I just got word that my favorite supplier has closed his doors for good.
Now, I was slow to get the word, as I have just relocated across the country; I didn’t realize how critical my business was to him!
Seriously, though … a local tool shop is a godsend, and the folks there really knew their stuff. When I was starting out, they were generous in granting me credit – and that made a huge difference. Maybe not financially – my largest monthly tab was well under $500 – but it sure felt good to know someone had faith in me.
So, it looks like I’ll be doing a lot more internet shopping. Or, buying tools from supply houses. Forget the box stores; it’s been a long time since they had anything in their tool corners that appealed to me.
So, Bay Tool … Mike and Bob and everyone else … I bid you adieu, and pray that prosperity follows soon!
Replies
I know the feeling. Been doing business in this area for near 38 yrs. Saw a few that I started with close shop. It was sad.......and disappointing too. Dealing with them was such a pleasure. Fly by nite operations don't leave such an impact.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Isn't that true. When I was starting out, I wouldn't buy a tool until long after I needed it. I was always worried about buying a "one-and-done" tool.
I was at a shop looking things over, trying to decide between a couple of hammer drills. "Take them both home and try them for a few days" came from the other side of the counter.
No driver's license photocopy request, no nothing. Just "take them home".
I dropped a little over $14k at that place over the next decade, and I had to drive well out of my way each time to do so.
I've told this b/4 about my tool supplier, thankfully still in biz.
There is never a time I'm w/o a usable tool. And it's not from buying another one when one goes down.
If they can't fix it when I bring it in, they give me something to use until they can get it going. And usually not some old "loaner". Been known to open a box and give me a new one. I treat it as such and bring it back clean, but for them to do it in the first place instead of offering a replacement for sale is unheard of. Their treatment is the best!A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
That is tough to beat!!
I got offered a loaner once.
Tool shop: " Here use this one till we get yours repaired" Me: "Sure and Thank You that will be great." Got a rental invoice in the mail end of the month.
Life is Good
What I'm talking about is even beyond old school.
They told me once when I commented on the righteous treatment they gave me that what goes around comes around. I recommend them, I pay my bill and I take care of the mother once in a while.
All I could respond with was that when I signed up with them in 72 the father asked if I wanted an account and when I said sure.......he asked if I would pay on time.-Yup. Ok, you have an account.
And on recommending them-who wouldn't.
As far as helping out the mother-heck, with the above-who wouldn't.
I've "rented" a flooring nailer from them. That consisted of buying the staples. They borrowed me the tool.
Electric Tool and Equipment-Maumee, Oh-AnnArbor, Mi.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
My first LY was like that . Part of a chain out here (Copeland Lumber) , no longer in existence. The managers had huge discretion in credit policy. Ended up remodeling the mangers house years after I started doing business with them.
Great guy.
Life is Good
As I think back (and that's getting to be a stretch), every account I opened when I started was just about the same. They looked me in the eye and made their decision.
There was no credit app.
Admittedly I had till that pt paid in cash for every transaction. Had probably been doing business with them maybe a year.
But it was unspoken that if they extended credit, I agreed on my word that I would pay on time.
It's gone full circle. Now, if a supplier I had dealt with is gobbled up by someone else they want a new credit app filled out. Doesn't mean diddly that the same people are there on the floor. Sure they know my credit history.
Just policy sir.
Yeah right. Goes from a look in the eye to just policy. I realize the times have changed and all that. But lets not divorce the human element. Remember, I've been doing business with the prior co. for 20 or more yrs.
Human element?
How could I be so naive.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Same situation here.
Businesses I have dealt with for 40 years are, within the last 5 , refusing credit sales without new credit apps.
I just shrug and write them a check. Pizz on em. Doesn't suit me & Ain't worth my time.
Life is Good
Ouch!
Yep. One guess who's door I never opened again.
I don't like the "Shame on Me" in that old saying.
Life is Good
Hey dovetail
You ever go into Garrigus? Lumbermans before they remodeled. I think there was a branch in Sherwood too.
Trying to think of the old mans name. I remember going in there in the 60's w/my dad.
Yep.
Garrigus in Mac. One of the first charge accounts my then partners and I had. IIRC old man Garrigus was still alive and involved when I started going there. I have a "yard stick" with the Garrigus name/logo on it floating around here somewhere.
Then Willamette Industries bought it out , then came Lumbermens, now Pro-Build.
Any time I get grief when I am in there from one of the "kids" who work there I just look at them and tell them I have been buying from that yard longer than the current manager (who has been there probably 32 yrs. or so) has been working there, usually puts a stop to any harassment about loading my own truck or needing to be "watched" Copelands had a yard in Sheridan that was my "go to yard" because all our work was at that end of the valley, but when I moved to mac I started doing more business in town here. Copeland is long gone now though. MBA's did that company in with their book learned marketing and control of the local yards. Changed from letting local managers having the autonomy to make decisions to one of follow this policy and stock these items only.
Life is Good
I miss Copeland, they were a good business. Had a few yards up in Portland. Fortunately there's a couple of really great small yards here that can get pretty much everything I need. And if not there's always Parr, but I kind of have a love-hate relationship with them, but without the love.And as to the OP point about the toolshop closing, I also am dreading the day that my local toolshop here closes. I've only been doing business with them for 9 or 10 years, but it's like family. I buy all my tools through them, and they always give me employee pricing or better even though I continually tell them I'll pay full price. I've got the money coming in to do so, and they need to stay in business. Last time I went in I asked the owner how things were going, and he said not so great.
The amazing and wonderful thing is he won't lay off any of the 8 or so guys working there even though it would save them a bunch of money. I don't know what I'd do if they went under. Whenever I want to buy a tool they send me out the door with it and say "use it on this job, if you don't like it bring it back" Of course they know that once I've used a new tool I never bring it back, it just goes into the arsenal.So I feel for you. It isn't just an "oh, well" moment, it's a real blow for that to happen!
http://www.pauljohnsoncarpentry.com
The old Copeland was a great chain, things changed after the grandaughter and her husband took over. They had yards in every small town across this area it seemed, even stretched down to NM and AZ.. The company founder had a lumber yard in Iowa before moving out to Oregon sometime about 1906 or so . Started the chain out here in 1913.
It went down hill steadily , selling off yards , losing business to competitors because of the new policies the last generation put in place.
Sorry to see them go , I knew a couple of their managers as friends. Still see and visit with one who ended up his working career at the Lumbermans (now Pro-Build) chain here in town. One of the best "take off" men I have worked with. Whats the name of the tool store?
I don't get to Portland often , but tool stores are always worth a visit.
Life is Good
The store is Chas H. Day co.Bosch is their bread and butter stuff. They've pretty much got every Bosch tool in stock there.
They just picked up the Max line of nailers. They've got a bunch of Milwaukie tools as well. A lot of the larger Makita tools, Fein, Metabo, some of the ok Porter Cable stuff, Stabila. And then bunch of the more industrial tool companies. A lot of high quality air tools for things I've never even dreamed of. And they work on any tool you could ever throw at them. They just sit at their desks working all day and then one of them will come over and help you when you come in to buy something or drop something off.I definitely felt intimidated the first time I went in there (but that's cause I was a babe in the woods), but they're pretty much like family once you talk to any one of them. If you're ever in Portland for a day you should make it a point just to drop in and check it out.Paul
http://www.pauljohnsoncarpentry.com
Thanks for the tip.
I will google them up and get an address and file it in my business card file.
Life is Good
That is nice. Good goes both ways.