I noticed that about ten or so years ago. Same little compressor, Sears name on one, Harbor freight version was about half the price. Same for air nailers.
But in HF you didn’t have one programmed sales Associate after another nagging you to buy an extended warranty, like HH Gregg salesman stalking you around the store: “No. For the third time, I’m just looking. But when I’m ready to buy it won’t be you writing it up.”
Exactly. If you’re going to get literally the exact same item from the same factory in China only with a different label on the casing and the same warranty coverage (sometimes Sears was worse), why would I pay twice the Harbor Freight price just to get it with a Sears label?
Sears hasn’t figured that out yet.
“But in HF you didn’t have one programmed sales Associate after another nagging you to buy an extended warranty”
HFT does plenty of nagging to buy an extended warranty or join their sales club when you check out.