i just bought a used SS model V, just joined the forum today. I've been in the process of restoring and learning about my new toy, but I'm becoming extremely frustrated with the SS website. Links don't work, prices for parts are obscene, and the shipping charges are worse. For example, I want to get a new power coupler, $22 plus $8 shipping for a couple ounzes of plastic, give me a break! My guess is no one from the company monitors this forum, but in my opinion if they want to stay in business, they have to make their website more user friendly, get real with their product pricing, and provide faster shipping for free or at more appropriate pricing.
End of rant
Shopsmith website
Moderator: admin
I think they're in the middle of revamping the web site. Some major changes have been made to the site recently. I do think they should have switched over to the new design 100% at one time rather than updating a section here and there because, as you say, some links now no longer work which can be frustrating.larryr52 wrote:i just bought a used SS model V, just joined the forum today. I've been in the process of restoring and learning about my new toy, but I'm becoming extremely frustrated with the SS website. Links don't work, prices for parts are obscene, and the shipping charges are worse. For example, I want to get a new power coupler, $22 plus $8 shipping for a couple ounzes of plastic, give me a break! My guess is no one from the company monitors this forum, but in my opinion if they want to stay in business, they have to make their website more user friendly, get real with their product pricing, and provide faster shipping for free or at more appropriate pricing.
End of rant
But, I can assure you, they do monitor the forum.
Heath
Central Louisiana
-10ER - SN 13927, Born 1949, Acquired October 2008, Restored November, 2008
-10ER - SN 35630, Born 1950, Acquired April 2009, Restored May 2009, A34 Jigsaw
-Mark V - SN 212052, Born 1986, Acquired Sept 2009, Restored March 2010, Bandsaw
-10ER - SN 39722, Born 1950, Acquired March 2011, awaiting restoration
Central Louisiana
-10ER - SN 13927, Born 1949, Acquired October 2008, Restored November, 2008
-10ER - SN 35630, Born 1950, Acquired April 2009, Restored May 2009, A34 Jigsaw
-Mark V - SN 212052, Born 1986, Acquired Sept 2009, Restored March 2010, Bandsaw
-10ER - SN 39722, Born 1950, Acquired March 2011, awaiting restoration
Sorry, Larry!
I understand your frustration(s). Been there several times!
I have also learned that the machine you have is a very special woodworking tool. It will continue to grow on you as you delve into its possibilities.
Having no idea on how long you have been reading this forum, or how long you have owned your Mark V, I will offer that you could probably find one or two more items to include in your order. That may ease your frustrations (hopefully). (Not necessarily, your wallet)
P.S. --- A while back I bought three power couplers. Silly at the time, but done because of frustration. Eventually, this worked out to be a wise decision, (by mistake). Having several allows me to leave two mounted on the SPTs and ends the other frustration of finding the only one when needed.
I understand your frustration(s). Been there several times!
I have also learned that the machine you have is a very special woodworking tool. It will continue to grow on you as you delve into its possibilities.
Having no idea on how long you have been reading this forum, or how long you have owned your Mark V, I will offer that you could probably find one or two more items to include in your order. That may ease your frustrations (hopefully). (Not necessarily, your wallet)
P.S. --- A while back I bought three power couplers. Silly at the time, but done because of frustration. Eventually, this worked out to be a wise decision, (by mistake). Having several allows me to leave two mounted on the SPTs and ends the other frustration of finding the only one when needed.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
First of all welcome to the forum. Shopsmith is not the only company that has high freight charges. I am sure you have ordered something from the internet and thought shipment was too high for it. I know I have, as heathicus said they do monitor this forum.
Joe
520, Bandsaw, Beltsander, Delta Drill Press, Delta Lathe, Craftsman Planner/Jointer, Delta Planner, Mini "Greenie" Shorty 500
Being a VETERAN is an honor
Being a GRANDPA is priceless
520, Bandsaw, Beltsander, Delta Drill Press, Delta Lathe, Craftsman Planner/Jointer, Delta Planner, Mini "Greenie" Shorty 500
Being a VETERAN is an honor
Being a GRANDPA is priceless
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JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35430
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Yes add my welcome!
Not to make excuses, but rather as a frame of reference as to where SS was, is and hopefully will be.
This is a relatively small company which is the successor of 4 previous corporate entities over the past half century plus. It is unique in that it has survived at all. I attribute that to the uniqueness of the product(s).
Their production quantities are small, so costs are comparatively high.
Their standard of service to their customer base is also unusual in this day and age.
Not perfect by any means, but preferable to some other manufacturers which do not support even items less than 5 years old!!!:(
Be glad there IS a mother ship to get that coupler from!
And yes shipping costs have gone through the roof!
Not to make excuses, but rather as a frame of reference as to where SS was, is and hopefully will be.
This is a relatively small company which is the successor of 4 previous corporate entities over the past half century plus. It is unique in that it has survived at all. I attribute that to the uniqueness of the product(s).
Their production quantities are small, so costs are comparatively high.
Their standard of service to their customer base is also unusual in this day and age.
Not perfect by any means, but preferable to some other manufacturers which do not support even items less than 5 years old!!!:(
Be glad there IS a mother ship to get that coupler from!
And yes shipping costs have gone through the roof!
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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baysidebob
- Gold Member
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:06 pm
- Location: Bayside, Ca.
Larry, welcome to SS forums. Understand your frustrations, but we all have to understand that shipping charges are seldom set by shipper. Usually someone above them has a hand in determining what charges are. Have been in automotive business for many years, and having shipped auto parts all over, sometimes we get sticker shock when quoted a price to ship an item.
Have you ever purchased anything from a TV commercial? You have probably seen the ad that says we will give you the second item free, just pay the shipping fees. Shipping fees are quite often where they make their money. I feel they could probably give you both items free and just pay shipping and they would still make money.
Price of fuel doesn't help keep shipping prices down...
Have you ever purchased anything from a TV commercial? You have probably seen the ad that says we will give you the second item free, just pay the shipping fees. Shipping fees are quite often where they make their money. I feel they could probably give you both items free and just pay shipping and they would still make money.
Price of fuel doesn't help keep shipping prices down...
I keep finding little windows on this forum, that I don't really know what they do. So sometimes I experiment. Probably shouldn't do that, I know in my shop it can get me into trouble.
Bayside Bob
Bayside Bob
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rjent
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 2121
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:00 pm
- Location: Hot Springs, New Mexico
Larry I hope you come to love your Shopsmith and the company as much as many of us do. It is frustrating on the prices, and the shipping. I operated m my own small businesses for decades and I know the plight that SS is dealing with.
Like JPG pointed out, be glad there is a mothership still around to keep our machines functional. As for me, I am addicted. I am 63 and I wish I had started this "hobby" in the 70's when I had a chance to ....
Hang in there, it gets better, and welcome to the forum, great guys and knowledge here ....
Dick
Like JPG pointed out, be glad there is a mothership still around to keep our machines functional. As for me, I am addicted. I am 63 and I wish I had started this "hobby" in the 70's when I had a chance to ....
Hang in there, it gets better, and welcome to the forum, great guys and knowledge here ....
Dick
Dick
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
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2centsworth
- Gold Member
- Posts: 268
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 4:35 pm
- Location: Georgetown, TX
Welcome to your new addiction...
First off you are going to fit right in at the forum, bitching on your first post - good for you. Now know that these good people here are going to save you far more the you can imagine on your new addiction. Things like rust removal, spare parts, where to get something, etc. be thankful we still have a mother ship and they still have a website. Where are you located ? Maybe we have a fellow suffering member close by that can help or at least an ear to listen. This forum is priceless as far as I am concerned. It was just about this time last year I reached out for help and know I need help ! Too many bargains too many to good to pass by deals and my garage is full. But I have saved a ton and paid for all my new toys thanks to shopsmith and this wonderful forum. I have bought and sold over 18 Shopsmiths this past year and have almost one of everything made by shopsmith and it is all paid for. Some members are actually into woodworking and using the shopsmith for what it was intended for, others are into collecting and refurbishing them. Most people here have forgotten more then you and I will ever know about these wonderful machines. So climb on in the water is great and don't forget to post a picture of your new addiction.
Jerry Penny
2centsworth
The Woodlands, Tx
SS 520 SN#518424 2000 (reversed motor), Shopsmith 10 E (shorty) fully restored by Skip with DC motor, Shopsmith 10 ER fully restored by Skip with DC motor, Shopsmith 10 ER (under going restoration), Greenie Shorty sanding station, Greenie Mini jointer station, SS Bandsaw power station, SS Planner, SS overhead pin router, SS Belt Sander, SS Strip Sander,, SS Jigsaw, SS Dust Collector, Ringmaster, and still having fun looking for more !
2centsworth
The Woodlands, Tx
SS 520 SN#518424 2000 (reversed motor), Shopsmith 10 E (shorty) fully restored by Skip with DC motor, Shopsmith 10 ER fully restored by Skip with DC motor, Shopsmith 10 ER (under going restoration), Greenie Shorty sanding station, Greenie Mini jointer station, SS Bandsaw power station, SS Planner, SS overhead pin router, SS Belt Sander, SS Strip Sander,, SS Jigsaw, SS Dust Collector, Ringmaster, and still having fun looking for more !
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rcplaneguy
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:33 pm
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC