4 ms·
> [Craftsman tools] seem to be making a resurgence in Lowe's stores. They're being sold at a slightly lower price point then the Lowe's standard Kobalt brand.
by 394549 8y ago
> [Craftsman tools] seem to be making a resurgence in Lowe's stores. They're being sold at a slightly lower price point then the Lowe's standard Kobalt brand.
Is that really a resurgence or just an attempt to profit by burning up the brand's remaining goodwill?
I can't imagine Craftsman tools maintaining their reputation after they've been been positioned as the cheaper alternative to store-brand tools for a while. They must be cutting massive corners to achieve that price-point.
- zrobotics 8y agoVery much a case of burning the remaining goodwill. The tools are also sold in Ace hardware stores, and the warranty is absolute garbage (which was one of the main selling points originally). I broke a 1/2" wrench, and needed proof of purchase for a warranty replacement. At this point, Harbor-Freight may be higher quality, but they definitely have better warranty support.
- appleflaxen 8y ago> Harbor-Freight may be higher quality that is a really scary idea.
- gscott 8y agoAt Harbor Freight you can buy two of anything for the price of one of the same thing elsewhere. Keep a spare for one the first one breaks down, plus there is always a 20% discount coupon.
- hfdgiutdryg 8y agoNo it isn't. Harbor Freight is one of the only consumer-oriented tool sellers that's constantly and regularly improving their product lines. There are enough stores that it's handy for most, and their warranty returns are really easy. I'm getting tired of reading all the ill-informed Harbor Freight bashing. Frankly, they're at least at good as most tools in the consumer market at this point. Oh, and their stuff is vastly higher quality than the mid-century, consumer-oriented, American-made junk that I inherited from my grandfathers. I keep that stuff around just as an example of how "American made" didn't necessarily mean quality.
- acct1771 8y agoI'm trying to imagine which devices you could have in mind when talking about this. Help?
- hfdgiutdryg 8y agoWhat 'devices' are you asking about?
- jstarfish 8y agoYeesh, don't tell me that. I just spent the weekend under a set of 6-ton Craftsman jack stands. Although, what's the point in offering a warranty that will outlive the company?
- sokoloff 8y agoProof of purchase is not required for a Craftsman branded hand/mechanics tool warranty replacement. https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information My main concern is that they're no longer made by Danaher and the quality has gone downhill since that change.
- JJMcJ 8y agoUsed to be finding a busted up Craftsman tool, like in the gutter and run over a few times, was a windfall. You could walk into any Sears and get a free replacement no questions asked.
- sk5t 8y agoYep, pretty strange to think that Kobalt and Husky are now the solid choice in the big box stores, and Craftsman is a contender for something you might want to use once or twice but not get too bent out of shape if it fails.