Sears...... (Rant)S
 

So, i drive down the road to the local Sears to exchange some socket wrenches for fresh new ones. I get to the store, exchange my wrenches and confirm with the guy that i could also exchange old sockets and extensions.
I drive back home, find the sockets and extensions i want to exchange, drive back to the store, and the guy tells me that my socket set is an old one and they don't make them in sets like that anymore. The new sets don't start at 10mm, they start at 8mm. So if i want to exchange my sockets, i need to go back home and find Craftsman 8 and 9 mm sockets.... I half pissied drive back home and check my stash of sockets... I found a 9mm but I don't have an 8mm in Craftsman or in 3/8" sizes.... I drive back to the store with just the 9mm socket and the rest of the set and the guy says he cannot do anything without a complete set. I explain to him that the set i have is a complete set and it's not my fault that sears decided to change what's called a "set"... I bought it as a set and i'm wanting to exchange it as a set. I then asked if he could just exchange it and give me individual sockets, stating that i don't need the crappy grey plastic holder anyways, he said that the only way he could do that would be if i brought in individual sockets. Then i emptied the set of sockets onto the counter and said "there's individual sockets"... The guy still would not exchange them, so, i grabbed a bag, put the sockets into the bag, mumbled on how ****ty the service there was, and how Matco was gonna get my business from now on and left the store in a blaze of 16" tire smoke. So now, when i take my tools to work tomorrow, i'm gonna have to use my crappy worn out 12 point sockets instead of some nice newly exchanged 6 point sockets.... I'm upset. I almost wonder if this guy is completely wrong.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Dude thats nothing if I want to exchange a socket,broken breaker bar,screwdriver,or anything else they have to send them off and I get nothing untill they come back. Now if I drive 30 miles away to the other sears they exchange them right there and send you on your happy little way..

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Sears is not the company it once was. The squeeky wheel does get the grease.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I used to only buy Craftsman tools because i'm a mile down the road from Sears and it was easy to exchange as needed, now, i think i might just buy tools off the truck from the higher priced Matco, snap-on, and Mac.
Craftsman prices are so competative compared to the big three, but, i know that any hand tool i buy off a truck, the guy will be in once every week, and they'll trade it right up. This has discouraged me from dealing with Sears. In my opinion, they owe me a quarter gallon of gas for wasting my time and 1/32 of tread on the rear tires for the burnout their poor service caused me to do... lol.
I'm gonna let the Tool truck guys know about this tomorrow. Maybe they'll give me some deals to keep my business. This whole deal reminds me of when Dave Thomas died and Wendy's fries got cold, or when Sam Walton died and Wal-Mart turned into Wal-junk. Ever since Craftsman started being sold at K-Mart, it all seemed to go downhill.
I know that Snap-On is foreign now, i'm not sure about Mac or Matco..... I will NOT buy foreign tools from anybody anymore.

Save American jobs, Buy American.... My grandfather used to shout this at me all the time growing up, now the man drives a Toyota...... I will not settle for less. Not this day in age anyways.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Snap On is NOT foreign ... MAC on the other hand is owned by Stanley ... yes, the same Stanley that sells those Chinese-made craptastic black and yellow things that look similar to tools at your local Wal Mart.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I have some Snap-on tools that say china or taiwan or something on them.

EDIT: i was wrong.... All my Snap-on tools are made in this country.... It was my Mac 1/4 inch air ratchet that states "Japan" on it...... Two words that i don't wanna see together, "Quality" and "Japan"......
Here's a pic if anyone can make it out.
[IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...k/DSC03636.jpg[/IMG]

The Craftsman socket wrenches i exchanged for today still say USA on them. So, i guess i could always still use them, just not from that location anymore. If you can't tell, i'm trying to boycott foreign made tools and parts and general items if i can help it. Minus the Sony camera that took the picture. lol.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

the best way to exchange at Sears is to take only 2-3 items per trip then go to the rack and find you replacments THEN take them to the counter with the old/broken ones.

This method has never failed me.

P.S. Sears will normally only replace due to failure ... NOT wear. Snap On and Mac is the same in my area.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I.R makes ALL of Macs Air Tools........Not just some of them ALL.........My brother in law was a Mac dealer for 15 years....And Shane is right, Stanley owns Mac.....Snap on tools are made here in the U.S....Although most if not all Bluepoint (Snap-On) is make overseas......Matco.......I have no idea......

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I'm not against foreign made stuff, i'm against inferior stuff. If i can buy a craptastic camera for $200, or buy a very similar foreign made thing with better build quality and parts foreign, then they will get my business, but if i can buy the same quality, it is american, hands down

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

There's my issue.... The sockets weren't "broken".... But, they we worn out and slipped alot... Mainly, i wanted to switch over from 12 point to 6 point so i didn't have as many slip out issues.
I was thinking maybe i'll just wait a few days and try again assuming someone else might be working.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

EDIT: Ok, maybe try again, or just buck up and buy some new ones and keep the old ones

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

REMEMBER SEARS is owned by K-MART and that was the first real sign of how screwed up this country is becoming. I agree that if you purchased a Sears set years ago and now Mister "I don't have a clue" is telling you that he cannot exchange them for you, then go to the Manager and find out what the policy really is and hold them to that much. You may decide that it is better to just throw the useless sockets at them and go to a store that sells S-K tools or a Snap-on dealer. I like Snap-On, but I hate their prices. Most of my wrenches are S-K now.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

ED....makes a good point...........Quality is first for me.......If it comes form overseas..so be it......If its from America......Thats fine too......I bust my Arse for my money and i want to best product and price when i spend it.....

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I only purchased the Craftsman brand hand tools because they advertised a lifetime replacement guarantee.

S-K tools sell around here i think at harbor freight..... A shop i used to work at used them and they were just fine.
I don't mind spending good money on tools, but, if i might get any guff trying to exchange them, that's grounds enough for me to boycott buying any new ones from the company.... LIfetime means lifetime, not 5 years.
One of the socket wrenches i exchanged today was a model the guy said they haven't made in 8 years, but i still got a brand new up to date model.
The problem i also have with snap-on, Mac, and Matco, is the prices...
It costs like 8 times as much for their wrenches as it does for Craftsman, but, since i have an account with Matco, i can make payments on the tools i choose to buy. I have about 3 grand worth of a list of tools to get tomorrow that would take me forever to get one by one with each paycheck.
I'm assuming that Matco products are made in America.... ANybody have any input on that one????

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I agree that they should have replaced the individual sockets that you presented, with whatever they carry as a replacement.....But, it is not their fault that you bought the "wrong" thing. Meaning that I would not take 12 point socket for a 6 point. Personally I don't think it is right to expect them to.
Their wording is a bit vague.....and I suppose that it could be argued that "you are not satisfied" with the performance of the 12 point sockets, but is that really "fair"?

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I didn't purchase the "wrong" product... I purposely bought a set of 6 point and a set of 12 point in both metric and standard sizes.
After more years of experience, i've found the 12 point sockets to strip out bolt heads easier and slip easier. The 12 and 6 point sockets cost exactly the same price.
The problem that i have, is that the guy at first said "yes, we will exchange your old sockets". Then when i bring in the sockets, his story changes to "oh, these sets aren't sold anymore"... and "now the new sets are larger with more sockets included and the 16mm isn't included in most sets".
I never asked him for "another set" even though i purchased a set, i just wanted "new" sockets that weren't gonna ruin my projects with rounded heads and busted knuckles. He gladly exchanged my 11 extensions just because they were "old". And even one of my 1/2" drive wrenches with obvious visible abuse dings from using it like a hammer.
I'm just upset that he would take all of my expensive junk for exchange, but then turn me down when i bring in 20 bucks worth of sockets.
When i go back in, i'll just simply go up and grab each individual socket, bring them up to the counter and explain what the last guy told me. If they won't take them for exchange, then i'll tell them they can keep them or toss them, cuz i don't want em.....
I have the amazing ability to hold grudges for extremely long periods of time.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

The S-K line in my part of the country are sold at tool stores. Harbor Freight has nothing of that line in their stores, here. Good Luck with the Sears thing. Have you guys noticed that the tool section in the Sears stores i becoming less and less prevalent. The store does have one hell of a lawnmower section, though---Nothing spells MANLY, like a lawnmower. EXCEPT MAYBE tools.

It is rumored that the MATCO line was a take-off from the MAC tool line. We had a MATCO dealer in our area for about a year nad he gave it up,since the Snap-On line kicked his butt on sales. I have some MAC tools and they are of a good quality, but the local dealer is not very aggressive and that is his downfall.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Several times I have tried to return old tools to Sears. Sometimes you get "just grab a new one off the shelf"
Sometimes you get "We don't exchange that tool" or some other crap.
I just throw it in the truck and try again next time. I've had them replace some abused, misused, wasted tools. And I've had them refuse to exchange some obviously defective tools.
Go figure?

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

i find that i break alot of the newer snap-on drill bits and sockets.
I have some older ones maybe from the late 70's up till the early 90's and they're like my tank tools. I only break them out when i really need to get something broke loose. My Craftsman tools are like the grunts of my collection... Other than the couple of Stanley screwdrivers and odd and end Taiwan sockets that seem to randomly morph into my tool box somehow.

I'm sure if Matco would give me a credit line off the truck, then snap-on would do the same. I'll find out tomorrow i'm sure. Maybe both reps will show up at the same time and i can make them battle it out to the death, winner gets to sell me tools.... May the better tool man win. GRUNT GRUNT GRUNT GRUNT (tim taylor)

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

whenever you get on the tool trucks, ask to see what they may have just taken in on trade... I have saved a LOT of money that way.
Example, my tool box was 2 years old, and gently used. It listed for about 7500, i got it for 3000. A set of nice cornwell sockets, 3/8 drive, short and deep, 6 point, got the set for 20 bucks. Lots of air tools used at a great discount too.

I used to believe in craftsman, but for professional use, they pretty much blow.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Didn't realize you were trying to swap 12 point for 6 point ... I can see why Sears said NO to that one.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

The guy was gonna swap me for 6 point until he realized that the sets they sell now come with more sockets..... He wanted me to come back with 2 more sockets to make the set as complete as they are now.
I just wanted new sockets... 6 point or 12... just wanted new ones that weren't gonna strip out my bolts.
I have a few sets of ACE hardware's brand sockets i bought years ago in 1/4" sizes. I turned in the entire set i bought last year just because they didn't "shine" like they did when new. The old guy gladly took them and gave me brand spankin' new ones and told me to return them anytime i wasn't happy for any reason.
Maybe i should stick with ACE professional brand sockets.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Ever since Sears closed their stores in San Francisco, I don't feel like driving 20 miles to the nearest Sears. I will if I do break one of my older tools but will ususally wait until I need to go that way.
I now go to Home Depot and buy Husky hand tools. I know they are not as good as when my dad bought them in the 40's and 50's but they still hold up pretty well. I just got a set of Torques from there on clearance for $16.95. The husky tools are in my bone yard box and that is where I usually use them but lately I have been opeining up that box and using them in the garage instead of walking over to my big box for other tools. I have to many rachets I think..

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

[QUOTE=piecesparts;2834075]REMEMBER SEARS is owned by K-MART QUOTE]

No they are not, neither of the stores own either of the two. It was one holding company that bought both store "names" out and decided to combine the products. It's just the name's stayed the same.
My sister is a manager here at one of the Sear's locally. So that is what I thought until I was corrected.
Oh do make a point the clerk was doing his job. He really shouldn't have been replacing the sockets to begin. If they aren't broke, you don't get new ones. Same as any of the over priced tool trucks. When I was dealing with the mac dealer. My tools had to be broke before he would replace or fix them.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

my snap on guy ALWAYS replaces tools that are worn out.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I went to Sears yesterday to return a ratcheting wrench that was no longer ratcheting. Sometimes it ratchets, sometimes its locked both directions, sometimes it spins freely in both directions. When I bought them (on ebay, NIB) I knew the 9/16" would be the first to go because of the offset ratchet mechanism. Check it out in the picture below.

Anyway they had all the sizes except 9/16". Its about $19. They wouldn't give me a 9/16" out of a set. My friend who actually went in to do the exchange while I was picking up my new tires exchanged a bad ratchet he had. Instead of giving him a new one they gave him a refurbished one. The ratchet didn't feel to good to me. He said he'll just use it till it breaks and bring it back.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I have never had any problem with exchanging tools at the local place.

In fact, I use 5mm allen wrenches (hex keys) a lot on my mountain bikes. I started with a complete set. When I went to exchange just the 5mm they only sell them in sets of long and short arms. So each time I ended up with 2-for-1.

Even with that I ended up buying a set of Bondhaus wrenches as the Crapman tools just wore out too quick.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I have some sears stuff,my 3,8ths ratchet has been replaced 4 times in 14 years,yet my SK ratchet and sockets are 36 years old and have NEVER been replaced.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

i'll on buy snap on and maco tools now

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I pretty much only use Proto. Mind you, my father worked for Tacoma Screw Company and got me all my tools at cost.

But my 3/8" ratchet has literally been through hell and back and is still going strong. All the knurling on the handle is gone from me using it as an impact wrench (hitting the handle with a ball pene hammer), it got lost in a mud puddle for 4 months underwater, fell off the bed of the truck at 65mph, and I don't know how many times it's been thrown across the shop in frustration at one thing or another.

It still works as good today as it did when I got it for my birthday in 1991.

I've also (stupidly) used my standard duty Proto 1/2" drive sockets on an impact driver. Never had one strip out or crack yet, but I've completely shattered Craftsmen/Snapon/Mac/etc just using a long handled ratchet and my foot. But I now have an impact set, so not going to try my luck anymore with the standard duty ones.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

My roll-aways contain
Armstrong
MAC
Matco
New Britain
Proto
S-K
Snap On
Williams
Gedore
Heyco,
and Craftsman.
Only on one occasion did I have to ask for a manager at one of the Sears to get a tool warranted. The "sales clerk" was young and inexperienced. I recently had my 7 ton/8" puller replaced no problem,(not broken but, the threads were very stretched!). I have had my S-K 1/2" ratchet since 1965 and it's never been broken. My 1/2" long handle Craftsman since the early 70's and had it rebuilt once. I have broken my Proto 1/2" drive at least a half dozen times. While every tool company I have purchased from offers fine quailty, some expect quite a premium in return. I recently checked on a Snap On 5/8" thin wall deepwell. I decided against it as it was a $56.00 socket.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I am actually surprised they were willing to deal with you even a little on worn out socket teeth.

I worked at Sears when i was in college 12 years ago and was told the warranty was for breakage, not wear and tear

I agree, 12 pt is not ideal in the larger socket sizes that you really put some force on, i like it for the smaller sizes because it gives me more places i can work the socket on the fastener if its in a tight location

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Sorry, wrong. Eddie Lampert took control of K-Mart when it went bankrupt, then he bought Sears. He merged to two companies into the Sears Holdings Corporation. He also owns a HUGE stake in AutoZone and AutoNation through his holding company.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I have had good luck with the sears here. I have never been told that I couldnt exchange anything. It seems the quality of their tools have went down. I seem to break more of them here in the last 5 years. I have never heard of having to take in a complete set before. I would have done the same thing. Dumped them and said...there you go..individual sockets. Some of these guys can be a$$holes. One of the other sears I went too a long time ago gave me some crap about something and I got a manager and I got my way...and the guy got a boot in the butt and he was fired for not satisfying a customer.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I was told that once....but if K Fart was bankrupt...they couldnt buy Sears. It takes money to do that.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

nope, a bankrupt company can buy a larger company, funny how that works, they just did a stock buy out, $$$ never changed hands.. thats how WorldCom bought a lot of companies.. and even the other telcom giants bought them all up later..

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Matco is in the Danaher Tool Group. they happen to also make Craftsman tools.
I turn close to 900 cars/year at work. my sockets arer either Snap-On, Matco, or (suprisingly good quality) ATD. the majority of my work is done with 3/8 drive and my snappy guy will exchange worn ones.
a word about hand ratchets, I recently bought the new fine tooth flex-head offset handle one from snappy. feels NICE!!!! I have literally tried to break the mechanism by standing on the handle while working 3/4T truck lug nuts.
between that one, my IR 2112 impact, and my power probe III I am a very happy tech.

oh, btw, I dont think they should exchange 12pt for 6pt. but they should be able to do individual ones though.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Read my earlier post:

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

Wow.... there are a lot of threads in this thread.. :P

I've never had a problem exchanging a Craftsman tool but every time I did it the tool I was returning was undeniably busted.

I had mixture of Craftsman and cheap(er) tools but I just inherited 4 boxes (two rollaways, a 7 drawer standup and a large 6 drawer tote box) full of Snap-ons. I don't even rightly know what all I have yet.

I wouldn't sweat seeing "Japan" on a tool but the only tools labled "China" I have managed to keep intact have been a set of hefty combo wrenches.

At the end of the day -- a free replacement policy is nice, but if it means having to get washed up and go back to the store to get a replacement tool I need right in the middle of a job -- I think I would rather have the quality tool that probably won't break to begin with.

Re: Sears...... (Rant)S
 

I have a Husky (Home Depot brand) 1/2" air impact gun.
It's made in Japan. Its been great. I do not use it much, but it has never failed me and I'd buy it again. I purchased mine years ago. It was cheaper, but I do not remember the exact cost. I wonder if they are still made in Japan.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...10000003+90401

I also have a few other air tools from Japan. I believe one is a Matco. Not 100% on that though. Its older, 10 years + possibly. Its also been an excellent tool.