The big Sears store in Oklahoma City by us is closing and I think it is the last one in town. There use to be several stores here and I remember as a kid growing up looking at all the guns they carried, which included a lot of Ted Williams brand. It's kinda sad that the largest retailer in the world will probably be out of business soon and they always had some pretty good tools and there was usually someone handy to help you out. They just couldn't keep up with the times I guess. The store is mostly empty and everything is 70% off so I thought I might look at the shoe department. The problem is, I'm about 20 years too young to wear any of their shoes and I'm 53! I couldn't believe all the pairs of beige walking shoes with velcro laces.
Sears Closing.
- Thread starter Farmer17
- Start date
Moonman
Member
Amazing as it seems, SEARS lost its way in retailing, hard to believe.
s1mp13m4n
Member
The local Sears store in our mall has been bought by the college I attend and will be turned into a building for college sports.
LVSteve
Member
So much for the recovery. The UK just lost its major camera store chain (Jessops) much as the US lost Wolf Camera last year. We have lost a bunch of restaurants around here so clearly there is not much money about.
Engine 21
US Veteran
Sears lost it's way in retailing by trying to be everything to every market. Real Estate, Insurance etc. instead of focusing on what they did best - appliances, tools, tires, and Diehard batteries, and those things that a middle class family needed and could afford. Sad - I really liked Sears.
Comrad
Member
When K-Mart bought them that was the beginning of the end. Like the guy in Rainman once said. K-Mart sucks.
Farmer17, I was able to get tools at the small Sears store at 2nd and Broadway just before Christmas. It looks like they will continue to sell tools, appliances and yard equipment. That's all I bought at Sears anyway.
Ray
Member
In Rio de Janeiro there was a Sears, but they closed a long time ago.I used to buy things there and my old man told me he once bought a shotgun there.A spanish make named Astra if I recall correctly.In my days I never saw a firearm being sold there.
Regards, Ray
Regards, Ray
venomballistics
Member
I think it was back in 1978 after a mass shooting incident at Club 89 that sears jumped out of the gun sales segment ... at least thats what ive been told.
another problem with Sears is the selection ... back in the day the A/V electronics ranged from basic to over the top audiophile. It made them something of a goto place for everything
K1500
Member
We need a revival of the old Woolworths store, complete with snack bar/cafe and gun sections.
rburg
Absent Comrade
The deal with K Mart was to own not the retail business - neither Sears or K mart had a clue and both are on the ropes. K Mart wanted Sears real estate. They had a huge assortment of very valuable store front properties all over the US. My FIL was a big Sears man. Every appliance he bought was from Sears, and he covered all the stuff with their extended warranty. At one time he had 3 freezers in his basement. All Sears and 2 still covered by warranty. The 3rd they ended their coverage because they couldn't get parts to keep nursing it. So they gave him a brand new one.
We built a new home 3 years ago (not quite). When it came time to buy all new appliances, my wife directed me to drive her to Sears. She consented to look. But then she only wanted to buy from Sears. I guess it was a tribute to her father. The only think I insisted on was a different Sales Associate. I didn't like or trust the one who nabbed us.
We built a new home 3 years ago (not quite). When it came time to buy all new appliances, my wife directed me to drive her to Sears. She consented to look. But then she only wanted to buy from Sears. I guess it was a tribute to her father. The only think I insisted on was a different Sales Associate. I didn't like or trust the one who nabbed us.
Smithhound
US Veteran
This is really odd, just this last Fall the company I work for, the large Telecom I won't mention in deference to Mr. AGB, did a huge, nationwide data upgrade for thier stores. It required middle of the night work and probably ran into the tens of millions. How things change. I used to love going to the Sears stores with my Granddad, always something to see.
Our world is changing fast, can't say I'm real happy with it.
RD
Our world is changing fast, can't say I'm real happy with it.
RD
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
I bought many guns at Sears in the early years. They were displayed out on the floor just like the tool and tires. You could pick up a rifle and check it out with out anyone giving you a second glance. The last one I bought was a Remington Nylon 66 for about 70 bucks back in 1972. I still have it and it is still one of my favorite shooters.
Now most all Craftsman tools are Made in China. Another quality American institution that will soon be just another memory.
Now most all Craftsman tools are Made in China. Another quality American institution that will soon be just another memory.
Joewisc
US Veteran
Going the way of Monkey Ward. Price-wise usually not competitive. Plus on-line shopping is killing the big-box stores. Remember Circuit City, once a behemoth now defunct. Others that were once big but are now gone:
E.J. Korvette
Gimbels
Filene
et al
E.J. Korvette
Gimbels
Filene
et al
Brian41
Member
Sad, I shopped at a Sears in OKC in the 70s when stationed there. Great stores back then and sad what they've become.
I haven't shopped at the one here in years and don't know if they're even still open. I suppose I'm in part reponsible for their demise.
I haven't shopped at the one here in years and don't know if they're even still open. I suppose I'm in part reponsible for their demise.
Alot of the Sears stores have closed around St. Louis. The ones that are left seem to be outlets with limited selections. There is a Sears outlet in my hometown but their prices are sky high on everything.
raveneap
US Veteran
My first two guns came from the local Sears in the early 50's; a JC Higgins 12 ga bolt action shotgun and a jch .22 semi auto. That store went by the way side many years ago. Our local Sears where I live now was bought by K Mart some time ago and while it's still Sears it's not the same. And K Mart is selling Craftsman tools...
captorquewrench
Member
I miss the Sears wish book.
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Sears was the first major retailor to issue their own credit card. They were pretty liberal about who they issued them to and card was good in their stores only. This was the 70's and credit cards weren't universal like today. They took advantage of the naivety of young people just starting out that had not yet established credit. While you might say "they got what they deserved" credit debt and it's repercussions were not as apparent as today. I won't miss Sears. Penny's is next probably. Retailer news says some well known stores will go under this year.
