what is up with bridge city!!!!!!!

[NuggyBuggy]

I just placed my first order for a KM-1, TM-1, and some squares and rules.  I also bought a used JM-1 on another forum which is on the way.  I'm starting with the cheap stuff  [laughing].

These tools are seriously beautiful.  Good thing for me that the DJ-1 and JMP are not in-stock, or I would have pulled those triggers, too.  As it is, I am on the waiting lists.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Their non-glare bench rule combo set is a steal at $20.

I don't see a combo set at $20, in fact the 12" is  $23 ?  If there's a deal on a combo set, let me know - I'd probably buy extras.

 

[Paul Franklin]

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/rulers/zero-glare-bench-rule.html

 

[RONWEN]

Their non-glare bench rule combo set is a steal at $20.

I don't see a combo set at $20, in fact the 12" is  $23 ?  If there's a deal on a combo set, let me know - I'd probably buy extras.

It's 19.95 for Founder's Club members -- a really good deal if you plan to buy a few tools, it includes a discount and free shipping.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Paul - thanks for the link, but it doesn't show a combo set.  I called in my order (couldn't log in yesterday) and after checking my order it seems I got a sale price for the two rules (I did buy the Founder's Club Membership).   Should have ordered more !

RonWen - you're right, the membership is a good deal, as I do expect to buy more in the year.  I wasn't aware that members got free shipping, but I am in Canada so I don't think I would be able to take advantage of that anyways.  

I had to pay $85 to ship the KM-1, TM-1, the rules. and a set of squares because they wouldn't FedEx ground to Canada.  

Brenda was very pleasant to deal with on the phone and offered to let me speak to John, but I was rushing my kids off to a class.

 

[upscale]

got free shipping, but I am in Canada so I don't think I would be able to take advantage of that anyways.  

I had to pay $85 to ship the KM-1, TM-1, the rules. and a set of squares because they wouldn't FedEx ground to Canada.

Did you consider postal delivery? I had two separate orders delivered by postal delivery without any problems. One of those orders was a Jointmaker. The first order I was told that insurance wasn't available on it and I took the chance. When I got around to ordering the Jointmaker a few months later (a 50 lb order), I was told on the phone that insurance *was* available for postal delivery. The order cost me close to $100 delivery charges. I never was actually able to confirm in writing anywhere that insurance was included, but I've got my order now and everything was fine with it. I just assumed (maybe mistakenly) that insurance options had changed in regards to postal delivery. It might be something you'd want to look into.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

got free shipping, but I am in Canada so I don't think I would be able to take advantage of that anyways.  

I had to pay $85 to ship the KM-1, TM-1, the rules. and a set of squares because they wouldn't FedEx ground to Canada.

Did you consider postal delivery? I had two separate orders delivered by postal delivery without any problems. One of those orders was a Jointmaker. The first order I was told that insurance wasn't available on it and I took the chance. When I got around to ordering the Jointmaker a few months later (a 50 lb order), I was told on the phone that insurance *was* available for postal delivery. The order cost me close to $100 delivery charges. I never was actually able to confirm in writing anywhere that insurance was included, but I've got my order now and everything was fine with it. I just assumed (maybe mistakenly) that insurance options had changed in regards to postal delivery. It might be something you'd want to look into.

Actually, I realized I was wrong in the above.

Long story, but basically when I was checking out shipping costs on their website, FedEx (ground) always ended up cheaper than USPS.  For the order I planned, shipping was about $35.  When I placed my order on the phone (because I couldn't log in online), I was in a rush so I just told her to FedEx it by the cheapest method without actually confirming the shipping charges.

Then I got an order confirmation with shipping charges of $85. I called back, she explained that she shipped by FedEx international as they won't ship to Canada via Fedex ground, and we ended up changing the order to go by USPS.  USPS still ended up being $50.

I have no idea why their website would quote me Fedex ground to Canada if they can't ship that way, but she was very nice, friendly and helpful so I didn't belabor it.

 

[upscale]

I have no idea why their website would quote me Fedex ground to Canada if they can't ship that way, but she was very nice, friendly and helpful so I didn't belabor it.

Then, I have to ask. Were you charged cross border brokerage charges? That was the main reason for my going with USPS. I've been dinged too many time and too much from Fedex and UPS when it comes to ordering from the US.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

When she quoted me shipping by FedEx, she wasn't certain whether it included Fedex brokerage.  I was under the understanding that Fedex international fees DID cover brokerage.

We ended up going USPS since it was about $35 cheaper, so I expect I'll just pay Canada Post's $5 to clear + taxes, at most.  She did not, to my knowledge, add on extra handling charges related to cross-border shipping.

Like you, i've gotten killed by UPS on brokerage so I now absolutely REFUSE to buy anything if it has to come by UPS.  I just ordered some stuff from Woodpeckers and had the order sent to a package-forwarding service in the US, since Woodpeckers only wanted to ship by UPS.  The forwarding service will then forward to me by USPS.

 

[upscale]

Like you, i've gotten killed by UPS on brokerage so I now absolutely REFUSE to buy anything if it has to come by UPS.  I just ordered some stuff from Woodpeckers and had the order sent to a package-forwarding service in the US, since Woodpeckers only wanted to ship by UPS.  The forwarding service will then forward to me by USPS.

I've also been hit by Fedex, so I avoid them too if possible. Please let me know how the forwarding service goes.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I've also been hit by Fedex, so I avoid them too if possible. Please let me know how the forwarding service goes.

I've used them before, placed a large-ish order of Woodpeckers stuff from Sears, of all places (they were running some sort of special, but would not ship to Canada and the Sears Canada website did not carry the Woodpeckers stuff). 

You place the order and have it sent to him, OR if the company insists that credit card billing and shipping address match, you can pay him and then HE will place the order himself.  I think he even repackages them to minimize the forwarding shipping costs.  I don't think it would work great for large items though.  His website is http://gamesforcanada.com/main-page.php.  I was pretty happy.

 

[mouppe]

There are a couple of ways to reduce the shipping charges when using UPS to Canada.

One is to pick up the item from the local UPS depot instead of having it delivered to your door. You can reduce the brokerage charge this way.

The other way is to find out if they do what Lie Nielsen and a few other companies do, which is to combine several orders so that they only pay one brokerage charge, and then break up the order and ship each item to the customers.

If you can get the shipper to state that the item is worth less than $20 (I think it is $20), there is no brokerage charge. 

For the big orders (such as Festool USA stuff), I use a freight forwarding company just over the border. Being made in Germany, Festool products are not subject to duty which is a bonus.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

There are a couple of ways to reduce the shipping charges when using UPS to Canada.

One is to pick up the item from the local UPS depot instead of having it delivered to your door. You can reduce the brokerage charge this way.

I've read this before (I believe from you) but I never understood why shipping to a local depot should reduce brokerage fees.  They still have to clear it at the border, don't they ?

Next question: how much do you save in brokerage by doing this ? I live in downtown Toronto and the last time I had to pick something up from UPS, my local UPS depot was pretty far away - Concord, to be exact.  I just stay away from UPS now.

 

[JimRay]

I've had this conversation with John -- he holds his orders until he has large run quantities for the best pricing from his suppliers.  In this day of CNC manufacturing & fast setups large quantities aren't necessary for economic manufacturing costs.  However with that said John knows how to effectively operate his business.  I don't earn money from my tools so I patiently wait for the UPS truck to bring them months after I order them.  [tongue]
[/quote]

Bridge City Tools has a very interesting history, and has been through some very challenging economic difficulties over the years. They used to build to inventory and sell through retailers. As I recall, they nearly declared bankruptcy, stopped publishing one of the best catalogs in the mail-order business, and eventually went through a private stock offering. The fact that John has found a way to survive through an innovative distribution system is commendable. Building to order apparently works for him and his patient customers. There aren't many companies that could make it work. Just proves how innovative and well made his tools really are.

Jim Ray

 

[peter halle]

Jim,

Amen.

Peter

 

[upscale]

One is to pick up the item from the local UPS depot instead of having it delivered to your door. You can reduce the brokerage charge this way.

Ok, then please tell me how exactly do you get it to a local UPS depot. Do you give the original seller the address for the local UPS depot. Or, do you go to a local UPS depot and ask them to have an incoming order sent directly to them and then held for pick up?

For the big orders (such as Festool USA stuff), I use a freight forwarding company just over the border. Being made in Germany, Festool products are not subject to duty which is a bonus.

I thought it was the other way around. NAFTA (North American Free Trade Act) is supposed to be duty free for items built and shipped inside our specific countries. And following that, I believed that items made outside of our countries, imported into them and shipped over borders were subject to duty. From others, I've read that bringing Festool stuff across the border from the US into Canada *was* subject to duty.

 

[mouppe]

There are a couple of ways to reduce the shipping charges when using UPS to Canada.

One is to pick up the item from the local UPS depot instead of having it delivered to your door. You can reduce the brokerage charge this way.

I've read this before (I believe from you) but I never understood why shipping to a local depot should reduce brokerage fees.  They still have to clear it at the border, don't they ?

Next question: how much do you save in brokerage by doing this ? I live in downtown Toronto and the last time I had to pick something up from UPS, my local UPS depot was pretty far away - Concord, to be exact.  I just stay away from UPS now.

Yes, it was me that wrote it.

OK, I had to ring UPS to get the necessary info and remind myself what I did! Basically, I went to the port of entry (only fifteen minutes away) and quickly did the paperwork there. Then I picked up my package at UPS next door. There was no brokerage charge to pay.

 

[mouppe]

One is to pick up the item from the local UPS depot instead of having it delivered to your door. You can reduce the brokerage charge this way.

Ok, then please tell me how exactly do you get it to a local UPS depot. Do you give the original seller the address for the local UPS depot. Or, do you go to a local UPS depot and ask them to have an incoming order sent directly to them and then held for pick up?

For the big orders (such as Festool USA stuff), I use a freight forwarding company just over the border. Being made in Germany, Festool products are not subject to duty which is a bonus.

I thought it was the other way around. NAFTA (North American Free Trade Act) is supposed to be duty free for items built and shipped inside our specific countries. And following that, I believed that items made outside of our countries, imported into them and shipped over borders were subject to duty. From others, I've read that bringing Festool stuff across the border from the US into Canada *was* subject to duty.

Yes, of course you are right! So silly of me. But I have not been charged duty on Festool stuff for ages, probably because the customs guys just assumed it was made in the US.

 

[Tom D]

I've had this conversation with John -- he holds his orders until he has large run quantities for the best pricing from his suppliers.  In this day of CNC manufacturing & fast setups large quantities aren't necessary for economic manufacturing costs.  However with that said John knows how to effectively operate his business.  I don't earn money from my tools so I patiently wait for the UPS truck to bring them months after I order them.  Tongue Out
[/quote]

Bridge City Tools has a very interesting history, and has been through some very challenging economic difficulties over the years. They used to build to inventory and sell through retailers. As I recall, they nearly declared bankruptcy, stopped publishing one of the best catalogs in the mail-order business, and eventually went through a private stock offering. The fact that John has found a way to survive through an innovative distribution system is commendable. Building to order apparently works for him and his patient customers. There aren't many companies that could make it work. Just proves how innovative and well made his tools really are.

Jim Ray

Bridge City Tools did not survive. If you look carefully the name of the company is now Bridge City Tool Works a division of Fine Tools, LLC
John and the Board dissolved the corporation after 911 and sold the assets to Fine Tools leaving the share holders with nothing. I know this because I was one of them.
I love their tools and own a lot of them but I just wanted to set the record straight.

Tom

 

[JimRay]

Bridge City Tools did not survive. If you look carefully the name of the company is now Bridge City Tool Works a division of Fine Tools, LLC
John and the Board dissolved the corporation after 911 and sold the assets to Fine Tools leaving the share holders with nothing. I know this because I was one of them.
I love their tools and own a lot of them but I just wanted to set the record straight.

Tom

Thanks Tom, I did not know that. I used to follow the company pretty carefully when they were a competitor, but after they folded the catalog I lost touch. I knew that they had done the private stock offering as part of a reorganization, and thought that they were still in that mode. Sorry to hear that they could not keep the ship sailing using the old business format. (And that some folks lost their investments, too).

Jim Ray