Shopsmith Forums

bumb ubm!

If you read the ad you need $350,000.00 up front to order to get started. When the store here went out of business, I don't understand why Woodcraft corporate offices let such a thing happen. I'm sure they have their reasons, but there are stores owned by Woodcraft outright. THey could have let the operation go on until a suitable investor/buyer stepped into the picture.

BPR

The local Woodcraft here in Dublin, CA was up for sale a while back- don't know if a buyer was found or not.

A year or so again, a big sign went up in their front window, saying "shoplifters will be prosecuted", or words to that effect. I asked the owner about it, and he said that shoplifters were putting a major hole in his finances. I guess I'm not surprised- there are hundreds of small items that could easily be put in a pocket, and tall displays separating the aisles so that it is difficult for the few employees to keep a close eye on the merchandise. Sad that a few dishonest people can spoil things for everyone else.

Maybe they should change the sign to say that shoplifters will be used in the next Sawstop demo....

Gary

greitz wrote:The local Woodcraft here in Dublin, CA was up for sale a while back- don't know if a buyer was found or not.

A year or so again, a big sign went up in their front window, saying "shoplifters will be prosecuted", or words to that effect. I asked the owner about it, and he said that shoplifters were putting a major hole in his finances. I guess I'm not surprised- there are hundreds of small items that could easily be put in a pocket, and tall displays separating the aisles so that it is difficult for the few employees to keep a close eye on the merchandise. Sad that a few dishonest people can spoil things for everyone else.

Maybe they should change the sign to say that shoplifters will be used in the next Sawstop demo....

Gary

Finger, or ??????:D

greitz wrote:The local Woodcraft here in Dublin, CA was up for sale a while back- don't know if a buyer was found or not.

A year or so again, a big sign went up in their front window, saying "shoplifters will be prosecuted", or words to that effect. I asked the owner about it, and he said that shoplifters were putting a major hole in his finances. I guess I'm not surprised- there are hundreds of small items that could easily be put in a pocket, and tall displays separating the aisles so that it is difficult for the few employees to keep a close eye on the merchandise. Sad that a few dishonest people can spoil things for everyone else.

Maybe they should change the sign to say that shoplifters will be used in the next Sawstop demo....

Gary

If you have never worked in a store you have no idea how bad theft is. It is just part of doing business. Theft for a big box store, you could buy a house in less than two years with the amount taken.
After working over 20 years in retail I could take you into any big box store, in less than an hours time I bet I could show you someone shoplifting.
Bad part is not only do they take stuff from you but then try and return it for $$$.

Nearest Woodcraft for those of us along the Gulf Coast is at least 4 hours away just south of Birmingham, AL. Don't have any plans to take me that direction. And, when I travel, have to make room for wife's motorized wheelchair and all that paranalia. We do have an independent wood dealer in the area. Don't know how to compare the prices, but he has built a large warehouse of his own with various pieces and sizes of a variety of woods. He is only open on the weekends and in the evenings.

Correction to my original post, I am restricted by law as a Federal retiree. I get penalized for working after my civil service retirement, but would love to have a business like this.

If I had small items in the store, they would all be moved to the area near the check out so you could keep an eye on them. Better, would be to put such in glass cabinets like K-Mart used to do. Yes, it would take time, but you have to loose either to the thief or to time. I would choose time.

[quote="swampgator"]Nearest Woodcraft for those of us along the Gulf Coast is at least 4 hours away just south of Birmingham, AL. Don't have any plans to take me that direction. And, when I travel, have to make room for wife's motorized wheelchair and all that paranalia. We do have an independent wood dealer in the area. Don't know how to compare the prices, but he has built a large warehouse of his own with various pieces and sizes of a variety of woods. He is only open on the weekends and in the evenings.

Correction to my original post, I am restricted by law as a Federal retiree. I get penalized for working after my civil service retirement, but would love to have a business like this.

If I had small items in the store, they would all be moved to the area near the check out so you could keep an eye on them. Better, would be to put such in glass cabinets like K-Mart used to do. Yes, it would take time, but you have to loose either to the thief or to time. I would choose time. ]

Have you checked out the woodworking store in pensacola? My in-laws live down there, and when I looked there was a place right near the catholic high school. Black river woodworks perhaps?

I know it seems like a slam-dunk for many woodworkers to open a woodworking supply store because we love it & would go there & therefore believe it would work since there might not be another outlet in the area, but all those factors don't insure success.

I know that some franchisors actually prefer not to have their owners be deeply involved in the area that the franchise serves. It can remove objectivity when doing preliminary business projections. The love of that subject can skew judgement. When diving into a business, it's better to look only at numbers & stats that relate to the local demographics, economy, etc. (Yes, I understand that it's great to love what you do, but you have to succeed at the purely business side of things to make a living at it) Franchises, especially retail ones that cater to limited segments of the general population, can be an extremely difficult go.

I guess all I'm saying is the love of something is not enough to make it succeed, and success is the real goal.

trainguytom wrote:I know it seems like a slam-dunk for many woodworkers to open a woodworking supply store because we love it & would go there & therefore believe it would work since there might not be another outlet in the area, but all those factors don't insure success.

I know that some franchisors actually prefer not to have their owners be deeply involved in the area that the franchise serves. It can remove objectivity when doing preliminary business projections. The love of that subject can skew judgement. When diving into a business, it's better to look only at numbers & stats that relate to the local demographics, economy, etc. (Yes, I understand that it's great to love what you do, but you have to succeed at the purely business side of things to make a living at it) Franchises, especially retail ones that cater to limited segments of the general population, can be an extremely difficult go.

I guess all I'm saying is the love of something is not enough to make it succeed, and success is the real goal.

Yep...


.

Totally agreed that our fantasy dreams will not ensure success. But, to dream is to consider the angles to see if it is a possibility.

Yes, Black Water River Tools over near the Catholic School is here. It is small and items and selection is limited. Good products, though. And, they really don't like Shopsmiths.