Craftsman tools at MENARDS?

[JDgreen227]

Menards is a chain of big box home center stores which may or may not be located in your area. Today I was skipping thru their latest sale flyer, and they are selling CRAFTSMAN brand 12 volt L-Ion tools as well as tape measures and utility knives. I know KMart has been selling CM tools for years, but to begin marketing the brand name in a big box home center store makes me think they are desperate for business.

 

[mikim]

wouldn't surprise me if craftsman is desperate - they aren't what they used to be in my younger days -- used to I wouldn't have anything but --- but now there are several as good and better alternates. Wish we had Menards in Tx.... I always go in to the one in Iowa when I visit mom just to drool. IMO Menards is the store Lowes and Home Depot only wish they were.

 

[MMagis]

So, tell me what's wrong with them trying to expand their market? I suppose you can call it desperate if you want, but do you consider Dewalt or Makita desperate?

 

[MoKelly]

In February 2010, Craftsman issued a press release saying they were expanding beyond Sears (and K-Mart which is owned by Sears) into many retail channels. The then CEO of Sears said ... "Offering Craftsman products more broadly will strengthen the Craftsman brand, which already has an incredible reputation for innovation, quality and trust."

Have you all heard the new Toby Keith song "Made In America"? There is a line in the song that says ... "he won't buy anything he can't fix, with WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench." If you are in a Toby Keith song you have made it to the top.

MoKelly

 

[dusty3030]

Eddie Lampert, Dementor - The Term Sheet: Fortune's deals blog Term Sheet

The New Alchemy At Sears

Read these two. Wall Street bought into Craftsman, it will never be what it used to be.

 

[bdeboer]

The closest Ace Hardware has had a craftsman sign in the window for a awhile now. Haven't made it past the plumbing or Stihl Aisles lately.

 

[creekbend]

I have used Craftsman screwdrivers as pry bars, used their regular sockets on impact wrenches, broken tips on their pocket knives doing things with their various tools that they weren't designed for. Took the misused tools to Sears, got a free replacement--no questions asked. I only had to sign a receipt acknowledging that I received them. Works for me. Happy Tractoring.:tractor::tractor:

 

[JDgreen227]

I have used Craftsman screwdrivers as pry bars, used their regular sockets on impact wrenches, broken tips on their pocket knives doing things with their various tools that they weren't designed for. Took the misused tools to Sears, got a free replacement--no questions asked. I only had to sign a receipt acknowledging that I received them. Works for me. Happy Tractoring.:tractor::tractor:

Was not trying to be critical of Sears and Craftsman...have been buying their hand and power tools since 1968 and have ALWAYS been given satisfactory service from all their products. Replacment policy is just SUPER, I have asked to have replacments for some hand tools at least 30 years old with no problem...IF they still sell the same tool item!!!

There are some tools that have been discontinued as Craftsman branded, such as putty knives, but they will give you another brand as replacment. Not sure about warranty on replacement though.

Craftsman used to market a huge assortment of lawn and garden tools, all full warranty. I purchased a number of wood handled sledges, axes, mauls, etc back in the late '80's for maybe $6.99 each. They no longer carry the wood handled models so they will give you a FBG handled tool in exchange. Had a wood handled PHD I purchased at the Sears Surplus store back in '89 for maybe $6. Finally wore it out, they don't carry the item anymoree so I got a FBG handled True Temper ($40) full warranty !!! :laughing:

Many of their hand tools today are imports, well, back in '89 I purchased a full set of combo wrenches (SAE) a set of 12, at that same Surplus store, cost me maybe $8 for the set. Craftsman branded, BUT MADE IN CHINA !!! I was shocked, because had never seen an imported Craftsman tool until then. Still have the set, works fine.

 

[creekbend]

I wasn't aware of the Made in China deal. Thanks for the thumbs up. Happy Tractoring .

 

[JDgreen227]

I wasn't aware of the Made in China deal. Thanks for the thumbs up. Happy Tractoring .

Have not purchased any of their hand tools for at least ten years as I have so many already, but have noticed some of the ones sold today are imported. But 20 years ago I was VERY SURPRISED to find an imported hand tool at Sears sold under the Craftsman name. OOOOPS I was wrong the wrenches I mentioned as being made in CHINA were in fact made in JAPAN !!!!!

 

[LD1]

I still think 90% of their hand tools are top quality. Like wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc.

Sure, there are better products on the market, but look at the cost.:confused2: I dont think you can find better quality at the same or less price than craftsman. Heck, sometimes when they run their wrenches on sale, they are almost as cheep as HF.

But I do think craftsman is hurting. A lot of it being in the last 10 years, places like lowes and HD, and the auto stores, all selling tools that are also lifetime. Like kobalt, ACdelco,Husky, etc. And since (at least in my area) there are WAY more of those stores than sears, it is a convience thing.

NOT to mention, I think their "OTHER" tools are killing their good name. Like their mowers, weedeaters, chainsaws, some power tools, etc. Those ARE flat junk. And I think some people associate that with their hand tools as well.

 

[ultrarunner]

I treasure some of their old hand tools... some going back 50 years or more... also the power tools I was able to acquire from the 1960's are very well made.

Craftsman is in several of my local Hardware stores...

I have several Craftsman Measuring Tapes... broke the first one ever and went to Sears for a replacement and they gave me a Stanley since they no longer sell Craftsman with the warranty.

The next week, my local ACE hardware had a 4th of July promo with Craftsman Tapes with Lifetime warranties... I bought several.

Seemed strange that I could no longer buy Craftsman from Sears.

I've also noticed the parts inventory is almost non-existent for things like mowers that are only 5 or 6 years old... a big change from the days gone by when I was able to order a rebuild kit for a neighbors 30 year old mower...

Today, at work the subject of Sears came up... many of the more Senior employees have home furnished with Sear's Brand Name items... the topic was how just about everyone found Sears had cancelled their charge cards without a word...

 

[JDgreen227]

I treasure some of their old hand tools... some going back 50 years or more... also the power tools I was able to acquire from the 1960's are very well made.

Craftsman is in several of my local Hardware stores...

I have several Craftsman Measuring Tapes... broke the first one ever and went to Sears for a replacement and they gave me a Stanley since they no longer sell Craftsman with the warranty.

The next week, my local ACE hardware had a 4th of July promo with Craftsman Tapes with Lifetime warranties... I bought several.

Seemed strange that I could no longer buy Craftsman from Sears.

I've also noticed the parts inventory is almost non-existent for things like mowers that are only 5 or 6 years old... a big change from the days gone by when I was able to order a rebuild kit for a neighbors 30 year old mower...

Today, at work the subject of Sears came up... many of the more Senior employees have home furnished with Sear's Brand Name items... the topic was how just about everyone found Sears had cancelled their charge cards without a word...

Noticed last month that I cannot get some replacement parts like interior rack supports for my 6 year old Sears gas grill, I thought that odd.

 

[Beltzington]

Have you all heard the new Toby Keith song "Made In America"? There is a line in the song that says ... "he won't buy anything he can't fix, with WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench." If you are in a Toby Keith song you have made it to the top.

Who is Toby Keith?

I have owned and used Craftsman Tools for 30+ years and I have only broken one of their tools, a breaker-bar, which they replaced. I also broke an S&K socket at the same time so I have my doubts on the true value of professional tools. I am not sure Sear痴 tools are any better or worse than 30-years ago but back in the day Sear's was the only game in town for national lifetime replacement for a consumer friendly price. Today this is not the case and we have many more options which is forcing them to look for better ways to market or die. Good for them, capitalism in action.

 

[LD1]

Who is Toby Keith?

Seriously???

Only one of the most well know country singers for the past two decades:confused2:

Toby Keith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ultrarunner]

One thing I liked about my old Craftsman wrenches is they had a much narrower profile making it easier to get into tight places...

Some of the new style wrenches are very thick... leading me to believe they are made from a lower grade of steel and need to have a larger profile for strength.

 

[JDgreen227]

I don't think any retailer provides free replacement for broken lawn and garden tools (shovels, rakes, hoes, etc) except for Sears Craftsman branded items. I broke a wood handled sledge last year, you couldn't even read the "Craftsman" on the handle after 25 years, but I still had the sales receipt...:laughing: that read $6.99....

They used to sell a plastic tine, lightweight wood handled leaf rake that I loved to use, over the years I have probably taken back 15 or so of them with broken tines or a handle, and been given free replacements every time. Last time I did that was in the spring, they no longer carry the same rake, so I got a fiberglass handled, plastic tine model that was wider, but I actually liked the smaller version better.

 

[LD1]

I don't think any retailer provides free replacement for broken lawn and garden tools (shovels, rakes, hoes, etc) except for Sears Craftsman branded items.

I have seen "lifetime warrenty" on several of the lawn and garden tools @ menards.

I actually just bought a masterforce shovel that is a lifetime warrenty.

I am sure if I break it, they will replace it:thumbsup:

 

[ultrarunner]

I have seen "lifetime warrenty" on several of the lawn and garden tools @ menards.

I actually just bought a masterforce shovel that is a lifetime warrenty.

I am sure if I break it, they will replace it:thumbsup:

I bought a shovel from Home Depot that has a lifetime warranty... I have no idea if it will mean anything if/when the time comes.

 

[JDgreen227]

I bought a shovel from Home Depot that has a lifetime warranty... I have no idea if it will mean anything if/when the time comes.

Your personal lifetime or the lifetime of the shovel....??