Sears Dipshits

[bagsanthony]

Alright I've been thinking of this thread for a while seeing as though we all love to ***** about sears and what a shithole its become....I figured that there is so much bitching that we will just put it all in one thread, seeing as though theres atleast a new complaint per day....
Just to add to my rage, I had returned an old ratchet that I broke the other day.... the clerk looked at it and said ok will give u a new one, b/c we don't have any refurbs....I said ok... he then goes "Ok I 'll go get u that breaker bar." I corrected him, and said no it's a ratchet.... He then says "Yeah same thing." I almost exploded at him for being such a clown bag!!!!
So use this thread to ***** about a former great American company that has opted for ****

 

[GTO]

Yawn

 

[bobcatdan]

The sales people there are useful as their current tool offering.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Actually had a good expirience at Sears the other day, but this doesn't look like the right thread for that.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Several stores in my area fortunately hire retired gentlemen to work in the tools area to help the youngin's out.

If you address the staff in a friendly manner you tend to get the same in return, no matter how knowledgeable they are or not.

Much like the big-box hardware stores like HD and Lowe's I find more and more employees that lack even basic hardware, tools and material knowledge, but just want a job and thus fill that service only.

No, they are not ideal, but the pay and demand is not there to warrant knowledgable hires as the corp. office sees it.

 

[ZRX61]

The gal who manages the local Sears tool dept is a joy to deal with, no warranty problems at all the few times I've had to swap something.

 

[HandyManny]

I once forgot my Craftsman Club Card and the guy at the register asked if i wanted to signe up and join Cman Club. I told him I'm already a member. He tried to look it up in the computer. He couldn't. Funny I though, another Sears employee was able to do so about 6 month earlier. So after he failed to find it he asked if I'd like to sign up for a membership. I told him again I'm already a member I just forgot my card. He the attempted to look it up again after telling him that another employee was able to before. He still could not find my info and again asked me if I wanted to sign up to join Cman Club. I was annoyed by this point so I just calmly asked him if he was okay, or if he had banged his head today?? Also asked if he's had any blood supply to his head cut-off recently. He looked at me a bit strange and confused. I then asked him how many more times I have to explain to him that I'm already a Cman club member and don't need to sign up again. Then just walked off leaving what I was about to buy at the register.

 

[Lightfoot]

If you address the staff in a friendly manner you tend to get the same in return, no matter how knowledgeable they are or not.

i agree--(at least in my experiences with the local stores). i do my research before i go so i make my own mind up (usually before leaving the house), and i know what to expect (or not) from the store before i go in. but, then again, i'm fairly easy to get along with, and wouldn't expect too much from a college kid in the tool department, just there to make some spending money. I was young once, and the experiences that stick out in my mind about dealing with the public, are the ones where people treated me like dirt. For those, i would go out of my way NOT to be helpful.

 

[djjsr]

I know how to fix all your problems!

Don't go there if you don't like it.

I don't like whiners, so I gave up my membership to Whiners Anonymous about 40 years ago. Now I'm happy.

 

[toolnut]

I know how to fix all your problems!

Don't go there if you don't like it.

I don't like whiners, so I gave up my membership to Whiners Anonymous about 40 years ago. Now I'm happy.

 

[Case IH]

I know how to fix all your problems!

Don't go there if you don't like it.

I don't like whiners, so I gave up my membership to Whiners Anonymous about 40 years ago. Now I'm happy.

AGREED

 

[pipsters]

I actually see more knowledgeable people (at least on things like "where is this XYZ") at Harbor Freight than I do Sears. Even the women there know where stuff is, or at least what it is. I notice the employees tend to be just a little bit older, ie post-high school gals/guys working a "real" job vs. the younger people @ Sears working after school.

Also, as much as you can hate Sears, they are still really trying to keep some stuff USA. You have to admire that. Yes, I know they are shipping lots from China, and not adjusting prices (crazy...). Maybe they'll learn, maybe they won't.

You can't say the same about all the other retailers, because quite frankly, they've been importing for a LONG time.

If Sears would sell their products for what they do online in the store, they'd have a lot more people in the stores. For example, I bought a 4' heavy duty USA made level from Sears for $18 (w/ free shipping!). HF's price was $16. In store @ Sears? $30. The 3 pc thin profile set, I bought for $53, in store? $99! WTF?

 

[crewchief888]

i think you could walk into any retail store, movie theatre or fast food joint and have the same issue.

some people just dont care

some people really dont know the difference

some people care, but nobody took the time to show them much of anything


just my $0.02

 

[DrkMtnDew]

with all the drama at sears maybe it could be turned into a good reality show.

 

[Sancho]

I'v honestly had way worse luck at the big box stores, recently HD. I had two 1/4x20 bolts and nuts in my hand, I walked to the register and told the cashier this was $.26 in hardware. The cashier proceeded to try and find the nuts in the computer, as I guided them toward hardware->zinc->nuts->1/4x20 the cashier entered four and smiled like a great task had been accomplished. I pointed out I had only two nuts, and I had two bolts. This cause a mass conundrum because bolts were not associated in the same folder as nuts.... The cashier kept trying to enter the grade number as if it was a part number I took the change out of my pocket handed it to the cashier and left before another cranial explosion occured...

 

[HandyManny]

I know how to fix all your problems!

Don't go there if you don't like it.

I don't like whiners, so I gave up my membership to Whiners Anonymous about 40 years ago. Now I'm happy.

Really? Sounds to me like you were tempted to renew your membership, that's why you decided to bite and read this thread.

 

[djjsr]

Really? Sounds to me like you were tempted to renew your membership, that's why you decided to bite and read this thread.

No, I misunderstood. I thought Sears was having a sale on Dipshits and I missed the ad in the paper.

 

[pipsters]

I'v honestly had way worse luck at the big box stores, recently HD. I had two 1/4x20 bolts and nuts in my hand, I walked to the register and told the cashier this was $.26 in hardware. The cashier proceeded to try and find the nuts in the computer, as I guided them toward hardware->zinc->nuts->1/4x20 the cashier entered four and smiled like a great task had been accomplished. I pointed out I had only two nuts, and I had two bolts. This cause a mass conundrum because bolts were not associated in the same folder as nuts.... The cashier kept trying to enter the grade number as if it was a part number I took the change out of my pocket handed it to the cashier and left before another cranial explosion occured...

Do yourself and the customers behind you a favor, write down or take a picture of the sku's.

 

[Buckgnarly]

 

[jjjrmx5]

The cashier kept trying to enter the grade number as if it was a part number I took the change out of my pocket handed it to the cashier and left before another cranial explosion occured...

hahaha. I;ve done this many times.

Walk into any big hdwre store and ask for the special Snap On 12-24 x 1/2" lock screw, or if you own a old house, the special 10-28 or 10-30 brass set screws(IIRC) that hold the old door knobs on the threaded shafts.

For specialty, I go mom and pop. Big box gets the unknown.

As an aside, I had a 1920 house that had in-wall lines of both elec. and gas since it was a ****-shoot during that time which way power was going.

While installing a j-box (there there was none--but was a fixture)in my entry hallway, the previous owner just ran wiring to the fixture and screwed the fixture cover to the lathe due to their being a natural gas black-iron stub-down for a gas line and was capped in the way. I call my gas/power company since iffy electricity runs and raw nat. gas do not mix so well, and they had no idea what to do nor what I meant.

I still LOL.

 

[MoToys]

Yes sears ***** and all their tools are slowly being made in china.
Keep your USA stuff and stop going there so you won't get upset.

 

[NVR 2L8]

My last two experiences at Sears, one bad and one good.

I bought a compressor two weeks ago, and the salesman told me that there were no accessories / attachments included, even though I specifically asked about accessories. He proceeded to gather up eight different packages of connectors, etc. and hooking them all up to the two air hoses I picked out (he also said no air hose was included). It took him almost thirty minutes! He should be a greeter at Walmart!

When I got back to my shop, the box included all the necessary attachments, and a 25' air hose! I was definitely frustrated.

Today, I went back to Sears and had a great experience with a very knowledgeable salesman. He spent more than half an hour with me, and had an instant answer to every question I asked. I will definitely go back, and I will make sure that I find the guy who knows what he is talking about.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Do yourself and the customers behind you a favor, write down or take a picture of the sku's.

Yep, done it many times too, it's the 6 digit code.

 

[Biomed]

Several stores in my area fortunately hire retired gentlemen to work in the tools area to help the youngin's out.

And the retired gentlemen are generally more knowledgeable and cordial.

If you address the staff in a friendly manner you tend to get the same in return, no matter how knowledgeable they are or not.

And it does not cost you anything and will likely cause the staff to respond with benefits in excess of the solution you requested.

 

[Sancho]

The issue I had was watching the cashier try and remove the bolt heads thinking they were nuts. I can understand the thought process, but the lack of training at some of these stores is disgusting. Even their little hardware baggies only have a qty. and price per unit line, which is why I assumed simply stating the cost per unit was adequate.

 

[HandyManny]

No, I misunderstood. I thought Sears was having a sale on Dipshits and I missed the ad in the paper.

Oh I love this forum

 

[shampoop]

i think you could walk into any retail store, movie theatre or fast food joint and have the same issue.

some people just dont care

some people really dont know the difference

some people care, but nobody took the time to show them much of anything


just my $0.02

+1

There always has been and always will be ****** retail employees, great retail employees, ****** customers and great customers. It's just the way things work.

Unless something like this happens on a tool truck, there's really no reason to complain. I always expect things like this to happen. Just like when i'm ordering parts at a part store, i prepare to receive an incorrect part that way when it does happen (extremely common), i'm ready and it's not a big deal.

 

[Aberdale]

+1

There always has been and always will be ****** retail employees, great retail employees, ****** customers and great customers. It's just the way things work.

Unless something like this happens on a tool truck, there's really no reason to complain. I always expect things like this to happen. Just like when i'm ordering parts at a part store, i prepare to receive an incorrect part that way when it does happen (extremely common), i'm ready and it's not a big deal.

+2

Sears, HF, Northern Tool, SO truck, it doesn't matter. Some retail help is good, some not so good. Sears service has done fine by me more often than it disappoints, but my expectations aren't very high, and I have enough tools I don't go in much anymore.

I'm not a pro, so running down a SO/Matco/Mac/Cornwell truck is a royal PITA, and I'm not willing to pay full retail online. Unfortunately, Sears turns out to be a lesser evil in meeting my tool needs in most cases.

There have been times looking back that I acted like an *** and was treated like one. No big surprise. It's part of growing up and being more mature. If I act like a grown up, usually I'm treated like a grownup, even at Sears.

 

[Pure Oil]

Have great service at Sears Tool depts. in Southern Arizona - Sierra Vista & Tucson. Guess it just depends where you go -

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Shop somewhere else if you don't like Sears.

 

[Kirbot]

First the good...

I took in about 1/2 dozen items to get replaced a few days ago, and they were replaced without question.

Now the bad...
The needlenose pliers they gave me as a replacement are some of the crummiest pliers I've had! I wish I would have keep the old worn out pair instead of getting this as a replacement.

 

[billymade]

The Craftsman club issue: is not a uncommon problem, many times people's lookup wouldn't work. The lookup is typically based on your phone #; i would usually try different phone #'s but many times I would just sign someone up again.... the club is notorious for being screwed up!. So, it may not have been the employees fault; when you work @ Sears, you are at the mercy of the "system"; its screwed up to begin with... so, you've been warned!

 

[kams1973]

I don't recall ever having a bad experience with Sears. All my warranty issues have always been handled with no problems. However, I don't go in berating employees so I can feel like a man and tell everyone about it on GJ.

 

[Lhorn]

As has been said, this is nothing specific to Sears. I don't think most people working at Lowe's, HD, Best Buy have any idea what they are talking about. Oh, they can tell you where the garage door openers are.....they just can't tell you anything about them. That's why I'm most happy coming here or other internet site, figuring out what I need and getting it myself. I'm actually surprised when the staff know something about the products they are selling.

 

[MrMark]

I love Sears. Never had a problem. I try to buy only US Craftsman, German stuff when reasonable, or Snap-on tools for hand tools.

 

[chewy7]

No, I misunderstood. I thought Sears was having a sale on Dipshits and I missed the ad in the paper.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've been one of the lucky ones - I've only had a couple of brushes with morons at Sears.

My most recent was a pretty good one though. Took in a broken wrench, and picked up a couple of other items I had needed. The kid at the counter tells me it's a discontinued item and I'm SOL. I explained to him without losing all of my temper that I highly doubted that even the marketing wizards at Sears had discontinued a ¾" raised panel combination wrench. So now the kid goes up and down the aisles and returns empty handed, swearing that it's a discontinued item. I trot down the aisle, and return a microsecond later carrying an identical wrench, except with the box end still attached. Same part number and everything. Kid now tells me that it's a different model. I point out the obvious (part number), and now Junior has an epiphany. The one I handed him in the beginning was supposed to have both ends? I calmly explained that they normally do not come in the 2 piece variant, and it is in fact, a broken tool. So he puts the little proof of purchase tape on the new one, and sends me on my way. As I'm walking out, I notice that this kid is telling some other customer that Sears will be phasing out all SAE tools and going Metric only by the end of the year, since nobody makes SAE bolts anymore.

 

[CLee0507]

I've been one of the lucky ones - I've only had a couple of brushes with morons at Sears.

My most recent was a pretty good one though. Took in a broken wrench, and picked up a couple of other items I had needed. The kid at the counter tells me it's a discontinued item and I'm SOL. I explained to him without losing all of my temper that I highly doubted that even the marketing wizards at Sears had discontinued a ¾" raised panel combination wrench. So now the kid goes up and down the aisles and returns empty handed, swearing that it's a discontinued item. I trot down the aisle, and return a microsecond later carrying an identical wrench, except with the box end still attached. Same part number and everything. Kid now tells me that it's a different model. I point out the obvious (part number), and now Junior has an epiphany. The one I handed him in the beginning was supposed to have both ends? I calmly explained that they normally do not come in the 2 piece variant, and it is in fact, a broken tool. So he puts the little proof of purchase tape on the new one, and sends me on my way. As I'm walking out, I notice that this kid is telling some other customer that Sears will be phasing out all SAE tools and going Metric only by the end of the year, since nobody makes SAE bolts anymore.

That's pretty funny right there, "2 piece variant" ha ha. I went to a small hometown store to warranty two items the other day, a screwdriver and needle nose pliers, they didn't have singles so he said I could bring back the complete sets and they would exchange them all straight across. I thought that was kinda funny/strange but didn't want to drive all the way back home to collect the rest. I just went to another Sears and picked the items off the shelf myself to return to the employee. With all the horror stories I've read about the hassle of Sears warranty, it went real easy no questions asked.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've had lots of horror stories.

Messed up a 1/4" c-pro wrench, went in with my work shirt on, they told me my professional wrench wasn't covered, because professional use was considered abuse...

Broke a screwdriver tip off, they told me it wasn't warrantied, because it was obviously used to open a paint can. I'm a mechanic, not a painter, screwdriver looked brand new, no paint on it. No freaking clue how they came to this conclusion.

Broke a pair of dykes, took them in for 6 weeks, they were never on the shelf. Employee told me they were cancelled, and I would have to get the smaller, non spring loaded pair...****. Well, what can you do, right?

I'm in there next week, and there's my old style on the shelf!! I bring in the return receipts, and the new one, and tell them I want the style I had. They tell me they can't upgrade me, I explain that it's not an upgrade, because that's what I had when they lied to me, and told me they weren't available anymore. They then tell me yes, but since I accepted the downgrade, now it would be an upgrade, and they don't do that. I only accepted it because they lied and said they didn't exist anymore!!

Dad brought in his lifetime warranty tap...he was told they wouldn't warranty it. Umm, it says lifetime warranty right on the set. Ok, but we'll only trade that out for an entire chinese-no warranty set. How in the f'k is that lifetime warranty!?! He told them to shove it, went elsewhere and bought a U.S. tap. No way he was trading in what would now be a $500 tap and die set, for a $100 chinese **** set.

Same **** with a "lifetime warranty" torque wrench...only exchange it for one with a 30 day warranty...bs.

I broke a 9/16" gearwrench (locked it up, actually). I took it in, they wouldn't exchange it because they didn't sell it to me...umm, yeah you did, it's right there on your screen. Oh, but that's a set. Yeah, and? We only warranty them if bought individually. Ok, I'll go break all of them now, and bring the entire broken set in then. Well, we can replace it just this once. yeah, sure you can.

Sears pushed me away. Snap-On is replaced, no questions asked, on the spot. I broke a Snap-On wrench older than me by 20 years, it was replaced without hesitation. Sears wouldn't replace their almost new lifetime warranty wrench.

I broke a Snap-On ratchet adapter that wasn't made with that configuration anymore. I don't blame them for that, lines change. However, they credited me the retail price of it, without hesitation. Way more than fair, right?

Remember dad's tap? He took the receipt back to sears, and asked them to cover the cost of it...seems fair, since it was a lifetime warranty that they couldn't hold up to...they refused.

Snap-On picks break, it's just accepted that it happens, and they shaft is replaced on the spot. When the sears ones broke, they read me the riot act about "abuse".

Sears quality and service has gone downhill a long ways over the years. My dad's 30 year old Craftsman sockets are still in good shape. I completely rounded mine out after 8 years.

I used to really recommend sears, not anymore, except for people starting out that just can't be buying truck stuff all at once.

 

[porphyre]

I know, I've had horrible problems too.

For instance, this one time, I bought a set of long pattern combo wrenches. They were made in CHINA!!! So I went to the open stock section and pulled down one each of the USA made wrenches. Then I exchanged the CHINA for the USA.

I even had to explain, one whole time, that I was dissatisfied with a China product and wanted a US product.

Geez, it took like 5 minutes to get this done.