Sears and tires. 2 sets of tires from the same Sears Automotive store, 2 different results.
I put new rough tread 10.50x15 tires on my Jeep. It has replacement mags and had one set of tires on them with no slow leaks. All the new tires developed slow leaks, I would go back and sit for hours while they tried to fix one. On about the 4th trip I pulled the manager aside, I explained that growing up I had worked in a real gas station and have mounted many tires. One has to clean the rim on tubeless tires to get a good seal. I told him I was unimpressed with their service and they had better get it righjt or I'm calling Mr. Roebuck. He was a younger guy, in his mid 20's and in charge. He had a constant blank stare, he sure as the heck did not know who Roebuck was, I asked. I gave them my number, walked around the mall, bought some jelly beans, read all the hunting, fishing and Antique iron magazines in the book store and bought the tractor one. Went and ate at the food court. Sat in the middle watching mallers walk by, went and checked on the jeep. Finally took a nap in a corner of the Sears Auto lobby. Around 5 PM they called. In a week I found 2 of the tires still had slow leaks. I took them to a "Tire Shop" and they fixed them, I could look through the window and see them clean off the rims, Sears said I could not go in the back due to insurance....
A few weeks later the other 2 had lost air, I put a can of green slime in them. One of these has a slow leak that needs aired up every month or so. This set of Sears tires has been the biggest pain in the rear of all the tires I have owned.
At the same time frame I had the same Sears shop put on a new set of Michlen 6 plys on my Super Duty. Not one issue, not one slow leak. Balanced right and wear right. It too has Mag wheels. My thought is a different guy mounted these.
But, the Sears store never made it right on the Jeep. We've bought several sets of tires for other vehicles since, elsewhere of course.
Part of the higher cost for tools is to defray the cost of the it's guaranteed for life replacement policy. You pay upfront. You didn't think Sears was really going to pay, right?
I too miss the old Sears and Roebuck, JC Penny's and Montgomery Ward.
Like Turnerriver says, it was a place to look at guns and buy ammo.
For you younger gents the old catalogs had guns, ammo, fishing gear, sporting equipment, Outboard motors and camping gear. How many on here instantly went to the gun section? Like an old Herters catalog it was a dream land of goodies.
