Posted on 08/23/2004 11:06:32 AM PDT by Chapita
Below is a email I sent to the Sears customer service web site,and the reply I received. I had received one of those e-mail "chain emails" that we all get stating what I thought were bogus claims,so I sent my own email off to get verificiation. It is really good to see a Corporate citizen like Sears taking a step like this,and I can only hope other US corporations learn from it and adopt similiar programs. In the meantime,if you need something Sears sells,pay them a visit and buy it there. You might even want to mail them a letter showing your appreciation.
"Dear Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your support for our actions regarding our associates who have been called into active duty.
As you may have read, in Bill's own words, Sears has extended its program of military pay differential to 36 months. This includes allowing Sears reservists who are full-time employees to continue participating in the company's life insurance, medical and dental programs, if they choose. The company will also hold a comparable position for these individuals for up to five years.
Sears has a heritage of commitment to families and home. This is a difficult time for military families, and we are proud to be able to take these actions to demonstrate support for our many co-workers who are serving our Nation.
Again, thank you for your correspondence. We appreciate your interest in our efforts, and hope you will continue to make Sears your choice for quality and value. Sears, Good Life. Great Price.
Sincerely, The Employees of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
-----Original Message----- From: xxxxxxxxx Sent: 8/22/04 7:44:37 PM To: webcenter@sears.com Subject: Reserve Pay
Dear Customer:
>> >> Thank you for contacting Sears. >> >> The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears
regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.
>>>> >>>> Bill Thorn >>>> Sears Customer Care >>>> webcenter@sears.com >>>> 1-800-349-4358 > >>
Hello,do you have a Bill Thorn in your web customer service center,and is it true that Sears is making up for the pay losses suffered by reservists who were called up to active duty? I want to post this to a conservative web page IF it's true,but I would like to see it verified first. Thanks.
This is great to know about Sears. I'll keep on spending my money with them!
I have not purchased anything from Sears for years, due to their outrageous interest charged for big ticket items. If this is true, as it appears to be, I will buy the new stove I am hoping to get soon from them. Thanks for posting this, Chapita.
Sears - where John Kerry gets his Cambodia memories.
Unfortunately, I don't have a Sears out here in the boondocks. But when I go into the Twin Cities, you can bet I'll give my money to Sears before Target or the like.
This is the kind of corporate behavior I want to see.
I am going to start buying from Sears again.
Sears accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for all purchases. I found that high interest rate off-putting myself, until I remembered that my Visa card had a much more reasonable rate ...
I knew this about Sears. They have been supporting the military for years. I love their products, too. I think I will go out and purchase a new fridge...
I'm happy that Sears is paying the differential and offering the insurance, they don't have to do that, but the law says they have to hold the job until the service member returns, with no time limit. They have to get not just the job they held, but whatever job they would have reasonably progressed to, with full seniority for the time spent in the military.
Of course few are going to take them up on the insurance anyway, since the military provides medical care, or the insurance like TriCare, for the member and their family. Many of the reservists probably make as much or slightly more on active duty than they do at Sears, so there would be no differential in pay. It's good PR for Sears and does help in a few cases of guys who are junior enlisted ro even very junior officers.
Don't forget, Lands End is now part of Sears....
Do what my wife and I do. Pay cash. We only crack open the credit card when it is an emergency of we have the cash in the bank. Like out vacation we charged but have the moeny to pay it off. And also you can do this. A lot of stores will give you 10% off you first purchase with a new charge card. We get the card buy the item pay it off when the bill comes, and cancel the card.
"...my Visa card had a much more reasonable rate ..."
Thanks for that. Boy, do I feel dimwitted for never having thought of that. New stove, here I come.
I haven't paid a credit card finance charge for years. OTOH, I get a pretty big check from Discover every year ...
Just spent $500 at Lands End (we buy for the six kids there - high quality jackets, snow boots and fleece make great handmedowns and some items have ben worn by all six kiddos!).
Glad to know that they have such a military friendly policy.
I am going to let them know, and consider them first when I have a choice between LLBean and LandsEnd.
Point plans are attractive aren't they.
Sears isn't the only company that does this. Procter and Gamble (makers of Tide, Crest, Charmin, Downy, Pampers and a million other consumer goods) does this also. I worked there for three years. Exceptionally military friendly. Their current CEO did 8 years active duty in the Navy before going to Harvard Business School. They recruit military officers agressively. That's how I got the job when I left the Army as as a capatain after 8 years active duty. Alas, I will never rise to CEO of P&G, I quit to move back to Boston and start my own business.
We built a new house last year, and bought everything at Sears, because of this policy. We told them that was why we were buying there.
I tell you, if I lived closer than an hour away, I would work the shift for those kids who are doing my fighting.
When I was in the Reserves, I worked on the civilian side for Sears. Great company to work for. Although as an officer, I made more during my active duty times than what Sears paid me, they were exceptionally generous when I needed time off to do Marine Corps business.
Then there was the employee discounts, employee/family night (special times when only Sears employees and their families were allowed to shop), and a host of other benefits. Simply an outstanding company to work for. Their products are also top notch. I purchased a Kenmore washer and dryer from Sears over 10 years ago, and they are still running. Craftsman is my preferred tool set.
Bravo for Sears. From now on, I'm going to make Sears my first choice for shopping whenever possible.
Thanks for sharing this!
Interesting, I was just discussing buying some new clothes as a birthday present for my son. I suggested a particular men's store near him and his reply.......Mom I want to buy my clothes from Sears, they last!
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