Shipping Issue

[GeorgeM]

Well, I bought the lift assist when it was on sale. I called today to find out when it would be shipped and was told that IF the parts came in on Friday, it would be shipped sometime next week. Customer service did not know what happened but said that perhaps the demand was so great that they ran out or they ordered the parts as the customer orders came in.

This seems to fit with the other back orders I've seen on the forums. Of course my concern is the use of the word "IF". You'd think that if SS put something on sale they'd have enough of the item to fill the expected orders. Wouldn't you?

GeorgeM

[garys]

There is no way for them to know how many will sell, so this is what happens.

Unless you can tell them how many they need to have on hand, we will see more of it.

But, remember that Shopsmith is the only manufacturer I know of that supplies parts and upgrades to their 40 and more year old equipment. Try to get upgrades for your Japanese tools.

[reible]

If it is on sale is a whole other issue then them having product to ship. Just try to be glad you didn't have to pay full price and still have to wait for it.

Ed

[GeorgeM]

If it is on sale is a whole other issue then them having product to ship. Just try to be glad you didn't have to pay full price and still have to wait for it.

Ed

Oh so true!

[stevespix]

This seems to be an ongoing issue with shopsmith. These problems can be solved with simple computer programs for inventory management. When a product is chosen for a sale the first consideration should be can we fulfill all of the orders? Problems with the Powerpro have been numerous yet it seems excuses are usually what follows, this ain't no way to run a business. Management needs to rethink how business is conducted, just because you have a loyal customer base is no reason to provide poor service. Companies like Amazon, Costco, Apple etc are usually on top of stuff like this and if there is a problem it is usually resolved within hours if not days. For those who think I'm bashing Shopsmith, I'm not but a little constructive criticism is important so management will change an old familiar pattern. I will not order anything from Shopsmith that is NOT ready for immediate shipment. What sense does it make to anyone, that you would offer an item for a sale when you cannot ship the products right away. My question for management is what type of inventory control do you have? You seem to need a better system in place to solve these issues.

[jsburger]

This seems to be an ongoing issue with shopsmith. These problems can be solved with simple computer programs for inventory management. When a product is chosen for a sale the first consideration should be can we fulfill all of the orders? Problems with the Powerpro have been numerous yet it seems excuses are usually what follows, this ain't no way to run a business. Management needs to rethink how business is conducted, just because you have a loyal customer base is no reason to provide poor service. Companies like Amazon, Costco, Apple etc are usually on top of stuff like this and if there is a problem it is usually resolved within hours if not days. For those who think I'm bashing Shopsmith, I'm not but a little constructive criticism is important so management will change an old familiar pattern. I will not order anything from Shopsmith that is NOT ready for immediate shipment. What sense does it make to anyone, that you would offer an item for a sale when you cannot ship the products right away. My question for management is what type of inventory control do you have? You seem to need a better system in place to solve these issues.

I think you are correct but I would not put SS in the same class as Amazon. I think admin has realized the problem and has said they are aggressively addressing the problem. SS has provided world class support for a long long time. Yes recently the long time users have seen slight decline in customer support. However, I still think it is better than most companies have.

I think the Power Pro has given new life to SS so lets see what happens. After all they are still very responsive to customers and still stand behind their products 100%.

[JPG]

Well now how easy it is to 'assume' things are the same all over.

For starters, Amazon does not manufacture anything. They do not even 'fulfill' all that is ordered through them.

Oh things were much simpler a while back when 'stuff' was stored until used. Then along came 'just in time' philosophy. No more 'storing'. Works for auto makers with a sustained schedule.

Then lean manufacturing became a buzz word.(no warehouses there either).

What SS does is entirely different. They design and make stuff. Unique stuff. They depend upon external vendors for sourcing parts. They also depend upon external vendors to ship(to ss customers) complete units. Some are the vendors own product.

Now a while back in order to survive at all, SS downsized(etc.) greatly. They have a substantially reduced workforce. Inventory control 'system'. Sure fine for GM.

What SS has is a few employees wearing multiple hats scampering about trying to keep it all together. No place for grandoise schemes.

Yes we be a faithful lot, but that faith is based on past experience that things will happen if at all possible. No we do not like interminable delays, but tolerate them. Later is better than never.

Not everything is totally controllable nor predictable. I think the effort to improve customer 'support' alluded to by Admin is an indication that greater effort is happening and the old excuse mill will not be tolerated. I hope management(RLF?) provides sufficient support to allow them to
succeed.

[ERLover]

Well now how easy it is to 'assume' things are the same all over.

For starters, Amazon does not manufacture anything. They do not even 'fulfill' all that is ordered through them.

Oh things were much simpler a while back when 'stuff' was stored until used. Then along came 'just in time' philosophy. No more 'storing'. Works for auto makers with a sustained schedule.

Then lean manufacturing became a buzz word.(no warehouses there either).

What SS does is entirely different. They design and make stuff. Unique stuff. They depend upon external vendors for sourcing parts. They also depend upon external vendors to ship(to ss customers) complete units. Some are the vendors own product.



Now a while back in order to survive at all, SS downsized(etc.) greatly. They have a substantially reduced workforce. Inventory control 'system'. Sure fine for GM.

What SS has is a few employees wearing multiple hats scampering about trying to keep it all together. No place for grandoise schemes.

Yes we be a faithful lot, but that faith is based on past experience that things will happen if at all possible. No we do not like interminable delays, but tolerate them. Later is better than never.

Not everything is totally controllable nor predictable. I think the effort to improve customer 'support' alluded to by Admin is an indication that greater effort is happening and the old excuse mill will not be tolerated. I hope management(RLF?) provides sufficient support to allow them to
succeed.

Amen JPG!!
I have 2 Delta TS, used, that come with an open end wrench for the arbor, and a box wrench for the arbor nut, all the same size on most of there saws, can not get them on any part store. Thank God for the MS, I just bought a SS BS, with cast iron table, no blade plate, MS has them, BUT I thought about 5.95$, 18.95$ :eek:I can make one if I had my shop up and running.
Point is, Mom still had them.

[skou]

What is surprising, is Mom still makes stuff that fits
MY Antique machines. MS doesn't announce that they
make stuff for the Model 10, but they DO!

And, I'm happy about it.

steve

[JPG]

What is surprising, is Mom still makes stuff that fits
MY Antique machines. MS doesn't announce that they
make stuff for the Model 10, but they DO!

And, I'm happy about it.

steve

Well - They gotta keep theirs running also!