nh_yota
Well-known member
Maybe Binford Tools will buy them.
Where Will Crafstman Tools Land?
- Thread starter 408sbc
- Start date
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Warranty... really??? Do you people REALLY break tools so often a warranty is important???
Or
Is having a warranty an indication the tool is somehow manufactured better... thinking the company will be forced to replace it if it's ****?
Either way... Craftsman has turned to **** and whoever does buy it... if they do... will never be able to warranty without receipt & by the original purchaser... they will put all kinds of restrictions on who and why someone will be able to warranty... Hopefully to knock out the people that take advantage of a little rust.
Or
Is having a warranty an indication the tool is somehow manufactured better... thinking the company will be forced to replace it if it's ****?
Either way... Craftsman has turned to **** and whoever does buy it... if they do... will never be able to warranty without receipt & by the original purchaser... they will put all kinds of restrictions on who and why someone will be able to warranty... Hopefully to knock out the people that take advantage of a little rust.
Ign
Well-known member
Burrito? Isn't that THE point? The Craftsman name is for sale, no? Who says the buyer has to keep making what Craftsman today makes?
edit: it's Skil, no? Is there also a Skill brand?
Last edited:
Hohn
Well-known member
I think Wal Mart could pull off a lifetime warranty.
But it will be the lifetime of a fruit fly. And involve 50 pages of paperwork. And shipment cost at your expense. etc.
Basically, add so many conditions and fine print too the warranty as to make it worthless.
There a local sporting goods chain (Dunham's) that offers a 'price match guarantee' of this kind. If you can bring in 3 pieces of identification, your eldest child, life insurance policy, and meet several conditions, then they will MATCH the price on an item you already bought.
Gee, what a great deal.
I will say a long shot would be Ace . I think if they had a drop of sense non of this would have happened . Sears was set up to join the internet . Sear had a distribution system and a catalog in place . All they needed was a massive website and they could have been Amazon
nh_yota
Well-known member
The brand will either be purchased by a Chinese tool company looking to broaden their market in the USA or will be purchased by Ace Hardware as their house brand.
a52-830
Well-known member
you would like to think that ace would have added a "right of first refusal" to any craftsman sale that happened in the term of that distribution agreement they signed. ace can sit on the sidelines until sears figures it all out, and they get to look at the final agreement, and potentially step in at the last minute and scoop it up.
as i understand it, they have already tightened up the "warranty" so that ace is only responsible for the tools that they actually sold . . . . .
Provincial
Well-known member
Sears could have been Amazon. This is true, if they had been managed properly.
But the management of Sears ran it into the ground trying to meet quarterly profit goals to keep shareholders happy. It was then bought out by a corporate raider because Wall Street wizards drove down the share price to a fraction of what the real estate was worth. The raider saw that it was way undervalued, and snapped it up with no intention of keeping the operation viable.
Now the owners are cashing out the real estate and bailing out. I suspect that they don't really care about the brands except for what they can recover by selling them.
But the management of Sears ran it into the ground trying to meet quarterly profit goals to keep shareholders happy. It was then bought out by a corporate raider because Wall Street wizards drove down the share price to a fraction of what the real estate was worth. The raider saw that it was way undervalued, and snapped it up with no intention of keeping the operation viable.
Now the owners are cashing out the real estate and bailing out. I suspect that they don't really care about the brands except for what they can recover by selling them.
I'm a Craftsman tool fan, but at this point, I really don't care if Craftsman goes away or not. I'd never warranty an older USA made Cman tool for some current Cman junk from China. There's tons of good used USA made Cman tools on eBay every day so I don't even think about going to Sears anymore. From my perspective, the Cman warranty isn't even an issue. If I break a tool, which I think I've done three or four times in about thirty years, I'll just find a used replacement online. Most of what I use is basic stuff. Ordinary Cman chrome sockets, raised panel ratchets and raised panel wrenches are a dime a dozen on the used tool market.
Jim C.
Jim C.
I don't know anything about what, if any, distribution agreement Ace signed, but if the Craftsman brand is sold prior to a bankruptcy, that agreement may well still be effective. Whoever the new buyer is may still want to, or have to continue distributing through Ace.
ckadams00
Well-known member
ckadams00
Well-known member
I agree. Haven't tried to warranty a tool since I took a favorite 1950's ratchet in for a rebuild kit and Sears lost it. And I also agree I'd never bring an old broken tool in for something from China - just not something I want. I'd rather buy used on GJ than have new Craftsman.
Coach James
Well-known member
Sears' problems began in the early 1970's, long before Amazon, corporate raiders etc It wasn't run into the ground trying to keep shareholders happy. It was undercut by big box specialty stores that took market share in almost every category Sears competed in. Amazon was founded in 1994 by which time, Sears was already in dire straits. Amazon's advantage is, unlike Sears, no brick and mortar stores to service plus investors continue to pour cash into the, still money losing, company.
Coach
Coach
Bruce Wayne
Well-known member
One to the Sears near me in Valparaiso, Indiana is closing. I went there this morning with my Father to look atound. Everything is at least 10% off. My Dad was looking at stuff for the yard equipment and even with the discount on things like filters it was still too expensive. All I ended up getting was a 3 inch 3/8th extension that I noticed was missing a few weeks back. I might go back in a few days when I get paid and see what else I can get my hands on. All the cages &cabinets that are usually locked were wide open, just reach in & grab what you want. I'm thinking that I'm going to pick up a C3 impact he driver & perhaps a battery.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Coach James said:
^ True. And Jim C's comment above is pretty much spot on. "Tool people" know they can find older US-made Craftsman in abundance in the second-hand market, and there won't be any shortage of it in the foreseeable future. (Ebay listings for older Moore-made Craftsman wrenches appear daily by the dozens.)
I would kind of doubt the independently-owned franchises in the "Ace" chain would sign on to deal with the hassle of "lifetime warranty" on products they didn't sell originally, and I'd question their willingness to make huge investments in inventory of offshore-sourced products when net sales of those products are in decline.
As a note: Amazon just opened a "brick and mortar" retail grocery store in Seattle. It remains to be seen how successful it will be.
Wait aren't Craftsman and Matco made by the same parent company? Maybe we'll see Craftsman stuff on the Matco truck at 3x it's current price. It is sad to see Sears go out. Craftsman was what I knew to be "good tools" growing up. Most of the tools that I have the used to belong to my Grandfather and even some that dad has given me over the years are Craftsman.
Derek420
Banned
No Matco isn't made by same company it use to be when it was still USA made but stopped when manufacturing went over seas and my opinion even those last USA tools we're garbage I have plenty and prefer the v series from easco and others.
JoJoSnap
Well-known member
What should I do about my craftsman 20 volt professional line power tools? They are functioning fine but im worried what if these batteries dont hold up...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I disagree. I worked there in the early/mid 70s and they were still raking in money hand over fist ! DieHard batteries were #1. So was their EasyLiving and Weatherbeater paint. Kenmore was still a well respected name.
Thing really did not start sliding until the 80s and by the 90s they were headed down hill fast.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Where will Craftsman Tools Land?
Being there are no Craftsman tool factories, and the Craftsman branded tools are made under contract by various manufacturers; When the Craftsman orders slow down; will those manufacturers pick up the slack and build tools for companies other than Craftsman? I seriously doubt The Craftsman name will be placed on any tool orders without a hope of prompt payment to the manufacturer?
The good tools in their line can be bought under their maiden names; which I favor, anyway. Saving the Craftsman name just isn't on My care list.
Being there are no Craftsman tool factories, and the Craftsman branded tools are made under contract by various manufacturers; When the Craftsman orders slow down; will those manufacturers pick up the slack and build tools for companies other than Craftsman? I seriously doubt The Craftsman name will be placed on any tool orders without a hope of prompt payment to the manufacturer?
The good tools in their line can be bought under their maiden names; which I favor, anyway. Saving the Craftsman name just isn't on My care list.
a52-830
Well-known member
around here there are several places that will rebuild tool battery packs. haven't tried it yet myself, since i have enough batteries now, but i have two or three that are dead, so i am ready to give it a try . . . . .
Art From De Leon
Well-known member
Harbor Freight should buy the Craftsman name, same quality, but with more 'polished' name recognition.
Otherwise, the Craftsman name should be consigned to "ash heap of history".
Otherwise, the Craftsman name should be consigned to "ash heap of history".
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I was only commenting on quality, not price. I'm at the point in life so that I can buy quality, and I don't mind paying for it
1950mercury
Well-known member
Throw them in the garbage
Zeeman
Well-known member
Hey what about that cute short haired lady on their commercials from the 70's or 80's? I always referred to her as the Sears Lady. I'll have to find a picture of her. Anyone else remember?
Was she the one on page 73 in the catalog modelling various undergarments? If so, yeah as a young lad I definitely remember.
JoJoSnap
Well-known member
:-( thats so harsh thing to do something thats sooooo above level than the 19.3 volt family. I have been using impact wrench to change tires, rotate tires, and did other stuffs under my pickup truck. This gun is still hanging in there. I would rather someone else to buy it from me something to remember the name of craftsman as it used be trust. In your hands!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Coach James
Well-known member
I didn't say Sears was losing money, as they still were, but profits began to decline. In 1974, company profits declined ~ $170 million and employee layoffs began. Sears' growth was pretty much flat through the rest of the 1970's with the company buying Dean Witter and Coldwell Banker in an attempt to kick start profits. It did result in greater revenue, but masked the fact that Sears' core business was losing more and more market share to big box retailers. The companies high water mark was the late 60's until about 1973.
Coach
There are any number of companies rebuilding battery packs. There are oniy a few types of cells used in those packs. I had a Porter Cable rebuilt a few years ago and it is still going strong. I just rebuilt a a small 4.8 volt pack myself with better cells and doubled my run time. Sears power tools are often just a rebranded tool company brand with a few cosmetic changes. Are you sure the batteries won't swap?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Brownsfan
Well-known member
You say this and "These threads are so quaint" every single time one of these pop up. Its like the radio or tv, turn the dial. Dont click on it. Most of us here grew up using and buying Craftsman tools and like it or not it is still the most recognized name in tools in the USA. So people are going to talk about and speculate what is going to happen.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
It's a good topic because I would be willing to bet that 90% of the Americans here own or have owned craftsman tools.
If you are above 40 years old, Unless you learned to work on things from a professional, chances are you learned with Craftsman tools.
So in some way we probably all have some nostalgia about them.
The problem with the brand is that they have sold in the past at great volumes - when there was fewer viable economical options. Now there is Harbor Freight, Husky, Kobalt - all viable options to Craftsman hand tools, and any number of power tool brands that are options to Craftsman power tools.
The Craftsman Warranty was always a drawing card, but now it's likely a liability - one that could be shirked, but that would have an effect on the brand going forward.
I think one of the other problems is that the number of people who actually fix things has been going down, not up. We throw things away rather than fix them these days.
If they were smart, Home Depot and Lowes would start warrantying Craftsmen tools for their in house brands - given a purchase of that brand. This would hasten the demise of craftsman.
If you are above 40 years old, Unless you learned to work on things from a professional, chances are you learned with Craftsman tools.
So in some way we probably all have some nostalgia about them.
The problem with the brand is that they have sold in the past at great volumes - when there was fewer viable economical options. Now there is Harbor Freight, Husky, Kobalt - all viable options to Craftsman hand tools, and any number of power tool brands that are options to Craftsman power tools.
The Craftsman Warranty was always a drawing card, but now it's likely a liability - one that could be shirked, but that would have an effect on the brand going forward.
I think one of the other problems is that the number of people who actually fix things has been going down, not up. We throw things away rather than fix them these days.
If they were smart, Home Depot and Lowes would start warrantying Craftsmen tools for their in house brands - given a purchase of that brand. This would hasten the demise of craftsman.
a52-830
Well-known member
what does that say about the people reading the stuff those people are writing?
Excellent point, I guess all of us yearn for a simpler time when Sears actually meant something.
JoJoSnap
Well-known member
Get a grip. The word craftsman meaning craftsman and we are entitled to talk about anything related to this brand name. Open door policy and let it be!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Blue
Well-known member
Regardless of how crappy Craftsman is now, or how many other options are out there or tools, it's still a brand that has a couple hundred million dollars of revenue per year.
With that kind of cash flow, it's not going away. Someone is going to buy it and produce tools with the Craftsman name.
With that kind of cash flow, it's not going away. Someone is going to buy it and produce tools with the Craftsman name.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Agree.
I still like horse drawn machinery. Sears sold that, and everything else at one time through their catalogs. Some people bought Craftsman tools to maintain this equipment, along with their buildings and property.. It is fun to talk about the old times.
The Great Sears of today? Well, I would rather visit the whale park in North Dakota.. I might be far less disappointed.
You know, I was thinking the exact same thing. I see that goofy avatar and immediately think, "Oh, the guy from North Carolina is gonna say this thread *****, or it's quaint, or both."
To be honest, I've wanted to comment on it in the past but didn't. Okay, since the topic has come up I'll say it and get it over with..... I'm not entirely sure how the word "quaint" really describes this thread or any others. Webster initially defines quaint as, .....cunning, scheming, crafty, artful or wily by knowledge, skill or learning...." and goes on to further enhance and clarify those basic ideas. I don't see any of the comments in this thread or the thread itself as being "quaint," at least according to Webster's primary and secondary definitions.
A lesser used definition of quaint includes terms, "uncommon, old fashioned, picturesque...." Maybe that's what franz is going for. Maybe he's saying this Craftsman topic is old fashioned??? I don't know. It's certainly not cunning, crafty, etc. What I do know is that every time I see that avatar, something is going **** and/or be inaccurately categorized as "quaint."
Jim C.
Last edited:
ptgarcia
Well-known member
I'm a home tinkerer and my Craftman tools have served me well. I bought my first set in 1992 or so, and other than the screwdrivers (those are pretty crappy) they all look and work like new. All my Craftman are USA made, except for one ratchet that is questionable (its fully polished and only marked "Craftsman"), if that matters. Even the cordless power tools have served me well.