Cheap Sears Junk...

[Bubba1235]

My 10 amp battery charger died with a rather large puff of smoke yesterday. (let all the magic smoke out) The dang thing was only 23 years old and Sears won't replace it for free. It just ain't right... :facepalm:

 

[bassman284]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Geesh, I know what you mean. No wonder Sears is having to close stores.

In 2002, my Kenmore washer didn't exactly die, but the clanking and banging became sufficiently alarming that I decided it needed to be replaced. I suggested to Sears that they might want out help me out a bit but to no avail. My Kenmore dryer just entered its 37th year and still dries clothes OK, but has a kind of rubbing noise going on so I suppose it's not long for the world either. If it goes out, Sears is going to get a stern talking to.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Sears makes a lot of landfills happy

 

[bassman284]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Sears makes a lot of landfills happy

Sarcasm doesn't really work here, does it.

 

[matt167]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

25 year old Kenmore washer recently bit the dust. It was a good run but too much went the last time it went down. Right before the end, the mixer did not work. Had to be manually re set for rinse and then clicked over to spin and the dial turned into a pair of pliers grabbing a small tab that was left of the mechanism. Sadly the replacement GE will probably not last 10 years .. This Sears artifact has been around 45 years and counting. Not restored, just well kept. Sears still has a limited amount of parts for it too, but it was pretty big money in 1968 ( $995 for just the tractor )

My grandfather had an old Champion battery charger that was from the late 50's. It was left in his 3 sided shed for many years as it was just too big to leave elsewhere and only the garden tractors usually needed charged. So much rust on the face plate that he needed to sharpie mark the 6v and 12v marks for the switch, the amperage dial and the boost switch.. He drug it out charging a mower battery a couple years ago when the rain hit. It was turned off then, but when he turned it back on it shorted out and toasted

 

[Stachi]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

I am still using the Sears battery charger (10 amp) that my father bought new when I was around 8 or 9 years old.......I will be 54 in August.....what a piece of carp !... (me , not the charger) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Broke a set of vicegrips last year,the were clearly stamped sears. Took em in,they could not replace them as they are not craftsman branded? What the heck,old man sears is rolling in his grave! So I looked at my vicegrips in the box,they say craftsman but its on the rubber grip,wearing off. I'd imagine they won't replace them either when th logo dissapears.....
Grub

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

I have a 1/4 inch craftsman drill from the early 50's it still works well but not used much just when I need multi drills so I don't change bits. Still most stuff from sears including craftsman stuff is in the same league as harbor freight. Just my opinion, K Mart has ruined sears

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

i find sears overpriced for their lack of quality

 

[matt167]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Yep. Sears has been on a downward spiral for many years. Once Montgomery Ward went under, they had no real direct competition.. There hand tools supplier used to be Danaher, which is the same company that owns Proto and Mac tools along with Stanley and some other store brands. Now they use an offshore supplier and when you turn in your tools under warranty, they hand you a used tool.. Harbor Freight at least is no questions asked on warranty returns on hand tools.

 

[matt167]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Guys, I was joking. Any tool that lasts that long around me is more than good.

Same here.. Actually, when I called on some parts for my Suburban tractor, Sears parts direct suggested I buy a new GT-6000 tractor from them as the old Sears tractor is considered no longer serviceable by them.. But I'm not paying $4k for some tin and plastic that they call a Garden tractor

 

[woodsyfeller]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

It was walmart that killed sears they were on their way out the door by the time the 90's hit. Sears used to be the place to work with benefits and retirement but everyone took their $$ to walmart and forced sears into what it is today. Hopefully people learn from history and if you want good quality stuff you have to spend the money to get it. They still have good hand tools and they aren't cheap but unfortunatley they are forced to have a lot of their products made overseas to be competitive with their prices.

 

[mscher]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

"It was walmart that killed sears"

It's interesting, that we expect merchandise to last forever, then lament why companies like Sears, who sold garden tractors and washing machines, that lasted 40 years, are having a hard time staying in business, verses other companies, who sell cheap stuff, that wears out rather quickly.

Maybe repeat business is the answer to staying in business.

 

[matt167]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

It's actually Walmart stomping over the producers telling them cheaper, cheaper, cheaper.. If you looked at the older Snapper riding mowers that Walmart used to sell ( early 2000's ), their model numbers included a "W" for a Walmart spec'd mower. Remington Arms, Winchester and a couple other firearm manufactures have serial numbers that signify they were sold at Walmart. Even Dirt devil vacs have Walmart model numbers.. Plenty of tires they run on specials are Walmart only tires.

Sears, Kmart, JC Penny and the others cannot compete in most markets.. It might not be that garden tractor that will last 40 years, or that washer that can last 25, but people will still be in for clothing, possibly a new weed trimmer or chainsaw, shoes, or anything else that Sears sells regardless but because Walmart can get the suppliers to sell to them cheaper, they will always prevail to the common consumer

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Henry ford also said if people couldn't afford what they made they were under paid.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

Henry ford also said if people couldn't afford what they made they were under paid.

i believe he said if "his employees" couldnt afford what they built they were under paid. but dont quote me on that. school was a long time ago.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Cheap Sears Junk...

I have a 1/4 inch craftsman drill from the early 50's it still works well but not used much just when I need multi drills so I don't change bits. Still most stuff from sears including craftsman stuff is in the same league as harbor freight. Just my opinion, K Mart has ruined sears

Yep, I would buy certain items from Sears "Craftsmen stuff" but with the new company, and Kmart being in the picture, you wont see me at any of their stores ever again, except to trade broken stuff in for new. Kmart isnt a store or company I would spend my $$ at ever again.