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

[Polski-Chevy]

Three or four generations (since 1927) grew up with the slogan "Craftsman | America’s Most Trusted Tool Brand". It doesn’t sound nearly as convincing when you say: “Craftsman | China’s Most Trusted Tool Brand".

Why not just change the brand name completely instead of "Craftsman" how about "Chinaman"?

Chinaman tools the Most Trusted Tool Brand for Modern China

Pad

 

[andywander]

.. Aparently due to national security sears can't ship to a P.O. box unless you absolutly insist on it....

Is that a joke?

 

[andywander]

Most big companies these days(the same ones who are all moving production out of the US) recognize the value of social media like Facebook.Their marketing departments would be foolish to ignore it.

i think the Facebook group Sears folks probably have more voice in the company than you think.

 

[Flatland Dave]

I really don't care if they do or don't. Nearest Sears is 120 miles away and the local K-ame-a-part only has a few CM tools. Yea I grew up with them, I remember getting a socket set as a Christmas gift 30 years ago, but the suits killed the brand.

 

[WV Cummer]

I think Sears goose is proverbially cooked. Recently went out to exchange some c-man sockets that I ordered because the size engraving was non-existent. Apparently Sears thought it would be a great marketing idea to shrink their entire socket display down to 4 hanging racks... (insert Guinness guys shouting "BRILLIANT" here) No longer are there 12 pt and 6 pt options for every size, and good luck finding more than 1 socket per facing. In addition, sockets available in sets are not available in eaches, meaning you get to wait 4-6 weeks for replacement via mail...what used to be a painless exchange is quite the PITA. Lowes no questions asked replacement is much easier, and they've always had plenty of the item to guarantee replacement of broken product... anywho, I've been lurking for a while and figured I'd finally chime in. You all offer great insight, I appreciate the wealth of experience on this site!

Yup same here,I was at Sears last night and noticed that.The socket section is maybe 6 feet long now.Looks like SO for me from here on out.

 

[byoungblood]

Yup same here,I was at Sears last night and noticed that.The socket section is maybe 6 feet long now.Looks like SO for me from here on out.

I'd go with Wright or SK personally. You get the same quality tool (in my experience) for 1/2 to 3/4 the price since you're not having to pay for the Snap On business model with the other brands.

Don't gt me wrong, SO is nice, but unless you need the truck showing up at your door, it is overpriced for most basic hand tools, such as with sockets.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I voted that I would be willing to buy Craftsman tools that are not made in the USA. I say that on the caveat that they are still quality made tools and they offer enough value for me. I honestly think that most decent Taiwan made tools nowadays are the equal of all American tools, but maybe the truck brands. The HF Pittsburgh Pro impacts that I bought have worked terrific for me and I'd have no problem trusting them for anything. By that same token, I would not buy the new Chinese full polish CMan wrenches as they are much clunkier around the open end than the American versions that they replaced. I buy based on quality and value, and really only give consideration to COO when the quality and value of two competing products are similar. I'm not willing to pay twice as much for an impact socket for example that's made in the USA if the quality is equal or less than a Taiwanese competitor.

Having said that I would agree that the quality of certain CMan items seems to have decreased since the switch to China. I am in favor of bringing production back to the USA if quality improves. I would argue that I am in favor of increasing CMan quality in general. If that means more US production great, if it means Taiwan production instead of China, okay, and if it means high quality China production I can live with that too. All of my Chinese made Apple products have been of very high quality and in most cases better than their competitors so it's not like China is unable to produce high quality items.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think your poll should have a third choice, it depends on the tool...

For example, the cable operated hose clamp plier isn't US or Asian made. It has always been made in France.

Although the stock is dwindling, there are still losts of US made Craftsman individual tools on the shelves at my local sears. Sets not so much.

 

[shoturtle]

It depends on the stores, some stores have larger selections then others. The sockets selection at the one I was at today were still 2 bays. And they redid everything already, and there was a 3rd location for their universal and passthrough sockets.

 

[FordExplorer]

We need to keep this poll going and then send it to the higher ups at Craftsman/Sears. Maybe if we can get a 1000 people to take the poll that would be a bit of an influence.

 

[TwoInch]

anyone notice that the craftsman impact sockets are chinese made, and the evolv are taiwan made? the evolv actually look like regular impact sockets... i was surprised by that.

 

[franzdom]

Some of the impact sockets I saw today were Craftsman Evolv, I had not seen both those names on the same tool before. I assumed they were Chinese so I didn't look at the back of that package.

 

[dankicksass]

Guy signs up to post a fluffer thread about Craftsman and gets five pages of guys riled up?

If I'm honest, I don't really care where Craftsman hardline comes from. I don't buy it anymore, and I don't want it. It's not for me. It does frustrate me that SHLD is offshoring Craftsman tool contracts, because that hurts American workers, but that won't affect the number of trips I make to Sears yearly. I know if I lose or break any Craftsman tool I currently own, it will be replaced with a premium name, American made tool. I feel badly for homeowners and young techs who want to buy Craftsman and are hoodwinked into buying Chinese products, but that won't keep me from going thru the door either. If I need a tool on Sunday, or after dark, chances are that tool is going to come from Sears, if they have it.

 

[otis66]

I myself have wondered how the local Sears has managed to stay in business these past few years. The place is ALWAYS empty when I go in there! Our store the selection has stayed pretty much the same. Unless there is some super spectacular deal / sale that I see in the store ad, I usually don't end up buying any tools just because. I typically end up going to the Sears because it is closer than the Home Depot / Lowes, and when all I need is a couple bolts or something small I can't justifying driving the extra miles for something that might cost a few pennies less at the bigger stores.

I stop by SEARS about 2 weeks ago to warranty a few Craftsman tools before everything is made in china. I was the only one in the store. I will never buy Craftsman tools made in China.

 

[raross]

All I can say about this is my 22y/o son went Sears to take some tools back to Craftsman, The cashier asked him what he did for a living? He said he was a mechanic, she said they would not warranty them because he was not buying there professional line of tools? WTF?? Nobody told me this 30 years ago when I purchased them? I grabbed a hand full of tools out of our box and he told me don’t do it they will no warranty them. When I went to Sears the cashier asked me what I did for a living? I replied, “I was a drug dealer” of coarsea complete LIE but I got my tools warranted! When they sold me 30 years ago they stated “Lifetime Warranty” that’s all I can say!

 

[mmack66]

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...

Neither UPS nor FedEx deliver to PO Boxes. It has nothing to do with national security.

 

[1969 roadrunner]

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

Agreed, get over it people!

 

[bigbearcraig]

I think the handwriting is on the wall for both Sears and Craftsman. I think the Craftsman name will be sold when Sears finally fails, and it will be up to the new buyer on what is done with the Craftsman line. If Sears files for bankruptcy, that could void all lifetime warranties, and make the Craftsman acquisition easier for the new owners if they choose not to warrant the old tools.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Raised Panel ratchets are now China made.

 

[gtlaw]

Raised Panel ratchets are now China made.

one of the shittiest tools ever is now made in one of the shittiest countries ever thats only fitting

 

[byoungblood]

To add insult to injury, Sears apparently put the 3/4" drive ratchets on clearance last month just so they could replace those with Chinese made ones.

 

[bigbearcraig]

I wonder if the average Sears customer really pays attention the where the tools are made? It seems that Lowes and Home Depot's don't.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

one of the shittiest tools ever is now made in one of the shittiest countries ever thats only fitting

I have several rp ratchets dating back to the 1950s that are still working great. A little bit of lube every few years and no problems.

My first set of new tools I started with back in the 1970s also have rp ratchets and have seen nearly daily duty for nearly 40 years minus the years I spent in the army. I've broken one of those about 20 years ago that was kept in a boat that was used in salt water, which I felt was why it broke--lots of rust

So if these are ****** tools, what constitutes a non-****** tool?

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I wonder if the average Sears customer really pays attention the where the tools are made? It seems that Lowes and Home Depot's don't.

Most folks don't care. If people cared about coo, there wouldn't be toyotas, nissans, iphones, sony TVs, hitachi power tools, harbor freight, etc etc all over the place

 

[Link-Belt]

I think the everyday person who shops at Sears has no idea Craftsman is now made in China. Craftsman preached made in the USA all my life, my dads life, and probably most of my grandfathers life, so I think most people just take it for granted they are still USA made and don't even look at the package for the USA MADE stamp. I also think Sears plays on that and takes advantage of the customer who does not realize this. Still haven't seen a Craftsman commercial saying now made in China.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I think the everyday person who shops at Sears has no idea Craftsman is now made in China. Craftsman preached made in the USA all my life, my dads life, and probably most of my grandfathers life, so I think most people just take it for granted they are still USA made and don't even look at the package for the USA MADE stamp. I also think Sears plays on that and takes advantage of the customer who does not realize this. Still haven't seen a Craftsman commercial saying now made in China.

Out of curiosity have you seen a commercial from dewalt, stanley, porter cable, husky, or skil stating our products are now made in china?

 

[egnorant]

I wonder if the average Sears customer really pays attention the where the tools are made? It seems that Lowes and Home Depot's don't.

Have you asked her?

 

[Link-Belt]

Out of curiosity have you seen a commercial from dewalt, stanley, porter cable, husky, or skil stating our products are now made in china?

Nope. However I don't remember any of those tools pushing the Made In The USA slogan anywhere close to the way Craftsman did for decades, do you?

 

[otis66]

I wonder if the average Sears customer really pays attention the where the tools are made? It seems that Lowes and Home Depot's don't.

Yes they do. I look at every tool I buy if I do not see USA stamped on it I place it back on the rack. I will never buy Craftsman tools not made in USA. I stopped buying Husky tools when the stopped being made in USA and the same with Kolbalt at Lowes. I got a bunch of USA NAPA tools too. I stop buying NAPA also.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Nope. However I don't remember any of those tools pushing the Made In The USA slogan anywhere close to the way Craftsman did for decades, do you?

Stanley sure did

Porter cable use to advertise on this old house and the new yankee workshop years ago promoting usa made stuff

Now in all fairness I haven't watched those shows in years so I don't know if they still advertise there

 

[otis66]

I think the everyday person who shops at Sears has no idea Craftsman is now made in China. Craftsman preached made in the USA all my life, my dads life, and probably most of my grandfathers life, so I think most people just take it for granted they are still USA made and don't even look at the package for the USA MADE stamp. I also think Sears plays on that and takes advantage of the customer who does not realize this. Still haven't seen a Craftsman commercial saying now made in China.

The everyday person is will aware of what SEARS is doing. That is why SEARS is empty. I was there about a week ago. I was the only one in the store for 3 hours. I have also informed my family NOT to buy Craftsman tools anymore. Appliances, Elelitronics, lawn mowers, tools I will buy nothing from SEARS. The only reason I used to go to SEARS was for Craftsman Tools. While there I would buy other things. No reason to go to SEARS now unless I'm getting my USA Craftsman tools warrantied before everything is made in China.

 

[bigbearcraig]

I always look to see where a tool is made, if it's made in the USA and of good quality I will pay extra for it.

 

[OEXL16B]

There's still plenty of USA made tools available; I don't know what all the fuss is about. You guys are just gonna have to pick up the phone book and see where your local industrial supply is. Those places have all the best tools anyway.

 

[twincam00]

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.

Thats a interesting way of looking at it, I totally agree

 

[NC-Fordguy]

What I find ironic, other than the fact nearly every thread about sears/craftsman started with positive overtones, eventually turns into a sears/craftsman bashing thread, is so many who ***** the loudest about the off shore moves state that they don't go into sears anyways.

 

[otis66]

All I can say about this is my 22y/o son went Sears to take some tools back to Craftsman, The cashier asked him what he did for a living? He said he was a mechanic, she said they would not warranty them because he was not buying there professional line of tools? WTF?? Nobody told me this 30 years ago when I purchased them? I grabbed a hand full of tools out of our box and he told me don’t do it they will no warranty them. When I went to Sears the cashier asked me what I did for a living? I replied, “I was a drug dealer” of coarsea complete LIE but I got my tools warranted! When they sold me 30 years ago they stated “Lifetime Warranty” that’s all I can say!

There is nothing in the Craftsman warranty about pro mechanics.

 

[bigbearcraig]

I have been using Craftsman tools for over 40 years. I'm not a mechanic and don't use my tools any where near what a professional would, but I have used them a lot and I have never broken a ratchet, wrench or socket yet. I don't abuse my tools and do keep them in good condition. I know Craftsman was never the best brand available, but they were a good value for the average consumer.

 

[Seb650R]

Most folks don't care. If people cared about coo, there wouldn't be toyotas, nissans, iphones, sony TVs, hitachi power tools, harbor freight, etc etc all over the place

Can you name a phone competitive with the Iphone that is USA made? The Androids and Blackberries certainly aren't made in the USA.

The same goes for TVs and any other electronics. They are all made with foreign components at the very least. The best TVs on the market are also foreign made.

My Ford car was assembled in Mexico with foreign parts. On the other hand my mom's Honda was assembled in the USA with foreign parts. Is supporting the US company therefore in anyway superior? The only argument is that I'm lining US CEO coffers rather then foreign CEO coffers. At least with the Honda some average Americans are getting something out of it.

 

[Mister Moose]

I know Craftsman was never the best brand available, but they were a good value for the average consumer.

And here is the essence of the Sears brand.

Sears has had a lot of difficulties over the years since the end of the catalog era. They brought in Lands End to prop up their soft goods. They bought K-Mart. They still are struggling, looking for that elusive retail formula.

I haven't been on any sewing journal boards or modeling runway boards, but I wonder if the complaining on offshoring clothing goes on to the same extent as in tools. Look in your closets and dressers. I bet most of us have labels from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, India...

I just took off my cotton Polo style shirt, read the label, and the tag says 'Made in Peru'. Huh. Didn't know they made clothing there. I'm pretty happy with Peru, they have Machu Pichu, they send us killer fruit in the winter, and they're even in the same hemisphere. I don't see where importing fruit in the winter is bad. I don't see where buying their shirts is bad either. Hopefully we are selling Peru some Fords, some wheat, and some berries in our summer.

If it's OK to buy German tools, or British tools, why is it bad to buy Taiwanese tools? If they serve your purpose? Isn't it about if the product is a good value for your intended use?

I'm not smart enough to figure out if Sears is going to make it. They do face more competition now for the homeowner. When I bought my first Craftsman tools, there was no Home Depot Harbor Freight or Lowes. Car part stores had more expensive tools, still do. Many old school companies when faced with more competition didn't do well. Look at GM: Oldsmobile and Pontiac are gone. Pan AM, a memory.

I nickname I've heard of Home Depot is "Disneyland for men" *. It might be that Home Depot and Lowes get more foot traffic from potential tool buyers than Sears ever will. More DIYers are in a Home Depot than are in Sears. Both home improvement giants have gone after Sears' market. That could be a big problem for Sears, and may be the reason they are contracting in tool volume and trying to squeeze the price point.

One thing I do know: Sears survival is dependent on much more than just tools. Which brings me back to bigbearcraig's quote.... Can Sears offer a better selection, service, and value in tools than other big box stores? I see that as a bigger issue than country of origin.

*PC disclaimer: Not trying to be sexist, but to date most tool buyers are male.

 

[OEXL16B]

If it's OK to buy German tools, or British tools, why is it bad to buy Taiwanese tools? If they serve your purpose? Isn't it about if the product is a good value for your intended use?

The short answer to that is the Germans and the British don't resort to unfair trade practices to undercut the prices of American made products.