Information about Ridgid

[UO_Woody]

Visiting my local HD today for needed items, I noticed a new manager mingling with the tools. So I approached and needled him about Ridgid.

First off, he said in about 2 weeks Ridgid is going to be offering a promotion. Buy the MS1290, and you get a mail in certificate for a FREE MS-UV. That's right, a $200 value, FREE.

The spindle/belt sander was 199, and the RAS was 549. The JP was down to 399.

Now the good stuff. He said the NEW Ridgid/Ryobi Rep, that's right, one rep for both, made his first visit last week. As I suspected, Ridgid will be to Ryobi, like DeWalt is to Black and Decker. Ryobi being the DIY line, the Ridgid more the contractors line. Around Xmas time a line of cordless products along with some other products will be released with the Ridgid name. He was about to tell me more info when another customer dragged him away.

He couldn't say if the lower prices were a permanent drop, or just a promotion. He did say there other machines that was lowered, but have been returned to normal price.

So at least we know this much.

[daveferg]

In case it might be another clue in the puzzle---local HD ad, in Sunday paper-----had a full page devoted to Ridgid tools----first time I've seen more than a 1/4 page listing of Ridgid tools. No price drops, though. Tune in next week for more clues. :eek:

[KellyC]

I'm getting ready to call an ad I saw today for a 3612 for $700...gotta find out why he's asking so much.

Interesting news...wonder if the new tools will pass muster with the magazines...

[Captain Bunzo]

Hmmnn. Seems that the puzzle IS coming together. When I talked to the Ridgid customer service people today, I learned a couple new things.

First, the rep was VERY positive about how well the Ridgid woodworking tool line was doing. As in when I asked about whether it might disappear, she replied something along the line of not a chance.

Furthermore, she mentioned that Emerson tools has spun the Ridgid woodworking line off into its own company. Customer representative said that there would be a new line of tools coming out around Christmas.

Then I got to talk to a supervisor (her authority was required to give me some free stuff (http://www.ridgid.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001560).

She commented along similar lines. As I am a diehard Ridgid fan and have been pining over a Ridgid Scroll Saw, I asked if there was any chance they would be coming out with one of those soon. She said that was highly possible with the new line coming around Christmas.

Either the rep or the sup commented that "they" (their higher ups) weren't going to release any information until right before the new tools came out.

After I hung up, I remembered some other question I wanted to ask. I forget now. However, this was funny - the sup had given me her direct number + extension so that I could call back with the serial number for my bandsaw (they wanted to tracking informatin as it was missing some nuts and bolts).

Well, when I called into the direct line to the sup with my question, it greeted me with some welcome to the Ryobi something or another line. Hmmnn. Interesting.

I will post that number (minus the sup's extension) tomorrow for anyone who wants to hear more.

Also, I'd recommend that everyone interested call Ridgid customer service and ask questions about what is going on, then report here. They seem very friendly towards assuring their public is happy and at peace with their future.

[Captain Bunzo]

Oh yes, one more thing.

The supervisor also commented that the Ridgid woodworking tools website had been neglected for a while and that would hopefully change with the new management/company/whatever.

That would be neat! I always love a better web site for a company that I like.

[daveferg]

Interesting---it certainly sounds like someone built a fire under the "new" Ridgid rep! Frankly, with all due respect to the good people at the "old" Ridgid, your previous field customer service people were AWOL.

It will be interesting to see what happens. But, I sincerely hope that Ridgid WILL be the new DeWalt, to Ryobi's, Black and Decker!

[George]

Originally posted by daveferg:
...---local HD ad, in Sunday paper-----had a full page devoted to Ridgid tools----... You know, I can't remember EVER seeing an ad for Ridgid woodworking tools where I live. Sad. I like UO_Woody's analogy of Ridgid is to Ryobi what DeWalt is to B&D. I hope this holds out to be true.

[Marker]

Bob Dueker, I know you can't give any specifics about the products, but can you give us a "ballpark" timeframe when we can expect to hear or see the "great" things from Ridgid you mentioned in previous posts? Days, Weeks, Months, Years?

Thanks

[Marker]

Well, I guess the answer is no.

[bdueker]

MarkR:
My apologies for taking so long to get back to you. Things should be "cutting loose" real soon now(months). I think you guys will like what you see. I have come to really respect everyones opinion here and am anxious to hear what you have to say. Thanks!(Mark - sorry again!)

[Marker]

Thanks for the reply Bob. I guess I'm just a bit impatient sometimes. It is a great bunch of people here and unlike many other woodworking forums, we usually stick to woodworking. Many others contribute a much more than I do. A Software Engineering job, a house, and a 15 month old son take most of my time. The little woodworking I do usually involves home repairs. However, I do like to listen in and offer any advice when I can.

[ 07-17-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: MarkR ]

[jon]

if all of you like your ridge wood working tools so much, you better buy them now because when ryobi takes over....well enough said!

[UO_Woody]

I can only respond to that is:

Ryobi manufacturing is doing what B&D did several years back. Ridgid will by Ryobi's equal to B&D's DeWalt line.

Nothing is in stone yet, nor have we seen any results. But I highly doubt that Ridgid would make such a move and keep their name on it if it was going to be a DIYer market. They just don't work that way.

Faith and trust in Ridgid, as we started with, we shall continue with. (MHPO)

[Rafael]

I tend to stay away from Dewalt because black and decker is such garbage. It may not be rational but it is human. I do not trust anything from b and d. Many people will stay away from ridgid because of ryobi. The garbage I've had from b and d makes ryobi look like top quality.

[Dave Arbuckle]

Many people will stay away from ridgid because of ryobi.

A lot of people stayed away from Ridgid because of Sears. Can't please all the people all the time. Some people, maybe you can't please at all... ;)

Random Ryobi fact: They invented the portable planer, the AP10.

Dave

[Rafael]

Ridgid could have accomplished what they are doing with ryobi in other ways without besmirching the ridgid name. They didn't even try something as simple as internet sales or utilizing sales reps. Bad management.

[Mark IV]

Originally posted by rafael:
...Bad management. Well, there ya go. I think bringing internet marketing to their attention on their web forum should be instructive.

Look, there's always more to these kinds of stories. See discussions re: patents, Sears, tooling.

Checked out TTNDY's stock chart.

Could be a rough start up, but I like their chances. They have instant local distribution points throughout the US, and Emerson as mentors in the biz.

Time will tell.

[KellyC]

Yep...anyone getting that big a contract would drive the stock prices up...but that means nothing to us. The proof will be in the tools and the new marketing approach. You don't think Emerson's stock went up when they branded Ridgid?

What Rafael was saying is that they were in a bad spot only selling the tools at HD's. Having a forum isn't selling their tool lines online. I happen to agree that the all eggs in a basket approach is sorry and that they should have passed on the HD deal.

HD's has a habit of badgering their vendors and making them do things no other retail chain does. Lowe's certainly doesn't employ the same tactics.

[daveferg]

Rafael---don't know your age, but sound like you're a bit younger----Actually, B&D used to have an excellent reputation. In my 40 plus years of ww'ing, I've owned 2 of their corded drills---the only reason it wasn't just one, is the first was destroyed in a fire! ;) When the bought/merged with DeWalt, guess they made an executive decission to use the B&D name to market their cheapie tools----of the tried and true B&D designs---they all became DeWalt! Besides, when B&D bought DeWalt---all DW had was a line of radial arm saws---at least as I remember it----.

Now, since Ryobi is already the low-end brand, won't be quite the same pattern---at least we hope not.

I do agree that between problems re-surfacing with Sears and very poor support from HD, Ridgid likely had little choice----they were marketing on their web site, but only those tools which HD had dropped (dust collectors for one).

[Mark IV]

Look at the 3 and 5 year charts, and plot the Ridgid announcement on them. This was a very successful company before this announcement.

They have beaucoup cash, and now, new instant outlets across North America.

Some don't seem to understand the importance of this, but imagine, say, Grizzly, in every HD (or Lowe's, or Sears) in America. Substitute General or Powermatic or Jet, if you prefer (good American names, huh?).

[jon]

YOU ALL KNOW THAT RIDGID MAKES ABOUT 10 MILL A YEAR THOUGH HD.NOW THERE GOING TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF RYOBI FOR THERE NAME! THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A RYOBI-RIDGID LIKE B&D AND DW. DEWALT IS BETTER THAN BLACK AND DECKER NOW BECAUSE THATS THE WAY THEY WANT IT . DOULBLE DIPPING, LOW END TOOLS FOR HOME OWENERS HIGHER Q FOR INDUSTIAL.BUT TO GET BACK TO RIDGE THE ONLY TOOLS THEY EVERY MADE ANY GOOD ARE THEADING EQ. DRAIN EQ. HAND TOOLS. TAKE A LOOK FOR EXAMPLE AT THERE SAWZAW ITS A PORTERCABLE SAME AS THERE BANDSAW. SO WHY DIDDNT THEY JUST GO WITH PC FOR THERE WOODWOKING TOOLS. THERE WILL BE ALOT OF WARANTY CLAIMS NOW. WELL THERE ALREADY IS ALOT OF CLAIMS ONTHERE OWN LINE NOW SO WHY NOT RYOBI. EVERY THING I EVER FIXED OR ATTEMTED TO FIX FOR RYOBI WAS JUNK. DO NOT THINK THEY WILL BE BETTER WITH RIDGE NAME AND COLORS JUNK WILL REMAIN JUNK AND THE JUNK RIDGID JUST DUMMPED ON RYOBI MAKES A GOOD MAIRAGE THER ARE ALOT OF GOOD TOOLS OUT THERE SPEND THE MONEY AND BE HAPPY. BUT STAY AWAY FROM RIDGOBY! HA!.............

[jon]

HITACHI MAKITA HILTI FEIN BOSCH MILW DEWALT PORTERCABLE-DELTA METABO,

[Rafael]

Jon I don't know if that was your intention or not, but all caps is hard to read.

[jon]

sorry about the caps. new to the game.