I purchased over a year ago a CRAFTSMAN PROFESSIONAL hi-lift car jack. I have used it very little and recently I pulled it out to raise a van. I got one tire up, jacked it, then went to the other tire. When I tried to raise it the jack wouldn't lift. I took it to the closest Sears store for service. They told me I would have to take it to the repair center, which I did. There they told me they don't stock parts for it and that it was a discontinued model. They gave me an 800 number to call, which I did. When I gave them the model number it came up as a belt. I mentioned that it was a discontinued model and they told me I would not be able to get any parts if it has been discontinued. I was outraged. How could Sears discontinue a CRAFTSMAN product especially one of there PROFESSIONAL line products and then not be able to provide support for there product. I asked if I could be credited the amount I paid for it to buy another one that is not discontinued. She said I would have to check with the store. So I went back to the store. The clerk called the department manager and he told me he could not help me since it was a discontinued model and could not credit me any of the money. I told him that I had a van at home with on tire up in the air and no way of getting it down without the jack. He told me that they have some inexpensive jacks he could sell me. I told him those won't do since they only rise 15 inches off the ground and I purchased a HI-LIFT which raises the vehicle to 21 inches. I also told him that Sears better rethink their policy on treating loyal customers (I've been a CRAFTSMAN customer for 30 years) and that this was a PROFESSIONAL line product. He said that he was sorry but there is nothing he could do. I stormed out the store and went home. I called around for a place that would fix my jack. I found a place called Miami Jack Service. They offered to fix it for $65. When I took it over there I chatted with the mechanic about my story. He told me he wasn't surprised about CRAFTSMAN products. He mentioned that Sears is now manufacturing there tools and jacks dirt cheap overseas (like in China) and marking it up alot. My jack does say Made in China. He said the quality isn't there any more neither are the replacement parts easy to get. He mentioned if you want to get quick service you've got to buy American. He pointed out a Lincoln jack and said, "Now that's quality and easy to get parts because it's still made in the USA". He then went on to say he once saw a documentary on TV where the CRAFTSMAN tools that are stamped MADE IN THE USA are actually being made in Taiwan and China. Then he mentioned that a top executive said on TV that the American people won't mind if the CRAFTSMAN tools are made overseas and stamped MADE IN THE USA as long as Sears stands behind their products and warranty. Well, guess what Sears, Roebuck, and Co. I do mind. It's called LYING! And for you to make a CRAFTSMAN product especially a PROFESSIONAL line product and then discontinue it and not provide any parts or support for it is a major screw up on your part. This is one customer your gonna lose for life!
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