Where is my local hardware store?
After having one of our tools break the other day, I realized that big-box retail has really changed shopping. There's something to be said for the local hardware store that knows your name or the Sears store with their walk-in lifetime exchange guarantee. (They do still do that, don't they?)
For some reason, one of their commercials really sticks in my head from when I was a kid. A guy walks into Sears with a broken hammer (or was it a crescent wrench?) that he's had forever. He apologizes for not having a receipt, but the salesman says, "That isn't a problem." He walks over to exchange the tool for him. That was it. People in commercials sure were nice back then.
What ever happened to those days? We don't even have a local hardware store since the Ace in this neighborhood closed 8 years ago. That said, there is another big-box Home Depot going in near by. It will be the third home improvement store within 15 minutes of our house and the second built in just the last six months. We have a sneaking suspicion they did a marketing study and realized just how much we'd be spending in the next ten years. :-(
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Comments
Yes, they still do that! My dad works part-time as a tool pro in the Tool Territory at a Sears in Connecticut. He said it's amazing some of the old stuff people bring in. Unfortunately, only the Craftsman hand tools (like that commercial you described) are guaranteed for life.
Posted by: Kristen | May 21, 2004 7:39 PM
Well, you should possibly consider buying stock in Home Depot if you are going to be spending some money there over the next several years! i was there today myself and dropped another $40.00 on tools.......
Posted by: Gary | May 21, 2004 9:19 PM
Just last week I returned a screwdriver to Sears that I bought in Chicago in 1973 at their store on Van Buren & State. Got a new one, no questions asked. I didn't tell them I broke it by using it for a chisel.....POPS"30"
Posted by: POPS | May 22, 2004 11:25 AM
They are very nice at the Ace next to Hollywood Video at Lincoln and Devon - just past the new Home Depot. I've been reading along - live in a bungalow nearby - that we worked on 15 years ago - thought we'd only live in for 5 years. We're gearing up for round two.
Posted by: VKC | May 24, 2004 10:02 AM
I agree with VKC, that Ace is very helpful. There is a Sears on Cicero and Irving Park where you can get help too.
Posted by: Dani | June 14, 2004 4:06 PM