RIP-- an AMerican Institution
- Thread starter eSGEe
- Start date
As a kid, I remember my father taking me to Sears every year just before school to get new school clothes. When I was old enough to buy tools, I bought Craftsman tools at my local Sears. My first couple of years wrenching professionally were with Craftsman tools. I must admit that for the past few decades I have not shopped at Sears. It is sad to see them go.
The only thing constant in this world is change.
The only thing constant in this world is change.
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
In the old days, Sears even sold whole houses from the catalogues
And, you could buy a Nash Metropolitan under the name Sears Allstate Car...
Curtiss P-40 decal is cool...
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Oh to be so neat and organized.
Chubbles
Ambassador of Sarcastic Tone
I will always remember the Christmas catalog with 12 inch GI Joes in the 70s. I worked for Sears for 4 years when I was an Ungrad in college. It's where I got my date money. They haven't been the same. Oh no, I'll miss the Sears Hardware stores. Best soldering irons!
A older friend of mine, a retired high performance engine rebuilder, told me of his stories of going to Sears 4 or 5 times a year to get replacement screwdrivers that failed, since they guaranteed them for life. After about 2 years he said the sales guy said “Clem, you know we sell chisels” 
OP
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
Very astute--- and true Don,
and on the Heels of Toys R Us going out-- WHICH was also an anchor store--- AND the fact KMART goes down the TUBEs with SEARS ----because Sears owned KMART-----this is about to leave a HUGE hole and a LOT of folks in the unemployment lines-- scrambling for jobs -- at the Holidays
and on the Heels of Toys R Us going out-- WHICH was also an anchor store--- AND the fact KMART goes down the TUBEs with SEARS ----because Sears owned KMART-----this is about to leave a HUGE hole and a LOT of folks in the unemployment lines-- scrambling for jobs -- at the Holidays
I probably would have never switched from Craftsman to Snap-On if not for the fact that when I was living in Chico,CA there was no Sears store, only a Sears catalogue outlet. It took me 1-2 weeks to get a tool replaced. Snap-On was only a phone call away would deliver that day.A older friend of mine, a retired high performance engine rebuilder, told me of his stories of going to Sears 4 or 5 times a year to get replacement screwdrivers that failed, since they guaranteed them for life. After about 2 years he said the sales guy said “Clem, you know we sell chisels”
Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
Blackie all Sears stores closed here in Canada about 8 months ago. The writing has been on the wall for the American stores for months now just a matter of time. They are not able to adapt to the younger buyers. And now with online shopping growing there will even be more closures unfortunately. I like to go into a store and have hands on, and if I need warranty work done or a return , I can go back to the box store I purchased from and let them deal with it. I purchase very little online. Hold on for the ride , its going to get worse before it gets better.
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
The thing I keep hearing is people who are bummed that this American institution is possibly going away, but who also say they "used" to shop there. And that's why it shouldn't come as a surprise - no-one went to Sears for anything any longer and they failed. Simple math. I'm one of them, too, because I used to shop there for just about everything around the house but I haven't stepped foot in one in probably a decade.
But it seems the mall owners are glad that Sears stores are going away. They are locked into long-term leases at below market value per square and the owners/operators want to bring in upscale tenants anyway since that's the only thing that gets them foot traffic in a mall these days. And the boutiques/high end retailers seem not to care if you even buy anything, the store front is a loss leader for brand recognition and prestige. There is a mall directly across the street from my office which has been going steadily upscale for the last 5-7 years, and it is constantly crowded. The restaurants are full, the stores have plenty of customers, endless foot traffic. Same goes with every upscale mall in the area. People don't want to take a trip to Sears, they want a trip to Bloomingdales, because any run of the mill daily junk can be bought at Target or online. People want an experience when they go out and that's why retail is changing - but the malls are not going anywhere, just transforming. IMO.
But it seems the mall owners are glad that Sears stores are going away. They are locked into long-term leases at below market value per square and the owners/operators want to bring in upscale tenants anyway since that's the only thing that gets them foot traffic in a mall these days. And the boutiques/high end retailers seem not to care if you even buy anything, the store front is a loss leader for brand recognition and prestige. There is a mall directly across the street from my office which has been going steadily upscale for the last 5-7 years, and it is constantly crowded. The restaurants are full, the stores have plenty of customers, endless foot traffic. Same goes with every upscale mall in the area. People don't want to take a trip to Sears, they want a trip to Bloomingdales, because any run of the mill daily junk can be bought at Target or online. People want an experience when they go out and that's why retail is changing - but the malls are not going anywhere, just transforming. IMO.
OP
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
me too-- and honestly-- it beats sitting in traffic----
OP
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
I havent been to a MALL in decades either-- really-- probably 2 decades-- they didnt exist in the Fl. Keys-- no "malls" -- none --zero---Real estate is too $$$$$$ pr sq ft.
we would make special trips to Miami to the Dolphin mall once or twice a year for Birthday or Holiday excursions-- (5 hour min (usually more) round trip drive-- better be special!) -- I learned in the Keys to shop--hunt-- find -- barter-- bargain -- online-- and well no overhead -- means lower prices---SEARS couldnt compete
what I wanna know is how we all are going to telecommute? and will Detroit go under at that point?? dont need cars-- if we all NEVER leave home --- Dominoes HAS an autonomous delivery vehicle-- amazon delivers groceries-- pre prep meals and shampoo--dog food-- etc to the front door----
Mr. Orwell calling --- Mr. Orwell-- (damn you where off by a few decades but -- uhm.........)
we would make special trips to Miami to the Dolphin mall once or twice a year for Birthday or Holiday excursions-- (5 hour min (usually more) round trip drive-- better be special!) -- I learned in the Keys to shop--hunt-- find -- barter-- bargain -- online-- and well no overhead -- means lower prices---SEARS couldnt compete
what I wanna know is how we all are going to telecommute? and will Detroit go under at that point?? dont need cars-- if we all NEVER leave home --- Dominoes HAS an autonomous delivery vehicle-- amazon delivers groceries-- pre prep meals and shampoo--dog food-- etc to the front door----
Mr. Orwell calling --- Mr. Orwell-- (damn you where off by a few decades but -- uhm.........)