Sears Going Down Fast

[The Fall]

It seems like they're giving up on restocking the individual wrenches and sockets at the "deadest" Sears next to me (amazingly, there are three of them). Sears feels like it's on life support. K-Mart feels like the funeral.

I wanted to add that I like Sears and lament its loss. My dad bought a lot of routers there over the years. He's been in cabinetry for over forty years.

 

[T45]

I've tried to return a broken Craftsman torque wrench at two different Sears Hometown stores and both flat out refused to honor the warranties.

you didn't read the warranty right, those aren't covered because they are wear items that go out of spec. You are assumed to be paying to keep that in spec and to keep it operational, just like puches, chisels and files.

if you want that kind of stuff warrantied you need to buy from a better more professional distribution channel like a tool truck.

Come to think of it, the OP is complaining about a file and I'm sot sure why he thinks that is covered by warranty either

Bigger picture, I agree sears is a shitshow and in its death-throws. Its kind of sad, but they were mis-managed and home-depot and amazon have made them look like an (un-patriotic) bunch of losers--people who are subbord, entitled, and not willing to adapt to the future.

 

[Socket Pounder]

I used to buy wood handled Craftsman hammers because if the handle broke, Sears would replace it. Eventually they stopped. Hard to blame them but they shouldn't put the Craftsman brand on something that isn't warranteed for life while capitalizing on the brand as being warranteed for life.

 

[anndel]

It seems like they're giving up on restocking the individual wrenches and sockets at the "deadest" Sears next to me (amazingly, there are three of them). Sears feels like it's on life support. K-Mart feels like the funeral.

I wanted to add that I like Sears and lament its loss. My dad bought a lot of routers there over the years. He's been in cabinetry for over forty years.

We've lost 1 Sears store, the first one in Hawaii at the Ala Moana Center. We've lost 2 Kmart stores including the first Kmart store in Hawaii at Iwilei. My dad used to buy cheap **** Taiwan made woodworking tools that would break after several uses. For Father's day, Christmas and his birthday, I would buy him Made in USA Craftsman tools that still last to today. I remember that big smile on his face when he saw opened his gifts and saw Craftsman tools. He said it was a luxury to own them. After he passed away I took them all with me to my house since this guy was snooping around the tool shed and was eyeing up my dad's DISSTON saws.

 

[ItsNemo]

Nothing bothers me more about sears than finding a sale price online and not being able to walk into the store and buy it at the advertised price. Run by different entities they claim, they price match competitors but not their own website....you show me a price on a sears website, give me that damn price.

 

[bimmer630]

Too bad you aren't a little older. You could have been riding around in an Allstate, which was a rebadged Henry J, and sold by Sears in the 50s.

How cool! I never knew such a thing existed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allstate_(automobile)

 

[johninct]

you didn't read the warranty right, those aren't covered because they are wear items that go out of spec. You are assumed to be paying to keep that in spec and to keep it operational, just like puches, chisels and files.

if you want that kind of stuff warrantied you need to buy from a better more professional distribution channel like a tool truck.

Come to think of it, the OP is complaining about a file and I'm sot sure why he thinks that is covered by warranty either

Bigger picture, I agree sears is a shitshow and in its death-throws. Its kind of sad, but they were mis-managed and home-depot and amazon have made them look like an (un-patriotic) bunch of losers--people who are subbord, entitled, and not willing to adapt to the future.

He is correct, the file is a warranty item. It said so on the package of the one I bought years ago.

 

[Empty Pockets]

In a few years, Sears will be little more than a memory. It will also be likely that Craftsman hand tools will be more disposable than the current ones are, today

 

[AA/FC]

Nothing bothers me more about sears than finding a sale price online and not being able to walk into the store and buy it at the advertised price. Run by different entities they claim, they price match competitors but not their own website....you show me a price on a sears website, give me that damn price.

I've had the Sears retail store price match the Sears website at least twice in the last year or two. Weird that your Sears wont do it for you....

 

[Sgt Beavis]

What Eddie Lambert did to Sears should be a crime. They are not the poster child for a corporation with a truly dysfunctional leadership.

The sad thing is there are a lot of people that are going to lose their jobs because of this one man's, possibly intentional, creation of a train wreck.

 

[kythri]

Nothing bothers me more about sears than finding a sale price online and not being able to walk into the store and buy it at the advertised price. Run by different entities they claim, they price match competitors but not their own website....you show me a price on a sears website, give me that damn price.

Or, you could save yourself time by just ordering online for in-store pickup...

 

[zendriver]

In a few years, Sears will be little more than a memory. It will also be likely that Craftsman hand tools will be more disposable than the current ones are, today

Screwdrivers from Harbor freight, are better quality, than the one's Sears sold 30 years ago.

 

[finn]

Macy's and Kohl's are following in Sears, JC Penney, and Gander Mountain's footsteps.

Don't forget half the sports store chains.

We seem to have the idea that Sears is a special case. It's not, it's retailing in general.

 

[Coach James]

What Eddie Lambert did to Sears should be a crime. They are not the poster child for a corporation with a truly dysfunctional leadership.

The sad thing is there are a lot of people that are going to lose their jobs because of this one man's, possibly intentional, creation of a train wreck.

Lampert took over a company that had been going downhill since the early 1970's. if it wasn't for Lampert's hedge fund loaning Sears Holdings lots of money, Sears would have went in to bankruptcy 3 years ago.

I don't have strong feelings about Lampert either way, but blaming him ignores the fact that Sears began losing market share to other companies over 40 years ago.

Coach

 

[warweapon762]

you didn't read the warranty right, those aren't covered because they are wear items that go out of spec. You are assumed to be paying to keep that in spec and to keep it operational, just like puches, chisels and files.

if you want that kind of stuff warrantied you need to buy from a better more professional distribution channel like a tool truck.

It's less than 90 days old. They cover torque wrenches in a 90 day period or so I was told when I purchased it.

Both store managers told me flat out they aren't able to provide warranties because they are expecting to fold up soon.

 

[nbpt100]

It's less than 90 days old. They cover torque wrenches in a 90 day period or so I was told when I purchased it.

Both store managers told me flat out they aren't able to provide warranties because they are expecting to fold up soon.

Wow that is a vote of confidence coming from managers. When does the liquidation sale start?

 

[L.Cheapo]

He is correct, the file is a warranty item. It said so on the package of the one I bought years ago.

Craftsman punches and chisels are lifetime warranty as well.

 

[T45]

He is correct, the file is a warranty item. It said so on the package of the one I bought years ago.

Craftsman punches and chisels are lifetime warranty as well.

Pretty sure this has changed... The rethreader kits are classified as wear items...even tho it says diffferent on the package there is a note inside...the note says sears doesn not cover consumables/wear items flat out.

Besides that, when you wear out a consumable do you really expect a warranty? Its one thing to have a defect show up and render the tool useless; like the file tang snapped or the thing is warped and not flat so it cannot cut; once you get your lifetime of use you should be happy, tho.

I mean thing will go dull and can be abused to make it not work...thats not sears fault.

 

[T45]

It's less than 90 days old. They cover torque wrenches in a 90 day period or so I was told when I purchased it.

Both store managers told me flat out they aren't able to provide warranties because they are expecting to fold up soon.

If this is true and you have the paperworkd, file a complaint with the state attorney general. And then call sears 1-800-number and get your product supported correctly. Thats complete ******** and illegal otherwise.

 

[zendriver]

Both store managers told me flat out they aren't able to provide warranties because they are expecting to fold up soon.

Interesting.

If they were "folding up soon", one could wonder, why they would even care.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Pretty sure this has changed... The rethreader kits are classified as wear items...even tho it says diffferent on the package there is a note inside...the note says sears doesn not cover consumables/wear items flat out.

Besides that, when you wear out a consumable do you really expect a warranty? Its one thing to have a defect show up and render the tool useless; like the file tang snapped or the thing is warped and not flat so it cannot cut; once you get your lifetime of use you should be happy, tho.

I mean thing will go dull and can be abused to make it not work...thats not sears fault.

From https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information just now:

HAND TOOL FULL WARRANTY PRODUCT CATEGORIES

Automotive Specialty Tools (simple design)
Beam Torque Wrenches
Chisels, Punches, Pry Bars
Hammers
Hex Keys, Files
Levels (other than Torpedo, Digital or Electronic)
Metal Squares and Combination Squares
Planers
Ratchets, Sockets, Extension Bars
Saws
Screwdrivers, Nut & Bit Drivers
Scrapers, Putty Knives
Snips, Bolt & Wire Cutters
Tubing Cutters
Utility Knives
Wrenches (other than Torque)

I had a punch shatter like glass just below the taper from the handle on the first use. Lo and behold, it was warrantable. And yes, I know to start with a starter punch--and did.

 

[byoungblood]

I've had the Sears retail store price match the Sears website at least twice in the last year or two. Weird that your Sears wont do it for you....

None of the local ones ever did that for me. They just told me to buy it online and when the guy came to pull it for store pickup the'd just tell them to hand it to me. Haven't been in a Sears in about a year because the closest one to me (if you don't count the Hometown one) is in the 'hood right down the street from Graceland.

Most retailers still treat their brick and mortar and online sales as two different lines on the balance sheet, hence the odd pricing policy. Some of them have at least had the sense to match it in store for CS purposes, but the first time I ran across that 10 or so years ago (in store pickup wasn't possible) I had to pull teeth to get a place to match the price.

 

[M_George]

I was at Harbor Freight today. The employees are all bragging about their lifetime warranty on their Pittsburgh Pro tools. Looks like their ready to fill the void!

 

[d.mcfarland]

I was at Harbor Freight today. The employees are all bragging about their lifetime warranty on their Pittsburgh Pro tools. Looks like their ready to fill the void!

At some point HF will do the same as Sears and start making cheaper tools. Think about it. They won't have the same competitors so they don't have to be competitive and can worry more about profiting.

 

[zendriver]

At some point HF will do the same as Sears and start making cheaper tools. Think about it. They won't have the same competitors so they don't have to be competitive and can worry more about profiting.

That might be a while, since It appears they have bigger fish to fry.

Looking to their ads, HF competes against Snap On, not Sears.

The irony is Sears went from good to cheap, whereas HF went from cheap to good.

 

[derosa]

I was at Harbor Freight today. The employees are all bragging about their lifetime warranty on their Pittsburgh Pro tools. Looks like their ready to fill the void!

When I bought craftsman as a home owner, driveway mechanic, and bicycle shop mechanic it was with the understanding that the tool was good and the warranty was just in case. With HF I feel like I'd be buying the tool and needing the warranty for the day when, not if ever.

 

[T45]

I had a punch shatter like glass just below the taper from the handle on the first use. Lo and behold, it was warrantable. And yes, I know to start with a starter punch--and did.

I'm glad they stand behind their products in this case where unexpected & catastrophic failure is potentially dangerous.

I don't know how many times I would tolerate that before changing brands, tho.

 

[visionguru]

That might be a while, since It appears they have bigger fish to fry.

Looking to their ads, HF competes against Snap On, not Sears.

The irony is Sears went from good to cheap, whereas HF went from cheap to good.

Seriously, HF going against Snap on, are you kidding? HF tools are of much lower quality than Sears. I understand all the Sears bashing here, the kick someone while they are down mentality. But come on! HF praise? Have you been to HF lately? Look at the wrench section, the wrenches are "made in India", a grade lower than anywhere that sells tools.

I think the void left by Sears will be more likely to be filled with home improvement stores like HD, Lowes, Menards etc. with HF remains the cheap tool store.

 

[LB-1911]

Seriously, HF going against Snap on, are you kidding?

This is what zendriver is referring to

 

[rjvjeepster]

At some point HF will do the same as Sears and start making cheaper tools. Think about it. They won't have the same competitors so they don't have to be competitive and can worry more about profiting.

I bet they might start making more of a distinction between non pro and pro. At least now, they don't really differentiate the two lines boldly enough even though there is a very big quality difference. I'd like to see them take the pro vs non pro system into the line beyond hand tools- right now to me their marketing seems a bit fragmented.

That might be a while, since It appears they have bigger fish to fry.

Looking to their ads, HF competes against Snap On, not Sears.

The irony is Sears went from good to cheap, whereas HF went from cheap to good.

This.
HF still has the cheap line though (like what Sears tried to do with the Evolv thing). I think HF can pull both off...have your standard product line name (Pittsburgh for handtools, Central Pneumatic for air stuff, etc) and have pro and non pro line ups.

These are just the ramblings of a marketing student so I might not be in the place to question their strategy. Even if they fail in their quest to lure all the Snappy peeps over, if they end up with Gearwrench quality at a lower price point and stay there that's a win, at least in my book. Beats anything from Sears of recent times. I don't think we've seen the best of HF yet. Kind of like the Kia and Hyundai of the tool world. Like 'em or not, they're not the same company they were 20 years ago and it's in a good way (unlike Sears).

 

[visionguru]

These are just the ramblings of a marketing student so I might not be in the place to question their strategy. Even if they fail in their quest to lure all the Snappy peeps over, if they end up with Gearwrench quality at a lower price point and stay there that's a win, at least in my book. Beats anything from Sears of recent times. I don't think we've seen the best of HF yet. Kind of like the Kia and Hyundai of the tool world. Like 'em or not, they're not the same company they were 20 years ago and it's in a good way (unlike Sears).

You might want to retake econ 101: quality comes with a price. Sears of recent times or old times, their tools are still at least 1 grade higher than HF in terms of quality. If you think HF tools are of better quality than that of Sears, to be frank, you don't know much about tools after all.

The fact that HF is sourcing India made wrenches shows that HF will remain selling the same stuff as before.

 

[rjvjeepster]

You might want to retake econ 101: quality comes with a price. Sears of recent times or old times, their tools are still at least 1 grade higher than HF in terms of quality. If you think HF tools are of better quality than that of Sears, to be frank, you don't know much about tools after all.

The fact that HF is sourcing India made wrenches shows that HF will remain selling the same stuff as before.

I actually got an A in econ, thank you very much.
You didn't read my post well. I said that HF does have a cheap line and that's where the Indian tools come into play. I'll take a Pitts Pro ratchet any day over a Chinese Craftsman RP wrench. The HF ain't an SK or Snapon, sure (have both), but to me is miles better than any ratchet you can buy new at Sears today (RIP the 84 tooth ones they made 5 years ago). 15 years ago when Sears had USA made stuff, sure, they were definitely better than HF then, maybe even HF now. But I do not think a Chinese RP wrench is an upgrade over the new Pitts pro stuff.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I bet they might start making more of a distinction between non pro and pro. At least now, they don't really differentiate the two lines boldly enough even though there is a very big quality difference. I'd like to see them take the pro vs non pro system into the line beyond hand tools- right now to me their marketing seems a bit fragmented.

Not a bad idea in theory. Kind of like Craftsman / Evolve / Companion / etc.

 

[artbuc]

Come to think of it, the OP is complaining about a file and I'm sot sure why he thinks that is covered by warranty either

I "think" that because I went to school and learned how to read. The Sears lifetime warranty specifically includes files. I consider files to be a consumable but apparently Sears does not. Maybe you should do a little research before you end a post with a stupid emoticon.

 

[M_George]

I went through my tool box yesterday. I have about 90% Craftsman tools. Most of them I have had for decades and never broken any of them. Lets just hope Stanley keeps up the tradition when they get the Craftsman line back up and running. Hopefully here in the USA.

 

[zendriver]

Seriously, HF going against Snap on, are you kidding? HF tools are of much lower quality than Sears. I understand all the Sears bashing here, the kick someone while they are down mentality. But come on! HF praise? Have you been to HF lately? Look at the wrench section, the wrenches are "made in India", a grade lower than anywhere that sells tools.

I think the void left by Sears will be more likely to be filled with home improvement stores like HD, Lowes, Menards etc. with HF remains the cheap tool store.

Uh, don't shoot the messenger.....

Snap On sells tools, with a lifetime warranty. Harbor Freight sells tools with a lifetime warranty.

HF beats SO hands down on price. Fact. There is no argument, SO tools are higher quality (impact guns open for debate ).

Who beats who - in overall value, is strictly in the eye of the beholder.

Unless things change drastically, current American tool buyers, are more apt, to buy $2500 worth of HF tools, verses $25,000, from SO.

 

[M_George]

Looks like HF is comparing to SO because of their reputation, but I'm betting that they actually have their sights on the market share of Craftsman, Kobolt, Huskey, SK and all the others.

 

[zendriver]

Looks like HF is comparing to SO because of their reputation, but I'm betting that they actually have their sights on the market share of Craftsman, Kobolt, Huskey, SK and all the others.

Hmmm

Massive red tool chests. Finely polished wrenches. Variety of diagnostic equipment. Screwdrivers with hard tips. Magnetic glove dispensers.

They already compete, pretty successfully, with the latter brands mentioned.

 

[M_George]

Hmmm

Massive red tool chests. Finely polished wrenches. Variety of diagnostic equipment. Screwdrivers with hard tips. Magnetic glove dispensers.

They already compete, pretty successfully, with the latter brands mentioned.

Yes they are! But I doubt Stanley will let this ride. It will be interesting to see what they do about it. For us, there's nothing better than a good old fashion price war. Can't wait...

 

[nbpt100]

I was at Harbor Freight today. The employees are all bragging about their lifetime warranty on their Pittsburgh Pro tools. Looks like their ready to fill the void!

I thought all of their Pittsburgh tools carry a lifetime warranty? The Pro line is a small percentage of their total Pittsburgh offerings. At least for now.

Yes they are! But I doubt Stanley will let this ride. It will be interesting to see what they do about it. For us, there's nothing better than a good old fashion price war. Can't wait...

Competition is good. That is why all of the consolidation in the tool mfg and retailing businesses is disconcerting. After Sears goes who may be next? Ace, True value, lowes. Some truck brand.