! Genuinely Exciting News !! -- From Your Friends At Shopsmith

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:45 pm

doug45601 wrote:Sometimes can't help but think Shop Smith is giving us a carrot on a sting to keep us following along.

Anyway, I'm not getting any richer or younger for that fact.

So how do you think Shopsmith will "market the new product"? Seems to me the only way will be through this forum or internet sales.. No real hands on..

It's just my opinion, but I believe SS should market and sell their "known" lineup of products before venturing into an "expensive new item" It could be one of SS's greatest mistakes and end up with lots of new style Headstocks with little or no market!

Hope that's not the case for the company and it doesn't turn out to be a white elephant..!

Doug - by now maybe you have found the related message sent by Bob Folkerth this A.M. He discusses marketing - Look under "General Woodworking!

riot_nrrd · Post by **riot_nrrd** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:55 pm

doug45601 wrote:So how do you think Shopsmith will "market the new product"? Seems to me the only way will be thorugh this forum or internet sales.. No real hands on..

I seem to remember a few months before the restructuring and then announcing the PowerPro, there was some discussion about working with one of the home improvement stores again... does any one else remember that, or am I getting confused? If so, I wonder if this is related? e.g., new tool, new channels... I would be surprised if Shopsmith spent all this money developing a new headstock, but had not thought of how to get the word out to potential new (not upgrade) customers and sell the product.

RiotNrrd

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:15 pm

I think Nick said something bout Shopsmith talking with a "large supplier of woodworking tools" . When thought about for a minute or so - That description includes a great number of possibilities.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:43 am

Ed, you are gonna love this new headstock..........I'll likely have to fight you to be first in line.

Along this line of thought, if Bob were to have a free Power Pro headstock lottery, for forum members,....................the winner would probably be doug.

kenbu · Post by **kenbu** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:11 am

Anybody (else) curious about how much the upgrade will cost?

Ken

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:57 am

8iowa wrote:Watsmatter doug, can't you think of something negative to say?

8iowa
Is facing the facts being negative? Has anyone seen any Shopsmith marketing effort aside the existing customer base? What chance does a new woodworker entering the hobby today have to hear about Shopsmith? When is the last time anyone of us has had a catalog that we could use and then pass on to a new kid on the block? How many of us will say we would have bought a SS at retail prices without first seeing a demo?

I believe the only market SS has for the new Pro head is their existing customer base, if you know of another please let us know.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:11 pm

riot_nrrd wrote:I seem to remember a few months before the restructuring and then announcing the PowerPro, there was some discussion about working with one of the home improvement stores again... does any one else remember that, or am I getting confused? If so, I wonder if this is related? e.g., new tool, new channels... I would be surprised if Shopsmith spent all this money developing a new headstock, but had not thought of how to get the word out to potential new (not upgrade) customers and sell the product.

RiotNrrd

Home Improvement Stores?
Home Depot has for the most part dropped all display of standalone machines. Their Ridgid line is special order only. Lowes is the same way. Know why? They ain't selling!

Look at the new saw Ridgid offers, a cabinet based saw with granite top, fairly nice fence, mobile casters and etc. for less than $600. And they ain't selling!

High dollar woodworking machines aren't selling to home improvement guys they sell to serious hobbiest and serious hobbiest look for their machines in Woodworking stores. And most use magazine reviews to trigger their purchases. When is the last time you saw a Shopsmith magazine review?

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:35 pm

Ed:

If Bob Folkerth were to hold a lottery for a free PowerPro, I'm not sure now that doug would win.........your odds have improved considerably.

Enough fun and nonsence! Now I'm heading out to the shop. I'm actually working on a project for a change, a built in bookcase.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:55 pm

8iowa wrote:Ed:

If Bob Folkerth were to hold a lottery for a free PowerPro, I'm not sure now that doug would win.........your odds have improved considerably.

And MY odds? How long is infinity?

Enough fun and nonsence! Now I'm heading out to the shop. I'm actually working on a project for a change, a built in bookcase.

Finally - Bob - Add my thanks not only for this 'update', but for having this to be updated.

Poor Tim! He ain't ever gonna get a US made one! Wish we all could get a USA made one!

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:33 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Finally - Bob - Add my thanks not only for this 'update', but for having this to be updated.

Poor Tim! He ain't ever gonna get a US made one! Wish we all could get a USA made one!

USA built wood be ideal; however, anywhere but China, wood be my next choice!