Shopsmith Forums

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?

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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!

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: