Sears Tools That Suck On The Price

[Soundguy]

i liked it best when they were a catalog showroom...

 

[JRTJH]

At one point in time their catalogs did double duty in outhouses across the country. Telling my age now. :laughing:

Oh man I had forgotten..... I spent many early mornings "crinkling" a page to make it softer LOL

 

[2manyrocks]

I'm still using the craftsman sockets and wrenchs I bought in the early 80's. I had to replace the workings on one of the rachets some years ago.

I bought two used Craftsman table saws with the cast iron tops that were probably sold new in the 70's or 80's. When properly aligned, they still cut fine.

Sears used to be the place to buy tools. There wasn't any HD, no HF, and no Lowes either that I recall. There were independent hardware stores, and they didn't have a good selection of tools and what they had was cheaper at Sears.

Years later, Sears has competition from HD, Lowes, Northern Hydraulic, HF and who knows who else. When they have sales, sometimes Sears still has good tool prices, but if it's not on sale, their prices seem to be at the top of the market IMO. It's not a good place to be at the top of the market and be underpriced by several competitors who have more convenient locations.

 

[JDgreen227]

Following this thread just made me realize I had better take my 8 year old Sears Best 1/2 hp pedestal sump pump back to the store for a replacement, it still works ok BUT if Sears goes under, how am I going to get a replacement for it under the lifetime warranty? Aside from tools, I don't think I have anything else from Sears that has the free lifetime warranty replacement on it. Should be interesting to see if the replacement is still made in the USA.

 

[southerniltractor]

Folks,

I purchased my first set of Craftsman metric wrenches in 1981. I've used that set as my primary metric set for the last 31 years and they've more than paid for themselves. Of note, I'm not a full-time mechanic, just a guy who enjoys doing all his maintenance and helping friends repair their cars and motorcycles. Since I purchased that set so long ago, I've stocked my tool chest (Craftsman roll away) with SK socket/ratchet sets (3/8 and 1/2 inch drives), added lots of Craftsman screwdrivers, 1/4 inch drive sets, deep well sockets, and some speciality tools.

Just a couple weeks ago I noticed a sale on "Craftsman" wrenches at the local retail store. The price was very good and the tools looked very well made. Being cautious in buying hand tools, I eyeballed them for where they were made. You know it, CHINA! The tool was labled "Craftsman", but it was built in China. I know they get most of their power tools from China, but they used to stick with USA for hand tools.

I looked around the Craftsman display and did find USA made wrenches which were also on sale. Those I did buy.

I've never broke a Craftsman socket, but have snapped lots of cheap Chinese sockets. My SK sets are also 30 years old and they are bullet proof.

Recommend you consider Craftsman if you go into the purchase with your eyes open and verify made in USA on each tool you buy. That said, I have purchased Craftsman power tools knowing they are made in China. The cast iron top table saw and sliding compound miter saw have worked very well for me.

I'm interested in other tool sources as I believe Sears will eventually fold. Kobat at Lowes? Are they American made? Any other suggestions guys?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Soundguy]

I'm interested in other tool sources as I believe Sears will eventually fold. Kobat at Lowes? Are they American made? Any other suggestions guys?

Thanks,
Mike

i have a kobalt line flare and tube cutter kit. it prominately displays

hecho en chine

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Just found this thread!

Here's a cement mixer from Sears, and one from HF.... They're the same mixer, But Sears price is much higher...Reg price $1899.00 :confused2:

Sears:
Cement Mixer Need to repair that Drive way, Patio, Side Walk now you can and save money!- Cement Mixer 1-1/4 Cubic Ft.-Tools-Hand Tools-Concrete Tools

HF:
Portable Electric Cement Mixer - 1-1/4 Cubic Ft.

Bill

 

[Soundguy]

well yeah.. how do you expect sears to make money if they don't sell the same inexpensive products as others, but charge a few 1000% more $$



soundguy

 

[JRTJH]

I'm stlll waiting for Sears to respond to my email requests about this "partner" of theirs called Ponderosa. Seems that "partner" buys from Harbor Freight, marks the items up several hundred percent and advertises the outrageous prices on Sears "partneship" website. To add insult to injury, (well to slap you on the A** after screwing you) Ponderosa charges an equally inflated shipping charge to increase the price even more.

So far, Sears has chosen to ignore my requests to check into these business schemes with their "partner" so I just keep emailing them. Sooner or later I suppose I'll give up, but for now, I've still got time to call out Sears on what I believe is an unenethical business practice. What Sears is doing sure does reinforce my ideas about how that once "great place to shop" has become just another overpriced store on the verge of bankrupcy. Too bad, if they'd managed to remain "above board" in this kind of thing, "methinks" they may have still had respect and loyalty from their customer base.

 

[LD1]

Just found this thread!

Here's a cement mixer from Sears, and one from HF.... They're the same mixer, But Sears price is much higher...Reg price $1899.00 :confused2:

Sears:
Cement Mixer Need to repair that Drive way, Patio, Side Walk now you can and save money!- Cement Mixer 1-1/4 Cubic Ft.-Tools-Hand Tools-Concrete Tools

HF:
Portable Electric Cement Mixer - 1-1/4 Cubic Ft.

Bill

And yet again, HF has a MUCH MUCH better quality photo:confused2: