Laguna-Fixed Pricing, No More Deals?
So I’ve been in the market for a new bandsaw for about, say six months. A while back I had Laguna and other Euro bandsaw sellers send me their stuff. Of course, I get the sales follow up calls every month or so. Here’s what the Laguna guy told me recently:
1. No more “show specials” or end of month “deals”. They recognize that their business perception has been that of “slimy” (their words) and they want to change that. Fixed pricing only for EVERY customer.
2. Reduced prices (by about a hundred bucks per saw – at least on the 16HD) because they closed a facility in Jersey so lower overhead.
3. No more Euro sized miter slot. It’s now standard American sizing at 3/4″ x 3/8″.
Anyone buy a saw from them lately? Anyone been to a show in the last few months and been offered a “deal”? I know that many at this forum have said to “haggle” with them on the phone for pricing or add ons but from the salesmans words it sounds like that’s not how they’re doing business today. I’m getting ready to take the plunge and am curiuos about very recent experiences. While I tend to trust the saleperson at his word, I’m somewhat cautious and keeping my eyes WIDE open.
Thanks,
Seth
Replies
Hi Seth,
As I've posted recently, I'm also in the market for an Italian bandsaw an this is what my experience has been.
I was at the New England Industrial Woodworkers Show a month back and talked to many salepeople, along with discussions with vendors over the phone. Laguna had planned to be there but dropped out a week or so before the show. Felder, Adwood, Panhans, MiniMax, along with others all had "show prices" on their saws. Eagle Tools(Euroshop/Agazzani) wasn't there but offered me a deal comparable to what the others said (and it didn't expire a day after the show...I think!). Most of the dealers had their 18" and/or 24" saws on display with the option to save money on shipping if I'd take it with me. Laguna's absence from the show, along with the closing of their N.J. warehouse made me somewhat wary of doing buisiness with them, though many people seem satified. Personally, I'm leaning towards Agazzani or MiniMax(don't know yet) because of their reputation(Ag) or resaw capacity (MM). Good luck to you on whatever you chose!
john,
The best band saws made here are Centauro, the Agazzani are o.k. on the models over 60 cm (fly wheel diameter) I own a 1981 Framar and have had no problems with it. If by chace you come across the Sicar brand don't buy it they don't balence the wheels well and they tend to break blades more than average. In any case if you find the Centauro brand it is by far the best at more or less the same price(here any way).
Philip Allen
Milan Italy
Seth,
I have purchased two 16" band saws from Laguna over the last 7 years. After 2 years with a standard 16" I found that they had come out with the HD version with a Carter upper guide giving me 12" resaw capacity and a 2.5hp motor. From the "buying experience" standpoint my first venture was good. the person I spoke to seemed professional and knowledgable. I did not haggle as I arranged "terms".
My second experience with them was ok. they traded my older unit for the HD version with no hassles and I didn't pay the shipping. the difference was that the salesperson 2-3 years later sounded like a pushy tele marketer or sleazy used car salesman. talk about pushy. Sounded like he was on one of those commission only deals. I bought the saw none the less but was taken aback knowing that Laguna seemed to be a supplier of top of the line stuff. However when I enquired about blade length so I could purchase new blades (stupid me never noted what they were before), it took two weeks just to get a striaght answer. Most of the time I spoke with a rather surly valley girl who appeared to have no interest in either her job or the product. Eventually, I believe Torbin spoke to me and gave me an incredibly simple answer.
The manuals were garbage. No blade lengths mentioned. They were poor photo copies and badly translated.
The saw is brilliant. However I would point out the following: (they may have improved)
The shallow mitre slot is a waste of time
The fence is a joke
Otherwise, fit and finish are good, the table flat and the motor and general operation extremely quiet. In conclusion Seth, I feel these are great saws let down by the rather odd people who you have to deal with.
Regards, EarlJ
Thanks for your comments. Your experience sounds like many of those we read here. It sounds like most of your complaints have been taken care of in Laguna's newer models. The "sales" aspect is what I'm most curious about. If indeed the company has moved to a fixed price structure and less "sleazy". Glad to hear you're enjoying the tool!
Seth
I have been talking to Laguna for the past several weeks regarding 12" jointers. There are submitting "proposals" to me that differ from the printed price structure. I presume that means that they still sell agressively on a case-by-case basis.
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