Does the term "Amish built" bother you at all ?

Comment

Comment by Will Sampson on February 16, 2010 at 8:14am

This discussion is great! Having met a number of Amish and Mennonite woodworkers over the years, I fully agree with Greg about the issues of wide variations in quality just like there are among "English" woodworkers. You need to do a better job of selling your own unique value to your customers. You also really need to understand your competition. In that regard, I heartily recommend a fascinating book: "Amish Enterprise: From Plows to Profits." It's a very thorough discussion of the Amish economy and how it has changed from an agricultural based economy to a manufacturing economy, largely because the Amish have run out of cheap land for successive generations. The book also goes into great detail about how the Amish reconcile their religious beliefs with the demands of competing in a modern manufacturing economy. Check it out.

I'd also like to add another option here that has not been discussed. Is there any way you can partner with your Amish competitors to both of your benefits? This may not be practical in your situation, but I have heard of Amish shops partnering with "English" contractors and shops. For example, manufacturing or finishing processes may be split, or installation may be handled by one or the other. One area where Amish shops frequently have a problem is in delivery of the product. They either don't offer that service or they hire it out. Their installation crews typically must be driven to a job by an "English" driver. Look for your own opportunities.

Comment by Greg Blomberg on February 16, 2010 at 6:41am

We all want to buy items that are different in some way from what can easily be found in the marketplace. If you are able to take part in the design it will be more interesting to the buyer. If in the process you learn a little about history, better still. It will lead to a conversation piece.

Can the Amish quality be better than the "English"? It could be, it usually isn't, but then again people buy crap from IKEA and Ashley. Your most likely are trying to compete on quality or price when you customer is clearly more interested in an experience and to be able to tell the story to others about a barefoot 3 year old rolling his wagon through a woodworking shop. That is the definition of a "trendy" thing to do.

I don't mind the term, and I don't think its about quality. Keith is right it takes education of your customers, but some of your customers will think that you are bashing the guys. I've met some that are every bit the craftsmen that you and I would expect and I've been in shops where the guys were hacks putting out poor quality. Every shop and every situation is different.

The Amish have found an opportunity where who they are sets them apart. Good for them to be able to capitalize on that.

Comment by Keith July on February 13, 2010 at 9:45pm

Jay said As woodworking craftsmen, do we have to have a beard and a tall hat to prove that we can also build a quality product?
Like everything in this business, we have to educate our customers as to what have to offer.
Jay Said I don't know how to make people understand that there are other craftsmen, building quality products, that aren't Amish
Not an easy task but if your customers are open minded and you have a little patience, it can be done. Start with showing them examples of your work and pointing out the quality features that you always put into your work. Never, say anything bad about the Amish or their way of like. Stay focused on all of the good things that you have to offer.
In our area we have some skilled Amish craftsman and then we have those that try to get by on the"Amish" name
I find that it is pushed by the furniture stores that sell stuff that they claim to be build by the Amish but no real evidence can be found as to who really built it.
FYI
I visited a Amish fellow who was a cabinetmaker. He had a huge diesel engine running an air compressor and hydraulic pump. He had the same tools that you would see in most any shop except that they ran on air or hydraulic motors. His biggest machine is a 37" Timesaver belt sander. He used the heat from the diesel's radiator to heat his shop. He estimated that the diesel used about two gallons of fuel per hour on an average day. 16 gallons a day at $3.50 = $56.00 x 5 days = $280.00 per week, $1120.00 a month. For heat and power to run the tools for a one man shop.
How does that compare to your shop?
I am sticking with natural gas and electric tools.
Keith

Comment by Jay on February 13, 2010 at 7:43am

Thanks for the comments. As I thought, it's more the people who live in my area than the product itself. The general public here believes that "Amish built" means quality so they can impress their friends with it. Most of what the stores in my area sell as Amish built isn't. And even the products that are Amish built aren't made without the use of power tools. It's just an advertising gimmic.

Comment by John Robinson on February 12, 2010 at 4:31pm

I find in my area that it's just like the rest of us, some do good work and some just work, that said,low overhead and no taxes and there's still alot of english shops around so just how good are the prices and quality? I think alot of it rests on people from out of the area and those who heard that it's a great product and don't know what they're looking at or where to find a good cabinetmaker. Just my 2 cents

Comment by Charles J. (Bud) Smith on February 12, 2010 at 1:32pm

People also perceive that if it Amish built it is also less expensive. This is usually true as they do not have to pay the taxes other company have to by law. I find it is more about rice than quality.