Woodcraft prices have increased

[John Gregory]

I went to my local woodcraft last Sunday to buy some blast gates, my wife had a 10% off birthday discount for February. I check the online prices on Saturday and the 4" aluminum were $12.99 each. In the store they rang up at $13.69, even though they were marked at $12.99. The clerk made the adjustment, then we paid for the purchase. BUT before leaving we noticed that the birthday discount was not taken off the blast gates. The computer considered the price adjustment a discount and would not allow a "double" discount. The clerk could not over ride the system. So we returned the blast gates and I bought them for less with free shipping and no sales tax from Rockler. I try to support local merchants, but I have to watch my pennies too. Woodworking is a costly hobby, as you all know.

My point in this post is that consumers need to double check the pricing they get and merchants need to have systems to correct computer short comings. The product in the store was marked $12.99 and we did have a valid 10% discount.

Just sayin'

[JohnT Fitzgerald]

I had a similar situation, in that the price that rang up at the register was higher than marked. The clerk made the correction, but it made me wonder how often I have been overcharged. That's amazing to me that they could not override the system to also give the bday discount. Here in MA, there are penalties for discrepancies between marked and charged prices - there are some groups that go to great lengths to take some of the larger retailers to task in their price marking efforts.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

John,

I had just the opposite experience recently at the WoodCraft in Spokane, WA.

We returned from 3 weeks of vacation and stopped in to pickup a Woodpecker drill press table I'd ordered. I had returned home 2 weeks earlier than my wife. She had been shown some scroll saw work and decided she wanted to learn and "Do you have a scroll saw? No? Don't you think you need one?" I had researched scroll saws for her and decided that the Excalibur EX-21 was a saw that met my requirements for her. I liked the fact the head tilts while the table remains flat. My wife attended the Lucille Ball school for advanced and extraordinary Klutz's. The cheapest I had seen that saw online was $819 with the stand and footswitch. This saw was marked at $699 and the owner's son said he'd throw in the stand and footswitch. It was at that point, I remarked it was a good deal and what I had seen it priced at other sites. I wasn't ready to buy it at that moment. The same guy checked the current WoodCraft catalogue and told me...if you buy it now, I'll sell it at the price we discussed but somebody has failed to mark it up properly. He showed me the catalogue....$819 without the stand or footswitch. He said once we left the store, it would be marked appropriately and we'd be disappointed when we returned. They accept plastic and I walked out the door with it on a hand cart. That was 2 weeks ago.

Then last Saturday we were scheduled for their scroll saw class. It's 110 miles to Spokane. We climbed out of the valley and shortly there after found the worst whiteout conditions I've ever experienced. We turned around and came home. They refunded our tuition.

[Neil Brooks]

LOML is MUCH better than I am about ensuring that we are charged the correct amount, whether at the grocery store, the drive-thru burrito joint, or ... anywhere.

It's rather alarming how often she finds out we were incorrectly charged, and ... coincidence of all coincidences ... I don't remember it, even once, being an undercharge....

I agree: I want to support my local retailer, but ... not if they make it either ridiculously hard or ridiculously expensive.

[John Gregory]

Yes Neil, I am busted, my wife saw the discount was incorrect. And I an not bashing Woodcraft. I would imagine that if the manager was on duty Sunday, he would have made the correction. And Woodcraft and other retailers, need to know that as a consumer, we are very cost aware. I bought the same thing at Rockler for much less.

[Matt Meiser]

Just happened to me in Toledo a couple hours ago. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that computers have pricing pushed from corporate. I didn't push the issue on the screws I bought, but technically charging the higher price is illegal in Michigan and Ohio as far as I understand. And "refusing" to honor the discount would have been too.Fi

[John Gregory]

Update:

I got an email from Woodcraft. here it is:
First and foremost, we apologize for any inconvenience.
Second, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention so we can learn how to better handle situations such as this.
If you would be so kind as to provide information as to which store it was it would be appreciated. This may not be a systems issue, may be a training issue, or both!
Even if it is a systems issue, we needed to do whatever it takes to make it right at the point of sale, which would include simply giving you the $1.29 for the 10% off, however, I am sure there was a way to make it work in the system. Regardless, we will investigate and use it as a training example, with the intention of being better to service our customers.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience and if you would help us with the requested information it is appreciated.

Gary J. Lombard
Vice President - Retail/Franchise Development
Woodcraft Franchise, LLC
1177 Rosemar Road
P.O. Box 1686
Parkersburg, WV 26102-1686
304-422-5412 ext. 2169
gary_lombard@woodcraft.com

Here is my reply

Thanks Gary,
It is the only store in Utah. Scott was the clerk. And I will still shop at Woodcraft, I like to support local merchants when I can. But of course I have to stretch my hobby dollars as far as I can. So I try to balance things. I don't consider this a bad experience at Woodcraft. Probably just a training issue as you said. I am very appreciative that we have a local Woodcraft store with great people staffing it. No need to send me the $3.87 ( was buying three of them http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo1.gif)
And thanks for supporting woodworking shows. I appreciate that too.

[Neil Brooks]

I think it was very good of you to take the time to write to corporate. Sincerely.

Lots of people come to the WW forums and vent, where [wait for it] we really can't do much about it.

Good effort. Good result. On behalf of ... well ... at least ME ... thanks !

[John Gregory]

Thanks Neil. I really do appreciate having a local woodworking store. And will support it whenever it makes sense for me financially. And I am not going to bicker over pennies. Customer service is important too. So it is about balancing all of the aspects of our hobby.

[John Coloccia]

John, in the Woodcraft I work at part time, I would have simply calculated the 12.99 - 10% and typed it in by hand. It's just a training issue. If it were a high dollar purchase and we really wanted to track it perfectly for some reason, we could simply change the price for the whole store, ring you up, and then change the price back to normal when it's done. Or I could just give you $1.29 out of the register and worry about it later.

Price changes do come in, quite often actually, and they don't always go up, either. We try to go around and at least blacken out all of the prices on changed products while we physically replace all of the tags, but we typically honor whatever it's tagged at if we didn't get to changing it or blackening it out yet unless it's just a mistake or some other bizarre thing. For instance, sometimes the product is labelled with a flat out incorrect tag, and I'm not going to sell you a Sawstop for $1.99 because it happens to have a tag that says "Flashlight" stuck to it :)

[tom gepfrich]

My woodcraft in Jacksonville FL has been really great helping me with price issues. The have given me sale price adjustments on days before and after sale periods. The magical price game is EVERYWHERE and if you don't watch it, you will be taken.

[johnny means]

My local Woodcraft has on more than one occasion unlocked the doors after hours when I was in a pinch. Only a local business can do these types of things. Do you think you could have gone back and got an adjustment when someone who could do it was there? Or were they simply not going to go that extra mile?

[Timothy Wolf]

I called my woodcraft today to see when the rikon 14" bs was going on sale they told me they could honor that price today. The bs is in the back of my van and I am about to have dinner with the family to celebrate at a nice pizza joint. Woodcraft Co springs is great!

[Phil Thien]

Interesting thread.

My perspective is that running a Woodcraft franchise is probably a lot of work.

My Milwaukee-area store is owned by a great couple and staffed by people that are helpful and responsive.

The pricing differences I've run into there were corrected w/o me even mentioning it, so they are obviously sensitive to charging one price when the item is marked with another.

And the reason I really like the place is...

I got a check for my birthday from my mom. It was only like $150. I wanted a DWP611PK and had this check and mentioned I'd get the router as soon as I had a chance to cash the check. So the owner says "just sign-over the check, I'll take it."

Interestingly enough, I had tried to cash the check at MY bank and they refused. Well, they didn't refuse, but they wanted me to deposit the check into my account and then do a separate draw. But my personal account only had $100 because my daughter's tuition check had just cleared. So the lady said I couldn't use that account. So the bank told me to deposit my birthday check into my business account and take a draw on that. Which I didn't want to do.

So I told them to transfer money from the business account to the personal account, and then cash the check against the personal account. But again, she refused and said the funds wouldn't be available immediately. I didn't understand why not, I think she was just giving me a hard time. But I got pretty upset, picked up the check, and walked out.

So I was pretty happy when my Woodcraft said "we'll take that check."

[Kevin W Johnson]

Phil, sounds like time for a new bank..... Banks just don't get the idea that they need you more than you need them, as there's always another bank on the next corner. If you've had an account there for any length of time, service like that is just uncalled for.

The one and only time I've ever bounced a check, my bank payed it anyway. Your account history should be considered when making descisions on small amounts like that.

[Kevin W Johnson]

John,

I've noticed recently that the prices seem to be getting out of hand at Woodcraft, at least on certain things. I simply can't justify buying pen kits there as their prices on those are out of this world nowadays, unless I just need one in a pinch.

Example, the Sierra Elegant Beauty Black Titanium™ and Titanium Gold pen kit at Woodcraft is $21.50, Berea sells it for $11.00.

It bothers me, because I'd rather support them and support local employees, but I too must watch my pennies. I'm willing to pay a small premium for the one on one service, advice, and convenience, but certainly not double the price. The guys at the Roanoke, Va. are great to deal with, and it being a corporate store, the selection is usually really good. I hope it's a short lived thing, and they get back to reality. I'm sure they've seen lower revenues with the economy as it is, but cranking up prices will only make it worse.

[Nicholas Carey]

I went to my local woodcraft last Sunday to buy some blast gates, my wife had a 10% off birthday discount for February. I check the online prices on Saturday and the 4" aluminum were $12.99 each. In the store they rang up at $13.69, even though they were marked at $12.99. The clerk made the adjustment, then we paid for the purchase. BUT before leaving we noticed that the birthday discount was not taken off the blast gates. The computer considered the price adjustment a discount and would not allow a "double" discount. The clerk could not over ride the system. So we returned the blast gates and I bought them for less with free shipping and no sales tax from Rockler. I try to support local merchants, but I have to watch my pennies too. Woodworking is a costly hobby, as you all know.

My point in this post is that consumers need to double check the pricing they get and merchants need to have systems to correct computer short comings. The product in the store was marked $12.99 and we did have a valid 10% discount.

Just sayin'
Some states...Michigan for instance IIRC, items are required to be unit priced — each item must be individually marked with the price — and the lower of that marked price and the cash register price is the legal sale price. The point of the exercise was to render this sort of ad-hoc price adjustment a crime.

You're allowed to put it on sale, it if you want to jack the price, you'e got to restamp your entire inventory.

[Ray Newman]

The wag sez:
"Things ain't expensive today; it's your money that's worthless"

[Matt Meiser]

Some states...Michigan for instance IIRC, items are required to be unit priced — each item must be individually marked with the price — and the lower of that marked price and the cash register price is the legal sale price.

Not any more on the unit pricing. Most were ignoring the law anyway. But the lower price still has to be honored. And I think theres a loophole if the sign lists an expiration date.

My parents claim Meijer is a huge offender on computer "mistakes" to the point my dad started cross referencing the ad to the receipt whenever my mom got home and she'd get a nice penalty refund each visit. Then Super Walmart opened and she started going there.

[Jerome Hanby]

I've had similar service at the Birmingham store. I've been in more than once to pick up something, asked if the sale was still in effect, and been given the sale price even though the sale had ended. Jay at that store is the MAN!!! (the other folks there are pretty good too <g>)


I called my woodcraft today to see when the rikon 14" bs was going on sale they told me they could honor that price today. The bs is in the back of my van and I am about to have dinner with the family to celebrate at a nice pizza joint. Woodcraft Co springs is great!

[Phil Thien]

Phil, sounds like time for a new bank..... Banks just don't get the idea that they need you more than you need them, as there's always another bank on the next corner. If you've had an account there for any length of time, service like that is just uncalled for.

The one and only time I've ever bounced a check, my bank payed it anyway. Your account history should be considered when making descisions on small amounts like that.

I know, but it is such a PITA to move an account these days.

And no guarantee a new bank would be any better. Sometimes you have a great relationship with a banker only to find them leave or retire and then you're saddled with an idiot replacement. Been there, done that.

[Paul Johnstone]

So the Rockler price internet is 11.99.. not that much of a difference, IMO, considering you already drove out there.

[John Gregory]

So the Rockler price internet is 11.99.. not that much of a difference, IMO, considering you already drove out there.

It really wasn't the pennies saved ( I was buying more than one). It was the fact the store did not have a mechanism to to meet their obligation of honoring the marked price AND the birthday discount. They did lower the price from $13.69 to the marked 12.99, but could not apply the discount to the adjusted price. If the sales person helping me had the power and the knowledge to make the adjustment he would have. He might have had the power to correct the error, but not the training and know how to do so. It just isn't right for me to pay more than I should pay. Woodcraft is a great store with great employees.

[Marty Paulus]

I've had similar service at the Birmingham store. I've been in more than once to pick up something, asked if the sale was still in effect, and been given the sale price even though the sale had ended. Jay at that store is the MAN!!! (the other folks there are pretty good too )Interesting since I was in my local woodcraft to get a waterstone and flattening stone. I commented that I saw the flattening stone on sale in a fliers. It rang up full price and the lady helping me stopped and said she would check. Sure enough it was in the fliers. Only trouble was it was next weeks fliers. No offer was given to honor the sale price. Now since this store is on my secondary route home it will be no big deal to stop back in next week. However it would have been nice to have that stone last weekend while working on some planes and chisels I am trying to rehabilitate.

[Kevin W Johnson]

Interesting since I was in my local woodcraft to get a waterstone and flattening stone. I commented that I saw the flattening stone on sale in a fliers. It rang up full price and the lady helping me stopped and said she would check. Sure enough it was in the fliers. Only trouble was it was next weeks fliers. No offer was given to honor the sale price. Now since this store is on my secondary route home it will be no big deal to stop back in next week. However it would have been nice to have that stone last weekend while working on some planes and chisels I am trying to rehabilitate.

I'm not quite sure where the leeway lies. When I bought my Rikon lathe it was in the black friday ad that year, and they sold it to me early at the black friday price. This past year, they remarked that they couldn't honor the black friday price til black friday. Same store, just one year apart.

I'm sure that part of the leeway is in the individual owner of a franchise, but if Woodcraft sets prices, there may be some mechanism for price enforcement.

[Neil Brooks]

Phil:

Just bank with your local Woodcraft. Seems they treat you right :)