Replies

1. 
   jc21 | Feb 17, 2003 07:03pm | #1

   Woodcraft Supply has a retail store in Bloomington near Minneapolis. Here's a link to their website; it'll give you an idea what they carry. http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/assets/html/homepage.asp?URLCheck=1 And there's Rockler's ........ they have 4 locations around the Twin Cities http://www.rockler.com/index.cfm  Tried and True Tools 7550 University Ave NE Phone: (612) 574-0407 in Fridley has mostly power tools (new and used) but you never know what you'll come across. And Seven Corners Ace Hardware in St. Paul. http://www.7cornershdwe.com/ ............. worth a look.

1. 
   fdampier5 | Feb 18, 2003 01:49am | #2

   we call wood crafters in Bloomington, wood shafters because of the manner they conduct business. I refuse to do any more business with them.

     7 corners  in St.Paul has been around since time began.   They are considerably cheaper and have  fabulous tools.  The building isn't very impressive but you won't take the building home with you, you will take the tools home

1. 
   Turbo | Feb 18, 2003 02:58am | #3

          Thanks!

2. 
   jc21 | Feb 18, 2003 11:46pm | #4

   Tell me more, frenchy. How and why

1. 
   fdampier5 | Feb 19, 2003 02:22am | #5

   I've gone into it in depth in the past. 

        When I first started to buy tools and equipment for my timberframe I bought some equipment from them.. some on special order and some right off the shelf.

       They sold me something without the information I needed to use it.. they wouldn't tell me how without a class and the class was months in the future..

     When a conflict came up they wouldn't reschedule.. tough! (after I paid to take the class).

       They wouldn't take the equipment back (evan with the recept) 

      a letter to the corp office went unanswered, as did an E-mail.  Someone, ( presumably from woodcrafters)  got on this chat room and asked how they were percieved and got roundly condenmed, so the feeling isn't unique to me..

     The customer is always right.. 

     when the customer isn't see rule one..

     The penalty for their short sighted approach to business was the loss of tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment, plus I've made it my business to mention this to everyone who asks..

          

1. 
   jc21 | Feb 19, 2003 02:32am | #6

   Thanks, frenchy.

2. 
   FreeGee | Feb 19, 2003 11:07am | #7

   Hi,

   all thanks for the info.

   Gert

3. 
   mikkimel | Feb 19, 2003 08:35pm | #8

   When i was in the Bloomington store there was a salesperson that i tried to avoid.  He was probably later 30's, shaved head, very cocky, and wouldn't shut up.  Going on and on and on to every customer about his wealth of knowledge.  He also had a voice that carried so you could hear his opinions anywhere in the store.  Unfortunately he also teaches a lot of the classes at that location.  I thought maybe i was just in a bad mood, but after he went into the back to teach a class, i overheard one salesperson say to another "God he is SO annoying!"  I'm the lucky one, i was able to go home, they have to work with him.

   For what it's worth, i buy most of my stuff off the internet from Lee Valley.  And i've never ever had a problem, they take anything back, and have stood behind their products, for me at least.

   Also, Woodcraft's prices are the same as everyone elses, they are not a discount store.

   Edited 2/19/2003 12:37:20 PM ET by mikkimel

2. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Feb 20, 2003 05:03am | #11

   Just out of curiosity  --  there used to be a shop that was owner by a woodcarver by the name (I think) if Chris Efram that was in Mpls.  What ever happened to him and his store?

1. 
   jc21 | Feb 20, 2003 05:21pm | #12

   I don't know .............. still pretty new to the area and am still finding my way around. Are there any other shops/ stores around that you or anyone else would recommend?

2. 
   holzfachman | Feb 20, 2003 03:52am | #9

   Some places to consider:

   Woodcraft -

   Plaza at Oxboro 9741 Lyndale Avenue South Bloomington , MN 55420 (952) 884-3634

   Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
   3025 Lyndale Avenue South
   Minneapolis, MN 55408
   (1/2 Block South of Lake Street)

   7 Corners Hardware - west 7th Street in Downtown St. Paul

   Good Luck

1. 
   fdampier5 | Feb 20, 2003 04:25am | #10

   I buy from Rocklers at Ridgedale and Seven Corners both are really great but the prices at seven corners have to be seen to be believed.. they have a policy of meeting any competive price.  I told them about a lower price at Tool crib and they just wrote that price down,, do problem!

     The Rocklers at ridgedale has good well informed sales staff and I often get things there rather than making the trip all the way to St. Paul