Woodmizer lead times and finance ordeal

[Dan58]

Just to start with, I'm not a hothead or naysayer, but I am extremely disappointed in my Woodmizer order.  I only post this to help the next guy not fall into "the trap."
I ordered a LT15 start, an extension bed, cookie mizer, and lathemizer.  Close to 14k in all.  I signed up for finance, got approved, and was told my mill was ready for pickup in Missouri a few months later. 

I drove the 400 miles there and discovered it was only a partial order, just the mill and no extension or lathe.  I picked it up after paying 400 down and 500 for insurance and been making $383.00 monthly payments since September (6 months).  The Woodmizer guy in Missouri has never returned a single email or phone call.  I finally reached a guy at the Woodmizer main office that told me that he'll let me know when it'll ship but he doesn't know when that'll be.  

My LT15 continues to set on its delivery pallet in my machine shed while I make blind payments waiting on at least the bed section so I can mill my logs which are over 12' long. 

I guess the moral to the story is don't pay or sign for anything at Woodmizer unless your entire order is complete. 

[TSAW]

Sorry to hear about the bad experience hopefully they take care of you soon so you can get those logs cut.  No sense in having the mill just sitting without being able to use it.  

[Nebraska]

No shorter logs to be had?

[IndiLina]

That is unfortunate. Their location in NC was easy to work with. 

[tacks Y]

Dan58, Welcome to the FF.

A bad dealer does not make a bad company. He should have said only part of your order was there so you could decide whether to pick up. I would not be happy having to make 2 trips unless I knew up front.

[SawyerTed]

The reason the sawmill is sitting isn't the dealer's or Woodmizer's responsibility.   That sawmill  should be assembled, setup and used if for nothing more than learning how to use it.  I don't get why other materials can't be cut while waiting on the extension. 

There's no way I could let a machine sit unassembled and make payments six months unless weather or illness prevented me from using it.  

It does sound like a communication problem on the dealer's part.  However, what the OP describes isn't Woodmizer's typical customer experience and it hasn't been mine with Carolinas ASC.  

To characterize the situation as a 'trap' implies Woodmizer is deceptive as a practice rather than this being an unfortunate exception.

The OP certainly could have refused the order until it is complete. 

[LeeB]

I've never had anything but good experiences with Will Baugh, the manager of the MO. store. 

[Dan58]

Well I was notified my remaining parts are being shipped.  Now I can start doing some milling and asking all the noob questions to everyone.  I glad this forum is here, I've learned a lot from the members in the short time I've been here.  

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

My experience with Wood Mizer has been great. I think you will find that once you start sawing, you will be so happy you will forget the small frustrations of getting things started. Most industries are still experiencing problems with supply chain issues. I was told yesterday that I would have to use a different electrical set up on my house because the electrician just couldn't get the parts for the original plan. A bit frustrating but in the end it will work out. Enjoy your saw, its quite an addiction! Brian