Posted on 11/29/2011 6:49:07 AM PST by SeekAndFind
It's K-Mart all the way now, baby.
One side of my family were all Sears people back in the 30's through the late 80's. The company was based on Homan Ave. in Chicago. Employees were like one huge family. There was pride and esprit d'corps. It afforded great jobs with economic security for employees and their families.
My uncle was treasurer/comptroller of Sears, both national and international. Other uncles were buyers...experienced smart merchandisers, all of them.
When the slick, New York-type money-suits took over Sears years ago and the true merchandisers were relegated to playing second-fiddle, the end of Sears was nigh.
Over the decades, I've always had Sears appliances, too many to count. I still do. However, never again. Just try to deal with Sears' national phone number for customer service and speedy assistance.
You get sing-songy "service reps" stationed god knows where....India, Egypt, Upper Slobovia, Outer Mongolia, Ruritania.....
They know squat, and if you ask for a supervisor or an American for a special problem, you're put on hold with a smile where you sit listening to music till you realize no one ain't ever comin' back on the line.
The repair guys are still good....they know their onions.....but if they come to your house, just ask them what THEY think of Sear's "service" today. They hear the complaints. They know what's coming down the line for them, and they're too old to go elsewhere. You feel awful for them.
You can shoot a cannon through most Sears stores today....and not hit anyone. In our mall, the folks walk THROUGH the end-anchoring Sears just to get to the other stores.
The company long ago got rid of fine gifts, cosmetics, costume jewelry and other departments we used to love to shop. Shoes and other departments are sub-rented out. The clothing lines are unstylish, dull crap. The only departments that seem to be doing okay are work clothes, tools, riding mowers, some appliances and garden/camping stuff.
What a pity. Sears was an American institution. With money-men and overly-educated nincompoops currently still in charge, it isn't going to survive....and the only apropos application of the word "institution" in regard to good old Sears is where the arrogant jerks that ruined a fine company over the decades ought to be confined.
Leni
Can’t wait to see the last of Hussein and his thugs.
If sears bites it, what will happen to Kenmore? I have nothing but good things to say about the Kenmore High efficiency front-load washer/dryer sets. Nothing else held as much (a king-size comforter), and worked so well on everything from delicates to horribly dirty work jeans. The days of Craftsman being the only cheap and good tool brand are pretty much gone now, but they still have a lot of good stuff.
I can relate to that. I bought an airconditioner from them this past summer. When I opened the box it had a big dent in it. The phone call to thier service center was 2 hours of agony.I finally took it back to the store and they gave me some of my money back and I kept the airconditioner,which worked great.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.