Thank you. Well done. What I hoped.
GRD
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> From: James H. Nazarian, Ph.D. <microdoc@apk.net>
> To: kingwj@mail.del.net; greg dyche <gdyche@mindspring.com>;
James.H.Nazarian@diskless1.axs2000.net; Thomas Pokrefke
<pokrefke1@home.com>; JustBrits@aol.com; mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Tools
> Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 2:42 PM
>
> Okay Listers,
>
> I did what you asked: I waltzed (maybe it was actually more like I
tangoed) into the
> Sears Hardware store in Medina, Ohio with a 3/8" drive ratchet handle,
two scarcely used
> 1/2" drive sockets, a screwdriver with a soiled handle, and a pair of
oddly shaped
> pliers. The young lady at the service desk was puzzled at my reason for
wanting
> replacements. I told her I was not satisfied with the tools. She asked
why ('cause there
> doesn't appear to be anything wrong with them.) I explained to her that
it doesn't
> matter why I want replacements. She agreed and asked an associate to
bring up some
> replacements. They were all new except the ratchet handle which was
refurbished. I
> objected to that and she unhesitatingly got a new one for me.
>
> Now, as far as I am concerned, Sears did exactly what their warranty
proclaims, in spite
> of the FACT that there was nothing whatsoever wrong with the tools I
brought in for the
> exchange. I do not have any feel for the superiority or inferiority of
the ratchet
> handle. Its noise made me remember a little procedure a friend did to
mine years ago: he
> popped it open and packed the interior with white grease; it becomes much
quieter. I'd
> do it to the new one, but I went back into the store and asked for my old
one back,
> because we were old friends and I was afraid I would be hurting its
feelings. She looked
> at me kind of funny, said sure, and mumbled something about why I need a
life, as I
> walked away.
>
> I wish someone could really offer a "scientific" evaluation of old vs.
new Craftsman
> ratchet handles. Are the old ones really better or are old tools just
sexier because
> they have the look, smell. sound and feel of use, dirt, grease and dents.
I still have
> no complaints about Craftsman products or how Sears warranty works. This
experience was
> exactly like every other one I have had with Sears.
>
> FWIW, IMHFO all other disclaimers, etc.
>
> Jim
>
> "James H. Nazarian, Ph.D." wrote:
>
> > If I have read your message correctly, IMHO there is a significant
difference in the
> > warranties of Sears automotive batteries, and those of Craftsman brand
hand tools.
> > The tale of the DieHard Battery is, I believe, a simple "price
adjustment". Most
> > retailers, including Sears have a policy to make them for 30 days after
you make a
> > purchase. I have received credits from numerous purchases made at
numerous retailers
> > including Sears. They usually just verify the competitor's price by
phone or by my
> > presented advertisement from the competitor. Simple enough.... As for
the Craftsman
> > exchanges, I am not happy to hear that some of us have been given
exchanges that
> > were refurbished, but does it really matter? Tools get soiled in use;
one month from
> > now I won't be able to tell which is the new replacement, or which is
the
> > refurbished one, or which is old or which is a new tool when I retrieve
one from my
> > tool box. I would rather get a new tool in exchange, but when my
various cell phones
> > have died prematurely, sometimes replacement products were brand new,
and sometimes
> > they were remanufactured. It really doesn't matter unless cosmetics are
important.
> > Back to Craftsman for a moment... I will assume that any refurbished
tool was
> > repairable like a ratchet wrench, but doubtfully a screwdriver or a
socket. the
> > customer service desk does not have refurbished replacements for every
Craftsman
> > hand tool: only those for which there is a high demand for
replacements, and for
> > which a refurbishing program is practical. I will pick out a pair of
tools, one
> > rebuildable and one not, and give Sears a replacement try. I'll report
back
> > forthwith.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > kingwj@mail.del.net wrote:
> >
> > > I'd like to invite all listers to waltz right into a Sears to
attempt an
> > > exchange, necessary or not, report your results back here please.
> > >
> > >
> > > Gregory R. Dyche
> > > >
> > > > . Sears' Craftsman hand tools have always been great for me because
> > > > when and if I ever break one, or get paint on the screwdriver
handle, I
> > > > "waltz" right into any flavor Sears store without having to find a
> > > receipt or
> > >
> > > Battery in my LAC (1978 Bonneville-4 wheel Pontiac not 2 wheel
Triumph) went
> > > dead in ~1982. A quick trip to Sears Auto Center and a new DieHard
in under
> > > the hood. There is some rule that a car battery shall not die while
Sears has
> > > them on sale so 2 weeks later the Sears circular has an add for
DieHards on
> > > sale. I return to Sears to get my credit and low and behold "we
don't do that
> > > anymore".
> > >
> > > I immediately state I'm not satisfied and the reason for my
dissatisfaction is
> > > I paid too much for this battery. Fine they said, bring in the
battery and we
> > > will credit your account. I did and immediately bought a new battery
on sale.
> > > That was the last time I stepped into a Sears auto center. About the
only
> > > place left I go in Sears is the paint section.
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