Help the word get out. Too many of my friends worship the bad tool brands, when a lowes may be around the corner for the same or less cost. There was once a guy that worked for a construction company. He brought in 2 dozen or so tape measures. They looked like some one dropped concreate blocks on them. Lowes replaced them all with new ones. Now thats sweet

 

I have thousands of dollars of Snop-On tools the very best in the business, but expensive. Since I don't work as a professional mechanic anymore Harbor Freight is now my tool store, tape store, glove store etc. I can buy two of almost anything cheaper than one at Sears or anywhere else. Personally I have used the crap out of Harbor Freight stuff & had very few problems.
I do use the restroom in the local Sears Store.

Craig

 

You guys might want to take another look at Kobalt tools because a lot of their stuff is NOT made in the US, at least last time I looked (unless I'm mistaken). The sockets and ratchets were but a lot of the other stuff with the Kobalt name was chinese (like drill bits or tap&die sets). Craftsman's drill bits and tap&die sets are US made. Difference there though is that apparently if you break a tap in a Kobalt set you can take it in for a warranty exchange which I suppose is a nice touch.

Also, I needed a socket today- went to the nearby Lowes, they did not have CRAP! Lowes consistently has the most pathetic selection of sockets & ratchets anyway, but apparently the one near me put ALL of their sockets & ratches on closeout and there was not much left. Some individual sockets and two 3/8" drive sets. WTF.

Anyway...I worked at Sears for 6 years and I still like to buy tools there, probably 90% of the stuff in my toolbox originated from Sears. I haven't really noticed too many things they have shifted from USA made to chinese, unless I just haven't looked close enough. Mostly I like the options you get there that are hard to find at most other stores. If you need a tool- you can probably find it there unless it's something REALLY specialized.

Oh one other thing- about that rewards card deal. Not sure why they're doing that now, but it saves you money so who cares? I'm assuming they're using it to track people's spending habits or something. Giant Eagle uses that too and you get fuel perks and I like it.

Also, employees may be instructed to push that rewards card. When I worked there, management was on the floor employees CONSTANTLY about their credit apps (which is why they push those on you too). It was ridiculous. If someone didn't get any credit apps they acted like that person had stolen something.

That was part of the reason I worked in the warehouse, I didn't want to deal with that crap.


BTW- I had heard a rumor some time ago of Vise-Grips no longer being USA made. I looked at some in a store just a few months ago that were. What's going on with that? I know there's lots of Chinese-made vise grip knockoffs, I have 4 pairs of USA made vise grips and I love them. I've used the chinese knockoffs before and they are crap.

 

Craftsman wrenches are gradually being sourced to China. The "sets" at my Sears store are made in China and the individual wrenches made in the USA are still in stock at this time.

I believe the USA made Vice Grips are old stock.

I like Craftsman tools and hope Sears gets it together. Until they do I will not buy any more tools from them.

 

Its probably personal preferance, but the stuff i buy as lowes treats me a lot better. At all the lowes near me, they have a great selection of sockets! 3/8ths deep well, 1/2 inch and deep well, the problem they have around here is people like to steel that kinda stuff sadly. Yes there plyers are made in china but sometimes you just cant win! Irwin vice grips went to taiwan last i knew which is sad! Heck i just got some nice redwing boots and they are made in china uggh. My georgia boots were made in dominican republic. Some times i just cant win unless i want to pay double and that sucks. Even if the craftmen plyers are made in the usa i do not like them... And thats alright. The grips come off easy and they do not slide back and forth like they need to. Thats my oppionion.

 

The only real problem with kobalts selection is they have a small selection and thats because they are a store more towards carrying lumber and roofing supplys, not for automotive care. They still have quite a decent selection though. Just their website sucks

 

The selection of Kobalt tools at Lowes just doesn't cut it for me. I have lots of different brands, not just Craftsman.