dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

A sad end to a storied brand. Seems to be a trend though. Remember when the sears catalog arrived in the mail? It must have been 2 1/2 inches thick and weighed 5 pounds! If you needed anything, Sears usually had it in their catalog. It was really on-line shopping without the internet. Mail your order form in and get your stuff delivered to your door, or mailbox.

Stan

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

I once worked at Sears selling appliances about 15 yrs ago. Even then, there was plenty of talk about how badly Sears was doing. One would expect it to close any day. I believe Sears did themselves in. It could've been avoided if they did some things to improve. Their employees were treated terribly. I never experienced such disrespect in any work place I've been in. I was among the top sales producers in the appliance dept. (#3 out of 20 salespeople) One can make a fair living selling appliances. The top producer, 1+ million in sales, was probably making 60K or more. The appliance dept. contributed, on average, 12-13 million in sales every year. The mgrs though would constantly hammer you to sell the "protection" agreements. They are a waste of money and very expensive. Try selling a $2000 refrigerator and then ask for an additional $500 for a 3 yr plan to cover any repairs. It seems, the store mgr got a nice cut from all the protection agreements sold.
Every dept store has their own brand of clothing. They're usually a good deal. Not at Sears. The quality is terrible. You might be saving $5 but you'll be buying it 3X as often. They needed to up the qality a little and it would have been an easy fix.
Sears should have NEVER offered to let other stores sell Kenmore and Craftsman products. They were excellent products. If people could now buy them elsewhere, they did.
After 4 yrs of poor treatment I finally quit and found something better. Four years later, I retired.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

I'm going miss thier tools an warranty

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

We still have a large Sears Grand a few miles down the road next to a Costco. In the store a few days ago, there still exists a sizable appliance and tool area even tho Sears no longer owns Kenmore and Craftsman. The vast majority of the remaining retail space is high margin clothing. On some days, I think I could take a nap between aisles and not be disturbed until closing time. Truly unfortunate.... 😞

Largobob

That's what happens when the leadership of an organization apparently slept through biology class.

"That which does not evolve traits to adapt to a changing environment, generally perishes..."

Think dinosaurs....think Kodak....think Sears.

Apparently the leadership of Walmart were the valedictorians of the class.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Yes. I remember my grandmother having that 2 1/2 inch Sears & Roebuck Catalogs. Montgomery Wards had one also later in years. Best Buy Stores are selling appliances alongside electronics equipment. JC Penny competed with Sears, and I've heard they are now selling appliances. The Sears/K-Mart Merger didn't do well either.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Sears has been on life support for a very long time. The Sears/K-Mart merger was like two drowning people grabbing each other. The handwriting has been on the wall for years and another downsizing would have only delayed the inevitable liquidation. That being said, it wouldn't surprise me if the corporate management team doesn't walk away with their pockets full of cash.

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

always relied on craftsman hand tools. used them for 50 + years on farm and in industry. only ever broke one and it was replaced asap. still have many of them. sold 3/4 drive and many 1/2 drive. got more than i paid for nearly all of them. and they are still guaranteed. can't beat that!!!

Largobob

You might want to check whether your Craftsman guarantee is valid after Sears goes belly up.....

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Craftsman tools were owned and sold by Sears since 1927. Craftsman tools are owned now by Stanley Black & Decker, and sold by Lowe's Store. I'm certain they have the same replacement warranty, as it was with Sears.

Largobob

I have owned Craftsman tools too, because of their design and build quality. I don't hold my breath depending on their replacement warranty in today's world.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Based on my observations after 40 years of work in the corporate world, senior managers never leave, under any circumstances, without substantial compensation for doing so.

Stan

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

If Sears goes out of business, does Craftsman Tools die with them?

Good question. Some formerly standout brands have been diluted by licensing, like Polaroid. I saw cheap computer monitors sub-licensed with the name/logo...real pieces of junk.

Some have been left to fail, then bought up purely for the name recognition. Think, "Circuit City" and "CompUSA", which are now just window dressing for TigerDirect.

The Sears Craftsman tools are made by many OEM factories all over the world. There isn't a Craftsman factory. Some products have near-identical tooling as other brands, but use different paint and handles.

The Craftsman hand tool brand would probably not last as a quality tool brand if the name were sold off. Home Depot already bought Husky, which is made by Stanley, moved out of USA to overseas factories. Lowe's has Kobalt brand, originally made by JH Williams (related to Snap-On), but now made by Danaher. I believe Danaher is a current OEM for Craftsman brand hand tools.

I have some Craftsman needle-nose pliers that were made by Xcelite. A wire stripper that I can now get with the Klein logo. Wood-handled screwdrivers my Dad had from 40 years ago, I can now get with the Grace factory name.

USA-made Craftsman screwdrivers made by Western Forge are still available at

I'm learning that the brand Craftsman was about finding the best value for quality tools and presenting them to the customer with a single brand. Now, I'm just as happy buying the OEM stuff without the Craftsman brand. Too much junk throwaway stuff in the Sears stores to qualify them as quality shopping experiences.

I don't think the original factories will have the marketing and consumer trust to sell the Craftsman beans directly.

If it's bought by a cheap company, expect the quality to go downhill to match TaskForce and Companion brands. If it's bought by a conglomerate, like Vise-Grip, you may find the brand diluted and plastered over by another brand. Rubbermaid-Newell took the USA Vise-Grip overseas. Then added the Irwin brand. Then covered it with plastic, enlarged the Irwin mark, and you'd scarcely realize it was ever a Vise-Grip made by American Tool. Newell did the same to Marples. My Marples Blue Chip chisels were made in Sheffield, UK. Now the current stock are IRWIN-Marples made to spec in China. Given another decade, the Marples moniker may be obliterated too.

If Sears loses Craftsman entirely, or drives down quality to junk, then any new buyer will not take on the liability of claims from past customers.

If you want the quality that the Craftsman name stands (stood?) for, then you can buy other brands who use the factories and toolings. Wilde and Vaughn/Grayvik, Blackhawk, and Western Forge tools are low price with good quality. They lack a single unifying logo and a brick-and-mortar store to handle exchanges. But is that necessary?

To tell the truth, I've never returned a single Craftsman hand tool. They get "borrowed", loaned out, or outright stolen before they wear out. I trashed a Craftsman drill and a tool sharpener...junk.

I have a couple of Phillips screwdrivers that are wearing. But I've learned how to dress/hone the standard screwdrivers. Never broke a ratchet or torque wrench, even when used as a hammer. (Get a breaker bar, and your ratchet wrenches should last for decades.)

I am partial to my Craftsman ball-detent ratchet wrenches. Plain and solid. Not sure if I trust plastic and rubber handles of other brands to last for 20-30 or more years. And the Harbor Freight stuff scares me with the sheer volume of tools that are on store shelves with visible rust and mis-matched or ill-fitting components.

I hear stories of customers loyal to Craftsman because they make bone-headed mistakes like leaving a wrench out on the patio for 5 years, then getting a free replacement. Or demolishing a skyscraper with a screwdriver and a ball peen hammer...and getting the free replacement. Some folks will buy rusty junk from a garage sale for pennies a pound, then take it to a Sears store for a new tool. That doesn't really testify to a tool's quality

Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black and Decker for $900 Million. (a steal) The brand is worth far more than that.

They are keeping their Kenmore name for now. I’m sure there are many corporations that would like to snatch that name up. However, Sears is allowing Amazon to be a venue for the Kenmore name. Anything Kenmore is also available
·
Originally Answered: Will the Craftsman brand survive now that Sears is closing?
Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black & Decker in early 2017. Sears does continue to have the right to manufacture tools under the Craftsman brand until 2042.

If Sears goes out of business, does Craftsman Tools die with them?

Good question. Some formerly standout brands have been diluted by licensing, like Polaroid. I saw cheap computer monitors sub-licensed with the name/logo...real pieces of junk.

Some have been left to fail, then bought up purely for the name recognition. Think, "Circuit City" and "CompUSA", which are now just window dressing for TigerDirect.

The Sears Craftsman tools are made by many OEM factories all over the world. There isn't a Craftsman factory. Some products have near-identical tooling as other brands, but use different paint and handles.

The Craftsman hand tool brand would probably not last as a quality tool brand if the name were sold off. Home Depot already bought Husky, which is made by Stanley, moved out of USA to overseas factories. Lowe's has Kobalt brand, originally made by JH Williams (related to Snap-On), but now made by Danaher. I believe Danaher is a current OEM for Craftsman brand hand tools.

I have some Craftsman needle-nose pliers that were made by Xcelite. A wire stripper that I can now get with the Klein logo. Wood-handled screwdrivers my Dad had from 40 years ago, I can now get with the Grace factory name.

USA-made Craftsman screwdrivers made by Western Forge are still available at

I'm learning that the brand Craftsman was about finding the best value for quality tools and presenting them to the customer with a single brand. Now, I'm just as happy buying the OEM stuff without the Craftsman brand. Too much junk throwaway stuff in the Sears stores to qualify them as quality shopping experiences.

I don't think the original factories will have the marketing and consumer trust to sell the Craftsman beans directly.

If it's bought by a cheap company, expect the quality to go downhill to match TaskForce and Companion brands. If it's bought by a conglomerate, like Vise-Grip, you may find the brand diluted and plastered over by another brand. Rubbermaid-Newell took the USA Vise-Grip overseas. Then added the Irwin brand. Then covered it with plastic, enlarged the Irwin mark, and you'd scarcely realize it was ever a Vise-Grip made by American Tool. Newell did the same to Marples. My Marples Blue Chip chisels were made in Sheffield, UK. Now the current stock are IRWIN-Marples made to spec in China. Given another decade, the Marples moniker may be obliterated too.

If Sears loses Craftsman entirely, or drives down quality to junk, then any new buyer will not take on the liability of claims from past customers.

If you want the quality that the Craftsman name stands (stood?) for, then you can buy other brands who use the factories and toolings. Wilde and Vaughn/Grayvik, Blackhawk, and Western Forge tools are low price with good quality. They lack a single unifying logo and a brick-and-mortar store to handle exchanges. But is that necessary?

To tell the truth, I've never returned a single Craftsman hand tool. They get "borrowed", loaned out, or outright stolen before they wear out. I trashed a Craftsman drill and a tool sharpener...junk.

I have a couple of Phillips screwdrivers that are wearing. But I've learned how to dress/hone the standard screwdrivers. Never broke a ratchet or torque wrench, even when used as a hammer. (Get a breaker bar, and your ratchet wrenches should last for decades.)

I am partial to my Craftsman ball-detent ratchet wrenches. Plain and solid. Not sure if I trust plastic and rubber handles of other brands to last for 20-30 or more years. And the Harbor Freight stuff scares me with the sheer volume of tools that are on store shelves with visible rust and mis-matched or ill-fitting components.

I hear stories of customers loyal to Craftsman because they make bone-headed mistakes like leaving a wrench out on the patio for 5 years, then getting a free replacement. Or demolishing a skyscraper with a screwdriver and a ball peen hammer...and getting the free replacement. Some folks will buy rusty junk from a garage sale for pennies a pound, then take it to a Sears store for a new tool. That doesn't really testify to a tool's quality.


Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black and Decker for $900 Million. (a steal) The brand is worth far more than that.

They are keeping their Kenmore name for now. I’m sure there are many corporations that would like to snatch that name up. However, Sears is allowing Amazon to be a venue for the Kenmore name. Anything Kenmore is also available on Amazon

Will the Craftsman brand survive now that Sears is closing?
Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black & Decker in early 2017. Sears does continue to have the right to manufacture tools under the Craftsman brand until 2042.


·
Craftsman tools haven’t been made in the U.S. for quite a long time… the forgings and machining have been done in Asia for at least the past 10 years- the only thing done here was the assembly (where assembly was required).

That being said, Sears sold the Craftsman brand to Stanley a short time ago.

If Sears goes out of business, does Craftsman Tools die with them?

Good question. Some formerly standout brands have been diluted by licensing, like Polaroid. I saw cheap computer monitors sub-licensed with the name/logo...real pieces of junk.

Some have been left to fail, then bought up purely for the name recognition. Think, "Circuit City" and "CompUSA", which are now just window dressing for TigerDirect.

The Sears Craftsman tools are made by many OEM factories all over the world. There isn't a Craftsman factory. Some products have near-identical tooling as other brands, but use different paint and handles.

The Craftsman hand tool brand would probably not last as a quality tool brand if the name were sold off. Home Depot already bought Husky, which is made by Stanley, moved out of USA to overseas factories. Lowe's has Kobalt brand, originally made by JH Williams (related to Snap-On), but now made by Danaher. I believe Danaher is a current OEM for Craftsman brand hand tools.

I have some Craftsman needle-nose pliers that were made by Xcelite. A wire stripper that I can now get with the Klein logo. Wood-handled screwdrivers my Dad had from 40 years ago, I can now get with the Grace factory name.

USA-made Craftsman screwdrivers made by Western Forge are still available at

I'm learning that the brand Craftsman was about finding the best value for quality tools and presenting them to the customer with a single brand. Now, I'm just as happy buying the OEM stuff without the Craftsman brand. Too much junk throwaway stuff in the Sears stores to qualify them as quality shopping experiences.

I don't think the original factories will have the marketing and consumer trust to sell the Craftsman beans directly.

If it's bought by a cheap company, expect the quality to go downhill to match TaskForce and Companion brands. If it's bought by a conglomerate, like Vise-Grip, you may find the brand diluted and plastered over by another brand. Rubbermaid-Newell took the USA Vise-Grip overseas. Then added the Irwin brand. Then covered it with plastic, enlarged the Irwin mark, and you'd scarcely realize it was ever a Vise-Grip made by American Tool. Newell did the same to Marples. My Marples Blue Chip chisels were made in Sheffield, UK. Now the current stock are IRWIN-Marples made to spec in China. Given another decade, the Marples moniker may be obliterated too.

If Sears loses Craftsman entirely, or drives down quality to junk, then any new buyer will not take on the liability of claims from past customers.

If you want the quality that the Craftsman name stands (stood?) for, then you can buy other brands who use the factories and toolings. Wilde and Vaughn/Grayvik, Blackhawk, and Western Forge tools are low price with good quality. They lack a single unifying logo and a brick-and-mortar store to handle exchanges. But is that necessary?

To tell the truth, I've never returned a single Craftsman hand tool. They get "borrowed", loaned out, or outright stolen before they wear out. I trashed a Craftsman drill and a tool sharpener...junk.

I have a couple of Phillips screwdrivers that are wearing. But I've learned how to dress/hone the standard screwdrivers. Never broke a ratchet or torque wrench, even when used as a hammer. (Get a breaker bar, and your ratchet wrenches should last for decades.)

I am partial to my Craftsman ball-detent ratchet wrenches. Plain and solid. Not sure if I trust plastic and rubber handles of other brands to last for 20-30 or more years. And the Harbor Freight stuff scares me with the sheer volume of tools that are on store shelves with visible rust and mis-matched or ill-fitting components.

I hear stories of customers loyal to Craftsman because they make bone-headed mistakes like leaving a wrench out on the patio for 5 years, then getting a free replacement. Or demolishing a skyscraper with a screwdriver and a ball peen hammer...and getting the free replacement. Some folks will buy rusty junk from a garage sale for pennies a pound, then take it to a Sears store for a new tool. That doesn't really testify to a tool's quality.
Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black and Decker for $900 Million. (a steal) The brand is worth far more than that

With the purchase of Craftsman by Stanley/Black & Decker, the name lives on. What that means to the product is still anyone's guess.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Sears does not make any appliances. Kenmore is just a street name in Chicago. Sears contracts out their Kenmore brand to other mfrs. Whirlpool, GE and others. The others agree to not offer certain features for a period of time and the others benefit by selling a lot more of their appliances that they made.