From my location Woodcraft is 11.5 miles and Rockler 12.5 miles away, my 1st choice is Rockler, if I'm going to Woodcraft it is usually for lumber they have on sale.

 

I've had similar experiences at another Woodcraft in a different part of he country. I'd identify the store, but I haven't been there in a couple of years and don't know if the guy is still around. The store in Greensboro, NC was fantastic back when it was open. I've since found small family owned operations around the country on the internet with which I have developed a phone relationship. Klingspore has a shop in Winston that has become my go to. They know what they're doing and they're helpful, but their coffee is undrinkable.

 

I've never been a big fan of Woodcraft. I haven't had bad experiences but there is a certain vibe in the air. When I was younger I always had this feeling that I wasn't taken like I could be a woodworker. The prices aren't good unless there's a sale so I typically avoid them unless it's for stain or for a smaller piece of wood on sale like Gary mentioned.

There's a really well known exotic wood supplier 20 minutes from me with anything you could imagine. I drive almost an hour to another place because they aren't pompous and I can find prices on everything instead of having to ask with the feeling of, "if you have to ask it's probably not for you"

 

I must be fortunate that I have both Rockler and Woodcraft near me and both stores have excellent staff.
I do feel Rockler has better prices, but I think Woodcraft has a better selection of hand tools.
As for wood, I have a hardwood dealer about 10 minutes from my house, again with excellent staff.

 

You and I must live close to each other. I have never had the experience that you are talking about but I get the same vibe and that store is my last choice. They tend to go through employees and they are all condescending. I'll go in there a day or two after a sale starts and they haven't even unpacked the items yet or put them out on display.
Do you ever go to Rockler in Frisco? The store is twice the size of the one in Richardson. Every time I walk into Rockler I'm greeted with "Hi, thanks for coming in to Rockler, what are you working on, how can we help you today?". Both of the Rockler locations on the north side of the metroplex are awesome.

 

The Woodcrafter in my area was bad and is no longer around, but the Rockler in my area is and always was much better in every way.

 

Sounds like a good reason for a scathing yelp review. I also wonder if your wife was subject to "The little woman syndrome," not taken as seriously and given less respect because of gender. Woodworking is generally a male dominated community and chauvinism sadly not a thing of the past. Regardless, having inadequately trained and/or non customer oriented sales staff is not only unfortunate but downright stupid from a business perspective.

I have no complaints…or accolades either for our Woodcraft, but in general I think the prices are a bit high. Really not that many options near us though, so I tend to buy online and have had fairly good experience so far. Given Covid, brick and mortars are taking a hit…seems like they'd bend over backwards to keep a customer happy. I'd gladly pay a bit more for a tool that had a dealership down the street that would back me up if I needed it, but I'd want a distinctly positive relationship with that dealership first. Certainly, arrogance and poor customer service deletes the value of any perceived local support. Amazing how so many businesses don't get the simplicity of the concept!

 

I have never been to a Woodcraft, or Rockler store. I have only purchased on line from both.

We have a locally owned woodworking store that sells most of what the other two offer. They have always been extremely: courteous, polite, supportive, and professional. They answer questions. They will offer suggestions. They know my name, and I know theirs.

Sorry to hear about your wife's experience. No one needs that.

If I ever do go to any Woodcraft store I will certainly be on guard. It will not be pretty…

 

never been in a woodcraft store just a few times online,i agree their a little pricey.mostly i go to my local rockler store always nice friendly guys more than willing to help out.kinda crazy the guy would call the customer stupid because he wanted something other than what the salesman liked.cost the store a lot of money,he shpuld be fired.

 

Hate to say it, but the Woodcraft store local to me is as bad as the OP describes his. A few weeks ago my wife stopped in to pick an item for me .We had looked at the website and saw this store had several in stock. She couldn't find it and asked for help. She was told they didn't carry it in stock. She said the website showed several in stock. They LAUGHED at her and told her to never trust their website. I'll order from Rockler from now on.

 

I have two Rockler stores and one Woodcraft store about the same distance from me. When they have what I want, I prefer my Woodcraft. I have had no attitude from any of the employees, and find that they cater at least a little bit more to the hand tool crowd. Their handplane or chisel selections, for instance, is much better than Rockler's. I've been shocked a couple of times by the lack of knowledge of some of the employees at my Rockler stores but can't say the same for my Woodcraft.

 

well one thing too remember any store or company is only as good as it's employees.when you run into problems like what have been discussed report it too the companies head quarters,a good company wants to know.but start with store manager and see if that solves the issue first.unless it is the manager!

 

Threads like these are very helpful in shutting down stores. Would you be happier if they just closed? Yes, some stores have poor service. But, I would be happy to deal with that to just have one close. My closest is more than 50 miles away.

Of course, you can always order online but I prefer to be able to put hands on tools before I buy them.

 

According to this article as of 2017 68 of the 76 Woodcraft stores were franchises. So in most cases you're dealing with a locally owned shop and all of the extremes of attitude and service, both good and bad, that come with that.

 

I have neither Rockler or Woodcraft in Ft Myers. The closest store in hours drive away. Woodcraft was in Ft. Myers for a few years. Amazon often delivers the next day for what I want.

 

Franchise owner has all the state of texas as his territory.

I have had problems at the Plano store and also at the Hurst store. I now only shop at the Rockler store in Frisco.

 

I have two Rockler stores and one Woodcraft store about the same distance from me. When they have what I want, I prefer my Woodcraft. I have had no attitude from any of the employees, and find that they cater at least a little bit more to the hand tool crowd. Their handplane or chisel selections, for instance, is much better than Rockler's. I've been shocked a couple of times by the lack of knowledge of some of the employees at my Rockler stores but can't say the same for my Woodcraft.

 

Threads like these are very helpful in shutting down stores. Would you be happier if they just closed? Yes, some stores have poor service. But, I would be happy to deal with that to just have one close. My closest is more than 50 miles away.

Of course, you can always order online but I prefer to be able to put hands on tools before I buy them.

- Redoak49

No way I'd want them to close…just wake up and realize what they may be doing to themselves. Management's likely the problem only in they don't realize there is a problem. It's not the franchise at fault here…it's the people. They can be replaced if necessary, though I'd prefer they get a chance to correct their behavior. I wouldn't wish anyone to lose a job without being given that chance.

well one thing too remember any store or company is only as good as it s employees.when you run into problems like what have been discussed report it too the companies head quarters,a good company wants to know.but start with store manager and see if that solves the issue first.unless it is the manager!

- pottz

Exactly. A bad employee need be pointed out. If it is a manager, he or she may not be the actual franchise owner…so that would be the next step. Beyond that, franchises most likely have defined expectations? Reporting directly to Woodcraft might have an effect, especially if it gets multiple complaints from a specific franchise. It's there reputation, and bottom dollar on the line as well.

 

Exactly. A bad employee need be pointed out. If it is a manager, he or she may not be the actual franchise owner…so that would be the next step. Beyond that, franchises most likely have defined expectations? Reporting directly to Woodcraft might have an effect, especially if it gets multiple complaints from a specific franchise. It's there reputation, and bottom dollar on the line as well.

- RCCinNC
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even if it is a franchise woodcraft doesn't want people pissed off and will probably intervene to correct the problem,sometimes if it's bad enough they will loose the franchise.

 

I have had very good experiences with the two Woodcraft stores (they are owned by the same people) near me. The main store I go to is Springfield, VA. The other is Leesburg. I have purchased almost all my machinery from them. I usually deal with the manager of the Springfield store when making large purchases. I've never had any issues and I've never seen any of the employees treat the customers poorly.

There aren't any Rockler stores in the area and I'm unaware of any other stores in the area.

The manager makes or breaks a store. Too bad you've had consistent issues.

 

Similar situation as Redoak49. Closest store, mainly wood and some power tools is 50 miles away, closest Rockler or Woodcraft is 3 hours or more. Catalogs and internet are my stores.

 

These are difficult times for all in retail. More and more people are shopping online and store revenue is down. Many stores are going out of business and putting stress on owners and employees.

I do not suggest that bad employee behavior is acceptable at any time. But times are incredibly difficult for some.

I am trying hard to buy things from local stores instead of online.

 

These are difficult times for all in retail. More and more people are shopping online and store revenue is down. Many stores are going out of business and putting stress on owners and employees.

I do not suggest that bad employee behavior is acceptable at any time. But times are incredibly difficult for some.

I am trying hard to buy things from local stores instead of online.

- Redoak49

In these times employees, managers, and owners should be doing backflips when you walk in the door not taking their frustrations out on you. If it wasn't for customers they wouldn't be open or have jobs. The businesses that are stepping up have a better chance of surviving and when the situation gets better they will be printing money. I appreciate the businesses that are taking this current situation and using it for training, they are investing. This store used to be over on Marsh Lane in Far North Dallas years ago, it had a different manager. I used to love going over their because they had a little corner set up where you could read through old issues of magazines and project plans. They had a management change (I think because of medical reasons perhaps) 6-8 years ago and it hasn't been the same since.

 

You should send a link to this review to the store. Otherwise they will not be aware of the problem.

My local Woodcraft store is pretty good. They have a robust local community of teachers that come in to give classes as well as the ones the employees give. There's a guy who carves and hangs out there carving all day. One day I want to take his carving class in my copious spare time.

The Rockler store is an hour and half through heavy traffic so I never made it out there.

 

Woodcraft in Cincinnati is great, I have never had any problems with them.