DIYbanter - View Single Post

Mike Marlow[_2_]

wrote:

You bet! I'm right there with you. I don't mind paying more for a
good product, but absolutely won't pay a nickel more than I should
for a mediocre one.

I always vote with my wallet, adding another reason they don't
see me in Woodcraft. When a couple of small hand tools I purchased at
WC failed (clamps) after 2 weeks, WC wouldn't take them back or
exchange them since they claimed they were "promo" items, although
they didn't disclose that at the time of purchase. Imagine my
surprise to find them at HF for half the price to start with, then
was able to use their always available 20% off coupon, and at that
time they had a 90 day return policy on non powered tools.

I also had problems with a second Jet mini lathe I bought, one with
and overheating motor. WC wouldn't take it back, and told me that I
needed to ship it to JET since it was not within 14 days of purchase.
They wouldn't back off, either. A brand new power tool...

So I called Jet, and the regional rep for our area happened to be in
the office. I told him the story, and he was really ****ed about the
whole thing. He sent me a brand new motor, and gave me new bearings
just in case they were part of the problem. About two weeks later he
was down here on business, I introduced myself, and he made WC set
aside a new lathe for me. The rep told me to keep the motor and
bearings, just bring in the whole lathe.

The asshats at WC were really ****ed off as they felt like I had
"gone over their heads" and "made them look bad". And they were
really mad that the rep told me to keep the motor. I never figured
out why they were ****ed off... the problem was resolved and they
didn't have to lift one lazy finger nor did the store get a ding for
returned merchandise. I thought that would have been perfect for
them.

But you know, they felt like I robbed the bank by getting a "free
motor". I was there for a about two years after that as that was
where we had our woodturning club meetings, and for months they
couldn't wait to ask me what I did with my "free motor".

In a later conversation with the Jet rep, he told me that the store
manager could (at that time) take back any Jet product that had an
obvious manufacturing defect for up to a year from the date of
purchase for a no hassle exchange. The store was to call Jet and
explain the problem, then Jet would issue an RMA, and that was that.

That just made me dislike them more.

I guess that pretty well sums up why WC closed up shop and has no stores in
this area anymore. Just don't understand why they even get honorable
mention in woodworking groups.

--

-Mike-