*&^%$ Sears
 

I found out tonight that my card balance, which was at $16.74 incurred a $1.00 minimum finance charge because my $0.00 minimum payment back in November was a couple days late being applied (yeah right, it was sent with plenty of time). Then the (*&)(&* charged me 2 $10 late fees in a row on that $1 finance charge.

They send me e-bills to my USPS E-bill pay account and they don't send me paper ones. I haven't been paying via billpay for a bit as I was having trouble loading the page when I switched to dial up. I wasn't that concerned because I had a fricken $0.00 balance!!!

They told me tonight that they wouldn't credit one of the late fee's or the $1 charge back onto my account. I was in the stinkin store trying to buy $170 of tools not a month ago. It didn't go through (now I know why), but the jerks there couldn't tell me anything at all!!! I tried to see if I could make a payment, but their system wouldn't even tell them my minimum payment amount!

I was livid, ripping customer service jerks up over the phone left and right! I had one charge removed and told them to shut the account down NOW!

I will never, ever, ever buy from them again. There are 2 other places that I have made that promise with. The Perkins in Anoka, MN, and the Burger King in Brooklyn Park (which folded). They were both over 3 years ago, and I haven't been there since, nor will I ever go there again.

Don't buy from Sears. Why would you want to support a company that has the customer service qualities of Excessive Motorsports?

sear's sux ,their tools suck if it aint snap -on screw it , your right unit sear's sux.:rolleyes:

Sears tools doesn't suck, I personally like them. I've used them and snap-on, snap-on is overpriced, but I do like them, that is all we used at my motorcycle tech. Craftsman seems to fit in my budget, and I've been real happy with the durability and performance of their tools. They are a way above the cheap tools out there, and are on par with snap-on in my opinion. My dad has used craftsman for a long time, maybe I'm parcial? But I do like their tools once again. I have not had to deal with Sears customer service yet......

Craftsman makes good tools but try and pick them up at a pawn shop or swap meet if something is wrong with them you can get them replaced free. I haven't been to Sears for two years, bought a washer and dryer there and used my credit card to pay and they never did show up on my bill!

I'm if they didn't charge it to yyour credit card thats sweet

Oh and unit quit messing with a Canadian company you *****:D

Screwed by Sears?
 

Unit 5302:

It does appear that you've been screwed by Sears and I can see why you would hate them after the way you were treated.

'Customer Service' is a joke most anywhere today but it's the worst in retail - and credit divisions can be really bad in every business.

I've had a Sears card for some years - never a problem - but I pay by check and always send it 5 days ahead of the due date. Electronic/online payment is great but unfortunately it doesn't always work out - as happened to you. I don't totally trust it yet and your bad experience would seem to justify that caution.

Personally, I like Craftsman tools a lot and have nothing but good experience with them. Great tools for the backyard mechanic.
Sears generally has good buys but only if you buy on a sale. Their regular prices are usually higher than others.

If you ever decide to go back to Sears, I would pay just cash or use a MasterCard or Visa.
My favorite credit card is my American Express (no revolving credit - pay full balance when the bill comes) or my Debit card. Both force you to buy only what you can really afford - saves headaches and money traumas down the road.

1bad89 most of my tools are craftsman,but when you use them on a daily 40 hour work week,take my word for it the wrenches streach out i just like snap on ratchets & wrenches they are not cheap.:) i meant price wise after i read my post it made it sound like i was saying craftsman was cheap

craftsmen tools are pretty good for the price when it comes to mechanics tools ......i think there quality has declined in the last 15 or so years.though.......i had an older inherited set i got from my stepfather ,that set held up pretty good intill they were stolen a few years ago .......i bought a newer set of craftsmans ,and they just don't seem as abusable as the old set........ i put that old set through hell ,i've already broken a few things from the new set.......it sucks when your in the middle of doing somthing and the tool you need breaks......when it comes to mechanics tools ,my favorite tools are either snap on ,mac or sks.....i think craftsman, husky , vermont amierica and stanly are good for the price

when it comes to construction tools ,i agree with crazy,when you work with the tools 40 plus a week,you want the better quality.......craftmans stuff is ok but on the job i'm tough on tools ........craftsmans construction tools just don't cut it on the job..........porter cable ,dewalt ,millwalkee,or mikita for power tools.......stanly ,johnson,plumb or swanson for hand tools.....

ps......i alway's buy cash so i never had problems with billing.......i don't like credit cards ,to easy to get into hot water

dont believe that free replacement thing... it isnt for everything..
torque wrench that I had broke...wasnt hardly used...but they just said sorry... I'll get a snap on next .. maybe they'll stand behind it...:(

The online bill payment service is awesome in my opinion. It sometimes takes longer than mail, which is how I sent in the last Sears card payment.

They just hung onto the payment for a while before making the credit. It's been a VERY common tactic of theirs in my experience. Actually, the card companies sometimes take a WEEK to credit an account once they receive payment.

Anyway, I'm glad I bought the Husky set from Home Depot rather than the Craftsman set now. The Husky set was a better set containing more useful tools, and it was $20 less expensive.

As far as going back with cash, I'm not about to support that company. They've totally screwed me, and wound up charging me 3x unfairly in a row. Removing only 1 of those charges.

I hope the bastards go bankrupt.

My Mother had a bad experience with Sears and their card, and now also swears them off. Me personally? I go to Sears about once every other month. Mostly for tools. I prefer Snap-on, but can't always afford them. Comparing Craftsman to Snap-on? Give me a break. They are as different as night and day. Old Guy and Marty are right on the money: Craftsman quality sucks compared with 15-20 years ago, and the open end wrenches stretch if the bolt offers much resistance. The sockets crack easily, too. But, I enjoy the ease of replacing them. When I'm rich, I will only own Snap-on tools. Until then, I also have Craftsman.

Take care,
-Chris

Craftsman vs Snap-On
 

Craftsmen tools are great for the casual user (like me). I haven't had any problem with breakage for a long time so I can't knowledgably comment on Craftsman quality these days.

To be clear; all my friends who are professional mechanics (many) have always used Snap-On tools. Great quality and breakage replacement is a given. Price is of little consequence when you make your living with tools. Same with any trade or profession.

For us occasional driveway hackers with a Chilton's manual on the fender and
bolts left over at the end of a job, I still think the Craftsmen tools are a good buy.

Re: Craftsman vs Snap-On
 

ROFLMAO!!!

Thanks, that was funny.

Bolts left over... hehehe.

I enjoy a good laugh like that.

Take care,
-Chris

You're quite welcome, Chris. You know I live to entertain.

:D

i agree with 5.0. those snap-on and Mac tools are pretty pricey! i use Craftsman everyday on my air tools. if they crack, send them back! at least with Craftsman you dont have to wait for the "tool guy" to show up. i got to admit, strap-on makes the best basic hand tools. they have the best swivel sockets. as for Sears, i had problems similar with my card also. they charge me a late fee that was so ridiculous, i paid them off and canceled my account. it is just as easy to use your lowest percentage credit card. no more sears credit cards! BEWARE of Circuit Shitty cards too!

I've used snap-on for 2 years straight , and I've used craftsman for longer than that. I've never had a wrench stretch at all, even with a 4 foot long breaker bar on it!;) I've never had a regular socket break either even with the occasional 600+ft lbs of torque my impact puts out. Now I have had 2 or 3 snap-on sockets split right in two, and that was on a ratchet, using no impact. I've never had a problem with any craftsman sockets rounding out, or wrenches stretching or sockets breaking, and I use them hardcore. Like I said I've used both for quite sometime now and as far as Craftsman's quality being crappy, and sockets splitting easily, I would beg to differ. I think everyone would love to have all snap-on tools, but making craftsman out to be some shitty tools is totally not true, I think you sir, have confused allied with craftsman.;)

I wouldn't buy Allied if you paid me. No, I made no mistake, I have returned 1/2" and 9/16" combination wrenches 3 or 4 times because they have stretched. This never used to happen, but it does now. I'm not saying Craftsman tools are crappy, but I am saying the ones you can buy at Sears today SUCK compared with the ones they sold as recently as 10 years ago. I said myself that one thing I like about Craftsman tools is the ease of returning them. What I didn't mention was that every time a tool has to be returned, it's because the tool failed, and when a tool fails, a busted knuckle and possibly a damaged part is the result. Snap-on has never failed me, but, also as I already said, I can't afford to replace all of my Craftsman tools with Snap-on, yet.

As far as air tools go, my IR2131 is the most powerfull 1/2" impact made, and it has yet to break a Craftsman 1/2" drive impact socket, although it did crack a Craftsman 3/8" drive socket, but that was my bad for using it on such a powerfull impact gun.

Craftsman tools are okay. They are certainly better than Husky, Allied, and the like. But they are no match for Snap-on, and they never will be.

Take care,
-Chris

Ingersoll Rand impact's rule.

hehe Mr 5 0: Chilton's - that was a good one. Thank God you don't use Hayne's, they suck - uh oh - I'm gonna get flamed again!

:D :rolleyes:

From one professional mechanic to another, I couldnt agree with you more. Those who think craftsman tools are great are weekend wrenchers or just plain dont know any better.

I split craftsman sockets all day long. I couldnt split a snap on socket while it was mounted in a vise, beating it with a sledge hammer...(true story)

Unit, I threw away my sears charge card as soon as they started accepting mastercard and visa. I suggest you do the same, but I guess its to late, you already boycotted them.

A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ASPECT...
 

Yeah I know, I was just messing with ya. I like my craftsman tools....back off! :( ;) When I went to tech, I had a chance to buy anything snap-on at 60% off, I wish I would've had the money then to get all I wanted. That 60% off almost made them the same price as craftsman, but no quite.:)

Re: A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ASPECT...
 

I have never bought an appliance from sears, however, Kenmore is in fact a Whirlpool with a "kenmore" nameplate on it.

And Whirlpool makes excellent quality appliances. Whirlpool and Kenmore are always rated high (same thing) and are reasonably priced.

I also have a whirlpool refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer, and they are all 5 years old and have never missed a beat and work great.

I have a "hotpoint" (GE) dishwasher, and it is a piece of crap. My dishes come out dirtier than when they went in.

Dont pay extra for extended warranties. Waste of money.

As far as price, shop around. Sears usually is higher priced, and if you can find the equivalent whirlpool at Lowes or something cheaper than the "kenmore" (made by whirlpool) at sears, buy the whirlpool at lowes. Just shop around for price. If sears is having a sale, they might be ok, buy usually are overpriced.

Oh, and I recommend Panasonic for a microwave oven. And I take back my first comment, as I believe I bought the panasonic microwave oven from sears.

Topless
I agree with Mach 1, except I'd recommend a Sharp microwave. I've had the same one for 12 years, works awesome. My washer and dryer are 10 years old, and are Kenmore's. I've had to replace some parts in the dryer (bearings, guide wheels, belt (2x)), but it's been severely abused. Anyway, they both still work. The fridge is from Sears, too, and it's gotta be 12 years old, or more. Still works great! My ex put the ice cube bucket into the oven one night when she "wasn't thinking", but other than that, it's been great. I just recently bought a Bissel carpet cleaner at Sears. I knew which model I wanted, and I searched the web for prices. I went everywhere, but no one had it in stock. Then I tried Sears. Not only did they have it, but for $15 less than Wal Mart, who had been the lowest price.

1BAD
I hear ya! When I took my Engines class at the local cc, students were able to buy all the Snap-on tools they wanted for a huge discount. Problem was, I was a college kid, I didn't have any money!

Oh well.

Take care,
-Chris

Re: Re: A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ASPECT...
 

~~~~BWWWAHHHHAHAHAHA~~~~~ SORRY TO HEAR THAT!!! BUT THATS TOO FUNNY!!!!!
I appreciat ya'lls input...Yea, I was unsure about different brands and then I see brands Ive never heard of and wonder if they are any good.
I dont wanna buy something thats gonna break down on me in a few years!!! :rolleyes:

HAHAHAHHA!
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PKRWUD
My ex put the ice cube bucket into the oven one night when she "wasn't thinking", but other than that, it's been great.

.

<------- HOW FUNNY!!!!!! THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING I WOULD DO!!!!!!!! AHHAHAHAHAHAHHA!-------->:confused: :D

Well, my panasonic is only 7 years old, so I guess the Sharp has it beat so far.

About the snap-on tools being sold cheap at schools--- I experienced the same thing at Aircraft Mechanic School (I guess Snap-on does this at every tech school). I was able to buy thier small starter tool kit, which was nice at the discounted price, but I wish I had more money at the time. There were some people in my class who bought major amounts of tools, like they had a lot of money and were able to take advantage of the steep discount at the time. I think they were buying for freinds, family, etc...whoever had the cash for the tools at the time.

Makes you wonder about snap-ons mark-up? Here they are selling as many tools as you could buy at a 60% discount, and they are still making money off you. Great tools, yes---extremely overpriced, yes.

Appliances and Repair manuals
 

Topless:

I've had a Sears Kenmore (Whirlpool) washer/dryer that has been used extensively for 15 years with no problems other than a replaced belt on the dryer a few years ago.

My refrigerator is a Kenmore (new last year - works great) and I have a Panasonic 1100 watt microwave that I bought at Sears in 2000 that I'm very pleased with.

For what it's worth: I also have a 15-year-old JVC VCR that won't quit, even though I replaced it (mostly) with a Sony DVD player last year.

No help on lawnmowers; I live in a condo and someone mows the lawn for us as part of the condo fee!

I buy at Sears but only on sale and only 'name brand' products that I know and trust.

I purchased a Toshiba TV there last month. Good quality (I've had two other Toshibas in the past that worked well) and - a good price.

Sears is worth looking at, although I wouldn't make them my only stop.


crazy horse:

I've always used Chilton's manuals or I borrow my mechanic friend's Motors manual when I'm desperate. Never heard of Haynes until some years ago. Read one in the store. It did suck! End of story.

Wow, Mr 5.0 and I have all the same brand appliances. Freaky or what?

I have the whirlpool washer, dryer and refrigerator, and panasonic microwave as previously mentioned.

I also have a JVC VCR and 2 toshibas TV's (excellent TV, and priced better than Sony)

Ok Mr. 5.0, what kind of dishwasher do you have?

I havent bought a DVD player yet. Do you recommend the sony?


I disagree about the Haynes manuals being any worse than the Chiltons though. They both suck!

Mach 1-
Dude, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to compete. i'm sure your Panasonic rocks the world. I just haven't replaced any major appliances recently, in part because they either haven't broken, or if they did, I was able to fix them.

BTW, I am very pleased with my Sony DVD.

Take care,
-Chris

Im not trying to compete eithier, what gave you that idea? We both recommended brands we havent had problems swith. No problem there...

MW morphs into 'Consumer Reports'!
 

Mach 1:

That is a little weird about having the same appliances but since they sell tens of thousands of Kenmore washer/dryers, Panasonic microwaves, Toshiba TV's and JVC VCR players, I guess it falls under the 'law of averages' . Still, a little weird.

Sorry, I don't have a dishwasher.

I do recommend the Sony DVD player. Excellent quality and although a little higher-priced than some others, in my opinion the Sony is worth the money. I paid $300. in late 2000 but they are probably less, now.

I like Chilton's manual but I like 'Motor's' better. Frankly, I don't use a manual much as I only work on my own car(s) and I know them very well, especially the Stang, which I've owned for 12 years. When I get stuck, I have a few friends who are professional mechanics (shop owners, too) and they usually bail me out one way or another. Manuals are good for reference and such but I almost never depend on them as they always seem to lack something I need to know.

Remember, I'm not a pro mechanic, just a driveway hacker.

Re: MW morphs into 'Consumer Reports'!
 

*** YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.......5.0, YOU dont have a dishwasher? How do you survive??? That is TRULY amazing!!***

I guess ya'll know i'm gonna have to print this out when I go appliance shopping,...
One thing I cant get used to is the name "Panasonic" on a Microwave...guess I want to link that to other things lilke t,v,'s and stuff like that. Anybody ever hear of a brand called ROPER? I had never heard of it before. I'm not interested in it, just curious. h ow is GE for appliances?????
Thanks again ya'll. your really giving me good input!! :)

It took me awhile to get used to a Panasonic microwave also, but it has been a good value.

I never heard of Roper.

Whirlpool and GE are the two big ones, and I think whirlpool is better. A lot of them have cheaper lines that use a different name, but it is still made by the apparent company and uses most of the same parts. For example, "hotpoint" is a low end GE line.

My dad has some off the wall brand refrigerator that he's had for like 25 years now and its never broke down or quit working once. I think its a "Norge".

Roper. Wasn't he the landlord in 3's company? I didn't know he made microwaves. i'd heard he died. Must not be very good microwaves.

Take care,
-Chris

Roper hahahahha
 

Chris...HAHHAHAA! ya, your right. I used to watch that. I hear it and i think of jeans too. Actually I saw a washer/dryer maded by Roper and never heard of them!

Re: Re: MW morphs into 'Consumer Reports'!
 

Originally posted by Topless In Texas

***YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.......5.0, You don't have a dishwasher? How do you survive??? That is TRULY amazing!!***

Topless:

You're a hoot, girl!

I don't have a dishwasher because the condo I bought didn't come with one and I don't think it's worth the expense of not only a new dishwasher but the electrical and plumbing work I would have to have done. Someday, maybe, but it's not a priority for me. I wash dishes as soon as I dirty them so I never have a lot to do.

Shop around for your new appliances and get the best deal but don't buy 'no-name' brands unless you know who made it.

In the case of 'ROPER' appliances, they are made by Whirlpool so they should be fine.

Here's a link to their website:

http://www.roperappliances.com/

Every company has a website these days so always see what you can find out there, when time permits.

Continued good luck. :)