In store Rockler vs. Woodcraft for a big purchase (same price at each)
joeleonetti
| Posted in General Discussion on
There is a sale at both Rockler and Woodcraft for the Powermatic PM1500 bandsaw. Both places have same price (10% off and free shipping). Both places are about the same drive from where I live. I do want both of them to stay in business so I try and shop at both over time. This will be about a $3,500 purchase. Any other reason to choose one place over the other? It’s a good problem to have.
Replies
I would want to know if either store was individually owned vs corporately owned. I don’t know if either Rockler or Woodcraft have corporate operated franchises, but local ownership is more and more important to me.
Check on the shipping. Some will charge more at the end for a power lift gate residential delivery. Free can end up not free.
We had a Woodcraft franchise near me for a couple of years. The franchise was locally owned. I would bet that Rockler is the same, but don't really know.
It's my understanding that all Rockler stores are corporate owned while Woodcraft offers franchises.
I, like you, try to use both. Recently I purchased a dust collector from Rockler. It was an on-line only item and they had the best deal, particularly on shipping. No extra cost for lift-gate service and when they got here they used an electric pallet lift to put the package in my garage down a 200 foot driveway. Super nice folks.
It is a good problem to have. Would be a coin toss for me ..
Thanks All. Coin toss is what the general consensus was on the topic. I needed to go to Rockler for something else that Woodcraft didn't have. As such, bought the bandsaw. I'm excited. Getting very close to having all the I need from my shop in terms of machines. Now just really "need" proper dust collection. Drill press down the road, then, maybe, a jointer but not convinced I really need it as I mostly start with S3S lumber.
Haven’t yet considered differentiating the two in such a scenario but here’s what I found. Rockler appears to be more popular than Woodcraft and offers better discounts. However, Woodcraft is said to score better for modification and cancellation policies. So, check with payment options and return/refund in case you need them before finalizing.
I like supporting the locally-owned Woodcraft store. Rockler gets enough of my business.
My local Kansas City experience is that the customer service at the Rockler store is 1000% better than at Woodcraft. Before Rockler I was in Woodcraft a couple of times a month. Now I very seldom go to Woodcraft.