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Author Topic:   Nautical Lumber: Still in business?

sail16 posted 06-03-2014 10:49 AM ET (US)
I've been trying to reach Nautical Lumber for the past three weeks without success. Emails haven't been answered and the voicemail box is full.
Can anyone confirm they are still in business?
Jeff posted 06-03-2014 11:43 AM ET (US)
Yes, They are still business. I know they have a ton of work right now.
sail16 posted 06-03-2014 12:13 PM ET (US)
Jeff: thanks
Any suggestions for how to successfully reach them would be welcomed.
EJO posted 06-03-2014 12:25 PM ET (US)
If you're shipping from a distance in and don't need to pick up, try L.L. Johnson Lumber aka the Workbench here in Michigan. http://www.theworkbench.com/marine.php
The have any legal wood you're project desires.
jimh posted 06-05-2014 01:06 AM ET (US)
I think the guys at NAUTICAL LUMBER have so much work on hand right now they must be too busy to answer email.
dfmcintyre posted 06-05-2014 02:40 PM ET (US)
They are....it's their extremely busy season. Granted, it can be a hassle to connect, however I've never heard of anyone being disappointed in the delivered product.
Regards - Don
dnh posted 06-06-2014 11:25 AM ET (US)
Try Specialty Marine. They have all things Whaler.
John A Larson posted 06-06-2014 01:29 PM ET (US)
And all things that come with made in China Quality too.
frontier posted 06-06-2014 06:06 PM ET (US)
I agree with trying Specialty Marine.
Been using their products for years, currently have Specialty Marine items on both our 13 and 17 Whalers.
Fantastic customer service, very good quality, value and fast shipping.
crbenny posted 06-06-2014 07:30 PM ET (US)
And I agree with,"made in China quality." If anyone goes that route, I would buy the kit instead of their poor finished product and assemble and varnish yourself.
Chris
frontier posted 06-06-2014 11:24 PM ET (US)
Actually, the finish is one of the best parts of Specialty Marine wood items.
They use 5 coats of Z-Spar Captains Varnish (both sides).
Beautiful and very durable.
mdono posted 06-07-2014 06:35 AM ET (US)
In January, I too attempted to contact Nautical Lumber. Phone not answered. Voice mail full. No email response. Specialty Marine filled my order and I'm pleased with the wood, workmanship and finish. The purchasing process was easy. The price seemed pretty good too.
No knock against N.L.. But it's not good business to ignore potential customers.
M
Teak Oil posted 06-07-2014 08:06 PM ET (US)
Its great that they are busy, but it is common courtesy to answer your phone and emails. How hard is it to return a phone call?
I also HATE doing business with companies that do not communicate. I recently ordered a flare tool from Shipstore.com and it took me a month to get the items with rediculous shipping costs. I sent repeated emails (they will not take calls) with no response.
I will never do business with them again
Plotman posted 06-08-2014 01:29 PM ET (US)
I guess it's a good thing they have a lot of business and won't miss mine.
I don';t mind waiting for a craftsman, IF they communicate and are up front about the wait.
I'll maybe call a second time after leaving a message, but that is it.
jimh posted 06-08-2014 03:38 PM ET (US)
Being a master craftsman in a particular field is not always a guarantee that the master artisan will also be the absolutely best businessman and be completely fluent in all forms of modern communication. Sometimes if you want "old world craftsmanship" you might have to resort to old world communications and delivery times. If you want it delivered the day after you click your mouse, I don't know where to suggest buying custom-made expertly-crafted boutique wood components.
pcrussell50 posted 06-08-2014 09:21 PM ET (US)
John sez:

quote:
And all things that come with made in China Quality too.
Like iphones and ipads?
-Peter
Teak Oil posted 06-08-2014 09:42 PM ET (US)
Jim, I didn't realize a telephone was such a modern form of communication.
When someone calls, answer it, and give an honest delivery time. If you can't handle any more work that's great, just tell me and I will call again the next time I have wood work I would like to have done.
If a business does not answer my call and does not return my message, I will never call them again, and that would be a shame because it sounds like they do great work.
jimh posted 06-09-2014 10:21 AM ET (US)
I think Nautical Lumber is in the same situation as the restaurant in Yogi Berra's famous quip that was so crowded no one ever goes there anymore.
pcrussell50 posted 06-09-2014 10:08 PM ET (US)
I recall from right here on CWW, a product from a small (one-man?) company that made a fabricated aluminum, "transom spacer" for lack of a better word, to put in the transom cutout of '72-older classic 13's, to bring their transom up to flush, so you can use a modern 20" outboard. It was a magnificent product in high demand. Was, that is. A lot of master tradesmen don't have the tolerance for answering a bunch of nitpicky questions from "tire kickers", who will never pony up and buy. I get that. But the guy selling the transom spacers wasn't even returning calls or emails from people with money in hand, ready to buy. I was one of them. Never heard back, but I hear they are gone now.
Later this summer will mark my 6th year anniversary as a boater, so I don't have that much experience dealing with marine tradesmen. But I have lots and lots of experience dealing with automotive tradesmen, and it is full to the brim with master automotive craftsmen with horrible interpersonal and communication skills... and invariably, their business pays the price in the long run. Often the ultimate price. And even very unique and high-demand products are NOT immune.
It's like some kind of cruel irony that some of the most skilled tradesmen are so poor at interpersonal skills. Then again, the ones that are good with people get to have the world by the short hairs.
-Peter
EJO posted 06-12-2014 03:58 PM ET (US)
I'm a business owner and if we are so busy that we can't answer the phone we have an answering message. Now if we are so busy that we can't answer messages left I would change my answering machine greeting to reflect that. "We are extremely busy right now and will be unable to listen and/or return any messages, please try back in a couple of weeks"
Gives the customer a chance to call back or forget it completely.
I never had to do this as you should be able to take some time to take off messages and set aside time to answer them (part of having a business otherwise as mentioned B-4 you don't have to answer them as you'll be out of business).
Jefecinco posted 06-12-2014 07:16 PM ET (US)
There are tailors, shoemakers, shirt makers and others that don't wish to produce in bulk and who will not accept trade from new customer without a recommendation from an existing client. Even existing clients may wait for months to receive a finished product.
I'm not saying Nautical Lumber is in the same situation but they seem to stay busy without really trying.
I'm pleased that not everything is produced in a cookie cutter fashion.
Perhaps Nautical Lumber is better equipped to receive orders before the arrival of Spring and the start of a new boating season. It may take them all Summer to work through a backlog of orders.
If in a hurry perhaps another source would serve?
Butch
pcrussell50 posted 06-12-2014 07:47 PM ET (US)
When I was a one-man business in college, I had more than I could handle. Literally. I worked 7 days a week and I had to turn it away. Even still, NOBODY ever walked away scratching his head over where he stood with me, or wondered if I was still in business. I used the technology of the day, an old microcassette tape answering machine and answered EVERYBODY. Period. And if I couldn't help them, they were told that. They were never ignored. Ever. That was 1992 time frame, when I had to do everything by phone, and as a junior in college at the time, I couldn't even come close to affording a 1992-era cell phone. Things are much much easier these days with internet and widespread use of cell phones. If businesses do not keep their potential customers informed of where they stand in this day and age, it is simply not a priority.
-Peter
Tom W Clark posted 06-12-2014 09:23 PM ET (US)
Peter,
Did you ever tell a customer of yours that you would ship the next day after they wondered why you were months behind...and then fail to do so...but then, and only after numerous email and telephone communications, eventually ship several more months later?
Did you ever accept full payment for product, at the time the order was placed, and then fail to deliver said product...over a year later?
pcrussell50 posted 06-12-2014 10:31 PM ET (US)
I'm trying to tread as softly as possible here and not tell anyone how to run their business in any specific way. If Nautical Lumber does not need the business or good word of everybody who queries them, so much the better for them. Whatever works for them. I submit that most businesses are not so blessed. And some once were, and then disappeared.
In the case of my business, it was service-only, and I did not take payment in advance (nor did I need to, with all the work I had). I did not sell products where I had to rely on someone else to deliver. I sold my services plain and simple... 12 hours a day every day, sometimes (engineering) classes in between if I couldn't get them all done in the morning. Homework when I could and lots of late nights. It was a cast iron bitch. But I held the course and am not sorry for the experience. But I felt I needed every bit of goodwill I could muster even with my business at its peak. Every single bit. And acted accordingly. If in the end, I didn't need it because after college I got a "real" job, I'm still not sorry for the effort I made to remain in the good graces of my customers.
-Peter
Binkster posted 06-13-2014 09:34 AM ET (US)
If a business or contractor is very busy but not making money, which is possible, thats his own fault. He needs to step back and revamp his business. If he is very busy and making money, he shouldn't have to ask for full payment up front. If he is making a standard item, he shouldn't even ask for a down payment, becuase if the customer defaults, another one will step up. If it is a custom item, he does need to get a substantial down payment to make sure the customer doesn't default, and his costs are paid for if the customer does default. That's the way it works in the construction business, but then again, the construction business is very competitive.
My guess is he is a poor businessman, working his butt off, and is so busy either due to low prices, or the fact that his working methods are such that he spends too much time building each piece, is losing money, and doesn't know it. If that is the case, everyone loses, he has little or no profit, and the customer is taking forever to get his goods, and although he sees no problem with the finished product, he is unhappy with the transaction on the whole.
I don't remember any of his customers saying that he has low prices.
The other possibility is that he is swamped with work, but doesn't want to expand his business, its costs money to add employees and equipment, and his job would change to being an overseer and manager instead of being the head craftsman.
Its not an easy business he is in, but he not alot of competition and he can get along with not being competitive for the time being.
rich

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Author	Topic: Nautical Lumber: Still in business?
sail16	posted 06-03-2014 10:49 AM ET (US) I've been trying to reach Nautical Lumber for the past three weeks without success. Emails haven't been answered and the voicemail box is full. Can anyone confirm they are still in business?
Jeff	posted 06-03-2014 11:43 AM ET (US) Yes, They are still business. I know they have a ton of work right now.
sail16	posted 06-03-2014 12:13 PM ET (US) Jeff: thanks Any suggestions for how to successfully reach them would be welcomed.
EJO	posted 06-03-2014 12:25 PM ET (US) If you're shipping from a distance in and don't need to pick up, try L.L. Johnson Lumber aka the Workbench here in Michigan. http://www.theworkbench.com/marine.php The have any legal wood you're project desires.
jimh	posted 06-05-2014 01:06 AM ET (US) I think the guys at NAUTICAL LUMBER have so much work on hand right now they must be too busy to answer email.
dfmcintyre	posted 06-05-2014 02:40 PM ET (US) They are....it's their extremely busy season. Granted, it can be a hassle to connect, however I've never heard of anyone being disappointed in the delivered product. Regards - Don
dnh	posted 06-06-2014 11:25 AM ET (US) Try Specialty Marine. They have all things Whaler.
John A Larson	posted 06-06-2014 01:29 PM ET (US) And all things that come with made in China Quality too.
frontier	posted 06-06-2014 06:06 PM ET (US) I agree with trying Specialty Marine. Been using their products for years, currently have Specialty Marine items on both our 13 and 17 Whalers. Fantastic customer service, very good quality, value and fast shipping.
crbenny	posted 06-06-2014 07:30 PM ET (US) And I agree with,"made in China quality." If anyone goes that route, I would buy the kit instead of their poor finished product and assemble and varnish yourself. Chris
frontier	posted 06-06-2014 11:24 PM ET (US) Actually, the finish is one of the best parts of Specialty Marine wood items. They use 5 coats of Z-Spar Captains Varnish (both sides). Beautiful and very durable.
mdono	posted 06-07-2014 06:35 AM ET (US) In January, I too attempted to contact Nautical Lumber. Phone not answered. Voice mail full. No email response. Specialty Marine filled my order and I'm pleased with the wood, workmanship and finish. The purchasing process was easy. The price seemed pretty good too. No knock against N.L.. But it's not good business to ignore potential customers. M
Teak Oil	posted 06-07-2014 08:06 PM ET (US) Its great that they are busy, but it is common courtesy to answer your phone and emails. How hard is it to return a phone call? I also HATE doing business with companies that do not communicate. I recently ordered a flare tool from Shipstore.com and it took me a month to get the items with rediculous shipping costs. I sent repeated emails (they will not take calls) with no response. I will never do business with them again
Plotman	posted 06-08-2014 01:29 PM ET (US) I guess it's a good thing they have a lot of business and won't miss mine. I don';t mind waiting for a craftsman, IF they communicate and are up front about the wait. I'll maybe call a second time after leaving a message, but that is it.
jimh	posted 06-08-2014 03:38 PM ET (US) Being a master craftsman in a particular field is not always a guarantee that the master artisan will also be the absolutely best businessman and be completely fluent in all forms of modern communication. Sometimes if you want "old world craftsmanship" you might have to resort to old world communications and delivery times. If you want it delivered the day after you click your mouse, I don't know where to suggest buying custom-made expertly-crafted boutique wood components.
pcrussell50	posted 06-08-2014 09:21 PM ET (US) John sez: quote: And all things that come with made in China Quality too. Like iphones and ipads? -Peter
Teak Oil	posted 06-08-2014 09:42 PM ET (US) Jim, I didn't realize a telephone was such a modern form of communication. When someone calls, answer it, and give an honest delivery time. If you can't handle any more work that's great, just tell me and I will call again the next time I have wood work I would like to have done. If a business does not answer my call and does not return my message, I will never call them again, and that would be a shame because it sounds like they do great work.
jimh	posted 06-09-2014 10:21 AM ET (US) I think Nautical Lumber is in the same situation as the restaurant in Yogi Berra's famous quip that was so crowded no one ever goes there anymore.
pcrussell50	posted 06-09-2014 10:08 PM ET (US) I recall from right here on CWW, a product from a small (one-man?) company that made a fabricated aluminum, "transom spacer" for lack of a better word, to put in the transom cutout of '72-older classic 13's, to bring their transom up to flush, so you can use a modern 20" outboard. It was a magnificent product in high demand. Was, that is. A lot of master tradesmen don't have the tolerance for answering a bunch of nitpicky questions from "tire kickers", who will never pony up and buy. I get that. But the guy selling the transom spacers wasn't even returning calls or emails from people with money in hand, ready to buy. I was one of them. Never heard back, but I hear they are gone now. Later this summer will mark my 6th year anniversary as a boater, so I don't have that much experience dealing with marine tradesmen. But I have lots and lots of experience dealing with automotive tradesmen, and it is full to the brim with master automotive craftsmen with horrible interpersonal and communication skills... and invariably, their business pays the price in the long run. Often the ultimate price. And even very unique and high-demand products are NOT immune. It's like some kind of cruel irony that some of the most skilled tradesmen are so poor at interpersonal skills. Then again, the ones that are good with people get to have the world by the short hairs. -Peter
EJO	posted 06-12-2014 03:58 PM ET (US) I'm a business owner and if we are so busy that we can't answer the phone we have an answering message. Now if we are so busy that we can't answer messages left I would change my answering machine greeting to reflect that. "We are extremely busy right now and will be unable to listen and/or return any messages, please try back in a couple of weeks" Gives the customer a chance to call back or forget it completely. I never had to do this as you should be able to take some time to take off messages and set aside time to answer them (part of having a business otherwise as mentioned B-4 you don't have to answer them as you'll be out of business).
Jefecinco	posted 06-12-2014 07:16 PM ET (US) There are tailors, shoemakers, shirt makers and others that don't wish to produce in bulk and who will not accept trade from new customer without a recommendation from an existing client. Even existing clients may wait for months to receive a finished product. I'm not saying Nautical Lumber is in the same situation but they seem to stay busy without really trying. I'm pleased that not everything is produced in a cookie cutter fashion. Perhaps Nautical Lumber is better equipped to receive orders before the arrival of Spring and the start of a new boating season. It may take them all Summer to work through a backlog of orders. If in a hurry perhaps another source would serve? Butch
pcrussell50	posted 06-12-2014 07:47 PM ET (US) When I was a one-man business in college, I had more than I could handle. Literally. I worked 7 days a week and I had to turn it away. Even still, NOBODY ever walked away scratching his head over where he stood with me, or wondered if I was still in business. I used the technology of the day, an old microcassette tape answering machine and answered EVERYBODY. Period. And if I couldn't help them, they were told that. They were never ignored. Ever. That was 1992 time frame, when I had to do everything by phone, and as a junior in college at the time, I couldn't even come close to affording a 1992-era cell phone. Things are much much easier these days with internet and widespread use of cell phones. If businesses do not keep their potential customers informed of where they stand in this day and age, it is simply not a priority. -Peter
Tom W Clark	posted 06-12-2014 09:23 PM ET (US) Peter, Did you ever tell a customer of yours that you would ship the next day after they wondered why you were months behind...and then fail to do so...but then, and only after numerous email and telephone communications, eventually ship several more months later? Did you ever accept full payment for product, at the time the order was placed, and then fail to deliver said product...over a year later?
pcrussell50	posted 06-12-2014 10:31 PM ET (US) I'm trying to tread as softly as possible here and not tell anyone how to run their business in any specific way. If Nautical Lumber does not need the business or good word of everybody who queries them, so much the better for them. Whatever works for them. I submit that most businesses are not so blessed. And some once were, and then disappeared. In the case of my business, it was service-only, and I did not take payment in advance (nor did I need to, with all the work I had). I did not sell products where I had to rely on someone else to deliver. I sold my services plain and simple... 12 hours a day every day, sometimes (engineering) classes in between if I couldn't get them all done in the morning. Homework when I could and lots of late nights. It was a cast iron bitch. But I held the course and am not sorry for the experience. But I felt I needed every bit of goodwill I could muster even with my business at its peak. Every single bit. And acted accordingly. If in the end, I didn't need it because after college I got a "real" job, I'm still not sorry for the effort I made to remain in the good graces of my customers. -Peter
Binkster	posted 06-13-2014 09:34 AM ET (US) If a business or contractor is very busy but not making money, which is possible, thats his own fault. He needs to step back and revamp his business. If he is very busy and making money, he shouldn't have to ask for full payment up front. If he is making a standard item, he shouldn't even ask for a down payment, becuase if the customer defaults, another one will step up. If it is a custom item, he does need to get a substantial down payment to make sure the customer doesn't default, and his costs are paid for if the customer does default. That's the way it works in the construction business, but then again, the construction business is very competitive. My guess is he is a poor businessman, working his butt off, and is so busy either due to low prices, or the fact that his working methods are such that he spends too much time building each piece, is losing money, and doesn't know it. If that is the case, everyone loses, he has little or no profit, and the customer is taking forever to get his goods, and although he sees no problem with the finished product, he is unhappy with the transaction on the whole. I don't remember any of his customers saying that he has low prices. The other possibility is that he is swamped with work, but doesn't want to expand his business, its costs money to add employees and equipment, and his job would change to being an overseer and manager instead of being the head craftsman. Its not an easy business he is in, but he not alot of competition and he can get along with not being competitive for the time being. rich