Creative Woodworks & crafts 1999-01, страница 28

The best of both worlds?

I'll bet that you and I are a lot alike in that we buy our equipment and supplies where we think we will get the best deal. But what exactly is the best deal—is it simply the cheapest pricc? What about after-sale service? Hopefully, it's a combination of both.

No mailer what piece of equipment I. need, I usually find myself combing through every catalog, making pricc and description comparisons, then hitting the road chocking every possible source within a 50 mile radius. By golly, whatever the cost, I'm going to gel the BEST deal possible! However, what seems to be the besl deal sometimes isn't. Here's an example:

j§ Ode to my shop vac | My Scars 16 gallon shop vac is more than 12 years old and has been screaming for the last six months. Alice and 1 only use it for an hour or two every day, so we've been putting up with the noise. The motor cover is held on with duct tape I and I had to buy a better pair of ear protectors in an effort to I allay my hearing loss. Besides the obvious need, we really fif wanted something more quiet so it would be easier to con-p verse at the saw while doing demonstrations or conducting II classes.

We checked every source at our disposal and settled for a I well-advertised European "quiet" machine for under $500.

Fortunately, one was available from a local store which is part of a national discount chain, which meant that we were able to plug il in and try it out firsthand before the purchase. It met our expectations on site, but six months later (exactly one day after the warranty expired) and with less than 12 hours on the motor, it burned out.

The store clerk said that it was a shame and that the manufacturer's information was probably in the owner's manual, and then he wished us 'Best of luck!"

Eventually, we got the thing packed and then shipped to an authorized repair center. They replaced the motor and returned it within two weeks. It was great sendee, but the new motor is as loud as the one it was meant to replace.

I guess this great deal turned out to be not so great after all. 'The point is—even though local tool suppliers are sometimes more expensive, in many instances, the better service they offer more than compensates for the price difference.

Many local suppliers will fix problems, such as the one described, right at their store. Some may even offer you a loancr until your problem is resolved, so you won't lose valuable shop time waiting for your equipment to be repaired. Finding such a supplier, and patronizing them, will definitely pay future dividends. Such shops will usually go oul of their way to make a customer happy and I don't think you can put a price on that.

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