The History And Future Of Sears

1886-1974- How to spend hundreds to make millions
1975-2004- How to spend millions to make hundreds.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what went wrong with Sears. First Sears tried "The Softer Side" and didn't have a clue what brands to carry or what styles to have made by their manufacturers. The few women that would "shop" at Sears went elsewhere.

Then Sears closed the stores where their strongest customer base resided. They closed all the small "catalog" stores in rural America. These stores catered to the needs of the local community HOWEVER the rural customers would also go to "the city" Sears store to make additional purchases.

Then the only time that women would shop at Sears was when their guy said that he was going to Sears to purchase something.

Next Sears put each generation of tools out for bid from manufacturers. Obviously the low bidder got the contract to make the tool. As everyone knows, you get what you pay for. As a result, the guys don't go to Sears to buy tools and hard stuff either.

Does it surprise anyone that when a company alienates their customer base, their customers leave and shop elsewhere.

"Sears is still investing a lot of money into becoming a leading online retailer"
Sears missed a tremendous opportunity when they closed their catalog operations in 1993, just before e-commerce took off. Although the catalog business was outdated, its infrastructure should have made it an easy transition to on-line sales. Now, 15 years too late, they are spending a lot of money to get back in the game.

Would also help if they stood behind their brands. Bought a Kenmore washer - completely dead in 3.25 years. They couldn't send a tech out for 2 1/2 weeks. WTF Called a different company - they came to check on washer the next day. The ballist had sheared off and broke into 3 pieces. Would have cost in excess of $800. Better to buy a new machine. Did I go Sears. God NO. Sears does not stand behind their products at all. It will be a cold day in hell before I go back to Sears. Sears has lost my business forever. Thanks for nothing Sears. Maybe you should go back to what made you famous, great quality, good price, great customer services. None of that exists in the current Sears.

I know the wonderful history of Sears. It was, that is, WAS, a great company. They muddled it for me 30 years ago, after they refused a cash purchase. I wasn't allowed to do the cash purchase unless I gave them my name and address for their records I respectfully declined to give them the information, after all this was only a $60. cash purchase. After trying to convince the sales clerk and a manager that I was using cash, not my Sears credit card, and the receipt would be my record of purchase, should I need to invoke a guarantee, they still insisted on the information. Finally, I just walked away. To me it was a matter of their attitude and my principles. I wrote the CEO of Sears, the next day, and filed my complaint. I received an answer from Sears saying a regional manager would contact me soon. The regional manager never called even though this time, they had my name, address and telephone number. I've been waiting now for thirty years and the manager still hasn't shown up. That is why, I'll continue not doing business with Sears, a once great store.

Too bad. Use to be an American icon and now like the rest who dont manage the change needed to perform with the market, they must go under-NO BAILOUT PLEASE! IT is sad but this is the true nature of how our system works and we should allow it to rightfully follow this process.

sears' problem is that it needs updating. Their fashion is out of style. Their stores are old. They need someone like what Bonnie Brooks did for the Bay - they need a visionary. They can make it work but a lot of work needs to be done to get there.

Sears clothes belong to past century.

I have stopped shopping at Sears years ago. They were always more expensive than any other store for exactly the same merchandise. The last straw was a cooking pot they sold for $99 when everywhere else it was available for $75-80. All I can say - I want miss them.

Had trouble with a washer from Sears , They said they would get back to me in two working days . That was three weeks ago . Still haven't
heard from them . A lot of stuff looks cheap when you get it for a high price . Made in China !

I personally like Sears, they have such a wide variety and unlike Walmart they provide better quality and you can actually find North American made goods. The downside to Sears is that their prices have been way above the competition. To purchase something made in Canada or the US I have no problem paying a little bit more but to buy those goods that are made in China I am sure going to look around other than Sears.

Sears was one of the best and now one of the worst. I asked the corp. office personally if they were interested in fixing the rep they now have - answer - thank you for your comments ! I have not and will not spend another dime there.

I use to shop at Sears with my mom when I was little and it use to be a good store back in the 80's. Now it has bad service and is way over priced. You can usually find the same items at other stores for 10-15% less. In 2007 I purchased a plasma TV from Sears, and 6 months later volume button on it stopped working. When I went in the store to exchange it they told be sorry but you only have 90 days to exchange items so you are out of luck. I haven't gone back to a Sears store ever since.

To all the Canadian readers.....it is Sears in the US that is in trouble and not Sears here in Canada (although it, too, is facing difficult times). Recent Business news (not Yahoo scare headlines) was clear on this and outlined the steps Sears Canada was taking to mitigate the economic problems it is facing.

We still get 3 Sears mailorder catalogues per year in Canada - spring/fall/christmas wish book. I think the mailorder/online store is fairly healthy here, relatively speaking.

I hope sears survives, I am not buying walmarts out of the container direct from china

Sears are dying a slow death........or perhaps sooner than expected. Items on sale at the Bays are of better quality and price.

Only item i bought was a battery for my watch at Sear's Watch Repair other than that...Nothing.

let them fail they too expensive anyway.

Sears was a good company. Their prices are too high and moving their call centres to the Philipines and India were a big mistake ... thousands of people laid off