the_ubiquitous_store’s_death_says_about_america/

My dad built his house with tools from Sears back in the late 60's early 70's, he still has a lot of them. I remember going there a lot.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Maybe Harbor Freight will attempt to go upscale and buy the Craftsman name?

 

[Loscaldazar]

Maybe Harbor Freight will attempt to go upscale and buy the Craftsman name?

I actually wouldn't mind this....

 

[panknuckshovel]

Maybe craftsman should go the tool truck route?

I am trying to upload the info i got from a few years ago about this. It was going to be the industrial line stuff,

 

[331CID]

Either of those two options would be great. I'd like to see them turn around from their chincy **** they have now. I feel someone will buy them since they're such a big name


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[woody 73]

Will the last one out please turn off the lights...

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Will the last one out please turn off the lights...

Hahahaha!

The stores are failing, but that hasn't slowed Craftsman down when it comes to new gimmick tools. Craftsman's marketing focus isn't on garagejournal members, it's on happy home owners. They know they have a brand that will forever be recognized, which is why millions of people own Robogrip pliers. The brand will carry on, but I'm not sure in what capacity. My guess is it will be something like Greatneck where it becomes a line found in numerous stores, kind of like how you can buy Craftsman at ACE Hardware in many places.

 

[Steinmetz]

Here is another recent one on Sears that I read

Sears is dying: What the ubiquitous store’s death says about America
The middle class shrunk, American culture became atomized and a nation’s beloved department store was the casualty

http://www.salon.com/2014/04/13/sears_is_dying_what_the_ubiquitous_store’s_death_says_about_america/

My dad built his house with tools from Sears back in the late 60's early 70's, he still has a lot of them. I remember going there a lot.

At one time, Sear sold homes (in kit form). They also sold automobiles (the "Allstate"), which was manufactured by Kaiser-Frasier.

 

[Flatintoone]

While Craftsman's name here (on the lunatic fringe) might be tarnished, it's still the gold standard of homeowner/DIY tool names. Simply, no one knows any better. Most people aren't professional mechanics and don't know any better.

I'm certain the Craftsman name will live on. I'm not sure the new owner will bring along the warranty, but they might want to work something out. There is just way too much equity in the name. In fact, it might be an opportunity for the new owner to broaden the brand's market: Sell it in stores previously off-limits to Sears brands, like competing hardware chains. Wouldn't bringing in the single most recognized and respected tool brand in America be simpler and easier than trying to build brands like Husky and Kobalt from near-scratch?

 

[monomach]

I sure hope not. Just about everything in an Ace hardware store is way overpriced.


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No kidding. My local ace has a 7 piece non-flex, non-reversible gearwrench set for $103 right now. Even craftsman lobster claws are $60 for one of the smaller sets. I haven't spent money there in a lonnnnnnnnnng time.

 

[RalphInCA]

No kidding. My local ace has a 7 piece non-flex, non-reversible gearwrench set for $103 right now. Even craftsman lobster claws are $60 for one of the smaller sets. I haven't spent money there in a lonnnnnnnnnng time.

Every once in a while I go into my local ace for something. Because, after all, it's really convenient.

But every time in the last five times or so I have gone there I have looked at the prices and said "hell with this, I'm not gonna get ripped off". And I go somewhere else.

 

[chicane]

I sure hope not. Just about everything in an Ace hardware store is way overpriced.


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That's because they actually provide customer service. I love my local ACE hardware store. There is a guy there who will sit with me for as long as I want and find just the right fastener. Grand Total $1.97. Try that at your local Lowes or HD.

 

[Davefr]

But every time in the last five times or so I have gone there I have looked at the prices and said "hell with this, I'm not gonna get ripped off". And I go somewhere else.

For me that's HD and Lowes.

Ace has better hardware pricing here because they sell in bulk. Not these high priced fancy packages at HD or Lowes where you can't buy the exact qty you want. The selection is also 1000X better.

 

[CTyankee]

My thoughts....

I wish they would just close up shop. I still frequent the only one near me but only buy stuff that is severely marked down. It's depressing to see what has become of this iconic store.

I can't agree about buying up all the USA made outlet store stuff. It may still be made here, but the quality just isn't the same as the stuff from years ago. USA made or not...**** is ****.

If someone is going to buy the craftsman name...and not honor the lifetime warranty..they might as well not bother. The bad PR right out of the box would kill them.

 

[quattroJoe]

If someone is going to buy the craftsman name...and not honor the lifetime warranty..they might as well not bother. The bad PR right out of the box would kill them.

Yes, it would be suicide. I really can't see someone buying the name and ditching the warranty. Every existing customer who unknowingly tries to warranty something and gets denied will be a customer lost.

 

[rtole]

I could care less, when the tools were us made they were decent at best. I got tired of having to take loads of tools to get them warrantied. Sure I was excited when I got my first set. That only lasted a couple of days till I started breaking them. I would have been better served buying sk up front. That was the only tool brand available locally at the time. I could not wait to upgrade from my craftsman stuff. Its not like anything else is made in america these days. The name doesnt need to live on. This might even make sk more popular. Maybe a big retailer will pick them up. Plenty of good brands left out there.

 

[franzdom]

Good Riddance.

 

[jnyost]

I hate to see Kmart die. I try to shop there when possible. It kills me to think they will be gone and WalMart will be the only one left.

 

[monomach]

I could care less, when the tools were us made they were decent at best. I got tired of having to take loads of tools to get them warrantied. Sure I was excited when I got my first set. That only lasted a couple of days till I started breaking them. I would have been better served buying sk up front. That was the only tool brand available locally at the time. I could not wait to upgrade from my craftsman stuff. Its not like anything else is made in america these days. The name doesnt need to live on. This might even make sk more popular. Maybe a big retailer will pick them up. Plenty of good brands left out there.

I keep reading about guys breaking bucketloads of Craftsman tools. I don't know how you guys even do this. I use everything from Harbor Freight to Snappy. I've had 11 warranty returns in my entire life...and that's with countless hours wrenching for a living.

3 Snap-On (US)
1 Craftsman (US)
1 Kobalt (China)
6 Pittsburgh (Basic line, China)

When you use the right tool for the job, **** rarely breaks.

 

[85FourEyedGT]

what a shame , I hope they are purchased and restored to their old glory, as a teenager they were always my go-to tools

 

[85FourEyedGT]

I keep reading about guys breaking bucketloads of Craftsman tools. I don't know how you guys even do this. I use everything from Harbor Freight to Snappy. I've had 11 warranty returns in my entire life...and that's with countless hours wrenching for a living.

3 Snap-On (US)
1 Craftsman (US)
1 Kobalt (China)
6 Pittsburgh (Basic line, China)

When you use the right tool for the job, **** rarely breaks.

I feel the same way , I wrench all the time, in my (short) life i've had chrome peel on a few craftsman sockets, a snap on 3/8 -1/4" adapter shear at the small end square drive and a crack form in a HF impact socket, other then that, nothing

 

[chicane]

I keep reading about guys breaking bucketloads of Craftsman tools. I don't know how you guys even do this. I use everything from Harbor Freight to Snappy. I've had 11 warranty returns in my entire life...and that's with countless hours wrenching for a living.

3 Snap-On (US)
1 Craftsman (US)
1 Kobalt (China)
6 Pittsburgh (Basic line, China)

When you use the right tool for the job, **** rarely breaks.

The same here, they must be absolutely abusing those tools because mine last forever.
He must be a Snap-On salesman.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I have had a Sears credit card since 1996. Last month they sent me a letter telling me that they reviewed my credit and have cancelled my account. I hadn't even used the card in 3 or 4 years. That to me was a sign they are about to be sold. I don't think it will be long now.

Actually, that's nothing new with Sears, and many other retailers, and even some credit card companies (Discover, for one). If you haven't used their card for an extended period, they'll cancel it. Sometimes they send you a letter giving you a little time to "use it or lose it" but they're just as likely to outright cancel it without notice.

What's happened to Sears is just a sign of the changing buying habits of the American public, and strong competition from internet sellers and other retail giants like Walmart and Target. Sears hasn't been able to adapt well to any of that. The same thing happened to F.W. Woolworth, J.C. Penny (they used to sell tools and machinery), and Sears' former primary competitor, Montgomery Ward.

 

[Kracin]

The same here, they must be absolutely abusing those tools because mine last forever.
He must be a Snap-On salesman.

its more like a ridiculous exaggeration because they want to join in on the sears bashing. i honestly see more threads here pop up about snap-on warranty than i do craftsman warranty.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I was thinking the other day...we all like to complain about the polarization of politics, but I think life in general has become "polarized" or more accurately stated...one extreme to the other.

Seems to me, from my point of view...everything is like this, the middle is gone. We have guys (like one of my BIL's) who doesnt know where or how to add washer fluid to their vehicle and on the other end guys who can remove/rebuild/replace the engine themselves at home. not much inbetween anymore. it only stands to reason, the market for tools would match...not too much need anymore for the middle of the road tools...and there are plenty of good brands such as Kobalt/Lowes setup to handle those sales. I see Craftsman withering up and dying on the vine....after all, one of the biggest claims to fame of Sears Craftsman was the fact they were in all corners of the USA, from urban farm communities like mine to large cities...you could "count on" sears for tools, tires, appliances.
For the same reason most people wont buy a MAC Wrench because they dont have a MAC Guy...makes no sense to buy a Cman anything without a CMan Store.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Actually, that's nothing new with Sears, and many other retailers, and even some credit card companies (Discover, for one). If you haven't used their card for an extended period, they'll cancel it. Sometimes they send you a letter giving you a little time to "use it or lose it" but they're just as likely to outright cancel it without notice.

What's happened to Sears is just a sign of the changing buying habits of the American public, and strong competition from internet sellers and other retail giants like Walmart and Target. Sears hasn't been able to adapt well to any of that. The same thing happened to F.W. Woolworth, J.C. Penny (they used to sell tools and machinery), and Sears' former primary competitor, Montgomery Ward.

WOW, i forgot all about Monkey Wards. I can remember running around the one at 7 mile and Gratiot like we owned the joint over 30 years ago. I have a couple of there wrenches from a box of tools/junk my grandpa gave me 34-35 years ago.

I also remember a time where the Sears credit card was almost THE hardest card to get and was pretty serious blue collar status symbol.

 

[newchris]

The marks will be sold to some anonymous holding company. I see the Craftsman brand being reduced to advertising **** on late night TV around Father's day and Christmas.

aka thorsen. I think this is what will end up happening as well. Shame

 

[Super Sport]

To be honest, I don't see Sears going anywhere any time soon. I do see them positioning themselves to close stores, a lot of them. That may not be a bad thing. I've been in Sears stores that I couldn't believe were still open. Either they were in dead shopping centers or they were 15 mins from another store. Why keep stores like that around?

I think the company is trying to position themselves to be a mostly online retailer. Of course their website needs an overhaul, and they will have to step up their customer service. I'm not sure they realize that a lack of stores will severely hurt the Craftsman brand, since the biggest selling point is the hassle-free warranty at your nearby Sears store.

 

[48RON54]

I keep reading about guys breaking bucketloads of Craftsman tools. I don't know how you guys even do this. I use everything from Harbor Freight to Snappy. I've had 11 warranty returns in my entire life...and that's with countless hours wrenching for a living.

3 Snap-On (US)
1 Craftsman (US)
1 Kobalt (China)
6 Pittsburgh (Basic line, China)

When you use the right tool for the job, **** rarely breaks.

Yeah, I don't really buy it either. I regularly use non impact craftsman sockets in my impact gun and still can't get them to break. And that impact has tons of torque. Only craftsman tool I've managed to break was a big adjustable wrench.....They warrantied it, but in all honesty it was more my fault than anything else. I had a pipe over the end of it to get more leverage attempting to get the nut off a bumper mount ball hitch. It was wrong tool for the job, no doubt. Now I have specific wrenches for doing that.

 

[ryclo]

I think they could make it as a web only entity if they offer hassle free prepaid returns like amazon. And they need to get rid of the third party sellers on their website...

 

[sberry]

I tend to agree with some of the guys above about breakage. I have noticed some but I have high numbers, we broke a few right out of the box mostly from the 80's. I just returned 20 or so pieces that was a collection of 10 yrs or so.
In the real world the Sears is still a good screwdriver for the paltry price you paid, you could find something the same slightly cheaper but they aint holding a gun to your head, its reasonable and it works well. I just turn a couple in, 40 yrs old and the new work great, for now nice and sharp and the new handle sticks out. The broad,, whoops woman at the store was super helpful and actually knew a fair amount about tools and was interested. I had 2 drivers the same, she said,,, why have 2, pick a different model and although the stock was pathetic I managed to do some trading and got more popular items and she didn't have to fill out a tedious order.
I still think the Sears ratchet is **** but in general their tools, made here or there especially when on sale in sets are a bargain and work well. The screwdriver was about 4$ list price, its back to work daily,,, how much more can you get?

 

[sberry]

aka thorsen. I think this is what will end up happening as well. Shame

Not really,,, who really cares? Just another cheap tool going by, something will replace it. They never made anything that was outstanding.

 

[sberry]

I see Craftsman withering up and dying on the vine....after all, one of the biggest claims to fame of Sears Craftsman was the fact they were in all corners of the USA, from urban farm communities like mine to large cities...you could "count on" sears for tools, tires, appliances.

I agree. They really lagged as the world changed and Cman should have spent every effort to hold on to the ground the had and should have kept up to compete with SK instead of HF. I made the decision when I was 20 to go Sears vs the tool truck, price than and it was about 10 to 1 and now the benefit to the consumer is even better but its killing Sears and they could never spend enough to get it back.
When I was a kid Cman was well respected, lots of professionals used them and their customers didn't know the difference.

 

[Steinmetz]

Sears is quite real-estate rich. They generally insisted on owning the dirt beneath their floors. J.C. Penney, in contrast, always sold the property after the store opened, and took a lease from the owner.

 

[gipraw]

I keep reading about guys breaking bucketloads of Craftsman tools. I don't know how you guys even do this. I use everything from Harbor Freight to Snappy. I've had 11 warranty returns in my entire life...and that's with countless hours wrenching for a living.

3 Snap-On (US)
1 Craftsman (US)
1 Kobalt (China)
6 Pittsburgh (Basic line, China)

When you use the right tool for the job, **** rarely breaks.

If you used your tools correctly, you would have more failures. No need for a hammer if you have a ratchet handy. why use a pry bar when a screwdriver will do? Torquing to 175 Ft/lbs, that 1/4" ratchet with a two foot pipe for leverage will work fine.



My only issue with my old Craftsman tools is the finish. I have several that are rusting a bit, or have chrome flaking. I have popped a few sockets, but that was always due to misuse.

Our local Craftsman hardware store is very well stocked. All of the young employees there are idiots, but if you know what you are looking for you can still get most anything you need there.

 

[gipraw]

Sears is quite real-estate rich. They generally insisted on owning the dirt beneath their floors. J.C. Penney, in contrast, always sold the property after the store opened, and took a lease from the owner.

Real estate is the reason they bought K-mart. They bought every K-Mart that owned the location and got rid of every one that was leased.

 

[Flatintoone]

Sears is quite real-estate rich. They generally insisted on owning the dirt beneath their floors. J.C. Penney, in contrast, always sold the property after the store opened, and took a lease from the owner.

That's interesting. When I moved to my current location 6 years ago, there was some permutation of a sears right around the corner. I figured out pretty quickly that it used to be a Kmart. After it closed 2 years later, I was talking to a neighbor who had worked there. Said that they wanted to make some improvements to the building, but the landlord balked. Rather than carry on, they opted to close the store. Maybe that was a case of not really being interested in a property they didn't own...

 

[01fxdxt]

Just like Schwinn(and many other name brands),**** bikes sold with an iconic name.Shameful business practices that have become the norm...
And ,when did they start not putting the country of origin on tools?They must be ashamed of something.There ought to be a law-haha,right ,guess who's making them now???
Keep paying a CEO $16 to take a piss....GOD BLESS AMERICA