I was once asked about where one could find vintage Craftsman logo plates. Well, that type of logo decoration is hard to find, but Craftsman has come out with something almost as good – Craftsman logo decals.
You get 32 different decals of various shapes, sizes, and styles, from retro to “I just saw that one.”
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It looks like 2 sheets have full-sized decals, and the other 3 sheets have lots of smaller decals representative of different Craftsman eras.
$20 seems a bit steep for what you get, but maybe it’ll come down during the holiday season. It’s also unfortunate that you can’t just buy a sheet or two – I’d be happier with just that mid-1900’s decal sheet.
Price: $20
Buy Now(via Sears)
Toolfreak
You can get Craftsman logo plates on ebay for okay prices, though they have of course gone up since the US-made stuff is selling at a premium.
I find it somewhat amusing that Sears is putting out merchandise with all the retro Craftsman logos, now that the core tools and so much more is all made in China. Actually, I think these sticker sheets are made in China, too.
Makes me want to gag with how dishonest it is. Most consumers are pretty clueless that the Craftsman tools they are buying are made in China, and stuff like retro logos pushes the idea that Craftsman is a US-made brand like it was in the past, when that’s obviously no longer the case.
I also find it amusing that people will PAY a company to stick a logo on their private belongings and advertise for them. I get that people like the sticked-up racecar look for stuff, but it’s one thing to sticker up your ride with sponsor stickers or even decorate your toolbox with free promo stickers, but paying for it seems a little much.
fred
it probably goes to show how valuable a brand name can be – sometimes quite independently of the goods that it is being applied to (or slapped on in some cases.) I agree that all things being equal – I’d prefer not to advertise someone else’s brand – but its very hard when logos are applied to so much of what we use, wear or carry. Having to pay for an extra measure of it – does seem a bit extreme – like all those LV monograms on handbags and luggage that many women love to carry.
Stuart
The fact of the matter is this: Many people do not care where tools are made, they care mostly about price.
I’m sure Craftsman execs looked closely at sales numbers of the years. The shift from made in USA to made in China was not swift, it happened little by little over several years.
We, users unhappy about this shift, are a vocal minority, but a minority no less.
I would assume that most people unhappy with the shift are those who have tool boxes full of tools, and that most of the people still buying the imported Craftsman tools are those who are growing their tool collections.
It wouldn’t have been as bad if the tool quality and designs remained the same.
On the bright side, Craftsman has been trying to expand upon their USA-made offerings, likely targeting the types of tools that users with larger tool collections are still looking to buy. (Such as fine-toothed ratchets.)
fred
I think the problem with our caring about where things are made is that the caring quickly fades when – as you surmise- the mass of consumers are faced with buying choices that involve paying more based on CoO. The tool buying cognoscenti and folks who consider themselves craftsman (notice the lowercase “c”) may look at CoO, brand name, features, cost and other potential indicators of how well a tool will meet their needs. But I suspect that more consumers at Walmart or the big-box store are shopping for a tool that will get the job done at a price they can afford – often the lowest price. In the abstract – it is good to think about creating or maintaining jobs in the USA. Whether we are collectively translating those good thoughts into our purchases is a different story. As you say the sourcing and purchasing decisions that the wholesale tool buyers at Walmart, HD, Lowes, Sears etc. make have been shaped and changed over the years – IMO based on what sells and what’s profitable to sell. The market changes, that those wholesale decisions engender, are then translated into where the tool companies decide to produce or source their tools – hence more tools made in China, where in the past they might have been made in US, English, German or even Japanese factories
Toolfreak
I didn’t mean to re-litigate the “made in USA” issue with regards to tools, mostly I was just pointing out how they’re using the retro logos.
I realize the retro logo thing is happening with a LOT of other products, especially those where the company has a new owner outside the US and no longer produces anything in the USA, but each case is still pretty sickening.
Robert
A couple years ago I wanted a stock of stickers from all types of brands so I commenced to emailing just about any company that google would find for me. Valvoline, Sunoco, AAR, IHRA motorsports, Mr Gasket, Summit racing, Edlebrock, the list goes on and on and on.
I went to their contact-us page and requested to be sent some of their stickers, if they had any, and that it would be greatly appreciated. Well over the next three weeks or so I received in the mail sets after sets after sets of stickers and all for FREE. Well there was actually ONE company that wanted S&H charges to cover costs but I don’t recall which one that was.
All total I received 753 stickers. Many were duplicates mind you but that is a lot of FREE stickers. I’m happy
Stuart
Every now and then I get a sticker request email. One of these days I’ll make up some stickers to send out.
Lynyrd
The issue with buying Craftsman or most any Logo decal on eBay is that they are produced by people without permission. They simply copy over from Google and use a Laser Printer. To me this is no different than buying counterfeit DVDs, etc.
America has been Brand Conscience and brand loyal since the 50’s, Ford vs Chevy. People have been wearing logos since. Wearing a shirt with Nike in huge letters or logo is no different.
The logos solicit a feeling in those who remember what Craftsman was. It wasn’t that long ago, approximately 2008-09 when Craftsman discontinued sourcing core Mechanic’s tools, sockets and wrenches from the U.S.
BonPacific
There’s also an artistic appreciation with logo’s. I absolutely love the old AMF logo plates used on vintage DeWalt Radial Arm Saws. The typography is gorgeous.
T
I agree. Also, from a production perspective, bonafide stickers are usually very well made. Premium materials/inks/colour registration, etc… It is easy to spot a counterfit when compared to “real” pieces. Even with the proliferation of large format solvent based inkjet printers, the difference is striking, unless the producer of such fakery is quality concious and takes pride in their work.
Lynyrd
Great point.
Toolfreak
I wasn’t suggesting buying unlicensed decals on ebay, just that you can buy removed logo plates from toolboxes or other products there if you want to replace a damaged or missing one.
The official stickers and decals are often of superior quality and better material than the cheap unlicensed stuff, which is usually made of the cheapest vinyl they can get.
Adam
The Craftsman Christmas ornaments say they are made in the USA. that makes a ton of sense? make the fake looking tools here, but the real over-seas.
Dennis
A sheet of decals seems like something that they should throw in with their holiday deal/sets. I can’t see paying 20 bucks to advertise a brand. Especially a brand I’m losing confidence in, because of the origin of their tools…
Toolfreak
Sears used to offer certain tool chests with the older but similar Craftsman sticker pack included as a bonus to decorate it. I think you had to buy a top and bottom chest together to get it it.
matt
Sears/Craftsman retail prices are always jacked and not to be taken seriously. They always come down at the very least several times a year via sales/promos. Use the Shop my Way points system to bring the cost down….drastically.
For example, I have $13 in points right now in my Shop My way Account. If I wanted this sticker set it would only cost me $7….
Robert
Ah but you only get points buy buying more sears stuff to get….points for more sears stuff.
matt
somewhat true to a point…how else are they going to rope you in?
If you are into ‘playing the game’ and subscribe to their texts and e-mails, you will get decent offers (e.g. $8 off 35) without having to buy anything.
Just get dialed in to their offers when you see something you like…
Jo
These decals are great stocking-stuffers, especially for a tool enthusiast. For the holiday season, Sears has attached a new Shop Your Way points offer to this item: Starting Nov. 13th, these will be $19.99 with 50% back in points! Not only do you get some great throwback Craftsman logos, but you also receive points that can be used towards future holiday purchases – like one of the new Craftsman Pro Series tool storage units (assembled in the US) available in stores now. Its a win/win!
Stuart
Thank you, Jo. What other holiday tools deals have you got planned over at Sears?
Jo
Sears has a ton of online only hot pricing kicking off the holiday season: we have stocking stuffers like the $3.99 LED Pocket light, 50% off Lufkin tapes, 50% off Craftsman 5pc screwdriver sets and small tool organization options up to 60% off. For the serious tool users we have Craftsman mechanic’s tool sets ranging from 40% to 55% off, various Craftsman and Gearwrench wrench sets over 50% off and Craftsman C3 drill drivers and combo packs at HOT prices. And then to store all that cool stuff, we have the new Craftsman 41″ tool storage combo with soft close drawers, pegboard and 2 integrated power strips and a 26″ 3-pc heavy duty ball-bearing tool combo at the LOWEST PRICES EVER! Make sure to check out Sears.com starting November 9th…you will not be disappointed with this year’s holiday offers!