We are now joining the growing ranks of SEARS Dealer Stores that simply cannot continue, and have to close their doors.
We have issued our termination, and the Woodstock store will close Dec 15.
This does not affect our standing as plaintiffs in the Class Action Lawsuit, and we will vigorously pursue the case for the benefit of all dealer stores.
Almost 30 stores have closed this year alone, and while SEARS will subsidize 100% of special advertising costs for new dealers, there is no offer of help or subsidy to keep existing store owners going.
Many stores have asked for help paying a few monthly bills, or for extra advertising subsidy until SEARS can fix the business, but to no avail.
Instead there seems to be a few secret, select stores that receive "golden handshakes", where SEARS takes the dealership back and pays the dealer to stay on as a manager.
Why the double standard? If they can afford to run the store corporately, then how is it fair to let an owner walk away after investing so much in the business?
The answer is that it is not fair. Everything is done solely for the benefit of SEARS, with no regard for the people and families that are left holding the debt of a dubious venture.
Go Get Them!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a previous Sears employee/management (25 years) and previous hometown store owner, I am NOT surpised on how Sears is handling this situation
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is to get out of the lawsuit gracefully as it is a lose/lose scenario. It will be a painful loss to the ones that continue.
ReplyDeleteany type of this business model has it;s advantages/disadvantages like Home Furniture, Home Hardware, Brand Sou8rce etc.. Try opening a store called ABC Mattress and Appliance Store and see what it really takes to make a profit. As a "Lifer" in the business it simply is not easy either way.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the above comments:
ReplyDelete1. Don't pretend to understand the details of the hardships we are facing, until you take the time to study the case. There won't be many left to continue...
2. This is not a typical business model, we "partnered" with SEARS to mitigate risk and took a lower % in return, only to discover our "partner" was actively competing with us, and using our resources to sell directly to customers.
3. Don't presume that we think anything should be "easy" in business, or that we don't work hard. Many owners are walking away after losing pensions, houses, and life savings. And SEARS keeps making money. And that is the whole point of the suit.
Do you have a method of telling who sends the comments? Could it be from HO filling in the drival, such as give up it will be painful. It is painful now.
ReplyDeleteAs a prior store owner(casualty) we know what takes place when you are part of the Sears group!
ReplyDeleteWe feel that,had we started our own store without the Sears weak name attached, we would have at least provided ourselves with a decent living! These(Sears Corp)are the most unorganized and inexperienced people that we have ever encountered in our lives.
Bottom line is that, these people(Sears corp)are nothing more than tyrants and slave drivers and embrace us only when we hand in our keys to something that we all built without their help!
They also gave our store away to new owners(a pattern)?
And furthermore to the comment above regarding giving up the lawsuit. We cant wait to have our day in the courtroom.
I am a current Sears Hometown Store in the United States, and, I so wish others would read this! This is EXACTLY what's taking place within our stores, as well. It is unbelievable the way this business model / "partnership" is set up. It is 100% in the benefit of Sears Holding, not the owners. We work very diligently, are very passionate about our business, are loved by our communities, and many are not even making ends meet. Sears puts the inventory into our stores, and, we are solely responsible for the operational expenses. Well, the problem is, owners are receiving under 10% commission on average and are a awarded a so-called "bonus" based on their performance of metrics. This is not enough to make ends meet, much less, make a living. I cannot agree more with everything stating above, and, I APPLAUD you for taking a stand against Sears. I wish you the best of luck, and, in response to the person above who said to give up, I doubt this will be lose / lose situation. This company is headed so far downhill, they are the ones who need to give up. The owner population will do nothing but decrease drastically in the near future. I will be highly surprised if SHOS is around in 3 years.
ReplyDeleteAs a current Sears Hometown Store owner in the United States, I agree wholeheartedly with everything stated above. It is a sad, sad situation. I wish you the best of luck and wish I could participate in the lawsuit. I would LOVE my day in the courtroom, as well.
ReplyDeleteAs a former Sears Hometown Store in the US that we had to walk away from and are now bankrupt. I so agree with everything stated above. They are the most selfish, Scam Company that there is. I can only hope we all prevail. They
ReplyDeletedeserve far more pain that what they have caused all So called Sears Hometown store owners.
Best of luck to you and I am sure you are so looking forward to closing your store this weekend. May you have some peace in this war:-)