Anyone have more insight into the actual terms of the deal? it was not disclosed.
this really seems like a win/win for both companies
10 replies (most recent on top)
If you can't get your big ticket items by at least the next day you've got problems. Where we live both Home Dept and Lowe's guarantee delivery by 3:00 the next day if you purchase by noon. They back it up too and use it as a selling tool.
@1uns: My comments were meant as a joke, a mockery of what the management spin would be on such a situation. Having worked for many many years in appliances, finally quitting in disgust, of course I lost many sales; not only due to out of stocks and delays, but the incompetence of our delivery system/people.
I guess we got on ourselves by providing instant gratification for big ticket item. I understand that some people may have an immediate need however not getting the item in a moment's instance will not result in their world crashing down life will still go on.
@lmb- a positive attitude can NOT overcome someone's immediate need for a refrigerator.
I visited a Sears store today as well as a Sears Grand store sometime back and I feel Sears still feels and looks good though the apparel and footware could have a much better selection else Sears still has a good selection. I don't know where thing went wrong but I feel Sears is still among one of the best. Kmart does have a different category that it caters to though. I did feel pride to walk into a Sears store.
If the actual appliances follow the same trend as the filters they'll probably be slightly cheaper on amazon. The appliances currently sold on amazon are basically sold at retail value. I doubt they'll do that for kenmore though because of how inflated the kenmore retail prices are.
As far as returns go they follow pretty much the same rules as anywhere else. 30 days, unopened or defective. The new automatic returns still have to comply to those rules. If anything, it stops sears from being able to give customers the run around when it comes to truly defective products.
Inventory shouldn't shift from your distribution centers to amazons just based on the fact that most appliances on amazon are currently shipped by the sellers. This could change who knows. If they wanna offer prime shipping or anything similar it'll have to change which would mean more fulfillment issues at the stores. I doubt this will happen.
If I had to guess I'd say this deal is just to display kenmore on amazon just as another place to receive orders from and that's it. Just as sears marketplace is another source for other companies to receive orders. Sears will still manage its own inventory and shipping as it has.
Once again Most of this is opinion and not facts.
The appliance people should NOT be losing sales due to such a minor inconvenience as back ordered merchandise. If the sales associate establishes rapport and creates a WOW Membercentric experience, the Member will cherish the bond created, and all problems will appear trivial. A positive attitude can overcome so very much!
Do the Amazon prices include delivery? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think they do. I'm also curious about the return policy. And where is the Amazon merchandise coming from? In our Sears store the appliance salespeople are losing sales day after day because they either can't get the merchandise because it is out of stock or it is back ordered so far the customer can't wait. Does Sears have a separate inventory for Amazon fulfillment?
The pricing on amazon does not match store prices. The amazon prices seem to be higher. Amazon subsequent to the Sears arrangement requires all vendors comply with the same return policies as amazon itself. That could be a problem going forward
Basically kenmore will be sold on amazon similarly to how sears online sells items from other companies. Over the years kenmore has been losing ground to other brands and this probably an attempt to recapture some of it. Good for the brand, potentially bad for sears retail space.
The only possible upside is that there are a lot of people who still need to see and touch their appliances before they buy. Those people will go to sears stores and talk to appliance associates who of course work on 100% commission so they'll try to get the sale for themselves and the company. It could work if the amazon prices and similar to the store prices but who knows. It's a high risk plan for the retail area though because it's technically creating more competition, which is the last thing sears needs.
This is just my opinion about what's going on.