Bottom Line: Buyer Beware!

Does he make his own tools?

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>That is a shame becasue he HAD quality products at reasonable prices. The answer may be to use his distributors and let them deal with replacements and delivery woes. However, if the quality of his work is failing, then it may be necessary to avoid the line altogether.

Does he make his own products or does he subcontract it out? The quality issues may be corrected by simply changing machinists.

Hoping things turn around for him,

John

I'm surprised!

Jay in TX (formerly from Ohio)

>Ron,

Take it as you will, I've placed a couple of orders with Don and company and was billed appropriately with timely delivery of ordered items. However, it has been a year or better since my last order. I wish you luck in rectifying whatever problems you are having.

Re: I'm surprised!

Les Robison

>I ditto the experience being positive, although a year ago. I know he had moved from Southern Calif. to Washington. But that is no excuse for poor communication and quality.

Re: Bottom Line: Buyer Beware!

Carole in VA

>What a shame! I was just getting ready to order a faceplate and center marker from him. Fortunately, I caught the earlier thread and delayed.:(

Not Crazy about this thread!

Joel Hunnicutt

>Trashing a vendor on a public forum is a dangerous thing. Lee Valley carries Don Pencil products and I suspect that their quality control standards are pretty high.

I'm sure there have from time to time been issues with one of Don's products as there have been with Delta, Jet, Powermatic, Grizzly and every other manufacturer.

I think we ought to be very careful before we start railing on someone based on one encounter.

Re: Not Crazy about this thread!

Ron in Drums PA

>Sorry for ruffling your feathers Joel

I'm not trashing a vendor, I'm just acknowledging facts of what has happened to me and to others. If you noticed, others on this forum have reported problems too.

I am not trying to stop you from buying from him. By all means, please do so. Let me know how it turns out. I really hope you can prove me wrong.

Before I placed my order with d.pencil, I called Lee Valley. If I wanted a handle with the stinger, Lee Valley would have to "special order" one. I had decided to purchase directly from d.pencil.

Finally, someone mentioned there is an illness in his family. I truly hope all goes well for his loved one. I do understand how this can affect a person.

Ditto- I've met him.

steve antonucci

>Hard to trash a guy who puts his name on his product without hesitation. I spoke to him at one of the shows when he first got started, and he seemed like a really nice guy.

I did notice that he seemed a bit out of place at the show, as he basically had no sales and marketing in his "booth", which was a table with some bins. At the time, his pricing created demand for his products, since he was much less than other vendors.

I wonder if he is having issues with running the business (supply/demand issues?) or growth issues? (small shop=chief, cook, and bottlewasher) Didn't seem like the most PC savvy guy either, BTW.

Not defending him to the death, but I spoke to him for 30 minutes for a $12 faceplate, and he took the time...

S

My Experience With Don Pencil

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>I can't let this thread go without stating my experience with Don Pencil. I met Don a couple of years ago at the Indy Woodworking show. I was on the fence about which hollowing system to buy. I stopped by his booth at the Indy wood show and got the full demo. I hemmed and hawed and then I left the show with nothing. After a week or so of more reading the forums and asking questions and reading Lyn's review of his hollowing tools, I decided that the Pencil system was the one I wanted. I called Don and reminded him that I had talked with hi at the Indy show and asked if he would still honor the Wood show price and he indeed did. I got my set within 7 days. After I got the set I had a couple of questions one of which was regarding an allen wrench that wasn't fitting in the set screw...it was a hair too large. He was completely appologetic and said he would put one in the mail. I told him it was unessesary that I had one that fit fine, I just wanted him to know in case there was more in his inventory that needed to be changed. Don is a very nice guy and his products are very good quality. I have several other products of his and love them all. I couldn't live without my Don Pencil buffing wheel extender. I love his face plates too. On another occasion I called Don to get the size of the set screws that hold the cutters in the stinger bars. I had buggared mine up due to not blowing the dust out before untightening them. I didn't want to chase all over town to find the right one and thought a call to him would save me some time and trouble. He aswered the phone and we had a pleasant conversation and he told me that he would put some in the mail...no charge....when I got the package there were the set screws along with a couple of really nice surprise tools! He didn't have to do that. All I know is that We all need to give Don the benefit of the doubt. I do know that his wife has ben ill and as we all know, family comes first and emails and what not might be the last thing on his mind.

Just my opinion,

Jennifer

Re: Bottom Line: Buyer Beware!

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Ron, Did you try to call Don personally? I think this may be the best way to solve your problem. If he is having health problems in the family, as some have suggested,it will affect his business, unfortunately.

If he is having supplier problems, he should let his customers know, and ask for patience. I hope you are able to get all the facts: I'm sure there is a good explanation.

I have received several e-mails from WC contributors who were pleased with his service and are upset with this thread...however, I would appreciate it if you would let us know how the situation is resolved.

Lee-Valley

Jorge Castaneda ~ Downeast Maine

>Carol,

Lee Valley carries the Pencil products, and they are great to back what they sell. Most probably the fellow is in a woodshow somewhere and doesn't even know about this yet, he will find out when he returns.

I have his system and I am satisfied with it, if you want it, order it from Lee-Valley and you will save a few bucks and no agravation on the process.

mis dos centavos

Jorge

They are back-ordered

Carole in VA

>But they say they expect them on the 27th