I sent an email to The Woodworking Shows folks complaining about 2
main issues I saw at the recent Timonium show, and have seen over the
last several years: the lack of variety and vendors running out of
product fairly quickly and issuing no rainchecks.
The response I received, in part, was "...our goal a the show
promoters IS to have our vendors run out of stock! It means that we've
done our job and produced a successful show." Though, since this
show, supposedly the vendors are reconsidering their "stocking
counts". Sent by "ANN".
One problem I detailed was that by Saturday mid-morning, Peachtree was
out of a number of items (e.g. sandpaper, though supposedly a supplier
problem, and 32oz Titebond III) for which they'd issued coupons. I
thought less than half way thru the show was a bit early to be out of
stock.
This sort of thing seems to happen fairly consistently, and while many
of the participants do offer rainchecks (not Peachtree), it's still
annoying not to be able to take something home after going to some
trouble and some expense to attend the show.
Additionally, I noted that DeWalt is very well represented, but few
other brands make an appearance. and, it didn't seem like stuff that
was a bit out of the very ordinary (Drill Doctor, Akeda jig, etc.)
ever made an appearance.
Whereas in years past I could get a deal on good (Sorby) chisels (for
example) that were being replaced by a new design, now they had bins
of Chinese junk.
These other issues weren't addressed in the email response.
Ann/ANN has expressed her support of the vendors and her disdain for
the customers, IMNSHO. Her definition of success is sorta biased
(though I see where she's coming from, but the details matter in this
case).
Opinions?
Thanx
Renata
On Jan 30, 11:10 am, Renata <[email protected]> wrote:
> I sent an email to The Woodworking Shows folks complaining about 2
> main issues I saw at the recent Timonium show, and have seen over the
> last several years: the lack of variety and vendors running out of
> product fairly quickly and issuing no rainchecks.
>
> The response I received, in part, was "...our goal a the show
> promoters IS to have our vendors run out of stock! It means that we've
> done our job and produced a successful show." Though, since this
> show, supposedly the vendors are reconsidering their "stocking
> counts". Sent by "ANN".
>
> One problem I detailed was that by Saturday mid-morning, Peachtree was
> out of a number of items (e.g. sandpaper, though supposedly a supplier
> problem, and 32oz Titebond III) for which they'd issued coupons. I
> thought less than half way thru the show was a bit early to be out of
> stock.
>
> This sort of thing seems to happen fairly consistently, and while many
> of the participants do offer rainchecks (not Peachtree), it's still
> annoying not to be able to take something home after going to some
> trouble and some expense to attend the show.
>
> Additionally, I noted that DeWalt is very well represented, but few
> other brands make an appearance. and, it didn't seem like stuff that
> was a bit out of the very ordinary (Drill Doctor, Akeda jig, etc.)
> ever made an appearance.
>
> Whereas in years past I could get a deal on good (Sorby) chisels (for
> example) that were being replaced by a new design, now they had bins
> of Chinese junk.
>
> These other issues weren't addressed in the email response.
>
> Ann/ANN has expressed her support of the vendors and her disdain for
> the customers, IMNSHO. Her definition of success is sorta biased
> (though I see where she's coming from, but the details matter in this
> case).
>
> Opinions?
Well, it definitely is nice to get home after the show with a new toy
or widget, but I've found the prices aren't necessarily better than
shopping online. I go for reference and entertainment purposes, so
the out of stock thing wouldn't bother me too much. Redefining
'winning' is always convenient, but I think the reply was the
promoter's natural inclination to attempt to put a positive spin on
running out.
R
On Feb 1, 11:01 am, Renata <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:35:39 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >"9.9 Fingers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> As someone who has been into woodworking for only a few years, and has
> >> small knowledge compared to what I should know about the art, I appreciate
> >> these shows. It allows me to see product demos, and usually buy some
> >> items. Even though the prices aren't usually better than online;
> >> frequently, I have often received a small "extra" that has proved to be
> >> benefitial. Ordering online, it's likely I would not have known about
> >> this item. So for a novice like me, the benefits of the vendors having
> >> enough stock makes it worth the expense to attend. I guess the demos
> >> SHOULD be enough.
>
> >I've participated in industrial trade shows both demonstrating our products
> >and at times looking for things to buy. My goal is to find information, not
> >to buy on the spot. At the woodworking shows, I'd rather be able to get a
> >good look at items I'm interested in and find the crowd buying on the spot
> >to be in my way at times.
>
> And, that's part B of my issue - lack of variety. They don't have a
> lot of variety. They had DeWalt and Makita. They had Steel City and
> Delta. They have Apollo. Maybe a couple of dovetail jigs. They
> didn't have "esoteric" items.
>
> I go to look (the more important aspect) but may buy (it's only fair).
> When they repeatedly don't have what I'm looking for, I get to
> wondering whether it's worth going. Since I've been at this, on and
> off, for a while, I don't need any more drills. I want to see some of
> the more interesting/advanced/whatever stuff.
>
> I just remember when the shows were different...
I remember being young, too. ;)
R
"RicodJour" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:5e8d778b-4d96-4e61-b8bf-1497cb52a815@c23g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Well, it definitely is nice to get home after the show with a new toy
> or widget, but I've found the prices aren't necessarily better than
> shopping online. I go for reference and entertainment purposes, so
> the out of stock thing wouldn't bother me too much. Redefining
> 'winning' is always convenient, but I think the reply was the
> promoter's natural inclination to attempt to put a positive spin on
> running out.
>
> R
As someone who has been into woodworking for only a few years, and has small
knowledge compared to what I should know about the art, I appreciate these
shows. It allows me to see product demos, and usually buy some items. Even
though the prices aren't usually better than online; frequently, I have
often received a small "extra" that has proved to be benefitial. Ordering
online, it's likely I would not have known about this item. So for a novice
like me, the benefits of the vendors having enough stock makes it worth the
expense to attend. I guess the demos SHOULD be enough.
However, if the trend will be fewer and fewer vendoes, and those who do
participate to shave their stock to the point that they are out before the
shows are half over, then I also agree that the suggestion "Don't go
anymore" has merit. Maybe I just expect too much service from our
"service" economy. ;-)
Gary K
"Renata" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Snip
>
> Ann/ANN has expressed her support of the vendors and her disdain for
> the customers, IMNSHO. Her definition of success is sorta biased
> (though I see where she's coming from, but the details matter in this
> case).
>
> Opinions?
>
> Thanx
> Renata
Well, it can be frustrating to find that something you wanted is sold out
but,
1. These are typically shows to show off new products.
2. These shows cost the vendors a lot more than simply having you come to
the store and or order over the internet.
3. If they bring too much and have to reload it and take it back home it
costs them more time and is more inconvenience.
4. Typically vendors hate to do to these shows.
5. Inventory control is an art in your own store, having the right
inventory for a 3 day show in another city is a crap shoot.
6. While depleted inventory means lost sales, discounted show pricing may
not make it worth getting every sale and not coming home with inventory is
preferred to bringing inventory home.
"Renata" wrote
> Ann/ANN has expressed her support of the vendors and her disdain for
> the customers, IMNSHO. Her definition of success is sorta biased
> (though I see where she's coming from, but the details matter in this
> case).
>
> Opinions?
I agree with your assessment. Pervasive throughout the corporate world these
days is the fact that the customer is eventually considered, but only after
anything having to do with the convenience of doing business is taken care
of first.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/14/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:13:35 -0600, "9.9 Fingers" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>However, if the trend will be fewer and fewer vendoes, and those who do
>participate to shave their stock to the point that they are out before the
>shows are half over, then I also agree that the suggestion "Don't go
>anymore" has merit. Maybe I just expect too much service from our
>"service" economy. ;-)
>
>Gary K
I don't go to the shows, but I know with most tools, the manufacturer decides if
they will sell their tools direct, through dealers or both..
I'd expect a rep from a company that sells direct to have items to sell at the
show, or at least somewhere nearby.. If nothing else, to catch that impulse sale
now and then..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:35:39 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"9.9 Fingers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> As someone who has been into woodworking for only a few years, and has
>> small knowledge compared to what I should know about the art, I appreciate
>> these shows. It allows me to see product demos, and usually buy some
>> items. Even though the prices aren't usually better than online;
>> frequently, I have often received a small "extra" that has proved to be
>> benefitial. Ordering online, it's likely I would not have known about
>> this item. So for a novice like me, the benefits of the vendors having
>> enough stock makes it worth the expense to attend. I guess the demos
>> SHOULD be enough.
>
>I've participated in industrial trade shows both demonstrating our products
>and at times looking for things to buy. My goal is to find information, not
>to buy on the spot. At the woodworking shows, I'd rather be able to get a
>good look at items I'm interested in and find the crowd buying on the spot
>to be in my way at times.
>
And, that's part B of my issue - lack of variety. They don't have a
lot of variety. They had DeWalt and Makita. They had Steel City and
Delta. They have Apollo. Maybe a couple of dovetail jigs. They
didn't have "esoteric" items.
I go to look (the more important aspect) but may buy (it's only fair).
When they repeatedly don't have what I'm looking for, I get to
wondering whether it's worth going. Since I've been at this, on and
off, for a while, I don't need any more drills. I want to see some of
the more interesting/advanced/whatever stuff.
I just remember when the shows were different...
Renata
"9.9 Fingers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> As someone who has been into woodworking for only a few years, and has
> small knowledge compared to what I should know about the art, I appreciate
> these shows. It allows me to see product demos, and usually buy some
> items. Even though the prices aren't usually better than online;
> frequently, I have often received a small "extra" that has proved to be
> benefitial. Ordering online, it's likely I would not have known about
> this item. So for a novice like me, the benefits of the vendors having
> enough stock makes it worth the expense to attend. I guess the demos
> SHOULD be enough.
I've participated in industrial trade shows both demonstrating our products
and at times looking for things to buy. My goal is to find information, not
to buy on the spot. At the woodworking shows, I'd rather be able to get a
good look at items I'm interested in and find the crowd buying on the spot
to be in my way at times.
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:28:26 -0600, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Renata" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>
>Snip
>>
>> Ann/ANN has expressed her support of the vendors and her disdain for
>> the customers, IMNSHO. Her definition of success is sorta biased
>> (though I see where she's coming from, but the details matter in this
>> case).
>>
>> Opinions?
>>
>> Thanx
>> Renata
>
>Well, it can be frustrating to find that something you wanted is sold out
>but,
>
>1. These are typically shows to show off new products.
>2. These shows cost the vendors a lot more than simply having you come to
>the store and or order over the internet.
>3. If they bring too much and have to reload it and take it back home it
>costs them more time and is more inconvenience.
>4. Typically vendors hate to do to these shows.
>5. Inventory control is an art in your own store, having the right
>inventory for a 3 day show in another city is a crap shoot.
>6. While depleted inventory means lost sales, discounted show pricing may
>not make it worth getting every sale and not coming home with inventory is
>preferred to bringing inventory home.
>
>
Thank you for the insight.
Renata