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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 7, 2016 11:32:45 GMT -5
I have been buying from Rio for at least 18 years. I have had a few problems, but they always hooked me up.
I put in a big tool order recently. Actually, my husband did under my account for my birthday. Most of the items were defective.
It started with a $70+ drill bit set. One would not cut no matter what. It was as if it were machined backwards. Ok, so I called them. Since this was in a set, they sent me a 5 pc set of the same size. But, they were made in China and did NOT fit for my quick disconnect handpiece. I was not happy when I got them, but I am dealing with it. The bits actually aren't that bad.
Then my expensive Knew concepts saw was defective. They sent another one and gave me a return label. The new one is fine.
And, believe it or not, my Foredom quick disconnect handpiece started making a God awful noise. It was a loud chatter with so much vibration that increasing the rpm made me very nervous. I called them and asked for a tech. The guy heard the piece over the phone and promptly sent me to the customer service rep to get another sent to me.
All of the replacements were sent immediately and received in a couple of days. Rio's customer service is outstanding! They didn't make any of these products, so I can't complain about their workmanship, but what gives? What are the odds that all these things from one order would be bad? What's going on? Are they now following the Walmart model and forcing their suppliers into lower prices via lower quality? They are a public company now with stock holders to keep happy. I am glad they hooked me up so easily and quickly, but I was without my new tools when I needed and wanted them. I have to wonder about ordering from them now.
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Post by toiv0 on Dec 7, 2016 20:04:19 GMT -5
I have been buying there for a while, I just buy my silver there now. In the day I knew all the people in the will call dept. They had a room full returns and trade show tools they would let me go through once a month when I was working between Abuqueque and Sante Fe. You always had to double and triple check tolerences and alignment. I bought all their findings and loose gemstones for pennies on a dollar. I was in there this spring and its not the same place it used to be. I think you are right on everyone trying to stretch a buck. Rio Grande is the largest UPS customer in New Mexico, they have tons of stuff going though that place on a given day.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 7, 2016 21:10:35 GMT -5
Do a lot of those bigger companies really care about customer satisfaction anymore ? I don't think so . Its all about profit . Just sell lots of stuff and sell cheap . If the customer has a problem , exchange the item and they will either carry on like crazy about the customer service or simply shut up . But it also seems like a lot of people are turning into disposable junkies . Used to be quality meant something , seems now people are more into buying lots of stuff so they can brag about it . To be able to do that , the vendors have to sell cheap . Well, sorry about my long rant , but I always feel if a job is worth doing it is worth doing right . Thanks for your post , good to know for future reference . |
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Post by radio on Dec 9, 2016 9:34:48 GMT -5
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Dec 9, 2016 17:00:03 GMT -5
I really don't think they have a lot of options. Global free trade has decimated western manufacturing. The majority of the U.S. and European manufacturing companies have closed their factories. Many that have outsourced their production to China are now selling imported junk products under their old western brand names but it's not even close to being the same quality. Even many of the Japanese tool manufacturers that used to make decent tools are now outsourcing their production to China. So retailers either have to sell Chinese (or third world) made junk or they have nothing to sell.
So when I need hand tools, files, saw blades, bearings, etc. I look for new-old-stock western made on eBay, or unused/lightly used ones at estate sales first. Also old small town country stores that have been around for decades sometimes still have a few old-stock U.S.A. and European made files, hand saws, specialty hammers, and other tools for sale.
Larry C.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 12:06:35 GMT -5
I really don't think they have a lot of options. Global free trade has decimated western manufacturing. The majority of the U.S. and European manufacturing companies have closed their factories. Many that have outsourced their production to China are now selling imported junk products under their old western brand names but it's not even close to being the same quality. Even many of the Japanese tool manufacturers that used to make decent tools are now outsourcing their production to China. So retailers either have to sell Chinese (or third world) made junk or they have nothing to sell. So when I need hand tools, files, saw blades, bearings, etc. I look for new-old-stock western made on eBay, or unused/lightly used ones at estate sales first. Also old small town country stores that have been around for decades sometimes still have a few old-stock U.S.A. and European made files, hand saws, specialty hammers, and other tools for sale. Larry C. Actually artificially high wages due to government regulations and taxes are the cause of mfg going overseas. Take all that away anf mfg comes back. We have decided not to participate in free trade due to these regulations. |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Dec 10, 2016 12:23:17 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2016 13:11:13 GMT -5
I have tried soooo many cutters, from cheap to expensive. I can't say that I was at all happy with the swanstroms. I am not a fan of the Lindstrom, either. I am using Erem brand now. They are Swiss made. I get them reconditioned on ebay when I can find them. The 2422e is very good. Do you file your ends or tumble? That usually will do it. When I am finished with a piece, I run my fingers around it to see if there are any sharps or snags, then I file. |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Dec 10, 2016 13:33:28 GMT -5
Do you file your ends or tumble? That usually will do it. When I am finished with a piece, I run my fingers around it to see if there are any sharps or snags, then I file. Thanks for the advice Tela - sorry for hijacking your thread. In this latest case I was trying something I don't normally do - inserted the bail wrap wire through the bail opening - gave it a good firm tightening pull then tried to cut it off inside the bail. My stupid cheap cutters didn't have a sharp enough tip to cut it and I made a bit of a mess trying. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2016 14:01:03 GMT -5
Do you file your ends or tumble? That usually will do it. When I am finished with a piece, I run my fingers around it to see if there are any sharps or snags, then I file. Thanks for the advice Tela - sorry for hijacking your thread. In this latest case I was trying something I don't normally do - inserted the bail wrap wire through the bail opening - gave it a good firm tightening pull then tried to cut it off inside the bail. My stupid cheap cutters didn't have a sharp enough tip to cut it and I made a bit of a mess trying. I see.... I guess you know now that you should cut it as short as you need it to be for it to be tucked out of the way- before you turn it.  |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Dec 10, 2016 14:11:33 GMT -5
 yes
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 16:26:01 GMT -5
Quality in Swiss made tools.
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Dec 10, 2016 16:39:10 GMT -5
Quality in Swiss made tools. Expense too...  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 16:49:11 GMT -5
Quality in Swiss made tools. Expense too... How many cheap ones do you buy to equal one Swiss made? Is the Swiss piece a lifetime tool? One investment? |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Dec 10, 2016 17:08:18 GMT -5
How many cheap ones do you buy to equal one Swiss made? Is the Swiss piece a lifetime tool? One investment? Truth ... but I'm no Tela or even a good wire wrapper for that matter... My $7.99 aggravating cheapo's somehow lasted a few years. I get sticker shock when I see a pair of side cutters for $60+ haha. |
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Post by spiceman on Dec 10, 2016 17:22:22 GMT -5
OK, as far as the drill being backwards, yes it can happen. If the drill is used on a screw machine, it has to be a left handed drill. I learned that when I was a young machinist, real fast. Crazy
:)
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2016 22:03:05 GMT -5
How many cheap ones do you buy to equal one Swiss made? Is the Swiss piece a lifetime tool? One investment? Truth ... but I'm no Tela or even a good wire wrapper for that matter... My $7.99 aggravating cheapo's somehow lasted a few years. I get sticker shock when I see a pair of side cutters for $60+ haha. I don't like to spend a lot on tools, either. The really good ones can be reconditioned. Rio used to charge 20, I think. Anyway, when I see good used Erems on ebay, I grab them. But, one of my favorite pairs is a cheap pair made in Italy. I think they are like 20 or less and cut really well. I have never been happy when I have spent a lot. I got some lindstoms and swanstroms and they just didn't hold up and weren't that damn good. I felt ripped off. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2016 22:05:31 GMT -5
Expense too... How many cheap ones do you buy to equal one Swiss made? Is the Swiss piece a lifetime tool? One investment? The better ones do last a long time when they are used correctly and then when they need it, it is worth it to have them reconditioned. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2016 22:10:08 GMT -5
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Post by spiceman on Dec 10, 2016 23:16:03 GMT -5
Well, when I worked at Kodak someone there placed a order for flush wire cutters for the circuit boards. 90 bucks a piece. Crazy
They where good but you could go through lots of 10 dollar pairs. They both do the same thing...cut wires.
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yes 
