My husband would like to see a larger variety of tools.  Everything from woodworking to auto mechanics, etc...it helps with the slow economy here on this side of our island (Kona) yet with layaway it helps budgeting for our family if we don't have all the cash to pay for it right away.

I would like to see more craftsmen tools in Kmart stores. Our super k changed to big K. Any chance the extra may have more Craftsmen products? what about Sears appliances?

if sears would hire trained chraftsmen or women, maybe we could find the tools we really want to buy. retention, retention, won't they ever learn that training is the key to better sales and happy customers..............

caroleott said…
if sears would hire trained chraftsmen or women, maybe we could find the tools we really want to buy. retention, retention, won't they ever learn that training is the key to better sales and happy customers..............

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no they wont

Let me tell you first hand how women do when hired in the tool department.  In the past year I have hired two women in the Tools/Lawn & Garden/Sporting Goods department, both of them former Sears cashiers.  Hired one middle of last year and the other one earlier this month.

Guess who my #1 and #2 associates are?

Guess who has an average customer satisfaction score 15 points higher than the department average?

Not only are they great with customers, but with steady and thorough training by their manager and their knowledgeable peers, they have really shined and customers love it.

Great news! After an almost 5 year stint receiving returned merchandise in a Sears store warehouse, I'm back talking and selling tools on the tool floor, in San Jose, CA.

I have worked as an Army Machinist, Cabinet Maker, Teacher and Sales Person.

 While in the warehouse, working as a PMT (Preventative Maintenance Technician) one of my duties (passions) was rebuilding and restoring Craftsman ratchets.

I collect and restore old hand tools.

 If we should happen to talk about any of the Lawn and Garden equipment, I OWN a lot of it.

 And, this year Sears is having another "Power Rama" set of training days, where all the Home Improvement Associates get first-hand experience with the Lawn and Garden equipment.

 I've GOT DIBBS on the new Craftsman Zero-Turn radius "Revolution" tractor!

My store has one female Tool Sales Associate, who is a very quick study on anything a Customer asks about.

We all tend to brain storm on Saturday mornings - around 8 AM.

:)

Craftsman tool history

You won't find a lot of information available about the history of old Craftsman tools, unless you go to the old Craftsman Club bulletin board at:

craftsmantooltalk.com

You'll find the real old-gold tool, certifiably crazy tool folks there.

 Just look out for that "Adam" fellow.

 I understand he's a 3rd generation Craftsman (Dunlap, Fulton) tool user.

:) 

 

bt1blueeye said…
I would like to see more craftsmen tools in Kmart stores. Our super k changed to big K. Any chance the extra may have more Craftsmen products? what about Sears appliances?

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We have a decent selection of craftsman stuff at one KMart, the issue I am seeing is that when it is on sale at Sears the exact same tool is full price at KMart. They should get the tool pricing "in-sync" at both locations then it would be great.

Craftsman tools are currently being sold at Sears stores, K-Marts, Orchard Supply Hardware stores (CA), Sears Canada, 3rd party Craftsman Professional tool dealers, the Sears Tool catalog, and Sears.com.

There isn't much chance of "in-sync" happening across these various sources (each with own over-head and profit margins).

I have found a lack of indepth knowledge and practical experience can usually be offset with friendliness and a true willingness to help me....the customer.  I study the Craftsman tool catalog and the Craftsman Club catalog several nights each week each night as I drift off.  I know what tool I want when I walk in the door and where it is located.  I am usually waiting on the cashiers to get their register up and going so I can check out and be on my way.

Wow, you must know a LOT about tools! It would be great if you could suggest the right tools for the job to community members here who need advice. 

What are your favorite projects?

 

Are Craftsman hand tools still made in the USA?

I posted this elsewhere, but I thought I would post it here as well since this thread is dedicated to Craftsman. This is the procedure to get your Craftsman Club discount on items you purchase online at Sears.com.  This procedure only has to be done the first time you order. 

To receive your Craftsman Club Discount on Sears.com, please complete the following steps.  In the upper right corner of the screen, click on MY PROFILE. If you have created a profile previously, you may be asked to sign in again. If so, do that and then complete the remaining steps, If not, please fill in the information requested, SAVE IT, and then continue.

     Now, on the left side of the screen will be some links in BLUE. Please click on MY INFORMATION and you will find a box for your Craftsman Club Discount number. Fill in the appropriate box and save the information.  Once you have done this, as long as you are signed into your profile while shopping, your discount will be automatically applied.  Please keep in mind that this discount is only applicable on the items in the current Craftsman Club Monthly flyer during the dates on the front cover of the flyer

Kmart needs advertising that they also carry Craftsman. But first, it needs a better selection as well as new signs, not just the "introducing Craftsman" signs. Have the ads highlight that Kmart and Sears are the only place to get the best tools in America, maybe the world! 

Most of the Craftsman hand tools are still US made.

About ALL of them are lifetime warranted, with a few exceptions.

Hand tool vendors include; Danaher, Western Forge, Pratt - Read.

There is an UP side of all the stores not being in sale price "sync".

If the stores running the tool sales all run out of stock - because of an especially juicy sale price, the stores NOT participating in the sale will still HAVE a Customer needed Craftsman tool.

Case in point is Sears stores and Orchard Supply Hardware stores carrying some Craftsman tools.

I have several Craftmen tools over 50 yrs old . my grinder is still working and that is now 36 years old.

     I dont know about the guranttee anymore tho.. lots changing there. 

                                Nick42

Yaa... My grinder is fairly old too (U.S. made).

On the bright side, they don't get much use more than reshaping tools and grinding out "nicks", before being honed to full sharpness.

Mine is one of the squarish ones, made by Emerson.

Your big K will have a larger variety of hand tools, and tool boxes however I also noticed a decline in power tools.

I love the Craftsman Club and would like to see it expand to member outings or member only gear (bags, tools, t-shirts, ect...). I have used Craftsman since I was litle and plan to teach me son on craftsamn when he gets a litle older.