jeeperpilot's Blog

Starter fried out on my rider........

Posted on Mar 28, 2010

Winter is almost over....knock on wood.  Spring is almost here.  This also means I have just dropped a small fortune on spark plugs, airfilters, oils, and gas.  Awesome!!!!!!  All of my Craftsmans fired on the first or second pull!!!!!!

Posted on Mar 14, 2010

Nice break in the weather.  We picked up a scooter for running around in town in the nice weather.  I have to admit that this thing is pretty cool.  Not a big fan of motorcycles but I definetly like the scooters.  If you wreck it your survival rate is much higher!!!

Posted on Jan 20, 2010

Sleep, do not take it for granted.  We had a major storm the past week and we were out there at all hours plowing!!!!!

Posted on Jan 06, 2010

A Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on Dec 31, 2009

Well, it finally happened.  a whole whopping two inches of snow.  Just enough to get out there and plow.  I was up and on the road by 4 a.m.  Now I just have to wait till about 9 out of courtesy for my nieghbors and use my smaller plow on my tractor.  I am so excited because this is the first time this year!!!!!!!

Posted on Dec 28, 2009

Still no snow.  A JD Gator with a plow just rolled down the street.  That was cool.

Posted on Dec 17, 2009

Getting the itch to travel.  This has been ongoing for quite some time now.  Our son is almost two and for the past three years we have not left the state of Ohio. 

Posted on Dec 09, 2009

I am so lazy!!!!  It is almost 2 on Sunday and my son and I are still in our pajamas.  All we have been doing all morning is sleeping and drinking chocolate milk.  Things are different now with the mowing season over.  Soon it will be the snow pushing season and off we go!!!!

Posted on Dec 06, 2009

x-Mass soon, still raining, waiting for it to change to snow. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!!!! Posted on Dec 02, 2009

The rain is here, should be snow but what are you going to do!?!

Posted on Nov 23, 2009

It is almost time for SNOW, the LEAVES are slowing down and the weather is changing.  Are you ready?

Posted on Nov 19, 2009

OMG!!!!  I have been so busy with work, LEAVES.  I dream about them.  I have new toys..........

Posted on Nov 03, 2009

Wow, it is definetly a busy season.  By the time I get home and settled, I am to tired to do ANYTHING!!!!!!! 

Posted on Sep 27, 2009

In reflection this whole mess was a big dissappointment.  You will have problems with any giant retailer, I would rather have my Problem's with Sear's than HD or Lowe's, I can always vent here.  Enough said.  I buried myself in work and in my garden with Jamie's help, pictures soon.  We have a lot of tomatoe's, peppers, and miniature pumpkin's.  All of the ground cover is taking nicely.  Jamie extended the path around the garden with some brick's and stone's, it looks very nice.  It is good for me to get lost in there for awhile.

Posted on Aug 25, 2009

I redeemed several of my Craftsman Club Reward Points for gift certificates.  This morning I tried to use them at the Sears in Middleburg Hts Ohio.  I had several problems and waited for awhile because none of the associates knew how to enter them in the computer.  I was given the option to take the merchandise with me but did not for fear of a problem.  I was told at the time by a BlueCrew Member that they will get to the bottom and call me.  Never happened.  I finally called back and was told that they would call me in 20 minutes, an hour later I was called by the manager of the Tools "Joe".  He told me I cannot use them because he talked to the Craftsman Club and I do not have the the points.  Exact words=Me- Dude!!  I printed them off of the craftsman web site, it states right on there that I can redeem them in the store.  Joe-Dude!!  You cannot use them here you do not have the points Me-That is because I printed them.  Joe-You have to talk to Craftsman Club, I do not want to be badgered with it!!!  End of conversation.   WTF!!!!!  I checked, I can use them online, so what is the difference?  I would order it online but I would like my items a.s.a.p. as I actually have to put them to use.  What do I do?  Who do I need to talk to?  I have a lot of rewards because I have a lot of equipment.  I do not know what was Joe's problem, it was rude hoe he mocked me and just shut me down, with an attitude.  Look I am not trying to make waves here, I am just trying to get what is mine.  I truly think something needs to be said to Joe before I start returning all of my equipment that I bought to Sears store # 01430.  I am calling the customer service number right now.  I am very upset and frustrated with this.

Posted on Aug 25, 2009

Weather has been beautiful, working a lot and waiting for some tools to come!!!!!!!

Posted on Aug 24, 2009

I got the lawn mower I have been wanting!!!!!!!  Reviews will be on the way!!!!  Had to wait on the hedge trimmers I have been wanting.  I do not want to over do it.

 

Posted on Aug 17, 2009

Working.....working...you get the idea, need to save some change for Sunday night!!!!!!  Reviews will be coming.

Posted on Aug 15, 2009

The weather does not look to promising.  According to the National Weather Forecast, I am pretty much screwed.  I do need to pick up material today so atleast I can do that.   I think I might take little man with me, maybe the wifey to.  I think a trip to Sears is in order!!!!!

Posted on Aug 08, 2009

Whew!!!!  Everything is back to normal and I am signed up ready to shop with my Craftsman Rewards!!!!!!!!!

Posted on Aug 07, 2009

What is going on!?!?!?  First you cannot sign up for the Craftsman Rewards and it is delayed.  Now I logged on this morning, my President Badge is gone along with a couple thousand of my points!!!!!  What is going on with this place lately?

Posted on Aug 07, 2009

Worked in the garden tonight.  I have a ton of onions, celery, and cucumber.  Personally I could care less for the stuff, but my family enjoys it and we all get quality time working in the garden.  Plus I absolutely love playing in the dirt.  It is my wife's birthday today and we are going to have a nice cookout.  The yard is already and the garden is being over run by miniature pumpkins.  I will take some pics and upload them later, to keep in line with mu other garden pictures.

Posted on Jul 31, 2009

In-case any one was wondering, no, I do not work for Sears.

Posted on Jul 30, 2009

Another day, more work, I had to take care of some really bad lawns today, but my Craftsman tools and I got the job done.

Posted on Jul 25, 2009

Rain, rain.  Good for the garden, bad if you work outside.  It has been raining a lot lately around here.  Oh I completely forgot!!!  My father droppes off and old Craftsman mower, it is self propelled but there is no belt.  The coolest thing though is the bagger, it is made of plastic!!!!  Everything is in decent shape, but needs complete tune-up and new wheels.  When I got it, the first thing I did was change the oil.  She started on the second pull.  Thanks Dad!!!

Posted on Jul 23, 2009

Haven't "blogged" in awhile.  Zach is growing so quick, he is now putting together simple sentences, "WOW!!!! Big truck!!"  Work, then there is more work.

Posted on Jul 22, 2009

Busted my loading ramps today!!!!  They were a bit old, but another excuse to get new ones!!!!  Which I did.  Alright.

Posted on Jul 16, 2009

Another beautiful weekend is here in the great state of Ohio!!!!  My garden is out of control, and I am shooing away the varmint's left and right.  I cannot leave the gate open for ten minutes or the groundhog will come out to visit!!!  I've got tomatoe's, cucumber, onions, peppers, and miniature pumpkins all growing.

Posted on Jul 11, 2009

It won't stop rainning!!!!  (Sigh)

Posted on Jul 02, 2009

Rain, rain, and more rain, at-least I got some work accomplished over the past few weeks.  My garden looks bad, time is very scarce in this season.  I did update another piece of equipment, rototiller!!!!  Of-course it is a Craftsman, it is a beast!!!!!  I did buy used, but it is in mint condition and does the job.  A review will come soon as soon as I am comfortable with it.

Posted on Jul 01, 2009

Thing's have been slowly changing at the Sear's Hardware in Parma, lot's of new faces, seems better merchandised, and the past two times I was there, they had what I wanted in stock!!!!!!

Posted on Jun 19, 2009

Did some major shopping over the last couple of days.  Major upgrades for home and work.  NICE

Posted on Jun 17, 2009

I picked up my bumper today!!!  Easy install.  The oopsie stopper!!!!  I also got a mulching kit for my deck on clearance for $27.93!!!

Posted on Jun 10, 2009

Yesterday I had an oops.  I hit the porch with my tractor, the light cover came off and I chopped it.  No one to blame but myself.  I am just glad I am making mistakes with this tractor and not a brand new one.  Luckily PartsDirect still stocks it and I will be ordering one tomorrow. 

Posted on Jun 09, 2009

Pulled a Sunday morning side job, made a couple extra bucks.  The little guy was taken care of and always extremely spoiled.  The wife was good but I still gave her a couple dollars.  I went to Sears and got some more tools.  Picked up some screwdrivers, I keep losing mine.....friends.  I had to  pick up a magnetic pick up tool, tool.  I lost a bit in between my fender and the fuse-box of the Benz, it was the only way to get it.  I got some more wrenches, metric, can't go wrong with wrenches.  It is always a good day when you purchase tools.

Posted on Jun 07, 2009

I finally convinced a real good friend of mine to purchase a brand new Craftsman Tractor model # 28903.  It came with a bagger and a bumper model # 24608.  I want one but mine just won't die so I cannot justify spending money on a new one (yet).  He has a boat and it is kind of a tight squeeze to put in the garage with his jacked up truck.  It is a pain to push it by hand.  He wanted and needed a lawn mower, so it all worked out.  Anyways, I looked around and they really do not have anything for a regular hitch, he happens to be a maintenance engineer for a huge machine shop who does work for the Gov't, a few parts from here and there and viola!!!!!  Problem solved.  It works great and is sturdy as can be.  I weigh a little over 200 pounds and it held me, not to mention the weight of the boat and trailer....I think we are on to something.  Check the photo's section for, well, photo's!!!!!

Posted on Jun 06, 2009

It came, I couldn't freakin' believe it!!! 486.24321 just like the gentleman in IL said it would.  Wow this is a far superior spreader.  I have a smile from ear to ear, what a way to kick off the weekend!!!!  This does more than make up for my recent situation, it shows that people at Sears actually listen to customers, I will never, ever consider buying anything other than Craftsman!!! 

Posted on Jun 05, 2009

Last night when I came in from working in the garage I had a missed call.  The caller I.D. said Sears Holdings LLC.  No message and when I tried to call it back I could not get through because it just rang and rang.  I believe it was regarding my recent situation with Sears.  I just do not know who exactly called, if it was someone here who has been helping me, which I think it may have been because there was no city on the caller I.D.  Hope they call back today and if I miss it, I hope they leave a message.

Posted on Jun 04, 2009

This is an e-mail I received today.  This definitely goes above and beyond any expectations that I have expected.  It also makes up for the wasted time and money.  Next time I will just do my homework on here before I purchase anything, now there will definitely be a next time.  I cannot help but think if there was a little more advertising about this place, that it would of saved me from my negative situation.  Another life lesson, not the first, and definitely not the last.  Oh, it has been edited for privacy reasons in-case some people read it.

Kevin

 

Please call me ., I’m not old enough to be Mr. .. Thank you for patience and your business. We will get the spreader sent out asap. Unfortunately the bumper will not work with the older tractors. The attachments that use a hitch pin are universal in nature. Most front end attachments are specific to a brand and/or a frame. It looks like you take great care of your equipment but I’d like to see you in a new Craftsman tractor some day. How many HP does your tractor have?

 

Thanks,

.

 

I wish the customer service was this great at a couple of Sear's and some other store's around here.

Posted on Jun 02, 2009

My Tractor!!!!  I am so very proud!!!!

Model # 917.255561 and Serial #072992S 009399.  I have a little over a quarter of an acre, the no name piece of garbage lawn mower that came with the house when we bought it has been on it's last legs for the past two seasons.  After I was done cutting the grass my back would kill me so the wifey gave me permission to go get a real nice self propelled Craftsman lawn mower since I am a Craftsman devotee.  Well I started looking around and came across this one and spent the same amount of money on it, replacing tire's, belts, oil changes ect.. and it came with a very nice plow.  She freaked when she came home from work and the little guy and I were riding around in the front yard.  (He has one to, actually he has had his longer!!!) So she started going off and I showed her the ATM receipt of what I withdrew from our account.  I explained to her I did exactly what she told me to do go get a nice self propelled lawn mower from Craftsman!!!!

Posted on Jun 02, 2009

If Sears can take care of me, I am positive that Rich at store #  01051, Let's not forget him in all of this.

 

Posted on Jun 02, 2009

Tuesday is here and I received a very nice message at MySears Community.  It as follows, but I have deleted private information for privacy reasons.

My name is ........... I am the tractor and tractor attachment buyer at Sears. I would like to apologize for your experience with our product and the service you have received. There is no excuse for the way your situation was handled. We dropped the ball and I would like to try and resolve this for you. I would like to have our vendor send you the 24321 which is 100lb capacity unit with a vinyl hopper cover. Please email @ ............. with your address and contact information. I will be traveling this afternoon but will be back on email tonight. 

This is what I wrote back:

I am honored to be discussing this with someone as high up as you are with Sears.  I really appreciate your gesture and it would greatly be appreciated.  MySears Community is very refreshing idea and I gladly enjoy it.  Your gesture is definitely above and beyond any expectation I had hoped to achieve and it is very refreshing to know that through all this economic turmoil that larger companies have not forgotten about the people who spend their hard earned money with them and keep the wheels of this economy moving.  I will definitely be glad to post about my positive experience with you and spread the word that the Sears we have grown up with did not pass away yet.  Thank you again and my information is as follows:Kevin R P.S. I had posted this on the discussion boards and would definitely like to get your opinion.I have read the reviews, now I would like some info/advise from the "seasoned" professionals.  I am looking at  item # 07124599000 model # 24599.    I believe it will fit since I was told that most tractor accessory's are interchangeable.  I need function not looks since I do have a tendency to run into things. (My first tractor)  The tractor is the one pictured above, my son may have the newer version but mine is old faithful, fires right up every-time and I have been over it with a magnifying glass.  What do you think?

 

 

 

Posted on Jun 02, 2009

Monday came and went and no telephone call from the management.  I have gotten a lot of gardening done in the mean time but cannot help but think of my recent frustrations.  I really am not in a hurry to talk to anyone from the Sears store I ended up going to.  Although MySears Community has been a great outlet to let out some frustrations and pick up on some knowledge it still seems like the right people have not heard my situation.  I have gotten a lot of positive feedback here but that still does not make up my time or my money wasted on finding an in stock and on sale item, nor my frustrations in picking it up.  I do wonder if anybody is doing anything about it or coming up with a "final resolution".  I would especially like to know what they are going to do about the associate that was completely stoned (I swear he was) and trying to play with my 15 month old son, it seems everyone is forgetting to comment on that one.

Posted on Jun 01, 2009

I have received a phone call from the manager of the lawn and garden department at the Sears store that is over an hour away from me. Honestly he sounded like he was made to call and sounded like he was reading from a script. I basically explained that this issue needs to be discussed with his managers. I explained the story, basically everything that was written here previously. We will see what happens, at least some one heard me. Maybe I should start purchasing Craftsman tools at K-Mart, or better yet used. A warranty is a warranty. Posted on May 31, 2009

The sales associate at store # 01051, his name is Rich, has been my savior and yours regarding my latest purchase. My family and I have been using Craftsman products for the last 30 years, and it seems like the quality level has been going down hill every year. I have been wanting to purchase item # 24322 for at least a year for my Craftsman tractor. I was waiting and saving money and finally the item (24322) went on sale for $49.99. Wonderful or so I thought. I had to spend one day calling every Sears store to see if the item was in stock, according to the computer and some sales associates there were suppose to be several at every store in my area, there were not. After several trips to several different Sears locations I was very disappointed. Why would a Store put something on sale then not stock it, or at least make sure that the inventory is correct before before hard working people take the time out of the day, waste the gas money to get said item, especially if it is on sale!!! I did make phone calls first to make sure it was suppose to be there, I had sales associates from 3 different stores tell me it was there and when I got there, it was not. Finally to my dismay, the store #05871 said they had one, I made the sales associate physically put his hands on it because the inventory according to his computer said they had 3 of item # 24322, after he came back from checking apparently they only had one left and I asked him to hold it for me, which he did. I wish some of your missing inventory found it's way to my garage, at least that would make up for my time and gas money. I do not even like going to store # 05871 because last year I had an altercation with a sales associate who refused to return a Craftsman hand tool for me, it was so bad I had to speak to the district manager who assured me that nothing like this would ever happen again. One year later, with countless money spent at your stores, here we are again. Check your records. So I finally get item # 24322 home and I am excited, I wasted a whole day and about $50 in gas to find this. I open it up, now mind you the box is in perfect condition. I take out all the pieces and get ready to assemble it, the hopper is cracked right down the center. I was so disappointed. The crack was in such a odd place the only thing I could figure, and I had my Father look at it and agreed, that this was such poor quality control. The way this item was cracked could have not been from shipping, someone let this one slide through. Item # 24322 and serial # 8122, it is now sitting at store # 01051 and should be inspected to see what went wrong. Now the problem is I have the item, it is wasted and not usable but supposedly brand new, needs to be returned, and no one has one in stock. So I paid my 49.99 plus sales tax and still do not have my spreader that I have been patiently waiting for. I now call the customer service # because all stores are closed at this time, and talk to a Donna at ext. 82507 and she states that I can return the item and wait for a new one to come in. I am sorry but at this point I have literally waited long enough. She states that she cannot ship a new one to the house because they need to have the old one back. It is useless and I explained to her that all company's, especially if you purchase over the internet would ship out a new one along with a return authorization # to ship the old one back. She cannot do that, then stated I would probably have to pay shipping. Are you kidding? I just wasted a day and $50 in gas to get this thing because my Father taught me that Craftsman is the best. Our opinions are slowly changing. At this point I had to put my wife on the phone so I would not make a fool of myself and start screaming at her. I do not know what was said nor do I really care. I went to bed. The next day. I called a store that is an hour away from me (the next closest store), I talked to Rich who actually helped me out and did a wonderful job, while the other employee came back from a "bathroom break" and smelled so bad from marijuana and his eyes were so bloodshot, mind you this is 9:30 in the morning. Now I have wasted 3 more hours of my time and another $20 in my hard earned money in gas just so I could get this item that should be stocked in the first place because it is "Lawn and Garden Season", and let a stoned moron try and play with my 14 month old son. The least this idiot of yours could of sprayed some cologne and used some eye drops. Mean while poor Rich is running around manning 2 different departments and taking care of all the customers including me. At the least Rich deserves a decent staff to work with at store # 01051. I am so very disappointed. The $49.99 plus tax spreader has at least cost me another $70 and wasted a whole day and half for me. At minimum wage in Ohio (which I do not make, I make way more), for a day and a half (which is the time I wasted and could have been making money) 12 hours, is $84. $84 plus the $70 in gas equals $154, I had to WASTE to fix this problem with item #24322, that should have NEVER happened in the first place. I am so disappointed, my Grandmother would be rolling over in her grave had she known, Judy DuBiel retired from the store in Middleburg Heights with a full pension (unheard of today), as a switchboard operator (also unheard of today). That is how long this family has been shopping at Sears and purchasing Craftsman tools. VERY DISAPPOINTED. Kevin R. Winfield & Jamie L. Thayer Posted on May 30, 2009