Sears Rant, again

[DSLTRK]

I'm done with Sears, COMPLETELY done.

I can no longer stand the incompetence of this company.

I ordered the Craftsman 42 pc flex socket set online. I thought "hey, what could go wrong, I know this set is good quality and made in USA." It even said the set was "Made in the United States" in the description.

Craftsman Set 41 pc


After waiting over a week and a half for it to arrive, and traveling down to the store, I immediately know something is wrong because the box looks to be made with rice paper, and has that light yellow tinge. It was ripped and half open when the associate handed it to me.

Inside was more imported junk I could've bought on Ali-express for $20. I paid $160. Big surprise. Additionally, Sears dropped a socket, so the set was now a 41 piece, not 42 as it has been for over 10 years and advertised as such to me when I placed the order.

I felt like screaming at the associate, but then realized he had nothing to do with it, other than retrieving the package.

So I was DONE. I didn't even want to attempt an exchange. I wanted my money back.

The associate asked if I wanted the coupons that spat out with the return receipt. I said no.

Good luck Sears, you're going down in flames.

Rant over, sorry.

Mods, please move this thread to free parking. I was blinded by rage when posting and posted in the tool forum. Thanks

 

[thecody59]

Same with me they promised me a usa set and i get Chinese. I am trying to talk with management now.

 

[zkling]

You guys.
Still in love with the first wife.

"But the memory of a first love, never fades away...."

 

[zx2slow]

They say USA, but the photo shows Chinese (L-AD) stamps. If you are going to get upset about getting Chinese tools I would suggest skipping Craftsman.

Late US production vs current china production seems to be a wash as far as durability. If I had been in your spot I would not of been happy with the COO switcharoo. I buy them to use them though and would return them if they broke.

 

[CJM8515]

Why do you guys keep bothering with sears when you know the end result is about 80-90% chance it will be chinese ****?

 

[DSLTRK]

They say USA, but the photo shows Chinese (L-AD) stamps. If you are going to get upset about getting Chinese tools I would suggest skipping Craftsman.

The photo was different when I ordered them and showed the US made sockets.

 

[franzdom]

The only thing that bugs me about Sears any more is having it clutter up this forum, as I have no use for the store. It is sad to see it go, and I wish they would just get it over with instead of dragging it out.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[CobraChevelle]

I have spent thousands with them this year and have had no problems. Even a "VIP" member. They have given me enough points this year it is crazy.. I am loving my New$28 50cc chainsaw

 

[lutter94]

I was short a handful when i bought the biggest socket set they sell, called them told them which ones, they came in the mail in no time. Honor system, didn't have to swap it out or anything.....

 

[Kracin]

so..... don't buy what you don't like???

not understanding this. i don't fill my car up with diesel in hopes that it hasn't changed when i know it certainly did. when my favorite pump that used to have 93 changed to a diesel pump. i go where the 93 is...

if craftsman doesn't sell what you want, stop buying it?

 

[WhiffySpark]

In the grand scheme of things does it really matter?

 

[3baygarage]

I see it clearly says Made in United States in the description as you said. So what is this, bait and switch? Good old false advertising? Probably just carelessness.

We're at the point where technology causes problems now because their web people probably don't have enough interest in tools or COO to even update each page. Either way it isn't acceptable. At least you got your dough back.

A couple months back I mentioned here I went to a local mall Sears to exchange a broken swivel socket. They don't even carry swivel sockets in that store anymore. Sets or singles.
Sales associate couldn't find it on his computer either. No paper catalogs in the store, he told me they don't print them anymore. Whether it's true I don't know because I haven't been back since.

I bought some stuff there that day but I don't know why.

Maybe there's a whole batch of new imported swivel sockets on the shelf now.
Is there still a catalog?

 

['sallgood]

I liked their work pants. It ends there.

 

[Chaznsc]

Same with me they promised me a usa set and i get Chinese. I am trying to talk with management now.

Do you speak Chinese?

 

[PelicanPines]

I am reading a book on my front porch... so I can refuse the sears package. Already ordered the gearwrench set of flex. Sears.com is now blocked in my router.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I have spent thousands with them this year and have had no problems. Even a "VIP" member. They have given me enough points this year it is crazy.. I am loving my New$28 50cc chainsaw

I'm with Cobra here. I'm certainly not done with sears!

I just placed three orders last week using surprise point. Payed $11 for a 7in Craftsman aluminum (USA) rafter square, an empire 6in and 16in combo square (both USA), 22MM craftsman industrial socket (USA), Craftsman anodized red aluminum 16x24 carpenter's square (USA), and a 3in Phillips 2 power bit. Total value was about $50 of merchandise, and everyhting but the Phillips bit was USA made!

A few weeks before that I payed $0.74 for a 12in Craftsman Aluminum Rafter's square (USA), another 7in Craftsman aluminum rafter's square, a blue craftsman ball grip screwdriver (Japan), a Robertson 2 power bit (china), and a pair of Dewalt Tinted safety glasses (taiwan). Again because of surprise points.

And, my biggest (and most expensive purchase) from sears this year, was about two months ago. I got a Channellock 12inch adjustable wrench (Spain) and a 6in Knipex Cobra for $30 shipped to me. Wasn't quite the same deal as the others, but $15 for each item was at least $10 cheaper than the next cheapest place.

I also spend $1.98 to get a USA universal oil filter clamp shipped to me.

Another time I got a 1/4 drive pass through ratchet (taiwan) and 12 Stanley USA (with global materials) screwdrivers shipped to me for about $4. Some great screwdrivers for using as chisels/mini prybars.

So the total I have spent at Sears this year has been $48. Got about $200 of merchandise. If you take out the Knipex/Channellock purchase, I spent $18 for $140-$150 of merchandise. And it's only July!

I built an entire tool kit for my car off of USA Craftsman Industrial sockets and wrenches that I would order 1 or 2 at a time using surprise points. That was over last year where they were giving away points like crazy with daily sweepstakes and entries to get more points. Got to know the local sears workers real well when they had to pick up 5 or 6 orders of one socket each. They thought it was pretty neat how much free stuff I was able to get from the surpise/give away points.

Okay, so maybe I am done with sears. I refuse to spend any measurable amount of money there. But I have gotten so many nice tools this year to help me in my metal and woodworking! So much USA made stuff (most of Craftsman's woodworking tools are made by Empire in the USA, great stuff).

 

[woody 73]

Not speaking about the above posts but here of lately we seem to be getting some troll traffic; I thought we were above all that..."Anyone have HF failures", "Worse Country for Manufacture", etc....

Ok back to our regular scheduled program...It is ok to rant we all do it from time to time, but unless someone has been living under a rock most of the Craftsman tool line up (remember I said most not all) will be coming off a boat from China...end of story.

 

[franzdom]

Do you speak Chinese?

Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!11

ROFL-CGU


*can't get up

 

[valentine]

You guys.
Still in love with the first wife.

That's a great comment and it's very appropriate for how I feel about Sears. Back in the 1970's I knew a lot of professional mechanics who relied on Craftsman tools. They were affordable and well made. That's when I started driving and working on cars. Back then, a kid bought some POS beater car and got his friends to help get it running and on the road. A small tool set with mostly SAE Craftsman tools is just about all anyone had or needed. It was enough. In the 1980's I was a college kid and actually got a part time job at Sears. Back then it was a magical place filled with quality American made products. I had to wear a dress shirt and tie to be on the sales floor. We would bend over backwards to please customers. Even when it was obvious that the customer was trying to get over on us, we'd let it happen to keep them happy and keep them coming back. Today, Sears is just a shadow of what it once was. Craftsman tools are junk. It's now just a name that used to mean quality. Kenmore??? Forget it. When was the last time that Sears carried rowboats, fishing tackle or furniture? I used to look forward to trips to Sears. Now I don't even go in. So, yeah, you never forget something you loved.

-Valentine

 

[woody 73]

Valentine brings back a lot of good memories you hit the nail on the head good post reply.

 

[thool]

My dad has a ton of old craftsman hand tools, including a set of offset double box end wrenches, some of which are in fractions of 1/32. I think a lot of them go back to the mid 1960s, and show no signs of wear, even after many years of him doing car repairs and me working on lawnmowers growing up. He never once had to tell me to respect the tools, I just did it because it was the right thing to do. Next time I see him I'll be sure to remind him that he should never sell those but give them to one of his kids.

 

[woody 73]

Reminds me of a funny story way back in the day we had a large store (only in central Ohio I believe); anyhow some women came in and wanted the store to take back her husbands dress shirt. She ranted and yelled the store down for a long time until the owner came forward and told the clerk to give her money back...

That poor clerk whispered into his ear "Sir the shirt comes from J.C. Penny not our store" and he whispered back" that is ok just make her happy".

True story not that it would ever happen in todays World...

 

[skcj213]

As more of the products were off shored and "cheapened" the warranty claims likely became more frequent and began effecting the bottom line. Instead of fixing the quality problem, bringing production back to the US was probably not an option, the reaction was to clamp down on the claims, sacrificing customer satisfaction. It's the result of decisions being made to attain short term goals not long term goals.

 

[jakemac]

I've asked this before in Sears threads:
How did you survive Wards and Western Auto shutting down?
Did the whole JC Higgins thing throw you in to a tail spin?
Did it require meds or did you all just buck-up?

I'm pretty serious with the question.

We survived MonkeyWard's demise because we still had Sears to go to.
We survived Western Auto's demise because NAPA and True Value invaded our hometowns to fill the void.

Sear's demise is a harder hit because there is no-one to fill that void. Sure there are plenty of other options for household, hardware, automotive, sports, and clothing needs; but not under one roof. They're spread out all over the county. Unless you're lucky enough to have them all at the same Mall complex, but that still isn't the same.

 

[PelicanPines]

Not speaking about the above posts but here of lately we seem to be getting some troll traffic; I thought we were above all that..."Anyone have HF failures", "Worse Country for Manufacture", etc....

Ok back to our regular scheduled program...It is ok to rant we all do it from time to time, but unless someone has been living under a rock most of the Craftsman tool line up (remember I said most not all) will be coming off a boat from China...end of story.

When the description says Made in USA... it usually means it's not made in China... maybe the whole thing is too complicated for some to understand.

Just turned away the package from sears. Too bad... would have liked to get the as advertised set. The China set is probably fine.... as the op rant states... it's the point that matters.

 

[thool]

When the description says Made in USA... it usually means it's not made in China... maybe the whole thing is too complicated for some to understand.

Maybe the *description* was made in USA?

 

[66354dream]

I'm not "done" with them, I'll admit they're not what they used to be but I still shop there.

 

[mrvm]

It's ALL Sears fault that I have accumulated a sudden surge in Knipex and Channellock pliers. Big and small Knipex pliers wrenches were suddenly affordable because of all the darn sywr points/codes/coupons/$5 happy cards. Just a few days ago I picked up a several one-time NIB clearance items: $400 Gladiator 8-drawer tool chest for $25, $280 poly-swivel dump cart for $50, $350 12 ft trampoline for $80 and a 3N1 CM push mower for $99....I really can't complain. Even the $80 white Viper tool cabinet gave me $54 in points......Shop smart, shop with points and check out the hot deals thread







i

 

[zx2slow]

I'd love a glimpse into whats really going on inside Sears/Craftsman.

Is the rest of the company pulling craftsman Down with it. Are the *ahem* warranty returns of old tools for resale diminishing profits. Or is it just good old shortsighted MBA "We can make it cheaper over there" nonsense.

 

[Mpower5266]

It ***** that craftsman has come to this. I remember handing my grandfather craftsman tools when I was very young while he worked on his tractors. When I was a little older I would help my dad and use his craftman tools while working on a car or airplane. After high school I actually got a job there for a few months selling tools while waiting to go off to college. They used to be good tools for blue collar workers, now they fall apart on the way home from the store. No really, my old american made 1/4" ratchet crapped out on me, I exchanged it for a new one. While bored in sitting in traffic and decided to pull the tag off and all the internals came out still attached to the tag.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'm going to suggest you return the item.
Then take the monetary differential between the price you paid and what a similar hf set would cost, and give the difference to a local food bank, then buy the hf tools.

You were willing to pay a stupid amount more so as to support United States workers... Here's your chance to get the same quality tools and subsidize American workers.

That's an interesting but valid concept in this instance! I think he wanted USA though, not HF.

 

[LordPsychon]

Not sure you could get affordable (re: $150 or less) flex sockets made in the USA these days.

 

[mmack66]

I'd love a glimpse into whats really going on inside Sears/Craftsman.

Is the rest of the company pulling craftsman Down with it. Are the *ahem* warranty returns of old tools for resale diminishing profits. Or is it just good old shortsighted MBA "We can make it cheaper over there" nonsense.

K-Mart, Eddie Lampert, and internet retailing is what is going on with Sears/Craftsman. Brick and mortar stores are slowly going the way of the dodo.

 

[jakemac]

K-mart is just one of the tools that Eddie Lampert is using to **** Sear's Holdings and line his own pockets. He could care less whether or not Sear's survives. He's after the real estate that the stores sit on. At this point in his scheme, he's pretty much succeeding.

 

[byoungblood]

Why do you guys keep bothering with sears when you know the end result is about 80-90% chance it will be chinese ****?

This. Outside of their pliers and screwdrivers, almost everything you're going to find in the stores now is going to be China. It appears that they made an active effort (or maybe there were just a bunch of people exchanging China made tools for US ones) to purge the remaining US made stock from stores, because the last one I went into had almost zero US made old stock in sockets and wrenches. That's even in what you'd think were slow moving items like the deep 1/2" drive, large metric sizes.

It is a sad sight walking through the tool section anyway. Over the past 18 months they've done nothing but purge SKUs from the shelves (I'm guessing some of it is available online still), mainly open stock, but they've left huge areas of empty or scantly stocked shelves at my local stores. What is still there is probably 30% gimmick or "universal" tools. Fortunately I have most of what I need, most of my tool purchases now are for very specific purposes or a "too good to pass up" deal at a yard sale.

 

[zhaddock]

I'm going to suggest you return the item.
Then take the monetary differential between the price you paid and what a similar hf set would cost, and give the difference to a local food bank, then buy the hf tools.

You were willing to pay a stupid amount more so as to support United States workers... Here's your chance to get the same quality tools and subsidize American workers.

If you do it my way those horrible horrible Sears ceo and cfo won't get to skim a buck a box off of the tools as inflated salary... And I have to guess you also hate them....

 

[1950mercury]

Ha ha thats what you get....how often do u think they update there web site to remove usa made...the **** has been made in china for over 3 years..so ***** and whine when u get china ****

 

[Sanny81]

I just ordered the VIM Tools 26 hex bit set for $50 with free shipping using SYW points. I'll definitely keep shopping through Sears as long as the SYW points keep coming.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Ha ha thats what you get....how often do u think they update there web site to remove usa made...the **** has been made in china for over 3 years..so ***** and whine when u get china ****

Considering how god awful their website is, I am surprised that people actually expect the info to be accurate. It sears after all.