Venting my spleen.

Hi,

At the Melbourne WWW Show I ordered a fair bit of machinery. About three grands worth, from a wood working store that has copped a bit of a flogging lately. Anyway, they informed me that they were seriously back ordered on some of the items that I ordered and that I would have to be prepared to wait. No worries says I, they told me about it prior to me putting pen to paper so I accepted having to wait a couple of months for SOME of the things I had ordered. They told me that they would have everything before christmas.

In this order, I ordered a ML392 Planer Thicknesser. I was told at the time (in October) that they were in stock at the Brisbane store and some would be coming to Melbourne during the week and I would get one of them. Bewdy says I, actually believing him.

Well. It's now three and a half months later and I still haven't got it. I called about a week ago and spoke to a man there who got things done when it came to my table saw. He called me back and apologized but he can't give me any idea, he spoke to Brisbane and there's just none in the country. They're all waiting on Taiwan to supply. Again, no worries, patience wearing very thin by this time. It's amazing what we'll wear for a good price.

After speaking on the phone, I thought maybe Brisbane may be able to shed some light when they will arrive so I emailed them. The following reply was received;

Quote:

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Mr. Perrett:

Thank you for your email message received on Friday. All of the XXXXX-XXX stores are independently operated and do from time to time run out of stock. I am sorry that you have waited so long for a machine ordered in October.

However, we currently have ML-392's in stock in our Brisbane warehouse and if you would like to purchase this item from Brisbane I would be happy to supply it to you. Alternatively, you could choose to wait for the item to come into stock in Melbourne.

Please let me know what you have decided. Thank you.

Regards,

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:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I don't know what s me more, the fact that I'm being told there's none in the country when there is. Or Brisbane trying to poach business from one of their franchisees. I think that Melbourne truly believe that there are none to be had but Brisbane are making sure they keep some in stock. :mad:

Another phone call to Melbourne today should be interesting,

Stay tuned..........

Dan

But one of our members here in Perth was told they don't sell the ML 392 anymore, due to continued problems and returns................beats me. :confused: :confused:

check this thread and the reply from Timbecon

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=14507

Danp, my deepsest sympathy in dealing with franchisees

Obviously your mythical tool store does believe in the words "customer" and "service", however it would appear they have never seen the two words follow each other in a sentance!

There is another store out your side of town, in Preston.. WMS is the name

Don't want to be a spelling nazi but should XXXXX-XXX be XXXXXXXX?
I had the same problem, gave up and went to HAFXO in Clayton and WoodWorkers WarehouXX in Braeside.
There seems to be a shortage of bovine excrement at the latter two mentioned, maybe XXXXX-XXX could supply them some :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Gumby

was told they don't sell the ML 392 anymore, due to continued problems and returns

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Gumby,

I just spoke to Bayswater again and they are pretty dirty on Brisbane. He said that there is a lot of internal 'b1tching' at the moment between the stores. They have this problem all the time apparently with Brisbane having plenty of stuff sitting in stock and the other stores are screaming for machines to fill orders. He then told me that they have been having problems with the machines and the boss told him that they aren't really worth the grief. Another member has a thread going that had me considering cancelling anyway.

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Originally Posted by Brudda

There is another store out your side of town, in Preston.. WMS is the name

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My side of town?? I live three hours from town. it takes about the same to Preston as it does to Bayswater. The reason I went with Carba-tec is that I got a really good deal at the WWW Show for table saw, dust extractor and planer thicknesser. I can't really afford to spend more than I have. I would have all ready gone elsewhere if I could afford to.

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Originally Posted by Iain

Don't want to be a spelling nazi but should XXXXX-XXX be XXXXXXXX?

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Nope. Look at the Cattledog. :D



End result of phone call to CT Bayswater was that he offered to sell me the CTJ 340 - 12 1/2" Thicknesser and and the 6" jointer for $900. I'm now in a stew as to whether to get this (can't really afford and don't really have the space for two machines) or to sit off and wait for next WWW show and see what I can get there (don't really want to wait that long). :confused: :(

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanP

Gumby,
End result of phone call to CT Bayswater was that he offered to sell me the CTJ 340 - 12 1/2" Thicknesser and and the 6" jointer for $900. I'm now in a stew as to whether to get this (can't really afford and don't really have the space for two machines) or to sit off and wait for next WWW show and see what I can get there (don't really want to wait that long). :confused: :(

Dan

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Dan, depending on what you work with you might be a bit dissappointed with only 6 inches:D ...on the jointer that is. Just my personal exp.

Cheers

It's funny how when you don't have any machinery, owning a 150mm jointer is your idea of what heaven must be like, then you get one, and every piece of timber you want to use is 160 mm or wider.

(Phew, that kept me away from the imperial connotations :D )

Do all you blokes with bigger ones, find they are big enough, or do you still want more??

Cheers

P (looking forward to the first SPAM email offering to make my jointer bigger)
:D :D :D

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Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Do all you blokes with bigger ones, find they are big enough, or do you still want more??CheersP (looking forward to the first SPAM email offering to make my jointer bigger)
:D :D :D

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Same answer as for sheds. :D

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Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Do all you blokes with bigger ones, find they are big enough, or do you still want more??

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Ask SWMBO :D :D :D


I'm concerned that 6" will be a problem, which is why I wanted the combo machine. I would prefer 8" ;) but definately can't afford it. The sherwood looks to be at the right price but once you add the freight I might as well buy in Melbourne and pick it up.

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bitingmidge

It's funny how when you don't have any machinery, owning a 150mm jointer is your idea of what heaven must be like, then you get one, and every piece of timber you want to use is 160 mm or wider.

(Phew, that kept me away from the imperial connotations :D )

Do all you blokes with bigger ones, find they are big enough, or do you still want more??

Cheers

P (looking forward to the first SPAM email offering to make my jointer bigger)
:D :D :D

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Is it the width / height (read girth) or length you're having trouble with?:D

HH.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bitingmidge

It's funny how when you don't have any machinery, owning a 150mm jointer is your idea of what heaven must be like, then you get one, and every piece of timber you want to use is 160 mm or wider.

(Phew, that kept me away from the imperial connotations :D )

Do all you blokes with bigger ones, find they are big enough, or do you still want more??

Cheers

P (looking forward to the first SPAM email offering to make my jointer bigger)
:D :D :D

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I'll send you a few dozen :mad:
Swmbo must have been talking on the net coz between those and the viagra/ciallis ads it's damn near all I get :eek: :D :D

I think that even the female woodworkers on the site would quickly tell you that 6" is not really big enough to satisfy most people. 8" or bigger is the way to go.

See if you can get the same price on an 8" combination deal from these people. They have, after all, mucked you around considerably. Failing that I would look at cancelling the order and looking elsewhere. They seem to have taken your money under what is almost false pretences.

Dan,

You are lucky you received an EMAIL back, I am still waiting for a response from 3 or 4 years ago on a similar issue of a series of broken promises. :( :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

It did finally arrive - about 7 weeks after my birthday even though it was ordered 3 or 4 weeks prior to the birthday and was going to be definitely in the store 2 days after it was ordered.

In their defence though, the staff did appear sorry when Meg broke into tears in their store when she realised she couldn't surprise me with an LN for my birthday. Their sorrow didn't translate into action though.

Like heaps of others in Victoria, I don't have any problems with them now. I now find that everything is on time as promised, service with a genuine smile and great prices too.

Bob,

Luckily I didn't pay up front. Just a small deposit. If I cancel they will either pay me bck or I'll buy something with it.

Rob,

I haven't really had any problems with Melbourne, other than the lack of stock, but I figure that is an outside factor. The bloke I always speak to, Cliff, always seems honest and forthright and doesn't feed me bull poop. When I got lied to about the TSC10HB table saw I ordered he offered me a bigger table saw at $600 off the list price. He has offered me the Jointer and the Thicknesser at $100 off each. It's just that little bit more than I could afford on top of seperate machines I cant really fit and a much smaller jointer.

Dan

You are correct Dan, the staff seem to want to do the right thing but for some reason(s) orders don't get past the office or are stuffed up in some way clerically. I have spoken to ex staff and they felt embarrassed having to tell loyal customers that "sorry even though we promised it would be in today, the order hasn't been placed yet, you'll have to come back next week".

When I said I didn't have any more problems, I meant I deal with MIK in Adelaide now.

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Originally Posted by Wood Borer

When I said I didn't have any more problems, I meant I deal with MIK in Adelaide now.

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I assumed that was the case. :D

Dan

Iain's right. Definitely no hyphen in XXXXXXXX!

If I was the sort of bloke who would say 'I told you so" now is the time I'd say it.

Thanks for your kind words Jack. When exactly did you 'tell me so'? :rolleyes:

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanP

End result of phone call to CT Bayswater was that he offered to sell me the CTJ 340 - 12 1/2" Thicknesser and and the 6" jointer for $900. I'm now in a stew as to whether to get this (can't really afford and don't really have the space for two machines) or to sit off and wait for next WWW show and see what I can get there (don't really want to wait that long). :confused: :(

Dan

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Dan.. what does it matter, they probably dont have that in stock either!

Just because he said he would sell it to you don't mean squat!

And I thought that comming from Your palce you might have passed close by Preston.

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Originally Posted by JackoH

Iain's right. Definitely no hyphen in XXXXXXXX!

If I was the sort of bloke who would say 'I told you so" now is the time I'd say it.

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Sorry John, the Red Mist made me do it. :mad:

Silent( I think I know you well enough to address you by your first name.) You are right of course it is hyphen-ated : XXXXX-XXX, please accept my most 'umble apologies, and leave my red mist alone! :mad:
DanP.
My most recent experience with them is as follows:-Some weeks ago following on from the discussion on supplies of wood turning requirements, pen & clock fit ups, sand paper and other bits and pieces, in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne I decided to pay a visit to the Woodsmith, in Croydon,on Saturday morning on the assumption that as well as every Friday they were open on Saturday mornings as well. Wrong! ( I,m getting old, what’s your excuse! :confused: )
I was so frustrated I decided to try XXXXX-XXX in Bxxxxxxxr (about 10 minutes away,) in spite of the fact that I had previously sworn never to darken their doors again. Sadly nothing has changed since my last fruitless visit 2 or 3 months ago, as far as stock was concerned. On asking for No.1 Pen Kits I was told that they were unobtainable (scarce as hens teeth was the expression used) and nobody would be able to supply me. :(
As soon as I arrived home I rang Jim Carroll. His response to my inquiry was “How many do you want?” So, naturally I placed my order.
The following Tuesday at about mid-day there was a knock on the door and there stood the local Aust-Post delivery person with my parcel of goodies exactly as ordered. Thanks Jim. Guess where I have been shopping since ?.
My main objection to buying over the net or phone has been that I do like to handle and look at goods before I buy them. However, for 1st class service I am prepared to forego that pleasure. :D
If you want more do a search and you will discover why I said 'I told you so' ;)

The slogan "tools for wood" should be shortened to simply "Tools"

May I suggest "Jet" for your sawing needs ... if you want a combo I could suggest a metabo over and under for circa $2k....

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Originally Posted by Zed

The slogan "tools for wood" should be shortened to simply "Tools" ....

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:D :D :D

Mick

Haven't had many dealings with xxxxx-xxx in Mexico, but for the record I've not had any real problems with xxxxx-xxx in Sydney and I've spent more than a couple of grand there over the last couple of years.

I guess if there's a problem it's with the franchise, not the brand per se.

THE LATEST.

I answered the email from Brisbane with, "Unless you can get it to me (delivered) for round about the $795 mark, I won't be able to afford the freight from Brisbane."

Their reply (part of) is as follows:

"In light of the difficulties you’ve encountered we can offer you the machine for $795 including GST. We will also pay the freight charge to deliver it to you."

Now I'm in a real quandry. In light of the complaints of several members about their machines, I don't know if I should get one now. So I'll be posting a poll and throwing myself on the mercy of the board.

Dan

Seems like Brisbane is trying to make it right for you. :)

I didn't vote in your poll as I have no experience of the machine.

I'd say go for it though for the reasons silentC and Midge put forward.

Whatever you decide DO NOT throw yourself on the mercy of this board. There is none!
Good luck with your purchase.

Dan, I will be posting a negative response to your poll. However, your questions are very cut and dry. When the machine is working is does a great job. If you accept that you are buying at the bottom end of the market for this type of equipment then some breakdowns must be expected. The real problem is with the level of support and spares holdings by Carba-tec. As I mantioned in another current thread, after eight days I still cannot be told if a part is available from Brisbane.

Bob,

Have you tried Hare and Forbes? I have found that while the machines aren't necessarily made in the same factory (contrary to popular belief) they are pretty much from the same plans and often have similar serial numbers.

Generic parts often fit many different models, you just need to find yourself a part guru bloke!

Good luck,

P

I did mention to Carba-tec yesterday that if this was going to be too hard for them that I would take my pieces back, source the bearings myself, and just forget about the warranty. This at least got my call returned, but not with a great deal of satisfaction. If the bearings are not in by Friday, I will pick up the bits I have left with Carba-tec and look for the bearings. H&F are only about 10 minutes from here. Then there is the bearing specialists. Can't believe that I won't be able to find them somewhere.Bob

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Originally Posted by BobR

I did mention to Carba-tec yesterday that if this was going to be too hard for them that I would take my pieces back, source the bearings myself, and just forget about the warranty. This at least got my call returned, but not with a great deal of satisfaction. If the bearings are not in by Friday, I will pick up the bits I have left with Carba-tec and look for the bearings. H&F are only about 10 minutes from here. Then there is the bearing specialists. Can't believe that I won't be able to find them somewhere.Bob

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Bob,
I've never had a bearing that any specialist bearing place couldn't replace off the shelf. Seems to be one of the best organised industries around.

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Originally Posted by AlexS

I've never had a bearing that any specialist bearing place couldn't replace off the shelf.

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I have, every nnow and then you'll come across a company that will deliberately make a bearing that is of no size. IE, not metric or imperial. They do this so that you have to go back to them to purchase spares. Not many do it but some do. :mad:

Dan

For what it's worth. A reasonably relaible and strong roumour has it that Carba-tec Melbourne is kaput.

If that is true, then it is sad for the Victorian Woodworkers who a few years back had an excellent store with great staff and service.

Sometimes these things can be resolved between franchisor and franchisee, but my information does not lead me to believe that this will be the case. One can only hope.

you reap what you sow :(