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If Someone at Sears Were Smart....

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John316

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ok... a lot of hand tool manufacturing is going/gone to China/Taiwan. It ***** and I hope I always have a choice to buy USA tools. I believe it is a given that all Craftsman hand tools will be made in Asia soon and it's too friggen bad, BUT since we can probably do nothing about this fact AND China/Taiwan is capable of making decent tools.

Someone at Sears should introduce a "classic" hand tool line. Bring back high quality reproductions of original quality , much older Craftsman offerings. Lets see the RHFT reissue, The decent raised panel ratchets (yes, they were decent) with the metal selectors.

Maybe even some new interpretations of original designs, like a roto RHFT, or perhaps even a high tooth count version of the standard raised panel? Different handle lengths, etc.

They actually could do stuff to build a market with out much creativity and if they did cool stuff like this I believe more people could stomach the COO.

Unfortunately, as most would agree the current basic offerings are a new low for the brand.
 
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Matt018

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That sounds like a great idea, and i know that i would definetly buy those tools if i had the option!
 
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geologist

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I'd love to be able to buy a new RHFT, preferably US made. I'd like to see new tri-wings with the bugs of old worked out - maybe with some kind of sealed head design.
 
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astrodoggie3000

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You read my mind :shocking: The only problem is that most people don't care anymore where anything is made, and as the profits get larger, sensible thinking is long forgotten. I would love the return of the RHFT ratchets... why did they ever go away from them?
 
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Link-Belt

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Actually Sears has a huge opertunity here. With the big tool dealers or truck tools starting to get there tools made across borders if Sears brought back there tools they have farmed out how many truck tool fans would start buying Craftsman and putting dinner on an American family table?
 
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472scout

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John316 said:
ok... a lot of hand tool manufacturing is going/gone to China/Taiwan. It ***** and I hope I always have a choice to buy USA tools. I believe it is a given that all Craftsman hand tools will be made in Asia soon and it's too friggen bad, BUT since we can probably do nothing about this fact AND China/Taiwan is capable of making decent tools.

Someone at Sears should introduce a "classic" hand tool line. Bring back high quality reproductions of original quality , much older Craftsman offerings. Lets see the RHFT reissue, The decent raised panel ratchets (yes, they were decent) with the metal selectors.

Maybe even some new interpretations of original designs, like a roto RHFT, or perhaps even a high tooth count version of the standard raised panel? Different handle lengths, etc.

They actually could do stuff to build a market with out much creativity and if they did cool stuff like this I believe more people could stomach the COO.

Unfortunately, as most would agree the current basic offerings are a new low for the brand.
Click to expand...

I don't get the concept. Try to sell nostalgic Craftsman tools that were made in China? Who would be the target audience? I'm thinking people that are familiar with old tools are not into offshore COO.
 
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472scout

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Link-Belt said:
Actually Sears has a huge opertunity here. With the big tool dealers or truck tools starting to get there tools made across borders if Sears brought back there tools they have farmed out how many truck tool fans would start buying Craftsman and putting dinner on an American family table?
Click to expand...

Very few compared to the legions that make their purchases based on price alone. Why do you think HF is booming.
 
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spongerich

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The problem is that the market for quality tools of any sort is just too small these days.

Part of the reason is that most people don't fix stuff any more. IMO, there's a few reasons for that... first of all, household items are far more complex these days with electronics taking over for mechanical systems. You can't just put a wrench to most things in your average house.

Another reason is that so many things today are made cheaply and designed to be replaced rather than repaired.

I have a stack of old Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, etc from the 50's and 60's.. there's articles in there about how to fix or build every damn thing you can think of.. One thing that's surprising is how expensive quality tools were back then. A good homeowner's table saw would set you back over $200 and that's when $2,000 bought you a decent new car.
 
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wreckerman5357

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Link-Belt said:
Actually Sears has a huge opertunity here. With the big tool dealers or truck tools starting to get there tools made across borders if Sears brought back there tools they have farmed out how many truck tool fans would start buying Craftsman and putting dinner on an American family table?[/QUOTE

The ******** "USA only" guys would and the collectors probably would as well. I think Mac is pretty much the only brand outsourcing hardline tools at the moment though.
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davesnothere

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I think they should make ratchets with handles. And long low profile ratchets. A low profile rat with a cman pro handle might be pretty rad.
 
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helterskelter

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astrodoggie3000 said:
I wish everyone had a little American pride left in them and would support whats left of this country.
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I hate feeding this thread. But I take great pride in going to work everyday at a shop that repairs/manufactures products that the rest of the world needs. My entire goal every single day is to find ways to make it more profitable and to bring more work here.
 
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OEXL16B

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You guys do realize that Sears is a department store run by department store type executives, right?
 
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terry603

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sounds good for GJ,but in reality i'll bet tools are not sears biggest money maker and never was.
same as on yhe gun sites,they want more stores to sell guns,it would be profitable. i sold guns for one of the largest retailer of guns for 20 years,we never made money on guns. maybe a poor example,but,sears knows exactly where they get their sales and profit from
not defending them,just as a pure black and white retail business that makes their profit by pennies on the dollar,everything is evaluated
 
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USMCdodge

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astrodoggie3000 said:
I wish everyone had a little American pride left in them and would support whats left of this country.
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Dont get me started... Its really saddening to me. no one cares about weather its USA made or not. Im one of those "******** USA" guys. I don't have a lot of stuff but the things I DO have work very well. I would rather buy an old USA made tool and clean it up than buying some new COO POS all done up in cheep paint.
 
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astrodoggie3000

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I buy all Craftsman tools because they are affordable and plenty tough for me. When i go into Sears i look for the USA made tools, and kindly pass on the China stuff. It kills me that some of the nice C-man tools are China made now... so i go home and buy the USA tool on EBAY. It's a pain but i was raised on my dads C-man tools, then mine, and now i will pass them on to my son. That's what it's all about. :thumbup:
 
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OEXL16B

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astrodoggie3000 said:
When i go into Sears i look for the USA made tools, and kindly pass on the China stuff.
Click to expand...


That'll work for awhile until everything labeled Craftsman is made in China. I really don't know what's going to happen first, all Craftsman tools going China, or Sears going out of business...
 
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HaroRider

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If Craftsman slightly raised their prices and kept them in the USA I would still buy them.

I will not buy chinese made Craftsman at the same price they charge for USA stuff. If thats the case Ill just go to HF.
 
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magova1104

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USMCdodge said:
Dont get me started... Its really saddening to me. no one cares about weather its USA made or not. Im one of those "******** USA" guys. I don't have a lot of stuff but the things I DO have work very well. I would rather buy an old USA made tool and clean it up than buying some new COO POS all done up in cheep paint.
Click to expand...

SIIIIII! :beer:
 
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geologist

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OEXL16B said:
That'll work for awhile until everything labeled Craftsman is made in China. I really don't know what's going to happen first, all Craftsman tools going China, or Sears going out of business...
Click to expand...

Lampert knows what he's doing - he's running the other shareholders out of the company and selling the profitable parts back to himself. Whoever is left holding stock will get a whole lot of nothing.
 
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Twiggss

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spongerich said:
The problem is that the market for quality tools of any sort is just too small these days.

Part of the reason is that most people don't fix stuff any more. IMO, there's a few reasons for that... first of all, household items are far more complex these days with electronics taking over for mechanical systems. You can't just put a wrench to most things in your average house.

Another reason is that so many things today are made cheaply and designed to be replaced rather than repaired.

I have a stack of old Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, etc from the 50's and 60's.. there's articles in there about how to fix or build every damn thing you can think of.. One thing that's surprising is how expensive quality tools were back then. A good homeowner's table saw would set you back over $200 and that's when $2,000 bought you a decent new car.
Click to expand...

This^^

Just about anything you buy now days is NOT meant to last so you end up having to buy a new one every few years. Plus with items being made cheaper most people would just buy a new one than spend time fixing it anyways. Then factor in that the newer generations don't even have or take the willing effort to learn how to fix something.
 
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tjmonsen5

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I was at sears today, the only USA ratchets were the thin profiles and the professional ones that are really expensive. All raised panels were China. All wrenches were also china. Really dissapointing. Sad thing is my 10mm USA cman pro ratcheting wrench that ive had for at least 5 years is now starting to get worn and need replacement... but i dont want a china replacement!
 
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Need4racin

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speaking of the china/usa c-man, those flare nut wrenches that went on sale for $1.97, were all the pro series made in china while the standards were usa? Just curious I'm trying to hunt a size down.
 
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OEXL16B

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Some of the Craftsman users might switch to SK since SK is under new ownership and made in USA.
 
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Rickster

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I went to Sears yesterday to get a couple of sockets replaced and a rebuild kit for my round handled chrome Craftsman USA 3/8 ratchet. The replacement sockets were the funny tan colored chrome with the double hash marks in the drive. They had no rebuild kit in stock to offer me . Instead they reached into a bin of used rebuilt ratchets and offered me a cheap raised panel model. I refused it. Guy said I should try the website and maybe I could "BUY" a rebuild kit. I'm going to try another sears this week. Not happy, they were always a reliable sears store in the past.
 
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kidney

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I figure I'll just replace my Craftsman tools as they break with a different USA brand. Bust a socket? I'll order a single from another company, probably Wright.

My sockets are my only large Craftsman purchase. I do have raised panel wrenches and some other random tools. Other than their small pick set, I haven't bought Craftsman in a while. I got tired of having to sift though the latest bent up miracle tool to get to the real tools.
 
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olytdi

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"If Someone at Sears Were Smart..."

There isn't such a someone.

USMCdodge said:
Dont get me started... Its really saddening to me. no one cares about weather its USA made or not. Im one of those "******** USA" guys. I don't have a lot of stuff but the things I DO have work very well. I would rather buy an old USA made tool and clean it up than buying some new COO POS all done up in cheep paint.
Click to expand...

The overwhelming majority of red-blooded Americans buy cheap overseas ****. This is what they do. What are you, unamerican?:bounce:
 
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Big Gus

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Twiggss said:
Just about anything you buy now days is NOT meant to last so you end up having to buy a new one every few years. Plus with items being made cheaper most people would just buy a new one than spend time fixing it anyways. Then factor in that the newer generations don't even have or take the willing effort to learn how to fix something.
Click to expand...

Boy, isn't this the truth. Everything we buy is throwaway ****. It really pisses me off, but that's what the masses want, so that's what is sold.

Also, nobody wants to fix anything, or learn to fix anything, anymore. Look at the people who will trade cars on a whim all because it's gonna cost $1200 to fix the old one...why fix it, or learn how to fix it??? just throw it away and get a new one. Idiots.

...and people wonder why our country is in the shape that it's in. It's quite sad honestly.
 
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theoldwizard1

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SE MI
There are no smart people left at Sears !

About 10 years ago, my wife got a job at a new Sears store in our neighborhood. She had worked at Sears for over 10 years before the kids were born and now that they were in high school she wanted something to do and earn some cash.

Because it was a new store, displays had to be built and stocked according to plans that were carefully drawn. Of course, she had seen those "planners" before and dove right in. Seems like no one else, including the Supervisors could figure it out

After a couple of weeks with different departments wanting her talent they offered her a full time "management trainee" position. She turned them down because she knew that "management trainee" was a euphemism for "salaried (i.e. no OT) stock person with a title". Hours would be long and pay was actually less if you figured it out on a $/hr.

So they tried the next trick. Keep adding more and more responsibility to some one working part time.

The store opened and she quit. HR did an exit interview and she gave them a piece of her mind and how things were in the "old days".
 
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fatfillup

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spongerich said:
The problem is that the market for quality tools of any sort is just too small these days.

Part of the reason is that most people don't fix stuff any more. IMO, there's a few reasons for that... first of all, household items are far more complex these days with electronics taking over for mechanical systems. You can't just put a wrench to most things in your average house.

Another reason is that so many things today are made cheaply and designed to be replaced rather than repaired.

I have a stack of old Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, etc from the 50's and 60's.. there's articles in there about how to fix or build every damn thing you can think of.. One thing that's surprising is how expensive quality tools were back then. A good homeowner's table saw would set you back over $200 and that's when $2,000 bought you a decent new car.
Click to expand...

I also have to agree as a few others have. This country needs to get back on the Made in USA bandwagon or all our money will be sent overseas. Our true wealth, a strong middle class, was built on manufacturing here in this country.
 
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NC-Fordguy

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Craftsman sockets, with the exception of the pass thru sets and spline sockets are made in the USA as well as extensions, swivels, adapters etc.

Ratchets that come with tool sets are made in USA. Loose raised panel ratchets made in China.

Raised panel wrenches are made in USA.

Thin profile loose ratchets are made in Taiwan. I don't have info on the ones that come in tool sets

I have not gotten info about the Pro series ratchets.

This info comes from the internal Sears Intranet. I wish I could post a direct link. Perhaps that would at least slow down all the claims that get posted ad nauseum here on a daily basis
 
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NC-Fordguy

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supersteve said:
Do you know if these US ratchets are still being made or if these sets are just being filled with NOS stuff until the Chinese stuff catches up?
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US raised panel ratchets that come with the tool sets will be US Made. It is NOT nos.

Replacement raised panel/loose ones hanging on the peg board hooks are made in china.

I discovered this info while searching for a rebuild kit for a 1960s era crafty ratchet.

The posting concerning the ratchets were training info and videos for PMTs(these are the guys who amongst other things rebuild ratchets in the store)

There are different kits for the chinese made and USA ratchets.

So I guess if you want a usa made raised panel ratchet when one is damaged, either buy a tool set, swap out for a rebuilt one, ask for a rebuild kit or ask to have yours rebuilt.

The Sears around here are pretty good trying to help out the customers. Sometimes someone has a ratchet that belonged to their dad, grandfather, etc or have one of those ** aniversary ones that they want to keep.

Of course someone here will chime in I tried all of that or the Sears clerk like all Sears employees are stupid.

Every Sears that I have ever been too has always tried to help, even the stores where my wife doesn't work who do not know me. Obviously at times a new person or a ***** works there and gives a wrong answer or is a douche bag. That's the way it is at times for every retailer.
 
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