How can Sears stay in business?

[Ornery]

What a bunch of clowns! Sears going out of business

That is one behemoth that can change with the times... quickly. You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between. You don't? No wonder we're hearing these asinine predictions of doom!

I don't hesitate to buy from Sears. They'll price match everything, and I can return stuff VERY easily. They have MUCH bigger selections than Target, Walmart, Kmart and whoever else you care to go to. That's the first place I'll check for electronics. If they don't happen to carry what I want, who cares? If they do, I get it price matched, so where's the problem?

 

[Doggiedog]

I bought all my kitchen appliances (stoves, frigs and DWs) from Sears from my last 2 houses. Sears also price matches readily.

 

[Apathetic]

They have a HUGE tool selection. I buy all kinds of power tools from them.

Dave

 

[Codewiz]

You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between.

When did that happen? I quit working there this past January? Pretty much everyone there was still commission.

 

[rudder]

They still have good sales occasionally. I buy clothes there all the time. PLus I recently bought a sony digital camcorder that was actually cheaper at sears than worstbuy and there was zero pressure for a psp or netflix! Granted most stuff is overpriced, but the key is to watch for the sales and no interest offers that they have.

 

I don't know about the Sears in your town/city, but in where I live it is always crowded with customers day and night in all the departments, most of the time I have to wait in a 15 minute line to check out.

 

[Mutilator]

I don't know anybody that doesn't have at least one Kennmore or Craftsman product in their house. That's one way to stay in business.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between.

When did that happen? I quit working there this past January? Pretty much everyone there was still commission.

Maybe he is talking about CC or BB?

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: Codewiz

You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between.

When did that happen? I quit working there this past January? Pretty much everyone there was still commission.

Maybe he is talking about CC or BB?

Or, even ChumpUSA. Best Buy was never a sales commission store when it comes to sales - I guess that is unless you decide to count the commissions received from selling those cheesy extended service plans.

 

[StageLeft]

I have bought a couple of pieces of inexpensive hardware from there, but mainly I go to sears when walking through them into other parts of the mall. Occasionally we do buy items of clothing from them though.

 

[Codewiz]

I will say that the Sears pricematching and return policy is unmatched by any company. I had people return used boots that were 2 years ago and I was told to take them as a return. It was truly insane. Just read the back of the receipt.

Sears will pricematch anything. Go online and find a better price and take it in. They will pricematch it.

 

[iamwiz82]

do you realize they had a net income of $1,376,000,000 last year? In the last 5 years they have not made under $700,000,000 in net income. This is on total revenues of $41,366,000,000. I'd say they will be ok.

 

[Kenazo]

I like sears too. It's amazing how big of a company they must have been in the day. That Sears Tower in chicago must have cost a fortune to put up.

 

[Nitemare]

I just bought some rechargeable batteries from them a week ago. I also get my oil changed there and new tires. Their Kenmoore brand are just relabeled name brands or made for them by GE/Kitchenaid/other.

Their tool line is superb as well

 

[RaymondY]

I still purchase alot of my tools, gardening stuff (ie. lawnmover, weedeater, garden hoses, etc) from Sears. The Craftsman line is excellent.

My wife likes Sears for there selection of kids clothing, they have much better stuff in terms of quality than Walmart or K-Mart.

 

[BlamoHammer]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: Codewiz

You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between.

When did that happen? I quit working there this past January? Pretty much everyone there was still commission.

Maybe he is talking about CC or BB?

Or, even ChumpUSA. Best Buy was never a sales commission store when it comes to sales - I guess that is unless you decide to count the commissions received from selling those cheesy extended service plans.

To the contrary, BestBuy was at one time a commission sales type store and since they made the switch, no slas person has ever received a comission for selling any type of warranty.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Between the tools and appliances, I know pleanty of people that buy stuff from them.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: Codewiz

You do know that they've almost completely phased out all commission sales positions. You know full time positions are few and far between.

When did that happen? I quit working there this past January? Pretty much everyone there was still commission.

Maybe he is talking about CC or BB?

Nope, Sears. The only commission positions left are electronics and lawn & garden. They even took shoes off commission recently!

They've been phasing out full time since I left there 25 years ago.

 

[alkemyst]

Sears is the lowest price here for Michelin tires, they have the lifetime tools that are made well (many 'lifetime' tools are lifetime's for break and replace via mail in), they have decent appliances and sales on them. Home depot's Husky tools are good, but I find they don't have the automotive selection I get at a Sears and on Sunday late afternoon when your wrench breaks or you don't have the right tool, Sears comes through.

Also like many said if you are in a bind you can get financing at 21%....which isn't as bad as the buy here / pay here places that have you pay for 1 - 2 years on a product that is 50-100% marked up.

I don't know about your area's but the Sear's around here are usually always pretty crowded.

 

[Drekce]

My wife bought a watch there on Monday night.

 

[caitlion]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
they are a walmart that is evolving into a JC Penny

i dont get that comment.. but i hope not for their sake. jc penney has next to nothing thats worth paying for. they also have "the biggest sale ever!!!" every fvcking weekend :-/ grrr. hehe sorry im a little bitter towards jc penney.

 

[aircooled]

Tools, appliances, batteries... etc... There are folks that will buy these and other items from no-one else.

 

[N8Magic]

I'm just going to sit here and chuckle at all of the people that think Sears is going out of business anytime soon.

Just because YOU don't shop there, doesn't mean millions of others don't. The Sears location near me is usually pretty busy.

 

[FoBoT]

it is a mystery

when the old people die, so will sears, that is my theory

 

[dullard]

There are two kinds of shoppers:
(A) People who buy only on price. They are completely willing to buy crap quality objects that will fail soon simply since it costs 25% less. They'd rather buy 3 objects at $100 than even consider one of the same object at $125. These people are quite abundant and thus Walmart is quite popular.
(B) People who buy based on quality. These people are willing to buy at Walmart if need be, but also know that sometimes buying one item at $125 is cheaper in the long run than buying 3*$100 = $300. There are enough of these people keep Sears in business.

True, not all of Sears items are higher quality than what you can get elsewhere. But many times it is. Suppose a company makes 10 grades of an item, Walmart sells the cheapest 4, and Sears sells all 10. Quite frequently the selection of the other 6 will allow you to get the best quality item.

Plus Sears price matches to any store anywhere, so really you don't save money by avoiding Sears.