Sears - multiple problems - Kenmore refrigerator - 27" TV - lawnmower - washer, etc.

# 8 for April 25, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on April 24, 2002:

From: Email User

RE: Sears - multiple problems - Kenmore refrigerator - 27" TV - lawnmower - washer, etc.

Dear Complaints,I'm trying to get my story out there for everyone to see. Sears has screwed me more times than I'd like to admist, and this time I'm fighting back!! I intend on writing to their corporate, and calling the Action News Team on local TV, and I may get a lawyer. I'll take any advice I can get. Thanks!! My story follows:I have spent approximately $8000 at Sears in the last 10 years, purchasing tools, equipment, and appliances. I have spent approximately $8000 at Sears in the last 10 years, purchasing tools, equipment, and appliances. ALL of it has gone to crap since purchase. The following details the most expensive losses I've taken by purchasing Sears Products:In 1991, I purchased a Sears Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator for $1000. By 1994, the icemaker was shot. In 1995 the handle began rusting off, the fridge leaked water constantly onto the floor, and the seal around both doors was gone. Basically within 5-6 years the fridge was JUNK and was replaced completely in 10 years. In 1991, I purchased a 27" Sears LXI TV for $700. I lugged it home, got it out of the box and set it up, only to find it had sound but no picture. Repacked the TV, drove all the way back to the store and got another one. In 1998, the $700 TV completely DIED after $$$ in repairs and only 7 years of service. In 1994, I put my Craftsman lawnmower into Sears Service for a small repair; they said it needed a screw, which they took 4 months to get. Of course it happened during the summer, so I had to pay a lawn service $250 to mow my lawn because Sears took their time getting the one screw. In 1995 I purchased a Sears Kenmore large capacity washer for $500. By 1998 the motor broke and I had to pay someone to fix it. By 2000, most of the top-inside of the washer had rusted very badly, and has since ruined $$$ in clothes. I now have a $500 washer that I can only wash dark clothes in, since it gets rust all over white clothes. In 1997, Sears sold me a $3000 central air and heat unit which was WAY too much tonage for my house (which I found out later from an HONEST A/C company). Since then, both capacitors have had to be replaced, and I'm beginning to have other problems with the unit. Without consulting me (I was at work and they DID have my number), they cut down my 25 year old Jasmine to put a slab down for the outside unit. They only had to move over 6" to avoid cutting it down, but didn't bother.February 2001, I purchased a Kenmore vacuum cleaner for $185. Used it for three days and it barely worked so I brought it back. They told me I could not have my money back but would credit my account for the $185, which is a load of crap. The salesperson then talked me into purchasing a nice Upright for $240 (March 3, 2001). Low and behold, in February of 2002, it began the usual Sears dance-- the BREAK DANCE. In February, the on/off switch started having problems; couldn't turn it off sometimes. In March, the upholstery attachment became unusable because the belt will NOT stay on.

At that time, I started scrambling for the receipt because I knew it was right around a year ago that I'd bought it. By April 2002, the floor attachment unit broke completely, rendering the entire unit unusable unless I want to vacuum with nothing but the hose for the rest of my life. I was able to find my receipt, but found it 6 weeks late. Being that the unit was 6 weeks out of warranty, the Manager at the Sears storetold me on April 21 that it was bascially too damn bad.

I didn't buy a Maintenance Agreement, I get no help. I did not purchase the extended warranty because I believed a $240 piece of equipment would last well more than a year. But now it is extremely clear to me WHY Sears has Maintenance Agreements. It's because their merchandise is useless garbage. The Manger that day was cold and completely unwilling to do ANYTHING for me, so now I am stuck with $240 of junk machinery and no way to vacuum, unless I pay them $130 to fix it. I called the 800-4-ASSIST number that the sales person (who also agreed I got screwed) gave me, but it is perpetually busy, probably because the entire planet is calling to complain about Sears' JUNK.I unfortunately purchased a new fridge and range in 2001 from Sears. It shouldn't be long before those $2000 worth of items are CRAP for the garbage heap as well. Someone slap me for being SO stupid as to think that 10 years later, Sears would have upgraded their wares and quit screwing their customers. I was very wrong. I will NEVER, EVER purchase anything from Sears EVER again. I will close my Sears account this week. If I could find a way to sue them knowing it would actually do something for the consumers, I WOULD. SEARS SUCKS!!Patti

Comment On This

I've had nothing but trouble with my Sears purchases also. My washer leaks,my refrigerator has ouit working altogether,and my water heater has to have a new burner unit installed at least once a year! All sears products! Never again will I buy anything from them. And I make it a point to tell anyone searching for new things NOT to buy from SEARS!!!