Anyone else miss Sears?

[MikeB]

I was reading a post where a guy found a JC Penny's brand spare tire under a 69 C10 he had just acquired. That reminded me of other department store-branded tires like Montgomery Wards, and of course Sears. Can you think of any others?

I really miss Sears, at least the 1960s-early 2000s versions. That's where I bought 90% of my tools, a couple lawnmowers, and all of our appliances. They did so much Kenmore business, there were usually 3-4 sales people in just that department. And just like their Craftsman tools, their rubber garden hoses had a lifetime warranty, but they would last 20 years or more.

Times change. We've sold our souls to big box stores and Amazon.

[Sheepdip]

My local Ace Hardware carries the Craftsman Tool line and I was told by an employee they honor the "Lifetime Warranty"
I've never had to take a Craftsman Tool back....I usually lose it and have to replace it.

I supported myself thru school busting tires at Monkey Wards. They had a full service Auto Center, Tires, Batteries, Oil Changes, Brakes, Tune-ups, Frontend Work and Alignment. They actually employed some pretty talented and knowledgeable people back then.

[Dead Parrot]

They were Amazon before Amazon. I remember looking through the catalog as a kid when I was getting old enough that working on cars was starting to sound interesting. They had a rather robust selection of engine parts. In my town, we only had a Sears Catalog store but we did have a full service Montgomery Wards complete with auto shop.

One of my first tool purchases was a set of Craftsman pliers(normal, needle nose, diagonal and linemans). While Craftsman, they were made in Japan. They have held up, still have them several decades later.

[truckster]

We used to have a Sears service center near here. I could walk it and buy sockets for pennies on the dollar.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

I supported myself thru school busting tires at Monkey Wards. They had a full service Auto Center, Tires, Batteries, Oil Changes, Brakes, Tune-ups, Frontend Work and Alignment. They actually employed some pretty talented and knowledgeable people back then.

We shopped at the Fort Worth Store when I was a kid. My mom and dad liked it better than Sears. It also had an auto service center. Yes, many of the mechanics were top-notch.

Heck, you could even find good mechanics working at gas stations back then. I remember getting a 4-wheel brake job at one. Also, a guy literally working under a shade tree (because his single shop bay had a car in it) showed me how to set the points and ignition timing on my 283, after I had changed intake manifold and carb. I think he charged me around $2 labor.

[Getter-Done]

Yes, I do.

My Grandpa loved Sears.

My brother and I share his tools and his Old Craftsman box.

We went thru and split them after Grandma passed.

Grandpa passed first and we left them till we had to settle the estate.

[Stocker]

Sears was an hour from me but was still pretty much my go-to store. Also had a Wards store not far from Sears, wife & I used to shop at both of them. Our home town has always had NAPA, and we used to have a Western Auto. Many years ago they (W.A.) had a killer sale on tubes of grease and I stocked up. Maybe too much -- I still have four unopened tubes. Gotta admit I miss the old stores we used to buy from.

[geezer#99]

We don’t have the store anymore but we still have the Sears parking lot. A weekly Wednesday car meet started before the store closed. It’s gotten larger every year.
It’s in Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vihr/a...th/53955371964

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

I supported myself thru school busting tires at Monkey Wards. They had a full service Auto Center, Tires, Batteries, Oil Changes, Brakes, Tune-ups, Frontend Work and Alignment. They actually employed some pretty talented and knowledgeable people back then.

Wards and Sears sold everything back in the day. Used to get tires at Wards. My Ted Williams Model 100 was a big purchase for me at Sears. And plinking ammo. I miss Sears and Wards, Western Auto, Coast to Coast. Different times nowadays.

[MikeB]

I forgot about Western Auto. We had a store 1/2 mile from my parent's house, and another on the town square (!) where I went to college. I remember getting things like gaskets and spark plugs there, but I think you could even get rings and bearings. Oh yeah, along with a refrigerator and lawnmower.

[lil hoodlum]

K-Mart used to have an automobile service section as well.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I was reading a post where a guy found a JC Penny's brand spare tire under a 69 C10 he had just acquired. That reminded me of other department store-branded tires like Montgomery Wards, and of course Sears. Can you think of any others?

I really miss Sears, at least the 1960s-early 2000s versions. That's where I bought 90% of my tools, a couple lawnmowers, and all of our appliances. They did so much Kenmore business, there were usually 3-4 sales people in just that department. And just like their Craftsman tools, their rubber garden hoses had a lifetime warranty, but they would last 20 years or more.

Times change. We've sold our souls to big box stores and Amazon.

Yeah, I still use my old socket set, and the wrenches when I need ordinary. Come c to think of it, bought my fridge new from there. Ice maker failed right after warranty, a few cracks inside duct taped, but on its 23rd year. Bachelor has its benefits.

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

My local Ace Hardware carries the Craftsman Tool line and I was told by an employee they honor the "Lifetime Warranty"
I've never had to take a Craftsman Tool back....I usually lose it and have to replace it.

They do still honor the lifetime warranty but make it such a pain, few probably mess with it. You have to open a case on-line, the submit pics and explanations, etc. Eventually they will ship you a replacement.

The core of my hand tools is still a Craftsman hand tool set that my parents gave me as a Christmas gift in the 80's.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I was reading a post where a guy found a JC Penny's brand spare tire under a 69 C10 he had just acquired. That reminded me of other department store-branded tires like Montgomery Wards, and of course Sears. Can you think of any others?

I really miss Sears, at least the 1960s-early 2000s versions. That's where I bought 90% of my tools, a couple lawnmowers, and all of our appliances. They did so much Kenmore business, there were usually 3-4 sales people in just that department. And just like their Craftsman tools, their rubber garden hoses had a lifetime warranty, but they would last 20 years or more.

Times change. We've sold our souls to big box stores and Amazon.

Sears labeled almost all their merchandise "good", "better", and "best". I bought an Olds Cutlass new in 1970. Our driveway was about 50 - 60 feet from the outdoor faucet close to my wife's flower beds, so I went to Sears and bought their "best" 100 foot garden hose to use when I washed the car. That was in 1970 and I still use that hose today.. BTW, it's outlived about 5 of those plastic roll around reels.

[truckster]

I've been able to get Lowes to honor the Craftsman warranty as well. If they have the tool in stock (or something close) it's not too difficult.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

I went to Sears and bought their "best" 100 foot garden hose to use when I washed the car. That was in 1970 and I still use that hose today.

I believe you. Before Sears went out of business, they gave me a brand new 100ft hose, because my 1980s model had a slit in it. We kept it for a few years and finally gave it to our neighbors because it was so heavy. I still have a 50ft version that is probably from the 80s. I use it to wash cars, but my wife likes the FlexZilla hoses for her gardens.

[LS short box]

I have good bit of Craftsman tools. The local Ace will only replace tools if purchased at their store with a receipt.
If I knew I was going to destroy a tool I upped for Snap On. Never had an issue with the local Snap On guy replacing any tool.

[Stocker]

The first & only full set of tools I bought was Craftsman, and I still have most of them. Replaced a broken 3/8" ratchet years ago, when the Sears store was still open. I bought the tools and a machinists tool chest in 1967 when I turned 18 and got my first real job after high school.

[GOPAPA]

I cannot remember how many tape measures I took back to Sears after they broke.. Even a couple levels ,,,I still do not know how they could make any money off the tool sale with all the bring backs

[mike1971c10]

I have Snap on tools, but I also have my father's and my sons tools. Growing up my father only bought from Sears and only Craftsmen tools. Here's one for up older guys. One of my fathers tool kits. it's stamped with his name and the date 1946. That's the original ratchet but it broke a couple of years ago and they would replace it but no parts are made anymore
mike