DFerguson777
Member
Is it just me or is WoodCraft making some killer profits! My local store started carrying coffee been blanks and is charging 15-16 bucks EACH!!!!! YIKES!!!!
-Denny-
NC
-Denny-
NC
Woodcraft
- Thread starter DFerguson777
- Start date
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Karin Voorhis
Member
Not sure that individual woodcraft owners are the real ones making the profit with these blanks. my guess is that the middle man is the one making the profit.
corian king
Member
My local woodcraft did the same thing.But if you notice when penn state first started stocking them a short time back they were 9.95 now they have gone up to 14.95.Looks like everyone is trying to make a killing on these blanks now.
Seer
Member
Rockler has them for $8.99 each
RichB
Member
As you notice the more people get into pen turning the price of everything goes up.
JimB
Member
Like anything else, you need to shop around to find a good price.
DFerguson777
Member
I didn't buy any. I could buy from you guys/gals. I hope to make my own. It just kills me to see such inflated prices.....everything has gone up....during a "recession" also........ ERRRRRRR
-Denny-
NC
-Denny-
NC
Rick_G
Member
William woodwrite still has them at 9.95 Cdn.
http://www.penblanks.ca/product.php?productid=3401&cat=0&page=1
http://www.penblanks.ca/product.php?productid=3401&cat=0&page=1
beck3906
Member
Woodcraft, and others, are buying their blanks from IAP's own El Mostro. Watch for any postings he may have to get them directly from the source.
bitshird
Member
El Mostro Eugene makes some very nice ones, and he's a member here. But it is fun to make your own, If you have the time and equipment.
Texatdurango
Member
Nothing new with that! Woodcraft is your typical "small box" retailer who thinks they have to mark up everything 40% to 60% so when they have sales where you save 30%, their prices are almost reasonable.
There is a difference between mark up and profit.
Grizz
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 917
I liked my local Woodcraft and the guys there when I was in Ohio. But in my mind, woodcraft is not the place to buy wood. (unless it is really on sale or just a gorgeous piece of wood you can't pass up.)
The local mill guys I have found is the best place for wood quality and prices. And of course I try to keep my eye on the stuff up for sale here at IAP.
The local mill guys I have found is the best place for wood quality and prices. And of course I try to keep my eye on the stuff up for sale here at IAP.
Bree
Member
The way I look at it, they can and should charge as much as they possibly can... just as pen makers ought to be doing exactly the same thing. Now if they charge more than their customers are willing to pay, they won't sell any and they have to rethink their pricing.
When I go into Woodcraft, I am always wheeling and dealing and often... but not always... they deal right along with me. I guess the same goes with Rockler and anyone else I regularly buy from. If they don't want to deal, I might just go somewhere where they will deal.
We each have our self interest... my wood stores and I try to strike a happy balance. But they know that if there is a hot piece of wood... I will grab it despite a high price no questions asked. And I do that because I know that someone else will grab it at the premium price while I am trying to deal down the price. That's the way the market works.
One last point to make is... if they gave the greatest prices all the time, you wouldn't be buying from them for long, since they would quickly go bankrupt. Costs $$$ to be in business and pay the bills. And the object of being in business is to make $$$ not give the $$$ to the people.
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
When I go into Woodcraft, I am always wheeling and dealing and often... but not always... they deal right along with me. I guess the same goes with Rockler and anyone else I regularly buy from. If they don't want to deal, I might just go somewhere where they will deal.
We each have our self interest... my wood stores and I try to strike a happy balance. But they know that if there is a hot piece of wood... I will grab it despite a high price no questions asked. And I do that because I know that someone else will grab it at the premium price while I am trying to deal down the price. That's the way the market works.
One last point to make is... if they gave the greatest prices all the time, you wouldn't be buying from them for long, since they would quickly go bankrupt. Costs $$$ to be in business and pay the bills. And the object of being in business is to make $$$ not give the $$$ to the people.
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
When I have compared identical items at Woodcraft vs the big box guys, I have found the prices pretty much the same with only minor variation. What I see at Woodcraft however is stuff that the big box guys will never carry because the market for lathes and other exotic stuff is too small for them, so it is in my interest to keep Woodcraft around, if I want walk into my local store and actually get my hands on something before buying it. Thus, I tend to buy most stuff at Woodcraft, and only the cheap stuff that I don't plan on using for years at the Lowes/Home Depot/Harbor Freight type stores.
As for the Coffee Bean blanks, Woodcraft buys them from Berea, and failed to set up a volume discount with them, so has to have some markup over the Berea retail prices. Where Berea gets them, I have no idea. While Coffee Bean blanks are popular here on IAP, we are a minority of the penturning community, so Woodcraft may not have been willing to commit to the volume necessary to secure the big discount until they see how they sell.
As for the Coffee Bean blanks, Woodcraft buys them from Berea, and failed to set up a volume discount with them, so has to have some markup over the Berea retail prices. Where Berea gets them, I have no idea. While Coffee Bean blanks are popular here on IAP, we are a minority of the penturning community, so Woodcraft may not have been willing to commit to the volume necessary to secure the big discount until they see how they sell.
jleiwig
Member
For me it's a matter of convenience. I can buy it right then and there instead of waiting, and I can also see exactly which blank I'm getting. I can also run down to the store if there is a problem with a fitting or a plating and exchange it for a better one when I'm rushing to get an order finished. Convenience is worth a buck or two more in my mind.
However I will say that 9 times out of 10, woodcraft is only a buck or two more. I'm guessing that most everyone will raise their prices to match.
However I will say that 9 times out of 10, woodcraft is only a buck or two more. I'm guessing that most everyone will raise their prices to match.
JerrySambrook
Member
I think it is ironic that we complain about the price of a limited production item like the blanks in question, and what someone charges us for them.
But on the other hand, we use these products to create pens, which people can go to Wallmart/Office Depot/Staples to buy 10 for $1.95, and we have the gaul to charge $xx.xx each for something that has the same MECHANICAL value.
I figure if I cannot make it myself reasonably, then I am at the mercy of the retailer.
There is an issue with how Woodcraft Corporate does purchase many items like this however. The employees for the store I now demo for and teach at have stated that corporate did not do a job at all of volume buying on the pen items, and pay what we pay from Berea. They also get sent items from corporate without ordering, and have boxes on the shelves in the back room of un-moving items because they are supposed to carry what they are told, to a point. They do have options on some of the items that they carry, such as some of the perrishables, etc.
Once again, just my .02
Jerry
But on the other hand, we use these products to create pens, which people can go to Wallmart/Office Depot/Staples to buy 10 for $1.95, and we have the gaul to charge $xx.xx each for something that has the same MECHANICAL value.
I figure if I cannot make it myself reasonably, then I am at the mercy of the retailer.
There is an issue with how Woodcraft Corporate does purchase many items like this however. The employees for the store I now demo for and teach at have stated that corporate did not do a job at all of volume buying on the pen items, and pay what we pay from Berea. They also get sent items from corporate without ordering, and have boxes on the shelves in the back room of un-moving items because they are supposed to carry what they are told, to a point. They do have options on some of the items that they carry, such as some of the perrishables, etc.
Once again, just my .02
Jerry
Jgrden
Member
Denny. I had to stop buying there. They are very expensive. Glue went from 9.99 to 11.99 in a small bottle. I did buy a lathe by combining as many coupons, specials and what ever, to get the cost down. I only buy when I absolutely need to, such as when a customer need an emergency order.
Jgrden
Member
Their employees and the manager are absolutely fantastic people, however, and they draw me back when I need things.
nava1uni
Member
I really like the Woodcraft in my area. It is owned by a really nice guy and all of the people who work there are really helpful and knowledgeable. They informed me that their profit is very little and when they have blanks on sale advertised on the website that they don't get to buy them for less, but still have to sell them at the sale price, sometimes at a loss. It is the only store of it's kind in for many miles and there are no mills or such like you have in the midwest or south. I agree with Bree that businesses have to charge enough to stay in business or they will go bankrupt.
Russell Eaton
Member
I have spent alot of money at the local Woodcraft, and will keep doing business there. They are a gracious host to the Local Chapter meetings in the Atlanta area. They even give a discount at the store on the days of our meetings. I guess we are lucky to have one this close. They even let us use the classroom lathes if we need them for a demo. They are a good bunch of people and we need to help them out when we can. Russell