The deadline to buy Sears out of bankruptcy is today and so far no one is bidding

Why can't these stores learn from Target (Target itself needs to learn it even more too) and get exclusives with designers that are limited quantity and get folks in a frenzy -- and into their tired stores? No reason to go to Sears save for tires and maybe kitchen stuff. That could've changed.

We got some good deals at Sears the day after Christmas. My Mom got a nice Lands End coat for $70 down from $165.

Alright, I’ll do it. How much do they want? I’ll pay a dollar as long as I don’t havd to take their liabilities.

Get used to this kind of thing, it's all downhill from here until Climate Change finishes us off for good.

R4 hasn't been invited to any New Year's Eve parties.

This has nothing to do with climate change and everything to do with Amazon/internet shopping.

My Craftsmen tools have a lifetime warranty. They better be ready to honor that.

I forgot all about this...

Isn't it dead already?

It has become the Guiding Light of Retail - a shell of its former self after decades of decline that needs to have the plug pulled as it barely resembles what it once was.

Did Sears ever have a lunch counter?

I also swear by Craftsman tools as well as Kenmore appliances, but their warranty plans and repair services are sketchy AF. I stopped falling for Sears “maintenance agreements” and now maintain and repair the appliances myself or hire a third party in order to avoid Sears horrible customer service, misleading extended warranties, and incompetent technicians.

Going to Sears with my parents on Saturdays was the highlight of my week when I was kid. Dad went to the tools section, Mom to women's apparel and I went directly to the toys section. To me it was the most fantastic place in the world.

Sad to see it end like this

My washer & dryer are from Sears but the installers were so incompetent and rude that I swore I'd never buy from there again, and I haven't. We asked them to bring the appliances in the back door straight into the laundry room, to avoid them hitting some antiques that were sitting out and not yet put away because of the move, and they didn't, and crashed into an old 1933 Philco radio. Then they said "you don't have any water lines so we can't install the washer, bye" which wasn't true, and I shouted they'd better get their lying asses back inside and install it like we paid them or they'd regret it.

Then they wondered why they didn't get a tip. Sears was completely unresponsive to the complaint.

So you'll understand why I'm shedding no tears.

i bought all kenmore appliances for my new home last year. stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer.

Sears sold off Craftsman tools. They are now available at Lowes' and other outlets.

Your warranties are toast.

Also, the only potential buyer for Sears is its' current CEO who literally drove them into bankruptcy.

While I smell a huge rat here, Sears was all done when they sold off the Discover Card.

they shouldn't let the current CEO buy anything. That bastard is partly responsible for this mess.

The appliance repair problems have been going on for some time:

partly r16? He either wrecked them on purpose or he is the Homer Simpson of the corporate world.

And by the way delivery and installers for big stores are outsourced to third party vendors. Sears, Lowes', Home Depot and the rest are not responsible for anything once an item leaves their store. Free delivery and install is really quite risky.

Read the fine print.

Sears has been on the decline for so long that its time for them to go out of business.

I live in Chicago and we no longer have ANY Sears stores located in the city itself, the city in which Sears started and is located.

For years Sears corporate has talked about upping their game in clothing, but year after year they make the same mistakes, their clothing is shit, their customer service is shit, the entire store experience is shit.............. good bye Sears.

I bought a Kenmore product on Amazon but since the maintenance agreements had no description on what they would cover or what “tier” to select, I avoided buying the extended warranty. They delivery guy was amazing though, but he obviously was an indie contractor who hustled from job to job. I lucked out with him, I guess.

Thoughts & Prayers

Private equity, at it again.

Who the fuck does all their clothes shopping online?

No wonder so many people are 500 lbs.

Over the last 30+ years, the only things I've bought at Sears are appliances. Clothing? Not a chance.

Quick, somone set up a Go Fund Me!

Poor Sears. They were Amazon before Amazon and didn't realize it.

They gave me my first job out of college. I will miss them.

The Sears Christmas Wishbook was the BOMB, but Santa never got me that Growing Hair Crissy dollI wanted so badly.

I worked at Sears in high school in the mid 1970s. They had a great candy dept and a lunch counter with some good food.

There is surprisingly still a Sears in my little retirement area in FL in a nearly empty mall, dead most of the time but somehow has managed to survive all the rounds of closings. Only time I've gone in there is to use the restroom, since it's so dead the restrooms aren't bad. I think what has kept this store open is the Automotive Dept, retirees get their cars serviced there.

I'm sorry for the workers. Otherwise, good riddance.

Remember not to vote for Romney, EVER. He's the same dude as this CEO. Corporate Raider.

Does it look like this, R28?

80 More stores closing:

Sad last days.

Penney's ain't doing to well either. Their stock closed under $1 yesterday. If both chains go under, it will be a disaster for mall owners.

to=too

[quote]Free delivery and install is really quite risky.

I guess this at r18 was directed at me because of my story about Sears delivery earlier, but my experience was 14 years ago, it was definitely not outsourced, and it wasn't free either, as I clearly said.

People are so determined to be scoldy around here.

Kenmore appliances have gone downhill dramatically since the late 90s. Not sure why you would buy kenmore anything since the word of sears closing/ imminent demise has been out in the open since 2009.

Also sad to hear this, though not surprising. I can't even really remember the last time I bought something there. I think it may have been a space heater or something back in the early to mid 2000s but that's just a guess.

r37, they still rank near the top in consumer reports. kenmore appliances that is.

Scary. The gap in my hometown mall is also closing, which spooked me a little. I loathe shopping online and am sad to see brick and mortar retail evaporate.

I loathe "brick and mortar" shopping so I can't say I'm sorry to see them go. Sears has been circling the drain for decades now.

It's a real blow to leather daddies.

I thought they folded years ago

I figured the end was near when Sears carried a bunch of “humping reindeer” products this season. Declasse even for Sears, because the only thing going for it was the nostalgia of its wholesome, unironic image. Yard decorations and oven mitts portraying Mrs. Rudolph getting fucked in the ass. Thanks for ruining childhood, Mr. Lampert!

I hate when porn oozes into regular life like Christmas.

In other news Jamesway is making a comeback.

So sad because their menswear catalog with hung jocks innocently hanging out together in bold, colorful underfashions was once prime fap material for gen-X gaylings.

R47 what the hell are you talking about (hung?) All I see is ball sacks being smushed into some hideous tight bathing suits. If you can FAP to that, well kudos to having an imagination I guess.

So I wonder if Lampert just bottomed out the company so that he could acquire it cheap for his hedge fund?

I've said elsewhere that I'm surprised that Carlos Slim didn't bid for it, he bought Sears Mexico, and they are doing great. He could have refocused Sears USA towards the Hispanic market.

R47 more like fap for boomers. I was born in 1975 and was a baby when shit like that came out.

What an amazing era for male catalog fashions!

^ sexy guys with normal fit healthy bodies.

A fashion stylist once told me that they would put a piece of bread between a man's penis and the underwear in those catalog shoots so that the outline of the penis wasn't seen.

Sears never recovered fron The Penis on Page 602 controversy.

R55 - thanks for the link to the catalogue story / it was fun - and obviously it was a printing error not s glimpse of peen.

However, in the comment section the article a reader identifies the model as Gary Bimson - a gent who passed away in 2013. A google search turns up a Playgirl photo shoot from (September 1974!) - “There’s Something In The Way He Does Me” - where Mr Bimson’s Bimson is on full display. No wonder Sears refused to release his name at the time.

When we would shoot underwear for Sears in the 80's 90's sometimes we would have the male model wear panty hose underneath with the legs cut off to smooth out any visible penis bulges.

Once we had to shoot 2 male models in a kitchen in their underwear, corporate made us do a reshoot because they said it looked too gay, their solution was to have one of the male models holding a football....... because we all know if you like football you can't be gay.

And shit like this is the reason that Sears has been on the decline for years.

Malls suck anyways.

Their catalog brings back memories of my budding, uneducated sexuality. I have a thing for feet and those big juicy feet in the pajama section would regularly get carefully peeled out of the big catalog and go into my masturbation fantasy folder ....

R56 - here is another story about Gary Bimson and how he was hurt on a photo shoot.

[quote]Their catalog brings back memories of my budding, uneducated sexuality.

Sears served all our needs.

R56 - could you be a dear and link it for us?

WEll that's too bad. I was hoping DL could have a bake sale and buy it for our own.

All I see is Gary’s visible jaw line his catalog photos. I can’t find his Playgirl spread either, but he probably used a pseudonym for it.

R62 - the link is in R55

Is everyone buying clothes online now? I must be the only one who wants to go to a store and try on clothes before I buy them. I can understand buying things like gloves and hats online but how can you get a good fit on clothes unless you try them on in the store??

I was going to say the same thing, R51. This clearly came out before we were born.

R66 I tend to buy clothing online only if I already know the brand and fit. If not, I end up having to return it, which is a much bigger hassle than just going to the store in the first place. I don't understand just buying everything online, maybe that is why so many people are walking around in ugly clothes that are clearly the wrong size.

R51 My grandmother hoarded Sears Wishbooks from the 60s and 70s, so it’s entirely plausible that a Gen X-er going through puberty could have fapped to some of those thrilling tankini shots.

I have to try on anything I buy, including gloves or hats, so if I do mail order ive already tried the actual garment on in the store. I cant deal with sending things back or ordering multiple sizes.

Anyway most Sears clothing is really bad quality and is going to wash poorly.

Well over 80K employees.

r69, well then it's still possible for anybody to fap over it. not just any specific age group. I probably wasn't even born when the catalog photos you posted were published. I'm gen x. (1975).

WHERE WILL I BUY MY TANKINIS???

Sears no longer has purpose so it should die. The same goes for JC Penney.

Sears and JC Penney serve an older set who do not shop online. They will have to turn to their kids, if they have them. Department stores are toast, however, I agree. I guess everything that they sell will continue somewhat in brick and mortar but not all together under 1 roof.

Last times I have been its for Lands End pick ups or returns.

Speaking of, Lands End has gone to SHIT as well.

Its the cheap foreign production. Race to the bottom.

From the 30's to the early 90's the annual Sears Christmas catalog and Christmas Wishbook were always a greatly anticipated deliveries for every kid. Hours spent perusing all the offerings trying to decide what to ask for under the tree.

SANTI AND I FELL IN LOVE AT THE SEARS IN BOCA RATON. WE WERE BOTH “CRUISING” THE MENS WASHROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR NEAR HOUSEWARES.

Lands end hadn’t gone to shit. I order from their online store all of the time.

Only on DL could an American store's demise be talked about in terms of peen and fapping.

Maybe JC Penny can buy them out then the two together could be worth as much as 10 bucks.

I don’t even know what fapping is!

I have a recurring dream of an older man sporting a giraffe-patterned Sears tankini strapping me to a rattan swing and using Craftsman utility cutters to remove my gym shorts and ringer tee, but not the black leather ankle boots - those stay on.

[quote]Only on DL could an American store's demise be talked about in terms of peen and fapping.

That comment got my pre-cum flowing.

MEET ME IN APPLIANCES.

The Sears near us used to have a roasted nuts counter. When they turned that roaster on, you could smell it all over the store. I bet the clerks in ladies lingerie didn't appreciate their clothes smelling like candied peanuts. They were the type that had their hair frosted and wore glasses around their necks on a chain.

Sears was the first time I was ever on tv. They had a camera set up in the tv department and when you walked past you were on tv. I used to stand there and practice my "stand and model" poses. They came in handy years later when I went to Uncle Charlie's on a Saturday night.

Fun fact: Sears used to sell gas. They had pumps in front of the store and you would pull up, an attendant would come out and fill up the car and you could put it on your Sears charge plate.

They don't know what they're doing. I signed up for some kind of Kmart promotion and they kept sending me emails every week or two for 15$ off of 15$ or more in clothing, so I'd go in and buy underwear or socks and pay literally pennies, how can you not go bankrupt giving away your merchandise!

I'm in my 50s, won't buy clothes online. But I'm too impatient and skeeved out to try clothes on in stores, either. I know my favorite shirt, short and pant sizes, thanks very much. But I do want to see and feel the color, fabric and any possible irregularities and the care instructions for these in person.

But I can understand why consumers have been transitioning to online shopping. Increasing numbers of us have had it with dealing with insane traffic congestion, crazy drivers, huge SUVs doing stupid pet tricks and inconsiderate double-spaces hogging in parking lots, zombies obliviously on their cellphones in the middle of aisles blocking other customers and their carriages, rude or clueless customer service, and so on. It's ever more becoming not worth it, too exhausting and a nightmare to commute to and shop in brick-and-mortar stores.

I think those of you cheering the demise of brick and mortar stores will regret it. Look what has happened to Amazon's quality over the last few years as they've become more and more of a marketplace. Once they have the monopoly they are shooting for, they can do whatever they want and it's not going to be consumer-friendly. I await the day the only Amazon and Walmart exist. The wretchedness of that future world of consumer hell will make you wish for the days of mom and pop stores.

Yup, R88.

The Sears stores in Canada all closed last year, and they really screwed the pension plan retirees. Not sure where it went wrong but for a store that had been doing “shop at home” for decades, even pre-Internet it’s inexcusable. Then again I didn’t find myself attracted to much of their product line or “shopping experience”.

R88, I find the opposite. I shop amazon more and more with each passing year. They were fantastic this Christmas. Don’t you love Prime Now? Two hour delivery? It’s amazing. Both my roommate and I use it all the time.

I can’t imagine going to even the JCP on 34th and walking home/taking the subway with a big bag of bedding or kitchen appliances. Who wouldn’t want that delivered directly to their door? This goes for any dept store too. The thought of walking to Macy’s, fighting the crowds, dealing with the incompetent staff- it’s enough to give one hives!

I won’t regret these stores being gone. I can’t miss something I never used. I appreciate that there’s nostalgia about the Christmas catalogue, but I’m a kid of the 90’s and these stores were not a part of my childhood or adult life.

r91, people with social anxiety, like yourself, really love shopping online.

I don’t have social anxiety at all. I’m actually very outgoing and extroverted. I love shopping online for the convenience and ease. I just placed a Prime Now order this morning that will be delivered by noon for things I need to take to a NYE party tomorrow night. THAT is the joy of online shopping.

[quote]Sears was the first time I was ever on tv. They had a camera set up in the tv department and when you walked past you were on tv. I used to stand there and practice my "stand and model" poses

Haha! They parodied this in A Very Brady Sequel (aka The "Sure, Jan" Movie).

Department stores have sucked for about 40 years now.

r93, your previous post indicates that you have some sort of social phobia thing going... Anyway, I shop at Amazon several times a week but am educated enough to know that there are select things that are best not ordered there. Either I want to look at the item before I purchase (I don't just accept anything), I can get a better deal at another retailer (Amazon prices are not always best), or I want to see better offerings than my screen can scroll. For instance, I was killing time last Sunday and I decided to visit Barnes & Noble. I hadn't been in the store in a long time. I was pleasantly surprised at the selection and wound up buying several books that I would have never been exposed to had I just gone with Amazon recommendations.

Sears is not a ‘mom & pop’ store.

It was amazon in the last century and shut down many actual mom & pops in its day.

[quote]Look what has happened to Amazon's quality over the last few years as they've become more and more of a marketplace. Once they have the monopoly they are shooting for, they can do whatever they want and it's not going to be consumer-friendly.

Yup. In the last several months, I've notice that many of my purchases arrive in three days, instead of two. And some things I used to buy (hair product) are now only available via Prime Pantry. And just watch the price of Prime increase as more stores die. It'll probably be up to $199/year by 2020.

R96, the only store I still shop at is Trader Joe’s. I’m very loyal to them and love their products.

B&N is one of the worst (I find). I have gone to both their 5th ave and Union Sq stores recently and neither has the books in stock I was looking for. They said they could order them and they’d be available for in-store pick-up. Well, duh! I could have done the same with amazon (much cheaper), but I wanted them now and was willing to pay for it. If I had to wait, I wasted time, energy and money traveling around when I could have ordered them quickly and gone about my day.

R31's photo is symbolic, to me anyway, the state of this country now.. very sad.

R100, they're turning a lot of these abandoned and shuttered stores into megachurche$, which is equally as depressing.

Lands end quality has indeed gone downhill in the past 5-8 years. Basic cheaply made crap now.

r102, I've shopped via Lands End for probably 20 years now. I do not see overall quality changing with their products. Sorry.

[quote]Over the last 30+ years, the only things I've bought at Sears are appliances. Clothing? Not a chance.

In the brand-conscious '80s, wearing clothes from Sears to school was social suicide.

Sears has had decades to change their business plan. They should have become an appliance/housewares/furniture store with far fewer mall locations, more stand-alone stores, and an extensive online business.

R69.. I bet those old catalogs are collector items... may have some value.. lol.

Lands End quality has gone down over the years, but I think it was more customer focused. Their shirts used to be high quality, strong flannel designed for people, often men, who were active outdoors (farmers, construction workers). Flannel started getting popular with women and so the company changed how it was made and it was less "robust". Their original clothing line was designed to be strong and warm for outdoor wear. Then they redesigned for fashion rather than usability.

I always thought it was called Shears and Robust

Shearsch

[quote]Look what has happened to Amazon's quality over the last few years as they've become more and more of a marketplace. Once they have the monopoly they are shooting for, they can do whatever they want and it's not going to be consumer-friendly

R88 you nailed it. They’re the biggest loss-leader in history because stripping market share from profit-focused competitors by undercutting them in the short term leads to market domination.

I should invest in Sears stock.

r107 is some old fart who likes construction clothing. go buy some goddamned carhardt clothes and stfu.

[quote]I won’t regret these stores being gone. I can’t miss something I never used.

You don't understand how markets work. It doesn't matter if you ever shop at any of Amazon's competitors but those competitors are the only thing keeping Amazon's greed in any kind of check. First, the department stores put the mom and pop stores out of business and the quality of the department stores plummeted because there was no competition to keep them in check. Now, the online stores are putting those departments stores out of business and, once those are gone, the online store quality and customer care will plummet and the pricing will skyrocket because they will have no competition. Ironically, I think the return of small store, local shopping will be the thing to put Amazon back in check eventually when people get sick of what Amazon is about to become but that will be a long time from now.

I remember Staples being a good deal until all the local stationary stores went out of business, and then their prices jumped.

I remember when Staples was a "members only" store. Then they slowly opened it up to where anyone could come in but were charged a higher price if not a member. Then they did away with membership altogether.

Jeff Bezos is eliminating all competition.. a monopoly will have no gauge from competition and will charge higher prices. Some of the prices on Amazon are already ridiculous.

[quote]In the brand-conscious '80s, wearing clothes from Sears to school was social suicide.

Especially if you wore a "husky" size. (Or were those gone by the '80s?)

If they just had a bigger HR department, Sears would have made it. They needed more Human Resource Business Partners and Organizational Development Managers.

When will organizations value HR!

Ginny from Billing would've straightened them out in no time flat!

As an eldergay, I'm taking a moment to remember the hot suburban dad I'd meet in their 1st or 2nd floor tearoom. ( I won't mention the scruffy but presentable street men who liked to move the action to under a nearby bridge.) Yes l was a slut...but I'm still negative. )

You rimmed a hobo's ass under the bridge R120? You are a WHORE.

R118, let me guess. You’re in “HR” eh? Wait, sorry, you are an “HR Professional” type?

Can you please explain to me why people congenitally disposed to the excessive sharing of confidential information always excel as Human Resource Business Partners or Organization Development Manager?

[quote]Sears no longer has purpose so it should die. The same goes for JC Penney.

But then where will dykes buy inexpensive flannel shirts?

fuck the dykes, with your penis.

When do their kitchen appliances go on the block?

I thought there was a last minute buyer?

I love my 2017 Kenmore kitchen appliances.

Sears IS NOT Sears.

SS Kresge founded K-Mart as a big box verion of his five and dime.

Then SS Kresge changed its name to K-Mart.

Then K-Mart BOUGHT Sears

And they used the Sears name, which they felt had a higher name value

So you're dealing with K-Mart really

sears bought kmart you idiot. do your fact checking next time. you loser!