Shopsmith Deals-- not such a deal

bdeweese · Post by **bdeweese** » Mon May 17, 2010 11:18 pm

Sometime the answer is simply "because they can!". Many SS items appear to be low in quantity - which would make sense given their financial issues over the past few years. And I've noticed that many times the sale items end up on backorder status at the end of the sale period. Most merchandising experts would say that it doesn't make sense for any company to overly discount popular items that are already low in supply.

I considered the Amazon.com "standard" version of the V120, but after spending some time hunting around to see what it would take to make it SS compatible, I just bit the bullet and bought it at the SS sale price. I already have the SS version of the MiterSled 5000 - which I love. Sometimes I just want to use a miter - but am looking forward to the notch accuracy of the Incra version.

One suggestion I do have for SS though is with regard to their post sale 20% offer if I order a regularly priced item within 5 days. I never do this because I know I am going to have to pay shipping again. Seems like it would make more sense for the offer to be "order any item before your recent order ships and we'll include it at no additional shipping charge plus give you a 20% discount, etc.". That way SS is increasing their average sale and the customer is getting a true incentive to spend even more money right then. Just my 2 cents worth.

Bob from WA

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon May 17, 2010 11:34 pm

reible wrote:After wading through all the stuff posted here I went to the Incra site to see what they had to offer information and price wise.

Both the standard and shopsmith V120 versions list for $84.95.
The miter bar (part number PV27-700100 STD version) is $22.95.
The shopsmith bar (part number PV12-700150) is $22.95.

Shopsmith adds the safety grip adapter kit (looks like a block of AL with a threaded hole for the mitergauge safety grip and some holes and mounting hardware to mount it to the V120 (I can't see from the picture how the other end attaches???). It also appears that the "fence mounting bracket" has additional holes for the mounting. This is value added in both parts and labor which might account for the additional cost.

It always pays to examine the reality of the situation and in this case the it would appear that the shopsmith version should actually cost more. I don't know if the cost differences should be what they are but if we picture a load and labor cost of $60/hour and guess the time at just 15 minutes that is $15 and another $1 for the hardware equals about $16. Now a touch of profit and maybe all things work out????

Ed

Ed
You make an excellent point, the upgrades may in fact justify the price difference. In that case I think it would be wise on Shopsmith's part to make it known that there are these upgrades. In my opinion their success or failure rides on repeat business, one of the ways you insure repeat business is to establish a relationship between yourself and the customer.

At one time Shopsmith did an excellent job of that. When I bought my Shopsmith, they had programs, academies, magazines, catalogues, I knew the customer service reps names they printed their picture and a brief bio in magazines. At one time the Customer Reps knew enough about me to be able to recommend to my wife what she should buy me for Christmas or my birthday. They knew I was drooling over the jointer, or that I had priced out bandsaw. It was like a family or a real close friends. At one point they actually called my wife right before my birthday to see if she was going to get me a SS birthday present. Of course she put in an order.

Over time that changed and today they do things like offer this miter gauge approx $15 higher than the similar product can be bought without the slightest explanation. instead of building a relationship they brought question into the game. I will almost be willing to wager SS has lost all their customer contact lists. And even though I registered very piece of SS equipment I bought I'll guess they don't know what I own. To me that is a serious and possibly fatal mistake.

That is exactly my point. For SS to suceed they need to insure their customer believe that they have their (the customer's) best interest
first and foremost.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue May 18, 2010 12:03 am

I have one question. If ya have a problem/question with the V120 from amazon. WHO do ya call?

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Tue May 18, 2010 12:34 am

beeg wrote:I have one question. If ya have a problem/question with the V120 from amazon. WHO do ya call?

Incra ???????

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Tue May 18, 2010 10:47 am

Ghostbusters!!

Bpr

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue May 18, 2010 11:17 am

beeg wrote:I have one question. If ya have a problem/question with the V120 from amazon. WHO do ya call?

Definitely Incra unless it is a return issue. Mark at Incra provides quick response and excellent support for their products. In fact that is his email address mark at incra.com.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Tue May 18, 2010 3:26 pm

riot_nrrd wrote:... 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.

And I wonder if INCRA et al doesn't put just a weeee tad more care (precision) into making something to ShopSmith's exacting dimensions, as opposed to "generic"?

[But hay, am I missing something here? Car dealer A is a rip-off because he's pricing a 4-door for more than dealer B's 2-door?]

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue May 18, 2010 3:51 pm

Yup, you're missing something. There ain't no cars for sale here. It's sorta hard to tell but this is a wood working forum!:rolleyes:

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Tue May 18, 2010 4:28 pm

ashbury wrote:Dusty: In reference to your post #9, and taking Amazon or who ever or cost out of the picture, the fact remains that if "I" want the choice of an accessory for my miter slot, no matter whether it is the belt sander, saw table, bandsaw or anything else that has a miter slot, I am extremely limited as of choice. Oh yes, things are available but more likely, I have very little choice. Sit and think of all the wonderful accessories out there. If I should even want a digital miter guage, that for the time being is not available. Which brings me to the aluminum table platform for the table and bandsaw. Like granite tops, none of the new magnetic accessories will work. It's all about choice. Believe me, I'm not knocking SS or their accessories and as someone else said, it is what it is but I am still limited as per choice. I really feel however that if SS can pull itself out of what ever our country is in, that they will, little by little cater to more of a variety of accessories for us die hard fans. If you were the owner of a Jet, Delta, Ridgid etc. and wanted accessories for them but nothing was available except SS sized accessories, you would complain about it because your choices would be so narrowed.

I'm really getting confused. I re-read the original. No help.
I get the impression someone ordered the fish dish and then complained because it didn't come with steak.
I Must be reading it wrong.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Tue May 18, 2010 4:42 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:... let them do their home work and don't offer a sale at the same time someone else does where your sales prices is $15 higher. To survive they have to become smarter and more aware of the what the industy is doing.

I don't know if I can buy the assumption that ShopSmith's stocking, handling and marketing costs are preceisely the same for a NON-ShopSmith product as Amazon's.

I find a little disturbing the underlying thread here that all vendors must sell all products for the same price. Wasn't there once a government agency called WPA or some such that tried to dictate sellers' pricings? I sure hope the White House doesn't hear about this sale. We surely don't need a new ShopSmith Czar?