Dallas Traveling Academy

rtait78 · Post by **rtait78** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:44 pm

I am signed up for the course in the Dallas area on 23 May. I went on line today to see where it was being held and it is no longer listed on the website. I've been on hold with customer service for 15 minutes waiting my turn. Does anyone have the address of the hotel it is being held at. Thank you!

I am really looking forward to going; now I just find out where I'm going!?!

Ron

rtait78 · Post by **rtait78** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:01 pm

Disregard. I just found out it was cancelled.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:56 pm

I missed the academy held in Tampa this year due to previous committments but this cancelation really concerns me. I don't know the actual cost to SS but I would think enrollment should cover most and from the academies I have attended the sales generated had to be a plus.

I think SS made a serious mistake when they stepped back from the publishing and mailing Hands on and I think sacrificing the academies is another.
Ed

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:44 pm

I found out earlier this week all the Traveling Academies, except for the west coast, have been cancelled until further notice.
They have also stopped the Shopsmith demonstrations at Lowe's and other venues, except for the west coast, until further notice.
The company is going through a restructuring process right now. The company makes about 50-60% of all their revenue just on the west coast, that is why those programs have not been cancelled there.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:56 pm

The company makes about 50-60% of all their revenue just on the west coast, that is why those programs have not been cancelled there.

What are the reasons for this? Any ideas?

rdubbs · Post by **rdubbs** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:00 am

Here's an idea. The cost of living is more expensive, generally, on the West coast, but the cost of the Shopsmith is the same. So it takes less of a bite out of your wallet.

I was trained last summer to sell cookware. The biggest cookware sales totals were on the West coast for the same reason.

When a modest 3 br house costs $500,000 or more, Shopsmith does not look expensive.

john · Post by **john** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:43 pm

Rick:

That's an interesting thought! Ithink it has a lot of merit.

I had wondered if the weather had anything to do with it. It's a lot easier to have a shop in a warm climate.

John

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:57 pm

I'm a little confused. True, the cost of living is more on the west coast, which actually means that we have "LESS" money at the end of each month, not more. How does that translate into the cost of a Shopsmith not hurting the pocket book as much? In fact, the opposite is true. Have you seen the gas prices out here lately, $3.50 a gallon for regular, wow!
I was told by a Shopsmith employee that the company feels the reason for this is that the people on the west coast still have the do-it-yourself spirit, which seems to be lacking the more you travel east. That's what I was told. Also, the local woodworking club's memberships just in my area of CA reach over 300 members. That in itself should say something about how we like to work with our hands out here.
Any comments?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:25 pm

I've been hinking in he same vein as woodburner on this subject!!

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:24 pm

It could be that people on the West Coast spend huge amounts on older homes that need work. When I first moved here I was amazed how cheap great wood was. In New York my house had all finger joint woodwork and plywood doors. Here in Oregon I have all oak molding, 6 panel doors, maple floors with mahogany inlay and all my furniture is hardwoods made locally by true craftsman. My house here cost 1/2 of the house I sold in New York (same size), so the whole West Coast is not like California.