I purchased a mill last year and began to buy tooling and accessories for it. From a third party, I had already purchased Shars' 12" Electronic Height Gauge for a Surface Plate, a set of angle plates, 123 blocks, Gauge Blocks, and some other things. I dropped some coin with vendors who I knew I could return - no hastle. I liked what I was buying so I figured I would begin to go to Shars before my trusted sources..
I very recently purchased a Grizzly G4003G. I am still in the cleanup stage before flushing and break-in, but it was time to start expanding the tooling needed to support the lathe. I got online and bought 4 Shars brand BXA tool holders. They sat for a short time then last night, I thought "I'd try them on". The tool post is a no-name QCTP from Grizzly. Well the holders look like they should fit, but do not. They will not slide down the post. Looking at the tool holders it is clear that in the long, machined flat side opposite the dovetail is a high land on either side - each about the width of the dovetail. It is obviously there on intentionally - but for what purpose I do not know. You can run your fingernail across it and feel the high spot.
I called Shars today. Nice young man answered. I told him my problem and he put me on hold a moment and came back and said "...oh our holders don't fit Grizzly". I said, "Well it would be nice if your catalog and website said that before I bought them". He said he was sorry and would give me an RMA so I could return them for my purchase price.
Well, I read the fine print where it said I was to pay shipping back and said 'hey, uh... you know it's not my fault you didn't put that disclaimer in your copy. Had you, I wouldn't have bought them. I don't think I should have to pay freight". He said, "One moment" and put me on hold (maybe to talk to The Guy?), came back and told me I would have to pay freight. I protested further, pointing out that for $17.60 they are acting petty and I would never do business with them again. He seemed to sympathize but he was not The Guy, so he presumably went back to The Guy who told him to tell I pay freight. I got my RMA and thanked the young man then asked that he kindly tell The Guy, John McGovern says "...to stick it up his *ss". So tomorrow, all the Shars junk gets boxed along with their 5/8" color catalog (yes, I will pay extra freight to send that POS back too).
Two things:
1) I ask, who in the World would lose a potential good customer (a newbie, a dumb *ss, an ignorant shopper for a lousy $17.60, especially when his add was misleading at most and not forthcoming at the least? I've read with no proof it is a Chinese company propped-up as an American institution. I have no problem with Chinese - hell, I just bought a mill and a lathe and x2 that amount on extras. The principal for Shars per Dunn and Bradstreet is Xinsheng Xia. My guess he is one of the Good 'Ol Boys down the hill from me. Maybe we'll have a beer some day.
2) And I'm not saying don't buy Shars, but for all those folks who have been through this now you know why your new prize did not fit and for those considering Shars tool holders for their Grizzly lathes NO!
John
