I to miss Sears, Penny's, etc of the past. We got started with the Sears Best microwave then frig, range, dishwasher. I think this was key to Sears successful years. Few companies today drive Brand loyalty like in yesteryears. On items that ship free or at very little cost I just get them off Amazon, eBay, etc anymore because of price and selection. Actually got a $300+ part (the computer brain) for our 1980 something Kenmore range (the Jenn-Aire type) off eBay for $90 new (old) part.
It short retail is very different from 25 years ago.
I think it was the craftsmen who once designed things but not it is the accounting department.
Look at how many today will buy a new tractor from far away and have it shipped to them.
Thanks to Craigslist I got the dump truck from 300 miles away and the backhole 125 miles away. Living in the country it is nice to come home and find the parts, food item, etc on your door step. I do like to buy locally but often they are closed when it is purchase time. I have ordered hard to find tractor parts at 11 PM on Saturday night and had them on Tuesday at a fraction of what the same part would have cost at the MF dealership and took much longer to have received.
Sears had a good 100+ years run. Today companies often on have a good 25-50 year run at best. Times are changing. Having two 17 year old at home and being 64 the mind set of the newest generation of consumers is very different. Unless it is ready lot like the Avengers, etc they will not even go to the movies but just get it on DVD at WM and that is moving to just getting it off of NetFlix's more and more.
I always wanted a 'real' hardware store but not anymore.
