Bicycle Boy

[Ed in Tampa]

...Actually, in the last few years Lowes has moved much more toward a large inventory and display of the the bottom quality Chinese tools - all powdered with cheap universal motors. They must make a lot of profit selling this junk to guys who should know better.

8Iowa
I got into a conversation with a Lowes tool rep about 3 months ago. Lowes in my area display a Delta constractor saw, a Hitachi hybred saw and high Bosch and Dewalt carted on-site saws. All in the $500 - $600 price range.

In the last year this Lowes had sold something like 9 of these saws total. I know there are woodworkers around because when Lowes clearanced out the Beismeyer fences for $80-$100 bucks they went out the door in a flash.
I think the break down was 1 or 2 Deltas about 4 of the Hitachi and rest was split between the Dewalt and Bosch units. The salesman was almost totally certain the Dewalt and Bosch were sold to businesses. That means there is almost not market for contractor priced saws. Remember this was a whole year. He did mention they sold a ton of bench $100-$200 dollar saws.
I have since going to HD and wrote the date on the side of the Ridgid 3650 table saw that HD sales. The saw is still there and I think it was there for about 2 months before I put the date on it. So in about 5-6 months they haven't sold one. Again proving the market is not all that good.

I don't think Lowes or HD for that matter moved to low end for the profit I think they moved there because that was the only thing that sold.

Ed

[john]

Randy:

I understand what you mean about TO being "the center of the universe", especially when it comes to hockey.

I did have a good conversation in person with the vendor last year and covered many aspects of the economy of demonstrations and shows, etc today compared to when I got hooked. He also commented on the margin of off shore products vs SS, and I understand his challenge.

That being said however, it still leaves a big hole in how to promote the Shopsmith product. I know they have gone away from advertising and demos, as being too costly, but it may be that our market requires something different from the U.S. market where they have at least tried other things, even if they didn't work.

I think an occasional add in a Canadian woodworking magazine with mention of the SS website, and subsidizing the vendor in some shows would go a long way towards getting the name out there.

I think it's time I got off the soapbox!

Have fun

John