Shopsmith Forums

dusty wrote:The verbage that others have used for this discussion is buried here. Read "Usage Restrictions".

Parts of it are written in legalize but it is there if you read carefully.

Whatever Shopsmith intended it is dependent upon the legal meaning of the word commercial.

If I advertise that I have merchandise for sale on eBay, I definitely have an intent to sell that item to a buyer. Is that a commercial communication?.

If I casually mention that there is a Mark V for sale on eBay just like the one you said you were interested in buying, is that a commercial transaction OR is it just weasel words being used to bypass the restriction.

If I say, "That is not permitted here". "That's a BAD". " PM me". Well......you decide.

Over the past two or three years there have been many conversations about this. I believe that during this time Shopsmith has probably benefited significantly by the actions of the members of this forum. The forum has helped by encouraging users, helping users recover their older machines, talking users through recovery from failures. I doubt that the forum has made any contribution that has affected Shopsmith negatively even the occasionalcommunication about hardware for sale.

I just don't do it on the forum but I have purchased items that I became aware of as a direct result to the forum.

Personally, I believe that Shopsmith would benefit directly by having a "Trading Post" where we could all conduct these business transactions openly.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Interesting discussion!
However since all of us want Shopsmith to succeed there is one thing we must consider.
For every Shopsmith part sold external to Shopsmith is a lost sale to Shopsmith. Surely we don't expect Shopsmith to go into competition with itself by sponsoring a place to buy and sell products it to is trying to sell.

Frankly I get a little confused by people that are so vehement about "helping" Shopsmith and then openly admit they often bypass Shopsmith by shopping for their Shopsmith need on EBay and etc.

It is this same thinking that has most of our products coming from other countries. We all want to support the American worker but when it comes time to put our money where are mouth is we go with the cheapest price.

Remember every sale of Shopsmith equip on Ebay takes that sales profit from Shopsmith. We already saw where they no longer can afford Nick how long do you think it will take until they can't afford to keep spare parts on hand or their excellent customer service staff that helps answer all our questions?

My two cents if I have offend anyone let say I'm sorry but we have to consider all the consequences of our actions not just what meets our immediate goal.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Interesting discussion!
However since all of us want Shopsmith to succeed there is one thing we must consider.
For every Shopsmith part sold external to Shopsmith is a lost sale to Shopsmith. Surely we don't expect Shopsmith to go into competition with itself by sponsoring a place to buy and sell products it to is trying to sell.

. . .

Remember every sale of Shopsmith equip on Ebay takes that sales profit from Shopsmith. We already saw where they no longer can afford Nick how long do you think it will take until they can't afford to keep spare parts on hand or their excellent customer service staff that helps answer all our questions?

My two cents if I have offend anyone let say I'm sorry but we have to consider all the consequences of our actions not just what meets our immediate goal.

cincinnati wrote:A company has to be careful who they let do what. If you let one group do something then you can't refuse another group to do the same.

Say you have a store and you let an organization of kids sell candy in front of your store. Then you must let any other organization (who could be an org. that represents your direct competition ) solicit in front of your store.

judaspre1982 wrote:In earlier posts , when the forum was new , Admin was asking for new subjects to expand the forums. At that time a trading/selling category was never brought up. The link I posted from Admin was from a later thread on selling items on the SS site and it is plain to see, from the response, how SS feels on the subject. I don't think their position has changed.

I belong to a boating forum which is one of the largest in the country.
It is a free site , but they have a "boats for sale" section strictly for selling boats. If you want to sell using this section of their forums you must pay an annual fee of $15.00. This is one way SS could benefit by adding a trading post section, but that is strictly up to SS.
I could see them adding a trading post for items they no longer support.I can't see them allowing sales that directly compete for their business on a site they provide to us for free. As stated ,there are other outlets to get any parts needed for our machines outside of buying directly from SS, if one chooses.
Until SS tells us otherwise, I think out of respect/courtesy for SS , we should go with the wishes stated in Admin's post, which is titled No selling please

Dave

JPG40504 wrote:And yet 'admin' says: "Selling your items on eBay will probably be your best bet, just be careful of our trademarks and copyrights or else I will get you there too"

This tells me SS not be overly concerned re the selling of used parts on E-Bay. Especially when they go for ridiculously high prices(+ excessive shipping charges).

As far as 'losing a Mark X sale', any one considering purchasing a used one at the 'going rate' is not likely to be a serious contender for a new one. However, that person may as a result of purchasing the used one buy new SPT's for it(or an update, or actually spring for a new one). Ain't no guarantees what folks do anywhere anyway.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I think the mention of EBay is a courtesy rather than an endorsement.
Admin when he mentioned EBay I believe is simply trying to be helpful in the usual Shopsmith Customer Service way. I don't think the mention of Ebay to be an endorsement or inducement.

Dusty mentioned repair part prices as a sign Shopsmith wasn't looking for repair/maintaince business. I agree the cited prices are outrageous! However in the past when I said some Shopsmith prices are totally outrageous everyone sort of gave me the stinkeye.

I find the price of the Power Pro so outrageous it is upsetting to me. The total package can't cost SS more than $500. I believe in a fair profit but that is a bit much. If the package cost between $800-$1000 it would be expensive but not totally ridiculous.