Shopsmith Forums

As the proud owner of a used Mark V 500, I have been slowly purchasing replacement and new parts for different projects I need to do. I have read several threads regarding back orders but thought that they must be large or complex orders. However, I'm no longer sure this is so.

About 60 days ago, I sent in an order for 6 items. I got 3 that I ordered and 1 that I did not order. A call to SS straightened away the problem with the 1 that I did not order (packer apparently grabbed the wrong item) and I got the correct piece in about 5 days. I just received the 5th item but the 6th is no where to be found. Another call to SS resulted in the part still being on back order.

I get these emails from SS about "over stock" but when I order parts, they are back ordered for extended periods of time. Is this common or have I just hit a run of bad luck?

Pete

psf513 wrote:As the proud owner of a used Mark V 500, I have been slowly purchasing replacement and new parts for different projects I need to do. I have read several threads regarding back orders but thought that they must be large or complex orders. However, I'm no longer sure this is so.

About 60 days ago, I sent in an order for 6 items. I got 3 that I ordered and 1 that I did not order. A call to SS straightened away the problem with the 1 that I did not order (packer apparently grabbed the wrong item) and I got the correct piece in about 5 days. I just received the 5th item but the 6th is no where to be found. Another call to SS resulted in the part still being on back order.

I get these emails from SS about "over stock" but when I order parts, they are back ordered for extended periods of time. Is this common or have I just hit a run of bad luck?

Pete

I've had the "saw guard upgrade" for the 500 on back-order since Dec 2007. They tell me that the needed parts will arrive April 11, but the date for these parts keeps slipping. It's a consequence of the just-in-time manufacturing process and its impact on small companies.

I keep hoping. Meanwhile, I can't use the table saw function since my SS never had any guards and I really don't want to operate it that way.

I think right now back orders are a little more common than they were in the past. Shopsmith is going through some changes and is or were moving into the back part of the current building and selling the front part off. A move like that could only cause problems. I have sanding belts on back order right now for a month. Not sure why standard size belts would take so long for SS to receive but I am in no hurry. I am going out today and purchase some locally to tide me over.

Sorry to say I have had and still have the same experience. I received the inset for a dado blade, but the blade never arrived. I finally cancelled that back order. I received the hook&loop back for the conical sander, advertized in the mail out, but the sand paper is still on back order. I truly enjoy my SS. I will support at USA company 100%. But SS is making it a challange. Perhaps when a system (dado plate, spindle & blade) are unavailable an e-mail or phone call should be made before partial shippment. A safety item like a guard should be shipped with all due haste, even if it means shipping a used unit, and replacing it later. Just a thought. SS has a great product. It's after sales support could use some help. Respectfully, Gary.

Guys come on how many times do we want to beat a dead horse?!

Backorders have been repeatedly discussed. Nick has on a number of occasions taken the time to explain the situation.

We don't like it, Shopsmith doesn't like it and everything that can be done is being done to correct the situation. Shopsmith has asked for our patience and forgiveness as they work through the problems.

I'm sure there are war stories to be told and complaints to be made but let us no lose sight of the fact, Shopsmith is a great company to deal with.

I ordered some table inserts, if you didn't know Shopsmith's supplier messed up a bunch making them too short. My order was back ordered. Yesterday Shopsmith called and asked if I still wanted the order. They explained they have a real mess. Not only did they have backorders to fill they also had to replace all the inserts that were shipped to customers and that were too short. That is not small project. Yet Shopsmith still had my order, checked to see if I still wanted it and assured me they were doing what they could to see I got my order as soon as humanly possible.

That in my book is concern for the customer, and constitutes great customer service.

That is my opinion.
Ed

Ed in Tampa wrote:...

I ordered some table inserts, if you didn't know Shopsmith's supplier messed up a bunch making them too short.

That raises an interesting question. I remember reading a while back about Urethane tires that were made by a supplier 1 inch longer so they ended up being "loose" on the tires.

With a lot of things being 'farmed out', I wonder what kind of Quality Control happens when these items arrive. Any sort of first article inspection or something else? At least in this case it sounds like the inserts were caught before going to the public. But not in the case of the tires.

johnm wrote:I've had the "saw guard upgrade" for the 500 on back-order since Dec 2007. They tell me that the needed parts will arrive April 11...

Hey folks. I spoke with Jim back in the belly of this SS beast. And he told me that they, the saw guards, WILL BE SENT late next week. He swore it to me. Which in directly is him swearing it to you, too.

And if they don't. I do know where he lives!!!

Be good y'all,

Drew

drewa wrote:Hey folks. I spoke with Jim back in the belly of this SS beast. And he told me that they, the saw guards, WILL BE SENT late next week. He swore it to me. Which in directly is him swearing it to you, too.

And if they don't. I do know where he lives!!!

Be good y'all,

Drew

Hallelujah! I've got a project all queued up, ready to go. I guess good things come to those who wait

Howdy,

Some things are worth the wait...

I attended a TA session and placed a large order for SPTs and accessories for a new 510 my dad gave me. I was a bit overwhelmed by the capabilities of the SS, but Rick Davis fixed that with his classes.

To follow up on the order, I contacted Customer service and asked them to send me the components and accessories as they became available. They have done so, religiously. It has been like a birthday party with new toys, every week since the class.

I am still waiting on a few items, but to tell the truth, I could not have setup and started using everything, if I had received it all at one time. There were a few items that were on the "critical path" for a few projects, but the staggered shipping has been okay with me.

After seeing the quality of the SPTs and accessories, comparing them to off-shore made items, I am more convinced than ever, that like fine wine, you can't rush the fermentation process (uh, manufacturing) of SS products. I am happy to say that they are truly worth the wait.

Just a POV from the Brazos,
mike

drewa wrote:Hey folks. I spoke with Jim back in the belly of this SS beast. And he told me that they, the saw guards, WILL BE SENT late next week. He swore it to me. Which in directly is him swearing it to you, too.

And if they don't. I do know where he lives!!!

Be good y'all,

Drew

Well, that week has come and gone and the saw guards haven't shipped. I just got an email from SS apologizing for the delay and offering me a half price deal on the "Hands-On" DVDs. That's nice, but I still can't try out the table saw...