tree stuff, its been real....

[bonner1040]

I must be missing something...

You are definitely missing something.

The idea that TreeStuff is on the downturn is ridiculous. I'll take any bet from anyone that TreeStuff is the single largest direct to consumer sales channel in the arborist world (we are WAY bigger than SherrillTree.com). We sell more than anyone else on the planet and are growing the fastest.

You can dream up all the conspiracy theories you want and I'm ok with it because at the end of the day the market is going to continue to choose the supplier with the largest assortment, the best service and everyday low prices - anyone voting with their dollars and not forum posts knows that's TreeStuff.

 

[bonner1040]

Well I can tell you when you decided to be the first company to sell what we had branded the Ropetek Comm system with no credit to Ropetek I took it personally too. For that I will do everything in my power to hinder your stock holders from making any more money off of the arborist community . Your ridiculously passionate employees are passionate about nothing other than making money for the corporation and from my perspective will screw everybody to do so. You can talk about how great your team is but your actions speak loader than your bullshit. Ever wonder why so many people hate Sherrill??

Paul, you didn't invent SENA and we paid you a fair royalty on them up until the day you told us you didn't want our money anymore. Take a chill pill dude.

 

[John_KAYS]

I’ve been following this thread closely and would like to jump in.

I am sorry it took starting a new thread to get our full attention, but it worked. Thanks to Jason for launching this and to Alan for adding his detailed experience. As already mentioned by them, their issues have been resolved, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have work to do.

Alan’s post about his completely screwed up September order brought attention to the fact that we had a breakdown on how we handle custom built spliced items. The short story is that we changed a process in September that caused the ‘hand off’ between systems to not carry the full details of his custom lanyard order. A solution is now in place and it’s working on new orders. The backordered t-shirts on Alan’s order were discontinued by the vendor. We should have disabled them from the site sooner and not taken the order on that no-longer-available item.

Alan, I’m sorry that we learned about this problem at the expense of your order, and I sincerely apologize for the strain that this put on your business. I hope that this recent experience doesn’t send you away forever, and I hope that we made it right.

Having out of stocks is no way to get ahead in a competitive marketplace, and we’ve taken many steps to improve here. The business has been growing at a fast pace and we are reacting accordingly. Safety stock levels have been increased, we have hired new people in our purchasing department, we’re investing more dollars in overall inventory, increasing our stock of regularly manufactured spliced items, and investing in technology that will help us to better forecast each of the 10,000 individual items that we stock. We measure ourselves every day on a metric called “On Time In Full”, and we report on this internally while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Regarding the concern that we are consciously trying to run TreeStuff.com into the ground, I’d like to point out that it’s been almost 16 months since the acquisition. If we had any intention to shutter TreeStuff, we would have done it by now. Our two stores serve unique sets of customers, and our goal is to invest, support, and grow both while absolutely making it a priority to not screw up or do any harm to either of them along the way.

We have an amazing team of ridiculously passionate employees. We always work to get everything right, and we take it personally when we screw up. We welcome and appreciate everyone’s feedback, good or bad. Other than saying thank you for your support, that’s what I’ve got for now.


Regards,
Tripp
Sherrill, inc.

I really like your approach and attitude. I also can't imagine what it is like to manage two arborist supply companies in two distant states. It has got to be a difficult task to streamline these many processes and systems that were previously carried out by two separate and distinct entities. It is sad to hear about the Treestuff splicing department. My biggest feedback would be that something needs to be done about the out-of-stock crisis at Treestuff. I have been waiting for some items to become available for half a year or more without any change in status. It has become a little too common to find something is out of stock, and honesty it really does make one want to shop somewhere else. Thanks for listening to us all and thanks for making those improvements to solve these various issues that have been taking place.

 

[JeffGu]

...conspiracy theories...

Well, it was no conspiracy theory. And it took very little time to answer half of my question. There's an inordinate amount of "Out of Stock - more coming!" than I've ever seen on your site. I mean, not a little more... a LOT more. I'm glad you're growing fast. But, for a predominantly online business, I'd think the website would be a top priority. It sure doesn't seem that way. Set up the structure to handle adding splices with checkboxes... great idea! Add or change stock, don't bother using that feature, just make 'em call. Not so great, as ideas go. 5 to 10 days and we'll have it. 30 days, still not in stock. Might sound like nitpicking, but your online presence is what we have to go by, not the forum posts you despise so much. And "we're growing fast, can do no wrong" is a non-answer. It encourages the cynicism. You used to be very good at being very specific in answering these dreaded posts.

If people are taking wild guesses about what's going on, it's because we see changes that give us the impression that something is out of sync with what we've come to expect. So, I guess I'll try to form a question that won't require corporate-speak to answer...

How does inventory get THAT low on so many items for so long? Wouldn't the Trango Vergo be a nice item to stock, with the Cinch gone? Dropped the Atlantic Braids stuff and went with Blue Ox? Ooops. Too many questions. Sorry.

 

[Steve Connally]

I don’t think you have quite the lock on the market you had in the past Nick. Unfortunately things have come to the point where my previous patronage has no bearing on my purchase power my corporate discount is basically phased out and there are stock and shipment issues. I will continue to buy from TS but not like I used to. I now look around before I purchase and one of your competitors provided me a healthy corporate discount for life just for attending a class. I can also combine sales and the discount. Unfortunately my discount with TS is all but gone.

I think there is a strong message here that isn’t being heard. If it is being heard it’s not been fixed to my knowledge in days past TS walked on water. In certain circles you are treading water. Not as a business per se but as THE choice to go to. Your foundation isn’t quite as strong as you think.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Stant82]

If people are taking wild guesses about what's going on, it's because we see changes that give us the impression that something is out of sync with what we've come to expect.

Well said. This is the core issue.

 

[bonner1040]

Well, it was no conspiracy theory. And it took very little time to answer half of my question. There's an inordinate amount of "Out of Stock - more coming!" than I've ever seen on your site. I mean, not a little more... a LOT more. I'm glad you're growing fast. But, for a predominantly online business, I'd think the website would be a top priority. It sure doesn't seem that way. Set up the structure to handle adding splices with checkboxes... great idea! Add or change stock, don't bother using that feature, just make 'em call. Not so great, as ideas go. 5 to 10 days and we'll have it. 30 days, still not in stock. Might sound like nitpicking, but your online presence is what we have to go by, not the forum posts you despise so much. And "we're growing fast, can do no wrong" is a non-answer. It encourages the cynicism. You used to be very good at being very specific in answering these dreaded posts.

If people are taking wild guesses about what's going on, it's because we see changes that give us the impression that something is out of sync with what we've come to expect. So, I guess I'll try to form a question that won't require corporate-speak to answer...

How does inventory get THAT low on so many items for so long? Wouldn't the Trango Vergo be a nice item to stock, with the Cinch gone? Dropped the Atlantic Braids stuff and went with Blue Ox? Ooops. Too many questions. Sorry.

We stock like 10k items man. You act like we try not to have to stuff in stock. We buy as much as we can afford to or as much as the vendors have, then it all sells really fast. That's just how it works. It's not some personal vendetta or lack of effort. It's just a busy store.

The trango vergo isn't really an equitable replacement for the cinch and they had a recall on it out of the gate. If you want one email me and I'll get it for you.

I'm not sure what you mean by Blue Ox


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[bonner1040]

I don’t think you have quite the lock on the market you had in the past Nick. Unfortunately things have come to the point where my previous patronage has no bearing on my purchase power my corporate discount is basically phased out and there are stock and shipment issues. I will continue to buy from TS but not like I used to. I now look around before I purchase and one of your competitors provided me a healthy corporate discount for life just for attending a class. I can also combine sales and the discount. Unfortunately my discount with TS is all but gone.

I think there is a strong message here that isn’t being heard. If it is being heard it’s not been fixed to my knowledge in days past TS walked on water. In certain circles you are treading water. Not as a business per se but as THE choice to go to. Your foundation isn’t quite as strong as you think.

Just my 2 cents

Well I'm just a guy with a job, so I'm gonna go hang out with my family now and then go back to work disappointing you some more tomorrow.


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[Steve Connally]

Well that’s a great response Nick. So much for being heard and taking it constructively. I wonder how your boss will feel when he reads that. Not to mention that I’m just one guy who’s spent almost $25k to support you and what you stood for, which I thought was me. A little guy with a voice in the big scheme of things. Doesn’t feel good to be dismissed so easily. I too have a family and I took their time to give you feedback.

 

[Tobe_Sherrill]

Appreciate the level-headed response John and Steve.

Paul Cox, enough with this fake narrative about Sherrilltree ripping off people’s ideas and/or making sub par products.

First of all, never in the history of our business (circa 1983) have we been sighted, sued or even accused (legitimately) of imposing upon, much less copying a legally protected product. Not once! In that same period we’ve invested many thousands of dollars in “royalties” to inventors of non patented, unprotected ideas and products in an effort to serve customers, a nearly unheard of practice in other industries. Examples include; the inventor of the Falteimer Cube, the Portawrap, X-rings, the Backbone, Pocket Wedge and countless gizmos and gadgets. Mostly ideas that we DID NOT think of ourselves, or couldn’t improve upon dramatically.

Next, about “making subpar products,” first and foremost, the quality of the rope splices we manufacture is second to none. As for what we’ve manufactured elsewhere (for the past 10 years), the effort has required incredible focus and investment. It’s challenging, given how small this market is compared to others, but we do our honest best. If there are “below standard runs”, they’re sent to the dump or a recycle center. And if a product does fall short, we stand behind it with a lifetime guarantee and hassle-free replacement.

12 years ago Paul apparently formed a grudge against us for refusing to buy home-modified Petzl helmets with his Sena com systems installed. We were told explicitly (by Petzl) not to modify helmets. What would you do? Regardless, one competitor was willing to trade Paul's altered helmets, so they did. No complaint from me. Eventually Sena developed a product that could be used without alteration and Sherrilltree offered it to tree professionals.

As stated in a list of posts before, the tree care industry, and entrepreneurs there in, are, and have always been our inspiration. You are why we spend long nights and weekends (and many other spare moments) developing products and publishing catalogs. Buy from whom you like but remember that that we’re doing everything in our ability to serve you best.

 

[RopeShield]

We don't trust Sherrillstuff. We will continue to explain to others willing to listen. Liars, cheaters, dishonest and and and

 

[Leroy]

Yeah, Booo!!!

 

[bonner1040]

Well that’s a great response Nick. So much for being heard and taking it constructively. I wonder how your boss will feel when he reads that. Not to mention that I’m just one guy who’s spent almost $25k to support you and what you stood for, which I thought was me. A little guy with a voice in the big scheme of things. Doesn’t feel good to be dismissed so easily. I too have a family and I took their time to give you feedback.

Steve I've been listening and participating here for years. I've been trying to do good things for arborists for years. I've been supporting and running arborist events around the world for years. I've made myself available to you specifically and everyone else here for years.

I work everyday to bring new products to market, to innovate in the market, educate and support small businesses. Myself and a very small team do our best to keep things current on the site, in stock and available. We could easily cut our assortment in half to match our competitors and keep it all in stock, but that's not what anyone wants either.

I'm truly sorry that you are so bummed with our performance but I'm just not sure what else you want me to do man. I mean shit I haven't had a day off since September!




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[Steve Connally]

I work hard at both my jobs also. I didn't ask you for anything. All I did was give you feedback. I've kept silent on things since the merger incase you haven't noticed. All I was doing was telling you what i'm observing. It was nothing more than that. Wile you've been defending TS and Sherrill for the past 2 years i've sat silently watching the threads. I had no expectations from what I posted. How you chose to respond was on you. Don't think I don't remember we've talked personally about it. Why else would I have kept objective? Certainly out of respect for TS who treated me like gold for a very long time. Perhaps out of respect for how you had treated me in the past? So as an objective loyal customer I had hoped you would have just stopped and heard me. Possibly thinking to yourself, wow, this guy has been in our corner forever, maybe there's something to what he's saying. I've said my peace and have nothing else to contribute to the threads. I will go pack to my dark corner and continue to watch things play out. I'm not here to perpetuate the kick the shit out of TS and Sherrill campaign. I am merely a voice of a customer who only bought from you over the last almost 10 years.

 

[Tobe_Sherrill]

W

We don't trust Sherrillstuff. We will continue to explain to others willing to listen. Liars, cheaters, dishonest and and and

Correction, “...you will explain, listening or not...”
Dishonest? What professional, or otherwise reasonable individual spends his or her time drumming through such negativity?
Thomas, I’ve read the many responses to “your insistence” that arborists launch and/or otherwise manipulate a solid, stainless steel throw weight overhead. It’s hazardous at best. You have better ideas I’m sure.

And that reminds me of a point; I’m interested in working with folks to develop product ideas that serve the TC community. That includes you Thomas. If you have an idea that can be turned into a productive product, pm me ...and perhaps we’ll lie, cheat and steal our way into hearts the difficult way ...discussing, sketching, resketching, blowing money, designing, CADing, 3-d printing, testing...

 

[pctree]

Tobe I'll tell you what got me pissed at you, when I was first trying to get the Wraptor to market I called you about it and you told me there was no place in the arborist market for such a device. 1000 working climbers disagree. I guess this was your idea of supporting innovation? You wouldn't carry the HH s because it didn't have your industry highest mark up built into the price. Because you didn't sell the Wraptor one of your employees sent out an email to Isa saying they had a near incident using one , neglected to mention it wasn't a fall or anything but a screw came loose.
Funny you mention supporting the x rings since xman told me himself you guys went behind his back and tried to buy direct from antal.

When work slows down this winter I will address more of my grievances and hopefully do something positive for working aborists and hopefully hurt the scourge that is Sherrill

 

[RopeShield]

It's my experience.
You especially. @Tobe_Sherrill do not like to be challenged, defeated and concede to defeat. Basic science you refuse to adhere to.
Remind you of TreeHouse and the malarkey you pulled there.
I have nothing to sell or I would want to sell to you. Honestly never want to work with you. You want another chance are you really interested in listening and being honest?
Prove it!
Sharing my thoughts. Positive or negative
Either way people can decide for themselves what works, is an improvement and what is a wise investment.
Any of my ideas or inventions will eventually come to reality. I sow seeds.

 

[pctree]

Tobe, so you still warranty your "line tamer" I got 2 that don't work, one I bought and the replacement you sent that doesn't work either. I should remember though that you don't make shit products

 

[Ent]

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

I've made myself available to you specifically and everyone else here for years.
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What about the answer to my question last week? Call this guy during normal business hours. Was basically what you said. I just need a stupid part number. I understand you work hard, so do we. Some of use work long hours too. Maybe we can't get the 9-5 phone call in. But call this guy... when you get time. Way to pass the buck! I haven't even had time to call in about the back ordered items from my last order 9/25. Oh that my card has already been charged for, ships in 5-10 days.

We could easily cut our assortment in half to match our competitors and keep it all in stock, but that's not what anyone wants either.

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What these guys are saying is you have cut your assortment in half, except you tease with more coming soon. Is that some kind of marketing scheme? We check to see if stuff is in stock and we see something else shiny we want?

I have tried to stay objective, I even tried in the beginning to give the benefit of the doubt. I had a great conversation with Sean and he seems to get it. But I'm not going to sit here and be told "I'm available anytime" and then passed off because you don't have time.