Site changes to MySears.com this weekend

Jul

31

2009

Hi everyone. We wanted to share some upcoming changes we are making to the MySears site this weekend.

First, we are launching a new recognition/rewards program. 

What is this NEW Recognition Rewards Program?

The Recognition Rewards Program recognizes members for their contributions to the community. 

Members earn points by participating in various activities such as uploading a profile picture, writing a review, or gaining Fans in the community. All the earned points then contribute to an overall point total.  A member’s point total determines their Level in the community and that Level is a way for fellow community members to see the most active members of the site.

As part of this change, we have also decided to make a change to review posting on the site. Effective this evening, all reviews submitted will be reviewed by our content moderation team before they are posted on the site.   We will ensure they meet our minimum content guidelines. Also, all reviews will now be shared on other Sears websites including Sears.com and Kmart.com.

In addition, we are committed to doing a better job telling you about upcoming sales and promotions. Have you seen our coupons and deals, discounts and events pages? We will post all upcoming promotions there.

We look forward to getting your feedback on the site changes. Don’t hesitate to message us with your thoughts! We value your thoughtful comments.

- Rob, Erin and Michelina

Official Rules: Retiree Sweepstakes

Jul

31

2009

 

SEARS HOLDINGS RETIREE COMMUNITY SWEEPSTAKES

2009 Official Rules

No Purchase Necessary.  Void Where Prohibited.

1.      TO ENTER:  To enter, go to http://www.mysears.com/retired follow the onscreen instructions, and become a registered member of either My Sears Community or My Kmart Community.  The Sears and Kmart Retiree Community Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins on October 15, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CT and ends December 1, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CT.  Limit one entry per person.  Not responsible for lost, late, damaged, misdirected, illegible or incomplete entries, all of which are void.  Entries become Sponsor’s property and will not be returned.   

2.      ELIGIBILITY:  Open only to Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Corporation, Sears Roebuck and Company and Sears Holdings Management Corporation retirees (a) whose names appear on the official Sears and Kmart retiree lists maintained by Sears Holdings Management Corporation, and (b) who are legal U.S. residents 18 or older at the time of entry.

3.      WINNER SELECTION:  One Winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received by December 1, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CT. Drawings will be conducted by Rob Harles, VP Community, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes.  Winners do not need to be present at time of drawing; they will be contacted by phone and/or email.

4.      PRIZE:

Winner Prize:  One (1) Sears Gift Card.  Approximate Retail Value: $500.

Total retail value of all prizes:  $500. 

Odds of winning each Prize depend on number of eligible entries received.  Limit one Prize per household.  Gift card restrictions may apply.

5.      PRIZE ACCEPTANCE: Prizes are not transferable. Taxes on Prizes are sole responsibility of winner.  No Prize substitutions or cash redemptions allowed except by Sponsor, who may substitute a Prize of equal or greater value if advertised Prize becomes unavailable. Winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/release of liability and publicity (where permitted) within a time period designated by Sponsor, or Prize may be forfeited.  By accepting Prize, winner consents to use of his/her name and likeness for advertising purposes worldwide without limitation ad without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. 

6.      CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:  By participating in the Sweepstakes, winner agrees to release Sponsor and its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies and advertising and promotion agencies, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all liability, loss or damage of any kind arising out of or in connection with their participation in this sweepstakes or with respect to awarding, receipt, possession, use and/or misuse of any Prize.  Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the Prize. Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion via mobile phone.  If for any reason the Internet  portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes.  Sponsor reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date.  Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. 

7.      WINNERS’ LIST:  The names of prize winners will be available on www.blogs.mysears.com and www.blogs.mykmart.com after 12 midnight CT on December 15, 2009.

Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation 3333 Beverly Road Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

©2009 Sears, Roebuck and Co. Printed in U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Discover the super hot One-Hour Specials at Sears this Saturday!

Jul

30

2009

Life well spent is time well spent. Discover the super hot One-Hour Specials at Sears this Saturday!

Every hour from 10am-6pm we will offer the hottest price on great products through out the store. Come to Sears store to find out the great deals for this summer. 

If you miss these in-store deals you will be able to take advantage of them online at Sears.com from 8 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Aug. 1 to 9 a.m. CDT on Sunday, Aug. 2.

You may have missed last week’s hourly specials such as $4.99 fashion flip flops and additional 50% off Men’s clearance swimwear. You definitely don’t want to miss this Saturday’s great deals again. 

Get ready to start the treasure hunting at Sears this Saturday! We appreciate your time with us and we will give you the best reward. 

 

Offers available while supplies last. Inventory levels vary by location. Layaway is not available for these One-Hour Specials.

Online-only offers may vary from in-store specials. Log on to Sears.com for details.

Calling all Moms: Ready for your child to return to college?

Jul

30

2009

 

What are you thinking about sending your child off to college? Is this their first year? How are you planning to prepare - both emotionally and by making sure they have the things they need to get them off to a great start?

Sears has put together some great checklists to help you think through the basics - check them out!

We're interested in your thoughts! Share your parenting perspective on "back to campus"!

Exceptional pool tables

Jul

29

2009

Products with a rich heritage behind them are ever interesting - products such as Brunswick pool tables. The story commences in 1845, when a young carriage maker named John Moses Brunswick, operating out of a small woodshop in Cincinnati, saw a billiard table for the first time. Fortunately for us, he couldn't resist trying his hand at making one himself, and within five years he had become renowned in the US and beyond for the craftsmanship of his products. The rest is history: Brunswick Billiards Inc. today still manufactures the finest pool tables, with features such as solid wood legs, and a slate-backed playing surface that is leveled to within 1/100th of an inch.

We hope our customers will enjoy the distinction these tables can lend to a room, as well as the opportunities they create for timeless family recreation.

                                                    

The Blue ELECTRONICS Crew!

Jul

29

2009

BRETT FAVRE JOINS NEW “TEAM”

 

Pokes Fun at Indecision in New TV Commercial for Sears Blue Electronics Crew

 

(Hoffman Estates, IL Release)  The anticipation surrounding Brett Favre’s decision to sign with a football team has reached a fever pitch. So, it was with the secrecy and security of a presidential summit that Favre flew into Chicago on July 20, walked onto the set and taped a television commercial for his new “team” -- the Sears Blue Electronics Crew.

            The TV spot, scheduled to air in early September, launches the Sears Blue Electronics Crew campaign, which includes print, events marketing, social media and public relations. The  TV commercial features Favre agonizing over selecting a new LED television. The scene unfolds through a discussion between Favre and a member of the Sears Blue Electronics Crew (actor Brad Morris from “The Second City” comedy club in Chicago). The two banter as Favre is undecided on his decision about a Samsung LED TV. In one scene, Morris describes Sears “real time price checks – no regrets”^SM -- as a way to help guys who have a tough time making decisions. “You know the type, right?” Morris says. “Yeah, I hate those guys,” Favre quips.

            “This commercial uses humor to communicate messages about what differentiates Sears and the Sears Blue Electronics Crew from the competition, “ said Karen Austin, president of home electronics for Sears. “From our real time price checks to selection of top brands to our expert sales consultants, financing options and installation, there are very compelling reasons to choose Sears for your next TV or electronics purchase. And Brett is a terrific sport in having fun with the topic of choosing a TV. Brett embodies the excitement and passion that our customers feel as they anticipate the start of football season and that comes through in the commercial.”

            Shot on location at what was formerly The Great Indoors retail store in Schaumburg, IL, the commercial was taped with several potential punch lines and endings with the final punch line revealed when the spot airs in early September. B-roll from the commercial shoot can be viewed here. 

(Please note: audio on the B-Roll is low for journalist voice over.)

10% Off All Art Prints & Custom Framing

Jul

28

2009

Now through Saturday, August 1, take 10% off all art prints & custom framing at Sears! Visit http://www.searsartstore.com/ to view our art and frame selection and use your coupon!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Jul

24

2009

This month, Sears began the Christmas Lane promotion that has had people talking about holiday shopping in the midst of summer.  Many say, "What a great idea!"  During these harder economic times, lots of shoppers need a little help budgeting for the holidays.  The idea of Christmas Lane is to allow for customers to get some serious deals on Christmas items now, giving them the opportunity to take advantage of Sears terrific layaway program, or just making it easier to not be swamped with more holiday shopping bills in November and December.  There are other folks of the opinion, "Let's keep the whole idea of Christmas on hold until the late fall months!"

Whatever your thoughts may be of Christmas in July, there is no denying that Sears has some really amazing deals on all sorts of Christmas items that are irresistible. Here is a sample of the sales taking place this weekend, July 24th and 25th:

• Free or discounted shipping on Christmas Lane purchases

• 30% off all Christmas trees 8 feet tall and over

• 30% off all Gloria Duchin collectibles

Take a walk this weekend to the Winter Wonderland of your local Sears, or www.sears.com and check out all that Christmas Lane has to offer!

Apparel Event this Saturday: Hourly Specials

Jul

24

2009

ALL Sears stores are hosting a Special Apparel Event tomorrow (Saturday, July 25) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Join us for great deals on fun additions to your summer wardrobe!

 

Stop by your local Sears Store to take advantage of the following savings. And don’t forget to shop the entire Apparel Department, for other special Saturday Only Offers.

• Shop 2 pm to 3pm to get an additional 50% off Men’s Clearance Swimwear 

  

• Shop 3 pm to 4 pm of an additional 40% off Kid’s Clearance

• Shop 4 pm to 5 pm to buy for $4.99 Clearance Flip Flops located in our Fashion Accessory Department 

Note: Layaway is not available for these One Hour Specials

 

Our One Hour Specials are another way Sears provides competitive pricing and offers in our tough economic climate. So tell all your family and friends about this event! And you can easily share information about this event with all of your online friends directly from Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites you use.

Sears Layaway: How it works

Jul

23

2009

LAYAWAY FAST FACTS:

• A Layaway contract is 8 weeks.
• Bi-weekly (every two weeks) payments are required (25% of original balance due).
• Sears Layaway Program is available in Sears Full Line, Sears Hardware, Sears Grand, and Sears Essential Stores (not available in Automotive, Outlet Stores, or on Sears.com).

Exclusions are listed below as "Unauthorized Merchandise."

• Does not affect existing Fine Jewelry Layaway program (6/12 months).
• The Non-Refundable Service Fee on all new Layaway contracts is $5, except in Maryland, which is $1.
• The Cancellation Fee on all Layaways is $10.
• Down Payment is a minimum of $15 or 20% (whichever is greater).
• The Down Payment is collected when merchandise is put into Layaway.

UNAUTHORIZED MERCHANDISE

The following merchandise cannot be put on Layaway:

• Clearance Merchandise
• Home Appliances
• Automotive Merchandise
• Consumables
• Doorbusters or Early Open Specials
• Licensed Business (i.e., Optical, Hearing Aids, etc.)
• Gift Cards
• Beer and wine
• Flammable products and fuel
• Food and other perishable merchandise
• Live plants and horticulture
• Oil and chemical-based products
• Photo Finishing and Portrait Studio pictures
• Chemicals
• Gas additives
• Magazines
• Paint thinner
• Pool chemicals
• Cellular phones and beepers

LAYAWAY TRANSACTION RULES:

• Down payment and bi-weekly payments must be in cash, but final payment can be one or any combination of these acceptable payment options: cash, check, credit card (Sears Card, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), debit card, Sears Gift Card, Sears Cash Card, coupons or EBT Cash (Note: EBT food stamps are not allowed).
• No partial pickups or partial cancellations of merchandise are allowed.
• Person initiating Layaway must be the same person finalizing Layaway. A picture ID is required for all new Layaways, pickups and refunds.
• Customers can receive only one price adjustment on advertised items within 30 days of the initial Layaway date.