Shop your way on sears.com?

[97fordsuper]

I'm getting ready to start a new job and I have to purchase a lot of tools. I'm not new to tools but new to buying a whole bunch at once. A lot of the tools I'm looking at are craftsman (sockets and combination wrenches).

Does anyone use the "shop you way" on sears? A point system for every dollar spent. How does it work out?

 

[Jwych]

I believe it's like $1 for every $100 you spend, but don't quote me on that

 

[Kirbot]

They sometimes just send out random free points too.
That's basically all I use it for.

And I don't want to send this thread spiraling off topic..... But take a look at some other options for combination wrenches before you settle on Craftsman. They're cheap, but they're really nothing special at all....

 

[97fordsuper]

They sometimes just send out random free points too.
That's basically all I use it for.

And I don't want to send this thread spiraling off topic..... But take a look at some other options for combination wrenches before you settle on Craftsman. They're cheap, but they're really nothing special at all....

I understand. I know how a lot of people feel about craftsman. Hell, I know how I feel about them. I need a wrench set from 1/4" to 1 1/2". Same with sockets. When looking at the other brands

 

[Tellingthem]

Yep all the time. It's a pain but you can get things for cheap if you know how to work the system.

Basically sign up for the program and load all the coupons you can. dollar and points back. kmart sears anything interesting. (kmart because some tools are normally cheaper there than at Sears. Usually the 3pc adjustable wrench set, 17pc screwdriver set, a few other things I can't think of right now)

Go to retailmenot and look at all the coupon codes and see if they have any you do not already have.

For online orders you can stack coupons. So one "dollars off" and one "points back" coupon can work n the same order. But not for everything. Items marked "hot buy" most coupons will not work on. Items marked "Online only" have some other limitations. Basically figure out what you want to buy and try them all and see what will work.

Also you can get surprise points. Basically they award store credit for certain purchases. Like $10 in surprise points for a $75 purchase. These come randomly but will appear in your account. Your account will have an area that will show the surprise points and the conditions to use them. You just have to remember to use the points when you checkout.

You can also get points back from checking out at the sywr website. They have been having promotions like that lately. So add stuff to the cart from the sears site use any coupons and then check out at the sywr website (your cart and items will carry over to that website)

Also check local.sears.com for sales in your local store. I've found many great deals that way. You can use most of the same coupons in store as well. (There are some that can only be used in store or online) I've also been able to have the store match the online price and then then use coupons in store as well. So a way around the "hot buy" online limitations. Again no harm in trying a few different ones. I'll usually have all the coupon codes written down before I go into the store.

So for example lets say a socket set is on sale for $150 not marked a "hot buy"
add a $15 off $100 coupon
add a $20 in points back on $100
goto sywr and check out
get and additional $10 in points back

so now its $135 socket set with $30 in store credit.

Really a lot of it is just trial and error. Learn how to properly stack coupons on sale items with points back can get you massive discounts. Along with using various sites like fatwallet etc. It's a pain but it works.

 

[arz71]

I believe Sears as other tool vendors brands as well, the points system does work really well.

 

[Swan]

Buy used US made sets on Ebay. Cheaper and better than the new ones.

 

[Kirbot]

I understand. I know how a lot of people feel about craftsman. Hell, I know how I feel about them. I need a wrench set from 1/4" to 1 1/2". Same with sockets. When looking at the other brands

I'm all for Craftsman sockets.
Even the new Chinese ones.
It's just the wrenches I'm iffy on...

But yeah... 1 1/2", I can see why you're looking at them.
I can't really think of any other set that big without spending probably 3 times the money, at least.


Just food for thought, but you could always look for a different brand set up to 7/8" or so, and then grab the big ones in Craftsman.

 

[rednotch]

If you don't need them right now break the orders up into smaller orders around 50 or 75 each time and pay attention to when they offer points back for spending a certain amount. I don't bother with the coupons, and stick with the hot deals and points back offers along with checking the local site for the stores near me, Some times you will run across older usa Stock and can get it very cheaply.

I all most all ways have a $10 in points back coupon for spending $50 in my account online, I also use my sears card for the 5% discount, Most of the time I'm getting at least $20 in points back for every $50 spent. I've been screwing around with it for the past few months, every time they offer a decent points back deal for using the SYW site instead of sears website I try to find something decent I don't have and may need, I try to stick with the well known rebranded stuff they sell under the craftsman private label.

My last order was for around $80, I spent only 14 bucks, the rest where all points. Got a bunch of tools very cheaply that way. Its a decent source for craftsman, Dewalt, gearwrench and some knipex tools among some others if you spend some time searching their site for deals.


Some of the local sites have the Dewalt wrench sets half off and sears parts direct has some deals on the dewalt hand tools, A good step above the craftsman RP wrenches for the smaller sizes.

 

[zbyler]

With this system, you get 1 point for every 10 cents you spend (before taxes). For example, if I spend $16.80, I receive 168 points. 1,000 points = $1.00.

There are 2 categories of points, "points back" and "surprise points". Points back is like cash back. You make a purchase for a set amount and after that purchase you get a certain amount of points credited to your account to use on future purchases. Surprise points become available once hitting a certain amount but they are immediately available for use on the same purchase.


I've found myself using this rewards program rather frequently lately. I've been slowly piecing together an old C-man USA set that I had gotten when I was a kit (just for fun) and I kept accumulating points. I eventually starting getting better points deals ($10 off $50, $20 back on $75, etc.) and started using them on things like Knipex pliers, vise grips, hammers, and the points just keep coming. Every time I make a purchase I get 4-5 coupons plus an email within the next day or so that offers even more discounts.

 

[97fordsuper]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[CNGsaves]

Yes, you'll definitely want to have Shop Your Way program set up. Also, you absolutely NEED to have a Sears MasterCard as you also get 5% discount when paying online with Sears MC CC.

Break up orders to maximize the $10 off $50 . . . or $20 off $100 . . . deals that come along as well. Sears wants you as return customer so about every month they'll just give you 10,000 pts (ie $10 off) if you'll buy another $50 worth of stuff. Thus, be a smart shopper and get all the discounts you can.

 

[Theruse]

You have been given some good advice on SYW techniques and as you can see takes some diligence. As mentioned, the Sears MC always helps. One other item is to look at your receipt for those instant buy coupons. I sometimes break up my order to use one of them. What frustrates me is understanding the differences between SYW, Sears.com, Walmart and Craftsman Club. If I search for a particular tool, you can find different prices depending on which of the Sears related websites you are on at any given time.

 

[Joe B.]

One other thing to do is put the SYW app on your smart phone also. If you "Shop In" to a store, you can get coupons that are not the same as those on the SYW website. Just another way to save.

 

[Manny2_0]

It's a game
and you can win if you play it right

the 1% back is ****

but free shipping over $59
surprise points
and coupons
are good stuff

especially if you get something one sale,

like I said it's a game and they won't let you use coupons on sale item, but some times they are good with it

 

[bfm336]

I have SYWR but only for the free surprise points. The Sears website is horrid and their prices aren't all that great.

For example they have a common 3 piece pry bar CM set that runs $40 and used to go on sale for $20 or so, but I haven't seen that in a while. Yet you can go to Harry Epstein online and individually get those same 3 pieces (or better yet, exactly the sizes you need) for roughly $20 any day of the week, no deal needed, in the OEM Wilde version (that if they break will be replaced by USA ones and not some China substitute Sears may be pimping in the future).

Make a list of exactly what you want (using advice here) and then shop eBay and other places.

Of important note that I didn't see listed in this thread yet is that most CM sets are now China made, no longer USA. You would literally be better going to HF and buying China/India for less with the chance you may get some Taiwan!

 

[fordgasm]

Yep all the time. It's a pain but you can get things for cheap if you know how to work the system.

Basically sign up for the program and load all the coupons you can. dollar and points back. kmart sears anything interesting. (kmart because some tools are normally cheaper there than at Sears. Usually the 3pc adjustable wrench set, 17pc screwdriver set, a few other things I can't think of right now)

Go to retailmenot and look at all the coupon codes and see if they have any you do not already have.

For online orders you can stack coupons. So one "dollars off" and one "points back" coupon can work n the same order. But not for everything. Items marked "hot buy" most coupons will not work on. Items marked "Online only" have some other limitations. Basically figure out what you want to buy and try them all and see what will work.

Also you can get surprise points. Basically they award store credit for certain purchases. Like $10 in surprise points for a $75 purchase. These come randomly but will appear in your account. Your account will have an area that will show the surprise points and the conditions to use them. You just have to remember to use the points when you checkout.

You can also get points back from checking out at the sywr website. They have been having promotions like that lately. So add stuff to the cart from the sears site use any coupons and then check out at the sywr website (your cart and items will carry over to that website)

Also check local.sears.com for sales in your local store. I've found many great deals that way. You can use most of the same coupons in store as well. (There are some that can only be used in store or online) I've also been able to have the store match the online price and then then use coupons in store as well. So a way around the "hot buy" online limitations. Again no harm in trying a few different ones. I'll usually have all the coupon codes written down before I go into the store.

So for example lets say a socket set is on sale for $150 not marked a "hot buy"
add a $15 off $100 coupon
add a $20 in points back on $100
goto sywr and check out
get and additional $10 in points back

so now its $135 socket set with $30 in store credit.

Really a lot of it is just trial and error. Learn how to properly stack coupons on sale items with points back can get you massive discounts. Along with using various sites like fatwallet etc. It's a pain but it works.

what he said 100%.

I don't use Sears for 99% of my hand tools (china stuff, I might as well go to HF), but Ive used it on their C3 and Nextec power tool line as well as some other stuff. Sears has sales like every other day, no joke.

 

[s2ked]

Your better off getting used snap on tools on ebay or gearwrench sets on amazon or ebay. Dont settle for craftsman. Otherwise you will want to upgrade soon after.

The shop your way program isnt worth it unless your purchasing big ticket appliances. I would know, i work for the company.

 

[97fordsuper]

I have SYWR but only for the free surprise points. The Sears website is horrid and their prices aren't all that great.

For example they have a common 3 piece pry bar CM set that runs $40 and used to go on sale for $20 or so, but I haven't seen that in a while. Yet you can go to Harry Epstein online and individually get those same 3 pieces (or better yet, exactly the sizes you need) for roughly $20 any day of the week, no deal needed, in the OEM Wilde version (that if they break will be replaced by USA ones and not some China substitute Sears may be pimping in the future).

Make a list of exactly what you want (using advice here) and then shop eBay and other places.

Of important note that I didn't see listed in this thread yet is that most CM sets are now China made, no longer USA. You would literally be better going to HF and buying China/India for less with the chance you may get some Taiwan!

Your better off getting used snap on tools on ebay or gearwrench sets on amazon or ebay. Dont settle for craftsman. Otherwise you will want to upgrade soon after.

The shop your way program isnt worth it unless your purchasing big ticket appliances. I would know, i work for the company.

Again, Thanks for all the good information everyone.
Trust me I would love to have a nice snap on set or something else. I will be working as an equipment maintainer in a manufacturing plant. So its not like a tool truck will be pulling up. I figured if something were to break, I could always stop at sears (as long as they stay in business) on the way home.

I'm not looking at craftsman for all the tools. Mainly the larger sockets and larger wrenches.