News From Artisan

[Suze]

Well, haven't we all bought something and found out it went "on sale" after we bought it? (I know I have)

that's life and the breaks of the game.

Or even bought something that was "on sale" and then found the next better model the week later CHEAPER?

it bites - and with the economy the way it is right now - I'm afraid we are going to be seeing more of this.

[Russ]

I gotta second Tex's opinion on this one. For those of you that think you've been "slapped in the face," would you send a little extra to the company if you bought right before their prices went up? No, you'd think, "I got in at the right time" and never think about the company. It didn't work that way this time. Now you want the company, which has provided a quality machine and great customer service to you, to take a hit and sell you feet or plates on the cheap, or apparently, send you cash to make up the difference in their new price? They've given you what you paid for, and now the price has gone down. Get over it.

Hey folks, how is this any different than somebody buying a car one day and the next day the same model goes on sale? Or, how about a house mtg that goes in reverse? A lot of folks are being hurt bad in this economy because of timing. It's all about timing.

Frankly, I'm waiting for their splitter to go on sale......

[rdb]

I can see that being a loyal customer to some of you doesn't mean much.

Should I put any new belts on sale to new customers (say $12), and my old customers (bought at say $24) commenteded. I would definitely offer them a new buckle (say $12) at a reduced price (say $6) to show I appreciate the customer who comes back. If I say "get over it" to my previous customers, I can surmise the results. That's my way of doing business. I don't lose on the cost of the buckle, and my customer knows I appreciate them all.

Sounds like the people that bought these machines feel a tad under appreciated, and people that didn't spend the 2400 or so can pontificate.

[Russ]

I paid the $2400 or so, and I don't feel the least bit under appreciated. I'm disappointed that people go so quickly from commending a company to "where's mine?" But that's just the way our country is these days, I guess. Hopefully Dave or anyone else from Artisan has thick skin, and we don't run off someone who is an asset to this forum.

I can see that being a loyal customer to some of you doesn't mean much.

Should I put any new belts on sale to new customers (say $12), and my old customers (bought at say $24) commenteded. I would definitely offer them a new buckle (say $12) at a reduced price (say $6) to show I appreciate the customer who comes back. If I say "get over it" to my previous customers, I can surmise the results. That's my way of doing business. I don't lose on the cost of the buckle, and my customer knows I appreciate them all.

Sounds like the people that bought these machines feel a tad under appreciated, and people that didn't spend the 2400 or so can pontificate.

[jwwright]

Russ and others............I don't feel like I am owed anything by Artisan in a monetary or material sense. If you will look at my original post, that was never stated or implied. If these big discounts are being offered because of the economy, slow sales and / or the company is in trouble and needs to raise cash........I understand that. This was not the reasoning given for the discount sale offering in the press release.

It makes no difference, at any rate. Everyone is entitled to run their business as they see fit. My wife and I have run several businesses of our own for many years. I think we have a pretty good understanding of how to treat customers and develop repeat business.

No sense beating a dead horse. I wish the Artisan company well.

JW

[rdb]

Sheesh......

I am the last person to drive anyone away from this board, but I'm also not going to shy away from a conversation (I do hold my tongue on politics and religion...lol).

The people who run Artisan are adults. As businessmen, they should be able to hold up to a discussion of pricing and business practice. I know, I have to in my business. This thread has gone for a while, and no further comments from Artisan.

A 40% ,or so, reduction, plus extras, is a little more than a sale on a modestly large priced product! If I was in the market right now for a 3000, I would JUMP at the chance for that price.

An accompanying sale on accessories to show appreciation is not a "where's mine", but a little love towards current owners, and is not bad business practice.

I love my machine. And may buy another machine from them. But to me, this board is about us, the leatherworkers first, not Corporations. Do we KTA, or do they K ours. Support them, buy from them, show our appreciation to them for contributing to this board...Absolutely. Try to get them to appreciate us, too.

[2MadJacks]

Well Mr. Go2Tex

If you will read my statement I said that I understand stuff goes on sale! Its not so much the sale that is bothersome, its all the extras that have been thrown in. And as for the sale, most stores and businesses offer a refund in difference to those that recently purchased the same item they put on sale. I'm not asking for any type of refund. It just seems like Artisan would want to make their customers that purchased these machines happy. So don't go making this a political twist about the economy, and I say that with the upmost respect to you.

Thanks James

[gtwister09]

I know we have become accustomed to the "big name stores" fighting for volume business with price guarantees of lowest cost. How many of you want to compete with with the low cost model? There aren't many many of us that could do the same. Small volume sales do not generally follow the same economic or marketing models that large volume sellers like Walmart, Best Buy or others like that follow.

Consider some other areas where you purchase items that are being discontinued or there is a newer model coming out.

One such area is automobiles.

Does the cost of this year's model automobile go down when next year's model comes out?

How many have went back into a dealership to request a refund due to a reduced price within a couple of months?

How many of those dealers gave you a refund?

Another thing that came to mind for something similar is the story of the people who were without work and a person hiring them throughout the day to work. The person got some of these workers to work first thing in the morning and the people agreed to work for a set amount for the day. They were happy to have the work and happy with the amount. It was very fair.

During lunch, the same person came and got some more workers and they agreed to work for the same amount. They were likewise happy to have the work and happy with the amount. It was really fair.

Later in the day the same person came and got some more workers and they agreed to work for the same amount. They were likewise happy to have the work and happy with the amount. It was extremely fair.

At the end of the day this person paid the workers the agreed to amount. Only when the the workers that started at the beginning of the day and the ones that started at lunch found out that they were getting the same amount as the workers that only worked a couple of hours did they start to grumble and complain about it not being fair.

They were happy to have the work earlier in the day and had agreed to the amount earlier in the day. What happened? Hmmmmm.

Just some things to consider and not necesarily an indictment for or against Artisan. There's usually more than one side of the story and sometimes it helps to consider all sides.

Regards,

Ben

[Shorts]

Boy, do I feel like a jerk for needing to be a buyer in a buyer's market.

Just so happens a giant step in life is happening now for my husband and I where we are buying 2 cars, a house and a stitching machine...I guess you could say some pretty major investments. Our money is able to buy products for less than they were last year. Am I complaining? Absolutely not. And I am not going to feel guilty about it either. The right place at the right time - finally.

Now if only the same could be said for ammo and firearms

So, in regards to finding a huge deal at a time when we can financially use a huge deal, there's at least one happy camper reading this thread.

[jimsaddler]

Boy, do I feel like a jerk for needing to be a buyer in a buyer's market.

Just so happens a giant step in life is happening now for my husband and I where we are buying 2 cars, a house and a stitching machine...I guess you could say some pretty major investments. Our money is able to buy products for less than they were last year. Am I complaining? Absolutely not. And I am not going to feel guilty about it either. The right place at the right time - finally.

Now if only the same could be said for ammo and firearms

So, in regards to finding a huge deal at a time when we can financially use a huge deal, there's at least one happy camper reading this thread.

Hey Guys & Gals

There is an easy answer to this. Cowboy & Master have had better prices and included the accessories in the deal for quite some time. Plus we SADDLERS who distribute them have been quietly working away improving them at no extra cost.

Funny how we sat and watched the Hype going on about how good an ordinary Machine was so good. Now funny thing is another Company has got Steve so prices have tumbled. This I know the MASTER 441 sells here in Australia for $3.950 + gst. convert that to US$2.528 including all Attachements, Servo Motor, Pedestal Stand and you still have a better normal price than the so called Special price Cowboy is the same Machine, same development so check his prices out also.

So what's it tell you? Who made the Cream from what is an ordinary, normal Clone Machine that has now got to be improved to play catch up. By the way I note that that the Special doesn't have any improvements on it yet as our have as Standard.

Sorry to butt in like this but I am a Tradesmand who gets upset at Hype. This forum is not a Sales column as far as I'm concerned. It is a wonderful place to axchange ideas and Skils. So I've had my Blurb, now lets get on with the Show.

Kindest Regards.

Jim.