I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
on the way.
Nice job Lee Valley.
JP
In article <[email protected]>, <[email protected]> wrote:
> He is almost as bad as that Knight guy who makes tools out of wood. Can you
> believe it?
I'm getting sick and tired of having the option of buying quality tools
at a fair price. Can't something be done about this?
> I don't share this to toot my own horn. I'm doing it because there
> are still places like this lumber yard and Lee Valley tools that
> really do provide customer service. It took me about 15 minutes to
> write the letter, a small investment of my time. If we each took a
> little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
> less time condemning later.
Nice to hear something postive and inspiring for a change.
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 14:57:53 GMT, Dave in Fairfax <[email protected]>
wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>> I recently refurbed a handsaw filing vise and use it for card scraper
>> sharpening. it's *perfect* for that application.
>
>Excellent thought. I am SO dense. I've been doing it freehand
>in a face vise. Next time I'll use my saw vise and saw
>file/holder. Anything else that 's nice and obvious that I
>shoulda thought of?
>
>Dave in Fairfax
a dollar-fourty-nine cent 3/8" drill rod makes an excellent burnisher.
Jay Pique wrote:
> Nice job Lee Valley.
Hah. That evil tool pimp has gotten my money for the last time, right after
I place my next order. I'm sick and tired of his innovative tools and
customer service. I want cheap, low grade crap from China, and I want to
wait three weeks to receive it.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 11:44:37 -0700, [email protected] spake the words:
>On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 14:57:53 GMT, Dave in Fairfax <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>> I recently refurbed a handsaw filing vise and use it for card scraper
>>> sharpening. it's *perfect* for that application.
>>
>>Excellent thought. I am SO dense. I've been doing it freehand
>>in a face vise. Next time I'll use my saw vise and saw
>>file/holder. Anything else that 's nice and obvious that I
>>shoulda thought of?
>
>a dollar-fourty-nine cent 3/8" drill rod makes an excellent burnisher.
So does a $2 (or was that $1?) box of junk parts and hardware which
just happened to have a wooden version of the Veritas adjustable-angle
burnisher in it. </gloat>
--------------------------------------------
-- I'm in touch with my Inner Curmudgeon. --
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
============================================================
[email protected] wrote:
> I recently refurbed a handsaw filing vise and use it for card scraper
> sharpening. it's *perfect* for that application.
Excellent thought. I am SO dense. I've been doing it freehand
in a face vise. Next time I'll use my saw vise and saw
file/holder. Anything else that 's nice and obvious that I
shoulda thought of?
Dave in Fairfax
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.Patinatools.org/
Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
> just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
> was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
> plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
> experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
>
> I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
> on the way.
>
> Nice job Lee Valley.
>
> JP
Yesterday I went to the lumber yard to pick up some more maple for the
mother of all chests of drawers I'm building. While waiting to pay
for my boards I glanced down at a copy of the monthly employee
newsletter that was on the counter. My attention was drawn to
something in particular on the front page--my own name?!
I picked it up and started reading the message from the company
president about a couple of letters she had received recently from
satisified customers and she wanted to tell the company about them.
A few months back, when I started the project, I called this lumber
yard and asked about buying rough sawn lumber. The fellow who took my
call was very helpful, quoted me prices for various species and
thicknesses and answered all my silly newby questions. When I arrived
at the bulk yard the guys had already pulled pallets full of lumber
for me to pick through and checked in on me to make sure I was getting
everything I wanted. Half a day and a half a thousand dollars later,
I drove away with a van full of lumber and a lot of gratitude for the
service I had received.
In a world where people are quick to complain, I decided somebody
should hear about something different. I sat down and composed a
letter of thanks to the company president, explaining how helpful her
employees had been (naming names) and that they had earned a loyal
customer (despite the 45-60 minute drive). I had hoped she might
share the letter with the employees involved.
So, it was quite a surprise to see her share it with the whole company
through her newsletter. She quoted the letter at length, included
pictures of the employees I had dealt with, and concluded her monthly
message with, "This is why we do what we do." It made me feel good
that she chose to publicly praise her employees after receiving my
letter.
I quipped to the cashier that I was flattered to have made the front
page. "Oh, is that you? Hey Jim!", he yelled, "Come up here. The
guy who wrote that letter is here buying more wood." Jim (one of the
employees I had mentioned) came out of the back office and shook my
hand. "You have no idea how nice that letter was. The president
called me immediately. Morale around here is definitely up."
I don't share this to toot my own horn. I'm doing it because there
are still places like this lumber yard and Lee Valley tools that
really do provide customer service. It took me about 15 minutes to
write the letter, a small investment of my time. If we each took a
little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
less time condemning later.
Ian
"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<brIrd.702704$8_6.585474@attbi_s04>...
> I have done extensive business writing. I used to interview various folks
> who were very sucessful in their respective businesses. I never fogot an
> interview I did once with a guy who operated several unrelated businesses.
> And they all did well.
This guy sounds like Robert Horchow of the Horchow Collection catalog.
He was profiled in a fascinating book called "The Tipping Point"
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316346624/ref=sib_rdr_dp/103-2138449-0675843)
by Malcolm Gladwell.
Ian
Be careful with that scraper. I got mine a few weeks ago and now have to get
the blood off of my wood work :-(
"joey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:QZvrd.130792$5K2.98700@attbi_s03...
> Just to pile on a little
> My latest LV shipment was to include the full Veritas scraper package.
> Order
> arrived minus the variable angle burnisher. One email later and they
> apologized for the inconvenience and shipped it immediately no questions
> asked. Who ever packed the original order did not check off the burnisher
> so
> there is an opportunity for improvement there.
> LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
> BTW this is the first time I've produced little curly's with a scraper in
> stead of dust
>
>
>
> "Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
>> just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
>> was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
>> plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
>> experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
>>
>> I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
>> on the way.
>>
>> Nice job Lee Valley.
>>
>> JP
>
>
"joey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:QZvrd.130792$5K2.98700@attbi_s03...
> LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
They do have 2 stores in the west coast: Vancouver and Coquitlam
http://www.leevalley.com/home/Stores.aspx?ccurrency=1
Just to pile on a little
My latest LV shipment was to include the full Veritas scraper package. Order
arrived minus the variable angle burnisher. One email later and they
apologized for the inconvenience and shipped it immediately no questions
asked. Who ever packed the original order did not check off the burnisher so
there is an opportunity for improvement there.
LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
BTW this is the first time I've produced little curly's with a scraper in
stead of dust
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
> just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
> was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
> plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
> experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
>
> I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
> on the way.
>
> Nice job Lee Valley.
>
> JP
[email protected] wrote in
news:[email protected]:
<snip>
>
> amazingly thin and fluffy shavings, aren't they?
>
And addictive. If you're not careful, you can have so much fun that you
have a hollow to deal with. DAMHIKT.
Patriarch,
who only recently broke the code on card scraper tuning...
Well done. On the flip side of the recent Rockler clamp episode. I noticed
at my local Rockler store that they had plenty of leftover P/C routers,
Master Lifts, and clamping straight edges from the same sale that involved
the clamps. I haven't seen a single poster showing any sympathy for Rockler
having ordered too many of those items, only lame complaints from those who
felt that they had some sort of right to buy as many Bessey clamps at less
than cost as they could carry.
Funny how when a company tries to do right they get ignored, when somebody
perceives them to have done wrong, they get pilloried. I wonder if some of
the guys whining so much about the clamp deal will buy a couple of
routers...but I sorta doubt it. Consumers today mainly want everything for
nothing or as close to nothing as possible. We all complain about job losses
and lower quality as we pull into the parking lots of the Borg's and
Walmarts of the world. The advice, tips and general good will I've gotten at
my local Rockler far surpasses the couple of bucks I could have saved buying
4 lousy clamps. Not to mention that the president of the company has
publically stated that they'll make it right to all the whiners. I wonder
how many of them will be here praising Rockler when that happens...your
letter was the right thing to do.
John Emmons
"Ian Dodd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
> > just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
> > was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
> > plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
> > experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
> >
> > I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
> > on the way.
> >
> > Nice job Lee Valley.
> >
> > JP
>
> Yesterday I went to the lumber yard to pick up some more maple for the
> mother of all chests of drawers I'm building. While waiting to pay
> for my boards I glanced down at a copy of the monthly employee
> newsletter that was on the counter. My attention was drawn to
> something in particular on the front page--my own name?!
>
> I picked it up and started reading the message from the company
> president about a couple of letters she had received recently from
> satisified customers and she wanted to tell the company about them.
>
> A few months back, when I started the project, I called this lumber
> yard and asked about buying rough sawn lumber. The fellow who took my
> call was very helpful, quoted me prices for various species and
> thicknesses and answered all my silly newby questions. When I arrived
> at the bulk yard the guys had already pulled pallets full of lumber
> for me to pick through and checked in on me to make sure I was getting
> everything I wanted. Half a day and a half a thousand dollars later,
> I drove away with a van full of lumber and a lot of gratitude for the
> service I had received.
>
> In a world where people are quick to complain, I decided somebody
> should hear about something different. I sat down and composed a
> letter of thanks to the company president, explaining how helpful her
> employees had been (naming names) and that they had earned a loyal
> customer (despite the 45-60 minute drive). I had hoped she might
> share the letter with the employees involved.
>
> So, it was quite a surprise to see her share it with the whole company
> through her newsletter. She quoted the letter at length, included
> pictures of the employees I had dealt with, and concluded her monthly
> message with, "This is why we do what we do." It made me feel good
> that she chose to publicly praise her employees after receiving my
> letter.
>
> I quipped to the cashier that I was flattered to have made the front
> page. "Oh, is that you? Hey Jim!", he yelled, "Come up here. The
> guy who wrote that letter is here buying more wood." Jim (one of the
> employees I had mentioned) came out of the back office and shook my
> hand. "You have no idea how nice that letter was. The president
> called me immediately. Morale around here is definitely up."
>
> I don't share this to toot my own horn. I'm doing it because there
> are still places like this lumber yard and Lee Valley tools that
> really do provide customer service. It took me about 15 minutes to
> write the letter, a small investment of my time. If we each took a
> little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
> less time condemning later.
>
> Ian
"Ian Dodd" <[email protected]> wrote
>
<snip a wonderful post>
> I don't share this to toot my own horn. I'm doing it because there
> are still places like this lumber yard and Lee Valley tools that
> really do provide customer service. It took me about 15 minutes to
> write the letter, a small investment of my time. If we each took a
> little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
> less time condemning later.
>
> Ian
Good post Ian.
I have done extensive business writing. I used to interview various folks
who were very sucessful in their respective businesses. I never fogot an
interview I did once with a guy who operated several unrelated businesses.
And they all did well.
He was busy writing notes when I arrived. He had me wait for a couple
minutes while he finished up. I quickly determined that these were thank
you notes. They were gold engraved and had his name, address and phone
number on them. I asked about them.
He smiled and told me that this was a tradition he has practiced for many
years. He said that the world is full of rude and boorish people. And there
is too little praise. So he carries these thank you notes all the time. Some
are stamped so he could mail them. And some were plain so he could hand them
directly to people.
And he wrote them out for everybody he met who he thought deserved them. If
he got good service at a restuarant, he wrote two notes. One to the waitress
and one to the manager. He would even write a thank you note to the chef.
He would often leave a store, write the thank you note and return to the
store to deliver the notes.
This guy wrote a minimum or twenty notes a week and sometimes wrote as many
as a hundred notes a week. He had kind words for everyone. A genuinely
nice and appreciative guy. Nobody had anything bad to say about the guy and
he had an excellent reputation.
Needless to say, he did well in business. With that kind of attitude, people
would have died for this guy. In a world where courtesy and niceness are
considered quaint vestiges of the past, this sort of thing is REALLY
appreciated and noticed.
Sometimes a nice note can make somebody's day. Other times it can have a
super ppsitive effect on somebody's life. We are remiss if we don't bless
our fellow humans now and then with a well deserved thank you. It is
appreciated by all.
Lee Michaels
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 22:08:15 GMT, "Mark Jerde"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Ian Dodd wrote:
>
>> If we each took a
>> little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
>> less time condemning later.
>
>Do this with the spouse and kids too.
>
>I haven't done it nearly enough and with my children 21 & 17 years old it is
>kinda "too late."
No it isn't. My dad actively tormented me growing up, but I still
forgive him for it. That's a rough age, and they're not going to want
to show that they care, but I'd be willing to bet good money that they
do- and I'm not a betting man.
> -- Mark
>
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
--
'
"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Jay Pique wrote:
>
> > Nice job Lee Valley.
>
> Hah. That evil tool pimp has gotten my money for the last time, right
after
> I place my next order. I'm sick and tired of his innovative tools and
> customer service. I want cheap, low grade crap from China, and I want to
> wait three weeks to receive it.
He is almost as bad as that Knight guy who makes tools out of wood. Can you
believe it?
-j
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 03:28:48 GMT, "joey" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Just to pile on a little
> >My latest LV shipment was to include the full Veritas scraper package.
Order
> >arrived minus the variable angle burnisher. One email later and they
> >apologized for the inconvenience and shipped it immediately no questions
> >asked. Who ever packed the original order did not check off the burnisher
so
> >there is an opportunity for improvement there.
> >LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
> >BTW this is the first time I've produced little curly's with a scraper
in
> >stead of dust
>
> Yeah. Getting it right with a scraper for the first time is damn near
> a religious experience. I got the Woodsmith scraper sharpening jig
> (perhaps from LV?) and suddenly I was doing stuff right with the
> scraper. That and the #80 holder and life got a whole lot more
> rewarding.
>
> Moral: If you don't know scrapers, spring for a package.
Darn! Last time I used a scraper was in HS wood shop in early '50's. Now
you've all got me drooling over the prospect of doing *that*. Guess I'm
gonna have to break out the crowbar.
--
Nahmie
The law of intelligent tinkering: save all the parts.
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 04:41:27 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> wrote:
>[email protected] wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
><snip>
>>
>> amazingly thin and fluffy shavings, aren't they?
>>
>
>And addictive. If you're not careful, you can have so much fun that you
>have a hollow to deal with. DAMHIKT.
>
>Patriarch,
>who only recently broke the code on card scraper tuning...
I recently refurbed a handsaw filing vise and use it for card scraper
sharpening. it's *perfect* for that application.
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 17:39:19 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
<leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>"Ian Dodd" <[email protected]> wrote
>>
>
><snip a wonderful post>
>
>> I don't share this to toot my own horn. I'm doing it because there
>> are still places like this lumber yard and Lee Valley tools that
>> really do provide customer service. It took me about 15 minutes to
>> write the letter, a small investment of my time. If we each took a
>> little time to praise when it was warranted, we'd probably spend a lot
>> less time condemning later.
>>
>> Ian
>
>Good post Ian.
... snip
>He smiled and told me that this was a tradition he has practiced for many
>years. He said that the world is full of rude and boorish people. And there
>is too little praise. So he carries these thank you notes all the time. Some
>are stamped so he could mail them. And some were plain so he could hand them
>directly to people.
>
>And he wrote them out for everybody he met who he thought deserved them. If
>he got good service at a restuarant, he wrote two notes. One to the waitress
>and one to the manager. He would even write a thank you note to the chef.
>He would often leave a store, write the thank you note and return to the
>store to deliver the notes.
>
>This guy wrote a minimum or twenty notes a week and sometimes wrote as many
>as a hundred notes a week. He had kind words for everyone. A genuinely
>nice and appreciative guy. Nobody had anything bad to say about the guy and
>he had an excellent reputation.
>
>Needless to say, he did well in business. With that kind of attitude, people
>would have died for this guy. In a world where courtesy and niceness are
>considered quaint vestiges of the past, this sort of thing is REALLY
>appreciated and noticed.
>
>Sometimes a nice note can make somebody's day. Other times it can have a
>super ppsitive effect on somebody's life. We are remiss if we don't bless
>our fellow humans now and then with a well deserved thank you. It is
>appreciated by all.
>
>Lee Michaels
>
>
Couldn't snip any more.
You know it's funny, we are all really busy with our lives, getting
things done, just the general things of life. Yet, when something bad
happens, we are readily willing to spend some of that time, put something
else off and express our complaints. Which, by the way is not necessarily
a bad thing, if people or businesses go through life oblivious to the pain
and aggravation they are causing, they will continue happily on their way
providing lousy service and wondering why nobody likes to deal with them.
However, we don't seem nearly as ready to take time out or put something
aside for the time to expend the same amount of energy when somebody does
something really good (kind of that, "wow" kind of service). ... and
that's a shame. I need to take a look at whether I'm praising people
enough when they do something good.
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 01:02:42 +0000, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> spake the words:
>On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 15:23:27 -0800, "J" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>He is almost as bad as that Knight guy who makes tools out of wood.
>
>Worse. He taunts you with catalogues too.
Yeah, when are they ever going to crack down on the Tool Porn rings?
-------------------------------------------------------
Have you read the new book "What Would Machiavelli Do?"
----------------------------
http://diversify.com Dynamic, Interactive Websites!
--------------------------------------------------------
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 03:28:48 GMT, "joey" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Just to pile on a little
>My latest LV shipment was to include the full Veritas scraper package. Order
>arrived minus the variable angle burnisher. One email later and they
>apologized for the inconvenience and shipped it immediately no questions
>asked. Who ever packed the original order did not check off the burnisher so
>there is an opportunity for improvement there.
>LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
>BTW this is the first time I've produced little curly's with a scraper in
>stead of dust
Yeah. Getting it right with a scraper for the first time is damn near
a religious experience. I got the Woodsmith scraper sharpening jig
(perhaps from LV?) and suddenly I was doing stuff right with the
scraper. That and the #80 holder and life got a whole lot more
rewarding.
Moral: If you don't know scrapers, spring for a package.
--RC
>
>
>
>"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I purchased a set of knee-pads from LV a couple of months ago, and
>> just the other day I got a letter in the mail from them. Basically it
>> was a "recall" letter that stated they were aware of a problem (the
>> plastic caps coming unsnapped during usage) and that if I was
>> experiecing the same problem I should call customer service.
>>
>> I did call, as they occasionally do come unsnapped, and a new set is
>> on the way.
>>
>> Nice job Lee Valley.
>>
>> JP
>
You can tell a really good idea by the enemies it makes
On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 03:28:48 GMT, "joey" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Just to pile on a little
>My latest LV shipment was to include the full Veritas scraper package. Order
>arrived minus the variable angle burnisher. One email later and they
>apologized for the inconvenience and shipped it immediately no questions
>asked. Who ever packed the original order did not check off the burnisher so
>there is an opportunity for improvement there.
>LV is an excellent etailer my only wish is they had a west coast presence
>BTW this is the first time I've produced little curly's with a scraper in
>stead of dust
amazingly thin and fluffy shavings, aren't they?
On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 15:23:27 -0800, "J" <[email protected]> wrote:
>He is almost as bad as that Knight guy who makes tools out of wood.
Worse. He taunts you with catalogues too.
On 1-Dec-2004, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> Nice job Lee Valley.
Shhh... you might wake up Boobert.
Mike