Len,

You can indeed blame the company for that one, but not the store
workers. A while ago, it was indeed against company policy to plug
tools in and run them. They wouldn't even use tools in the store for
demos. Their feeling was that they weren't in the "used tool"
business. Then new people were placed in the top positions and all
that changed. So much so, that WW started installing demo areas and in
some stores, outright full-fledged workshops to teach classes in.

So you can say what you want about the former management of the
company, but don't rap the store personell...it wasn't their fault.

Terry Sumner


On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 11:04:36 -0600, lopez wrote:

I don't feel bad at all. The last time I was in one of these places I looked at
a PC sander. I picked it up to feel the heft, and then asked to plug it in to
get the feel and sound level before purchasing it. They refused saying it was
agains't store policy. I explained that I had purchased a sander in the past
that is very loud and did not wish to make the same mistake. They still
refused. I put it back on the shelf and told them that they, and the sander,
should have a long and happy life together.

A few weeks later I was in the chicago area where I visited Berlands House of
Tools. The prices in here are not for the faint of heart. However, I was
looking for the sander and a couple of other pieces. They had suggestions; they
took the tools over to a bench, put up some scrap wood, threw on a disk, and let
me go at it. Same thing with a Metabo scraper. I walked out with the ROS. A
friend with me also bought a belt sander. We decided agains't the Metabo.

Service does make a difference!

I will return to Berlands and I won't miss Woodworkers Warehouse.

Len
--------------

ATP wrote:
Local branch finally closed last night, another area branch the day before.
I couldn't believe how bare the shelves were, even considering the 50 to 80%
discounts. Grabbed a few bargains, but it definitely sucks to see the stores
gone. They had some older guys working there who knew their stuff and
weren't vultures.