Lordy...
Nearly 50 years ago, I had a part-time job at sears.
As a new hire I had to sit and watch/listen to a
film from an 8mm movie projector about the history
of the company...so as the legend and my memory goes:
Mr. Sears was a conductor on the railroad from Chicago
to points out west.
People along the way admired his pocket watch and they
inquired how they can get one like that. Mr. sears offered
to bring one out from Chicago on his next trip, and he
eventually sold many watches along the way.
When one of the watches failed, he offered his apologies,
and offered to take it back to Chicago for repair.
(this is where the satisfaction or your money back
guarantee originated)
The watch repairman was named Mr. Roebuck,
and he became a partner.
Then people began to ask what other marvelous things
they might could get in Chicago.
Mr. Sears created a list of items people might like to buy,
and that is what started the Sears Catalog.
Thanks for the history lesson.