Sears mowers can be just as good as any other brand. It all depends on what kind of mower best suits you. As for replaceing the electric clutch most people can replace them. They are on held in by a bolt or two and plug into a pigtail. Not a hard job at all.
Well most manufacturers require that you take their product back for maintainability. With just cause too. Sometimes you may believe its one thing but may in fact be another.