I need advice on dealing with Sears/Craftsman

[KBennett]

My company's toolbox consists of a shelving unit that has a small toolbox, power tools, and extension cords all put where they will fit. We don't use tools much here because most of what we do is electronic related.



Recently we decided to clean up the area, get a real toolbox that would hold everything, and get a small socket set, screwdriver set, and wrenches.

I went to Sears to look at some of the "homeowner" level of tools and toolboxes with a budget in mind. I found a toolbox in the price range but the top box was kind of small so I spoke to one of the sales people and he gave me a catalog and recommended I shopped online.



Here is where is gets crazy. Not all of the items you can buy online, or in the catalog, or in the store are available from the the same places according to their customer service people. In order to complete the order I will have to have some online items shipped directly to me, pick up some items from the store, and order some items through the catalog and have them shipped to me. Has anyone else on here had this issue with Sears and what have you done about it?

 

[bmoeller]

That is wierd. Never ran into that before.

 

[Holysmokes]

Actually I can believe that. If its anything like my "truck stock" thats typical. ( Im a tech. for sears) I think they have it down to a science as to what sells in a particular region. For example, Torque wrenches might be big sellers in the Carolinas region (race country) but not in north dakota. They will stock those in carolinas. Not only that but it costs a great deal to keep them on the sales floor. every store has a price per square foot. Also, keep in mind, check out K-Mart. They are now selling Craftsman; as they have "merged with us" I know its frustrating but if theres anything I can do shoot me a pm.

 

[tpuig]

I got a nice rolling toolbox from Sears that they don't carry in the stores. (I just happened to see the only one they had left in the store before they stopped carrying it. ) But it is available online. However, you can't really see the difference online between the two models. Mostly in the handles and the way the drawers close. Makes it pretty tough to buy from them.

If you have an Orchard Supply Harware, they are owned by Sears and carry the same line of tools. But sometimes they have items that a Sears retail store doesn't have in stock. Hope this helps.

TP

 

[dhill]

The best way to deal with Sears on a deal like that is to buy from Home Depot. I get real tired of dealing with them on their craftsman tools. It used to be, you brought in a broken tool and they handed you a new one, now they just hand you a bag of parts and tell you to fix it yourself. Best thing to do is to go somewhere else.



Dave

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Wont buy another craftsman tool again. I "assumed" a torque wrench is a hand too therefore guarnteed for life... ... . wrong. Only a year on them. Also had an impact self destruct and took it back and also got the "bag of parts" treatment.

 

[Bloomy]

When we were purchasing tools for our maintenance department in our new building ran into the exact same thing. Some of the items we had to pick up at the store others were shipped. Wouldn't accept PO's either. Won't deal on prices. Got an estimate for about 25k in tools and other items. Quote was exact advertised prices. Government Agency and all? Needless to say we purchased about $200 worth of items from Sears.



Thomas

 

[nickleinonen]

Wont buy another craftsman tool again. I "assumed" a torque wrench is a hand too therefore guarnteed for life... ... . wrong.

i had that happen too... and i had the original packaging and it said lifetime warrenty in big letters on the package, but they said they stopped that... so i gave the customer service maniger/supervisor the one finger salute and went to home depot... they had at the time a policy to honor competitors warrenties... now in my toolbox sits a husky 0-250 lbs wrench... my next one i think will be an armstrong one [we got those at work and they really can take a beating/abuse ]

 

[sarj]

KB - ran into the exact same thing. It's their business plan. It doesn't always fit mine. Now the onlt thing coming from sears is their wrenches. Sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers all come from snapon now. snapon screwdrivers are the best for electronics, but I wouldn't get them if they were community tools.

 

[RacinDuallie]

For giggles take a 3/4" bolt and weld it solid to a heavy steel bench, Then take a Craftsman wrench and a Snap-On wrench use the open end on the bolt and apply some arm into it... you'll see the Craftsman spread- but not the Snap-On..... which would you preferr now?

 

[sarj]

I've seen snapon wrenches and screwdrivers loosen things you'd never figure. I work on elevators and the occasional escalator though, and I don't care how good you are, you lose one or two down a hoistway or escalator once in a while, and that's the only reason I don't use 'em for work. Too expensive to cover the losses. It's 1 out of 20 on an escalator you'll ever see it again (50/50 in an elevator).

 

[RacinDuallie]

I've seen snapon wrenches and screwdrivers loosen things you'd never figure. I work on elevators and the occasional escalator though, and I don't care how good you are, you lose one or two down a hoistway or escalator once in a while, and that's the only reason I don't use 'em for work. Too expensive to cover the losses. It's 1 out of 20 on an escalator you'll ever see it again (50/50 in an elevator).

I know my way around an old DC Otis Freight Elevator and The Thompson MicroFlite SCR Drive- Basement Drum Machines... Heck before our passenger car conversions we had the old style Herk Elevator "clacker" controls with the gennies- You need to pay attention to those brushes or there will be a nice arc show on the armature! The old freight car we use has wooden rails and is dated 1889 by Otis Elevator Co. New York.

 

[KBennett]

Thanks guys for all the reply's.

Right now I am leaning toward Home Depot even though I like Lowes better, the local Lowes does not have the hand tool selection that Home Depot does. Someone once told me that Craftsman and Husky(Home Depot brand) were made by the same company??



The quality of the tools are not a big issue because most of the time these tools will be spending their life collecting dust but I won't be spending any money on the Chinese made stuff if I can help it.