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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » I'm done with Sears

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Feb. 14, 2012 6:12 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

novaderrik wrote:

i used to be all Craftsman when it came to tools- mostly because they were decent tools that could be replaced on a sunday when i broke them on saturday night.. but i recently bought a Husky starter tool set from Home Depot to use at work- and i think the 3/8" ratchet feels a lot more solid than any of the low end Craftsman ratchets, and with less of a swing between "clicks". the sockets seem to be better built, the screwdrivers are identical to the Craftsman pieces except for the logo, and the wrenches aren't too bad, either..

all that and the local K Mart has a better selection of Craftsman tools than the local Sears, but they seem to be about 10% more expensive for some reason..

I have a gunmetal/black chrome 1/2 Husky that is AWESOME. The damn thing is indestructible, and feels great. Love it!
Feb. 14, 2012 6:57 a.m. DrBoost SuperDork

All that talk about health insurance misses the point. When I bought my tools I was told lifetime warranty. When I have broken tools in the past I revieved new ones off the shelf. At some point they changed the rules and that pisses me off. That shows little concern for the customer. So, this customer won't be returning.

And the slop in crapsman ratchets is INSANE!! A good ratchet will click twice in the same amount of swing that results in nothing in a crapsman. It's a shame, those were tools that were make in the U.S.A. and we could hang our hat on that. Not, they aren't. If they were I'd not want to admit that.
Feb. 14, 2012 7:17 a.m. spitfirebill SuperDork

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

Kobalt tools are pretty decent... too bad i can really never find the sets i want in store anymore, and i can't seem to figure out how to order the sets online.

I would not mind an entire Kobalt tool set in a nice Kobalt box for my garage to replace my hodgepodge.

I thought the production source of Kobalt had changed not long ago and not for the better.
Feb. 14, 2012 7:35 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

I have replaced my long handled Craftsman 3/8 ratchet 4 times, it lasts about 12 months each time, I won't be buying any more Craftsman tools, it will be S&K or similar for me from now on.
Feb. 14, 2012 7:38 a.m. wvumtnbkr Reader

When the new line of Kobalt stuff came out, they had teh 3/8" drive socket sets (6 pt short and deep sockets) for 19.99 for like 20 sockets with swivel, wrench, extension and case. I bought a few of each metric and standard.

I thought they would be crap. I was wrong!

These are the best socket wrenches I own! I never pick up my craftsman stuff anymore and my snap-on wrench stays in the box. It is just so easy to take a 10" by 4" by 6" box under the car and have everything you need right there.

I am glad to hear they have a good replacement policy.

Rob R.

P.S. I believe Craftsman is / was made by Armstrong, not Williams.
Feb. 14, 2012 7:57 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Danaher Tool Group. Used to be Armstrong, I think, but they got bought out/changed the name. Closed one plant 3 miles from me and moved production to another one about 15 miles from me. I went to the auction but the Bridgeports were going for as much as I could buy one for anytime, so I blew it off. That and it would still have cost me $500 to move one 3 miles.
Feb. 14, 2012 8:08 a.m. Hocrest HalfDork

aussiesmg wrote:

I have replaced my long handled Craftsman 3/8 ratchet 4 times, it lasts about 12 months each time, I won't be buying any more Craftsman tools, it will be S&K or similar for me from now on.

I have one of those. Last time I took it back to the store, they didn't have any thing other than the standard length in the rebuilt box. They checked the shelves and didn't have any new ones. Then they asked if I wanted a standard length rebuild or the could have a new one sent from the mail order company with no charge for shipping... Guess which option I chose.

I agree that I will never spend money on another craftsmen ratchet.
Feb. 14, 2012 8:43 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

this is all part of a bigger problem with manufactoring.. especially in this country.

We are so obcessed with profit "Right now" that we cannot see a year down the road.. let alone 5 or 10.

The cheapening of tools at sears might lead the accountants to believe that they are increasing their profits .001% for this quarter and maybe for the year.. but at what cost down the road? When I bought Craftsman tools, I would often stop by the men's department and maybe grab another pair of levis, or some sweatshirts, or maybe stop and get something for my girl...

now I have no reason to go in there.. Sears lost another much needed customer
Feb. 14, 2012 8:49 a.m. Ian F SuperDork

BoostedBrandon wrote: Can you buy SnapOn, Matco etc not off the truck?

You can buy SnapOn stuff off their website. That said, I imagine if you did a dealer search, called the closest truck owner and asked him if he has what you want in stock, I have a feeling he'd find a way to swing by whereever you are (or meet you somewhere) to make a quick sale.

Fortunately, I've never had to deal with Sear's for broken tools. I've only broken a couple of sockets and those were my fault (trying to loosen drive shaft flange bolts with 1/4 dr flex sockets) so I replaced the two broken ones with SnapOn.
Feb. 14, 2012 8:52 a.m. Ian F SuperDork

mad_machine wrote:

this is all part of a bigger problem with manufactoring.. especially in this country.

We are so obcessed with profit "Right now" that we cannot see a year down the road.. let alone 5 or 10.

The cheapening of tools at sears might lead the accountants to believe that they are increasing their profits .001% for this quarter and maybe for the year.. but at what cost down the road? When I bought Craftsman tools, I would often stop by the men's department and maybe grab another pair of levis, or some sweatshirts, or maybe stop and get something for my girl...

now I have no reason to go in there.. Sears lost another much needed customer

+1. It's a shame nobody in Sear's management is likely to read this.
Feb. 14, 2012 9:17 a.m. Zomby woof SuperDork

I still think it's funny that I walked out of Sears a few months ago because they wanted to give me a new ratchet, and not rebuild my old one
Feb. 14, 2012 9:30 a.m. Brett_Murphy Dork

Northern tools (if you have one near you) also has a lifetime warranty on their hand tools. I have a few sockets I bought from them on sale, and they've been fine for me.

I can't speak to their ratchets at this time, though.
Feb. 14, 2012 9:39 a.m. Zomby woof SuperDork

Brett_Murphy wrote:

I can't speak to their ratchets at this time, though.

When do you think the ratchets will be available to speak to?
Feb. 14, 2012 9:41 a.m. ReverendDexter SuperDork

Ian F wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

We are so obcessed with profit "Right now" that we cannot see a year down the road.. let alone 5 or 10.

+1. It's a shame nobody in Sear's management is likely to read this.

It wouldn't matter if they did - they won't care. Like every other business in America, they're fully convinced that the only way to stay operational is to maximize this quarter's bottom line, no matter the cost.
Feb. 14, 2012 10:38 a.m. PHeller Dork

It's all about growth.

Hard to do when the rest of the world is starting from zero and we're helping them to compete with us.

Economic aid is great as long as you don't give away your secrets.
Feb. 14, 2012 10:57 a.m. spitfirebill SuperDork

PHeller wrote:

It's all about growth.

Hard to do when the rest of the world is starting from zero and we're helping them to compete with us.

Economic aid is great as long as you don't give away your secrets.

When I was in grad school in the mid 70s, my advisor was in Brazil teaching them how to conduct insect pest management in soybeans.
Feb. 14, 2012 1:12 p.m. Brett_Murphy Dork

In reply to Zomby woof:

As soon as I am able, you'll know it because I will be filthy rich from my talent. It will be on all the news shows. Hell, just being able to get some feedback in a hard to reach place from the ratchet would probably be money all by itself.
Feb. 14, 2012 2:05 p.m. Zomby woof SuperDork

Some people get it.

Some people call me names.
Feb. 14, 2012 2:26 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Ian F wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

this is all part of a bigger problem with manufactoring.. especially in this country.

We are so obcessed with profit "Right now" that we cannot see a year down the road.. let alone 5 or 10.

The cheapening of tools at sears might lead the accountants to believe that they are increasing their profits .001% for this quarter and maybe for the year.. but at what cost down the road? When I bought Craftsman tools, I would often stop by the men's department and maybe grab another pair of levis, or some sweatshirts, or maybe stop and get something for my girl...

now I have no reason to go in there.. Sears lost another much needed customer

+1. It's a shame nobody in Sear's management is likely to CARE

Fixed.

They're not in the business of building tools for professionals and/or enthusiasts. They're in the business of making big displays with an 8,000 piece tool set and big tool box for $299 in the hopes that mamma will say "Oh, that'd make a nice Christmas gift" on her way to pick out throw pillows and decorative towels.
Feb. 15, 2012 12:09 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

oh, I know that. The people in the business of making tools already have the majority of our business. Snap on, Matco, and even Lowes and HD... but the point is.. EVERYTHING in sears is getting made cheaper and cheaper and that alienates a lot of people.

Not everybody can be walmat.. sometimes you need to be Saks.. but most of the time you need to be better than your competition. It is a shame to see a store like Sears, with a Long and prestigious history, going the way of their once vaunted Wishbooks...
Feb. 15, 2012 1:12 a.m. junkbuggie Reader

As someone who works at sears in the auto center, I get a 25% discount on crapsman tools. I will buy anything but craftsman. I had a bunch of tools before it became sears holdings they were good some great even, but now run away. You WANT the rebulit made in usa rachet not the new made in china rachet trust me. Also you might want to look at sears to buy tires that is the only thing I buy at sears but don't have them put them on most of the "techs" are druged out teenagers I could tell you stories all day, the turn over is crazy.
Feb. 15, 2012 1:12 a.m. novaderrik SuperDork

Ian F wrote:

BoostedBrandon wrote: Can you buy SnapOn, Matco etc not off the truck?

You can buy SnapOn stuff off their website. That said, I imagine if you did a dealer search, called the closest truck owner and asked him if he has what you want in stock, I have a feeling he'd find a way to swing by whereever you are (or meet you somewhere) to make a quick sale.

Fortunately, I've never had to deal with Sear's for broken tools. I've only broken a couple of sockets and those were my fault (trying to loosen drive shaft flange bolts with 1/4 dr flex sockets) so I replaced the two broken ones with SnapOn.

take the broken sockets in to Sears and get them replaced.. if you don't think it's worth the hassle, then send them to me and i'll take them in and get them replaced..
Feb. 15, 2012 1:15 a.m. junkbuggie Reader

Oh one more thing I buy at sears craftsman steel toe socks they have a 2 year waranty. No joke.

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