Sears HomeCentral Announces Real-Time Online Scheduling Simplified Access Improves Customers' Ability to Schedule Home Appliance And System Repairs with Clicks of A Mouse

Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) today announced an improved online scheduling capability that allows consumers to conveniently schedule service and repairs on appliances and heating and cooling systems. With a few clicks of the mouse, consumers can immediately schedule appointments with Sears HomeCentral® service technicians by placing requests directly into the real-time computer scheduling system instead of through traditional operator-assisted telephone calls or email.

The Internet offering is easily accessible on the Sears Web site at http://www.sears.com/ . Customers can select from three pathways to reach the online scheduling form by clicking on:

   -- the Appliances tab, then on Appliance Repair
   -- the Home Services tab, then on the Sears HomeCentral van
   -- the Parts tab, then on Schedule Repair Service

The online scheduling form offers a seven-day window from which customers can select a date and time for service, subject to availability. When scheduling an appointment, customers can provide an email address and a confirmation with the service order number will be emailed to them.

"Our customers want this convenience and we have the technology and trained professionals to make it happen," said Kevin J. Callahan, vice president, sales, for Sears Product Repair Services. "Online scheduling offers customers real-time scheduling of services that not only meets their needs and lifestyle, but also helps organize their busy schedules."

Sears introduced the service enhancement in a direct email message to visitors to its Web site who have signed up previously to receive weekly announcements from the company.

The online scheduling capability enables Web users to access the Sears scheduling network 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and to reschedule and check the status of service appointments.

Sears HomeCentral is the nation's largest home repair and improvement provider, with more than 12,000 home repair and improvement specialists making approximately 16 million calls annually. Sears certified technicians make approximately 300,000 in-home service calls per week and repair one out of every five appliances serviced in America. Sears technicians service most major brands no matter where the customer purchased the product.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and services, with annual revenue of nearly $40 billion. The company serves families across the country through approximately 860 department stores, more than 2,100 specialized retail locations, and a variety of online offerings accessible through the company's Web site, http://www.sears.com/ .

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Contact: Media, Edgar P. McDougal of Sears, 847-286-9669

Website: http://www.sears.com/