"Sears Craftsman Tools: What Happened?"

[Jack90210]

I know we've touched on most all of these issues over and over again; still, the author imbues this version with personal insight, as his father worked at Sears for 35 years.

Sears Craftsman Tools: What Happened?

It's to the point:

But the answer to what has happened to Sears as a tool and auto service retailer is rooted in what happened to retailing in America, as well as what happened to manufacturing, and pretty much every other industry: We stopped considering human capital as something in which to invest, and everything has suffered as a consequence.

A good encapsulation, IMO.

 

[Cato]

Well, this isn't 1965.

Back then Sears was one of the few options in buying tools. I'm sure Sears put many hardware stores out of business, too. If you needed selection, you could find it at your local Sears. Now, you can go online and get many times the selection and better price.

If folks wanted super high quality tools under the Craftsman name, I'm sure Sears would do that. They could rebrand Snap On as Craftsman and sell them if guys wanted that. But, guys don't want that. You can buy Snap On or Proto online, delivered to your door. The cheap skate can get by just fine with Walmart or Harbor Freight tools.

Sears problem is that they have an outdated model. As more old farts die out (who don't want to order online), so will Sears.

 

[oldldh]

As more old farts die out (who don't want to order online), so will Sears.

Less of the "Old Farts" stuff, there, Bub...

Some of us resemble that remark...

And...

Speak semi-fluent internet...

Too...

 

[SweetD]

It's been beaten to death here, but I think the majority of us (at least the semi-older crowd) have at least some fond memory of Sears and/or Craftsman brands. That's why it's always such a sore subject.

It blows that Sears blows now. But such is life...

 

[four.cycle]

well... look at the positive side:
the offshore sourcing by Sears for their "Craftsman" tools and the alienation of a once-loyal client base has resulted in other domestic manufacturers to step in and fill that void.
brands that some of us never heard of just a few years ago are now coming into their own in the marketplace - Klein, Wilde, and Williams, to name a few.
Sears chose to stick with an antiquated business model and didn't adapt to a changing marketplace.
there's always somebody waiting in the wings to help themselves to that piece of the pie.

 

[BMack37]

To be honest, I can't wait until Sears goes bankrupt and they sell Craftsman to a company that isn't run by morons.

 

[maddawg1952]

No matter when or if Sears takes the big dump, I will forever have the memories of walking thru Sears with my Father and browsing the tool section while Mom did her shopping elsewhere. I still remember Jim White, the tool manager at The Peabody Mass. store calling my dad by his first name and shaking his hand when he saw him. I still have quite of few of my dad's older tools and use them with the respect they deserve. It isn't about a tool but more of what that era was all about in the 50's and 60's.

 

[SMKS]

The Sears bashing on this site has been over-the-top for years. Before they went Chinese they were offering incredibly affordable USA-made tools, but the cosmetic quality wasn't good enough for some of the complainers here.

I posted this in another thread, but it's relevant here:

I suspect Craftsman can't win with many GJ members.

-They stay imported to keep costs low: "I don't want imported tools for the prices of USA-made Craftsman tools from a couple years ago."
-They bring back low-priced USA made tools of the quality they had a couple years ago: "These tools aren't nice enough. I see too many inconsequential cosmetic flaws."
-They release nicer, more expensive tools: "These are too expensive. I can get Williams or Wright for almost the same price. Unless they're on super-closeout at Sears Outlet, then I'll buy 10 sets to sell on ebay."

I personally liked the low-priced USA made tools they had a couple years ago, minus the ratchets. They were ultra cheap for USA made tools. There were some QC issues, but they were always easy to fix for me with Sears.

My personal desire would be a line of basic, USA-made tools called something like "Craftsman Classic" that was more in line with what they had a couple years ago, but a little better quality. They could have a limited line of wrenches, sockets, ratchets (not the 36 tooth they've been using) that were USA made.

I bought a set of metric box wrenches a couple years ago and for the price (under $60) it was an amazing value.

 

[Fedwrench]

The author of the linked article maybe a Sears raised kid but, he lost all credibility to me when he recommended Sonic tools as a replacement for the old Craftsman tools.

I am not bashing Sears because, that seems to a popular sport here. However, what happened to sears happened to the country. We've gone from a country that used to manufacture stuff and repair the things we have to a disposable society where the only things we make are Big Macs and whoppers and a fast food service worker is now a career path.

Granted technology has improved many things and made a lot of stuff disposable. However, gone are the days when it was ok to get your hands dirty, have your name on your shirt and actually work for a living. Now everyone is connected, thinks works is updating their facebook page, etc.

Sears is like the country, we're not as great as we once were but, we're still plugging along.

 

[impactsocket]

There is a lot of CM bashing on this board but I notice that CM tool sell out when it's in the hot deals section of this board. Many of the new CM tools get good user reviews. People keep talking about how great the old US made CM tools were but there are many great new CM tools like the C3 cordless line. Most tool manufacturers have been outsourcing for years.

 

[Nick Danger]

To be honest, I can't wait until Sears goes bankrupt and they sell Craftsman to a company that isn't run by morons.

How many formerly loved American brands were bought by someone who cashed out on any value the name had and then dumped it?

 

[Davefr]

To be honest, I can't wait until Sears goes bankrupt and they sell Craftsman to a company that isn't run by morons.

...and which company would that be?? It would most likely be someone like Great Neck. If you think CM is bad now, just wait until one of these branding conglomerates get's their hands on it.

 

[LB-1911]

To be honest, I can't wait until Sears goes bankrupt and they sell Craftsman to a company that isn't run by morons.

The chances of that are remote -
April 2007

Eddie Lampert, Chairman of Sears Holdings has created $1.8 billion worth of securities based on the brand names Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard. What that means is he essentially transferred ownership of the brands to another entity, which it then pays for the right to use the brands.
Sears
The deal, carried off last May, was the biggest "securitization" of intellectual property in history, according to Eric Hedman, an analyst at Standard & Poor's. The story hasn't gotten out until now because the bonds haven't actually changed hands; Sears is holding them in its Bermuda-based insurance subsidiary and because Sears has never disclosed them, nor has it had to do so. That would change if Sears were to decide to sell them to outside investors and collect the cash.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/31960-sears-holdings-securitizes-primary-brands

March 19, 2014 -- Moody's Investors Service has downgraded asset-backed notes issued by KCD IP, LLC to B3

Sears Reinsurance Company Ltd., is the sole noteholder in this transaction.

https://www.moodys.com/research/Moo...ecuritization-issued-by-KCD-IP-LLC--PR_295237

B3 = Judged as being speculative and a high credit risk.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

"Is that a real Poncho or a Sears Poncho?" -- Frank Zappa

In the 70's, Sears started losing touch with the Baby Boomer generation. Sears fashions, in particular, became unfashionable. Also, Consumer Reports was testing items and revealing which Sears products were cloned name brand items. The name brand items were oftentimes cheaper, which was a reversal of the depression-era reason (price controls) for starting the house brands. Sears didn't see the lower price, lower amenities, big box stores coming. Sears REALLY didn't see internet sales coming.

Sears could have treated their employees like retail royalty and they still would have not seen the future.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

To be honest, I can't wait until Sears goes bankrupt and they sell Craftsman to a company that isn't run by morons.

Craftsman is just a name. Likely a smart buyer would buy Craftsman and sell overpriced junk TO morons who think stamping a name is the same thing as quality.

 

[justanengineer]

The Sears bashing on this site has been over-the-top for years.

I suspect Craftsman can't win with many GJ members.

-They stay imported to keep costs low: "I don't want imported tools for the prices of USA-made Craftsman tools from a couple years ago."
-They bring back low-priced USA made tools of the quality they had a couple years ago: "These tools aren't nice enough. I see too many inconsequential cosmetic flaws."
-They release nicer, more expensive tools: "These are too expensive. I can get Williams or Wright for almost the same price. Unless they're on super-closeout at Sears Outlet, then I'll buy 10 sets to sell on ebay."

+1. My thoughts exactly, too many unskilled tool polishers.

I am not bashing Sears because, that seems to a popular sport here. However, what happened to sears happened to the country. We've gone from a country that used to manufacture stuff and repair the things we have to a disposable society where the only things we make are Big Macs and whoppers and a fast food service worker is now a career path.

Granted technology has improved many things and made a lot of stuff disposable. However, gone are the days when it was ok to get your hands dirty, have your name on your shirt and actually work for a living. Now everyone is connected, thinks works is updating their facebook page, etc.

Sears is like the country, we're not as great as we once were but, we're still plugging along.

Definitely agree with this and if you compare ANY tool store today with 20 years ago you'd see a major difference in products. Sears and HF alike used to sell some decently heavy iron, now they sell toys. Real cabinet saws were replaced with today's aluminum disposable "table saws," 1-3 hp drills replaced with 1/4 and 1/3 hp benchtop toys, etc.

I also agree that somewhere along the line in the 80s or 90s working for a living became a dirty word, if you werent going to college you were an idiot, a shithead, or had other issues. I remember that attitude well when I chose the military over the Ivy League 15 years ago, and working in manufacturing now I deal with that regularly. If asked "what do you do?" and I answer with "I'm an engineer" I get a decent reaction whereas if I answer "I work at the XYZ plant" I get folks turning up their noses. Sadly, those noses often dont realize I make significantly more than they do, as do the plant maintenance guys and many others.

 

[mjoekingz28]

How many formerly loved American brands were bought by someone who cashed out on any value the name had and then dumped it?

...pretty sad....

 

[byoungblood]

Craftsman is just a name. Likely a smart buyer would buy Craftsman and sell overpriced junk TO morons who think stamping a name is the same thing as quality.

That's what the guys at the local pawn shops and yard sales always do. Craftsman stuff is at 80% of full retail, there will be a Williams/S-K/Wright/Proto tool sitting right next to it for pennies on the dollar.

I just laugh all the way home.

 

[davethorik]

It works out for me, I'm not a dyed in the wool Craftsman die hard like a lot of people here, and now a lot of older USA made Craftsman stuff is worth more than it cost new. I've made more than a few $ flipping Craftsman tools to someone who likes them more than I do.

 

[Cato]

Sears chose to stick with an antiquated business model and didn't adapt to a changing marketplace.

The guy in the article's dad had tons of benefits - job security, retirement, profit sharing, pension, etc. And the man wasn't even an executive. Sears customers were served very well too. You need a castor for a 25 year old roller tool cabinet? Sears can probably get you one. Use a rachet with a breaker bar and want a free replacement? Sure Sears will eat the replacement cost. That business model is what is bankrupting Sears.

So now guys bad mouth Sears for trying to survive with Chinese tools while they rave about Harbor Freight 40 inch tool chests.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Unfortunately Sears and hence Craftsman was poorly managed from the top. When the global marketplace started to change underneath Sears and Craftsman, I don't think the executives saw or certainly understood what was going on, how the changes would impact Sears and Craftsman, and when they finally realized their business model was outdated and no longer viable ... they didn't know how to adapt.

Hindsight being 20/20, I think that had Sears/Craftsman been more astute they could have survived in a much better condition. Tools could have continued to be American made using two tactics and Craftsman would still have its old marketshare:

1. Lots of pressure on the suppliers and vendors to (A) maintain quality while at the same time (B) reducing or at least holding costs to compete with the foreign sourced tools.

2. Market and "sell" American made quality. Sell the cost benefit of buying Craftsman tools and standing behind them. Market and sell the quality of the tools.

I remember when Craftsman sponsored A.J. Foyt and they had A.J. as their spokesman. This clip is from 2009 (actually I think a little earlier!):

 

[pacemade]

Its difficult to get Harbor Freight tools shipped to Alaska, I like Sears because Craftsman is still a pretty solid tool and they will replace it if it breaks. Now how much you want to waste in time and gas replacing that same tool that's not adequate to do the job, before upgrading the size that will get the job done is your choice.

 

[four.cycle]

Unfortunately Sears and hence Craftsman was poorly managed from the top. When the global marketplace started to change underneath Sears and Craftsman, I don't think the executives saw or certainly understood what was going on, how the changes would impact Sears and Craftsman, and when they finally realized their business model was outdated and no longer viable ... they didn't know how to adapt.

^ I think maybe kind of analogous to turning a battleship around 180º.
Anyone recall how long it took for Detroit to wake up and smell the coffee in the mid-1970s and early 1980s ?

 

[Davefr]

Hindsight being 20/20, I think that had Sears/Craftsman been more astute they could have survived in a much better condition. Tools could have continued to be American made using two tactics and Craftsman would still have its old marketshare:

1. Lots of pressure on the suppliers and vendors to (A) maintain quality while at the same time (B) reducing or at least holding costs to compete with the foreign sourced tools.

I disagree. Sears has always been ruthless in their negotiations with suppliers.

US made CM tools always had a price advantage over other similar quality US made tools. I just don't think there was much "meat left on the bone" for suppliers to offer Sears. Older CM was incredible value!! We were spoiled rotten!!

The problem is the high cost of US manufacturing and everything that comes with it. It's gotten much worse over time.

2. Market and "sell" American made quality. Sell the cost benefit of buying Craftsman tools and standing behind them. Market and sell the quality of the tools.

I agree!! Sears blew it. Sears was one of the pioneers in "good", "better", "best" marketing. (remember "Sears Best??)

They really floundered IMHO. They never really created a "good" brand which could have been Chinese. They tried with "Sears", "Companion", and "Evolve" but they never really caught on.

CM could have been the "Better" and CM Professional USA could have been "Best".

There's almost nothing that differentiates the current Sears tool brands. They've all gravitated to "good". (no "better" or "best"s)

 

[four.cycle]

^ interesting observation there.
"Companion" was a dud, effectively.
"Dunlap" sold everywhere, however.
go figure!

They've all gravitated to "good". (no "better" or "best"s)

they gravitated to "Chinese" - there is no "good" "better" or "best" there - just "Chinese".
same/same as any other "Chinese" tool at Harbor Freight or any other cheapo tool outlet.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

+1. My thoughts exactly, too many unskilled tool polishers.



Definitely agree with this and if you compare ANY tool store today with 20 years ago you'd see a major difference in products. Sears and HF alike used to sell some decently heavy iron, now they sell toys. Real cabinet saws were replaced with today's aluminum disposable "table saws," 1-3 hp drills replaced with 1/4 and 1/3 hp benchtop toys, etc.

I also agree that somewhere along the line in the 80s or 90s working for a living became a dirty word, if you werent going to college you were an idiot, a shithead, or had other issues. I remember that attitude well when I chose the military over the Ivy League 15 years ago, and working in manufacturing now I deal with that regularly. If asked "what do you do?" and I answer with "I'm an engineer" I get a decent reaction whereas if I answer "I work at the XYZ plant" I get folks turning up their noses. Sadly, those noses often dont realize I make significantly more than they do, as do the plant maintenance guys and many others.

It's a shame working with your hands has become so non respectable. Dickheads like "larry the cable guy" perpetuate the fallacy that anyone that doesn't where a suit and tie to work is a low IQ imbecile.

 

[John in OH]

Unfortunately Sears and hence Craftsman was poorly managed from the top. When the global marketplace started to change underneath Sears and Craftsman, I don't think the executives saw or certainly understood what was going on, how the changes would impact Sears and Craftsman, and when they finally realized their business model was outdated and no longer viable ... they didn't know how to adapt.

Hindsight being 20/20, I think that had Sears/Craftsman been more astute they could have survived in a much better condition. Tools could have continued to be American made using two tactics and Craftsman would still have its old marketshare:

1. Lots of pressure on the suppliers and vendors to (A) maintain quality while at the same time (B) reducing or at least holding costs to compete with the foreign sourced tools.

2. Market and "sell" American made quality. Sell the cost benefit of buying Craftsman tools and standing behind them. Market and sell the quality of the tools.

.....

I can't speak to No. 1, for as Davefr says Sears may have squeezed all they could from their suppliers. But Sears also failed to make modest updates/improvements their workhorse RP tool line. For instance, their ratchets have been crappy for years.

Definitely agree with No. 2!! Sears had a fantastic non-tangible asset in the "American Made Quality Craftsman" tool concept. They totally blew it when they stopped emphasizing that "American Made Quality" concept let it slip through their fingers. Without the "American Made Quality" idea to sell, they have nothing to recommend them over GearWrench, Tekton, Kobalt, Husky or a dozen other current Chinese tool brands.

 

[ibedayank]

most foreget or do not know Kmart bought Sears then Bain capital bought Kmart.. so there has not been a actual sears for quite some time...

 

[67King]

Well, this isn't 1965.

Back then Sears was one of the few options in buying tools. I'm sure Sears put many hardware stores out of business, too. If you needed selection, you could find it at your local Sears. Now, you can go online and get many times the selection and better price.

Sears problem is that they have an outdated model. As more old farts die out (who don't want to order online), so will Sears.

Too bad you young whipper snappers are more into online gaming than building project cars like us old farts. I can't go online when I realize that I either need a tool or one that I have is broken, and get it the same day, which is on the weekend because that's the only time I have to work on my toys.

Of course, before my CM stuff was displaced by SK, Wright, Knipex, Mayhew, and a few select used Snap-On things, the stores invariably didn't have the tools that I broke and needed to replace.

 

[Wamsutta]

Your typical Sears shopper is not there to buy quality. They buy on price.

 

[surgeofprotection]

Can someone add on this list on what is still worth getting under the Craftsman brand?

From what I can gather:
Craftsman 3pc pry bar set - Made by Wilde
Craftsman Pro 3pc curved pry bar - Made by Mayhew
Craftsman Cobra pliers - rebranded Knipex
Craftsman 48 pc Thread Restorer kit - rebranded Snap-On

 

[Csp203]

The old craftsman is gone and never coming back. If you think a company is going to take over the craftsman name, make tools in the USA and warranty the millions of tools out in the public with those American made tools, not going to happen. That business model will never work again.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[anndel]

Snap On developed a niche for professional auto industry and stuck with that business formula. While Craftsman, instead of doing the same, tried to compete with Home Depot, Lowes and maybe Harbor Freight. They should read this forum as there are many who want to support Made In USA and not just assembled with foreign and domestic components. It's just my guess and 2 cents but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[LB-1911]

most foreget or do not know Kmart bought Sears then Bain capital bought Kmart.. so there has not been a actual sears for quite some time...

You may want to include yourself in the "most" above.
Have you ever heard of Eddie Lampert ?

May 20, 2015
A decade after merging the ailing Kmart and Sears, Roebuck chains into a retail holding company, billionaire hedge fund operator Lampert has presided over the transformation of two once-great industry names into shells of their former self, stripping virtually everything of value from the company.

http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...so-investors-should-lovehate-eddie-lampe.aspx


https://www.google.com/#q=eddie+lampert+sears

 

[CTyankee]

The old craftsman is gone and never coming back. If you think a company is going to take over the craftsman name, make tools in the USA and warranty the millions of tools out in the public with those American made tools, not going to happen. That business model will never work again.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

x 2.....

 

[1930]

I know we've touched on most all of these issues over and over again; still, the author imbues this version with personal insight, as his father worked at Sears for 35 years.

Sears Craftsman Tools: What Happened?

It's to the point:



A good encapsulation, IMO.

Thank-you for posting this article. Very well written and to the point as you say.

So sad that we as a nation have just accepted all thats gone on around us as changing times but in reading it the story did give me a brief glimpse of the lives we all once lived and then a short burst of tears to my eyes.

 

[Ch3No2]

Gone are the days of looking forward to the Sunday road trip with Dad to Sears...walking in the door, smelling the popcorn and getting some and heading straight to the tool section.
The memories will not be forgotten!