• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Kind of feel badly for Sears

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
i don't shop at sears much. usually it's when i see something on slickdeals i need like some tools or a hose.

i did however buy a $700 patio furniture set there last year that i really like.
 
Meghan54 said:
Can you show/link to where Craftsman hand tools are Chinese made? I've yet to see one example of that....their power tools, on the other hand, are Chinese made, true. But their hand tools--sockets, hammers, wrenches, etc.--that are Craftsman are labeled either made in USA or Forged in USA. So what you're claiming is Sears is lying about their hand tool production.
Click to expand...
They do have multiple lines of Craftsman tools and some are foreign made. I don't believe anyone is claiming the tools are mislabeled. But, the quality of tools has dropped so buying them may be good for nothing more than some national pride.
 
Establishment brick and mortar had a leg up on everybody but they didn't see the opportunity. Remember Woolworth??
 
Meghan54 said:
Can you show/link to where Craftsman hand tools are Chinese made? I've yet to see one example of that....their power tools, on the other hand, are Chinese made, true. But their hand tools--sockets, hammers, wrenches, etc.--that are Craftsman are labeled either made in USA or Forged in USA. So what you're claiming is Sears is lying about their hand tool production.
Click to expand...

This is their regular line of tools, not the lower end, green, Evolve line.
attachment.php


230 Piece Tool Set
 
Last edited:
HeXen said:
Reminds me I have a Sears and Roebuck catalogue from the early 1900's. If you don't remember the Roebuck part then your too young for this discussion. It's amusing to see guns and rifles for a couple bucks or the Ivory keys, walnut piano for only $22. Of course that was a fortune back then but still it's amusing catalogue to look at.
Click to expand...

You could also buy houses through those catalogues.
 
I remember the glory days. The Christmas catalog especially as I'd spend so much time deciding what I wanted every year. They used to be a great place to shop, and then kmart bought them and it all went to crap kinda suddenly. Remember going back in and they had remodeled to a significantly cheaper feel and all the merchandise changes. Lots and lots of crap. Went through a similar thing with Marshall Fields with Macy's buying them a number of years back. Used to be my favorite store to buy clothes, but Macy's kinda sucks.
 
You know, I went shopping there a few months ago and was actually pretty impressed with their selection and prices. I'm kind of atypical though.
 
We have a Kmart and Sears nearby and try to use them both. The Kmart still has the same insanely slow checkouts that have persisted at least since the 80s and through three states for me. The Sears has had the mall torn down around it but it still looks like it just had a fresh new renovation in '15. 1915.

Like many of these companies(waves to Radio Shack), they were in a prime position to succeed in today's economy, but sat back on their heels instead.

Like others mentioned, they already had a HUGE infrastructure setup in place. Free in store pickup, especially if it was done quickly, and actually staffed (to their credit, Sears is actually pretty good at this), especially before Amazon Prime? Oh man.

Location? Heck, they own and owned so much prime real estate. Same with RS - could imagine if RS had gone to a format with plenty of the old parts (caps, breadboards, soldering kits, etc) but added a focused selection of PC gear instore, great website availability with free ship-to-store, and to top it off, paid to have some crazy about tech employees in there.

The Sears near us has TWO floors still. They could literally turn that place into a completely enclosed micro-mall if they wanted to. Let stores fight it out with food offerings. Let the UPS Store set up so your gifts go directly to gift wrap and shipping. Narrow down the in store options, but have some usable kiosks and website for so much more.

It's just mind boggling how "merrr let's just keep doing the same dumb thing, I have an MBA" some of these people are. Of course, it's pretty much just gnaw on bones of carcass, sell to next investment group, watch them gnaw some more out of the corpse...
 
The real estate is actually the curse that destroyed them. Anchored to a dying mall and liming along instead of closing them for a box store layout like Target is what kills their store front.

I'd buy at Sears to avoid the mandatory delivery charge from HD or Lowes back when they have appliance pickup on site. Not anymore I heard, they force you to pay for delivery like other box stores too.
 
PandaBear said:
The real estate is actually the curse that destroyed them. Anchored to a dying mall and liming along instead of closing them for a box store layout like Target is what kills their store front.

I'd buy at Sears to avoid the mandatory delivery charge from HD or Lowes back when they have appliance pickup on site. Not anymore I heard, they force you to pay for delivery like other box stores too.
Click to expand...

Ours is anchored to one of the top malls in the US. They've been trying to kill off Sears forever but can't.
 
In 2008 I had $1,400 in my pocket and I was going to buy a HDTV that day, my entire tax refund. I went to Sears who had a great selection and fair prices but none of the sales staff would come over to assist me at all as they were hanging around chatting or on a cell. Fuck it, I went down the street and bought one at Sam's. Last time I was ever there.
 
Meghan54 said:
Can you show/link to where Craftsman hand tools are Chinese made? I've yet to see one example of that....their power tools, on the other hand, are Chinese made, true. But their hand tools--sockets, hammers, wrenches, etc.--that are Craftsman are labeled either made in USA or Forged in USA. So what you're claiming is Sears is lying about their hand tool production.
Click to expand...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZJ8REZfxfM

Go to 5:07

And if you don't see a stamp, its Chinese. This has been discussed frequently on the deal forums at FW and SD.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top