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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:30 am
by judaspre1982
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:08 pm
by dusty
doug45601 wrote:UPDATE: Just completed my discussion with SS Customer Service regarding my order fill shortcomings. Was told that it has been an ongoing problem and they have been working had to fix the order filling department quality control. They have and continue to receive letters and emails from customers with the same issues.
I also received a bit of a hint on priority of order filling and the backorder process. Seems if you buy a MK V or have bought one within a recent time period, these brand new customers are being satisfied first with accessory needs (SS must maintain a listing or recent MK V buyers) and backorders. Reading between the lines to me indicates they want to make sure of building a strong "early relationship" with new customers. I don't see a problem with that and willing to wait on BO's. The new buyers of a system should get pri-treatment... SS doesn't want a new owner "returning a MK V" do to lack of support within the first 30 days of ownership".
Customer service has been very receptive and helpful and took my issues for action once again.... and, they do realize all the expense it costing them in additional shipping cost.
Thanks for hearing me out on "my issues"... Don't mean to cause friction between Shopsmith owners and their opnions of support. This is an open forum for discussion and my comments were based on actual happenings... Not a bigfoot sighting or UFO landing..
Back to the shop now!
I'm going to read between the lines here, Doug, even though I was not in on the conversation.
Shopsmith is experiencing a reduced flow of materials, for whatever reason. Given this fact, they have a choice to make. Sell spare parts or sell finished Mark Vs. The decision is simple, the major incentive is in the new Mark V.
If there are parts left after orders are filled (scheduled to production) they are made available to fill parts orders. Until this financial crisis is over, I fear we will just have to deal with it.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:38 pm
by tdubnik
dusty wrote:I'm going to read between the lines here, Doug, even though I was not in on the conversation.
Shopsmith is experiencing a reduced flow of materials, for whatever reason. Given this fact, they have a choice to make. Sell spare parts or sell finished Mark Vs. The decision is simple, the major incentive is in the new Mark V.
If there are parts left after orders are filled (scheduled to production) they are made available to fill parts orders. Until this financial crisis is over, I fear we will just have to deal with it.
I wonder if that's the smart thing to do. If Shopsmith is like most businesses they generate more profit per dollar spent on parts and service than they do on the completed machine.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:21 pm
by dusty
tdubnik wrote:I wonder if that's the smart thing to do. If Shopsmith is like most businesses they generate more profit per dollar spent on parts and service than they do on the completed machine.
In the way clarification, this is my interpretation of what is going on. I do not know that this is what Shopsmith is doing.
While it may be true that the margin of profit is higher for spare parts, how many bits and pieces do you have to sell to equal or exceed the profit on a single machine? I would guess that Shopsmith has this all figured out but I still believe they build/sell machines before they stock the spare parts bins.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:42 pm
by pinkiewerewolf
I just ordered the front and rear 520 rails and jan in CS gave me a very professional heads up that these aren't normally ordered by themselves and it may take a few days to produce them. She was very thorough going through the parts that I wood knead (Hi Tim, a little woodworking and culinary play on words there:D ) to make this happen. We even discussed the difference between the front rails with and without the magnet for the scale.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:55 pm
by doug45601
Look at it this way, Suppose Shopsmith has long list of Backorders for a new Bandsaw. Customer service has in the past told me they actualy build the bandsaws in their building (assembled with parts from vendors). If they have a need for special nuts and or bolts to complete the build to fill a backorder for a $545.00 bandsaw.... and that nut/bolt whatever roles in the door it's going to go to production first.... That's a 545.00 backorder fill... You have the same bolt/nut on backoder also.... If you came first they would be filling a .32 backorder..
If you needed a part for your saw or accessory etc. and Shopsmith had a complete saw or accessory in their warehouse do you think they would rob Peter to pay Paul..!
We are all just little ducks in a big pond.... Not big ducks in a little pond...
this is a matter of pure and simple buisness parctices anywhere you check.. There are exceptions to this rule but not at the cost of major company profits.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:31 pm
by RobertTaylor
i may be alone in my way of thinking. however if shopsmith can not fill orders in a timely manner it will be the straw that breaks their back, period. there was a report on this forum earlier this year from a guy that waited for four months on a new mark 5. he finally cancelled his order and bought a used one. fortunately for us (bad for shopsmith) there is no shortage of used parts available. i would venture to say in any given week i can put together a headstock or most spt's. even 520 parts are becoming more commonly available. as the economy gets worse people part with things they don't use often. just my $.02 fwiw
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:34 pm
by beeg
My thoughts on this is, they have to sell NEW MKV's to stay in business. BUT they also HAVE to also take care of us, as we provide reoccurring sales.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:43 pm
by dusty
We have done a lot of complaining here. I wonder how many parts are really involved in all of the complaints put together. If we had them all could we build even one Mark V?
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:16 pm
by pinkiewerewolf
I still want a shirt & mug.
I'll pay a premium to get them!
hmmm, maybe even a hat.
I also wonder about companies like Jointech and Incra. They make great products, and granted they are offered for more products than the Mark V's, but times are tough. I bet more people (especially those on fixed incomes) are deciding to make the jigs themselves or simply wait for better times to build projects. I know that gas dipping below $2.00 here in Nor-Cal has helped me make some additional purchases that I didn't think I'd be able to make.
To all these American companies, I wish you luck in these tough times.
I'm still working on my Dad to get a Mark V since he is prepping a shop for his retirement in a few years. He'll be 75 then, and hopefully he and I can swap Shopsmith stories for many years.