The we want a paper catalog movement

Moderator: admin

2bits
Gold Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 7:50 pm
Location: Tucson, Az.

Post by 2bits »

It is just to dang hard to dogear my laptop:mad: I belong to a group called S.A.S.S. and they print out a monthly "newspaper". I have it in the truck and usually give it away to someone that shows some interest. I also get a catalogs from some companies that show you their invetory but may state "call or check online for current pricing. At least I can dogear the pages and flip back and forth to compare items. I would guess that these catalogs get some sort of compensation as they carry many different brands but for something like Shopsmith I would be willing to pay for a catalog. besides the boss don't allow "surfing" at work even on break:eek: How boring is that?
User avatar
heathicus
Platinum Member
Posts: 2648
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:02 am
Location: WhoDat Nation

Post by heathicus »

I guess I happen to be of the age between the kids today that prefer digital and some of you geezers that don't. Both print and digital have their times and places when they are the preferred option. I have an android tablet computer that I use as an e-reader and use it frequently to read a lot of different things. It's convenient to carry around, small and lightweight, and gives me a ton of information at my fingertips. But then there are times when I prefer a paper copy. I keep a lot of stuff, magazines, print-outs of plans and how-tos found on the web, manuals I downloaded for used tools I bought, etc. in binders on a shelf for quick and easy access.

Putting together a catalog is a lot of hard work - even if it's digital. That work being hard translates to it being expensive. It takes photography, layout, graphic design, copy editing, etc. Just updating the PDF catalog is not a cheap, quick, or easy thing to do. I think it needs to happen, though. Four years since the last catalog update is a long time and doesn't give the impression of a thriving company.
Heath
Central Louisiana
-10ER - SN 13927, Born 1949, Acquired October 2008, Restored November, 2008
-10ER - SN 35630, Born 1950, Acquired April 2009, Restored May 2009, A34 Jigsaw
-Mark V - SN 212052, Born 1986, Acquired Sept 2009, Restored March 2010, Bandsaw
-10ER - SN 39722, Born 1950, Acquired March 2011, awaiting restoration
User avatar
fiatben
Platinum Member
Posts: 736
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:39 pm
Location: northwest Arkansas

what about the newbies

Post by fiatben »

I'm glad they seem to be having success selling the Mark VIIs and I really hope SS is around forever. I'm wondering what they give someone who buys a new machine for the first time? It would seem to me to be a real marketing opportunity to include an up-to-date, color catalog of all the neat accessories, including pictures of what others have built or diagrams of jigs to supplement the accessory that aren't offered by the factory, and catch that newbie while they are still basking in enthusiasm and wanting it all.

I know catalogs are expensive, even online versions, but to maintain the image of a viable company, the PDFs should at least be reasonably current.

This falls into the same line of questioning/reasoning as to why they don't have more promotional material like hats, shirts, bumper stickers, etc.

You can build a better mousetrap, but the world will only beat a path to your door if they; a. know it's available, and b. know where to find it, and c. (unfortunately in today's world) it is really, really easy to do so.
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
User avatar
fjimp
Platinum Member
Posts: 2345
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Lakewood, Colorado

Post by fjimp »

I suggest one of you whiz bang computer guys create a new thread where we can vote Yes/No. That just might get the powers that be to consider the idea. Jim
F. Jim Parks
Lakewood, Colorado:)

When the love of power is replaced by the power of love the world will have a chance for survival.
User avatar
JPG
Platinum Member
Posts: 35600
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)

Post by JPG »

fjimp wrote:I suggest one of you whiz bang computer guys create a new thread where we can vote Yes/No. That just might get the powers that be to consider the idea. Jim
Ahem! Who started this thread?
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
User avatar
fjimp
Platinum Member
Posts: 2345
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Lakewood, Colorado

Post by fjimp »

JPG40504 wrote:Ahem! Who started this thread?
Whoops did my suggestion step on Red's toes. If so I do apologize. Yes I still want a catalog:D Jim
F. Jim Parks
Lakewood, Colorado:)

When the love of power is replaced by the power of love the world will have a chance for survival.
User avatar
JPG
Platinum Member
Posts: 35600
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)

Post by JPG »

fjimp wrote:Whoops did my suggestion step on Red's toes. If so I do apologize. Yes I still want a catalog:D Jim

No you did NOT!:cool:

I was implying that Ed(the instigator of this thread) was an appropriate candidate to initiate such a poll.

I did not realize at the time he had already done so!:o My Bad!!!:eek:
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Post Reply