Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!pyramid!chronon!eric From: eric@chronon.UUCP (Eric Black) Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Re: Sears, The Other Side.... Message-ID: <160@chronon.UUCP> Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 18:42:15 EST Article-I.D.: chronon.160 Posted: Thu Feb 20 18:42:15 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Feb-86 18:59:08 EST References: <1000@whuxl.UUCP> Organization: Chronon Computer Corp., Mtn. View, CA Lines: 46 >> After reading all of these negative comments about Sears, I thought I > > I have had the same experiences with Sears as Sam. In >my case it has been 35 years - all over the country and in >Hawaii. Absolutely no problems. I recommend their large >appliances very highly. Our 20+ yr.old refrig and freezer >are still going strong. And Allstate has been our insurance >co. for at least that long with nothing but GREAT >responses. Until the past few months I would have said the same thing. I'm particularly fond of Craftsman tools: I had my toolbox stolen several years ago, and on pricing the replacement of tools accumulated over time found the cost to be over $800; I successfully convinced my homeowners' insurance co. that Sears' "no questions asked" replacement policy, even for broken tools, effectively meant that there was ZERO depreciation, and the insurance paid for buying new everything (less deductable). I'm still pleased with the quality of Craftsman hand tools. Fortunately, a year and a half ago I moved (well, I like it). Unfortunately, six months of address change notifications to Sears went ignored. More unfortunately, the forwarded mail was late, and I missed a payment because of it. I received a "make $n minimum payment by or else" notice; I made that payment on that date, and have a stamped receipt from the store as I made it in person. The payment was acknowledged on my next bill, which was *finally* sent to the correct address. That same bill shows my credit limit set to zero. Sears has refused to reinstate credit, and has sent a "this is a nogoodnik" complaint to a credit bureau. Repeated long-distance phone calls and letters have resulted in no satisfaction. I am currently pursuing my rights under the Fair Credit Act, and adding my reply to the credit record. I, too, first received my Sears credit card as a graduating college senior nine years ago. In that time I have spent over $6000 at Sears. They sent me letters of the form "we notice you have $n in unused credit limit; why don't you come in to Sear and buy something", even when Nixon was trying to crack down on consumer credit. I will never buy anything at Sears again. -- Eric Black "Garbage In, Gospel Out" UUCP: {ucbvax}!sun!chronon!eric VOICE: (415) 941-0403 US SNAIL: Chronon Computer Corp. 2570 El Camino Real W. Suite 206 Mountain View, CA 94040