On Monday, Sears filed for bankruptcy, they are closing something like 400 stores. I don't do much business with Sears these days, but not because of any dissatisfaction with them; there just aren't many Sears stores near me anymore. I made my living with Craftsman tools for 25 years, my first power tool was a Craftsman 1/4" electric drill, I still have the tools and the drill - it still works after 60 years. Until we moved to Florida, a Kenmore clothes dryer was the only dryer that we had ever purchased - we bought it in 1970; it stayed with the house that we lived in in Massachusetts. It still worked fine,; I had replaced a couple of parts such as the belt and heating element, but in 46 years of continuous use I don't feel that is excessive. The family that bought the house may still be using it. When I was 14 in early 1969, I did a school science fair project on raising Bees. I got the Bees and the kit to build the hive from Sears-Roebuck , the Postal delivery man was not real happy about delivering them. A few years later I was part of a stock car racing team that wore red and white checked shirts purchased from Sears. Sears Roebuck was the Amazon of it's day. Sadly Sears sorry state is a self-inflicted wound; they got out of catalog sales and went to all bricks and mortar just when everybody else was getting into internet sales. All Sears had to do was to digitize their catalog and put it online and Amazon would not exist today. They are not totally gone yet, but I don't see how they can survive unless another company purchases them; with the debt that they are carrying I think that that is unlikely. I will miss Sears.
I agree John... that was one store I didnt mind going to. Tools were good and you could buy a nice flannel shirt while in there as well. We also had Wards', and J.C. Penneys, and even an occasional E.J. Korvettes. I still have a bunch of dads' tools from Craftsman. he took the new wrenches to work at E.M.D. and had his pal silver plate them; that was before chrome plating was d'riguer. EMD silver plated all the rod bearings and such. I wonder if amazon could getcha a bearing set for a 20-645? ws
I too am sad to see this fate for Sears. It was my go to store when I was forced to go to the mall. My dad and I both have Craftsman tools that have served us well and will continue to for decades. Mark
I too feel bad for Sears. I was and am a big Craftsman tool guy. Though I will say it seems the tool quality is not quite as good as it used to be.
I'm also a big Craftsman guy, and still have the basics that my Dad bought me when I was 15 and just starting at my first real job as a powersports tech at Bliss Cycle in Conrad (Guy will know that business name). Through the years, I've bought Mac, Snap-On, Matco, etc., but those original Craftsmans are still the ones I grab every time. About 3 years ago, my 24 year old 3/8" professional series ratchet finally broke a couple teeth off the wheel. I took it in to Sears for a warranty, and they wanted to just give me a new one. I made them take a new one apart and give me the guts so I could keep my original handle. And the "Wish Book" was amazing as a kid around Christmas time.....and they had a lingerie section, which was kind of neat.......
The one I went into the other day, I was in the tool section part of it. It was blatantly obvious they've tried to take what little stock they have left and make it take up as much floor space as possible. They didn't have much for individual wrench sizes anymore, only sets. It was sad.
The CEO is the one that screwed the company up. Most of the high ups had quit since they were blamed for the losses. I have a boatload of Craftsman tools too bought a lot from them over the years about 40 years worth. When I found out a few years ago that they were in trouble I bought all 3 ratchets in the Pro series, took a while to get them but I got the 1/2" 3/8" and the 1/4" ratchets, won't see those anymore. here is a Craftsman engine analyzer I bought back in the mid 80's
If it hadn't been for the Craftsman tools, I would never even walk into a Sears store - if you don't stay relevant and keep up with the times you don't stay in business. They thrived in a time when there was far less competition and figured they could just keep going today by using their name. They never learned that today's buyer is not interested in their catalog. So long
With this Sears news I learned something about them I never knew. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...im-crow/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.615f2be941d0 Back in the day they helped to undermine Jim Crow laws. I'm sure it was just for financial reasons, but it's still impressive.
In my area all the Sears that was in A shopping mall closed .There is still A Sears store near me that is open . I to like craftsman tools and have used them for years, I hope my local store stays open. I remember when I was A kid you had A Sears catalog wish book.There was A guy that had A little store in my little home town and could order from the catalog,pick the item up there. My how things have changed .
Love me some Craftsman tools, in years past. In recent years, no so much... Back in 1997 I broke a Craftsman 1/8" t handle hex wrench. I was going to the nearest town that had a Sears store (about 45 miles away). The clerk said I had to bring in the whole set for an exchange.I explained that it was part of a entire tool set that I had bought. I told him to get the manager, I wasn't going tom argue with him. I told the manager the same thing, and he said to bring the whole set. I asked if the 'Satisfaction guaranteed' policy was still in effect; He said yes. .I said I'll be back in about three hours for a CASH refund., saying to look at that account sales volume... He did a double take... I guess that he didn't want to have to explain a refund of several thousand dollars in tools, all over a simple 1/8" t handle hex wrench. He got an entire set of the T-handle hex wrenches, and apologized for my inconvienance.
Sears has always been one of my favorite stores. 90% of my tools are Craftsman. When my wife would want to go to the mall, I would hang out at Sears. And back in the 60's & 70's the Sears Christmas Wish Book was the greatest toy catalog ever for a little boy or girl!
Similar to Kodak fate. Just because you did good in the past, doenst mean you are save in the future. Disruptive technology changes and you are out! Always interesting to see retrospectively the blunders that were made at the top Level.
Yes I always liked going to the Sears store . I bought MANY things from them. I still have them . The sad part is one of the Board members from 2008 to 2016 is now our Sec. of Treasury .
The Craftsman name was sold years ago to help the sinking ship. This is why they are being sold at Lowes and Ace Hardware. I like the old Craftsman tools and will buy them at yard sales they were quality built and lasted forever. When was the last time most people have made purchases at sears?
Both by me just closed. Did buy a double oven for about 70% off during closing sale. Oldest son works for company that bought Craftsman. He can get me anything I want.
