Woodpeckers Rule Delay

[Cheese]

1. Maybe I'm in the minority but I don't have a problem with the OTT program in general.
2. I can understand it is impossible to accurately predict demand ahead of time, but after the orders are in they can probably get a better handle on it than has been happening.
3. I've got a lot of background in commercial printing and it is impossible to predict our orders even with contracts, juggling jobs trying to stay efficient, meet ship dates and keep staff busy without maxing OT is the norm, and a few screw ups, a sick employee, supply delays or a broken machine can torpedo the best laid plan.
4. Better customer comunication could help
5. Perhaps their retail network could stop billing CCs until product ships.

Paul,
I agree completely  with all 5 of the points you made.  [not worthy]

My take-away is that unless you've been in the invent, design, prototype, test, document, release, patent, manufacture, finish, QA, package & ship arena, you have no idea what it takes to get good product out the door. It may seem simple, but having done this for over 40 years I can verify it is not. [scratch chin]

Secondly, WP needs to issue a ship date AFTER the order deadline rather than before the first order is taken. That's Scheduling 101  [doh]

Third, WP needs to direct their retail network to bill CC's upon shipment & not before. In that vein, maybe a mechanism could be found that would also allow PayPal to bill only after shipment. The PayPal issue is what started this whole thread. [smile] [big grin]

 

[Runhard]

I understand the frustration about waiting for tools. I waited 1-1/2yrs (18 months) for a small square from Bridge City Tool Works, now that was a long wait  [eek]

Neither company, Woodpeckers or Bridge City is for everybody. If you have a hard time waiting, don't order from them.

I've been dealing with both for years, and after ordering something I just forget about it. It arrives when it arrives. It always been worth the wait to me.

Thanks, but I think that I can make my own decisions with my money. I wasn't bashing BCTW, I was just explaining my experience.  [smile]

 

[joraft]

Thanks, but I think that I can make my own decisions with my money. I wasn't bashing BCTW, I was just explaining my experience. 

Sorry, while I did quote you, I was really responding to the thread in general. And that's what I'm saying, it is about making our own decisions in dealing with these companies. We all know that delivery times can be long and unpredictable, those who get so upset about it might want to just avoid them.

 

[AIPDX]

Guys, don't forget that this is a relatively small business which uses expensive high-quality manufacturing in the US and does the best it can to come up with innovative solutions within their scope of reach and ability. They have their constraints, but they do not compromise on quality and they meet their obligations (albeit not always on time). Just think about your one time order as a custom built product. I, too, would like to get my orders within the initially estimated lead time, but there is really no alternative to those one time tools. Noone makes anything like that. Maybe they will make them again, maybe not. I look at those tools as nice perks.

 

[Drich]

I'm not sure on this one but I was ordering a item from a vender and asked about the ruler and it sounds like they got pushed back again till June some time. Good God any truth to this  [mad]

 

[SittingElf]

Personally, I think a lot of the "one-time" tool deals is simply a marketing ploy to put a sense of urgency on potential customers to purchase immediately.  There are a large number of so-called "one-time" and "limited production" tools that would sell just fine on a regular basis, and there really is no justifiable reason for those companies to only produce a highly limited and pre-purchased quantity.

Classic examples are the Woodpecker Triangle Squares, or the Bridge City KM-1 just for starters. These are products that should be available at dealers ALL the time, but creating the urgency also allows for charging a lot more for the products, whereas the cost could clearly be a lot lower if in mass production.

I'm not saying they are dishonest. In fact, if I could come up with a profit-generating idea like that, I'd be all over it! Nonetheless, we all fall for the hype and immediacy.

Festool is no different. Classic example is the Limited Edition Centrotec Installer Kits. (I'm just as guilty for purchasing them too), or the Toolies, Festool branded Stabila levels...all very high purchase prices and generally sold out quickly.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Greg M]

Personally, I think a lot of the "one-time" tool deals is simply a marketing ploy to put a sense of urgency on potential customers to purchase immediately.  There are a large number of so-called "one-time" and "limited production" tools that would sell just fine on a regular basis, and there really is no justifiable reason for those companies to only produce a highly limited and pre-purchased quantity.

Classic examples are the Woodpecker Triangle Squares, or the Bridge City KM-1 just for starters. These are products that should be available at dealers ALL the time, but creating the urgency also allows for charging a lot more for the products, whereas the cost could clearly be a lot lower if in mass production.

I'm not saying they are dishonest. In fact, if I could come up with a profit-generating idea like that, I'd be all over it! Nonetheless, we all fall for the hype and immediacy.

Festool is no different. Classic example is the Limited Edition Centrotec Installer Kits. (I'm just as guilty for purchasing them too), or the Toolies, Festool branded Stabila levels...all very high purchase prices and generally sold out quickly.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,
Frank

Woodpeckers gets away with it because they really don't have any competition.  Their quality is excellent but if they had some competition the pricing would be much less.  I'll keep buying their tools until someone else matches their quality.

 

[dltflt]

I been waiting 5 months for a square. I believe it is due this month.

 

[Gary in Texas]

I'm a BIG fan of Woodpecker products.....I have a wall filled with Woodpecker measuring tools. 

I have grown to HATE the "One Time Tool" gimmick.  Yes, I think it's a gimmick.  If you make a tool available one time, why the heck is it available a year or so from the original release date, or released more then once?  It is NOT a one time tool. 

Have I purchased OTT's?  Yes.  With no remorse.    The latest OTT order I'm waiting for is for the large 660mm framing square that I ordered back in January 2015.

Once I receive the 660mm square THEN I'M DONE  with Woodpecker !!!!  Some of the latest offerings from Woodpecker as well as the one time tool crap has turned me off from Woodpecker. 

Okay, my little rant is over.  [tongue]

Feels good to vent !

Eric

I have no issue with the OTT and don't few it as a gimmick.  I'm glad they do occasional run an OTT again.  I have a number of WP tools, wouldn't mind having some of the previously ran tools.  WP has a wish list/waiting list, and if enough interest is realized on a previous OTT then WP might run another batch.  It does give those that don't have that particular tool another chance to purchase one.

Yes, it would be nice if WP would be extras, and perhaps do build a limited quantity, but the OTT is their business model whether people like it or not....

 

[Birdhunter]

I, like others, have a wall full of Woodpecker tools and several stored in containers around the shop. Only have one that looks like it will turn out to be a "dust queen". Small batch manufacturing shops always either struggle with scheduling or they have so little business that they fail.

I buy custom made guns. A 4 year wait isn't unusual and the manufacturer might have truly believed 18 months would have been a safe estimate.

I'm thankful Woodpecker makes such great tools and that their demand is keeping the company busy and people employed.

 

[SoonerFan]

[member=4284]rmh[/member] as long as the quality continues to be excellent you'll have my business.

Same here.  When something absolutely has to be dead on square I reach for my 1281.  I have a couple OTT on order now.  Do I wish these tools were here now?  Sure.  Can I wait a little longer?  Absolutely and I will go back again as long as the quality is there.

 

[Neal W]

I recently just purchased the 1281 as it was on sale and also the 900mm woodworkers ruler with hook stop.  They appear to be very well made and very nice.  I will put them through their paces soon. 

Also have the 26" square (OTT) on order and awaiting its delivery which is hopefully this month, and am looking forward to using it as well.  It is the first one time tool purchase I have made from Woodpeckers.  This thread has been interesting as it has helped me set my expectations at a more reasonable level of what to expect for the one time tools.

 

[GPowers]

Has anyone received any of the set up blocks. The original delivery month was March. Still waiting for the Systainer foam insert. [blink]

 

[SittingElf]

Has anyone received any of the set up blocks. The original delivery month was March. Still waiting for the Systainer foam insert. [blink]

I missed the order cutoff, and glad I did, because I ordered the new Lee Valley set two days ago. Just as accurate and a lot less expensive....and already shipped! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Greg M]

Has anyone received any of the set up blocks. The original delivery month was March. Still waiting for the Systainer foam insert. [blink]

I missed the order cutoff, and glad I did, because I ordered the new Lee Valley set two days ago. Just as accurate and a lot less expensive....and already shipped! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

But are they red?

 

[bobandmic]

I received my set up blocks this week.

 

[P2P]

I received my set up blocks this week.

Same here.

 

[Cheese]

Has anyone received any of the set up blocks. The original delivery month was March. Still waiting for the Systainer foam insert. [blink]

I received the UPS notice today that the blocks & Systainer will be delivered on Tuesday.

 

[GPowers]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] Thanks

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] Thanks

You're very welcome. This whole set up block thing is kind of quirky because initially I didn't know what I'd use them for, but after receiving the first abbreviated set of blocks, I now use them all the time. They have become an invaluable time saver to me, thus I ordered the extra blocks to fill in the gaps and asked for them to be put into a Systainer.