Griffin Speaks

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.

When I moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 1987, one of the first things I was told was: “In Montgomery a black person has three things going for him, he has his religion, he has Sears that will give him a little credit and he has Judge Charles Price.” Today I am not so sure he can count on Sears. I purchased a Craftsman self-propelled lawnmower from Sears and a service agreement that I found wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. The catch in the agreement was, if they could repair it (get it running) you could not get a replacement. Here’s my story: 

The Craftsman self-propelled lawnmower that I purchased from Sears was so bad I had to return it several times. Sears would send it off to Florida. They would tell me that it was repaired. I would cut grass one time and then I would have to return it again for repair. I live on the West Side of town and Sears is on the East Side of town. Gas prices are sky high and this did not set well with me. This went on until my warranty was over. I even ended up purchasing another cheaper lawnmower to cut my grass while the Craftsman self-propelled lawnmower was in the shop. The final result is As long as I am alive I will never purchase another lawnmower from Sears and Roebuck because in my opinion: Sears and Roebuck does not stand behind their PRODUCTS! Unless they change their strategy they will be headed for bankruptcy. When word gets out that a company doesn’t stand behind the product it sales the doors are eventually going to close. I don’t care how much fancy legal jumbo and loopholes you have in an agreement. You have to use some common sense. Just as Tammy Wynette stands behind her man, Sears you must stand behind your products! 

I was on a soap box the other day complaining about how awful Sears had become when a white lady jumped in and said: “Sears is run by a black man now!” You could have bought me for two cents. I tried to not show any visible signs of shock, but I immediately calmed down. Why did it make a difference to me that a black man headed Sears? Who was this black man? What advice would I give to him? I decided that I needed to do some research. This is what I learned: 

Aylwin B. Lewis, 53, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings Corporation, the third largest retailer in America. He is 45-year-old billionaire Edward S. “Eddie” Lampert’s right-hand man.

Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer of Sears in September 2005, Mr. Lewis was President of Sears Holdings and Chief Executive Officer of Kmart and Sears Retail following the acquisition of Kmart Holding Corporation in March 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis  had been President and Chief Executive Officer of Kmart since 2004. Prior to that, he was the Chief Multibranding and Operating Officer of YUM! Brands, Inc. a franchiser and licensor of quick service restaurants including KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and A&W, from 2003 until October 2004.  

He was raised in Houston, Texas. Mr. Albert Lewis, his dad was a handyman and served as deacon in a Houston Baptist Church. Aylwin became a great speaker by making presentations in Sunday school. He played varsity football in high school. He has dual BA degrees in English and Business management from the University of Houston. He also has a MBA from the University of Houston. I looked hard to find a Morehouse connection, but could not find one. He dreamed of becoming an English professor, but that faded when he obtained a summer job as an assistant manager in a Jack in The Box restaurant. A job that he loved! He has two grown stepchildren though marriage to Novaline Lewis, whom he met working at Jack in The Box. They have traveled throughout the world.  

It appears to me that if anyone can turn Sears around it is Mr. Aylwin Lewis. That is if that is the goal. Many believe that Mr. Eddie Lampert’s purchase of Sears and Kmart was a real estate play. They believe he will eventually liquidate the companies. I don’t know, but my experience with the Craftsman Self-propelled lawnmower left me with the impression that not many of the employees at Sears are drinking the Kool-Aid. You see when Mr. Aylwin B. Lewis took the reigns of leadership he was quoted as saying: “Make no mistake, we have to change,” so either they “drink the Kool-Aid” or they should leave.” I have something for the folks I dealt with at Sears to drink and it ain’t Kool-Aid! 

In the words of my dad, Dr. Melvin J. Griffin Sr.: “Don’t get a College degree and have scared behind it!”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.