Warco Tools

[John silverParticipant @johnsilver78232]

Posted by Gary on 05/06/2015 20:13:12:

Bit worried about this thread, something not ringing true here….

in what way???

[Owain SamuelParticipant @owainsamuel55325]

Over the years I've bought 3 machines off Warco, one of their drill presses (since sold due to an upgrade to an Arboga mill/drill), the 41/2" bandsaw and the VMC mill. Currently considering upgrading the VMC to one of their larger turret mills.

In all my dealings the customer service was excellent. Delivery (once you got over palletline's (ahem) unique customer service) was excellent. This included when after a year of ownership the start cap on the drill's motor lettting go. I emailed warco, went off to work where in the way the universe works I was asked (that day) to scrap a shredder that was driven by a motor of the same rating. So one recovered start cap later, I was back up and running. I forgot about the email to warco and so was very impressed when a replacement cap landed on the doormat several days later, especially since I hadn't given my address in the email.

Other companies with a similar excellent delivery record in my dealings are Arc Euro (order placed on a bank holiday monday, delivered on the wednesday of the same week) and RDG. On the other hand the one occasion I ordered off chronos half the order turned out not to be in stock (which I discovered after completing the order) and straggled in over a period of several weeks.

Owain

[Martin CottrellParticipant @martincottrell21329]

Posted by Gary on 05/06/2015 20:13:12:

Bit worried about this thread, something not ringing true here….

Seems pretty straight forward to me. It would appear there has been a bit of a c*ck-up with the order that John placed. This can happen from time to time with any company, is frustrating for the customer, but it seems that Warco have informed John that his order will be fulfilled shortly. Warco have a good reputation confirmed by the previous posters comments to which I can add my own positive contribution having bought a lathe, milling machine and numerous accessories over the last couple of years, all delivered on the date agreed with no dramas. Nothing to suggest anything sinister is occurring unless of course you are implying that John has somehow over-embellished his complaint?

Martin.

[Jesse Hancock 1Participant @jessehancock1]

I will admit I too get a bit twitchy waiting having used the net. It's that feeling someone may have scammed you that heightens the senses and seems to lengthen the t-i-m-e waiting. Recently I cancelled an order as it was taking more than the advertised "By return post" assurance on the site. I think a salesman contacted me by phone saying that there was a seven day lead time for the item. I answered honestly that I hadn't noticed that on the site at the time.

Why not say there is a delay when stocks run out instead of waiting for someone to cancel?

It's a pity they didn't advise me the situation as I still want one. Now of course it's up to me to visit the Bank and get a statement to see if I've had my money back. More unnecessary aggravation.

Please refer the local shops closing thread. It still stands I'm afraid.

Edited By Jesse Hancock 1 on 06/06/2015 12:33:15

[AlastairParticipant @alastair]

I have bought quite a lot of my workshop kit from WARCO over the last few years, including a WM18 mill and a GH1236 lathe. I've never achieved a discount off the machines I've bought but have managed to get some savings on accessories that I took at the same time. After sales I have found variable from what you would call excellent down to poor communication although the poor side was only on a couple of occasions and it's about keeping you informed frequently enough when delays are on the cards. On the whole I find them an excellent company and would have no hesitation in using them again – in fact that will be very soon.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Remember the bad old days when sellers would wait a week for your cheque to clear, sit on you money for a fortnight and then, if you were lucky, it would turn up in another week "allow 28 days for delivery".

I don't think we've ever had it so good for UK suppliers and fast fulfillment.

I've had a small few things on a 'slow boat from China', they can take forever, but all have turned up except still waiting for the last (which was about £250 including postage).

Neil

[JonParticipant @jon]

From past experience slow boat from china been substantially quicker than Warco and without the hassle of that womans answer to customer care – shocking. Not to mention 5 months later finally delivered to wrong address, luckily where 'sent' he was honest. Admitedly it was some years back and do hope they have changed, well couldn't get any worse.

Have known them alter delivery date without telling punter, so wastes a day waiting in very polite, reorgansises same again, reorganises again demanding, still fail that's 3 days so far and no goods. why promise what cant keep.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

I bought a brand new ML7 from Myford in 1967 and ordered a leadscrew handwheel and Dewhurst reversing switch at the same time.

I'm still waiting for both items, do you think this is a record ?

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

John,

Think yourself lucky not receiving the Dewhurst switch !

[Jesse Hancock 1Participant @jessehancock1]

Second thoughts on delivery problems are that I think many of the Sellers on line rely on other Companies for stock and don't in reality hold much stock of their own. Stock = dead money.

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Posted by John Stevenson on 07/06/2015 23:48:24:

I bought a brand new ML7 from Myford in 1967 and ordered a leadscrew handwheel and Dewhurst reversing switch at the same time.

I'm still waiting for both items, do you think this is a record ?

Buy Blitish, buy best!

Dave

[KMPParticipant @kmp]

I'm getting a bit worried now as I see a few posts that elude to some reality in past buying experiences, have your rose tinted specs failed? (perhaps they were Chinese as well). We really do need to recognise that the modern buying experience is countless times better than when I started to collect workshop equipment nearly 50 years ago now.

The prices we pay for very reasonable machines is ridiculously cheap and the choice we have (at affordable hobby prices) is fantastic. Delivery, well, by 1960/70 standards would really best be described as almost instant. To top it all off, if you have the money they will sell you what you need – this has not always been the case back in the "heyday".

Just a couple of examples from a long career in aerospace where I was involved with equipment purchases for some large facilities and for myself.

Ordered my first Myford ML7 in 1969 from a well known (at the time) tool supplier, you weren't allowed to speak to the company themselves in those days they just referred you to one of their stockists. I was quoted list price of course which didn't include a motor, stand, steadies or chucks or any other niceties for that matter. The best they could guess was between 4-6 months but I would be put on the waiting list and get one as long as there wasn't any major education or training orders to move me back a bit. I went and bought an old Atlas and struggled with that.

Most of the bits and pieces, drills, taps, cutting tools, DTIs etc, etc had to be found second hand or saved for and then treasured. Graham Engineering in West Brom got most of my money as many large engineering companies were closing down at the time and they had huge selection and very reasonable prices. It was also good entertainment as they had a selection of the early Taiwanese offerings that we could laugh at.

My second attempt was in 1984, a little bit better but by then I couldn't afford an ML7 so had to settle for an ML10. Again no equipment whatsoever although it did come with a motor and a choice of either a 3 or 4 jaw chuck. The price in todays pounds would be well over £1500. The same price as a fully equipped, variable speed and power cross feed 1022 type lathe.

A little later and on the industrial front, I was involved in the purchase of a "state of the art" 5 axis, long bed vertical machining centre. The change would have bought a few cups of coffee out of £1m. Delivery was 7 months late and in 15 years it averaged less than 80 hours a month in reliable running. All this from a very well known European company. Within 10 years we were buying 3 axis Mazaks for less than £40K, delivery and installation invariably on the day required and they ran 80-100 hours a week with very, very few failures and accuracies we could only previously dream of.

Like everyone I suspect I am very careful where I spend my hard earned money and am as demanding as most but, we really do need to recognise how lucky we are at the moment when it comes to home use engineering equipment. Yes there are many dubious merchants on the internet and beyond mainly in the cheap DIY market but with our Model Engineering Suppliers – at least the better regarded ones we really are well served and long may it last.

Heading for the bunker with my cheap Chinese hard hat.

Keith

[JonParticipant @jon]

Quite agree Keith, whatever the cost I always buy for my needs and best price.

I have done much shopping even up to the stage where the main staff left Graham Eng West Brom to the now MSC. The Wolvo one by another brother closed some years back as well.

The worrying fact is joe punter thinks current new machine parts available. Of course will depend upon machine used but if not in stock could easily put that machine out of action for 8 months. Or even if menial parts are available they are so expensive its borderline scrapping the things. ie RF25 brand new at time £600, £245 for motor! Super Lux new £1350 (paid £930 new) transfer box for elevation £233 and so on.

Cost of living is far higher in most of Europe hence the prices for the quality products made, gaps a closing rapidly now they have boot through the door.

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