Shopsmith Left Out?

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:56 pm

Nick is right on. The internet is the best marketing tool in Shopsmith's future. With the ever increasing on line speeds it is possible to have a Shopsmith demonstration video just a few clicks away from the search engine.

I remember the demonstrations at he mall. I agree that they would not be effective today. Frankly, I can't see why any man in his right mind would want to walk thru a malls doorway given the kind of shops they have today. Sears and J.C. Penny would be better off if they had adopted the "stand alone" kind of store like Wal-Mart.

You just can't pay an employee with a van full of tools to go around to demos anymore. He is spending more time on the highway than demonstrating. Three dollar gasoline and $100 per night motel bills put this kind of marketing over the top.

The only other type of advertising that might be effective would be infomertials on cable TV: Home improvement and do it yourself channels as "Fill ins" during off hours and on local PBS stations.

john · Post by **john** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:22 pm

Nick:

As always I like your response to this question. It gives a viewpoint and details that not many of us are privilege to.

I am also encouraged by the many forum members who try to come up with ideas even though some may not be feasible. It reminds me of years ago when the company I worked for had just brought a "world scale" polyester plant on line at the same time "picky polyester" went out of style. We were faced with a mountain of polyester pellets and producing more every day. I thought I had the answer, use it for paving driveways. Of course not being a chemist, I was a "bean counter", I was not aware of the problem of degradation from the sun, but hey I tried, as did many others who wanted to save this project.

So I hope the ideas and offers of help keep coming. At least it shows we care and would like to be part of the solution.

Take care.

John

manvelar · Post by **manvelar** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:48 pm

One thing Apple Computer did when they were first getting started was to give computers to schools - the theory being that students would learn on those machines and grow up to be Apple buyers. Obviously, they made other not-so-wise decisions and largely lost out to the PC - but this idea may have had some merit. I'm not suggesting that SS donate hundreds of 520's to schools around the country, but I wonder if there is any marketing focus in this area? Perhaps an educational discount to get SS machines into the schools? Just a random thought for what it's worth (which I realize may not be much).

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:45 pm

manvelar wrote:One thing Apple Computer did when they were first getting started was to give computers to schools - the theory being that students would learn on those machines and grow up to be Apple buyers. Obviously, they made other not-so-wise decisions and largely lost out to the PC - but this idea may have had some merit. I'm not suggesting that SS donate hundreds of 520's to schools around the country, but I wonder if there is any marketing focus in this area? Perhaps an educational discount to get SS machines into the schools? Just a random thought for what it's worth (which I realize may not be much).

Andy
Your going to be hard pressed to get a saw into a high school today. In fact most schools are taking them out. Why? Two reasons. The first if a kid gets hurt parents sue.
Second this society has the idea of working with your hands and creating something is for losers or at least those that don't/can't think real good.
Success is often judged to be the least productive yet getting the biggest salary. In other words if you can do nothing and still make big bucks you have arrived.

That said I still think there is a still plenty of potential Shopsmith customers and I agree with Nick Hands-on online is probably a very good vehicle to reach many of them.

I also think Shopsmith needs to develop new functions/tools for the Shopsmith.

But think the biggest thing is they need to sell the "Shopsmith User Community". In our society people feel isolated and many are lonely. If they believe they become a part of a community of like minded individuals when they buy a Shopsmith this one factor alone will swing the deal.

If you don't believe me go read the Ryobi BT3000/BT3100 forum at
BT3central.com. 90% of those people on the forum bought their BT3's because of the user community.
I think this forum will have a similar effect as people start posting their ideas, problems, projects, plans, hopes, dreams and etc concerning the SS.

I do believe if Nick or a ShopSmith representative inputted here on a fairly regular basis that the forum would take off. Ridgid tool has a forum and in the early years they had a representative that routinely answered questions and posted. Then Ridgid send the manufacture of the their machines to China and pulled the guy off the forum since then I think they have experienced the same thing all tool manufactures have.
Ed

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:34 pm

How about this for a demonstration idea.

I always thought that they could put a little more show into the demos. What do I mean? This is the idea that I came up with.

Use a big rig truck all painted up Shopsmith style and have it tour the country. Make a big deal out of it by advertising in the local paper that the Shopsmith Show is coming to town. Set the show up in the parking lot or venue where it is going to be held and go for it. They can have a small break down stage and sound system that is high enough so that everyone can see the demos.

Maybe if they have two people in the show it will be more exciting. One of the presenters can have a great personality and really get the crowd going while explaining what is happening during the demo, and the other person can have a lot of Shopsmith operating experience so he can really demonstrate all the functions of the Shopsmith smoothly and accurately, and not worry so much about having to talk to the spectators during the show.

And the big thing here is they could stuff this truck(s) with an inventory of Shopsmith tools and accesories that you can buy right then and there, like a mobile store, with no waiting for it to be shipped from the factory. They can replenish the supply of tools and accesories by meeting up with a supply truck or have the tools dropped shipped to locations throughout the country so they will always have a good supply of tools and accessories with them.

Operating the demos in this fashion would eliminate having to find a store that will want to make room for a demo. Instead, they can set up in the parking lots of Lowe's, Home Depot, county fairs, etc., and can stay for just one day, or longer, depending on the venue.

That's my idea:D . Any comments?

manvelar · Post by **manvelar** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:58 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:You're going to be hard pressed to get a saw into a high school today.

I didn't know we were raising such a new generation of unskilled people. That's sad, but I understand. I remember the days when I could shoot a gun at or use a chain saw on just about anything non-human and the world somehow survived. If I got injured in school, my parents would have yelled at me for not listening to the teacher. Times change.

john · Post by **john** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:41 pm

I like Woodburner's idea!

I don't think it's feasible from a cost point of view, but I lke the idea, mainly because it involves real people doing the demonstrations and being available to answer questions. Let's face it, that what caught many of us in the first place. I used to say "every man's dream is to own a Shopsmith" but then I'm dating myself to the time when SS was prominent at many malls etc with their demonstrations.

The internet idea is good but I don't think it will attract many new users because of the new values in society today, eg; bigger is better. I think it is a great idea to help those of us who already own a SS and will lead to more and better uses and perhaps encourage us to purchase more accessories, but as an incentive to want to run out and buy one, I'm not sure. Nothing beats seeing a real "live" piece of equipment that you can touch and see in action.

I wish I knew the answer as to how we can make this happen.

Just my 2 cents.

John

rod69jd · Post by **rod69jd** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:00 pm

Here would be a sample of the internet advertisement...

alancooke · Post by **alancooke** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:51 pm

john wrote:The internet idea is good but I don't think it will attract many new users
John

I agree, at least for now.

Without an agressive campaign to get the fact out that SS even exists, it won't matter where the detailed info is.

Hopefully, this is in the works!

New users are vital. We old customers are already convinced.

By the way, have I mentioned this forum is great?:)

Alan

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:07 pm

manvelar wrote:I didn't know we were raising such a new generation of unskilled people. That's sad, but I understand. I remember the days when I could shoot a gun at or use a chain saw on just about anything non-human and the world somehow survived. If I got injured in school, my parents would have yelled at me for not listening to the teacher. Times change.

I have a friend that was a shop teacher (an excellent one I might add). One day in class a young boy (13-15) was using an electric drill but the way he was pushing on it, if it slipped it would slide into his stomach. My friend hollered at the kid across the shop class and told the kid to stop. The kid just smiled and went back drilling, before my friend could get to the kid the drill slipped and punctured the kids stomach. The kid paniced and kept the drill turning, well you can imagine the result. My friend instantly dove across a work bench and slammed a shop power off switch, applied remarkable first aid and the kid was fine after surgery a few stitches.

Then an ambulance chaser got to his family and sued everyone. End result the school system instantly shut down the shop class in all schools and all shop teachers were reassigned. My friends life was wrecked and suit prevailed, on the premise my friend should have hit the power off before he even yelled.

Hundreds of kids were put out of shop class that year and hundreds more in future generations would never be offered the chance to build their Mother a bird feeder or their Dad a tie rack.
Ed