Never got bored at Sears!!

[muddocktor]

Mainsail, I hate to break it to you but if Sears sells Craftsman, the new company may not be under any obligation to warranty your old Sears Craftsman tools if they break. New owner, new policies. I learned that from a barbecue pit I used to have that was sold with a lifetime warranty on all parts. The company went bankrupt and was picked up by Weber, who promptly said that no older pits were covered by any warranty even though Weber kept selling new grills under the acquired name. The name of that bbq pit company name was Ducane, and I also won't buy any Weber products again either.

 

[GUNs and JEEPS]

I loved Sears too. The tool department, the garden department and the sporting goods department were all excellent and I'm ashamed to say an impulse buy happened there a time or two.

But even though I loved Sears, I love my wife more and I still accompany her to the mall to carry her bags and to provide a sense of security when the crowds are a little rougher.

Hanging out with the wife gives us a chance to walk and talk and occasionally (ok, almost always) we'll get something for the grandkids and I get to share the credit.

Time at the mall is what you make it, surprise the wife and be a good sport, maybe even buy her a frou-frou coffee. You'll be amazed at what that does for your relationship.

I knew you were retired good for you guys.....and thanks for the job you did.

WHen I retire I will than be able to shop with my wife...right now she is retired and does it for herself.....

 

[GaryS]

Sears lost their way a long time ago. Now that they are selling off the Craftsman line of tools, the only reason to go there is appliances. The problem with that is there are really only a few manufacturers of appliances left. Kenmore is just a brand name now, you can get the same machines with Whirlpool, GE, and other names on them.

Yesterday I was using a friends variable speed orbital sander when it broke. It's not repairable because the part that broke is the motor shaft and they don't sell motor parts to consumers.

So, I went off to find a comparable replacement because even though it's wear and tear, it broke when I was using.

Went to Home Depot, Lowes, then the nearest Sears. HD and Lowes had about 5 or 6 different brands available. Sears had one. Not one brand, one sander. Which wasn't even the direct replacement for the one that broke.

When I got home, I looked on Amazon, but they had nothing comparable either.

I finally looked on the ACE hardware site. They had the comparable Craftsman sander IN STOCK at my local store.

At least Craftsman will live on for a while, even if Sears won't.

 

[Mainsail]

Mainsail, I hate to break it to you but if Sears sells Craftsman, the new company may not be under any obligation to warranty your old Sears Craftsman tools if they break.

Oh I recognize that believe me. However, if the new craftsman takes away the #1 reason people buy their tools, unlimited guarantee, we'll all shop elsewhere. I pay more for Craftsman because I know they'll replace it even if I had abused it. If they stop doing that I have other options.

It would be a disastrous move to fiddle with that business model.

 

[muddocktor]

That's true, but they still might only warranty their new made in China tools and not the old, quality Craftsman tools of the old days. Hopefully the Craftsman name will be bought out by a quality company who will continue giving the great Craftsman warranty that made them a big name in high quality tools and bring all manufacturing back to the USA.

If not, there is always the ultra high end stuff like Snap On.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I do not think that I have bought anything at Sears in a decade - maybe two - I used to buy their car batteries, but they stopped properly warrantying those. My hardware store carries Craftsman tools (I only buy Craftsman hand tools - nothing that plugs in). I got an air compressor from Sears that broke in a week that they refused to back. The last machine washable work shirt that I bought there disintegrated in the first wash. Sears is not "Sears" anymore. I will not miss it. I do miss the Sears Christmas Wishbooks that I looked through as a kid. No doubt long ago replaced by the internet.

 

[model70hunter]

Marsh makes a reference to a section of the Sears catalog that once held his interest. You need to look at a 1959 Montgomery ward winter catalog, don'e know why it was not recalled. I ran across one in a flea market a few years ago. It to was flawed.

I know the original poster mentions lurking in the Sears htools section, I too did that.

But the name, Sears, sped my mind back to th 50 and 60's. Most of our school clothes were Roebucks. We had the Jeep catalog and the farm catalog.

My Brother got a Saddle king of Texas roping saddle for xmas one year out of Sears.

It was a way of life that has left the planet. I do miss it.

 

[Salty RI]

Several years ago I used to sell my muskrat pelts at years.

 

[steamloco76]

I used to love Sears. Their Big & Tall catalog had good clothing, the tool department was great and they sold some of the best appliances made. Now it is a low end retailer with stores full of Walmart quality Chinese goods.

About a year and a half ago, the wife & I decided to replace our aging kitchen appliances, a 1993 Kenmore fridge, 1989 GE gas stove and a 1995 Panasonic microwave. I did a lot of research and found Kenmore, Samsung, Whirlpool and GE appliances that fit the space, had good customer reviews and good CR reviews.

Sears had Kenmore and Whirlpool appliance on sale which fit the requirements, so I tried to buy them and arrange delivery.
Oh oh- delivery is not included when you buy at the sale price unless you charge the appliances on a Sears credit card. Well, I didn't want a 22.8% interest Sears Card. I asked to speak to the manager, figuring they might not want to lose a $2500 sale.
Nope they wanted me to pay $75 for the stove, $85 for the fridge and $50 for the microwave delivery, PLUS $75 per appliance to haul the old ones away.

The local Lowes didn't have the models I wanted on display so I went to Lowe's website. Ordered a Whirlpool fridge, high end Samsung Stove and a GE over the range microwave- all stainless, $500 less than Sears, free delivery, free removal and disposal of the old appliances. Delivery coordinated through the local Lowe's store. No problems. I never even think of buying anything at Sears anymore.

 

[A-37]

My first contact with Sears was through the catalog. For a very short while, the mysteries of the ladies' lingerie so section held my attention."

I got to that section, too..........when I was about 12. But first, I had to check out those neat high-top leather boots with the pocket knife pouch. Alas, a luxury we couldn't afford.

Then I'd peruse the rifle/shotgun section. I'm pretty sure Sear's sold that cool Mossberg .22 with the fold-down section at the front of the stock.

That was 69 years ago.............

 

[Rastoff]

Sears is selling Craftsman? I didn't know that.

Since they bought/merged with K-Mart they've been headed down hill. It's sad to see, but I think all department stores are doomed. The internet is killing them and what's worse, kids these days don't understand the value of quality tools. Why pay $25 for a wrench when you can buy one on line for $5 shipped?

It's very sad.

 

[cowart]

Around 1969 I bought my first new motorcycle at Sears. A 175cc as I recall. The salesman was Johnny Capels, who was a local semi-celebrity as a sprint car driver. He was also the chief mechanic for Bobby Unser at the Indy 500.

 

[DWalt]

The Sears in the closest mall has a very good tool selection, probably the best in town. However, I already have at least two of about every tool I'd ever need. I still buy clothing there, probably the best prices. But I don't need many clothes either. Not many customers any time I have been there. Too bad. Back when I was a kid, back in my old home town, they had the best gun and sporting goods department around. They dropped stocking guns sometime in the late 1960s, I think they have gone downhill ever since. Was shopping for a new mattress last Spring, Sears was far too expensive. Ended up buying one at Sam's at less than half the Sears price. I think internet shopping is making life difficult for most of the traditional brick and mortar retailers.

 

[SW MP15]

I Loved Our Sears and Robuck In The 1960's

It was like a mall. It had toys, clothing, horse saddles, motorcycles, of course tools. And a GREAT candy station that they had the best chocolates and hard candy. And at Christmas they had Christmas trees lit up all around the store.

We'd go there weekly and it was a new adventure each trip. Momma would head to the clothing with my sisters and me and My Dad would head to the tools or motorcycle dept. Then we'd all meet up at the candy stand. We'd all get to pick out our favorite chocolates.

I wasn't interested in the Girly Frilly section when I was 6-8 years old. But i would catch a glimpse of the women manikins in their under roo's! I was more interested in the Motorcycle section. Those Italian Motorcycles were what turned me on!

It was a GREAT way to start off a Saturday!

 

[GaryS]

You only pay interest if you don't pay off the balance. We bought our washer from Sears, opened an account, got the bill and paid it. Free delivery and removal of the old washer was included in the sales price.

Sears had Kenmore and Whirlpool appliance on sale which fit the requirements, so I tried to buy them and arrange delivery.
Oh oh- delivery is not included when you buy at the sale price unless you charge the appliances on a Sears credit card. Well, I didn't want a 22.8% interest Sears Card. I asked to speak to the manager, figuring they might not want to lose a $2500 sale.
Nope they wanted me to pay $75 for the stove, $85 for the fridge and $50 for the microwave delivery, PLUS $75 per appliance to haul the old ones away.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

The only reason I ever go to a mall is to visit Sears. Luckily the one closest to me still has a Sears and it's a good one too. The dept store is two floors and tools and auto take up the whole first floor area. Clothing and jewelry are on the top floor. I don't care if most of their Craftsman tools are now made in China, they are still great quality. Craftsman tends to last me longer than stuff I buy at Home Depot. Every time I purchase something it racks up points on my Sears Rewards and I end up getting money back.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Reading these Threads brought back memories of Sears at Christmas time. Big display in the window with electric trains going around a real Christmas tree and all kinds of lights and decorations. Then there was Santa sitting in the North Pole display with kids lined up waiting with their lists to give to Santa. My younger brother was one of them, but I didn't go because I was probably 8 and knew better.

Then there was that magic machine in the shoe department where you could put your foot in and see the bones in your foot...they were a green color. We used to spend time using it, not only to see feet, but our hands and anything else you could fit into the hole at the bottom. Wonder I am still alive!

Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscope

 

[TX-Dennis]

Look what happened when Sears bought K Mart.

Actually K Mart bought Sears then changed their name to Sears.

 

[Eagle 477]

For the first time since my wife had hers Stroke(s) I Ventured to the Mall just this past weekend to exchange a few OLD Craftsman tools that had just plain worn out, 2 of which were Ratchets. a 1/4 drive that was at least 15 years old and a 1/2" drive that that had recently been exchanged for me by my son. I was at the counter the very nice young lady reaches behind the counter and pulls out 2 ratchets with "REFURBISHED" tags on them. I explained to her my problem with these refurbished tools to which she asked if I would like to speak to a manager.. The manager explains that the refurbished ratchets are just as good as NEW . I picked up the 1/2" Drive ratchet pointed out the REFURBISHED sticker on the handle and pointed out the bandages on my knuckles. Without saying a word I got NEW Ratchets.

 

[hardcase60]

Does anyone else remember that for a few years Sears sold cars? IIRC they were called Allstate's and looked a lot like Studebaker's. hardcase60