Thread: GMC goes into receivership

Originally Posted by Charleville

I am starting to wonder what I have not bought on-line. Last year I bought a Triton bandsaw. a Triton Steel cutter, Triton router bits, digital angle and height gauges from Rockler in the USA, welding rods from Bob the Welder at Ballina, etc plus plenty ..........

Most of the things you listed (Except for the Triton and camera) don't particularily need a "hands on" assesment.

I've bought stuff over the net inc. private buyers on ebay, some trade as a "company" but as they don;t offer pick up they are no doubt in their shed. no dramas yet, inc US model Bosch nail gun for 1/2 the local price.

My wife just bought a new TV cabinet over eBay for $130, supposedly $599 RRP. We could read the sellers feedbacks, but all purcahse deatils including item were hidden. Big Gamble. It could have been a painted cardboard box, instead it is as good or better than in the stores

When I upgraded from the Mk3 to the 2000, hands on sealed it for me, even though it took months of back and forth. I could see for myself how easy it was to adjust the fence etc. There is no way that could be explained to me in reviews or on-line.

Reviews aren't always 100% honest. They willl gloss over faults and drawbacks to enable ongoing support by the manufacturer. Who would continually supply a reviewer if they get negative reviews? I think Stu has already encountered this from one supplier. (I'm definitley not saying Stu's reviews aren't honest or even hintig at it.)

The other issue I have with on-line is delivery. Having someone there to recieve it is impossible, when you have no idea when it is coming. Or they go to the wrong street. Had a pallet delievered and unloaded to the wrong street even after speaking to the driver several times that morning!

Perhaps an option for Triton is to have "display" sites and have your order delivered there for collection, like Bunnings special orders. Or they could support teh little guy, like the tool repairer or sharpener.

Originally Posted by bpj1968

The other issue I have with on-line is delivery. Having someone there to recieve it is impossible, when you have no idea when it is coming. Or they go to the wrong street. Had a pallet delievered and unloaded to the wrong street even after speaking to the driver several times that morning!

Perhaps an option for Triton is to have "display" sites and have your order delivered there for collection, like Bunnings special orders. Or they could support teh little guy, like the tool repairer or sharpener.

Ah yes - some good points there. Delivery has not been such a problem for me as I am retired and either my wife and I are pretty well always home. I could understand how it can be a problem for lots of people these days.

Even the post van who brings things that the postman cannot carry on his motorbike often needs a signature and post-offices have not yet moved into the 24/7 era so that you could collect your parcel after work.



.

Some great points have been listed in this post.

I hope that the "corporate (product and spares) knowledge" that remains at Triton / GMC can be retained. The quality people who know the ropes and the products are as much a part of the Triton goodwill for me as the quality of the products themselves.

Interwood

Originally Posted by Interwood

Some great points have been listed in this post.

I hope that the "corporate (product and spares) knowledge" that remains at Triton / GMC can be retained. The quality people who know the ropes and the products are as much a part of the Triton goodwill for me as the quality of the products themselves.

Interwood

I believe one has gone. our friend Woody Does someone know if this is true?

yes Woody has moved onto greener pastures, not because of the administration.....just got a better offer!! It happens!!!

Yes. the online buying experience does not replace hand on opportunity to look at or feel the equipment. we readily accept advise on line in forums such as this.Years gone buy ot would be word of mouth. trade meets and or discussion with salesmen.

Most sales staff in Bunnings for example are not that well trained.yes some are but many are not.

The costs of Retail adds significantly to the price of a product 40-60% in some cases. There is duplication in the promotional advertising and administration. A well placed stocked item available on line should be able to reduce costs by 20% or more and increase volume output. the spare parts issue is not a problem and many companies pay the courier cost on warranty claims. Some also have option for return to depot. Ordering spare parts on line should be straight forward and with a central stock control system product planners are able to manage the demand more effeciently.

There are many products out there still based on retail sales. None are direct online to customer "Dell" marketing models. Tritoon is such a unique market a direct sales model would suit them well. They can expand teh Youtube demos and spend any savings in relatil costs on better mroe effective promotional activites. Onec you know what it is you want where you buy depends on availablity and price.

If you could buy a unit online for 25% cheaper tehn say at Bunnings where would you prefer to go. Bunnings or 25% cheaper online.Wait a day or two. You could still buy retail but you would pay an additional premium to cover their stock and service costs.

Originally Posted by Eagle

expect an announcement no later than the end of next week.

Any update on the timing of an announcement, Eagle?

Originally Posted by KnockOnWood

Tritoon is such a unique market a direct sales model would suit them well. They can expand teh Youtube demos and spend any savings in relatil costs on better mroe effective promotional activites. .

The only isue is where would Triton conduct promotional activities?

No Hardware would let them in the door if you could then turn around and buy direct at a cheaper price

If Triton set up their online shop so that their wholesale customers received their normal margins on all tritons online sales there may end up being a queue to become an official retailer. It would work just as well with all gmc products.

At the checkout the online purchaser only need nominate their normal hardware store.
Ouch for Bunnings ... and imho they deserve it


so where would GMC/Triton demonstrate....... in their customers stores of course!

Originally Posted by jmk89

Any update on the timing of an announcement, Eagle?

hopefully at the end of this week, today or tomorrow. We are all waiting with bated breath!!

Originally Posted by echnidna

If Triton set up their online shop so that their wholesale customers received their normal margins on all tritons online sales...

Sounds like an interesting idea but it could be difficult to administer. How do you determine who gets what - delivery address postcode?

You could end up with two stores in adjoining territories, where one store demo's and promotes, while the other one doesn't. You will have people from the "slack store" territory buying gear because they saw it demoed at the out of their area store, but the "slack store" gets the margin.

At the checkout the online purchaser only need nominate their normal hardware store

Originally Posted by echnidna

At the checkout the online purchaser only need nominate their normal hardware store

But they could nominate the "slack store", because it is their closest to them and thats where they normally shop.

It's certainly doable, but it can easily lead to conflict between those actively selling/demoing and those gaining advantage from other's activity.

Originally Posted by Vernonv

But they could nominate the "slack store", because it is their closest to them and thats where they normally shop.

It's certainly doable, but it can easily lead to conflict between those actively selling/demoing and those gaining advantage from other's activity.

Easy. The list of stores to select from would only show the stores which had demo'ed Triton equipment within an agreed period (6 months, 12 months, whatever had been agreed).

So the slack store who never hosted a demo would not be on the list. There might be some confusion where two nearby stores both hosted demos, but over time that would probably even out.