Shopsmith Fix Your Order System Rant

[dusty]

It is my opinion that every one remaining at Shopsmith has the ability to answer our questions and to assist us with our issues. The problem seems to be that not every one is dedicated to my (our) individual objectives. I would not be surprised to learn that that is due directly to under staffing. It is very hard to patiently listen to and answer others questions while the other phone is ringing off the hook.

To the best of my knowledge, there are only three people there to handle all of our questions and to take all of our telephone orders.

[mrhart]

Say What????????

Yes sir no gilmers at this time.

[dan1999]

At least Shopsmith will mail the items directly to your houses, they won't even send to me and I live less than 40 miles from the border. Less than half the mileage going to Florida. No we have to have the item shipped to Toronto to a dealer, incur those costs and then a hefty markup and shipping costs to me in Montreal. AND I guarantee that your costs are not as high as we pay here. I sent a package to my daughter in Edmonton approximately 2000 miles with a weight of about 6 pounds and it cost me $56(equivalant pice in US$).

I really wish that Shopsmith would give us the same benefit as they give our American cousins.

[dusty]

At least Shopsmith will mail the items directly to your houses, they won't even send to me and I live less than 40 miles from the border. Less than half the mileage going to Florida. No we have to have the item shipped to Toronto to a dealer, incur those costs and then a hefty markup and shipping costs to me in Montreal. AND I guarantee that your costs are not as high as we pay here. I sent a package to my daughter in Edmonton approximately 2000 miles with a weight of about 6 pounds and it cost me $56(equivalant pice in US$).

I really wish that Shopsmith would give us the same benefit as they give our American cousins.

Does anyone really know/understand why Shopsmith will not ship outside the CONUS. Is there a great deal of extra effort involved; like for customs paper work, special packaging, etc.

The explanation cannot be shipping costs because they pass those on.

It seems to me that there must be an explanation. Remember, they do loose business by not shipping outside the CONUS and on the surface that is just not logical.

[pennview]

I'd expect that Shopsmith has exclusive dealership arrangements with certain companies outside the U.S., like with ALL-IN-ONE WOOD TOOLS in Canada, and won't compete with them by selling direct.

[dusty]

I'd expect that Shopsmith has exclusive dealership arrangements with certain companies outside the U.S., like with ALL-IN-ONE WOOD TOOLS in Canada, and won't compete with them by selling direct.

That sounds logical and might be the explanation; however, it does not seem to be a two way street. All-In-One-Tools sells a significant number of competing items like drill presses and lathes from other manufacturers.

Furthermore, from what I have read here on the forum, they do not seem real anxious to support their Canada customer base.

FWIW: Shopsmith will not ship to Hawaii either.

[dan1999]

Under the NAFTA agreement there are no duties for items manufactured in the US, as to the shiping costs you are right they are passed onto the purchaser. As to All-in-one-wood they are friendly enough but like everyone in the States gets frustrated when they put in an order and they get only about 60% of what they ordered. The rest is backorder. I don't mind buying from retailers in the States and I find the postage from USPS to be cheaper than Canada Post. For me it is actually easier to buy from people who post things on Ebay, I just can't buy everything I want like any of the sales that are offered to the lower 48. You would think that we are from outer Mongolia or Afganistan by the way they treat us here. But enough of my rant.

[camerio]

[quote="dusty"]That sounds logical and might be the explanation]

Can I add my rant to that ....

All in one tools does not send any flyers any more and on their site, they still have the flyer of Christmas/New Year on. If you look at that flyer on page 4 on their web site, it says place your order for PowerPro, "Order now for November Delivry" "Quantity limited" It was saying exactly the same thing on the Fall Flyer of 2011.
We cannot buy those special promotions that Shopsmith make every week, the only time I could was through a member of this forum.
In a global market and internet business, you need to ship everywhere in the world.
US postal services and canadian postal services are very good, Duties on american made products are "0$¨since 2004 and the only thing needed is a declaration of the value on the parcel, those forms are available in every post offices in US and then I will be charge the sales taxes of Canada and a 5$ fee for this.
UPS and other like that are not favourite because they add all kinds of fees + c.o.d charges when you don't have an account with them so add the taxes over that and everyone is upset with them. If you refuse the item they will bring you to court for all those charges even if you do not have the item that you had already paid the shipping for. Most US companies understand that and offer US postal as a choice.
Anyway, Jan told me they were looking into it, for us to be able to order from them directly and I hope it will happen soon. Shopsmith is loosing sales in Canada because of that.
It is not simple but it is a fact, All in one Tools is not Shopsmith. I understand that he has to make money, but it's not good business for Shopsmith and for us owners.

[cincinnati]

Is it possible that Shopsmith does not ship outside the USA because power tools need to meet some kind of standard for that country??????

[JPG]

Yes sir no gilmers at this time.

It was the 'try again later' that I was referring to. Back Order means they will ship it when it arrives. No extra shipping cost has been the past policy!