First off let me say I grew up with Sears stuff in our home and farm. Couldn't wait every year for the new catalog to arrive. When you went into the store the clerk in that section knew his or her stuff and could actually suggest how to use the product and Sears stood behind the items they sold.

Fast forward to the past couple of weeks. My Son Dan bought me a Sears low profile jack for my birthday last July. Not cheap, about $ 219.99. Soon after it started to slowly drop when under a load. We used it mainly to get under our low cars, then would have to put a second jack under the car because we didn't trust the Sears jack. We weren't going to risk getting hurt or killed.

I finally got around to taking it back to the local Sears store a couple of weeks ago and the first thing they asked for was a receipt. I told them it was a gift, bought 7 months ago. No good, they need a receipt even though that jack has a one year warranty. I asked to speak to a Manger, but only an Assistant was on duty, and he "graciously" offered me 10% off of a new jack! Why should I buy a new one when I have an almost new one that is defective? I moved up the ladder and called Sears Customer Service and they created a file as this was felt to be a safety issue, and promised me the store manager would call me within 2 days.

Four days later he hadn't called yet, so I called them back. They then sent it up the ladder to the Regional Manager, and said he would call me within 2 days. Next day the store Manager did call and the best he would do is give me 30% off of a new jack! No way! So here it is a week later and still no call from the Regional Manager. No wonder Sears is in trouble and being bought out by companies like KMart.

I went on Sears own site and read the reviews on this jack, and out of 109 respondants the vast majority say that it is pure junk and dangerous. Here is the link:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...39#reviewsWrap

It didn't matter to the people at Sears that I have a shop full of tools and equipment from them. Nor did it matter that I mentioned I felt obligated to let my fellow forum members know how Sears refuses to address something that could be potentially harmful or deadly. I guess they figure it is cheaper to pay any lawsuits resulting from injury or death than to stop selling crap.

I'll take the old Sears Roebuck any day over this new incarnation.

Don