What a disgrace

[wafrederick]

I was in Sears today and nothing but a huge disgrace.I was going to buy a set of Craftsman locking pliers and looked on the packaging: Made in China.Was going to buy the set becuase a couple pairs came up missing.My brother Andy borrows my tools and I never get them back.I am starting to lock up my toolbox for this reason.I looked on the packaging of the line wrench sets,made in China too.I learned my lesson,if any Craftsman hand tool says made in China,I will not ever buy it.At least I bought American made Craftsman tools,set of 3 pliers and a 20mm combination.I am about to send a a message to Sears about this,no more hand tools made in China and keep them made in USA.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Somw pliers were made in china

 

[mrholeshot]

The sad part is that some of the China built stuff is better made than the USA stuff. I'm convinced that it is the fault of danaher the builder but of the poor standards set by Craftsman.

 

[cruiser808]

The sad part is that some of the China built stuff is better made than the USA stuff. I'm convinced that it is the fault of danaher the builder but of the poor standards set by Craftsman.

I agree with mrholeshot - the manufacturer will build to specs. Hey, if China can build nukes and run a space program, then yeah, they can make a decent wrench if they're asked to.

 

[cowboy73]

At least their honest about where it was made....

 

[jkeyser14]

It's a real shame. One of the few reasons I use to buy craftsman was because I was proud to support USA manufacturing. If this is the direction they are headed I'd rather buy harbor freight and save myself some money (and I sent them an e-mail to tell them as much).

 

[blarf]

I agree with mrholeshot - the manufacturer will build to specs. Hey, if China can build nukes and run a space program, then yeah, they can make a decent wrench if they're asked to.

Sure. But they *are* killing US jobs and not passing the savings on to us.... and they since they're mostly doing badge engineering (GW, Craftsman, Kobalt, MAC, etc) without a lot of quality differentiation (except for them Craftsman ratchets!) why on earth is Craftsman Pro worth any price premium? I'd just as soon buy other Danaher tools elsewhere so I can at least benefit from the savings... and stick Sears with the warranty work. If I can still pick up a $30 GW ratcheting wrench set at True Value, that's where I'll be spending my money today.

Quite frankly I stopped shopping at Sears because of the lousy selection and worse service. If I'm going to have to mail order, it won't be from Sears. Thus I started buying new SK tools. That deep offset wrench I needed? I bought the Beta (which is southeast Asian in origin, right?) variant off of Amazon for about what the Craftsman Pro one cost. Amazon gave me free shipping. Sears claimed that their stores stocked it (but none did and none were expecting to have it in) -- leaving me with $6 shipping as my only option. Sears hasn't been worth the hassle for a long time IMO.

At least they're honest about where it was made....

Sure. But MAC's got a lot of other things going against it too.

 

[cruiser808]

blarf - you'll get no argument with me on this. Fact is, the trade imbalance is way over my pay grade to solve alone or even understand. That's why we have elected officials that should be watching this. I say vote with your pocket book.

 

[hguerrero]

disgrace? that's a strong word

 

[a390st]

There have been a few strange things going on lately. The black spline wrenches and other Made in China wrenches. The mysterious Craftsman full polish combination wrenches that weren't listed as CMan Professional. The changes due to the SK bankruptcy. The RHFT ratchets are gone from the website. I really couldn't be more disappointed in the direction Craftsman has taken recently. I was hoping the CMan Pro line would be a permanent holdout against offshore outsourcing.

 

[cruiser808]

There have been a few strange things going on lately. The black spline wrenches and other Made in China wrenches. The mysterious Craftsman full polish combination wrenches that weren't listed as CMan Professional. The changes due to the SK bankruptcy. The RHFT ratchets are gone from the website. I really couldn't be more disappointed in the direction Craftsman has taken recently. I was hoping the CMan Pro line would be a permanent holdout against offshore outsourcing.

a390st, I share your concern.

 

[Scout Driver]

Just tossing out an opinion here.........

Anyone interested in a Danaher tool still made in USA should consider Allen. I've bought quite a few Allen tools in the past six months and would rate them as a higher quality tool than the Craftsman with a comparable price.

Scott

 

[cruiser808]

Just tossing out an opinion here.........

Anyone interested in a Danaher tool still made in USA should consider Allen. I've bought quite a few Allen tools in the past six months and would rate them as a higher quality tool than the Craftsman with a comparable price.

Scott

Yep Scout, you are one clever boy.

 

[woody 73]

Sears tried the overseas experiment years ago,it bombed; the second time around they have a green light.
Sad but most consumers either don't care or are unaware of coo,when they buy a tool from sears.

 

[Scout Driver]

Yep Scout, you are one clever boy.

And I thank you cruiser!

Scott

 

[matthew]

.... and they since they're mostly doing badge engineering (GW, Craftsman, Kobalt, MAC, etc) without a lot of quality differentiation (except for them Craftsman ratchets!) why on earth is Craftsman Pro worth any price premium?

I absolutely agree - the badge engineering and branding exercises don't do us any favours. People need to look for the best product and the best value for them. Putting "Pro" name on a pair of pliers really doesn't create value - making a better set of pliers does...



Everyone expects a change in COO to equate to a drop in the price, but that's not the way it works. We don't know whether the existing plants were making money, or whether the rest of the supply chain was making money as-is, and even if they were why would they give back the profit they make by offshoring? The real question is who their target market is, whether the product meets the requirements of their target market, and whether it meets their price point. Unfortunately the brand engineering that's going on seems to mean they can get away with cheapening the product and trading on the name... but it's a lousy strategy for the future, because it amounts to withdrawing from your brand equity, and alienating the more serious tool buyers from the brand.

 

[srmofo]

what the hell did you buy a 20mm combination wrench for? that fits nothing. Ive needed an occasional 20 mm socket for rounded or swollen lug nuts, but never a wrench.

.....oh yeah, china *****.

 

[cruiser808]

And I thank you cruiser!

Scott

Any time, my friend.

 

[wafrederick]

I use the 20mm wrench on GM fuel filters,fit better than a 13/16" wrench.A 13/16 fits with a very sloppy fit on GM fuel filters and the 20mm fits just right.

 

[bmrisko]

I was in Sears today and nothing but a huge disgrace.I was going to buy a set of Craftsman locking pliers and looked on the packaging: Made in China.Was going to buy the set becuase a couple pairs came up missing.My brother Andy borrows my tools and I never get them back.I am starting to lock up my toolbox for this reason.I looked on the packaging of the line wrench sets,made in China too.I learned my lesson,if any Craftsman hand tool says made in China,I will not ever buy it.At least I bought American made Craftsman tools,set of 3 pliers and a 20mm combination.I am about to send a a message to Sears about this,no more hand tools made in China and keep them made in USA.

Who cares...?

 

[blarf]

Everyone expects a change in COO to equate to a drop in the price, but that's not the way it works.

Sure. And if the company expects to command a loyal following after gutting their top end line, I'm sure they'll discover that's not the way it works either. If I can find top quality Chinese or Taiwanese tools for less than Sears wants, why would I bother buying from Sears? If Sears will even warrant these third party tools, why would I bother paying the Sears premium?

The thing that irks me the most is not that Sears is selling Asian tools, but that they're selling them as premium tools. I guess we'll see how the quality is...

 

[matthew]

Sure. And if the company expects to command a loyal following after gutting their top end line, I'm sure they'll discover that's not the way it works either. If I can find top quality Chinese or Taiwanese tools for less than Sears wants, why would I bother buying from Sears? If Sears will even warrant these third party tools, why would I bother paying the Sears premium?

The thing that irks me the most is not that Sears is selling Asian tools, but that they're selling them as premium tools. I guess we'll see how the quality is...

Exactly. It's the product that's important. Not the brand name stamped on it. But way too many companies figure they can substitute marketing in place of product...

 

[t100]

my wife returned a pair of gloves and got $17 store credit on a Sears gift card. that's 7 months ago, and I still can't find a way to use that card.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

my wife returned a pair of gloves and got $17 store credit on a Sears gift card. that's 7 months ago, and I still can't find a way to use that card.

Send it to me. I'm sure I can figure something out.

PM me if you need my address.

 

[MAD]

While I am not at all happy that Craftsman locking pliers are not US made, I really can't blame Sears. As far as I know, there are no manufacturers making locking pliers in the U.S. anymore. I believe when Irwin took Vise Grip production to China, that was it.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Was going to buy the set becuase a couple pairs came up missing.My brother Andy borrows my tools and I never get them back. I am starting to lock up my toolbox for this reason.

This to me is the more significant issue for you right now

I'd suggest buying some of those tools (of cheaper US made ones) for him for Christmas, getting all your tools back, and then locking your tool box.

While I don't have the same issues re: US-made (since I'm not American, NZ has no tool manufacturer, UK has few left) over China made, I try not to get China made now. Taiwan I can live with, but only comes fourth after Europe, Japan and the US now...

 

[mikebramel]

Just bought craftsman pro 45712, Locking pliers set. Made in USA

 

[JohnFreeman]

Who cares...?

Did we wake you?

Actually, a lot of people do.

John

 

[pp702nw]

Who cares...?

I thought your were serious for a second. I'm a little slow. I't took me a couple of minutes to realize that you were kidding. No one could be that naive.

You got a weird sense of humor.

 

[Boiler]

Though many of us hate when companies like craftsman outsource overseas, I think that the vast majority of Craftsman buyers, ie: Dad, my father in law, other people that would never think to research hand tools before buying them, strictly buy craftsman tools only. Good chance they'd buy craftsman china stuff without a blink. Or they could be turned off and instead of buying ALL of their tools at sears, start to look elsewhere.

I had 2 guys at sales this weekend reference Craftsman like it was the only thing worth having. One was selling dads tools and said "I only use craftsman". The other quoted me 25 cents a piece for this box of wrenches as "there are no craftsman's left in there". In stead I got 32 wrenches by williams, sk, barcalo, billings, thorsen, and herbrand for $7. Works for me!

 

[srmofo]

I use the 20mm wrench on GM fuel filters,fit better than a 13/16" wrench.A 13/16 fits with a very sloppy fit on GM fuel filters and the 20mm fits just right.

yeah but I have never once rounded a filter off. to each their own I guess

 

[Bolster]

The other quoted me 25 cents a piece for this box of wrenches as "there are no craftsman's left in there". In stead I got 32 wrenches by williams, sk, barcalo, billings, thorsen, and herbrand for $7. Works for me!

Good on you Boiler man! Glad somebody is giving those non-Cman "second class" brands a loving home! LOL!

I always get the same treatment at the local markets. "Ees Craftsman. Ees worth more moneys." So I buy cheap Protos instead.

 

[fordbroncodave]

gearwrench makes a good wrench and its made in china.

if your all angry that your once known USA craftsman stuff is now chinese then support our country with the tools from wisconsin

 

[tyreguy25]

Good on you Boiler man! Glad somebody is giving those non-Cman "second class" brands a loving home! LOL!

I always get the same treatment at the local markets. "Ees Craftsman. Ees worth more moneys." So I buy cheap Protos instead.

I would love to find cheap Protos here, but I have no idea where to look.

 

[IndyGarage]

Gosh, you are shocked that tools are made in China?

Where have you been?

And why do you think it's important to rant. Don't buy the tool if you don't like it. I'm sure Sears will sell it to the next guy who comes along looking for one.

 

[jsonic6]

Get use to it... It is what it is. You have 2 choices... Buy it or don't... There are more than one place to buy a tool.

I have a car that is of a Japanese name, with a engine that is provided by an American automaker, but the engine itself is made in Mexico... Yep. These are the sign of the times...

 

[Coach James]

There have been a few strange things going on lately. The black spline wrenches and other Made in China wrenches. The mysterious Craftsman full polish combination wrenches that weren't listed as CMan Professional. The changes due to the SK bankruptcy. The RHFT ratchets are gone from the website. I really couldn't be more disappointed in the direction Craftsman has taken recently. I was hoping the CMan Pro line would be a permanent holdout against offshore outsourcing.

Might those full polish wrenches not marked C-man Pro have been the cheapo Evolv line they sell?

Coach

 

[a390st]

Might those full polish wrenches not marked C-man Pro have been the cheapo Evolv line they sell?

Coach

Nope. 47238 & 47239. They are marked USA on Sears.com. They are simply being marketed online as Craftsman Full Polish Long Pattern Wrench Set. They aren't raised panel. They aren't Professional. No Sears I have ever been to has had them or heard of them. They are available online, though.

 

[dankicksass]

Just tossing out an opinion here.........

Anyone interested in a Danaher tool still made in USA should consider Allen. I've bought quite a few Allen tools in the past six months and would rate them as a higher quality tool than the Craftsman with a comparable price.

Scott

Not all Allen is made in USA, the hex tools seen here for example are made in China. Still lifetime warranty, still feels like a decent tool, but made in China. $38 at Sears for the drawerful, I didn't want to spend the extra $100 to get Craftsman brand. I saw Allen on the Gearwrench rack in Advance this afternoon, albeit at a higher pricepoint than Sears sells the same tools for. It's all Danaher any way you label it.

 

[kornjulio]

If this offshoring is true, Craftsman will become irrelevant in my garage. Sad, because that's where I started.