What happened to Sears tools?!!

[dacan23]

LOL... The only likely scenario I can think of is for Walmart to buy them and try to step up their tool depts, but I think Walmart is in bed with Stanley. HD & Lowes are very unlikely to acquire Craftsman, HF could but doesnt need Craftsman unless they want to have something above their junk. Maybe Walgreens will buy them so the old guys can pickup some tools while getting their prescriptions LOL.

The name like that of "Kenmore" will be sold to the highest bidder and a line of cheap, gimmicky tools will be marketed on late night TV and cable channels until any fond memories of the name "Craftsman" are destroyed.

 

[DOlsen]

Sears has already created a separate company (KCD IP, LLC) which now owns their Kenmore, Craftsman, and Diehard brands. Sears itself will probably be gone in about a year

From Bloomberg:
KCD IP, LLC is a special purpose vehicle. It owns Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard brands. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. KCD IP, LLC operates as a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation.

 

[bob15]

What happened to "Sears" (NOT Craftsman) branded tools ? When did they goes away? Mid 80's?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Now I am wondering if any of the APEX lines will remain in the USA. Can anyone tell which line(s) will remain being made in USA?

To the best of my knowledge, Wright Tool & Forge in Ohio isn't going anywhere

 

[Empty Pockets]

My question is when Sears & Kmart go bankrupt for good and close all the stores, what happens to Craftsman?!?

I don't expect Sears and Kmart to be around much longer....Sadly Craftsman stuff is popping up at Ace Hardware, and others. The name Craftsman will continue for a while, while the quality continues to suffer, until it dies a merciful death

 

[anndel]

15 yrs ago I use to shop at sears for some tools, but couldnt afford most of the nice stuff, have some sockets, wrenches, compressor, air tools, and screw drivers. Bought a bunch of HF tools way before there was a store in the North East, some of there stuff from 10+ years back isnt that bad. Sears power tools always seemed nice but now a days there are about same price as Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, etc., but not as quality.

Now a days I go in to Sears and the stuff is overpriced or junk, its a shame. I rarely get anything from HF as 95% of the store makes me cringe.

I'm now a Milwaukee M12/M18 guy and in next few years will upgrade my wrenches, sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers to better things.

My question is when Sears & Kmart go bankrupt for good and close all the stores, what happens to Craftsman?!?

The bankruptcy court will sell it to the highest bidder to pay off the creditors.

 

[MercLSU]

 

[redmondjp]

Sears has already created a separate company (KCD IP, LLC) which now owns their Kenmore, Craftsman, and Diehard brands. Sears itself will probably be gone in about a year

From Bloomberg:
KCD IP, LLC is a special purpose vehicle. It owns Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard brands. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. KCD IP, LLC operates as a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation.

And that LLC is probably the most valuable piece that they own, other than the (non-leased) real estate that their stores sit on. I fully expect them to be gone in the next few years. My local store is just dead every time I go in there - there are more store employees than shoppers typically.

 

[dacan23]

Thing is they dont even try anymore, sometimes we find good baby clothes deals in the store but thats becoming less frequent. I remember 2014 they had some nice slippers, in April after they were still full price, about the only store anywhere with slippers....

I find all their coupons, programs, sales, and emails very annoying and confusing. Too many rules exclusions etc.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Mines the non converted model that runs on albanian plutonium rods......

I thought it was "The Libyans!"?

 

[Wamsutta]

What is the ratchet/socket/wrench/screwdriver brand most used recommended nowadays?

Snap-on. Made in USA and very high quality.

 

[Banshee365]

Buy SK and support one of the last true 100% USA committed tool companies. Ideal industries (owners of Western Forge in Colorado Springs who made the Craftsman Peofessional screwdrivers as well as chisels and pry bars for Craftsman) is committed to expanding the SK line and making it better than it ever was. Committing to 100% USA production is a huge business risk. Let's make sure it pays off for them while we acquire some awesome quality USA tools.

For combination wrenches it would be hard to look away from the Wright sets. They're also committed to USA production as good as any wrench on the market. I want to support SK as much as possible so their wrench sets may end up in my box soon to replace my USA craftsman raised panel wrenchs.

 

[Banshee365]

Snap-on. Made in USA and very high quality.

There he is.

 

[Jessy]

I actually work for Sears and have for about 4 months now.

I work in the fitness department, but it's right next to tools and when business is slow in fitness (80% of the time), I end up going there and helping members. I know way more about the tools then my coworkers in that department because Sears unfortunately doesn't force the training even when it's past deadline.

Most items that we don't have in stock to replace are actually from a tool set (mechanics tool set 42 - 263 piece) and not even carried as individuals. If this is the case, you gotta bring in the whole set and we swap them out.

Craftsman switched production fully to China (except very few pieces that are labeled 'Professional') about 4 years back.

Don't buy Craftsman tools.

If you walk into my Sears, I will talk them up and explain how great the warranty is and sell you some tools, but it's all a lie. I make my money off those lies and I use that money to buy Mac, Cornwell, or Snap-on.

 

[timmyisme22]

They had one screwdriver, and it looked cheesy even compared to the one it was replacing that was about 20 years old. The other screwdriver they don't eve carry anymore and the clerk told me basically in nice words that I was out of luck. They don't have or carry the 3/8 x 12" screwdriver with the red/clear head. What a mess.

It's available in a set and they should've broken the set open to get you your replacement. They can clearance the rest as is policy (kid was probably holiday help and had no idea). Otherwise, they needed to give you the value of the screwdriver (also according to policy) so as to procure another.

9-41588 - Solo screwdriver
9-41619 - Set containing it

 

[Jessy]

It's available in a set and they should've broken the set open to get you your replacement. They can clearance the rest as is policy (kid was probably holiday help and had no idea). Otherwise, they needed to give you the value of the screwdriver (also according to policy) so as to procure another.

This may have been the case before, but not right now (atleast not at the Sears I work at). We're told to exchange sets for sets, not break open a set and exchange individual tools.

 

[timmyisme22]

This may have been the case before, but not right now (atleast not at the Sears I work at). We're told to exchange sets for sets, not break open a set and exchange individual tools.

That's only if you have a set needing to be replaced. They should've at least given him the value of the screwdriver in a gift card so he can buy another or something else.

It sounds like your managers are trying to beat around the bush.

 

[Jessy]

That's only if you have a set needing to be replaced. They should've at least given him the value of the screwdriver in a gift card so he can buy another or something else.

It sounds like your managers are trying to beat around the bush.

That's entirely possible, I've only worked at this one Sears. We actually take the sets we exchanged out for one piece and put the on a hilarious clearance price. It starts at about 10% off and goes as low as 40%, but the current sales on mechanics tool sets are 50% (carried over form Thanksgiving). It's actually cheaper to buy a brand new set right now then it's clearance counter-part.

 

[timmyisme22]

That's entirely possible, I've only worked at this one Sears. We actually take the sets we exchanged out for one piece and put the on a hilarious clearance price. It starts at about 10% off and goes as low as 40%, but the current sales on mechanics tool sets are 50% (carried over form Thanksgiving). It's actually cheaper to buy a brand new set right now then it's clearance counter-part.

I know what you mean. Same thing happens here, except our 991 doesn't go much lower than 20% unless initially marked at lower (dented toolbox return, etc). You might find a random item that is a month away from being shipped back marked down 70% though... they usually don't last or are junk anyways.

 

[Jessy]

I know what you mean. Same thing happens here, except our 991 doesn't go much lower than 20% unless initially marked at lower (dented toolbox return, etc). You might find a random item that is a month away from being shipped back marked down 70% though... they usually don't last or are junk anyways.

Yeah, they start at an embarrassing price (as in, I myself am embarrassed when the customer asks why it's still so much), but man they do drop over time.

I've seen an impact socket set go for about 10 bucks once, picked it up myself and took it for free with SYW points. Never used the sockets yet because I already had impact sockets, but the price was insane.

 

[timmyisme22]

Forgot to mention:

Welcome to GJ Jessy!

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[softailgarage]

Hey guys, you can still get quality Craftsman tools...used. That's what I do. I grew up on good Craftsman and inherited a ton from Dad. Not that I've ever had to replace a Craftsman tool (well, once), but if I lose one, which happens, or I simply want to extend my Craftsman collection, I buy used. Craigslist, Ebay, swap meets, pawn shops.etc. May take a little time and effort, depending on how popular the tool is or was, but it's worth it.

 

[Mr.clean]

I actually work for Sears and have for about 4 months now.

I work in the fitness department, but it's right next to tools and when business is slow in fitness (80% of the time), I end up going there and helping members. I know way more about the tools then my coworkers in that department because Sears unfortunately doesn't force the training even when it's past deadline.

Most items that we don't have in stock to replace are actually from a tool set (mechanics tool set 42 - 263 piece) and not even carried as individuals. If this is the case, you gotta bring in the whole set and we swap them out.

Craftsman switched production fully to China (except very few pieces that are labeled 'Professional') about 4 years back.

Don't buy Craftsman tools.

If you walk into my Sears, I will talk them up and explain how great the warranty is and sell you some tools, but it's all a lie. I make my money off those lies and I use that money to buy Mac, Cornwell, or Snap-on.

You should stick to selling pro form and nordictrack.....and if your 991 merchandise is being sold as described you should bring it up with a district manager in private.... whoever is taking 10% off retail on sears branded products for 991 has no idea what they are doing.

The craftsman lineup is far away from 100% china, and whoever told you this is ill informed.

You better sell some RPA's before you end up on the NPI list. People with your mentality don't aid in the poor performance of recent years, don't lie about what you sell....

 

[mjoekingz28]

Doesnt that way of talking get tiring?

.....I have the EXACT same car- except it is green, has a V8 and is actually a truck.


.....production went FULLY to China.....EXCEPT

Its like hearing the media build something up to get the WoW factor

 

[mjoekingz28]

Sears and Craftsman carried tools for a long long time. I blame those of us who abused the tool and exchanged it...

True story, my car got stuck in the mud and we had a plastic coated steel cable with an eyelet on each end.....we wrapped it around the tow vehicle and the stuck one and just needed something to lodge in the eyelets to hold it together. All I could think of was my big Craftsman screwdriver. Well, it broke. And the guy pulling tried conning me into trading it in on warranty. Luckily, I have grown to appreciate Craftsman and was going to just go purchase a new one, but found it would just simply go back together easily...you see, the handle and shaft separated, but pushing them back together made it good as new- it will come apart if you try to pull it apart, but who does that? And even if you did there is always super glue, hot glue, etc..


Nice screwdrivers......4 pack for like $15.. Three big slotted and a Phillips #3 or #4....




I feel bad taking advantage of Sears. I spent like twenty buck on a pack of about twenty screwdrivers all made in the USA. Then I go pay Amazon about $15 for a single Hozan because I was needing JIS.....so I gave Japan $15 for a single and Craftsman about a dollar per driver. That, and I got this awesome all six point socket set for about a dollar per piece....and not these bits and small allen keys either, it was all big boy stuff- wrenches, sockets to an inch or more, 22mm, three drive sizes, easy to read, and Im not sure about the case it arrived in, but every tool was USA. I looked and a small Armstrong 1/4" socket set was double what I got all three drives for, and about ten 6pt wrenches......





It is our mentality that needs tempering. We do so much messed up stuff. Instead of eating at McDonalds we go to an upscale restaurant and 'save money' by jipping the waitstaff. Load up on condiments and napkins while at the Wendy's taking out an order, because they are 'free'...........


Sometimes it is tough to realize all of this stuff wasnt just put here- materials had to be sourced and transported, formed by labor and heavy machinery, packaged, inspected and shipped to you........and then we get two handfuls instead of a single napkin and end up letting them fly off with the wind............ I can go on if the point is unclear or being rejected....



Demanding a new car have all the doodads and whistles, basically, getting a Cadillac for a Geo's price...then complaining to the dealer and talking them down on price then accusing them of bad practices when they have to fix something and charge for it.

We spend big dollars to save a few cents! What do them bean counters make, $50k a year?

'Saving' a few bucks can get expensive. Of course, the new kid in town has a pile of money and can undercut all the established businesses prices until they go broke and then he will jack up the prices. So, in the quest to spend less money- we go bankrupt, get a crappy product, then end up paying more for it in the end.

Like, a dollar for a hamburger seems fair, okay? We can buy hamburgers from Ma And Pa for decades using fine Angus beef and heartland wheat buns. We are just fine and dandy.....then in comes the vultures and hounds, peddling a fifty cent sandwich.......NOW, that one dollar burger seems like a ripoff and we start trying to con Ma and Pa to match the price.....we forget all those good decades in an instant and ditch them for the fifty cent sandwich.....blah blah is anybody reading this?

 

[impactsocket]

There has been tool innovation from CM. There are great Craftsman tools for sale now that did not exist in the past = Craftsman Professional 3-piece Curved-Blade Pry Bar Set, C3 cordless tools, Craftsman Extreme Grip 6-Piece Diamond Tip Screwdriver Set, Craftsman Extreme Grip 10-Inch Adjustable Wrench.

There were the more expensive USA Craftsman premium 84T ratches which few bought but they are now going for high prices on ebay since they are discontinued.

 

[wesst]

So I have been trying to complete my USA Craftsman sets for some time now, which can be challenging due to their historic practice (obviously other tool companies as well) changing suppliers. In my quest, I frequent the local Sears hometowns in my area. Most independent owners believe Craftsman should resort back to simple marketing of an entry level tool class (Tawain) and modest priced USA tools.

I believe the current marketing strategy created too large of a delta between the industrial line and the entry level tools. Couple that with a continued struggle to actually purchase the Industrial line, and it is a recepie for failure.

I actually envy those of you that have a brick and mortar store near you that stocks mid level USA tools of any brand (SK, Armstrong, Wright come to mind)

 

[pepgj]

I think it's simply a multi-decade race to the bottom for price that the US consumer fixates on.

Just heft a power pencil sharpener, countertop mixer, lamp base. Modern furniture stores are stuffed with utter dreck. Pride in downtown commercial districts and government buildings has given way to strip malls and then box stores. The world is awash in cheesy band instruments with the death of the US wind instrument industry.

It's a mixed bag since I won't belittle the advancements made in materials technology, information processing and display, improvements in home construction and design.

Obviously, the consumer products firms will happily build what people will buy, and there's nothing forcing people to buy garbage.

I guess in the case of Craftsman, what you are seeing is more of a split between high and low end hand tools. There's less interest in mid-range lines, so you either have to go expensive or go cheap.

 

[drink]

To the best of my knowledge, Wright Tool & Forge in Ohio isn't going anywhere

I just heard the APEX warehouse in Texas was moved to North Carolina and it caused a delay in getting orders out in a timely manner. Another order for Craftsman Industrial was cut short because they said some items were temporarily discontinued until March. A person also said there have been some problems with machining (may be a result of downsizing production facilities).

 

[mjoekingz28]

pepgj, I like what you are saying.

Instead of the evolv line, they probably should have sold the industrial line in store. Give the homeowner an heirloom to pass down....instead of a knuckle buster that creates bad words from the user and ends up in the trash can en route to the landfill.

 

[drink]

Sears still sells a bunch of made in USA tools. How many other retailers have tools like these that are made in the USA?

 

[drink]

Even more!

 

[ibedayank]

pictures taken off the sears website are as accurate as using your fingers as a micrometer

 

[christopher7390]

Made in China...just like everything else. Craftsman will never get my money again. If my tools break, straight to the garbage. Not dealing with junk

 

[justanengineer]

If your local store has very little made in USA then go to a better one, retailers generally don't send more expensive merchandise to poorer areas. In my travels I see them vary from mostly USA to mostly PRC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[63mothership]

Kobalt from Lowes is fine for home use, that's what I have and have been pretty happy with them for the price.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Like the title, wht did happen to all of these tools? Maybe we, the US ran out of metal frm making all of these tools for over a hundred years. Maybe they got lost, or are in a barn somewhere, or were neglected and broke and ended up in a landfill........i just dont understand why we still need to 'make' as many tools as we currently do? Are we amping up the disposable **** assembly line- so you dispose of it when a fifty cent part needs replacing???

 

[garthg]

I haven't read the whole thread yet and this may be mentioned.

If you want the old Craftsman quality, you now have to go to Craftsman Industrial. These aren't available in the stores. I think you can get them at Grainger and other industrial supply houses.

 

[garthg]

One it was good natured ribbing. If you want ridicule here you go.

Completely failing to at least be within 5 to 10 years of current times is a sign of a feeble old age.

And what is currently called "Sears" bears no resemblance to any what any Sears store resembled for many years.

And please, please, please don't call CiCi's a "pizzeria". In North Jersey, if you told people that was a pizzeria, "tings would go bada bing, bada boom".

Enough ridicule.

I think you got part of that wrong. The problem with Sears as a retail store today is that the stores do still look like what they used to look like. Eddie Lambert doesn't care at all about the retail business that Sears used to be. He's just like the guy that buys a classic car or motorcycle and parts it out. The real estate goes here, the Craftsman name goes there, etc.