Shopsmith Deals-- not such a deal

stevespix · Post by **stevespix** » Fri May 14, 2010 7:52 pm

I have a question for everyone who seems to think we get such great deals from shopsmith. The current email deal announcing a great savings on the incra v120 miter guage this is a joke. Amazon has it listed for $69.98 (granted it's not for the shopsmith) yet Amazon shows the list price for it at the same price shopsmith is showing the sale price. No wonder this company is having trouble selling it's products or anyone's.

This kind of stuff is exactly what is wrong with failing companies in this country. What is wrong with dealing in an upfront manner when you sell things after all the truth is a few clicks away. Sorry SHOPSMITH you need to rethink your marketing department.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Fri May 14, 2010 8:29 pm

Sounds like you have a potential business model there. Buy a bunch of non-Shopsmith Incra V120 miter gauges from Amazon, remove the miter bars, add Shopsmith-sized miter bars, and sell them for less than Shopsmith's price (but not through Shopsmith's forum). We'd be interested in how much profit you're making after you add in the cost of the new bars, disposal of the old bars, engineering and marketing costs, etc.

I'm not trying to say that Shopsmith's prices aren't high, but you have to remember that Incra and Amazon have a much broader customer base for the "standard-sized" miter gauges than Shopsmith does. If Amazon sells 1000 of the "standard" units and makes $1 profit/unit, and Shopsmith sells 100 of the Shopsmith units and makes $10 profit/unit, both companies are making the same profit.

Gary

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri May 14, 2010 8:32 pm

Sorry Stevespix, you need to think. You are comparing apples and oranges. If you do not see the distinctions, think harder!

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri May 14, 2010 9:35 pm

I did notice in the e-mail that Shopsmith is selling one for other table saws.

BPR

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:23 pm

stevepix, I am sure you already know this but the Miter Gauge that Amazon lists for a gonga price is not equipped with a Shopsmith Miter Bar but that isn't a real problem, is it?. Just buy a replacement Miter Bar.

Oh yeah and then there is the small issue of the Safety Grip which the low priced Amazon unit does not have - but you know that too. But then I am comparing apples and apples. For $85 you won't get the Safety Grip from Shopsmith either.

I guess the real puzzle is how can Amazon sell these things that they for less than the manufacturer. In this case - go check the Incra price - right from the manufacturer.

Hmmm, wonder is there is warranty on Amazon items. Maybe there is, I don't know. I try not to buy things that come from "who knows where".

riot_nrrd · Post by **riot_nrrd** » Sat May 15, 2010 10:09 am

stevespix wrote:Amazon has it listed for $69.98 (granted it's not for the shopsmith) yet Amazon shows the list price for it at the same price shopsmith is showing the sale price. No wonder this company is having trouble selling it's products or anyone's.

Gosh, I guess I'll go out right now and buy a new table saw and a one of those miter gauges from Amazon. Certainly much less expensive to do that that to pay the extra few bucks for a Shopsmith sized Incra miter gauge.

Trust me, I think it is annoying that SS used weird proprietary sizes, but it is what it is. Buy purchasing a SS and getting the unique benefits they offer (variable speed, size, quality), we have also locked ourselves into a somewhat proprietary solution. Would I rather have standard sized options? Sure (and I've said that in other postings). But If I have to choose between my Shopsmith and a bunch of stand-alone tools filling my tiny one-car garage shop, I'll take the Shopsmith.

I'm just glad that they partner with folks like Incra and Kreg to deliver the higher quality accessories. Another option would be to ONLY sell the standard SS miter gauge, fence, etc... While I am OK making my own jigs, I'm pretty sure I can't get the same accuracy that somone like Incra can get with laser-cut teeth or precision racks.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Sat May 15, 2010 1:03 pm

stevespix wrote:I have a question for everyone who seems to think we get such great deals from shopsmith. The current email deal announcing a great savings on the incra v120 miter guage this is a joke. Amazon has it listed for $69.98 (granted it's not for the shopsmith) yet Amazon shows the list price for it at the same price shopsmith is showing the sale price. No wonder this company is having trouble selling it's products or anyone's.

This kind of stuff is exactly what is wrong with failing companies in this country. What is wrong with dealing in an upfront manner when you sell things after all the truth is a few clicks away. Sorry SHOPSMITH you need to rethink your marketing department.

What's your question?

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Sat May 15, 2010 1:38 pm

I understand your thoughts, but there are many other factors besides Toyota, etc.If displeased they can count on an immediate return and lots of discussion from users. By the way, have you followed the thread on Product Liability! I too have a few, if not many, suggestions for SS marketing. The major issue being bring back the traveling academy. But they have never marketed "inexpensive" so I guess I don't agree with you. But you are free to have an opinion, and you can vote with your wallet.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 15, 2010 1:48 pm

mickyd wrote:What's your question?

I did not see one either!

BTW folks, the 10e/er has a 3/4" miter gauge slot/bar!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat May 15, 2010 2:53 pm

What accessories, that are NOT available now for use with the Shopsmith, might I be using if only I had a 3/4" miter slot?

If there are any, is there a reason why I cannot make it/them work on the Shopsmith miter bar or equip it/them with my own miter bar that does fit the Shopsmith.