smitty club?? plus more??

[Bruce]

Well, the $300 is just the starting bid. I'm sure he's hoping there will be a bidding war for his services.

[albie]

I took the liberty of looking up the domain registration for "asksmithynow.com" and find the following:
Domain Name.......... asksmittynow.com
Creation Date........ 2008-01-26
Registration Date.... 2008-01-26
Expiry Date.......... 2009-01-26
Organisation Name.... Mike Young
Organisation Address. P O Box 99800
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. EmeryVille
Organisation Address. 94662
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. US

[a1gutterman]

Nick,

I am confused. Is this the same Mike that I have seen doing demos here in WA? Not very tall, slim, cranky look on his face? Did Mike indeed get licensed from SS to do this? Is he in fact still employed by SS? And like you said, how can he get anywhere and provide a day long experience for $300? Sure is a nice looking WEB site.

[a1gutterman]

Like Dusty says; one time or annual, which is it? Or could it be free... http://www.asksmittynow.com/liveradio.html see the last statement:
"The success of "I-Radio Tool Talk" is completely driven and dependent on your participation so sign up
today for your FREE Smitty's Club Membership and get in on true interactive content."

Clicking on that link brings you to the $9.99 sign up ad.

[dusty]

I don't know about this.

It's free, it costs $9.99, it costs $20 or it costs $300 OR $799.99. I just clicked on a checkout icon and found this other charge.

Is it Mike Young doing his own thing or is it a Shopsmith Marketing Plan.

It appears to be well organized and it appears to be somehow associated with Shopsmith.

If something big was happening like this, I sure would have thought that we would have see or heard something from the Director of Shopsmith's Woodworking Academy.

An email flyer from Shopsmith would have lended some credibility. Maybe even a one-liner at the Shopsmith.com Homepage.

[Ed in Tampa]

He reminds me of the guys in Eastern Europe and Nigeria who cook up all those schemes in an effort to get into our bank accounts.

8iowa
Does this mean I'm not getting my promised millions$$$$$ ?


Ed

[Nick]

"Is this the same Mike that I have seen doing demos here in WA?"
Yes

"Did Mike indeed get licensed from SS to do this?"
No.

"Is he in fact still employed by SS?"
For now.

"Is it Mike Young doing his own thing or is it a Shopsmith Marketing Plan."
The former.

"It appears to be somehow associated with Shopsmith."
Not.

"Does this mean I'm not getting my promised millions$$$$$ ?"
Sorry.

I hope that answers some of your questions, but it will probably just create a hundred more. No matter; according to Mr. Young this is all just a "superficial discussion and warm and fuzzy good 'ol boy rhetoric."

An aside to Mike Young: I see by your web site the you "routinely grant interviews." Would you like to respond to some of our concerns yourself, or should we just go on with our superficial discussion without you?

With all good wishes,

[ryanbp01]

Nick, thanks for taking the time to help ferret this out. It sure sounded like a scam to me when I first read this (and still does). I would rather go to the source and get my information first rather than paying someone els for the privilege. I would like to suggest that someone should contact "Smitty" and invite him to explain his position via this forum so he can clear up any questions and misconceptions that have arisen.

BPR

[Nick]

Since I work very closely with Customer Service, I take particular offense at this claim I just found on Mr. Youngs web site:

"Quick answers with a phone call to Shopsmith Customer Service is very tough just because of the volume of calls coming into the Shopsmith offices, and when you finally get in, your time is limited."

There are some times, particularly between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when there is a que for phone calls. But our Customer Service reps are rightfully proud of the incredible job they do, and I have never known them to intentionally hang up on a caller. There was a short period in the 1980s when Shopsmith was concerned about the extensive amount of time our reps were spending with individuals on the phone, but we realized this was the nature of the beast and the company wisely stopped getting in the way of the reps being as helpful as they can possibly be.

In short, Mr. Young's statement is misleading, part of it is not true, and the whole of it is insulting.

With all good wishes,

[Ed in Tampa]

I'm getting real concerned.

It is starting to sound like the cannons are coming loose aboard the SS Shopsmith.

Shopsmith does not need a loose cannons running around making accusations true, false or otherwise. There has been entirely too much of this being done. This is just one example where "insiders" or "ex insiders" are making comments all over the web that reflect poorly on Shopsmith.

I think we all realize the gravity of the situation Shopsmith has gotten into and I think Shopsmith management better either grab hold of the wheel and tie the cannons down and get the company back on track or they need to get out of the way and let someone that can turn the company around.

My experience with Shopsmith customer service has always been better than excellent. My interaction with Nick, Drew and others has always been most informative and excellent. Can't say I'm real excited about the present backorder situation but I believe that can and will change also.

While I fully understand the concept of free speech in our land I think it is irresponsible to make snide remarks and negative innuendos in a feeble attempt to validate oneself.

I was always taught that it shows desperation when someone tries to use the back of another to gain a foothold.

Ed