WAIT!!! There may be hope for Craftsman Tools!

[FordExplorer]

If you are like me, you are very disappointed with Craftsman switching to overseas manufacturers. Craftsman has a facebook page, and they have been getting roasted for their decision to go foreign, and people comment non stop condemning the situation. Many of the comments are angry or rude, but I posted the comment below, and I was given the following response (I deleted my name for privacy, but you will see it on the Craftsman page anyways).

My family has been using craftsman tools for generations, and they have always been great quality at a reasonable price. However, I am now in the search for a new brand as much of the craftsman line is of foreign manufacture. However, if you guys bring it back to what it used to be, I will be back with my business.
Like · · July 2 at 1:58pm

Craftsman: baby steps. Working on it.
Tuesday at 10:12am · Like · 1

That is great to hear! Yesterday I actually purchased a few craftsman tools (old stock USA) and I love them!
Tuesday at 12:04pm · Like · 1

I still use my Dad's 3/8 breaker bar from the 1940's that he was given when he was working at a service station when he was a kid. Then yesterday, I bought my own.
Tuesday at 12:11pm · Like · 1


Does this mean what I think it means? Is Craftsman going to listen to its customers and come back to the good ole' USA? What do you think?

Thanks

 

[shoturtle]

well the max axcess are made in asia, but I have been pretty impress with it. There really is not any thing that comes close for the money with pass throughs.

I would love to see craftsman bring back allot of production back to the US. But I doubt we will ever see all US made tools again.

Also the only other option for the same price point is taiwan made kobalt which are good as well. But there really is not US options besides craftsman at the craftsman price point.

 

[pipsters]

Sears should come out with a "vintage" tool line that costs more but US made. Using say SK as the supplier for sockets and wrenches as their base line. Current crop of US manf. to supply other products like Ullman, Mayhew, Wilde, etc. I would buy them, in fact I would sell my current Craftsman and buy the "vintage" line.

 

[bobbar]

Baby steps? Who runs the fb page? Some dude in india at the call center....

 

[cj7365]

It will take 10 yrs, if they start out with baby steps. How bout start off Running, like they did to get over there

 

[d.mcfarland]

As soon as the US government puts a tarriff on imports (to keep foreign companies from dumping in the US), almost all production will quickly back to American soil.

 

[FordExplorer]

Sears should come out with a "vintage" tool line that costs more but US made. Using say SK as the supplier for sockets and wrenches as their base line. Current crop of US manf. to supply other products like Ullman, Mayhew, Wilde, etc. I would buy them, in fact I would sell my current Craftsman and buy the "vintage" line.

I like that idea, it would be really great!

 

[Link-Belt]

Yeah run back is exactly what they should do. I've posted it before Sears is missing one hell of an opertunity here. With a lot of the truck brands who charge outrageous prices just for convenience going over seas as well, How many Pros would stop buying off the trucks and start buying USA made Craftsman tools? I've seen the post about Craftsman charging the same price for there overseas made tools, but what about those pressious Snap-On ratchets that no longer say USA on them. Does one pay less for them?

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[Link-Belt]

What is the Craftsman Facebook page listed under? I've checked both Sears and Craftsman on FB and can't find it.

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[FordExplorer]

I found it by just typing Craftsman in the search box.

 

[OEXL16B]

Craftsman: baby steps. Working on it.

That was Sears's reply? Seriously?

 

[FordExplorer]

That was Sears's reply? Seriously?

Heck yeah, but if you don't believe me go and look for yourself. I posted this a few days ago, but it can be found by clicking "See All" in the recent posts by others box on the right hand side of the Craftsman page. Then you will need to scroll down a while, and click "more posts" a time or two. But it is there

Edit: Actually 4 times you have to click

 

[d.mcfarland]

Yeah run back is exactly what they should do. I've posted it before Sears is missing one hell of an opertunity here. With a lot of the truck brands who charge outrageous prices just for convenience going over seas as well, How many Pros would stop buying off the trucks and start buying USA made Craftsman tools? I've seen the post about Craftsman charging the same price for there overseas made tools, but what about those pressious Snap-On ratchets that no longer say USA on them. Does one pay less for them?

Very good point. Craftsman made the switch and kept the prices the same because they were banking on people buying the name and warranty, not the COO/quality/value/etc... I'd imagine the same would happen with the truck brands, but I'm not a professional, so don't know.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Baby steps? Who runs the fb page? Some dude in india at the call center....

Closer to the truth than you would think. Most if not all big companies have entire teams that maintain their FB, Twitter, etc. They are staffed by low, usually extremely low level people who will not ever have the ear of management and have little if any real authority. We're talking maybe one step up from answering the phones in a call center, if even that.

They have no clue what is really going on in the company and certainly would not have strategic insights about the future of where tools were going to be made, especially information that was not yet in the public domain.

If you read anything into the FB responses beyond what they are, FB responses for the sake of responding, you are kidding yourself.

 

[allinon72]

That doesn't even make sense.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Baby steps? ********.

They just shipped the Extensions/adapters/ujoints out to china. Everytime I go to sears something else is made in China. T-handle stuff is now coming from overseas.

Whoever is running the Craftsman facebook page needs to pull their head out of their *** and quit lying to customers.

Ive cut my craftsman purchases big time in the last two months. Last time I purchased screwdrivers they were USA made Western Forge Husky brand from Home depot. Identical to craftsman, but I'd rather not give Sears my Money given their current trend.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I would prefer made in the USA, then I wouldn't have to exchange broken tools as often when they get abused... heh...

Besides, forget the retail store... Go check out your local pawn shops! Often you can find good OLD tools buried under all the new Chinese garbage.

 

[shoturtle]

Just what we need another craftsman thread starting to head south.

 

[Link-Belt]

Hell, it's been atleast a week since the last one. Let it roll a min. See what happens.

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[NC-Fordguy]

Should be a 3rd option on the poll---undecided. Personally I haven't made up my mind. Partly because when it gets down to it, there's not really a whole lot I really need. Most things I buy these days are either impulse buys or a killer deal I run across.

I have a spline socket set made in china that came with a ratchet made in taiwan. Thus far these seem to be decent quality tools. On the other hand, the full polish wrenches from china just look retarded. IMO it's a wrench with downs syndrome. They may be decent wrenches but thus far on this forum it's difficult to get a honest review concerning performance.

There's an internal "social" network kinda like facebook for sears employees called pebbles. The toolguy open letter to sears that was talked about on a thread here has been linked to pebbles and is causing some chatter. One of the upper management honchos has posted up about it. How far up this going I dunno, but like I said it is causing some chatter.

I've said this before--bitching and whining, fawk sears, I'm not spending my money there, and other negative comments ain't going to help.

I sent a letter to sears over this last year. Not to *****, but to point out issues and offered some solutions.

My suggestion was to expand the evolv line that's already made in china to appeal to the budget minded tool purchaser, and if production costs have risen for made in USA tools to increase the prices to maintain profit margins and keep those tools made in USA.
Best of both worlds in my opinion.

For those of you who aren't old enough to remember, unaware or even born at the time, back in the early 1980s sears imported craftsman labeled hand tools from Japan. Japan back then was the modern day equivalent to china. There was an outcry by customers over this and the japan craftsman stuff didn't last very long.

So I think something can be done if it's handled in a positive manner. If a collaborative effort can be orchestrated and executed I believe we as customers can force a change of course.

I hoped at one time this could grow from this website and gain some traction, but it fizzled out. Any one can *****, but to offer solutions and ideas one has a better chance at success.

 

[pipsters]

The real question is were the USA tools selling? I know we bought them on here but I can tell you when I went to Sears most people were picking up the Evolve stuff based upon price point. The sockets were selling but there weren't much Evolve open stock sockets (if any) around so that isn't a fair comparison.

In addition you go to any Harbor Freight store and they have a ton more tool selection than Sears does. And they are real tools, meant for the heavy DIY user or shop worker. I'm not positive but I doubt HF has a dogbone wrench even in their store. Their imported Earthquake impact line smokes $300 guns.

Today I bought some razor heads from Wal-Mart for less than Amazon. The brick and mortar retailers are coming around, Sears needs to realize in order to compete and get customers in the doors they need to take a look at their competition.

If they can't sell US made tools on their floor because the demand simply isn't there fine but importing their product line like it stands now doesn't do much for Sears as a whole, it won't fix the problem.

 

[Jim C.]

I would probably vote "no" in your survey, however I wouldn't necessarily start purchasing a competitor's tools, but would most likely buy used Craftsman tools that were made in the USA. As a matter of fact, that's pretty much what I've been doing.

Jim C.

 

[spongerich]

As I've said in other threads, the problem is that nobody fixes anything any more.
The market for new tools has gotten small and is getting smaller. Go find some old 1930's-1960's Pop Sci, Pop Mechanics etc.. there's articles in there about how to fix every damn thing. What does the average homeowner have today that could actually be fixed even if you wanted to? Your new-ish car? Not much you can do without diagnostics and special tools. Your Washer/Dryer? Same deal.. mostly electronic and the parts that do wear out and fail cost almost as much a a new machine.

For your average Joe, spending a lot of money on tools just doesn't make much sense for the amount of use they see. Sure, there are enthusiasts like us that love using quality tools and are willing to spend more, but that's not a big enough market for a company like Sears. The other problem they have is that with the Internet, it's just too easy for tool lovers to find inexpensive quality used tools. In most cases, I'd rather buy a used Snap-On, Proto, Mac, etc for the same money as a new Craftsman tool whether it's made in China, USA or on Mars.

 

[Jim C.]

Sears should come out with a "vintage" tool line that costs more but US made. Using say SK as the supplier for sockets and wrenches as their base line. Current crop of US manf. to supply other products like Ullman, Mayhew, Wilde, etc. I would buy them, in fact I would sell my current Craftsman and buy the "vintage" line.

I'm all for the tools being made in the USA, but why do they have to cost more money? How about just making good quality, competitively priced tools in the USA? We used to do it all the time.

Jim C.

 

[FordExplorer]

Thanks for all of the replies, I was rather surprised by the turnout! I didn't mean to create a repetitive thread about a topic that was already hashed out. The points brought up about the Craftsman Facebook monitors not knowing what was reality was a good point that I hadn't seriously considered.

For this to make more sense, I really should have explained where I'm at. I'm a teenager who is just starting to collect a good set of various hand tools. I have been buying since I was about 10, and the bulk of it has been Craftsman. Since the majority of you guys and gals already have the majority of the tools that you will need, I can see that it might not be a deal one way or the other for you. However, since I still have a long way to go, I was very disappointed in seeing a good quality American made tool brand that I could afford disappearing from view. That is what sparked my Facebook post, and that is what made me want to post on here about my findings.

 

[pipsters]

I'm all for the tools being made in the USA, but why do they have to cost more money? How about just making good quality, competitively priced tools in the USA? We used to do it all the time.

Jim C.

Sears has cut the quality to maintain a price point

 

[shoturtle]

I'm all for the tools being made in the USA, but why do they have to cost more money? How about just making good quality, competitively priced tools in the USA? We used to do it all the time.

Jim C.

Walmart has people looking at price first all else is not as important. Change what walmart has done to the american consumer. And have them look for quality first then price. You then will see a change.

 

[OEXL16B]

I'm all for the tools being made in the USA, but why do they have to cost more money?

1 Chinese yuan = 0.1571 US dollars

There's your answer.

 

[pipsters]

Walmart has people looking at price first all else is not as important. Change what walmart has done to the american consumer. And have them look for quality first then price. You then will see a change.

Only way to do that though is concrete numbers. I'm fine paying $50 for a socket set that sells in Wal-Mart for $10 but you need to show why...how about some torque tests, etc.

Let's say a 1/2" snap on ratchet was torque tested to fail at 400 ft-lbs. And a Craftsman premium at 200 ft-lbs. Is the extra money warranted? Sure is those are concrete numbers one can work with. Currently no such system exists, probably because the manufacturers know their products are all about the same.

People pay more for quality all the time - homes, cars, vacations, food, the list goes on.

 

[tribbles]

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Sears has cut the quality to maintain a price point

I just bought a set of standard Craftsman combo wrenches last week (my old set was some old Proto, old Craftsman, and 1 misc; just wanted a matching set to keep at school). Comparing them visually to the metric set I bought 2 years ago surprised me. The chrome is cheaper, the finish is different (rougher), but they still say USA on them. Yeah, the standards have gone down.

Not to mention the Craftsman flare wrench set I bought that turned out to be made in China (I could've spent $20 more and bought Snap-On with my student discount)

I think I'm done wasting my money on new Craftsman if even the USA made stuff is dropping in quality before the overseas change.

 

[shoturtle]

HF ratchet, decent. Fatal flaw the selector. Drop the wrong way the break. Also they rivet the ratchet close, so you can not clean it out or oil easy. Craftsman you can open it fully to service. Both 36t, but one is clearly better even without torque ratings. I will not even mention SO, as consumers that buy them are not looking at the craftsman price point.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

The real question is were the USA tools selling? I know we bought them on here but I can tell you when I went to Sears most people were picking up the Evolve stuff based upon price point. The sockets were selling but there weren't much Evolve open stock sockets (if any) around so that isn't a fair comparison.

In addition you go to any Harbor Freight store and they have a ton more tool selection than Sears does. And they are real tools, meant for the heavy DIY user or shop worker. I'm not positive but I doubt HF has a dogbone wrench even in their store. Their imported Earthquake impact line smokes $300 guns.

Today I bought some razor heads from Wal-Mart for less than Amazon. The brick and mortar retailers are coming around, Sears needs to realize in order to compete and get customers in the doors they need to take a look at their competition.

If they can't sell US made tools on their floor because the demand simply isn't there fine but importing their product line like it stands now doesn't do much for Sears as a whole, it won't fix the problem.

I'd have to get back to you about the tools selling. I do know that hardware division is up in sales but that includes lawnmowers, lawn equipment, power tools etc

Yea I saw a dogbone at HF the other day. Those things get alot of bad rap here but I have friends who build decks professionally at they like the dogbones because they are good for running lag screws and bolts in pressure treated lumber. Less tools to carry around and pick up when the job is done

 

[TwoInch]

i would be skeptical that the craftsman facebook page has anything to do with sears or craftsman. it was probably started by some bored teenager in his momma basement.

anyone can make a facebook about anything. unless a company disputes it, it stays. i absolutely guarantee it is not at all a direct line to anyone important within the company. look at the page, about 95% of the links that are posted by whoever runs that facebook page are not sears related, and some are contradictory to a company that is trying to sell things.

just a thought.

edit- after scrolling way way down on the page, it looks a little more believable. but i still doubt it has any ties to anyone important within the company. not that people voicing their opinion on a public forum like that isnt a good thing. the more exposure and noise we make, the more of a chance someone will notice.

 

[kidney]

I know these threads are tiresome for some folks here, but do a quick Google search of "Craftsman made in China".

You'll see dozens of different boards with people all saying they will never buy another Craftsman tool. You'll also notice quite a few GJ threads right on the first page. Keep it up and keep telling folks you know about it.

I've already told quite a few people to stop buying from Sears b/c they might as well just shop at Harbor Freight. It's all Chinese made anyway.

Hopefully when the smoke clears, I'll be able to spend my Saturday mornings walking around a Sears store buying USA made tools again. The Chinese stuff needs to go back to hanging on the racks of Harbor Freight and auto parts stores.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I said no... But it was more of a "soft no." I like craftsman tools, but lately their customer service has been lacking... I had a handful of punches to return, and the usual employees weren't at the sears I go to. Instead a couple of young kids that kept telling me punches weren't guaranteed... And when they didn't have one in stock, never even offered to order it for me, printed out the receipt and sent me on my way.

It's been a pain in the *** to go there for a return and have to wait 4-6 weeks... sometimes longer for a return that they didn't have in the store... Then If you have a p.o. box, forget about it... Aparently due to national security sears can't ship to a P.O. box unless you absolutly insist on it...

So lately, I've been trying to purchase tools that have a company with better customer service, easier warranty exchanges, and better quality.

 

[GTO]

Hell, it's been atleast a week since the last one. Let it roll a min. See what happens.

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You've only been on here for a month,just think how I feel about these Sears Craftsman threads.
I have been complaining abouth the threads for months.

 

[OEXL16B]

People should just move on from Craftsman; the brand name had been rode hard and put away wet. Sears has ruined Craftsman.

 

[WHT]

well the max axcess are made in asia, but I have been pretty impress with it. There really is not any thing that comes close for the money with pass throughs.

I would love to see craftsman bring back allot of production back to the US. But I doubt we will ever see all US made tools again.

Also the only other option for the same price point is taiwan made kobalt which are good as well. But there really is not US options besides craftsman at the craftsman price point.

Well, you know, times change. That was then and this is now.

Drop the wrong way the break.

 

[DMAR]

Thanks for all of the replies, I was rather surprised by the turnout! I didn't mean to create a repetitive thread about a topic that was already hashed out. The points brought up about the Craftsman Facebook monitors not knowing what was reality was a good point that I hadn't seriously considered.

For this to make more sense, I really should have explained where I'm at. I'm a teenager who is just starting to collect a good set of various hand tools. I have been buying since I was about 10, and the bulk of it has been Craftsman. Since the majority of you guys and gals already have the majority of the tools that you will need, I can see that it might not be a deal one way or the other for you. However, since I still have a long way to go, I was very disappointed in seeing a good quality American made tool brand that I could afford disappearing from view. That is what sparked my Facebook post, and that is what made me want to post on here about my findings.

Hey Ford Explorer, don't worry about your post bringing up some complaints about another Sears bashing thread. Some people forget that this is a public, opinion-based website, and there is a lot of public opinion about this topic! I say if it's on your mind, air it out, that's why we're on this board. Conversely, if you don't like it, read another thread (Snap On bashing anyone...?).

I think this post is very interesting, as the OP identifies himself as a teenager. I feel bad that kids like him won't have access to quality, affordable products through a mass retailer. Especially quality products that are made by people that can support our way of life in this country.

Anyway, OP, your post is well intended, well written, and especially interesting considering your age. I wish that Sears did pay attention to what their customers were saying, and would notice that it's not just the 'old' guys demanding made in USA tools. Most companies are very concerned with younger demos because that is their future growth prospects.

To the point of the thread, I will not buy crappy made in China tools. I will continue to buy made in USA CM tools if they are good quality. This sends a positive message to those greedy MF'ers at Sears that people want quality USA tools. If I just boycotted them, it would not have an impact on their current direction, they just would not know the difference. So I boycott the junk, buy the quality, and hope they see there is a business in stocking quality tools.

I admit, this does not seem to be having much of an affect on their direction! . However, we getting some great deals on USA CM clearance tools!

It really is a sad evolution in this country. The Sears example is the latest in cheap outsoucing of labor. These Asian tools will continue to get more expensive (to drive the necessary year over year cash flow growth of these corporations), until they are as expensive as the former quality-made US tools. Sears is interesting, and bold in this approach, because they have just dropped in the junk China copy/replacement tools on the same shelf hook, AT THE SAME PRICE, as the US made stuff they have discontinued!

As the price points get too high, and the associated standard of living increases in these formerly "developing" countries, the corporations will need to find the next "developing" country (AKA, oppressed country) to take advantage of their ignorant, starving peasants to get the much needed cheap labor. You see this already with Vietnam and India, to name a couple. Hell, we will likely be candidates before too long (or should I say, 'once again'), they just need to continue starving out the working class by outsourcing our labor to China, Mexico, etc...

By the way, this is not Sears bashing, they are doing what most corporations have done to make their money; sell out the American worker. And it's our government that passes their (corporation's) laws to make this happen. This is not a Sears issue. It just stings more with Sears because they truly did represent the working person in this country, at one time. This is not a democrat, or Republican thing, they are the same, and represent the same corporate interests. And this is not a political rant, this is a real persons frustration with seeing people taken advantage of by a broken, corrupt system. Honestly, you can write to Sears all you want, but you should write a letter to your elected 'representatives,' these issues are fed by apathy and ignorance.

All this being said, I love Saturday mornings, I'm going to go fix some stuff with my quality tools!