Posted on 05/28/2016 11:27:48 AM PDT by PROCON
The slow, painful demise of Sears continues.
The struggling retailer, which also owns equally troubled Kmart, reported a loss of $471 million in the first quarter, worse than a year ago. Sales fell more than 8%.
Sears (SHLD) also announced that it may sell three of its iconic brands -- Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard. The company said it is looking at strategic alternatives for its Home Services installation and repair businesses as well.
These three brands -- dubbed KCD by the company -- are still well-known and popular.
In a pre-recorded call for analysts and investors, CFO Rob Schriesheim said the Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands are "beloved by the American consumer" (I own a Crafstman tool box. Don't you? And who hasn't had a Kenmore washer or dryer?)
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Last time I was in Sears was before Christmas. I would have bought about $200 worth of stuff, but after waiting at the counter for 10 minutes while salespeople wandered around aimlessly, I left. I don’t need Sears if they don’t need customers.
The Craftsman socket set I bought 15 or 20 years ago was made in America. The Craftsman socket set I bought a few months ago was made in China. I see no reason to continue purchasing Craftsman.
Sad indeed. We’re not going to have ANY ‘choices’ soon.
Everything is going online to cut down employees and storage.
I can touch it, smell it or take it right back to the store, I will do without.
Screw them all!
I think that is their point. If they drop craftsman I would guess the lifetime warranty is gone.
I switched over to Makita. They make everything for the BL1830 and it is all good.
My Kenmore dryer has been running since 1984!
I still use their Die-Hard battery in my cars. Pop them in every 4 years. They never have failed one me.
What you experienced is I what happened to me at Circuit City: salespeople standing around in clumps staring at customers. They were out of business a year later. Sears could be circling the same drain.
That should be failed on me.
Why did Sears purchase the failing K-Mart???
It'll last even longer if you only run it when there's laundry in it :-)
I’ve had good experiences with Kenmore myself.
the Army, Navy, and Air Force Exchange Systems (PX/BX) began selling Craftsman tools about ten years ago. It is good to find them there.
Chicago’s station WLS is named after Sears - World’s Largest Store. Sad to see Sears headed downhill.
my Kenmore washer and dryer are still working at 30 years.
I totally agree. My daughters got me a Craftsman tool chest for Christmas a few years ago. I didn't need it as I have other tool chests, but put it alongside the others. The Craftsman was of poor quality, thin sheet metal, bad welds, lousy rails and handles, everything was bad about it in comparison to the others I owned which were probably made in China and cost a third.
I used to buy only DieHard batteries, but in recent years after several premature failures I abandoned them for other brands. DieHards are now lousy batteries.
I still own a number of Craftsman tools but purchased them long ago before the quality problems they're having now. I have fond memories of my Dad taking me to Sears on weekends, huge store with gardening, automotive, appliances, everything you could want including a snack bar where I enjoyed hot dogs and popcorn. All good stuff gone except mediocre items.
or Montgomery Wards as some place their great-grandparents shopped at. ("Monkey Wards", as my grandpa called it.)
I had a 1963 Sears aluminum boat. I think it was originally just a rowboat but we put a makeshift transom on it and ran a 15hp motor. Sold it around 2010. Good boat.
My parents swore by Sears appliances. I remember being somewhat saddened when we went to visit my mother several years ago and discovered she had given away a Sears fan she purchased in 1961! That thing worked without a serious hitch for more 50 years. Sears washers and dryers - we had them for decades when I was young. Craftsmen tools galore in the garage.
And now Sears is dying. It’s sad.
I think it was K-Mart that bought Sears...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.