Excuse me while I vent

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Xander

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
373
Location
Arizona
Why is it everything I buy from Rockler causes me so much grief?

The click pen had the wrong tubes in the pack but I didn't find that out until I got home and inspected it. Oh, and the components did not match the instructions.

The "Cuban" had the wrong bushings listed on the info sheet, but I didn't find that out until I got home.

Now the Manhattan (Gatsby) bushings are wrong. Didn't find that out until I went to put them in the tubes to turn. One bushing is correct but the other is the wrong diameter for the tube. It is too small and is a real loose fit in the tube.

Seem every packet at Rockler has had someone messing with them. Wrong tubes, different components, wrong bushings, ... now miss-matched bushings.... @#%$^&*

Rockler is a good 20 minute drive each way and at least $12 in gas each trip. I can't afford this crap. The only reason I went to Rockler in the first place is because I wanted to try a few different kits to see what I like BEFORE ordering in bulk from the vendors on IAP. I THOUGHT I'd be able to see what I'm buying and get what I need in one stop and make 6 or so decent pens. Guess I was wrong.

It's going to be days or longer before I can get to Rockler again so now I have to sit and do nothing when I could be making another pen. :mad:

Next time I'll just order a bunch from (Insert name of IAP vendor)

I feel better now.
 
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Xander said:
Rockler is a good 20 minute drive each way and at least $12 in gas each trip. I can't afford this crap. The only reason I went to Rockler in the first place is because I wanted to try a few different kits to see what I like BEFORE ordering in bulk from the vendors on IAP. I THOUGHT I'd be able to see what I'm buying and get what I need in one stop and make 6 or so decent pens. Guess I was wrong.
Click to expand...

Shipping from a vendor is less than your cost in gas for the trip. On op of that, most vendors on IAP have better prices than Rockler.
 
Ouch at $12 for gas round trip, you can order onesie twosie from a vendor here and still come out ahead.

I'm starting to do the gas calculation too. I actually had some stuff (non pen related) shipped to me from a local merchant because shipping was about the same as the gas I would spend - cost was a wash, but saved myself some time.
 
Now I'm really p*$#d. Just tried the components... would you believe the tube is WRONG. Darn it all to heck. I've just ruined a tube and a blank, and I have a kit I can't finish. And I have a set of mis-matched bushings that are no good for anything.

I saw someone on here shopping for a shotgun. Well Sir, when you find one can I borrow it?
 
Unfortunately, it appears that Rockler might not be what it once was. The internet opens up a world of options, and the only drive required........is the one in your computer.
 
Rockler has (or is in middle of) changed suppliers due to "problems". I'm thinking that I'm getting old stock or items returned and put back in stock. That also explains the wrong bushing catalog numbers.
Yes I will be buying online and that has always been my intent. Thing is, I've had my lathe only a few weeks and I wanted to turn pens, not wait for the mail, so I bought a few from Rockler. I have been able to get 2 done and they can be seen on the "show me your pen" thread.
 
At the cost of your gas *AND* your grief, buying from any of the vendors here or even the big houses like Craft Supplies, PSI and Berea would be cheaper, even on eaches. Order enough of something for a quantity discount and you're even more ahead!
 
Save the grief

You know for 12 bucks worth of gas you can get what you bought from Rockler shipped twice over from a number of folks here at IAP.
Xander said:
Why is it everything I buy from Rockler causes me so much grief?

The click pen had the wrong tubes in the pack but I didn't find that out until I got home and inspected it. Oh, and the components did not match the instructions.

The "Cuban" had the wrong bushings listed on the info sheet, but I didn't find that out until I got home.

Now the Manhattan (Gatsby) bushings are wrong. Didn't find that out until I went to put them in the tubes to turn. One bushing is correct but the other is the wrong diameter for the tube. It is too small and is a real loose fit in the tube.

Seem every packet at Rockler has had someone messing with them. Wrong tubes, different components, wrong bushings, ... now miss-matched bushings.... @#%$^&*

Rockler is a good 20 minute drive each way and at least $12 in gas each trip. I can't afford this crap. The only reason I went to Rockler in the first place is because I wanted to try a few different kits to see what I like BEFORE ordering in bulk from the vendors on IAP. I THOUGHT I'd be able to see what I'm buying and get what I need in one stop and make 6 or so decent pens. Guess I was wrong.

It's going to be days or longer before I can get to Rockler again so now I have to sit and do nothing when I could be making another pen. :mad:

Next time I'll just order a bunch from (Insert name of IAP vendor)

I feel better now.
Click to expand...
 
Rockler has recently begun sourcing its own kits. They used to buy their kits from Berea (and some from PSI) but they decided to have their own made. I no longer purchase much from Rockler because the new stuff is not good quality.
 
Interesting. Rockler is the closest vendor to Lake Arrowhead, Ca. In perspective, I only went to Woodcraft when I "wanted to see" what I was buying. They are expensive. But when being creative and experiencing the need see and to piece things, I made the trip.

I have NEVER had a issue with buying on-line. Even when I mistakenly thought there was an error, the vendor graciously sent me what I thought was missing. I had to return the parts and apologize.
 
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To all who have suggested I would be better off buying online ..... let me say again that it has always been my intention to do just that. However, as I'm new at this and I have no idea what a Sierra, Jr Gent, Cigar, or any other pen looks like I wanted to go SEE what I was buying. AND, since my lathe was sitting there unused whispering "I'm waiting for a pen blank".... I had to get something fast so I could make chips.
It would have been fine if what I bought had been correct, but since this will be the THIRD time I've had to return stuff that was not as it should be I'm getting a little ... annoyed.
I WILL be making a bulk purchase from one of the IAP vendors within days.
 
Tooting IAP vendors horn....

Xander said:
To all who have suggested I would be better off buying online ..... let me say again that it has always been my intention to do just that. However, as I'm new at this and I have no idea what a Sierra, Jr Gent, Cigar, or any other pen looks like I wanted to go SEE what I was buying. AND, since my lathe was sitting there unused whispering "I'm waiting for a pen blank".... I had to get something fast so I could make chips.
It would have been fine if what I bought had been correct, but since this will be the THIRD time I've had to return stuff that was not as it should be I'm getting a little ... annoyed.
I WILL be making a bulk purchase from one of the IAP vendors within days.
Click to expand...
Most of us on here ship fast enough and low enough shipping charges that you really don't need to buy in large quantities. Nearly all the folks here ship within 24 hours of receipt of the order and you usually have it in from 2 to 4 days (excluding Sundays).
 
Xander said:
Rockler has (or is in middle of) changed suppliers due to "problems". I'm thinking that I'm getting old stock or items returned and put back in stock.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I have had several experiences where defective merchandise "found" it's way back onto the shelves.

If the supplier does not specialize in pen kits, they are not likely to pay close attention to what they have on the shelves. The person who is handling stocking or returns probably will not be familiar with the pen kits, so if it looks like it fits, it goes into the bag.
 
Returns

randyrls said:
Xander said:
Rockler has (or is in middle of) changed suppliers due to "problems". I'm thinking that I'm getting old stock or items returned and put back in stock.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, I have had several experiences where defective merchandise "found" it's way back onto the shelves.

If the supplier does not specialize in pen kits, they are not likely to pay close attention to what they have on the shelves. The person who is handling stocking or returns probably will not be familiar with the pen kits, so if it looks like it fits, it goes into the bag.
Click to expand...
That is true...how they "restock" returns can have an impact. Some don't even check the bag, just tape it shut and put it back on the shelf. I once bought a scroll saw from a big box store and obviously got one that had been returned - it didn't work either and I had to return it also. The first person that returned it probably just said they didn't want it.

Also got a package with a broken light fixture in it, it was also a return. At that particular store now I never ever take something if the box looks like it's been opened.
 
The cost of gas is why I usually buy on line... closest brick and mortar store for me is 52 miles away in Knoxville and 55 in Chattanooga...and while I love looking around in the Woodcraft stores, I do find them a little more expensive than the online vendors, plus they are reselling pen kits anyway, so i can buy from their suppliers at better prices. I have a local guy selling wood and about 1/2 their pricing and a better selection, except for some of the fancier pen blanks... those I'll get online for sure.
 
I feel ya

I live in Arizona as well. I also feel your frustrations as I am about fifty miles from Rockler, and when they do not have something I need, and I have driven that far, I get frustrated to. If it makes you feel any better, I have a bowl full of ruined blanks and wasted tubes sitting on my lathe table, but because of my mistakes, and this makes it even more frustrating. You can buy extra tubes and bushings are cheap. I have found Woodturningz to have the fastest shipping, I usually get my order in two days after order. I am new to this as well and wanted my supplies fast and found there is really no alternative for us but to order online.
 
Xander said:
To all who have suggested I would be better off buying online ..... let me say again that it has always been my intention to do just that. However, as I'm new at this and I have no idea what a Sierra, Jr Gent, Cigar, or any other pen looks like I wanted to go SEE what I was buying. AND, since my lathe was sitting there unused whispering "I'm waiting for a pen blank".... I had to get something fast so I could make chips.
It would have been fine if what I bought had been correct, but since this will be the THIRD time I've had to return stuff that was not as it should be I'm getting a little ... annoyed.
I WILL be making a bulk purchase from one of the IAP vendors within days.
Click to expand...

Well good for you. And let me "say again" I have never had an issue ordering on line. Planning ahead should be part of your procedure.
 
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