Sears might be going belly up

[scotrace]

Fingerhut seems to be doing the Sears model successfully, to judge by the thick holiday Big Book we got in the mail last week. Looks the same as the old Sears catalogue. Toys, clothes, electronics, games, household goods, etc.

 

[Peacoat]

I remember doing that quite a bit with my buddies’ VWs. They were decently popular cars during my high school days as they were cheap and easy to work on. A lot more room than people would think as well.

Three of my friends and my girlfriend had them. Yes, plenty of room.

 

[Zombie_61]

Three of my friends and my girlfriend had them. Yes, plenty of room.

I once transported six friends in my '61 Beetle with me--two in the front passenger seat, three in the back seat, and one in the "package" area behind the back seat. Despite being a bunch of skinny teenagers it was a little cramped, but we only had to go four or five miles.

 

[belfastboy]

In university I was the only car owner in the co-op house I shared. It was a 45 minute drive from campus to our remote beach front cabin. We rented it 9 months of the year for cheap as it had no central heat. Often I would transport the 6 of us home in my 1964 Beetle. Cramped yes, but beat the hell out of sleeping in the library instead of a bed.

 

[scottyrocks]

Tinkering is still alive and well.

This weekend I will be dismantling my '63's carburetor (again) to get to the accelerator pump check balls which is about the only thing I haven't disassembled and cleaned. If the car doesn't run right after that, I am out of ideas.

 

[3fingers]

I managed to run over a sheet metal screw which created the need to stop at the tire shop for a plug and patch. While I was waiting I noticed a commercial for one of the Sears Hometown stores in a town 75 or 100 miles away on the waiting room television. She was very chipper while inviting me to come in and buy or lease anything in the store from furniture and appliances to tools. I'm sure she is waiting for the other shoe to drop since she owns the store. I feel sorry for her.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I miss lying in the gutter in front of the house underneath my VW stabbing at the valves with a feeler gauge while bits of grit and dirt fell in my eyes, while my mother yells out from the kitchen "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET A REAL CAR?"

 

[scottyrocks]

I miss lying in the gutter in front of the house underneath my VW stabbing at the valves with a feeler gauge while bits of grit and dirt fell in my eyes, while my mother yells out from the kitchen "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET A REAL CAR?"

I love adjusting my valves. <hehehe>

 

[vitanola]

Have you installed the accessory adjustable tappets, or do you still use a file?

I just replaced the bands in the Flivver. Thank heavens for quick-change ears!

 

[tonyb]

In university I was the only car owner in the co-op house I shared. It was a 45 minute drive from campus to our remote beach front cabin. We rented it 9 months of the year for cheap as it had no central heat. Often I would transport the 6 of us home in my 1964 Beetle. Cramped yes, but beat the hell out of sleeping in the library instead of a bed.

And it was for only 45 minutes. And young people twist and bend every which way.

 

[belfastboy]

And it was for only 45 minutes. And young people twist and bend every which way.

Yes, if I recall in my youth I had a much higher tolerance for discomfort. Surprising what I would/could endure that I would not even consider today!!!

 

[scottyrocks]

Have you installed the accessory adjustable tappets, or do you still use a file?

I just replaced the bands in the Flivver. Thank heavens for quick-change ears!

I check with a feeler gauge (.006) and if needed, loosen the 13mm lock nut, turn the screw inside it as needed, remeasure, hold it in place, and then tighten the lock nut.

 

[LizzieMaine]

More grist for the Sears Didn't Die Of Natural Causes Theory:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/business/sears-share-repurchase/index.html

 

[3fingers]

Surely Eddie Haskell Llampair still has all of his shares in the safe in his office though, right?

 

[Fading Fast]

More grist for the Sears Didn't Die Of Natural Causes Theory:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/business/sears-share-repurchase/index.html

I have no - none at all - desire to defend Sears / Lampert (I lean strongly the other way), but there is a difference between looking back from 2018 and saying a decision made in 2006, etc., was wrong versus making it at the time. This article strikes me as a bit smug in that regard.

As to buybacks, there is a library full of analysis, white papers, etc., on their value or lack there off as they are still hotly debated on Wall Street today. So, I'll not add my tiny opinion (which, shockingly, I have). But one objective comment is that they are transparent - reported to (and, usually, approved ahead of time by) the company's Board of Directors and disclosed in public documents in, or in nearly, real time. Hence, they are not hidden from the company's Board, regulators, investors or the public.

 

[scottyrocks]

I just saw a commercial - Lowe's is the new home of Craftsman tools.

 

[3fingers]

Our local Ace Hardware stores have been selling Craftsman tools for quite a while. Sears sold the tool line off to Stanley some time back with some rights reserved to sell branded tools for a certain number of years after the sale.

 

[Peacoat]

The new combination wrenches are slightly shorter (maybe 1/4" to 1/2" depending on the size) than the ones I bought back in the early to mid 70s.

 

[sheeplady]

Fingerhut seems to be doing the Sears model successfully, to judge by the thick holiday Big Book we got in the mail last week. Looks the same as the old Sears catalogue. Toys, clothes, electronics, games, household goods, etc.

We received a toy catalog from Target. Sly, I thought. My daughter was set with what she wants for xmas (doll house and a multi-colored pen). My son, not really. He wanted a little toy tractor from Santa but hadn't picked his gift from "us." He picked something out of the catalog.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Ridiculous!!!

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/16/business/sears-executive-bonuses/index.html