Page 1 of 2
Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 2:02 pm
by JPG
I went to Shopsmith.com in an attempt to refresh my memory re parts in the bandsaw.
All went well(slick presentation ....) until I tried to actually glean any useful information from the bandsaw SPT page.
Oh A nice picture of the bandsaw and two different exploded views(alum/cast iron table).
Now with the old(previous) iteration of the website providing helpful parts information - the exploded views were expandable(enlargable) and a recent improvement was the capability to click on the item number and be referred to that part in the parts list.
Today:Miniscule exploded views with none of those useful functions previously well done.
My perception of what is going on with the website design activity is that marketing types with little to no perception of what the web site's support function is and what it needs to provide to accomplish that.
I hope Customer Service has access to the previous version. If not they might as well not answer the phone. The current version is worthlress with SPTs.
END Rant!
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 3:48 pm
by miken
As with most technology, developers just cant seem to leave well enough alone. Example: cell phone apps especially. I cringe every time I am forced to update an app wondering what part will actually work worse than before. I am sure someone will say that this is done with progress and overall improvement in mind, but it rarely seems to work that way for me.
Mike -
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 4:09 pm
by GG0452
Most likely SS is not reading posts on the Forum. If you have concern/issues they need to be sent directly to customer service. I have sent them comments regarding problems i have seen on the web site and they have responded back to me and made the corrections. I have been told several times from customer service that the web site is a work in progress.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 5:00 pm
by Kenders
I believe in today's hi tech world the website should be progressing a little faster and be more intuitive to Shopsmith owners. What is more disappointing to me is that some parts that are still used on MK 7's can't be purchased separately, such as the lower saw guard piece that the dust collection hose hooks into.
Just my opinion.
Kevin
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 5:08 pm
by JPG
Oh yeah! so many times new stuff(which now require an extra step due to broader selections) and added functions to touchpads that require avoiding touching it as that causes something unintended to happen.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 1:51 pm
by chapmanruss
It does make me wonder why, when looking through the service parts lists so many parts are listed as Not Available. We know that many of the "Not Available" parts are needed to make a new tool. Are they keeping parts to make new tools while not servicing customers who need replacement parts to keep their existing tools running?
I agree with JPG that the previous parts diagrams were better for the reasons he listed. It would also be nice if the parts lists could be in actual numerical order to the reference number.
I do applaud Shopsmith for making many of the Manuals and Instructions available as PDFs for free. I believe the lists of what is available is still a work in progress. I do wonder why some are Not Available either as a PDF or for purchase. Hopefully at some point it could become better organized like maybe alphabetically.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:41 am
by RFGuy
When the new website launched, we discussed some of this. I didn't like how the legacy information, not just parts diagrams and parts lists, but other useful information like for example the filter ratings for the DC-3300 dust collector hoods was suddenly gone. Several forum members rushed in to laud the new website and to ask others to give it time as all the "kinks" would be worked out with the build out of the new website. Disappointed I stopped looking at the website and commenting about it. I ask you, WHY did the old website have to be completely removed for the new website to be instantiated??? NO, I am NOT looking for answers to my question here, but challenging those who think it is normal to wipe away a functioning website to replace it in a manner such as this. The truth is that respectable companies keep a support tab on their websites and often this support tab includes archived documentation for older hardware the company has sold but may not provide support for any longer. I believe it was a calculated move here by the new owner to abandon legacy Shopsmith owners and drive towards initial sales of new products with no firm commitment on supporting them post sale. I do believe legacy owners are now on their own. Surprised that this forum is even still up and running to be honest with you.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 10:50 am
by dusty
RFGuy wrote: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:41 am
When the new website launched, we discussed some of this. I didn't like how the legacy information, not just parts diagrams and parts lists, but other useful information like for example the filter ratings for the DC-3300 dust collector hoods was suddenly gone. Several forum members rushed in to laud the new website and to ask others to give it time as all the "kinks" would be worked out with the build out of the new website. Disappointed I stopped looking at the website and commenting about it. I ask you, WHY did the old website have to be completely removed for the new website to be instantiated??? NO, I am NOT looking for answers to my question here, but challenging those who think it is normal to wipe away a functioning website to replace it in a manner such as this. The truth is that respectable companies keep a support tab on their websites and often this support tab includes archived documentation for older hardware the company has sold but may not provide support for any longer. I believe it was a calculated move here by the new owner to abandon legacy Shopsmith owners and drive towards initial sales of new products with no firm commitment on supporting them post sale. I do believe legacy owners are now on their own. Surprised that this forum is even still up and running to be honest with you.
If one checks I believe one will find that the website was being revised even before rumors of new ownership. I trust that I will be soon corredted if I am wrong about that.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 1:23 pm
by JPG
Yes the recent improvement I mentioned was implemented prior to the arrival of TNO.
Re: Parts section of 'improved' website
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 1:56 pm
by RFGuy
I don't remember any of the new website changes happening BEFORE the new owner took over. Please point me towards the forum posts that talked about the new website so that we can determine the date of the new website launch. I believe the new owner took over back in summer of 2023 for reference, but it was common knowledge of the change of ownership until later.