eschoendorff
Well-known member
+1kartracer55 said:
I just wouldn't make much sense to do it any other way...
SK Wrenches...opinions?
- Thread starter bmwpower
- Start date
I just wouldn't make much sense to do it any other way...dink
Well-known member
kartracer55 said:
Yes I am in the business.....as a sales rep I try to get people to go direct with my manufacturers instead of them dealing with someone else.....such as a wholesaler or a large distributors....and yes at the same time I sell to distributors and wholesalers
Many of my customers love that I have switched them over from a distributor to going direct....they have more control over there inventory....and they can bypass that middle man
This is very helpful as using this circumstance as an example
GT350RC
Well-known member
dink said:
Well, the main reason is that I can't afford to stock 16,000 different tools - I'm not in the warehouse business - that's what the wholesaler's for and they don't want to deal with the public.
I'm a distributor, or retailer - there are many of us out there - including the brick and mortar type. I just don't have any overhead, and that's how I can afford to offer such low prices.
Bottom line - I've been in this tool business for just over two months, and have over 100 orders. This is only the second (and third) RMA numbers I've had to issue. The first one was for an cordless LED light that the customer thought wasn't bright enough. 99% of my customers appreciate my customer service. And I'm laying it all on the line here in this public forum: This can make me or break me (at least for folks that visit here).
So, I know there are a few others that have placed orders from GJ, and I think are very happy with what they received. That's what I strive for - to give folks a good deal, good service, and make a buck while doing it.
dink
Well-known member
Oh I wouldnt degrade your business in any way possible....seems like your bending over backwards and then some for this situation and that is awesome customer service.....hopefully your business grows fast enough and prospers that you will find that going directly to manufacturers will benefit you alot more
l_bilyk
Well-known member
So did the new wrenches come in?
GT350RC
Well-known member
From where I stand, the suspense is nearly unbearable.
Luckydevil
Well-known member
GT350RC said:
I imagine this set will be fine. I have to commend you on the way you handled this though John. I won't have any reservations about placing an order with you in the future. Good customer service is hard to find these days.
GT350RC
Well-known member
Luckydevil said:
Well, once again, the proof is is the pudding. The only way I'll be happy, is if bmwpower comes back and does not say one bad thing about this set. Until then... we wait.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
+1Luckydevil said:I imagine this set will be fine. I have to commend you on the way you handled this though John. I won't have any reservations about placing an order with you in the future. Good customer service is hard to find these days.
GT350RC
Well-known member
Well, they were delivered at 2:24pm EST today - maybe no news is good news.
Fast Orange
Well-known member
John-
I want to commend you for the way you're handling this awkward situation-you're putting your rep on the line and doing everything to make it right. You will be getting orders from me in the future.
George
I want to commend you for the way you're handling this awkward situation-you're putting your rep on the line and doing everything to make it right. You will be getting orders from me in the future.
George
l_bilyk
Well-known member
Where the hell is he today!??!?!?!
Sorry, guys... I guess I should have explained I wasn't going to be around today as my new baby daughter was born 11:18am. I just got back home from the hospital...and am dying to open the box... give me a couple of mins...
l_bilyk
Well-known member
aaaaand they're all scratched!!?
Damnit.... I had such high hopes for this set, but it appears this set suffers from the similar issues mentioned before. This set is free of any major scratches. And since I left my camera with my wife at the hospital, I can't take any picts at the moment, but you've seen them before. For the first time, however, I do have all the proper sizes (yea!). But alas...
(1) 18mm wrench is bent up...pretty badly at that.
(2) 17mm is bent down (see saw)
(3) 19mm has some sort of unique corrosion spots/stains on it...almost looks chemical in nature. I tried buffing it off with my shirt, but it doesn't come off. Not a biggie, but I though I would mention it as I've not seen this problem before.
(4) Some of the mid size wrenches are bent *slightly*, usually in the "up" direction.
The smaller wrenches are plagued with the same problems as before: distorted (bent) as seen from the side, pushed out at the stampings.
I just don't get it. These were supposedly examined by the warehouse supervisor? My guess is he didn't know what to look for other than are all the proper sizes in the box.
I could live with the surface imperfections (althought I don't think I should have to), but the deal breaker for me has to be the bent wrenches. I would love to hear an explanation from SK as to why these wrenches are continually bent. What's the manufacturing process? Where's the QC?? I'm no expert, but I could spot these bends while they're sitting flat on a table...that's how bad they are.
(1) 18mm wrench is bent up...pretty badly at that.
(2) 17mm is bent down (see saw)
(3) 19mm has some sort of unique corrosion spots/stains on it...almost looks chemical in nature. I tried buffing it off with my shirt, but it doesn't come off. Not a biggie, but I though I would mention it as I've not seen this problem before.
(4) Some of the mid size wrenches are bent *slightly*, usually in the "up" direction.
The smaller wrenches are plagued with the same problems as before: distorted (bent) as seen from the side, pushed out at the stampings.
I just don't get it. These were supposedly examined by the warehouse supervisor? My guess is he didn't know what to look for other than are all the proper sizes in the box.
I could live with the surface imperfections (althought I don't think I should have to), but the deal breaker for me has to be the bent wrenches. I would love to hear an explanation from SK as to why these wrenches are continually bent. What's the manufacturing process? Where's the QC?? I'm no expert, but I could spot these bends while they're sitting flat on a table...that's how bad they are.
l_bilyk
Well-known member
I think i have seen the corrosion spots/stains that you speak of before
I don't know exactly what it is, (i am guessing from the wash after platng?) but it does come off
I don't know exactly what it is, (i am guessing from the wash after platng?) but it does come off
Luckydevil
Well-known member
bmwpower said:
WHOA... Congratulations man!
Coach James
Well-known member
bmwpower, congratulations on the new daughter. My son was born Sunday(March 12) at 1:32pm. Any more new additions to the junkies forum?
Coach
Coach
GT350RC
Well-known member
bmwpower said:
Eric:
Well, I tried calling you, but no answer - so I guess we deal with it like we have in the past - right here in the open forum.
At this point, I guess we have two options:
(1) I issue a call tag to have this set picked up, and I refund your purchase price.
(2) You keep the set, and contact SK to have them issue a call tag to pick the set up. That way, it get's sent directly back to SK to have it warrantied so they can see the issues you're talking about and get it "straightened" out right from the factory.
It's your call (but at this point I'm guessing you're going to choose option 1 and I completely understand). I'm also open to other options that you may have.
Wolverine
Well-known member
John:
I commend you on how you are handling this issue. Many of us here are impressed with your customer service. That being said, as a retailer/distributer I think it is time for a conference call to SK with more than one person to get a concise explaination for all of this.
SK needs to understand that these '3 pebbles dropped in a pond can turn into a TIDLEWAVE!'
I had planned on purchasing many SK wrenches, sockets and other tools over this next year as I expand my tool collection....... However, without some explanation/attention to this I simply CANNOT!
Thank you.
Eric,
You've been very patient and understanding during this whole thing. Now it's time to move on to Snap-On, MAC, Matco or Craftsman. Enough is Enough!
I commend you on how you are handling this issue. Many of us here are impressed with your customer service. That being said, as a retailer/distributer I think it is time for a conference call to SK with more than one person to get a concise explaination for all of this.
SK needs to understand that these '3 pebbles dropped in a pond can turn into a TIDLEWAVE!'
I had planned on purchasing many SK wrenches, sockets and other tools over this next year as I expand my tool collection....... However, without some explanation/attention to this I simply CANNOT!
Thank you.
Eric,
You've been very patient and understanding during this whole thing. Now it's time to move on to Snap-On, MAC, Matco or Craftsman. Enough is Enough!
Coach James said:
Congrats to you, too!
Thanks guys for your good wishes. Daddy's a little nervous as they've moved her into NICU for a night of monitoring. Apparently, her heart rate was a little high after she was born. All looks well, so they say, but another nite away from her mother is making mommy a little unhappy.
GT350RC said:
Sorry John I was out at the hospital this morning.
I'm guessing #1 is going to be my best option at this point. If I went with #2, I'd be worried that I'd be stuck and would never see the quality I'm expecting. SK still has not come forward with info from the other 2 sets. My gut feeling is that they will have no explanation other than "that's the way they are". At that point, I'd be stuck with a set I wouldn't want, something that SK would not be able to fix. It's really a shame because like Wolverine, I was going to spend a significant amount of coin on SK stuff in the near future.
John, thanks for all your help. I hope you understand my feelings. I still have a bunch of other stuff on my wishlist @ atoolcrib that I plan on buying soon. Sorry, this turned out the way it did. I hope, if anything, that SK will come forth and explain what we brought to their attention.
GT350RC
Well-known member
I agree, and think you hit the nail on on the head: The quality you're expecting.bmwpower said:
Well, SK has not received these two sets back yet - they're coming back to me in NY, and then I'm sending them back to the warehouser, ISN in MD. At some point, I would guess that ISN sends these back to SK, since they are unsaleable. At this point there are two distinct possibilities:
(1) that's the way they are, or
(2) It's a fluke. Say for instance because a worker at SK had a bad day and shipped bad parts and they all went to the same warehouse in MD. I know this sort of thing can happen.
I know this is a busy time for you, but here's a suggestion. Head down to your local Sears store and inspect a set down there. Sears does sell SK (although I don't know if it's a stock item). That will go a long way in explaining what quality you can expect from the same manufacturer, but a difference source.
I completely understand, and as a consumer, I would have done the same thing with the 1st set of wrenches namely because of the severely bent 7mm, and the missing 18mm. I've not seen the 2nd set yet, but it would have got returned too due to the 1" wrench in a metric set. As long as they weren't cracked, I would probably live with some cosmetic flaws, only because these things are gonna get dinged up in my garage anyway.
I'll stay on top of this issue with my supplier, and update this thread when something new happens.
Meanwhile, Eric, I'll credit your card this evening, and issue the call tag to have FedEx come get the 3rd set tomorrow.
And everyone else - I hope to be able to help you out with your tool needs in the future!
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
This is rediculous. Something went wrong. I am very impressed with Johns service at this point. You have done what most others wouldn't have. I thin your supplier might have a bad batch, I was using wrenches just today that are pretty much new and they are flawless.
Jim
Jim
john any way these orders can be visibly checked b4 they are shipped, as i stated earlier i got a set of sk centre punches, had no problems with them, i'm thinking whoever does there quality control on there wrenches must have been busy hiding in the crapper!...anyway im looking at a set of sk flarenut wrenches and i'm kinda leary because of this situation
l_bilyk
Well-known member
Yeah, excellent customer service
It's too bad this stuff ships from the states, making it an expensive proposition for me
It's too bad this stuff ships from the states, making it an expensive proposition for me
jbilbo
Well-known member
Bump to the top!
What's the latest, John?
What's the latest, John?
GT350RC
Well-known member
Sorry Guys, haven't been around in awhile - been busy! Anywho, I'll check with my supplier today to see if they've heard anything back from SK.
mrtone
Well-known member
John:
Are all the tools are your site American made? If not, how would somebody be able to tell?
Are all the tools are your site American made? If not, how would somebody be able to tell?
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
FROM JOHN'S POST:
Well, SK has not received these two sets back yet - they're coming back to me in NY, and then I'm sending them back to the warehouser, ISN in MD. At some point, I would guess that ISN sends these back to SK, since they are unsaleable. At this point there are two distinct possibilities:
(1) that's the way they are, or
(2) It's a fluke. Say for instance because a worker at SK had a bad day and shipped bad parts and they all went to the same warehouse in MD. I know this sort of thing can happen.
I know this is a busy time for you, but here's a suggestion. Head down to your local Sears store and inspect a set down there. Sears does sell SK (although I don't know if it's a stock item). That will go a long way in explaining what quality you can expect from the same manufacturer, but a difference source.
MY POST
John's distributor is just getting sent and/or pushing factory rejects/seconds (EVER WONDER WHERE THEY GO?) by SK because of the way his distribution works. It is possible they figure the distributors/John's volume do not merit their top tier production quality (I doubt this, SK has QC like any other company).
More than likely his distributor is just buying the SK afterbirth cheap and pushing it onto others.
It is a good way to get rid of the second tier stuff and worry about the complaints through a (small and disposable) third party (John). (If the Sears purchaser thought Sears was being treated this way SK would take IMMEDIATE HEED). John may even suspect this as he has alluded to in this post about quality that SK gives to Sears as noted in red bold type above.
I truly wish the best for John's business. If only all sellers would work this hard to make things right.
Best of luck to you John.
-BWP
Well, SK has not received these two sets back yet - they're coming back to me in NY, and then I'm sending them back to the warehouser, ISN in MD. At some point, I would guess that ISN sends these back to SK, since they are unsaleable. At this point there are two distinct possibilities:
(1) that's the way they are, or
(2) It's a fluke. Say for instance because a worker at SK had a bad day and shipped bad parts and they all went to the same warehouse in MD. I know this sort of thing can happen.
I know this is a busy time for you, but here's a suggestion. Head down to your local Sears store and inspect a set down there. Sears does sell SK (although I don't know if it's a stock item). That will go a long way in explaining what quality you can expect from the same manufacturer, but a difference source.
MY POST
John's distributor is just getting sent and/or pushing factory rejects/seconds (EVER WONDER WHERE THEY GO?) by SK because of the way his distribution works. It is possible they figure the distributors/John's volume do not merit their top tier production quality (I doubt this, SK has QC like any other company).
More than likely his distributor is just buying the SK afterbirth cheap and pushing it onto others.
It is a good way to get rid of the second tier stuff and worry about the complaints through a (small and disposable) third party (John). (If the Sears purchaser thought Sears was being treated this way SK would take IMMEDIATE HEED). John may even suspect this as he has alluded to in this post about quality that SK gives to Sears as noted in red bold type above.
I truly wish the best for John's business. If only all sellers would work this hard to make things right.
Best of luck to you John.
-BWP
Last edited:
GT350RC
Well-known member
Blacknwhitepit said:
Well, while this whole thing was going on, I of course asked my rep the exact same question: Is stock from ISN 1st quality or not? They assured me that it is indeed first quality. My rep told me he has been with ISN for 15 years, and has never had a quality problem like this before.
Again, they assured me it's 1st quality. I've sold quite a bit of SK, and have not had any issues with them - at all.
Now, this is nothing against bmwpower, but there are three levels of customers as far as quality is concerned: All Customers, average customers, and critical customers. A quality blemish that is minor may only be recognised by a critical customer, yet a major quality issue may be recognised by all customers (like a severely bent wrench or a missing wrench of a given size). Many customers can start out as average, but then escalate to critical once a issue is noticed. I think that's what happened in this case.
Don't get me wrong, I would have returned the 1st two sets too, since there were wrenches that were missing or of the wrong type (SAE vs. Metric). However, after two sets had quality issues, I think that I would have switched from an average customer to a critical customer is this instance. However, if the third set, (which I personally inspected) were sent to me first, I would not have had any problem with them.
My point in all this is that I think it's important for bmwpower to go down to Sears and inspect the SK wrenches they have, since he knows what to look for. This will give us all an idea of the quality of SK wrenches in the general population.
Thanks. Hey, I'm just a normal guy like the rest of us here trying to make a go at it, and I would want to be treated the same way, since I am often on both sides of the cash register.
GT350RC
Well-known member
mrtone said:
As best as I can tell, yes - they are all from American manufacturers. Now, if that manufacturer has a plant in Mexico, or China, that's really hard for me to know.
What I do know is that when I started this business, I went to each of the manufacturers websites. Each one has a contact address/headquarters in the USA, and appear to be good ol' US manufacturers. Some have been around for quite some time, and of course you'll recognize many of the manufacturers names.
However, as I've also found out, and this is probably true in any industry, the cost of labor in the US is very expensive. Some tool companies may have started out in the US, built a good reputation, and then all of a sudden outsourced manufacturing to another country.
Bottom line, if your concerned, research the company on the internet. You can learn alot, and even ask the manufacturer directly where they're made. Most often, it's more expensive to buy from the manufacturer, since often they're not in the selling business, but in the manufacturing business. That's where wholesalers and distributors (myself) come in.
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
GT350RC said:
My Friend, Don't ever go after the customer.
He is always right. Don't let the RIGHT thing bankrupt you.
I know how you feel.
-bwp
Last edited:
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Blacknwhitepit said:
BWP is right, as usual. But don't think for a moment that we don't feel your frustration and pain, GT350RC. Hang in there!
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
bmwpower said:
Look up force tool on the internet, and next time your up around rt22 union/springfield area stop in. They carry Sk stuff, havent been in there lately so I dont know exactly what they have in stock.
Jim
GT350RC
Well-known member
Blacknwhitepit said:
Completely understood.
I was not going after him in the least, or if it came across that way, I didn't mean it to.
oldskewl61
Well-known member
ohh s-k me love you long time