Wood Craft Store

Hi Raymond:
I have to agree with you on the prices being high. My main complaint with my local Woodcraft here in Chandler AZ. is the fact that they are always out of stock on certain items. I was there last week for a spacific item and was told that it was out of stock and they could order it for me if I wanted. Well, if I wanted to order it I would do so via the internet. I never drive there without calling first to see if it is in stock. I guess they do not keep current on the cost of gasoline. I really try to avoid them as much as possible.

-- TheOldTimer,Chandler Arizona

Ditto on the oldtimer. My WC does the same thing and explains that it it to save them shipping charges (they only order when they can get a FULL truck and discount shipping). If I ordered online, I have NO 40 mile round trip and have it in less than a week. Twice I waited over a month and had to finally cancel the in-store purchase because I could wait no longer (ended up buying something in-stock). Now I look at things in WC and order from non-WC companies out-of-state and save BOTH on sale tax and shipping (if I time it right).

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Ray you may be correct but in reality anytime you go to a store as opposed to buying online its going to be more expensive.

I have ordered stuff from Woodcraft online because it was cheaper then going into the store, however there are times I want to walk in and see the item, ask the staff a question and not wait for the shipping.

There are a lot of items there that I feel are fare priced then there are others that I feel are too expensive. The Woodcraft here also has items on clearance and I have found some nice items for cheap.

It also depends on what you are looking for. I really like having a local woodcraft store especially for the tools that I cant get at any other local store.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Times have been tough on many woodworking oriented retailers so they don’t stock as much any more.

I have experienced the same “no stock” many times over.

Ray,
It really depends on the item. I find in some cases they are are more expensive and in some cases similar to others.

While I do order a lot of stuff online I try to spend a fair amount of my money at the local WC store. I am paying a little more but I don’t have to wait (or pay the extra express shipping fees or overweight fees for heavy items), they stock lumber / turning stock (better than buying at the big box stores, and they carry unique stock), they have educated staff that are more than willing to answer questions (most are woodworkers themselves and they offer a lot of hands on courses as well as they support the local woodworking / turning groups), I prefer to see some items before I purchase them (which they are always willing to show) and they do offer a frequent number of sales and specials (which provide a even greater than online discount in some cases).

As for stock, I would not anticipate any small business carrying everything that was in the catalog as the cost would be high. I have found that the local WC stocks up on most sale items prior to those sales to ensure they have stock on hand and they are always willing to order it if necessary as no extra charge. When they do order things it may take a little bit but they have always been open and up front on any lengthy delays (I have even had them recommend I order from their online sight if the delays were going to be extreme).

I realize some areas are lucky enough to have multiple places that provide these types of services but for those of us who are not so lucky my local WC store fill a large void. I realize that my willingness to spend a few extra dollars for these services may be shared by all or any but that is just me. I do not feel I am getting gouged nor being treated unfairly.

I have always found them to be open and upfront in all my dealings with them..

Just my 2 cents worth….

-- Troy, Virginia

I have so little resources in the area that I’d pay top dollar at Woodcraft. I have poor delay of gratification and hate ordering online, although I’m forced to now. I find that there’s always some little trinket in their aisles that will catch my eye & I can’t leave without it. However, I’d never buy a 20” Powermatic planer from them. I guess you could take this as a very mild defense of Woodcraft prices :)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Well I am glad its not just me. I liked the store, I just can not justify paying for items I can get at Homedepot or Menards or Harbor Freight for that matter at a fraction of the price. I was looking at brass set up blocks. 17.99 at Wood Craft. They had a good selection of exotic woods. Again more than I was willing to spend. I guess what gets me is my wife was with me and she was going to purchase a few things for me. Clamps, those set up blocks and a couple of other items maybe a few pieces of wood.. If I han’t been there she would have really gotten taken advantage of. I don’t mind people making a living. They just really should not take advantage of people. We ended up at Harbor Freight for clamps and other assorted goodies. And at Menards I was able to get 12” long pieces of solid brass stock in 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 for less than 17.99 and I just cut them to the lengths I needed. And a couple pieces of Mahagony and Oak. Ended up spending much less and left us enough for dinner at the Golden Coral.

-- Ray

For me it’s Lowe’s, Home Depot, or online. I’m struggling here in the woods of WV :)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

I like to go into Woodcraft to look around. That’s usually it though, unless I pick up a bottle of glue or something like that. I always wait for the free shipping promo and order through their web site.
- JJ

Ray, I agree that Woodcraft is really expensive when it comes to the exotic lumber. I would never buy that lumber for that price. I usually get my exotic lumber off ebay for a fraction of what they charge.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Do tell, Dan! I’ve never searched for lumber on Ebay (because I’m distracted by planes, probably). How does that usually work out with shipping and have you been happy?

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

My local WC pretty much stocks everything. I make a shopping list from the catalog and for the most part its usually always in stock when I get there. Once in a while I have to order it. More often than not its out of stock online but I’ll find it in the store. Like any place you shop there are always deals or better prices somewhere else. If an item is outrageously marked up I’ll wait and get it somewhere else. If its only a matter of a few dollars I don’t let it rent space in my head. I’m already there, don’t want to burn up gas going across town, or waste the time. They do have some really good sales and specials almost all the time which to me counters the few extra dollars they may charge compared to the box stores. :-)

Different Dan, but I’ve bought lumber on ebay. $$ are usually cheap, but you don’t usually get a deal on shipping.

I like walking into woodcraft because I tend to learn something every time I go in, but restrict my purchases to things that are on sale. I’ve gotten about 4 gift cards from there lately and end up buying things like.. router spacers, clamps, glue, router bits, finishes, etc. If you can wait for the sales, it usually pays off.

-- Dan, Rochester, NY

I to have orderd wood on line and it worked out very well.

-- Ray

I do like the store and the staff are friendly. Just probably will not spend much there.

-- Ray