Kudos to PMC Woodworking and Mirka!

[southrider]

Want to publicly thank PMC Woodworking Tools in Albany, LA and Mirka for excellent customer service.

My 39 month old 5" Deros sander seemed to be getting loud. I was visiting PMC and they had a new one on display. I picked it up and noticed just how quiet it was compared to mine.

Although I didn't buy it there they offered to send it in for me. VERY generous. When I dropped it off the shaft and bearing fell out of the body of the sander on the counter.

The warranty is only 36 months. They mentioned that Mirka sometimes offers a deep discount for replacement of out of warranty tools.

A few weeks later they called to say it was back. When I went to pick it up there was a brand new unit including systainer, cord, wrench, and manual.

Not repaired. Not a reconditioned unit. Not a discount. A brand new Deros gratis.

PMC wouldn't even accept money for the postage to ship it to Mirka.

They have earned my business.

 

[duburban]

good story, thanks for sharing

 

[GoingMyWay]

That is awesome customer service.  I had never heard of PMC before, I had no idea they are also a Festool dealer.

 

[southrider]

PMC is an interesting place, primarily serving 2 markets - local contractors for nail guns, jobsite tools, etc. - and also as an industrial supplier to large lumber operations.

They have what they bill as the "South's Largest Showroom", which is pretty big. The rear room is full of industrial milling equipment, saws, shapers, line borers, sanders, and even diesel generators.

The front is a unique combination of Festool, Mirka, Fein, Triton, as well as all the typical mid-grade economical contractor tools used by traditional residential builders. Lots of miter saws, compressors, hand tools, and lately mft knock-offs and portable work stations. A very large selection of bits, blades, paper, and dust collection fittings.

They don't stock a complete line of anyone's tools - just what will sell in their market. For example - in Festool they carry routers, sanders, domino, track saws - but the only drill in stock is a CXS. Their customers buy Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.

I asked if they considered Metabo or Mafell - they have looked at it, but don't feel enough of their customer base is willing to pay the extra premium for what those tools offer.

They also have an online presence.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Sounds like a cool place.  Do regular home hobbyists also go there or is it mostly contractors?

It's interesting how well they know their customers and what they are buying or interested in buying.

 

[southrider]

I'm sure they do, but when I go it's usually contractors.

I'm also a member of a woodworkers guild that is mostly retired members. Quite a few of them shop there.