Shopsmith Forums

beeg wrote:Dusty, In what post number did you post about the address?

#2:)

dusty wrote:I told you once.

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... ight=lease

I was also told once that my back order would ship two weeks ago. No box yet.

I was looking at ordering jointer and planer blades and some other parts as a back up and "just in case" things don't go well at SS. I found that the jointers have 2 different blades. The one for older machines has a reference to Battels hardware. They have 10ER parts. Just a thought it interesting that here is a pretty small (apperently) businese that has taken on a niche market. I don't know anything about this, but it seems to say that given the opportunity, some one will fill any void they can find in the market. Additionally Woodmaster makes custom cutters for thier machines, and while they would be expensive, I'll bet they as well as others would make blades and other parts. I found several places that might make knives. I'm still going to wait on the stuff I ordered from SS because I think they are a company well worth supporting.
AND, when I called about a back order yesterday and got a pleasent, lady who gave me a straight answer, and thanked me for calling her! Beyond the quality of the tools, customer service is and has been the reason I continue to support SS.

The STRAIGHT answer is the most rare attribute!:) I hope you thanked her as well!

That's got to suck. To go from owning the building, to having to sell it, and then lease part of it back from the new owners. Can't see that as a good idea investment wise.

Well, at least they're still in business.

woodburner wrote:That's got to suck. To go from owning the building, to having to sell it, and then lease part of it back from the new owners. Can't see that as a good idea investment wise.

Well, at least they're still in business.

I don't know... I can see good rational behind the move. If the majority of the building was vacant, and they were having to pay taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep on the entire building, it certainly would be more cost-effective to sell the building to someone that could make use of the unused space and only have to pay for utilities, insurance and upkeep on the PORTION USED....

I did thank her! First because my Mama would whoop me if I didn't, but because she was really good at what see did, was straight up with me and I
now know exactly where I stand. I have been told that As far as leasing property, the more common corporate model is often to lease, rather than own. Huge companies often have a building built to thier specs by a leasing company, pay for the building at a discount and then lease the thing from the leasing Co for a specified time. They gain in reduced upfront cost, lower maintainence costs and flexablity. Whether or not that applies to smaller companies i don't know. Anyway, The lady was exactly what a customer service person should be and that keeps me a customer. It appears that SS has a lot of "on demand" products, mine appears to be one, I was told, "we will get a shipment in on _____, your order will probably not be on that one , the next is on ____ that will probably be your shipping date." I don't always get that, I ordered a gift for my wife from an other company and was told 3times that it is on the way. The shipping tracker told me other wise each time! I got it 3 days late, it was not right and I am still trying to get it taken care of. So I say thanks to SS for telling me the truth. That will go a long way to making them a strong company.

woodburner wrote:That's got to suck. To go from owning the building, to having to sell it, and then lease part of it back from the new owners. Can't see that as a good idea investment wise.

Well, at least they're still in business.

They are NOT trying to 'invest'. They are recovering capitol/reducing debt. As far as it 'sucking', that is self indulgence they can ill afford. Now is NOT the time to let 'pride' get in the way of good judgement.

Woodburner:

Several of us have been in Shopsmith's plant. It is a huge building. When I was there in November It appeard that they were using less than 30% of the space. With taxes and maintenance this is obviously not a good situation. They could go into the leasing business themselves, but this would be a big distraction.

Selling the building and lease back of a much smaller portion makes good business sense, as it will relieve/reduce their maintenance expenses and free up some working capitol - not a bad idea in today's economic environment.

So you are really saying the SS is becoming a "lean mean wood working machine making company"?!!!:D