We have run a pretty lean operation up until this year. Keeping a few hundred tools in stock at a time to keep people digging through the year. And so, when those sold earlier this year, we've been hard-pressed to get any to replace them.
We did learn that Rogue Hoe has decided to sell to Canada through a wholesaler. We used to order directly from the Factory, however we came to learn that these tools can be had here in Canada. So, we approached that wholesaler and ordered everything we could get our hands on! However, we came to learn that with this additional layer to the supply chain, the prices reflected that too. And so, you'll likely notice that our retail prices have gone up. This is not a reflection of inflationary price increases like you've seen in many industries in your life. This is a price increase due to our manufacturer's decision to change how they approach the Canadian market. We're happy because we have some fresh stock to get into your hands. We aren't happy to have to pass on the cost increases. But that it out of our control.
What is in our control - continuing to walk the earth in search of the best tools for Canadian Trail Builders. And we have struck gold in our new partnership announcement. Cascadia Trail Builder Supply is the only Canadian Retailer for Backslope Tools. What are Backslope Tools you say? You can learn all about them and their offerings here: https://www.backslope.tools/
We have really enjoyed our work with them so far, and their approach is quite similar to ours - getting good tools into good people's hands to do good work in a good way. Their sister outfit (https://toolsfortrails.com/) is the Cascadia of the USA. And they dig too, just like us. Lots of common ground, and lots of exciting tool releases to come in the next while.
To start, we have their Haul Alls and their custom Trail Building buckets. Notice the details - the handle on the bottom is the gangster move!
So, best way to get notified when we get more tools is to complete the backorder form here (LINK).
We'll keep doing our best to keep you digging. Stay safe out there and happy trails as always.
Cascadia Crew
]]>We recently released a batch of tools for sale. So everyone knows what we are doing, here's the basics:
- We have a standing order with Rogue at all times. We'll take a batch of tools as soon as they can make them for us.
- They are seeing overwhelming demand combined with COVID delays and now a weather crisis (they got as cold as Texas) so they are filling orders slower than normal.
These forces combine to create a chronic supply shortage.
As noted in a previous post, we're managing this with an informal back order form (LINK).
We are taking your request, and taking your email address. We are adding those tools to our standing order. So we will eventually get tools in that you are after. But we don't have the ability, nor reliable enough supply to create a 1 to 1 back order queue. We had tried that early on in the pandemic and it didn't go so well. So, we are doing as noted and when we get a batch of tools, the people on the back order list are the first to get a heads up. We aren't publishing the tool availability publicly so you should get access to what you were after - provided we were able to get it.
If you didn't get what you want, you can email sales@ctbsupply.com and let us know and we can try to make your order a priority for the next batch that comes in. But that is not a guarantee, just a promise to do our best. We can guarantee to do our best always. This is something we never designed our business to handle. No one did, so let's just keep working together to get through it.
We will have some exciting news to deliver all spring related to new tool offerings @ Cascadia. We have some new partnerships popping up that will add to our ability to supply you with tools. Stay tuned for those updates.
In the meantime, stay safe and well. And keep digging too. I can say that trails are a big part of our mental health regime during these crazy times - both building them, and experiencing them!
Happy Trails to you in 2021.
- Team Cascadia
]]>This is a time like no other we've experienced. And in times like these it is nice that for now, even in most locked-down areas that getting out alone, and slinging some dirt is still allowed and safe. And we'd love nothing more than to get you out slinging dirt with the best tools. However, we're faced with a few challenges to get you those tools and you'll likely notice we're out of stock on many of our Rogue and other tools. We are facing supply-chain challenges like most other operations and the Rogue tools come from the US, where they are seeing some of the most profound effects of the COVID pandemic.
So, here's what we're doing:
1) we're working to take back-order requests and will fill them in a first-in, first-out arrangement. If you send an email to sales@ctbsupply.com with the tools you want, we'll put you in the queue and when they come in, you'll be the first to hear about it.
2) we're still shipping orders we do have in-stock. It is taking longer for us to fulfill them, and longer for couriers to deliver them, but they are still going out. Please be patient with us and everyone! We're all in this together!!!
3) we encourage you to build alone. Normally, building with a buddy is preferred for safety, but in these unique times, it calls for unique actions. Don't take any risks that are unnecessary. But if you need to get out and dig, do so safely, and preferably alone. Or with people you are already isolating with.
4) we're updating pricing regularly to suit the changing exchange rate. Tools we source from the US get exchanged to CAD. And that rate has been quite volatile of late. Price changes will occur to suit. We are not raising prices, just working to not lose our shirt! Our pricing plan: match the USD retail price, exchanged to CAD + a small charge for importation costs.
We hope you and the entire trail-loving community stays safe and well during this time. We also hope to get you the tools you want as soon as we can.
Thanks for all your support and doing what you do.
Cascadia Builders
]]>So, if you want to avoid those charges - get your order in before Oct 31st and we can make that happen.
Happy trails and happy (eventually) holidays.
Team Cascadia
]]>Speaking of handles...we're having a tough time getting hickory-handled tools from Rogue at the moment. These are the shorter, curved hoe handles. This has us out of many of (y)our favorite tools - 70H, 60A, 80R, and a few others as well. We have them all on standing order with Rogue and will have them back on the shelves as soon as possible. We appreciate that Rogue is very diligent in choosing their handles and so it takes a little longer to get them sometimes.
Hope you have a good handle on the fall build season. Back to school and back to the dirt!
- Team Cascadia
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