For years, there have been reports of Sears death spiraling toward the corporate graveyard alongside other popular brick-and-mortar retailers.
The company, once one of the great brands of America, has managed to stay afloat in recent years by borrowing cash from its CEO and selling off desirable assets such as real-estate and brands.
Now, Sears has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early Monday morning. But just because Sears Holdings Corp is in trouble doesn't mean consumers have to be.
In the wake of all that's happening, here's what Sears shoppers should know:
Question: Will my local store close?
Answer: Possibly.
Before filing for bankruptcy on Monday morning, Sears had announced that 46 of its underperforming stores are closing in November. The plan involves shutting down 13 Kmart locations and 33 Sears stores in several states. Now, with the filing, the company says it will close another 142 unprofitable stores.
Q: Can I still use my gift card?
A: Yes – at least for now. But experts suggest that you put them to use ASAP.
"In general, people shouldn’t hold on to gift cards," said Katherine Hutt, director of communications for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. "They should go and spend them as soon as they can, regardless of the status of the company."
Q: What's the best time to shop for deep discounts?
A: Now – maybe.
"When retailers close stores, they are likely to have some sales. You have to be careful though. Yes, some items are going to be deeply discounted, but it is also likely they will be marked 'no return,' " Hutt said.
There may not be a store to return to.
Q: I purchased an extended warranty. Will Sears still honor it?
A: Until the point at which a company files for bankruptcy, warranties and return policies will likely be “business as usual,” Hutt said.
However, when Sears closed down its Canada stores last year, the retailer stopped honoring extended warranties. "After October 18, Sears will no longer be in a position to honour Sears Protection Agreements to customers," the chain said in a 2017 release.
Refunds on protection agreements were only allowed if purchased within 30 days of the company's liquidation announcement.
The good news is that some other companies stepped in to honor the agreements and perform repairs at no cost to customers. But that's no guarantee.
Q: Will the return policy change?
A: It shouldn't change immediately, according to the BBB.
Q: What about layaway?
A: “If you have anything on layaway, you should go get it and pay it off. If you were planning to buy anything to match something you already have, you should get that as quickly as possible," Hutt said.
Q: How do I leave a complaint?
A: Sears has been a BBB-accredited business since 1966, so the company is required to handle complaints up until it files for bankruptcy. "Closing a business doesn't relieve the owner of that responsibility," according to the BBB website.
If you would like more information, contact your local Better Business Bureau.
