So I’m going to be driving through Bellingham next week, and call up Grizzly today to check on stock levels for a couple of tools I’m really interested in picking up, and seeing if they could hold them for me. No such luck – both backordered; not in stock for 4-6 weeks.
On reflection, I’ve realized I’ve had this problem with them in the past: I stop by HQ when I’m in the area, try to buy something, and be told they don’t have it. Has this been others experience with Grizzly?
I guess one key way they can keep prices low is by keep Finished Goods inventory as low as possible, but it sure is frustrating. It also encourages customers to go elsewhere. I don’t think they’re doing what some Northeast camera shops are notorious for doing; namely, waiting for backorders on an item to build up, and then submitting a big order to the factory. At least I hope not.
Replies
Barry,
I have purchased so much from these fellas, they should be issuing me stock options by now. The times I experienced back order items were minimal, normally small things like spoke shaves, files etc.
You probably just have bad luck in picking items moving faster than expected.
I have had the same problem with the Williamport store, but it was right after Christmas and I figured it was because of holiday rush.
Bear
Barry -
I haven't purchased a lot from Grizzley but the few times I have they've had my items in stock. Whether I called first or not.
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
I don't get to go up there often, but went with a friend in February. He had the same problem. Don't know if it's the time of year, or what. He picked up the G0555 bandsaw and the 6" jointer. They did not have the belt/disc sander he wanted, or a worktable that was on his list. There were 2 or 3 small (very small) things I wanted that they were out of. I heard them tell at least 3 other customers that their items were back-ordered.
Hope this isn't a common thing! Have to say, though, one of the problems with retailing that I've experienced is that there seems to be a mass-consciousness that leads everyone to want the same thing at the same time, often after not wanting anything for a considerable period. It can make it difficult to manage inventory.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 4/2/2005 11:29 am ET by forestgirl
Hmmm, one of the things I wanted was the G1276 6"/12" belt/disk sander; I wonder if yuor friend wanted the same. The other was the G0543 8" jointer I've been wanting to get.
I've also had problems getting a maple table top there in the past.
I wonder if part of the problem is picking it up at Bellingham, vs. having it shipped. They could conceivably ship it from one of their other locations if I had it shipped. But I'd rather avoid the shipping charge, and Oregon residents don't have to pay sales tax in Washington.
Edited 4/2/2005 8:32 pm ET by BarryO
I doubt that they'd ship a large item like that from another warehouse location. One of the reasons their shipping charges are so low is the fact that they have those regional warehouses scattered across the country.
Your best bet is to go ahead and get it ordered. Get in line, so to speak! And ask them to call you when the items come in. I'm pretty sure they'll do that. Can you actually drive there for less than the cost of shipping? Of course, that makes it a bit difficult to combine the pick-up with another chore I guess.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
BarryO
I have a lot of Grizzly stuff, one item I don't have is a molder. I orered one from them but they didn't have it in stock. Months later when it finally arrived I found that I'd solved my need other ways and thus canceled the order..
If you order it and they don't have it they should expect a high percentage of order cancelations..
Barry:
I have most of my shopped outfitted with Grizz machines. In the past I have not had the backorder experiences that you are having.
I do know that Chinese New year just ended a short time ago. Thus, for about 4-6 weeks there were no sea shipments being made and inventories can get light. I would speculate that by mid May the inventory levels will be better. Also, consider that there is a huge world-wide steel shortage. This shortage is reaking havoc on costs/prices as well as inventory levels.
Hang in there and I am sure Grizz will take care of you.
Good luck--
Thank you,
The Great Marko
I've ordered about $20k worth of grizz equipment, never had a backorder over the years. THis would be a bad concept though. Keep inventory so low that customers go elsewhere. Maybe when you order they are willing to take a loss on shipping, and ship from multiple spots like the auto parts industry. All 20 stores in my town buy from the same spot that you can't. It'll be here in an hour, they go pick it up and bring it back. Thats what all those little Napa trucks are about. Trading from one store to the other!
KP
Thanks for the replies. the Chinese New Year thing may have something to do with it.
This has had a good effect though. I was telling my wife that they were out of stock on the 8" jointer I wanted. She said, "well why don't you get the 12 inch". I said it was alot more money, but that was fine with her. :)
Of course, I don't know yet if they have that in stock either. But the more I think about, the more I'd rather have the wider machine, which I don't think I'd ever need to upgrade from.
I'd forgotten about the New Year thing and its impact. They did a feature on it, and the effect on business, on NPR a few weeks ago. Must be frustrating for the retailers on this side of the world!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Just to close this saga: I stopped in on Tuesday on my way up to Vancouver. They checked stock on the sander and they had them(?). It was listed as waiting for me to pick it up. I don't know if it's the case that the left hand didn't know what the right was doing, or they got a shipment very recently.
I didn't ask about the 8" jointer. I spent a while playing with, and drooling over, the G9860, and decided to get the G9860ZX (that uses up all the money set aside from this year's bonus for "toys"!). They had 5 of those in stock. I had originally thought I'd keep the 8" several years and then upgrade, but now I'll never need to "upgrade" my jointer (I rarely see boards 12" wide).
On Friday I stopped and picked up the sander and some small stuff, and ordered the big jointer for delivery.
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