Prices?

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:32 pm

boozeclues wrote:Also after all this talk about Cutco, I thought I would share this link http://www.cheftalk.com/forums/cooking-knives/11067-cutco-knives.html

My first job when i was 16 was as a salesperson for the Vector Corp ( Their marketing company) Much like the knives you see on late night tv they look amazing doing certain things but fail at alot of basic tasks. I had to get a loan from my parents to buy a demo set and after a short time of having doors slammed in my face I gave the entire set away because they were only good at cutting tomatoes and tore meat. I dont doubt that you can be very happy with Cutco knives but they are not on par with Henckels, Wustohoff, or Global.

I do buy american when I can. I bought a Trek Mt bike because it was well made and I think it was worth the extra money. BUT it also uses Shimano components which im guessing are japanese.

My main point when i started this thread has since been derailed. I am frustrated with what i feel is like SS is gouging their customers on parts since they know that most of them are unique to their machine. To use Cutco as a example some of the knives they make have a special serration on them and and you need to send them to the factory to have them sharpened. they DONT overcharge imo for this service but lets pretend they charge 50 bucks to sharpen your knives. I say 50 dollars is too much for that! and everyone responds "American craftsmanship is expensive and they will be sharp!" well lets assume that i have non serrated knives and send them to a local shop to get them sharpened for 20 bucks..... they are just as sharp, should i care that a immigrent may have sharpened them?

Hi boozeclues!

I checked out that link! (I do knot have Cutco knives) If you read more then the first post, you will find a lot of differing opinions, all based on what the authors call facts. Some say Cutco is good, some say not so good. Seems like a lot like any other friendly conversation...

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:47 pm

boozeclues wrote:...Basiclly is there anyone on here that has suggestions for repair/ replacement of stuff like belts or other stuff that i dont have to go through shopsmith for?

boozeclues wrote:...My main point when i started this thread has since been derailed...

I think that you will find that most parts and accessories are proprietary]Bill Mayo [/URL]has suggested that we use linked belts and I believe that you can use any 20amp rated toggle switch; a replacement may/may knot fit the hole, but you can adapt it work. A lot of the bearings can be bought from bearing supply houses. Non-SS sandpaper belts and disks can be found. There are other non-SS items that you can buy. I prefer to buy from SS as that helps ensure that they remain in business and if they remain in business, I will be able to buy the proprietary items when I need them.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:50 pm

I will be the first to say that Shopsmith parts are not cheap But.......I do think they are priced fair.
1) what other tool can you get parts for a machine made 50 years ago.

2) Be glad you can get parts. Sears after 10 years is hit and miss

3) I purchased my Shopsmith new in 1989. I have only replaced the switch. Yes, I could have gotten it cheaper at Home Depot but the one from Shopsmith came with directions on how to do the wiring.
At least I had to option to get one at HD and not some special one only available from SS.

4) Arbors-Have you ever replaced the bearings and Arbor in a cabinet saw?
When you get done with that mess the Shopsmith price will look Cheap!

5) You have the option on the shopsmith to put an arbor on every blade. Any other table saw you do not. If the price is too high for you then don't do it and just put the blade on like any owner of a cabinet saw has to.

6) Gilmer belt- "Almost as much as a serpentine belt installed on a car!" Let me know where you got one done for that price ($31.99). Over $100 around here.
A belt for my Toro lawn mower is $100.

boozeclues · Post by **boozeclues** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:15 am

a1gutterman wrote:Hi boozeclues!
I checked out that link. The date of the article is December 8, 2004! Are you sure that the suit was filed last week? I wood be interested in the outcome.

and found this on http://www.classaction.law.pro/current_cases/index.html

Sears Craftsman “Made in the USA” Claims

The Law Office of Aron D. Robinson is part of a group of lawyers prosecuting cases alleging that certain Sears Craftsman brand tools are not “Made in the USA” or “Made in America” as claimed by Sears. Federal regulations as well as State deceptive practice statutes limit when a manufacturer may make a “Made in the USA” claim for their products. If you have products which are claimed to be of USA origin but have substantial component parts made in foreign countries you may have a claim against the Manufacturer and distributor of those products.

a1gutterman wrote: Hi boozeclues!

I checked out that link! (I do knot have Cutco knives) If you read more then the first post, you will find a lot of differing opinions, all based on what the authors call facts. Some say Cutco is good, some say not so good. Seems like a lot like any other friendly conversation.

I did read the whole article, but having sold them in the past and about 10 yrs restuarant experience i stand by my statement. good for the house but not good enough for a real kitchen.

Thanks for all the idea on keepin costs down and ill have to look into the linked belt.

cincinnati wrote:
Gilmer belt- "Almost as much as a serpentine belt installed on a car!" Let me know where you got one done for that price ($31.99). + 12 for shipping.

and besides serpentine belts themselves are only 12 bucks shipped (for my truck) add about 20 for a half hour of labor from a independent shop and yes i stand by that statement.... or put away 2 hrs and do it yourself, if you dont have the tools go to a parts store and get some free loner tools.

as for your lawn mower belt the belt for deck on my john deere was about 30 bucks online and the other are less. ill bet you can find them online for your toro at simular prices.

boozeclues · Post by **boozeclues** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:18 am

a1gutterman wrote:Hi boozeclues!
I checked out that link. The date of the article is December 8, 2004! Are you sure that the suit was filed last week? I wood be interested in the outcome.

might still be on-going
and found this on http://www.classaction.law.pro/current_cases/index.html

Sears Craftsman “Made in the USA” Claims

The Law Office of Aron D. Robinson is part of a group of lawyers prosecuting cases alleging that certain Sears Craftsman brand tools are not “Made in the USA” or “Made in America” as claimed by Sears. Federal regulations as well as State deceptive practice statutes limit when a manufacturer may make a “Made in the USA” claim for their products. If you have products which are claimed to be of USA origin but have substantial component parts made in foreign countries you may have a claim against the Manufacturer and distributor of those products.

a1gutterman wrote: Hi boozeclues!

I checked out that link! (I do knot have Cutco knives) If you read more then the first post, you will find a lot of differing opinions, all based on what the authors call facts. Some say Cutco is good, some say not so good. Seems like a lot like any other friendly conversation.

I did read the whole article, but having sold them in the past and about 10 yrs restuarant experience i stand by my statement. good for the house but not good enough for a real kitchen.

Thanks for all the idea on keepin costs down and ill have to look into the linked belt.

cincinnati wrote:
Gilmer belt- "Almost as much as a serpentine belt installed on a car!" Let me know where you got one done for that price ($31.99). + 12 for shipping.

^^^^FIXED

and besides serpentine belts themselves are only 12 bucks shipped (for my truck) add about 20 for a half hour of labor from a independent shop and yes i stand by that statement.... or put away 2 hrs and do it yourself, if you dont have the tools go to a parts store and get some free loner tools.

as for your lawn mower belt the belt for deck on my john deere was about 30 bucks online and the other are less. ill bet you can find them online for your toro at simular prices.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:39 am

Some Shopsmith prices are outrageous and some are reasonable. The problem is that there appears to be no rhyme or reason. Gillette Razor and later most inkjet printer manufactures learned their lessons early. Sell the razor cheap and make a million selling blades. Sell you printer cheap and make a million selling ink cartridges.

Shopsmith should give away 1 1/4 inch saw arbors and if they did they would probably get rich selling blades. Instead they charged as much for 1 1/4 inch arbor as they do for 5/8. Everyone bought a 5/8 and went to Sears and bought blades.

There are things that Shopsmith sell that I would love to have but there is not way I can justify the price for what you get. To me the Sandflee is an excellent example. The price is total nonsense. Instead of pricing them so every Shopsmither in the world has one they priced them so that if they sell one they paid their R&D, production and design costs.

Think about it, the thing has two bearings, and a spindle and piece of metal for bed. Total cost of manufacture has to be in the $50 dollar range.
If is isn't they need to find a new suppliers and fabricator.

I really believe if Shopsmith would rethink their priceing they could turn the business around over night. They have been existing far too long selling products to people that had more money than brains. In this economy those people are quickly becoming extinct. For Shopsmith to survive they need to get their prices to a point that the average Joe can justify the cost. My opinion

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:08 pm

boozeclues wrote:A class action lawsuit against Sears, Roebuck and Co alleges that Sears conducted false advertising and consumer fraud by advertising that its Craftsman tool line is "Made in the USA."

That's a shame. Down goes another one.

But did I miss something? I didn't see in the report where the Craftsman Lifetime Guarantee no longer exists for "Made in the U.S.A." Craftsman products, which was my only point re Sears.

I see some contradictions in that suit, but not that the guarantee is voided.
In a crazy way, isn't it a good thing that Sears still guarantees things made partly or even chiefly in some other places if it carries the "Craftsman" label?

Hm, are the suers trying to get the guarantees revoked? I think the defense for Sears should check those people to see what connection they may have to ACORN or SEIU. Is Sears being setup for another communist (Obama) bailout?
Are there nefarious ulterior motives afoot here?

This could end up in another Special Congressional Investigation!

Lehman and Chrysler and Sears-- Oh My!

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:15 pm

boozeclues wrote:To use Cutco as a example some of the knives they make have a special serration on them and and you need to send them to the factory to have them sharpened. they DONT overcharge imo for this service but lets pretend they charge 50 bucks to sharpen your knives. I say 50 dollars is too much for that! and everyone responds "American craftsmanship is expensive and they will be sharp!" well lets assume that i have non serrated knives and send them to a local shop to get them sharpened for 20 bucks..... they are just as sharp, should i care that a immigrent may have sharpened them?

Wow.
I feel like I just got off the Tea Cup ride at the state fair...

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:20 pm

a1gutterman wrote: I checked out that link. The date of the article is December 8, 2004! Are you sure that the suit was filed last week? I wood be interested in the outcome.

I should have checked also. The hole thing sounded fishy. I learned long ago to NEVER take at face value anything a plaintiff's lawyer says. (or, for that matter, any lawyer.)

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:32 pm

Classic.

Build a better mouse trap, and ...

people will try to find a cheaper version of it.