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Apology from Work Sharp

4K views 23 replies 22 participants last post by  ellen35 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Dear Woodworking Community,

Work Sharp would like to extend our apologies for any confusion or frustration we created this week with our promotional e-blast offer.

The promotional offer was turned off yesterday, October 13. A new offer was sent to the same subscribers offering a 20% manufacturers rebate good on all Work Sharp purchases at any of our dealer locations. This new offer is valid through the end of October and available to our registered users on worksharptools.com. Our goal is to restore your faith in us and support our business relationship with our retail partners.

We made a mistake by sending an e-blast to our customers encouraging them to visit our new website and take advantage of a promotional offer. We are excited about our new website and how it will serve our customers, but we let this excitement get the best of us. We recognize this was a lapse in good judgment, and did not properly consider the impact this would have on you, our business and our retail partners. We made a mistake with this offer, and ask you to accept our apology.

We apologize for the irritation and frustration this may have caused you. We know that we made a mistake and our relationship with you, our customer is most important to us. We recognize that the e-blast offer and retraction was a step in the wrong direction. We are working to make it right, and humbly ask that you accept our apologies for this error.

Respectfully,

The Work Sharp Team
 
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#2 ·
I have been eyeing a WS3000 for a while… I was going to jump yesterday, but got the dreaded "not a valid code" pop up. To say I was upset would be putting it lightly. This was a bait and switch maneuver your company pulled and is complete BS. I'm pretty sure the BBB would love to hear about it.
 
#3 ·
I have a WS 3000. Even at full price its cheap considering what it does and how well and fast it works. Everyone screws up. I don't believe there was ever any intent at deception here, just a mistake. I really don't see what the big deal is.
 
#4 ·
I can see why the distributors who carry Worksharp would be really annoyed that Worksharp was offering a 50% off to people that bought directly from them. These things are usually written against in contracts to not allow "buy direct from the dealer" sales. It cuts out the retail stores that go to all the trouble of paying for store space to sell such items. Retracting the offer on these grounds makes sense.
 
#5 ·
Full price isn't cheap to some people. I have about $60 a month in disposable income to spend on new tools etc… So at $250 it will take me almost 5 months to save that up. For those that can spend that kind of money and not have to worry how your going to pay the bills I guess it isn't that expensive, but it's hard for me to justify spending that much money on a tool which only makes something I can already do easier and faster. At $125 I will jump on it, at $250 I will hold off until I can find a planer which is also on my wish list. So maybe I am getting a bit worked up, but you can probably see my frustration. I am still pissed I missed out on the $20 mis-price Sears did of the Worksharp about a year ago.
 
#6 ·
Yes, the 50% off fiasco is pretty disappointing but. I am a wee bit happy to see a post here explaining it. I bought a WS 2000 when it came out and soon discovered that it wasn't really what I needed. I am very disappointed that its limitations were not explained well enough as they are now in the FAQ on your website. If the differences between 2000 and 3000 were apparent, I would have sprung for the 3000 and we would both be happier.

I hope my fellow LSs are not offended by my comment. My direct feedback to this company wasn't acknowledged/answered and I do want them to be aware of such issues.
 
#7 ·
Thank you for your comment Praki. This is one of many reasons we chose to create a new website.
Feedback such as yours was indeed heard and incorporated into our new site. Our new site is not perfect, but we continue to work hard to improve it. Please know that we have an upgrade program where you can trade in your WS2000 for a WS3000 for a modest cost. Call one of our customer service reps to learn more: 800-597-6170
 
#8 ·
I am glad that they acknowledged they made a mistake and are trying to do something to resolve it. Many companies would have listed the item as SOLD OUT and not take additional orders.

With that said, I am disappointed I was not able to purchase a WS3000 for $125.
-Jeremy
 
#9 ·
I think that its a great thing that they do make this apology infront of so many
potentionly custommers , how many times have you realy seen that , not many

and my 2 cent for what there are worth to you
I say take it and let the other thing be we can all make mistakes and you know it

Dennisa
 
#11 ·
It hurts to have to write these letters ;-)

The only thing that hurts more, though, is NOT getting out ahead of the issue, taking responsibility for it, and apologizing to your customers, when you DO screw up.

In truth, I know almost zero details about this story, but am usually heartened when I see a company take responsibility like this.

So many don't.

One happy customer gets you two.
One unhappy customer … costs you 20.
 
#12 ·
You've impressed me as a stand up company… I understand how enthusiasm some times out paces common sense… I promise I will look seriously at your product(s) when I'm looking for sharpening equipment. Thanks for your sincerity…
 
#13 ·
I just talked with a CSR Spokesperson at Worksharp.Their modest cost to upgrade from a 2000 to a 3000 is 100 dollars, which ain't to bad but ain't too modest either as I told the CSR spokesperson on the phone. However, she did say she would through in an extra plate, a 31 dollar value if I decided to upgrade. Does this sound like a deal to you guys? Not bad as far as I'm concerned. mike
 
#16 ·
I have much respect for the Work Sharp folks and while I am ignorant of the issue, I agree with Neil and Dennis that seeing a company buck up, take responsibility and publicly apologize is admirable. I have had the WS 3000 for about 6 months now and I couldn't be happier with the product. Good technology has a price tag on it. But I think the price reasonable for the end result of what this product does.

David
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Class act by Work Sharp on the apology. I think.

The original screw up? Wow. Channel conflict has been the number one concern for retail brands since the dawn of the Internet; I'm amazed that it wasn't on the radar at corporate. (Either that, or they just sold more than they expected and it ate into profits, in which case the apology isn't a good thing. I'll give the benefit of the doubt though…)

Hard to tell either way. Overall I'm left with a slightly positive impression, but I'll keep my eyes on them.

I once ran a free offer on a website which had a little over 500 customers. We received over 4000 requests for the free item-nearly all from people who we new couldn't even physically use the product. Shipped every single one.
 
#18 ·
I have both the WS2000 and the WS3000. And every accessory they make for both machines. I use the 2000 strictly for the leather stropping wheel, and the 3000 for everything else. Both machines have worked extremely well for me, sharpening my carving and turning tools, my chisels, and my plane irons. The turning tools are roughed on a grinding wheel with the Wolverine jig and then finished to mirror sheen on the WS using the view through method. And there is simply nothing better on the market for sharpening plane irons. I agree with CiscoKid up above, the finish the WS puts on my blades is almost frightening and one hell of a lot faster and easier than the scary sharp method, and a lot less messy and expensive than the wet sharpening systems. I would, and do, recommend the WS system to any woodworker, especially turners - even at full price.

The fact that the company has the class to apologize and then make things right is example to other tool makers.
 
#21 ·
hey Stumpy,
I like your worksharp arrangement and have been using an MDF disk on my lathe and hi-speed bench grinder for my final sharpening process. My worksharp is still in the box and I look forward to copying your "upgrades" as well as mdf assortment to substitute the sandpaper. Thanks for taking the time to create and share the videos!!!

john
 
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