There is a Radio Shack still hanging in there out my way-in the shopping center where the old downtown Wal-Mart is.Its only a matter of time.Same with the Sears and the Penneys places here.Hate to see the Penneys go-sometimes you can get some good clothes when they are on sale.The only times I use the store.
The buzzards are swarming now for Sears.
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whirlcool
Well-known member
I think since Penny's got rid of the guy who tried to turn Penny's into another Apple Store management has stopped the free fall they were in. But as far as gains go, I think that they are barely breaking even.
But most stock brokerages are rating JCP stock as a sell due to much higher than average debt to equity ratio.
But most stock brokerages are rating JCP stock as a sell due to much higher than average debt to equity ratio.
toploader55
Well-known member
They closed the Radio Shack store on the Cape Months ago.
The Capetown Mall is like a Ghost Town now. KMart is barely surviving, Panera Bread, Cardi's Furniture and maybe like 3 others are left.
Across the Street is Sears at the CC Mall. I usually only go into Sears for Vacuum Bags and to look at Appliances when someone asks me what they should buy.
I'm just horrified at the flimsy construction of most appliances these days. I have yet successfully convinced any of my friends to go Vintage.
The Capetown Mall is like a Ghost Town now. KMart is barely surviving, Panera Bread, Cardi's Furniture and maybe like 3 others are left.
Across the Street is Sears at the CC Mall. I usually only go into Sears for Vacuum Bags and to look at Appliances when someone asks me what they should buy.
I'm just horrified at the flimsy construction of most appliances these days. I have yet successfully convinced any of my friends to go Vintage.
Capetown Mall turning into a "Dead" Mall?For dead mall tours go to YouTube and watch Dan Bells dead mall tours-and he plays erie "mall music" as he tours and narrates his trips.Kinda neat-but also sad.
There is a dead mall fairly close to me in Worthington, MN. I believe the only thing still operating is a movie theater---but even that seems to close for a few months, then reopen.
It used to have a K-Mart, JCPenney, Walgreens, Godfather's Pizza, McDonald's, a Chinese restaurant, a CD/music store, a Hy-Vee grocery store, a bank, two clothing stores (whose names escape me), and a couple of other smaller stores like General Nutrition (GNC).
All have either closed (K-Mart; JCP; music store; a clothing store) or moved to other locations in the town.
The place has been vacant, for all intents and purposes, for quite awhile now and it's looking pretty neglected/junky. Weeds are sprouting up all over in the huge cracks in the asphalt; the outside of the complex looks terrible. The owners live down south and have expressed no desire to either try to revive it, maintain it, or tear it down.
Back to topic: I purchase so little at Sears I'd hardly know it was gone, but I buy all my clothing online through JCPenney, so they have to hang on!
It used to have a K-Mart, JCPenney, Walgreens, Godfather's Pizza, McDonald's, a Chinese restaurant, a CD/music store, a Hy-Vee grocery store, a bank, two clothing stores (whose names escape me), and a couple of other smaller stores like General Nutrition (GNC).
All have either closed (K-Mart; JCP; music store; a clothing store) or moved to other locations in the town.
The place has been vacant, for all intents and purposes, for quite awhile now and it's looking pretty neglected/junky. Weeds are sprouting up all over in the huge cracks in the asphalt; the outside of the complex looks terrible. The owners live down south and have expressed no desire to either try to revive it, maintain it, or tear it down.
Back to topic: I purchase so little at Sears I'd hardly know it was gone, but I buy all my clothing online through JCPenney, so they have to hang on!
so sad
I love Laundress's statement, "Sears is dying a death by a 1000 cuts." Nothing could say it better. There is no one specific cause of Sears death but many.
What I have experienced is: poor stocking. Even at a very large Sears Mall store here in Tennessee I could not find a bag nor a belt for a recent Kenmore vac. On the vacuum accessories display rack, many of the spaces were empty. I guess no one cared whether they restocked the rack or not.
Arrogant employees. At the electronics section I was looking for a GPS for my brother-in-law for his birthday. The employee who waited on me was arrogant, rude and condescending. I will NEVER buy anything from that department if I see he is working there. (yes, there are still some very nice people who work there, but there are some real pieces of work as well.)
Often you just can't get help in a department. I often have to hunt an employee down and then they act like its a bother to wait on me.
These are just a few of the many "cuts." Which some of you may or may not have experienced at Sears as well.
When I lived in Ohio, the downtown Dayton store was crowded, literally. The escalators often were near full. Sears was trying to be everything to everyone, (like GE used be) and it sort of worked. You could go to Sears and by underwear, a toaster and then get a swimming pool for your backyard. It was fun and exciting to go to Sears!
Now, I go to large Sears in a large mall, and with no exaggeration, the store feels close to being deserted. I only see a few people and a I feel alone in a vast wilderness.
Sears catalogues were great too. Anyone remember those? I think the last full catalogue was printed about 1993. They were fun and you could lose yourself looking through it. I think a lot of Sears sales were lost when the catalogue went bye. Searching through their stock on the internet is much harder and not near as fun. I personally think they have lost a lot of revenue by getting rid of a catalogue. You can't browse through the internet while you are sitting on the toilet. (well, not as easily) And if you lived in the hills, you could not only make productive use of your time by looking through a catalogue while you were using the outhouse, you could make good use of the pages, when you finished your business (just avoid the slick ones.)
It's so sad. Sears is going through its death throes and I am afraid may soon be joining Montgomery-Ward and Western-Auto.
I love Laundress's statement, "Sears is dying a death by a 1000 cuts." Nothing could say it better. There is no one specific cause of Sears death but many.
What I have experienced is: poor stocking. Even at a very large Sears Mall store here in Tennessee I could not find a bag nor a belt for a recent Kenmore vac. On the vacuum accessories display rack, many of the spaces were empty. I guess no one cared whether they restocked the rack or not.
Arrogant employees. At the electronics section I was looking for a GPS for my brother-in-law for his birthday. The employee who waited on me was arrogant, rude and condescending. I will NEVER buy anything from that department if I see he is working there. (yes, there are still some very nice people who work there, but there are some real pieces of work as well.)
Often you just can't get help in a department. I often have to hunt an employee down and then they act like its a bother to wait on me.
These are just a few of the many "cuts." Which some of you may or may not have experienced at Sears as well.
When I lived in Ohio, the downtown Dayton store was crowded, literally. The escalators often were near full. Sears was trying to be everything to everyone, (like GE used be) and it sort of worked. You could go to Sears and by underwear, a toaster and then get a swimming pool for your backyard. It was fun and exciting to go to Sears!
Now, I go to large Sears in a large mall, and with no exaggeration, the store feels close to being deserted. I only see a few people and a I feel alone in a vast wilderness.
Sears catalogues were great too. Anyone remember those? I think the last full catalogue was printed about 1993. They were fun and you could lose yourself looking through it. I think a lot of Sears sales were lost when the catalogue went bye. Searching through their stock on the internet is much harder and not near as fun. I personally think they have lost a lot of revenue by getting rid of a catalogue. You can't browse through the internet while you are sitting on the toilet. (well, not as easily) And if you lived in the hills, you could not only make productive use of your time by looking through a catalogue while you were using the outhouse, you could make good use of the pages, when you finished your business (just avoid the slick ones.)
It's so sad. Sears is going through its death throes and I am afraid may soon be joining Montgomery-Ward and Western-Auto.
maylingsmom
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2015
- Messages
- 45
Totally agree with you bwoods. I do remember the catalog. Sad, sad.
Issue is very simple really:
Massive growth of online retailers.
Specialist clothing retailers, disposable fashion, expectations of shopping experiences rather than utilitarian department stores.
Massive growth of hybrid online/big box warehouse style retailing models for major appliance sales. You don't need glitzy department stores to shift washing machines and fridges - you need big out of town retail space, good websites and efficient logistics.
People don't really shop at department stores anymore. It's becoming a very outmoded way of shopping, except at the very high end where they're more about exclusive lifestyle experiences and curated collections of designer labels.
The same thing is happening here as the only very successful department stores are very upscale and the mid market stuff isn't really surviving.
The days of the big mid priced department stores are over.
It's sad as you'll probably see lots of those stores vanish forever, but that's retail : models of business change.
Those big department stores wiped out Main Street shopping in the early part of the 20th century and they'll face the same fate themselves with the rise of online and specialist retailers.
Massive growth of online retailers.
Specialist clothing retailers, disposable fashion, expectations of shopping experiences rather than utilitarian department stores.
Massive growth of hybrid online/big box warehouse style retailing models for major appliance sales. You don't need glitzy department stores to shift washing machines and fridges - you need big out of town retail space, good websites and efficient logistics.
People don't really shop at department stores anymore. It's becoming a very outmoded way of shopping, except at the very high end where they're more about exclusive lifestyle experiences and curated collections of designer labels.
The same thing is happening here as the only very successful department stores are very upscale and the mid market stuff isn't really surviving.
The days of the big mid priced department stores are over.
It's sad as you'll probably see lots of those stores vanish forever, but that's retail : models of business change.
Those big department stores wiped out Main Street shopping in the early part of the 20th century and they'll face the same fate themselves with the rise of online and specialist retailers.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
If I had to pick one thing...
... that has encouraged me to shop on-line, it'd be the lack of cashiers.
That is the largest single factor for me. I go into a store and get my stuff, and find that only a quarter of the registers are open and the lines are outrageously long.
What do I do? I put down my stuff on the nearest available space and leave.
If a store can't get enough applicants to fill positions, there's something wrong with the compensation package. Period.
If there's a problem with turnover, there's a problem with either management or the compensation package.
... that has encouraged me to shop on-line, it'd be the lack of cashiers.
That is the largest single factor for me. I go into a store and get my stuff, and find that only a quarter of the registers are open and the lines are outrageously long.
What do I do? I put down my stuff on the nearest available space and leave.
If a store can't get enough applicants to fill positions, there's something wrong with the compensation package. Period.
If there's a problem with turnover, there's a problem with either management or the compensation package.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I think that the mall method of retail is over with. With crime being what it is today some people just want to avoid large parking lots and garages. Go into the mall on the weekend to find closed up shops and teenie boppers running wild all over the place. And don't even mention the ambient noise levels!
Online shopping is so quick and fast, and a lot of times you are offered a better price on a store's website.
Flash! Texas just started allowing people to renew their license plates online. No more visits to the court house or tax office or even the DMV! It took all of five minutes. Now THAT is a real time saver! You can spend hours doing this renewal in person. Now that's progress.
Online shopping is so quick and fast, and a lot of times you are offered a better price on a store's website.
Flash! Texas just started allowing people to renew their license plates online. No more visits to the court house or tax office or even the DMV! It took all of five minutes. Now THAT is a real time saver! You can spend hours doing this renewal in person. Now that's progress.
There are still things that I like to shop for in person-clothes,tools,cars,guns,vacuum cleaners,we could go on.And don't forget shipping costs--and WAITING for your order to arrive.Did it get smashed by the baggage-package smashers at the shipper,wrong item?then you have the hassles of sending it back.With personal shopping you buy the thing-and the one you want and take it home.I only buy online if that is the only way to get an item.Yes,the online shopping can be done from your easy chair.That is nice.
Watch the abandoned mall videos -and what is really spooky--the SILENCE in the abandoned mall.
Watch the abandoned mall videos -and what is really spooky--the SILENCE in the abandoned mall.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
the older you get, the more you see things change
Sears' situation is sad. We shall see what the fates have in store for companies like Kmart, Penney's and Target. When the hardware chain I purchased for was under the Sears umbrella they sent out a corporate memo from Hoffman Estates on the day Montgomery Wards announced they were closing. The memo talked briefly about the many years Sears had shared a good relationship with Wards and that no one should take any satisfaction in their demise. They said they were losing a good friend. There are still thousands of people that rely on Sears for their lively hood, meager as it may be. Wish them well.
"Sears is the store, come and explore, give us a ring, Sears has everything"...I was just a kid back then.
Sears' situation is sad. We shall see what the fates have in store for companies like Kmart, Penney's and Target. When the hardware chain I purchased for was under the Sears umbrella they sent out a corporate memo from Hoffman Estates on the day Montgomery Wards announced they were closing. The memo talked briefly about the many years Sears had shared a good relationship with Wards and that no one should take any satisfaction in their demise. They said they were losing a good friend. There are still thousands of people that rely on Sears for their lively hood, meager as it may be. Wish them well.
"Sears is the store, come and explore, give us a ring, Sears has everything"...I was just a kid back then.
It's a paradigm shift really. The entire business has changed and continues to change.
What is interesting though, here anyway, is the rebirth of downtown (city centre) shopping as an experience rather than a necessity.
I actually work in and academically study this stuff. It's fascinating to see the rise of the hedonistic shopper in the physical retail space. These are the people who shop for pleasure. They buy things to enjoy them and they enjoy the experience of buying them.
That's the space that stores need to move into because price comparing utilitarian shopping is all moving online. Even supermarkets are experiencing this with moves online.
Mid-priced, mid market supermarkets here are losing market share to discounters, online and what's surprisingly performing well is the high end stores as people go to experience and explore fancier groceries and artisan food.
You've now got to provide shoppers with an experience that they can't buy online. That's where Sears and other mid market stores are failing badly. There nothing exciting about them. They're ok but, why would you go there if you can avoid it with a far more convenient alternative.
I really think if appliance retailers want to keep the doors open, they'll have to be more Apple Store and less Sears in their approach.
I'm afraid we'll see quite a few more mid market giants of the past disappear as they're not able to make the jump as they've just too much invested in the old models of business to change. It's a huge physical and cultural shift and they may not all be able to make it.
Sad to see Sears floundering but, it's inevitable really. It's like a crumbling old titanic being outmanoeuvred by a fleet of speed boats and party ships really.
What is interesting though, here anyway, is the rebirth of downtown (city centre) shopping as an experience rather than a necessity.
I actually work in and academically study this stuff. It's fascinating to see the rise of the hedonistic shopper in the physical retail space. These are the people who shop for pleasure. They buy things to enjoy them and they enjoy the experience of buying them.
That's the space that stores need to move into because price comparing utilitarian shopping is all moving online. Even supermarkets are experiencing this with moves online.
Mid-priced, mid market supermarkets here are losing market share to discounters, online and what's surprisingly performing well is the high end stores as people go to experience and explore fancier groceries and artisan food.
You've now got to provide shoppers with an experience that they can't buy online. That's where Sears and other mid market stores are failing badly. There nothing exciting about them. They're ok but, why would you go there if you can avoid it with a far more convenient alternative.
I really think if appliance retailers want to keep the doors open, they'll have to be more Apple Store and less Sears in their approach.
I'm afraid we'll see quite a few more mid market giants of the past disappear as they're not able to make the jump as they've just too much invested in the old models of business to change. It's a huge physical and cultural shift and they may not all be able to make it.
Sad to see Sears floundering but, it's inevitable really. It's like a crumbling old titanic being outmanoeuvred by a fleet of speed boats and party ships really.
firedome
Well-known member
one thing is for sure...
We 'Muricans will keep on shoppin', having been brainwashed since birth to be consumers, a role that has now supplanted that of being actual citizens. We're stuck in an infinite-loop system that depends on constantly increasing production and consumption in a world being trashed by using up non-renewable resources, turning them into cheap junk using cheap fossil fuel energy, then trashing it as soon as possible to buy new, rather than actually repairing things that are no longer intended to be repaired. We, the plebians, like the programmed robots we've become, will keep on mindlessly consuming... that is, until we can't. While the 1% oligarchs will try to keep their system going as long as possible, and at any cost, eventually their Ponzi scheme house-of-cards financial system will collapse of it's own weight, from the countless hedge fund schemes, flim-flam default swaps, banking corruption, crushing student debt, fraudulent book-keeping, and, ultimately, an incredibly massive amount of unpayable world debt, which now greatly exceeds the GDP of all the countries in the world... but, no worries, Sears will have been put out of it's pain by then. Just a small dose of the happy reality to come!
We 'Muricans will keep on shoppin', having been brainwashed since birth to be consumers, a role that has now supplanted that of being actual citizens. We're stuck in an infinite-loop system that depends on constantly increasing production and consumption in a world being trashed by using up non-renewable resources, turning them into cheap junk using cheap fossil fuel energy, then trashing it as soon as possible to buy new, rather than actually repairing things that are no longer intended to be repaired. We, the plebians, like the programmed robots we've become, will keep on mindlessly consuming... that is, until we can't. While the 1% oligarchs will try to keep their system going as long as possible, and at any cost, eventually their Ponzi scheme house-of-cards financial system will collapse of it's own weight, from the countless hedge fund schemes, flim-flam default swaps, banking corruption, crushing student debt, fraudulent book-keeping, and, ultimately, an incredibly massive amount of unpayable world debt, which now greatly exceeds the GDP of all the countries in the world... but, no worries, Sears will have been put out of it's pain by then. Just a small dose of the happy reality to come!
beekeyknee
Well-known member
I totally agree, Roger. Is there no way to stop this or is it just like a giant out of control machine working up enough inertia until it flies apart? It's like people in the '60's setting around waiting for the bombs to drop.
Come to think of it, who am I kidding. They could still drop. That's a scary thought, isn't it? I do admit I don't think or worry about bombs dropping because there's noting I can do about it, but I try not to buy lots of unnecessary disposable things.
I fix things and try to keep them running as long as I can. Probably because I know there's few good affordable replacements out there. But there lies the problem, doesn't it? If I could I probably would. Then I would be as big of a polluter as everyone else. But maybe not. It seems that more people all the time are realizing our resources are not unlimited and are trying to do something about it. But then again, there lies the problem. Economies are based on expansion, not contraction. Could someone explain to me how a feasible economy could be based on contraction? Would that even work? And lastly there's the problem of standard of living vs. population, the problem no one wants to think about much less address. All the electricity saving light bulbs and water saving gadgets in the world aren't going to fix this. I don't think the earth can take much more. Maybe I'm wrong. She might strike back and fix it herself. It's a harsh way to go about it though. I wish we could fix it first.
Sorry to bring such depressing thoughts to what started out as an innocuous thread about Sears failing.
Come to think of it, who am I kidding. They could still drop. That's a scary thought, isn't it? I do admit I don't think or worry about bombs dropping because there's noting I can do about it, but I try not to buy lots of unnecessary disposable things.
I fix things and try to keep them running as long as I can. Probably because I know there's few good affordable replacements out there. But there lies the problem, doesn't it? If I could I probably would. Then I would be as big of a polluter as everyone else. But maybe not. It seems that more people all the time are realizing our resources are not unlimited and are trying to do something about it. But then again, there lies the problem. Economies are based on expansion, not contraction. Could someone explain to me how a feasible economy could be based on contraction? Would that even work? And lastly there's the problem of standard of living vs. population, the problem no one wants to think about much less address. All the electricity saving light bulbs and water saving gadgets in the world aren't going to fix this. I don't think the earth can take much more. Maybe I'm wrong. She might strike back and fix it herself. It's a harsh way to go about it though. I wish we could fix it first.
Sorry to bring such depressing thoughts to what started out as an innocuous thread about Sears failing.
jerrod6
Well-known member
I agree with others that shopping models have changed. I enjoy shopping online because I don't have to leave my home and mess with getting to stores. Once I find online merchant brands I like, that have good solid items I keep returning. One exception is for pants since I am a bit hard to fit and like to try them on before purchasing, but for shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, coats and other things online works for me. There are several food stores around me that will let you shop online and have the groceries delivered right to your door. I see several of my neighbors using this form of shopping so I downloaded an app that will let me shop online at close stores and have the food delivered to my door. I haven't tried it yet but the thought is appealing especially in cold icy weather.
Another thing at the root of cheaply made appliances and items is the fact that in the USA a good part of the economic engine is depending on consumers to spend. This means appliances are made cheap so people will have to buy something new in a few years. I don't happen to like this but that's what is going on and there will be no incentives for businesses to change. This practice has run smack into the reality that many higher paying jobs have been lost and many people no longer have the luxury of uncontrolled spending. It will be interesting to see how the USA economy continues to adjust to this reality but in the meantime people will shop at big box stores that offer cheaper prices, for cheaper made items because they are being forced to do so.
This leaves Sears and smaller stores to compete with Walmart, Target, and other stores that have established large retail networks and can demand large volume discounts from manufacturers while passing some savings along to consumers. I was in Walmart two weeks ago and found that every brand of fabric softener of the same size including Downy was the same price, $3.97. Meanwhile at my trip to the supermarket I found the same bottle of Downy for sale at $6.57. For this price difference where do you think people will buy Downy? I know where I bought it. Sears no longer has this much influence in the market place thus it's demise.
For the longest time Sears was the only place you could get a good selection and variety of goods, and they were well made; this is simply no longer the case when you can even buy items from Europe and other places online. The business model has changed, and will continue to change as the years progress.
Another thing at the root of cheaply made appliances and items is the fact that in the USA a good part of the economic engine is depending on consumers to spend. This means appliances are made cheap so people will have to buy something new in a few years. I don't happen to like this but that's what is going on and there will be no incentives for businesses to change. This practice has run smack into the reality that many higher paying jobs have been lost and many people no longer have the luxury of uncontrolled spending. It will be interesting to see how the USA economy continues to adjust to this reality but in the meantime people will shop at big box stores that offer cheaper prices, for cheaper made items because they are being forced to do so.
This leaves Sears and smaller stores to compete with Walmart, Target, and other stores that have established large retail networks and can demand large volume discounts from manufacturers while passing some savings along to consumers. I was in Walmart two weeks ago and found that every brand of fabric softener of the same size including Downy was the same price, $3.97. Meanwhile at my trip to the supermarket I found the same bottle of Downy for sale at $6.57. For this price difference where do you think people will buy Downy? I know where I bought it. Sears no longer has this much influence in the market place thus it's demise.
For the longest time Sears was the only place you could get a good selection and variety of goods, and they were well made; this is simply no longer the case when you can even buy items from Europe and other places online. The business model has changed, and will continue to change as the years progress.
It's hit and miss with Sears, mostly miss. I don't shop at Sears much at all, namely because the last few times I went the stores were DIRTY with dust on the merchandise and shelving. The few store employees I saw were on their cell phones discussing their plans for the evening while I wait. Clothing departments were a mess. They do carry a brand line of pants that holds up well at my job, so I will go after that purchase when I need to replace but that isn't very often. One store in Austin, Texas was so bad I rushed to get out before anyone I might know would see me there, it was that bad, Barton Creek Mall. The store in San Antonio, Rolling Oaks Mall, is better. It's just hit and miss.
No sears for me
because they closed them all near me! Oh sure, those little hometown "stores" have opened, but really what can I get there? Nothing I can't get online cheaper...and they usually don't have what I want in stock and has to be ordered anyway. I really miss the old Sears from my childhood...I'd spend hours looking at the Sears catalog.
because they closed them all near me! Oh sure, those little hometown "stores" have opened, but really what can I get there? Nothing I can't get online cheaper...and they usually don't have what I want in stock and has to be ordered anyway. I really miss the old Sears from my childhood...I'd spend hours looking at the Sears catalog.
Sears Hiring
Was at the West Town Mall Sears yesterday and there was a large sign over the door saying they were hiring. I can't imagine why. As usual there was hardly a soul in the store. All I can think of is the current employees are running to escape from a sinking ship.
The Oak Ridge Kmart doesn't have much more business than Sears. Has anyone looked at Kmart's prices lately? Wow. That alone explains why no one shops there. Their sale item prices are OK, but everyday prices are way out of line with Wal-Mart's.
They give you these bonus points on your card when you shop at Sears and Kmart. However, have any of you tried to use them? There are so many restrictions on what you can apply points to, they are often virtually worthless. No electronics, no groceries, no jewelry...etc., ad infimum. I had bought a little over $80 worth of items at Kmart the other day and was expecting my $7 worth of points to be applied, but the cashier could only apply 40 cents of the seven dollars worth toward my total purchase because of the restrictions.
When I was in Sears, there was an elderly lady looking at the refrigerators. I saw her talking to the employee questioningly with a slight bit of agitation. I couldn't help overhearing since I was eavesdropping.
She had an ad in her hand with a sales price for a refrigerator. the salesman would not honor the price as the ad came out that day for the following day. the woman was not trying to give him a hard time, she just didn't understand how an ad could be in print and they wouldn't give her that price.
So he went and got the (I assume) Department Manager. She came lumbering over. Literally, she couldn't have walked much slower if she had wanted to. She got up to the woman and put he hand on her hip and she actually sighed as if it were a great bother to her to have to walk over to this woman, "What....can...I...do.. for...you" in a slightly negative and disgusted tone, with another little huff at the end of her statement.
The woman explained she wanted the refrigerator and then showed the manager the ad. The manager said the ad was for tomorrow and the price was not good until then. No apology, no alternatives. Basically she just told the woman, "tough luck" in so many words. This woman was very elderly and I am sure just the trip to the store was not an easy task for her. So now she had to go back home. And I still don't think she fully understood why an ad in print in the newspaper couldn't be honored.
At the very least the salesman and the manager could have been a little more understanding and said something like, "We are sorry for the misunderstanding and the inconvenience." Instead she got an attitude and a manager that acted like the woman must have interrupted her cell phone call with her boyfriend or something.
It seems like they could have honored the price and done an override at the register. Odds are it wouldn't have been delivered to her until the next day or day after anyway. So much for Sears customer service.
I think both Sears Holding stores, Sears and Kmart are about to go down the tube...and with good reason.
Was at the West Town Mall Sears yesterday and there was a large sign over the door saying they were hiring. I can't imagine why. As usual there was hardly a soul in the store. All I can think of is the current employees are running to escape from a sinking ship.
The Oak Ridge Kmart doesn't have much more business than Sears. Has anyone looked at Kmart's prices lately? Wow. That alone explains why no one shops there. Their sale item prices are OK, but everyday prices are way out of line with Wal-Mart's.
They give you these bonus points on your card when you shop at Sears and Kmart. However, have any of you tried to use them? There are so many restrictions on what you can apply points to, they are often virtually worthless. No electronics, no groceries, no jewelry...etc., ad infimum. I had bought a little over $80 worth of items at Kmart the other day and was expecting my $7 worth of points to be applied, but the cashier could only apply 40 cents of the seven dollars worth toward my total purchase because of the restrictions.
When I was in Sears, there was an elderly lady looking at the refrigerators. I saw her talking to the employee questioningly with a slight bit of agitation. I couldn't help overhearing since I was eavesdropping.
She had an ad in her hand with a sales price for a refrigerator. the salesman would not honor the price as the ad came out that day for the following day. the woman was not trying to give him a hard time, she just didn't understand how an ad could be in print and they wouldn't give her that price. So he went and got the (I assume) Department Manager. She came lumbering over. Literally, she couldn't have walked much slower if she had wanted to. She got up to the woman and put he hand on her hip and she actually sighed as if it were a great bother to her to have to walk over to this woman, "What....can...I...do.. for...you" in a slightly negative and disgusted tone, with another little huff at the end of her statement.
The woman explained she wanted the refrigerator and then showed the manager the ad. The manager said the ad was for tomorrow and the price was not good until then. No apology, no alternatives. Basically she just told the woman, "tough luck" in so many words. This woman was very elderly and I am sure just the trip to the store was not an easy task for her. So now she had to go back home. And I still don't think she fully understood why an ad in print in the newspaper couldn't be honored.
At the very least the salesman and the manager could have been a little more understanding and said something like, "We are sorry for the misunderstanding and the inconvenience." Instead she got an attitude and a manager that acted like the woman must have interrupted her cell phone call with her boyfriend or something.
It seems like they could have honored the price and done an override at the register. Odds are it wouldn't have been delivered to her until the next day or day after anyway. So much for Sears customer service.
I think both Sears Holding stores, Sears and Kmart are about to go down the tube...and with good reason.
mamapinky
Well-known member
I refuse to buy anything from sears again with the exception of detergent. Some of you may know about my recent issues with buying a washer, 1'st one a GE traditional top loader with no locking lid arrived receiving terriable treatment from delivery, did not work, the 2'nd a replacement arrived again receiving bad treatment from delivery, but was clearly used, he!! It had a ring around the tub, I have a feeling the salesman not happy the first was sent back ordered me a reconditioned one thinking I wouldn't know, but someone grabbed one that hadnt yet been reconditioned , otherwise I can't understand how I could have gotton a used washer. The 3' rd one was a kenmore front loader, by now I gave up on the GE..it was also delivered by the same rude men and after 12 hours of trying to get the sheets (1'st load) to spin and numerous calls to sears was told someone would come out on the 19'th, this was last monday, it was the last straw, my laundry was piling up and they wanted me to wait that long..I called the salesman who took all 3 orders and told him to send someone to pick up his lemon, and cancel my order and no thank you I did not want another washer from sears.it would have been to sears advantage to send someone quickly to resolve this issue, but they no longer care about customer satisfaction. At one point while in the store I looked around a bit, and I was surprised at the unkept store and many items with reconditioned tags, I thought reconditioned was sent to sears outlet..I'm finished with sears, no wonder they are sinking. Cheryl
