FED-UP with WOODCRAFT

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maxman400

maxman400

Member
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
3,111
Location
Omaha Arkansas
I ordered some of the El Grande Kits from WOODCRAFT and a set of bushings. Since they wanted around $15 for USPS, DUMB A$$ me chose the cheaper ground shipping. It came FED-EX. A week (8 days) later since we are a rural area FED-EX gave it to the USPS to deliver anyway. After opening I found that every thing I had ordered would have fit in a small flat rate box, Why so much for shipping? :confused: BUT WAIT THAT"S NOT ALL! The Bushings would not fit in the Cap tube, the bottom fit just fine . I checked all of their kits and I have some that I got from Breahardwoods and they would not fit any of them. So I called them and they said that they would send out another set along with a return label for the other set (GREAT). :smile: Then I got my e-mail from them, They shipped a .4 pound package containing a set of bushings and a return label BY FED-EX :confused::confused::confused: SCHEDULE TO ARRIVE ON APRIL 1st. :mad::mad::mad: 8 days later. So now I am waiting again because of their screw-up, so at this point I am done with them. Unless of course this set won't fit. :mad-tongue:
 
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Bummer. This is what makes me so leery of buying stuff like that online. I know I don't know enough to be able to tell if they're right in person. But at least I can enjoy the warm fuzzies on the way home.
 
I would suggest trying other suppliers and see who works best for you. I have been happy with Berea Hardwoods. There are a few vendors here on the forum that are great as well. If it fits in a flat rate box of some sort, depending on weight, it seems best just to get stuff via USPS.

Good luck.

Martin

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
 
I've never ordered anything from Woodcraft. If I get something from there it's because I'm there. I agree with the poster that they have priced themselves out so high. And not with just 'pen stuff.' But everything in the store is high.

Never buy wood from them, they are ridiculous in price. I always take a trip to a decent or good mill.

Pen kits are bought from various online companies. It's just a shame not everyone can carry the pens I like so I can do one stop shopping.
 
So, as a vendor of the same kits you get at WoodCraft, you would expect me to jump all over them. Well, not the case.

Each WoodCraft store is independently owned. The owner buys from WoodCraft corporate at a price that is better than Exotics gets from Berea. But, they offer the convenience of shopping in the store (and they have to pay rent, each month). So, yes their prices are generally higher than ours. But the stores are convenient.

I buy all my major tools from our local WoodCraft, whose owner, Chris, is also kind enough to allow the IAP Wisconsin chapter to meet in his "meeting room" and use his lathes and drink his coffee all for FREE!!

Chris is knowledgeable and a friend. And, yes, in a way we are competitors, but he offers a different type of service, for convenience purchases, and for large tools, he is very price competitive. He also fixes the tools if they are not "right" when delivered.

We each have our place.

Not all WoodCraft stores are created equal--YOUR mileage is LIKELY to vary!!!!!!!
 
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Mike,

I'll second what Ed said. I do not mail-order from Woodcraft, but instead visit my local Woodcraft store. The personel at my local store are great, they are helpful and actually interested in me and my penturning. I may pay a little more for pen blanks, but I get to look at them and choose according to color, figure, wood grain and ect.
I do buy mail order from other supply houses, but prefer to deal with a real live human being who calls me by name, ask how my wife is and tells me "hey that's a great looking pen" So much for my ramblings, I hope you will have better luck with your suppliers in the future.

Ben
 
I have recently decided to spend more of my hard earned dollars to the same people who share my common interests. I appreciate the efforts, contibutions that they make to make my hobby that much more enjoyable. The wealth of information that they pass on without hesitation earns my support.
 
Max, I am sorry you have had these experiences with your local Woodcraft. Maybe speaking with the store owner and explaining these problems would bring attention to the fact that there IS a problem they are maybe unaware of ... at least you would be able to observe first hand that the owner is in fact customer orientated. If not, well there is the problem in a nut shell.

Like my neighbor BKelly (Ben) says above, I also like to go to my local Woodcraft in person. I have been a customer since just about day one of their opening, seen the original owner pass away, and the new owner Steve is a great man to know. All the staff are extremely friendly, know me by first name, and always are very glad to deal with the customer.

Coffee, and quite often cookies are always available and it's help yourself until the cookies are all gone. Then there is the popcorn machine they roll out on the weekends ... popcorn is my favorite 'attraction'. I don't know if they can make enough when I am there. Heck I have been known to make more coffee and pop some corn if they are really busy and can't get to it themselves.

Service is also above all others. They may not always have every item in stock every time I am there, but they are always more than happy to "special order" and hold for me to pick up later.

Prices may be a bit higher, but that comes along with having a retail store. Besides, I like being able to reach across the counter and touch someone if necessary. Maybe wearing my .357 gets me better service, or maybe not, I will remain a customer of theirs for as long as they are in business.

One the one or two occasions where there was a glitch, I simply spoke with Steve and the problem was quickly solved usually above my expectations.

Service, ability to touch and examine items of interest, talking to those that have used things, coffee, cookies, etc. will hold my interest for a long, long time to come.
 
Try and call your order in and request USPS priority flat rate. Maybe if they get enough requests, they will get a clue. Or at least tell them they need that option on their website.

I don't get to Woodcraft in Seattle very much. They are an hour away. I don't buy pen hardware from them, but I do look through their blanks and frequently buy one or two.
 
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Sorry to hear of your experience. Was that an internet/phone/mail order, or was that an in-store order? I've always had good experiences at my local Woodcraft, and never pay for shipping with in-store orders for items that the store does not stock (but I have to go to the store to pick it up). I also greatly appreciate that the owner of my local store organizes classes, and is always willing to cut a deal on odd stuff (remaindered wood, etc.)

If ordering via mail/phone/internet, support your IAP vendors (like Woodturningz, or Arizona Silhouette, or Ed, or Smitty, or Monte, etc.) or buy from the pen specialist big outfits (PSI, but phone if you want to save 1-2 days; CSUSA, etc.)

Best of luck!

hdtran
 
My "local" WoodCraft is 2 hours away in Evansville, IN. Whenever I do make the pilgrimage to their store, all the personnel are very friendly and helpful. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than most of the vendors here, but I am allowed to roam, pick up and feel the merchandise, hard to do on line. I just try to remember that wages, rent, utilities and other overhead on running a brick and mortar store must be paid for by the end user, me. The ability to actually see and feel the product is worth the extra cost most of the time.
For IAP support vendors, I have yet to find one that does not believe in excellent to fantastic customer support. Our vendors are the absolute best. I will refrain from naming any names for fear of leaving some out, but I have been unable to find fault with any of them. That one thing for me is extremely unusual. Naturally, as normal, your millage may vary, or worse.
Charles
 
This was an internet order form the main store, I live 60 miles west of Las Vegas and there is no local stores around here so 90% of my pen stuff is mail order the other 10% is home made :wink:. I only order $50 to $100 every two weeks or so, So I look at all the weekly specials before placing my orders and they had what I wanted, Or so I thought.
 
I m sorry for your experience.
My luck with them has always been good. Their prices are high, such as: slimline at WoodNWhimsies $1.85 and Woodcraft $3.95. They were good enough to cut a burl for me when I did not have a band saw capable of cutting that large size. They do not carry the Vertex, which I would have purchased yesterday. Always friendly. They are my #1 source for spray accelerate. Can't find it anywhere else for the $12.99 that they charge.
 
I can't say enough good things about my Woodcraft store in Roanoke. Very helpful folks there. Customer service is top notch in my experience.
 
I don't understand your rant. You obviously order online on a regular basis and understand shipping and you chose the slower shipping. There was a problem with your order, wrong bushings, and Woodcraft is replacing them at no cost to you other than you need to wait for them to arrive. That is the same as ordering from anywhere else and since you are familiar with their shipping you should expect the time delay. Thay have done the right thing by fixing their mistake.
 
Seems to me that most people replying are giving their experiences with their LOCAL STORES when, if I read the post correctly, Max dealt with the Woodcraft on the internet which is Woodcraft Supply, LLC, located in Parkersburg, WV, a far cry from a store you can visit, have a cup of coffee with or without a cookie, while chatting with the owner or your favorite salesperson.

To me, visiting the local store has nothing in common with ordering online.

Max,
I had several instances in the past in regards to what I considered expensive shipping with various companies, usually involving UPS. I even called a few of the outfits to see if they would consider tossing my order in a USPS flat rate box and in every case the answer was NO!

I later learned that many companies do such a volume with UPS that they get discounted rates so what you see as "shipping charges" are actually part shipping and part profit for the company. Why would they give up their shipping profit just so you can save a little money?
 
ed4copies said:
So, as a vendor of the same kits you get at WoodCraft, you would expect me to jump all over them. Well, not the case.

Each WoodCraft store is independently owned. The owner buys from WoodCraft corporate at a price that is better than Exotics gets from Berea. But, they offer the convenience of shopping in the store (and they have to pay rent, each month). So, yes their prices are generally higher than ours. But the stores are convenient.

I buy all my major tools from our local WoodCraft, whose owner, Chris, is also kind enough to allow the IAP Wisconsin chapter to meet in his "meeting room" and use his lathes and drink his coffee all for FREE!!

Chris is knowledgeable and a friend. And, yes, in a way we are competitors, but he offers a different type of service, for convenience purchases, and for large tools, he is very price competitive. He also fixes the tools if they are not "right" when delivered.

We each have our place.

Not all WoodCraft stores are created equal--YOUR mileage is LIKELY to vary!!!!!!!
Click to expand...


Ed, you forgot to mention the cookies, popcorn, soda and cold bottled water he provides for our meetings.

Chris has three other woodworking clubs that also meet in his meeting room. He gives all local woodworking club and IAP members a 10% discount.

Last year this Woodcraft gave my wood turning club the use of a new Nova DVR lathe for use at the woodworking show. He even delivered and picked it up after the show. It's hard to ask more than that.
 
my local WoodCraft hates to see me come in... there's always a trail of drool all over the store... I don't buy their kits 'cause I can find them less expensive other places and only occasionally buy a chunk of wood... usually on sale, they won't let handle the turning tools they have on display or the lathes or the drum sanders or any other tools...
the drool rusts them...

I haven't ordered anything on line from them... I do use the PSI, CSUSA and other vendors a little more regularly, but I do like to walk through the local Woodcraft.
 
Woodcraft

The closest Woodcraft to me is an hour away - I've never been there (I don't drive an hour to go to ANY store) but I do know they hold turning classes for very reasonable prices, participate in the Pens for Troops projects and a lot of other good things. Their kit prices are high, but if you need just a couple of kits in a hurry and they're handy. I've been told it is a very good store.

On line buyers for pen kits have many places that will do better. We small guys have to offer something to make us your choice, usually it is speed in shipping and service. We are also all very competitive in price.
If you want slims, cigars, sierras, comforts, streamlines or any of a half dozen other style kits and you're not checking the small vendors here and elsewhere you're paying too much and probably waiting too long.
 
Smitty37 said:
The closest Woodcraft to me is an hour away - I've never been there (I don't drive an hour to go to ANY store) but I do know they hold turning classes for very reasonable prices, participate in the Pens for Troops projects and a lot of other good things. Their kit prices are high, but if you need just a couple of kits in a hurry and they're handy. I've been told it is a very good store.

On line buyers for pen kits have many places that will do better. We small guys have to offer something to make us your choice, usually it is speed in shipping and service. We are also all very competitive in price.
If you want slims, cigars, sierras, comforts, streamlines or any of a half dozen other style kits and you're not checking the small vendors here and elsewhere you're paying too much and probably waiting too long.
Click to expand...

The closest Woodcraft for me is also an hour away... but then most stores are an hour away from me... I only go to Woodcraft if we happen to be in Knoxville for something else... rarely ever go just to go to WC... especially with the price of gas these days.... I did go up regularly for the turning club meeting once a month, but the wife always went along and it worries her to drive a night much anymore and the meetings were from 7 to 9 pm so was always dark on the way home.... one of the roads to our house is very narrow, crooked and dark.... we call it going through the holler... we can stay on some better main roads, but that just means a longer drive.
 
Tenn Drive

TellicoTurning said:
Smitty37 said:
The closest Woodcraft to me is an hour away - I've never been there (I don't drive an hour to go to ANY store) but I do know they hold turning classes for very reasonable prices, participate in the Pens for Troops projects and a lot of other good things. Their kit prices are high, but if you need just a couple of kits in a hurry and they're handy. I've been told it is a very good store.

On line buyers for pen kits have many places that will do better. We small guys have to offer something to make us your choice, usually it is speed in shipping and service. We are also all very competitive in price.
If you want slims, cigars, sierras, comforts, streamlines or any of a half dozen other style kits and you're not checking the small vendors here and elsewhere you're paying too much and probably waiting too long.
Click to expand...

The closest Woodcraft for me is also an hour away... but then most stores are an hour away from me... I only go to Woodcraft if we happen to be in Knoxville for something else... rarely ever go just to go to WC... especially with the price of gas these days.... I did go up regularly for the turning club meeting once a month, but the wife always went along and it worries her to drive a night much anymore and the meetings were from 7 to 9 pm so was always dark on the way home.... one of the roads to our house is very narrow, crooked and dark.... we call it going through the holler... we can stay on some better main roads, but that just means a longer drive.
Click to expand...

I drove across Tennessee from west to east about 20 years ago because my wife and I were thinking of building a "kit" log cabin and an number of manufacturers of said kits were located there. I do recall that some of the roads through the mountains were a tad narrower than I was used to.
 
MartinPens said:
I would suggest trying other suppliers and see who works best for you. I have been happy with Berea Hardwoods. There are a few vendors here on the forum that are great as well. If it fits in a flat rate box of some sort, depending on weight, it seems best just to get stuff via USPS.

Good luck.

Martin

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
Click to expand...
If it fits in a flat rate box, it doesn't matter how much it weights.
 
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