SEARS

[electric10162]

We used to buy lots of stuff from Sears, including guns. I found this interesting.

People today who think Walmart is too big to fail don't remember just how big Sears was.

Here's an example. In the 1920s, Sears sold radios by mail, but there were large parts of America that didn't have any radio stations within range, so, Sears got into the radio station business and, in 1924, started WLS 890am Chicago. A radio station powerful enough to fill the Midwest.

Then, they sold every household in the Midwest and most of the rest of the country a radio. The kicker was that once they bought a radio, they tuned in to Sears radio station witch advertised Sears products.

The equivalent today would be if Walmart sold you the TV and then you only got Walmart commercials and ads on your TV.

Walmart was never that big.

WLS stood for World's Largest Store, and it was.

The only thing to ever come close would be Amazon Web Services providing you the internet so you can buy Amazon products and services.

I find that interesting. Hope you do too.

Y'all have a good day!

[archer36]

Lots of other stores went by the wayside too. The only big brick and mortar stores that are surviving these days also have a big part of their business on the internet. 

[vdep217]

[Swamprat]

Good stuff. 

I've got my grandfather's Sears 16ga pump. Probably ain't worth $200 but would never sell it. 

Used it on a bird hunt this past season and it still shot true with 100% functionality. 

[Rjtfd]

Always looked forward for that catalog to come in the mail. I’d circle things I wanted for Christmas. 

[BHC]

1 minute ago, Rjtfd said:

Always looked forward for that catalog to come in the mail. I’d circle things I wanted for Christmas. 

same here, brings back memories 

[Timbuk2]

Same here my father was always buying stuff in Sears he bought me a Ted Williams 410 pump shotgun from Sears

[Jerzguy2]

Greatest time in our history, wonderful company. The hour of entertainment that we got from that huge catalog. Everything you could ever need in one catalog. Great trapping section and you could even ship your furs to them. 

[archer36]

My Father and Uncle bought their first shotguns in Bamberger's (now Macy's) in Newark back in the 60's. 

Edited May 10 by archer36

[fab]

My dad‘s 84 and I remember him telling me when He was a young man he knew he had arrived and was making something of himself and his family after he got married by being able to have sears give him a credit card because they only gave cards out the best customers it was almost like a status symbol that he was trying to achieve.   
 

then life lesson two was when he got the card in early 67 he got a rug for his first home with my mom 

The lessons was how much that 98$ rug cost him over time   Was paying in it for a few months and still cost him 98$    Lol

 

 

 

[roy381]

One of my first guns when I got my permit was from Kmart. 

Edited May 10 by roy381

[Boykin Runner]

My fathers craftsman tools from the 60s & 70s still in my hands working to this day !

[Jim_]

4 minutes ago, Boykin Runner said:

My fathers craftsman tools from the 60s & 70s still in my hands working to this day !

When I turned 17 I bought a AMC Javelin "muscle car" that needed a lot of work. Took my after-school job money and bought one of those real big Craftsman tool sets. That was 1976, and I still use those tools today.

[kohunter]

My father bought a 12' Sears Gamefisher in 1976. I still have it today.

[JD48]

They also sold houses in kit form (pre fab) for a while