Sears

I can definitely see why Sears is going under.  I have a Kenmore range, ceramic top, put in around 2002.  I have since spent $600 to replace the computer.  It was turning itself on at random times.  So now the heating element in the bottom of the oven is burned out as is one burner.  I cannot get replacement parts.  I called Sears yesterday and was told that that model has been discontinued and there are no parts available.  I would have to buy a new range.  This one cost $1200 and now I have to buy a new one.  Not from Sears I won't.  I found a GE for $400, made in the USA, no bells and whistles to go out.  And I am going to get it.  On to my washer.  Not from Sears.  It is a Whirlpool and I have had it 4 years.  The motor is going out.  Already replaced the pump.  Next purchase of a washer is going to be a Speed Queen.  USA made.  So Sears has done it to themselves.  They should have been the Amazon of the digital world.  They pioneered drop ship. But they blew it and I am sorry to say, they did it to themselves.  Lousy customer service, crappy merchandise.  And this is why we shop online.  I can order the GE range through Best Buy for $50 less than I can get it at Lowe's and free shipping.  Same with the pump for the washer.  I could not find it in town so I had to order.  Weedeater, no one in town had the one I wanted.  I could have ordered from Lowe's or Home Depot but I would have had to pay shipping.  Instead I ordered from an online company and got it cheaper and free shipping.  And you know that company drop shipped it.

Retail clothing and shoes.  There is nothing out there in those retail brick and mortar stores that is worth wasting money on.  Shoes don't fit and most are made from plastic and cost a day's pay.  The clothing.  The cheapest fabric is used.  The fabric is trash and most of it is polyester which is made from oil.  So, yeah, I shop online and honestly I sew my own clothes because they fit.  I cannot find anything in these stores that fit.  And I am not overweight and have a normal shape.  And wash those clothes about three times and they are falling apart.  Nope.  Not for me.  I remember when we got quality clothing and shoes made right here in the US.  When I was a kid, Keds cost $7 and a pair of Bass Weejuns was around $20 max.  And a nice pair of leather loafers at Sears was $10.  So these companies moved offshore to "remain competitive" and give us cheaper products.  Well those same canvas Keds today cost $50 and those Weejuns cost over $100 and are poor quality.  There is no savings for the consumer.  There is a huge profit for the company.  I will spend the money and get shoes made in the states before I will waste my money on the trash made in third world countries.  I have bought a pair of Clark slip on shoes.  I bought my regular size 7 1/2m.  I paid around $80.  They were a size too small, cut too narrow across the top of the foot and too wide in the heel.  Sent them back and bought Eastland loafers.  Not the same quality I used to get, but a long site better than the Clarks. There is no quality anymore, just cheap quantity.  It is a shame what we have become.