Saw recently Menard's is now advertising Craftsman tool boxes so apparently will not be exclusive to Lowe's. Wonder what impact if any it will have have Menard's branded Performax & Masterforce tool storage?

I know many of you don't have access to a Menard's since they more regional to the Midwest & mid-South...

 

Menard's Sale Circular

I wonder if they will be like Ace Hardware and Lowe's and not warranty broken ones?  

10 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I wonder if they will be like Ace Hardware and Lowe's and not warranty broken ones?  

IDK...was at Menard's locally today and did not see any of the Craftsman boxes on display...didn't look closely if they are carrying any of the hand tools yet.

Monday, I was in Lowes and was blown away with their Craftsman displays. Had no idea Lowes was stocking the brand. But, I don't get out much. 

 

I went to Lowes the other day to buy a replacement Porter Cable ROS and found them on clearance.  They were dirt cheap so I bought two.  The sales clerk told me that Lowe’s is going to stop carrying many of the Porter Cable line and sell Craftsman instead.  What a mistake.

Thanks, Ron for the heads up. My lowes only has one in stock so I ordered it for pick up. I added the 2 year replacement warranty. Wonder what will happen if it's needed.

23 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I wonder if they will be like Ace Hardware and Lowe's and not warranty broken ones?  

Aw, not necessarily true! I can't speak for Ace Hardware as I've never tried to exchange a broken Craftsman tool. However, the local Lowe's will exchange for a like tool, if the new tool is physically available in the store. Those items not carried/in stock can be exchanged via a website.

 

Armed with that, check with your local store and see what their policy for exchange is.

12 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

IDK...was at Menard's locally today and did not see any of the Craftsman boxes on display...didn't look closely if they are carrying any of the hand tools yet.

I have two Lowes stores fairly close, one about 2 miles away and the other across town (about 4 miles). The closer store has Red and White displays all over the store and the one further away, has very few. Probably, stock is at the store manager's discretion.

 

I noticed, that, the tool selection is sparse. As an example, I was looking for a 1/4 drive set of metric hex sockets. They had SAE but no metric. Not even a place for them on the display board. In today's climate of mixed fasteners why would you carry one and not the other?

3 hours ago, Ron Dudelston said:

I went to Lowes the other day to buy a replacement Porter Cable ROS and found them on clearance.  They were dirt cheap so I bought two.  The sales clerk told me that Lowe’s is going to stop carrying many of the Porter Cable line and sell Craftsman instead.  What a mistake.

Ron, the Craftsman tools are owned and being made by the Stanley group of tools. The power tools are probably DeWalt power tools in red/white attire. Although I'm not an offshore fan, if I had my choice between the two, I'd personally take the DW over the PC.

 

Craftsman used to be a good name until Sears ran the line into the ground, starting in the 80's. I just hope that Stanley does something to bring the quality and CS up to where it once was. I'm willing to give them a chance, but they have a lot of bias to overcome.

Well, Bummer! As I was about to head out the door for the 25 mi trip to Lowes, I got a call from them. That one sander they listed on their website is gone. Glad they called, though. The My Lowes program is a good deal. Especially, if you're a vet.

But, the day hasn't been a total bummer. Our propane guy is remodeling his offices and he offered me a really old 5' x 3' grey metal desk that had been in use since 1949. AND, he's gonna deliver it! It has ball bearing drawer slides. Probably weighs around 200+ lbs. It has no over hangs on the ends, so it'll get a piece of BB and, it'll be the carving station I was gonna build. 

Edited December 20, 20187 yr by Gene Howe

With the Craftsman brand being sold at Lowes, Menards and Ace stores, I'm wondering, who is the parent company, Sears?. 

1 hour ago, It Was Al B said:

With the Craftsman brand being sold at Lowes, Menards and Ace stores, I'm wondering, who is the parent company, Sears?. 

Al, Stanley Black and Decker owns the brand. Lowes is just the vendor.

 

https://pressurewashr.com/tool-industry-behemoths/#whoowns

 

Look at the top left corner of the graphic.

4 hours ago, schnewj said:

In today's climate of mixed fasteners why would you carry one and not the other?

IDK...even Harbor Freight carries a full line of both and they have a lifetime warranty on theirs too.

3 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

IDK...even Harbor Freight carries a full line of both and they have a lifetime warranty on theirs too.

...sigh!

 

"Go Harbor Freight" (as he cringes)

8 hours ago, schnewj said:

Armed with that, check with your local store and see what their policy for exchange is.

I did, thus the post.  Even went back last week and tried again.  No, we don't warranty them.  That was Lowe's have not been back to Ace lately.  Of course this is the same Lowe's that if they don't know where something is, even if you bought it yesterday, they tell you, "They don't make that anymore."  

 

Yes it happened, I sent in a complaint and the Store Manager informed me over the phone it did not happen.  So I paid him a visit, and played the recording.  Still in denial.  Sent recording to corporate office of both incidents.  They were SOOO sorry.  Of course now that you have been caught red handed.  Sent me a $25 gift card and last I heard from them.

 

Kinda hard to get out of those recording thingie's.

 

1 hour ago, schnewj said:

...sigh!

 

"Go Harbor Freight" (as he cringes)

@Dadio... u seeing this?...another convert

27 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

@Dadio... u seeing this?...another convert

@schnewj  He's my man, Go Harbor Freight.

Herb

3 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I did, thus the post.  Even went back last week and tried again.  No, we don't warranty them.  That was Lowe's have not been back to Ace lately.  Of course this is the same Lowe's that if they don't know where something is, even if you bought it yesterday, they tell you, "They don't make that anymore."  

 

Yes it happened, I sent in a complaint and the Store Manager informed me over the phone it did not happen.  So I paid him a visit, and played the recording.  Still in denial.  Sent recording to corporate office of both incidents.  They were SOOO sorry.  Of course now that you have been caught red handed.  Sent me a $25 gift card and last I heard from them.

 

Kinda hard to get out of those recording thingie's.

 

Maybe this will help.

https://lowesemployees.com/craftsman-tools-available-lowes/

"Will Lowes Honor The Craftsman Lifetime Warranty?

That detail has yet to be confirmed.  The lifetime warranty coveres hand tools, not power tools. Most likely, Lowes will honor the lifetime warranty, though they may offer repair kits or service instead of immediate replacement. Sears has been doing this for about the last 5 years also.

Most Craftsman hand tools are advertised as having an unlimited lifetime warranty. This lifetime warranty program started in 1927. This warranty program requires no receipt or dated proof of purchase. If the owner takes the item into a local retail store, it may be replaced or repaired free of charge. In some cases, such as ratchets, the customer may be offered a repair kit with which to repair the item or an already refurbished item.

Craftsman power tools have a one-year warranty."

 

https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information

 

As of 12/18 Lowes is only warranting tools sold by them and many stores are requiring a receipt. Lowes does not own the brand, Stanley Black & Decker purchased in early 2017. Ace Hardware is now doing the same thing even though many of the tools on the shelf are stock made by Sears OEM manufacturers.

Stanley has stated in many places and many times that they fully intend to honor the lifetime warranty/ guarantee for all Craftsman tools. What they haven’t worked out is the details yet. They are still trying to fill out the lines with their tools. Can’t replace something you don’t make. They haven’t worked out how to compensate retail outlets for returns yet and they have their hands full rolling out their new product line.

That said they are trying to honor the warranty as much as they can through the 800 number. Several collectors have posted on the net that they have exchanged old tools for a replacement, but that it took a while. Your best bet is to use the 800 number now, or wait until they have ironed out details like this and have rolled out more product.

888–331–4569

 

So, for now it is apparently store specific. Per the above, they are still ironing out the details and trying to get the manufacturing lines up and fill in the tool gaps after the acquisition. All I can relate is what I was told in the local Lowes store. Replacement in kind if it is available in the store, otherwise you have to go through the Craftsman website.

4 minutes ago, schnewj said:

So, for now it is apparently store specific. Per the above, they are still ironing out the details and trying to get the manufacturing lines up and fill in the tool gaps after the acquisition.

Interesting information.  Thanks.  I see they are still ironing out the details, sounds so familiar in today's time.  Throw it out there, make the buck and we'll deal with issues later.

 

 

Just heard on the radio tonight a Lowe's commercial proclaiming they were the "new home" for all Craftsman tools. Never had heard that ad before. Local radio station too.