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Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:30 pm to pdubya76
Your Dad was part of the old group that made tons of money for them. It's a shame he had to witness what was going on.
I was there only 2 years while finishing school. I was the first part timer hired in hardware. Worked with some of the finest, most professional salesmen you could ask for. These guys passed on years of experience to me even though they knew I wasn't staying.
They saw the changes early on and knew the business model was flawed. Still, it never affected the way they treated customers and the way they did their jobs.
I was there only 2 years while finishing school. I was the first part timer hired in hardware. Worked with some of the finest, most professional salesmen you could ask for. These guys passed on years of experience to me even though they knew I wasn't staying.
They saw the changes early on and knew the business model was flawed. Still, it never affected the way they treated customers and the way they did their jobs.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:33 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
Didn't change with the times....
Sears should have changed their model. They should have downsized to keeping their auto centers, tools, and big household appliances. If they had done that and got rid of everything else they would be thriving.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:35 pm to Traveler
Why did they change the business model? Save money I assume.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:36 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
Didn't change with the times
Truth. The closest store to me still looks the same way it did in 1992
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:40 pm to Kige Ramsey
quote:
Truth. The closest store to me still looks the same way it did in 1992
Sounds like a YouTube video opportunity.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:44 pm to olemc999
Yep, saving money. No benefits, no retirement, low salaries. Part timers are easy to hire. It does add up, but what were they really saving at the end of the year when they totaled their sales? They were only fooling themselves. Customer loyalty can only be tested so many times until...
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:46 pm to Traveler
Did you work in BR? I worked in hardware/paint at Cortana while going to school.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:47 pm to BRgetthenet
quote:
Blame Amazon.
Sears was in dire straits long before Amazon became the retail behemoth it is today.
Walmart sent them into a death spiral during their great expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, and other businesses like Best Buy, Kohls, Home Depot and others usurped their foothold with consumer electronics, apparel and home improvement. Retailers started eating into their marketshare segment by segment until they became an afterthought.
There was a great Reddit discussion on this a few months ago, but the oddity of Sears is that they were essentially Amazon before Amazon due to their catalog business. If they wouldn't have discontinued the catalog and would have instead adapted it to online in the early days of the internet, with their distribution footprint they could have been Amazon.
This post was edited on 12/27/18 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:49 pm to olemc999
It was cheaper to pay a 20 yr old college kid than a full time employee. They saved on benefits for sure. My dad knew those appliances that he sold and the customers of that time appreciated that. Most times you go in now and all they are is glorified cashiers.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:52 pm to pdubya76
No, I was there in the late 70's. Hardware was separate from paint. They were combining outdoor equipment with hardware when I came on. It was a good gig but nothing I wanted to stay with.
This post was edited on 12/27/18 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:56 pm to pdubya76
quote:
My dad knew those appliances that he sold and the customers
And I'm willing to bet he knew their names as well even if he didn't see them very often.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:58 pm to Traveler
He did and they knew him. He often would get stopped away from work by someone he sold an appliance to. That was a different age. Those days are gone I’m afraid.
I think Chicken worked at Sears also.
I think Chicken worked at Sears also.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 7:59 pm to Feral
Another weird thing was when Kmart bought Sears. A lot of people think Sears bought Kmart but it’s actually the other way around.
Kmart bought them but wanted it to look like Sears bought them. They believed the Sears Name had more power to it and even renamed some Kmart legality type of stuff to Sears holding.
Kmart was only after 3 things.
1. Illusion of merging with a retail giant of the past.
2. Sell Craftsman tools.
3. Sell Kenmore appliances.
They never had a plan to do anything with Sears. There is a great YouTube channel called Company Man where the guy breaks down the rise and falls of companies.
Kmart bought them but wanted it to look like Sears bought them. They believed the Sears Name had more power to it and even renamed some Kmart legality type of stuff to Sears holding.
Kmart was only after 3 things.
1. Illusion of merging with a retail giant of the past.
2. Sell Craftsman tools.
3. Sell Kenmore appliances.
They never had a plan to do anything with Sears. There is a great YouTube channel called Company Man where the guy breaks down the rise and falls of companies.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 8:01 pm to Traveler
quote:
Worked with some of the finest, most professional salesmen you could ask for. These guys passed on years of experience to me even though they knew I wasn't staying.
They saw the changes early on and knew the business model was flawed. Still, it never affected the way they treated customers and the way they did their jobs.
One of the finest, yet saddest posts, I've read here. Also a wonderful statement on professionalism... I won't say that it's non-existent in this country, but it's extremely rare anymore.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 8:03 pm to fallguy_1978
quote:
Sounds like a YouTube video opportunity
Already done 1
Posted on 12/27/18 at 8:04 pm to LCA131
quote:
I won't say that it's non-existent in this country, but it's extremely rare anymore.
I only find it at small locally owned stores now like Stanton's.
Posted on 12/27/18 at 8:26 pm to LCA131
Thanks LCA. It was truly a learning experience in dealing with people. Some of those guys have passed away and I have lost track of the few remaining but I am forever grateful for them taking me into their group. 
Posted on 12/27/18 at 8:29 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
People haven't shopped at sears since nam.
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