I recently bought a Kenmore range hood that CR recommended. For all I know, it may be a great hood, but to find out, I'd have to be able to install it.

The Sears website says the the hood comes with a non-ducted installation kit. That kit does not include what the manual describes as a "5' flexible metal duct."

Home Depot stocks 4" and 6" ducts. So does my local plumbing supply store. Sears doesn't sell them at all. In fact, the part that the duct needs to be connected to measures 4 1/2" so I don't know where they're getting the 5" measurement from.

I called Sears customer service and a kid at the call center suggested I make up the difference with duct tape.

I called Sears corporate offices and was told I'd be connected to the "executive" something-or-other. It was another version of customer service.

The first person there wouldn't let me finish a sentence while I was trying to explain. When I pointed that out, she hung up on me.

I called back and said I'd like to speak to an actual executive. I was told Sears executives won't speak to customers.

I was connected to the executive thing again. The woman there transferred me to the installers as the store where I bought the hood, who transferred me to the parts department, where I was told they didn't have the part, which I already knew.

A half dozen phone calles, and hour and a half of my time, and a range hood sitting in pieces on the floor of my kitchen.

And absolutely no help from Sears

Try a sheet metal supply company. Some do sell to the public and they should be able to help.

Thanks, but the item in question is more like a dryer vent hose.

Just to follow up:

After an miserable experience on just about every stage of the food-chain at Sears, I finally tracked down the fact that the range, though the label says Kenmore, is actually made by Broan.

I called Broan's tech support and the guy there was very sympathetic and helpful as he could be, given the fact that the problem I was having was a continual source of contention between Broan Tech and Broan Marketing. According to him, Broan could INCLUDE that short length of ducting for mere pennies, but the marketing guys nixed the idea.

As a result, Broan customers are up a creek, and Sears customers are sent on a wild goose chase, because they're one step removed from even getting to talk to Broan tech support.

He suggested I post my comments on Broan's web site, and I intend to do precisely that.

Sheet metal supplies companies do carry dryer vent material and any other kind of venting products. HVAC supplies-heating, venting, and air conditioning.

There most be a place were we can complain about Sears and his so call Master Protection Agreement.

I spent all afternoon try to get somebody's attention about my faulty electric range that will not turn  off.  (I have to go down  the basement and turn the breaks off).

I even  went to the store, they called the customer service and no luck.

I wonder...

brian, what did you finally do to install the fan properly?? broan was recommended to me...but i don't want to go ahead unless i know there is a proper vent "duct"...not something gerry (jerry?) rigged w/ tape!

Let us know, please! thanks.

Abigail.