I've just unsubscribed from Rutlands' newsletter, finally.
I'm fed up with being duped into thinking something's good value then finding either there's extortionate shipping, or as above, adding something else changes the numbers. If they don't want to sell straightforwardly, they aren't worth my time any more.
Frankly, as a professional marketer I cannot understand why they think this is a sensible way to do marketing. Do they want annoyed customers? Often the difference in price between one of their 'offers' and someone else's standard price is negligible, and anyway, the offers mainly vary between pointless and utterly absurd (remember the xylophone kit?).
And only a week or so ago they were selling roller stands again on 'special offer' made of '1" box-section steel'. Well they got me with those last time - flimsy, wobbly and the welding is so rough the rollers aren't square to anything, as far as I can tell. I've been meaning to grind the brackets off and do them again myself - at least they'd be square then and probably stronger! I simply don't believe the reviews either. The ones I have wouldn't last a day on-site, whether they 'fold up for the van' or not.
Rutlands, I very much doubt you read this, but why not try just selling decent stuff at a consistent, sensible price instead? You don't have to be the cheapest (that's a silly reason to purchase tools, anyway), just consistently good in the quality of what you sell (OK, that could be tricky, too) and the service you offer.
Meanwhile, you have competitors. I shall use them. Over and out.
E.
