With the stories I have just read here---Hope Sears and their rude salespeople go a slow,painful route to the unemployment line!!Not selling the fridge to the elderly woman at the written price in the ad is pretty disgusting.Hope the lady got her icebox somewhere else!!!!
The buzzards are swarming now for Sears.
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joeypete
Well-known member
I've just started shopping at Sears again. It was THE store we went to as a kid for everything. My parents had a Sears charge so we literally bought everything we could there.
The store here in Concord is pretty quiet most of the time but the employees are very friendly and helpful. They do a big online purchase to store business from what I heard...that could be why you don't see many people in there at a time.
The store here in Concord is pretty quiet most of the time but the employees are very friendly and helpful. They do a big online purchase to store business from what I heard...that could be why you don't see many people in there at a time.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I have read the posts in this thread and agree. It's sad to see Sears failing.
I too, loved to read the catalogs as a kid. It kept me entertained for hours and I learned a lot about appliances, vacuums, etc. While the catalog wouldn't work now, "not green" and really who sends catalogs anymore (I don't get Fingerhut and Harriet Carter anymore). But, 1993 was probably too early to end the catalog, considering JcPenney held out until at least the early or mid 2000s.
The Sears here must be a good one as it is always clean and well stocked. I did notice the vacuum accessories section was poorly stocked, but it seems to be back in good order now. One thing that is odd is there seem to be a lot of returned vacuums, as there are always two or three used ones out on clearance.
I do have issues finding an open checkout, it seems only the tool counter and jewelry counter have people at them all the time, the others are often closed. But, you can check out basically anywhere if you can find an employee, as there are smaller checkout stations in most of the departments.
I also agree the mall concept is dead. I think I read it's been almost 10 or more years since any malls have been built. Retail seems to be moving to the strip mall or lifestyle center concept, which is really better in many ways. Easier to expand and less utility bills because there's no indoor section to heat/cool and they are easier to update.
My local mall has somehow held onto all of its original anchors from the early 90s. Belk, Bealls, JCPenney, Sears, and Kmart. The Sears was actually the last anchor to come in 15 years ago, which replaced an appliance and tool store in a strip mall. The mall also has a Kmart which is also clean and well stocked, but a little dated. The mall to me is a bunch of talk and no delivery. They keep saying a "well known, national retailer is coming", but it never happens. They also say they are planning a remodel, but all that happened is they repainted the parking lot signs and finally put the current store logos on them. The inside is unchanged other than painting over some of the dated peach and teal tile on the walls.
The food court is a joke. I go to other malls and most or all of the restaurants are chains. Here, they all left long ago, Sbarros, A&W, Starbucks, all gone. The new restaurants are second rate, private owned places that don't fit in a mall. Radio Shack in the mall closed, most of the smaller stores are just knick-nack junk shops or fashion stores that come and go, though some have stayed for years. There is a "games workshop" of some kind and an appliance parts store, in a mall!!
At least the theater is the better of the two in town and has new reclining seats, etc.
I did notice Kmart has removed the electronics counter, scaled back electronics and put more appliances in that area. Sears recently got rid of their men's suits section, repainted the area and put more casual clothes there. Probably a bad sign, they were not selling.
Do you think Sears could do better if they got in line with stores like HH Gregg and Best Buy and maybe just opened appliance (and maybe tools) stores in the fancier/higher end strip malls/lifestyle centers? Sort of like the hometown stores, but in more affluent/bigger centers and maybe make the stores themselves fancier. (Think warehouse style, wood floors, fancy lighting, etc). They carry a lot of brands, I think it could work, but would probably cost too much at this point.
I too, loved to read the catalogs as a kid. It kept me entertained for hours and I learned a lot about appliances, vacuums, etc. While the catalog wouldn't work now, "not green" and really who sends catalogs anymore (I don't get Fingerhut and Harriet Carter anymore). But, 1993 was probably too early to end the catalog, considering JcPenney held out until at least the early or mid 2000s.
The Sears here must be a good one as it is always clean and well stocked. I did notice the vacuum accessories section was poorly stocked, but it seems to be back in good order now. One thing that is odd is there seem to be a lot of returned vacuums, as there are always two or three used ones out on clearance.
I do have issues finding an open checkout, it seems only the tool counter and jewelry counter have people at them all the time, the others are often closed. But, you can check out basically anywhere if you can find an employee, as there are smaller checkout stations in most of the departments.
I also agree the mall concept is dead. I think I read it's been almost 10 or more years since any malls have been built. Retail seems to be moving to the strip mall or lifestyle center concept, which is really better in many ways. Easier to expand and less utility bills because there's no indoor section to heat/cool and they are easier to update.
My local mall has somehow held onto all of its original anchors from the early 90s. Belk, Bealls, JCPenney, Sears, and Kmart. The Sears was actually the last anchor to come in 15 years ago, which replaced an appliance and tool store in a strip mall. The mall also has a Kmart which is also clean and well stocked, but a little dated. The mall to me is a bunch of talk and no delivery. They keep saying a "well known, national retailer is coming", but it never happens. They also say they are planning a remodel, but all that happened is they repainted the parking lot signs and finally put the current store logos on them. The inside is unchanged other than painting over some of the dated peach and teal tile on the walls.
The food court is a joke. I go to other malls and most or all of the restaurants are chains. Here, they all left long ago, Sbarros, A&W, Starbucks, all gone. The new restaurants are second rate, private owned places that don't fit in a mall. Radio Shack in the mall closed, most of the smaller stores are just knick-nack junk shops or fashion stores that come and go, though some have stayed for years. There is a "games workshop" of some kind and an appliance parts store, in a mall!!
At least the theater is the better of the two in town and has new reclining seats, etc.
I did notice Kmart has removed the electronics counter, scaled back electronics and put more appliances in that area. Sears recently got rid of their men's suits section, repainted the area and put more casual clothes there. Probably a bad sign, they were not selling.
Do you think Sears could do better if they got in line with stores like HH Gregg and Best Buy and maybe just opened appliance (and maybe tools) stores in the fancier/higher end strip malls/lifestyle centers? Sort of like the hometown stores, but in more affluent/bigger centers and maybe make the stores themselves fancier. (Think warehouse style, wood floors, fancy lighting, etc). They carry a lot of brands, I think it could work, but would probably cost too much at this point.
I wonder if you can't "Call Sears!" for goods, can you still call for Services?
Can Sears still repair what it still sells or at least what it SOLD?!
-- Dave
Can Sears still repair what it still sells or at least what it SOLD?!
-- Dave
terrible customer treatment
That is terrible the way they treated you with the washer, Cheryl. The salesman probably thought, you being a woman, he could get by with pawning off a used machine to you. Good that you stood up to him ans showed him up!!
I rarely bought Kenmore appliances, but in the early nineties I did have a TOL Kenmore w&d. Under warranty one of the water solenoids went out. I called Sears service and told the woman the fill solenoid went out. She asked me to describe the symptoms. I told her I knew what the problem was-=the solenoid, I said that so she would make sure the repairman had one on his truck when he came out.
But she wouldn't listen to me and got irritated and said she needed to know the symptoms and wanted me to describe what was wrong. So I told her it wouldn't fill with water.
Sure enough the Sears repairman came out and he didn't have a solenoid and had to order one. They treat you like you have no intelligence. They cost themselves an extra trip when if they had made sure a solenoid was on the truck it could have been fixed in one trip. I don't think the woman dispatcher had any knowledge of appliances or how they work.
That is terrible the way they treated you with the washer, Cheryl. The salesman probably thought, you being a woman, he could get by with pawning off a used machine to you. Good that you stood up to him ans showed him up!!
I rarely bought Kenmore appliances, but in the early nineties I did have a TOL Kenmore w&d. Under warranty one of the water solenoids went out. I called Sears service and told the woman the fill solenoid went out. She asked me to describe the symptoms. I told her I knew what the problem was-=the solenoid, I said that so she would make sure the repairman had one on his truck when he came out.
But she wouldn't listen to me and got irritated and said she needed to know the symptoms and wanted me to describe what was wrong. So I told her it wouldn't fill with water.
Sure enough the Sears repairman came out and he didn't have a solenoid and had to order one. They treat you like you have no intelligence. They cost themselves an extra trip when if they had made sure a solenoid was on the truck it could have been fixed in one trip. I don't think the woman dispatcher had any knowledge of appliances or how they work.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I think Sears has probably started contracting their in home repair services to other companies.
My parents have bought most appliances from them in the last 20 years, most recent was in 2012 and no big problems with any.
I know I bought a used vacuum there a few years back, still got the 1 year warranty, and I had a problem with the power nozzle/wand after a few months. I took it back and they replaced the telescoping wand for free, on a used vacuum that I had bought for 1/4 new price. The wand probably costed nearly what I paid for the vacuum.
My parents have bought most appliances from them in the last 20 years, most recent was in 2012 and no big problems with any.
I know I bought a used vacuum there a few years back, still got the 1 year warranty, and I had a problem with the power nozzle/wand after a few months. I took it back and they replaced the telescoping wand for free, on a used vacuum that I had bought for 1/4 new price. The wand probably costed nearly what I paid for the vacuum.
whirlcool
Well-known member
We've never been a big fan of Sears anyway. I started boycotting them when I was about 19 and the only thing I have ever really bought there was Craftsman Tools and a dishwasher in 1992.
The dishwasher fell apart in three years, the tub finally rusted out and during a wash cycle dumped all the water into the motor. The trim strips on the front door fell off after about two years. We replaced it with our first Maytag DW which is probably still in operation in that house.
This house had Kenmore appliances when we moved in. They were ok for builder grade stuff. But item by item we replaced them all with GE and Maytag appliances. Ah, that feels so much better.
We had amall in Houston (Meyerland Mall) that was pretty much dead and they revitalized it by turning it into a huge strip center. It's very successful now.
The main thing about malls is you must have active anchors to attract the main shopping crowd. Without a major anchor, the mall will die. When JCP pulled out of a lot of towns they were a major anchor and still in some malls where they were located here we are 20 years later and those mall spaces previously occupied by JCP are still vacant.
Homart Development, a division of Sears holdings owns a lot of malls and the land they sit on. Sears Holdings sold that off as part of restructuring in 1995. Was this a sign of times to come?
The dishwasher fell apart in three years, the tub finally rusted out and during a wash cycle dumped all the water into the motor. The trim strips on the front door fell off after about two years. We replaced it with our first Maytag DW which is probably still in operation in that house.
This house had Kenmore appliances when we moved in. They were ok for builder grade stuff. But item by item we replaced them all with GE and Maytag appliances. Ah, that feels so much better.
We had amall in Houston (Meyerland Mall) that was pretty much dead and they revitalized it by turning it into a huge strip center. It's very successful now.
The main thing about malls is you must have active anchors to attract the main shopping crowd. Without a major anchor, the mall will die. When JCP pulled out of a lot of towns they were a major anchor and still in some malls where they were located here we are 20 years later and those mall spaces previously occupied by JCP are still vacant.
Homart Development, a division of Sears holdings owns a lot of malls and the land they sit on. Sears Holdings sold that off as part of restructuring in 1995. Was this a sign of times to come?
A shopping mall near way my died a slow,painful death despite the Sears anchor store.A Belk store used to be there-closed and moved out.Other tenents in the place moved out--the mall was ABANDONED by its owners.They did NO maintenance to the place.Then the mall was demolished-except for the part Sears is in.Now its an open type shopping place--BUT only a few businesses there.A matteress place,cellphone places,organic food store and Dicks Sport Goods-all that is there.LOTS of unused space.The owner wants high rent for the spaces.Doesn't go well in this small town.If the Sears gets closed--guess Dicks will be the "anchor" store.This competes with another mall on the other side of town.Its doing VERY well.Has a Belks-will see how the Penneys place does.And this mall has LOTS of clothing stores.Guess the college kids like them.Its a good mall to go to when you do need clothes-or a back massage!There is a massage place there.
mamapinky
Well-known member
Cole, while at the dealers the other day about a speed queen, the owner told us sears has contacted him several times asking if he would service LG&Samsung washers, he said apparently there's no available service for these machines for over 100 miles, the owner told sears no thanks.so I guess sears is contracting in home service to independent stores.
joeypete
Well-known member
If anything I think they are def too big for their britches now. Hence the store closings. Perhaps it's a way for them to lean down. I went to the Salem, NH store with my friend a few months ago to shop for appliances and it was an absolute mob scene. Granted the mall it's in is still very active, but Sears was packed. lol
From MSN Money 8-20-15
In earnings news, Sears (SHLD) lost an adjusted 67 cents per share for its latest quarter, smaller than the loss of $2.50 estimated by the lone analyst providing an estimate. Profit margins improved at both the Sears and Kmart chains, but same-store sales declined.
In earnings news, Sears (SHLD) lost an adjusted 67 cents per share for its latest quarter, smaller than the loss of $2.50 estimated by the lone analyst providing an estimate. Profit margins improved at both the Sears and Kmart chains, but same-store sales declined.
whirlcool
Well-known member
Does Sears even have many more assets to sell off? It seems that's what they have been doing for the past 15 years. I think Sears due to downsizing and selling off assets is stuck in a cycle of diminishing returns.
Have the executive bonuses continued and have all the golden parachutes been distributed?
Have the executive bonuses continued and have all the golden parachutes been distributed?
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
My story's the same: A combination of rude/incompetent/non-existent sales people, lack of cashiers, poorly stocked shelves. The only people I know who like Sears are people who go there only for tools.
----------------
"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 can only tell you about the metro NYC area, but around here the average Apple store sales person is of a much higher caliber than what you find in most department stores. I can only assume that their total compensation package, including the NON-monetary components, is a good bit better than the competition's.
Somehow, I can't visualize Sears and other department stores doing what they need to to attract and keep customers. I think there's been a change in general customer attitudes as well. I think customers now are more likely to just smile, say, "Thank you for your time", and walk out the door if they're displeased in any way.
Jim
----------------
"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 can only tell you about the metro NYC area, but around here the average Apple store sales person is of a much higher caliber than what you find in most department stores. I can only assume that their total compensation package, including the NON-monetary components, is a good bit better than the competition's.
Somehow, I can't visualize Sears and other department stores doing what they need to to attract and keep customers. I think there's been a change in general customer attitudes as well. I think customers now are more likely to just smile, say, "Thank you for your time", and walk out the door if they're displeased in any way.
Jim
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
That may be correct on contracting the service. I seem to recall seeing A&E Factory Service vans parked outside my local Sears.
whirlcool
Well-known member
My nutty sister called tonight to tell us that her Kenmore HE3+ washer finally after 10 years bit the dust. The spider on the drum came apart.
So she goes to Sears and looks at washers/dryers. The sales person points her to a $699.00 LG/Kenmore washer and tells her that's the one to buy. So she does. I asked her why she bought it. "Well, the salesman was nice." Then she was shocked to find out that on the Internet there were a bunch of negative reviews about the machine. But the sameman was nice... I reminded her she is supposed to read the reviews before she buys, not afterwards!
So she goes to Sears and looks at washers/dryers. The sales person points her to a $699.00 LG/Kenmore washer and tells her that's the one to buy. So she does. I asked her why she bought it. "Well, the salesman was nice." Then she was shocked to find out that on the Internet there were a bunch of negative reviews about the machine. But the sameman was nice... I reminded her she is supposed to read the reviews before she buys, not afterwards!
delaneymeegan
Well-known member
It doesn't appear that Sears will "go out of business", but, like most retailing these day, it's changing.
Sears/Kmart is still the 4th largest retailer in the U.S.
With the move to online sales, Sears may well continue to close physical stores, or perhaps move them to smaller square footage, but with on line sales they will still exist.
I just want to find a Sears store, in an odd abandoned mall, where for some reason the mall was boarded up in 1981 and all the merchandise is still there, albeit dusty, and I just happen to come along and discover this time sealed treasure.
Remember the Sears Furniture department, Sears Dental, Sears Vision, AllState agents, Dean-Witter Reynolds, the candy counter, catalog pick up with people waiting in line, the Catalog, the APPLIANCE Dept. from 1981, ohhh-h-h-h, .....who's going with me on my time travels back to a 1981 Sears store?
Sears/Kmart is still the 4th largest retailer in the U.S.
With the move to online sales, Sears may well continue to close physical stores, or perhaps move them to smaller square footage, but with on line sales they will still exist.
I just want to find a Sears store, in an odd abandoned mall, where for some reason the mall was boarded up in 1981 and all the merchandise is still there, albeit dusty, and I just happen to come along and discover this time sealed treasure.
Remember the Sears Furniture department, Sears Dental, Sears Vision, AllState agents, Dean-Witter Reynolds, the candy counter, catalog pick up with people waiting in line, the Catalog, the APPLIANCE Dept. from 1981, ohhh-h-h-h, .....who's going with me on my time travels back to a 1981 Sears store?
In my area-the Greenville NC,Grainger store has closed-so the buzzards are flying around that!Going to miss it!
In yesterday's business news, it was announced that now that the holiday season is over, the store closings will pick up in pace with 50 stores slated to be closed this year. This is sort of like the sign that reads,
"The beatings will continue until morale improves."
Someone noted here that this is a shrewd move to leave debt collectors with nothing but real estate holding buildings to be demolished.
"The beatings will continue until morale improves."
Someone noted here that this is a shrewd move to leave debt collectors with nothing but real estate holding buildings to be demolished.
joeypete
Well-known member
Well no wonder...
they are closing stores. Look at those prices from 1981...you can get a Kenmore washer cheaper now! lol. Crazy.
they are closing stores. Look at those prices from 1981...you can get a Kenmore washer cheaper now! lol. Crazy.
