Sears really has a good marketing program here. The Craftsman Club is free to join. Being a member of the Club means you get special members-only sales 3-4 times a year. Over the years I've purchased tools probably once or twice a year that I probably would have continued to put off buying due to the cost. One year I bought an entire workbench because I needed a workbench in my car shop (which is about 5 blocks from my home and my home workshops which already have workbenches) and since it was on sale for such a good price. Many of my larger woodworking tools were bought via the Craftsman Club sales too.

Just yesterday I bought a couple of smaller things I'd been wanting but I've put off buying since I didn't NEED them, just wanted them. Full retail on these two items would have been $50 and I got them for $25 which is a pretty meaningful sale if you ask me! Of course, their plan worked as planned since I also bought a couple of not-on-sale items while I was there. Still, I got out of the store for under $50 including tax and got home with four tools I'll really be able to use:

-60 LED drop light (on sale)
-Craftsman professional quality mechanics gloves (on sale)
-Craftsman cell phone holder
-Craftsman aviation snips

There are a couple more things that were on sale that I passed on that I may go back and get before the sale ends. I've gotten a number of really cool tools in the past that I knew I'd only use once or twice and therefore couldn't justify paying full price, but when they go on sale with meaningful price reductions (typically 25-50%) it seems so much easier to justify getting them. And Craftsman tools are pretty well made and come with typically good warranties.

I joined it in 92. It's a pretty decent deal, but I think I spend more than I would have normally because I always seem to end up there when there's a sale. :D I'm as bad as some dame. No offense to any skirts here. ;)

Since my wife used to work for Sears, I joined it when it began many years ago. The only real benefit of 'membership' was to alert you to upcoming sales, which I agree can be very substantial. They sent me a "membership card" which was similar to a credit card, but I was never once asked to see it, so I threw it out after a couple years. If any non-Craftsman Club member was in the store at sale time, buying the same exact items as you were, they always got the Club Member price too.

Since my wife used to work for Sears, I joined it when it began many years ago. The only real benefit of 'membership' was to alert you to upcoming sales, which I agree can be very substantial. They sent me a "membership card" which was similar to a credit card, but I was never once asked to see it, so I threw it out after a couple years. If any non-Craftsman Club member was in the store at sale time, buying the same exact items as you were, they always got the Club Member price too.

Hmm, I'm always asked for mine and if I'm not asked or fail to give it to them I get the regular retail price (no sale price). Many of the items in the Club flyers are on sale at the same time, but Club members typically get a much lower price yet.

Just checked my membership card. It shows member since 2004. Personally, I like Sears tools.....quality and (sale) price. ;)

I've been a member for YEARS and have never been asked for my card.. There are some good deals though..

I joined once, but I lost my card. I hate going there, it makes me want to spend $$.

Yep I'm a member!

Members typically get an additional 10% off even the sale price. Yep, I'm a member too.

I found my old card the other day while cleaning and threw it away. I figured since they were now owned by KMart now there was no such thing as a Craftsman Club anymore. I must have had the card for 20 years.

See what happens when the wife "asks" you to clean!

Hmm, I'm always asked for mine and if I'm not asked or fail to give it to them I get the regular retail price (no sale price). Many of the items in the Club flyers are on sale at the same time, but Club members typically get a much lower price yet.

I have never been asked for mine either, but I usually mention it (not sure if the CC price is always advertised)...

I guess I am still a member, received the full-line catalogue a few months ago, but don't recall and "sales" recently...


I bought a new tool box (3 level, roll around). Sears had their sale (with flyer), offering the top and bottom at a nice discount, and the middle was free. Significant savings over typical price, and then the Craftman Club discount. BUT, Sears was about 30 minutes away. No problem, we had an Orchard Supply Hardware (started as a Northern Califonia chain) that is affiliated with Sears, and they sell Craftsman tools.

They also either matched or beat (by 10%?) anyone elses "published" price for the same item... Finally, they have these "special" "We pay the sales tax" sales events (roughly 8% where I live) .

They don't have a huge selection, but had the same tool box set in stock... the manager gave me all the discounts, but didn't look too happy when I was leaving...

The stars aligned, perfect timing, as all these events were going on at the same time... Its been 4-5 years, but I think I ended up saving over 50% off the original price for the tool box... Something like a $399 box for about $190 OTD... :D

In fact I was just looking at a roll-around project center/box on Sunday... maybe they'll be another sale soon... I hope... For Christmas, mom got me the "rechargable" LED droplight. I actually like it (I was thinking cheap gimmick when I opened the package)...

Never knew there was such a thing and i've bought a ton of stuff from them.

Im outta the loop on everything but the latest and greatest cocktails and how to expel them.

member since 2000
they don't ask for your card if you have the mailer in your hand..

I just joined!:hurray:

I had no idea that craftsman had a membership club.

Since my wife used to work for Sears, I joined it when it began many years ago. The only real benefit of 'membership' was to alert you to upcoming sales, which I agree can be very substantial. They sent me a "membership card" which was similar to a credit card, but I was never once asked to see it, so I threw it out after a couple years. If any non-Craftsman Club member was in the store at sale time, buying the same exact items as you were, they always got the Club Member price too.
They just dont like you Billl:):p

I was a member, wonder if I still am. Haven't used it in years but when I did it definately saved me some money.

I recently bought a set of craftsman vice grips. I was upset after I got home and started taking them out the paper wraping and read Made from components from abroad. Why don' they just tell the truth , Made in China.

since 01. use it about once or twice a year.

been eyeball'n one of them LED lights. $19.99. Let me know how it works out!

I hate all those sales. I do have a card, but I would rather see a membership discount rather than occasional sales and promotions.

The thing about it is that I know that if I buy something at the regular price, it will more than likely be on sale the next week. I never have time to go when they do have sales, and the tools I'm looking for may not be included once they do have a sale. So it may sound strange, but I actually quit bying from Sears, just because of all their sales. :wacko:

since 01. use it about once or twice a year.

been eyeball'n one of them LED lights. $19.99. Let me know how it works out!

It's as bright as the flourescent one I already had which is also very bright. I like it! They say in the instructions not to look directly into the light, so of course I did, take my advice and don't! ;)

My flourescent one has two strong magnets on the back so it can be placed on metal where there is nowhere to hang it by the hook and the light element can be folded out up to 90 degrees from the main case to better focus the light where you need/want it. I wish the LED one from Sears had similar features. The LED light does focus the light pretty well in one large oval shaped spot though so it's nice to have the light near your head and still be able to see what you want without being blinded by the light spilling over and hitting you from the side (if that makes any sense).

With the Club discount they are $14.99, get one while you can at this price! You can sign up for the club and get the discount at the same time. Sale event ends 7/25 so you still have a few days!

I hate all those sales. I do have a card, but I would rather see a membership discount rather than occasional sales and promotions.

The thing about it is that I know that if I buy something at the regular price, it will more than likely be on sale the next week. I never have time to go when they do have sales, and the tools I'm looking for may not be included once they do have a sale. So it may sound strange, but I actually quit bying from Sears, just because of all their sales. :wacko:

I do wish the club was just a discount on anything anytime but then I suspect the discounts wouldn't be as substantial. The sales deal works out fine for getting tools you don't need right now but would like to add to your arsenal over time.

It's as bright as the flourescent one I already had which is also very bright. I like it! They say in the instructions not to look directly into the light, so of course I did, take my advice and don't!
Now that is funny Rich....l:)l:)

They just dont like you Billl:):p

They didn't like my wife, either....in 2003, at age 52 and with 34 years of service with Sears, they laid her off :mad:

Oh well, life goes on ;)

I found a craftsman club card in a storage I cleaned out 2 weeks ago, got it back sometime mid 90s??Id have to look at it. Forgot all about it.

I used to be a Craftsman club member. Got fed up with Sears not standing behind thier product. I had a broken a 3/8 Drive ratchet. Took it back to the point of purchase. The guy behind the counter reached under the counter and grabbed a rebuilt used unit out of a box. I was like excuse me but the last socket I broke was replaced with a new unit. Guy behind counter says we don't do that with ratchets anymore. I request tool department manager. Manager comes after about a 15 minute wait. Explains they do not replace damaged or broken ratchets with new units anymore. They repair units that come in that are damaged and just trade them out. Most of the damaged units that come in are the ratchet drive he says. I Hold up my ratchet. In very nice condition. A few scuffs here and there. The ratchet they were drying to give me as a replacement looked a though it had been drug on the concrete behind a truck for several blocks in the middle of the winter with plenty of salt down on the road. I explained that my ratchet allthough broke was in better condition than the ratchet they were trying to give me. He reaches under the counter. Grabs the box of ratchets and tells me to pick whatever one I want. All looked in much worse condition than mine. I asked him if he hand any snap ring pliers handy I could use. He looked at me wierd and said of course. I asked if I could used them. He grabbed a set of snap ring pliers off the shelf that were for sale. Opened them and said here you go. I popped the snap ring off my ratchet. Dumped the guts on the counter. All the teeth looked real short on the drive. Ratchet handle teeth looked good inside the head of the ratchet. I popped the snap ring off one of thier used ratchets they were offering me as a replacement. As I suspected the drive in said ratchet looked to have been replaced. I slapped the new guts into my ratchet handle and popped the snap ring back on. He looked at me puzzled. I said I think this will do. He said thats great and started to ring up the snap ring plier set. I said whoa wait a minute. I don't wish to buy the snap ring plier set. ( It was the most exspensive set they had by the way) I allready have a snap ring plier set at home. He said since I used the tools in the store I had to purchase them. I laughed. I told him to bill me. His look was priceless. I walked out and have never went back. Never will. I now purchase all my tools from my brother in law who is a Matco tools dealer. Yes most of the time they do cost more even at his cost. But I have 24/7 customer service. And no ignorant tool department managers to deal with. I hope that not all of the Sears stores operate like this. This could be a isolated incident. My .02

I used to be a Craftsman club member. Got fed up with Sears not standing behind thier product. I had a broken a 3/8 Drive ratchet. Took it back to the point of purchase. The guy behind the counter reached under the counter and grabbed a rebuilt used unit out of a box. I was like excuse me but the last socket I broke was replaced with a new unit. Guy behind counter says we don't do that with ratchets anymore. I request tool department manager. Manager comes after about a 15 minute wait. Explains they do not replace damaged or broken ratchets with new units anymore. They repair units that come in that are damaged and just trade them out. Most of the damaged units that come in are the ratchet drive he says. I Hold up my ratchet. In very nice condition. A few scuffs here and there. The ratchet they were drying to give me as a replacement looked a though it had been drug on the concrete behind a truck for several blocks in the middle of the winter with plenty of salt down on the road. I explained that my ratchet allthough broke was in better condition than the ratchet they were trying to give me. He reaches under the counter. Grabs the box of ratchets and tells me to pick whatever one I want. All looked in much worse condition than mine. I asked him if he hand any snap ring pliers handy I could use. He looked at me wierd and said of course. I asked if I could used them. He grabbed a set of snap ring pliers off the shelf that were for sale. Opened them and said here you go. I popped the snap ring off my ratchet. Dumped the guts on the counter. All the teeth looked real short on the drive. Ratchet handle teeth looked good inside the head of the ratchet. I popped the snap ring off one of thier used ratchets they were offering me as a replacement. As I suspected the drive in said ratchet looked to have been replaced. I slapped the new guts into my ratchet handle and popped the snap ring back on. He looked at me puzzled. I said I think this will do. He said thats great and started to ring up the snap ring plier set. I said whoa wait a minute. I don't wish to buy the snap ring plier set. ( It was the most exspensive set they had by the way) I allready have a snap ring plier set at home. He said since I used the tools in the store I had to purchase them. I laughed. I told him to bill me. His look was priceless. I walked out and have never went back. Never will. I now purchase all my tools from my brother in law who is a Matco tools dealer. Yes most of the time they do cost more even at his cost. But I have 24/7 customer service. And no ignorant tool department managers to deal with. I hope that not all of the Sears stores operate like this. This could be a isolated incident. My .02

I think that was just a manager with no idea about customer service.

I used to be a Craftsman club member. Got fed up with Sears not standing behind thier product. I had a broken a 3/8 Drive ratchet. Took it back to the point of purchase. The guy behind the counter reached under the counter and grabbed a rebuilt used unit out of a box. I was like excuse me but the last socket I broke was replaced with a new unit. Guy behind counter says we don't do that with ratchets anymore. I request tool department manager. Manager comes after about a 15 minute wait. Explains they do not replace damaged or broken ratchets with new units anymore. They repair units that come in that are damaged and just trade them out. Most of the damaged units that come in are the ratchet drive he says. I Hold up my ratchet. In very nice condition. A few scuffs here and there. The ratchet they were drying to give me as a replacement looked a though it had been drug on the concrete behind a truck for several blocks in the middle of the winter with plenty of salt down on the road. I explained that my ratchet allthough broke was in better condition than the ratchet they were trying to give me. He reaches under the counter. Grabs the box of ratchets and tells me to pick whatever one I want. All looked in much worse condition than mine. I asked him if he hand any snap ring pliers handy I could use. He looked at me wierd and said of course. I asked if I could used them. He grabbed a set of snap ring pliers off the shelf that were for sale. Opened them and said here you go. I popped the snap ring off my ratchet. Dumped the guts on the counter. All the teeth looked real short on the drive. Ratchet handle teeth looked good inside the head of the ratchet. I popped the snap ring off one of thier used ratchets they were offering me as a replacement. As I suspected the drive in said ratchet looked to have been replaced. I slapped the new guts into my ratchet handle and popped the snap ring back on. He looked at me puzzled. I said I think this will do. He said thats great and started to ring up the snap ring plier set. I said whoa wait a minute. I don't wish to buy the snap ring plier set. ( It was the most exspensive set they had by the way) I allready have a snap ring plier set at home. He said since I used the tools in the store I had to purchase them. I laughed. I told him to bill me. His look was priceless. I walked out and have never went back. Never will. I now purchase all my tools from my brother in law who is a Matco tools dealer. Yes most of the time they do cost more even at his cost. But I have 24/7 customer service. And no ignorant tool department managers to deal with. I hope that not all of the Sears stores operate like this. This could be a isolated incident. My .02

what you think snap on does...
they fix yours, or you get a rebuilt one. if it's on the truck...
how is this any different than sears...
difference is you can buy 2 ratchets ,for the same cost as one snap on..
they all give you a rebuilt part back, if it's in stock...
if not. you'll get new..

that's awesome. sounds like he had just as snapy comebacks. regardless they were out nothing but a future customer.

had that happen to me about 10-15 years ago on a 1/4" drive. they gave me a rebuilt unit to replace my new one that was probably 5 years old. The result: the rebuilt one has lasted longer than the new one did.

about 9 months ago I busted my 1/2" drive rat. Although it was my fault. The bolt was laughing me, that is until I pulled out a 4' long steel pipe. Snapped the rat. right now.

Took it to the store and asked for a rebuild kit but was told I could have a new one of my choice (3 to select from). Wouldn't do for me. I wanted to keep mine as it was part of my first tool set my grandfather had given me at age 14. Needless to say I had to take a new one.

Bowtie6872 / Taz
what you think snap on does...
they fix yours, or you get a rebuilt one. if it's on the truck...
how is this any different than sears...
difference is you can buy 2 ratchets ,for the same cost as one snap on..
they all give you a rebuilt part back, if it's in stock...
if not. you'll get new..


I don't recall mentioning Snap On tools, But I imagine you are correct.

Up until this issue came up with the ratchet. Sears had allways replaced anything I had broken or had issue with a new piece or product. Never a used or rebuilt piece or product. This change led me to believe this was going to be the new SOP ( Standard Operateing Practice). As far as I know I have not went back to the store in question for several years. I do not plan to visit this store either.

I imagine its not any different than Sears is other than Sears does'nt come to your place of employment to help serve you and your tool needs and or repairs, replacements. With the price of fuel these days that has to be worth something.

Last ratchet I bought from Sears was 24 years ago. I do not know what a 3/8 drive ratchet cost from them now. You may or may not be able to buy two Sears ratchets for the price of 1 Snap on ratchet. I do not know the price of a Snap On ratchet either. I will buy Matco tools. Sorry.

My intent was not to anger all the Sears tool loyals, But to just warn everyone of what had happened to me at my local Sears tool dealer. I had enjoyed the Sears craftsman club fliers and ads. I just do not agree with the stand my local Sears store had taken on broken tool replacement. When I bought that rachet 24 years ago it was with the understanding of tools being REPLACED if they were broken. Not repaired or exchanged. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers. But I am a consumer and this used to be a free country where I could form an opinion and spend my money on what I wished. Guess things have changed.

Elcoman

You are probably correct. But at that point the damage was done. I have moved on and I am very pleased with the results of my choices.

ss1970Chev454/ Greg
Yes the tool depeartment manager was kinda witty. It was his tone and indifference that really struck me though. He acted as though he was the only tool dealer in the midwest. Perhaps I'm just too picky with my tools. I doubt I'm the only one like this. Sorry to hear about the 1/2 drive ratchet. Glad though it was resolved with a new unit and not a rebuilt unit. Perhaps its time to invest in a 3/4 drive set? lol Just kidding!