Sears Tools That Suck On The Price

[Soundguy]

I don't buy anymore Craftsman tools. Id say at the very least, 50%, are now made in China. Also on the Sears website it's deceiving. Tools in the ad pictures are marked "USA" but, when you get them some of them are made in China.

It's starting to get pretty sad. Even most of the newer Snap-on tools no longer are stamped with "USA". It makes me wonder where they are really made, or if they are trying to hide something.

yep.. last sears wrench I looked at was hecho en chine

 

[The Haymaker]

yep.. last sears wrench I looked at was heche en chine

 

[LastSTRAW]

My first bad experience with Sears was when I broke a ratchet. They wouldn't replace it. The guy at the counter had a box full of parts. He gave me the guts of the ratchet and I had to put it together myself. I was told they take your tools to repair them rather than replace them. After that I switched to Canadian Tire.

I love their tools. The Mastercraft line is guaranteed for life. I have returned lots of tools worn screwdrivers or bent crowbars no questions asked. I just spent another $50.00 today on a great sale and got a 20 pc socket set, 3 pairs of tin snips, 5 adjustable wrenches and 3 channel lock pliers. All are good for life and will help me fill the tool boxes on the tractors.

If you don't have Canadian Tire you are missing a great store.

 

[Cpjlube]

Just to defend the rebuilt ratchet comment.

Unless the body is damaged. Replacing the ratchet mechanism is all you need to do. Couple of parts and a snap ring and your back in business.

I understand though if the handle was damaged and they refused replacement.

Chuck

 

[chopped]

With Sears you just have to be firm with them.Ive had one clerk who tried that with the ratchets, I told him no way. I drove 45 minutes and ill take the shelf one .Im not repairing ..They get huffy but they give in. Oddly, weeks later I go in fully expecting to get the same treatment and the clerk says no problem and replaces it..
I have had ratchets from sears for 40 years they new ones are garbage..They simply play the odds that your not gonna return them...

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Last week was looking for a 1/2" to 3/4" socket adapter. Called all over looking for one. Figured for sure Sears had it. They did not. Called Lowes as a last resort. One of their stores was out, but looked in the system and found another close to me store had two. Called to verify. When I got there I only found one on the shelf. I asked a guy who I thought was the one I had talked to on the phone. It was in fact the same person and the reason only one was left was because he had pulled on to hold in case someone came through and got them both. I had not even asked him to do this. Lately I have been buying most of my tools through Lowes. The Kobalt line has a Lifetime Warranty just like the Craftsman. So far I have had good luck with the Kobalt tools.

2x.

Picked up a file last week. Last fall picked up their Li Ion 4 tool set. The circular saw really will do some work. First thing I cut was a 4x4 treated timber from Lowes. :thumbsup:

 

[Bob77064]

About twelve years ago there was a Sears hardware store near me. The manager refused to replace tools I had that were worn. So I took them to the regular Sears store at the mall and they replaced them.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I too buy lots of stuff from Lowes and find the quality pretty good. One comment on the 10% discount at Lowes and Home Depot. When I was pricing some home generators, Lowes gave the 10% VA discount on full price but HD said they only discount the first $1500. This was in their Benton Ark. store which is the only one nearby (50miles away). I dont know if that is nationwide practice or not.
I saved quiet a lot by buying all the hardware from them for my new house,$200 just on ceiling fans and light kits.

 

[Bird]

With Sears you just have to be firm with them.Ive had one clerk who tried that with the ratchets, I told him no way. I drove 45 minutes and ill take the shelf one .Im not repairing ..They get huffy but they give in. Oddly, weeks later I go in fully expecting to get the same treatment and the clerk says no problem and replaces it..
I have had ratchets from sears for 40 years they new ones are garbage..They simply play the odds that your not gonna return them...

There is no need to replace an entire ratchet simply because the ratchet mechanism is broken or worn. Ratchets are made for speed, not intended as breaker bars, but a lot of people use them that way. I've never known of any brand ratchet failing that wasn't abused. Of course, I repaired/rebuilt many air ratchets when I was in that business, and my brother did the same for the manual ratchets on the Matco truck. He carried the spare parts and fixed the manual ones on the spot, then they are just as good as a new one.

 

[JRTJH]

There is no need to replace an entire ratchet simply because the ratchet mechanism is broken or worn. Ratchets are made for speed, not intended as breaker bars, but a lot of people use them that way. I've never known of any brand ratchet failing that wasn't abused. Of course, I repaired/rebuilt many air ratchets when I was in that business, and my brother did the same for the manual ratchets on the Matco truck. He carried the spare parts and fixed the manual ones on the spot, then they are just as good as a new one.

I wouldn't argue with you regarding the ease with which a ratchet can be repaired. It's a simple gear system. But when Sears replaces all metal ratchets with tools made with plastic parts, in my mind, there's been a a reduction in quality. Replacing a chrome reverse lever with a black plastic tab just doesn't lend itself to the argument that the tool is of the same "quality" It might work the same Uuntil it's dropped or cleaned with acetone, etc, but in my experience, the replacements aren't as durable as the tools I originally bought.

Sears has been cutting corners for some time trying to stay financially solvent. With the economy as it is, some of the corners they cut are coming up as a disadvantage for the customer.