Bluetooth/remote switch

[yetihunter]

Well, anyway, three weeks since the release date and it finally dawned on me that Tool Nut is the exclusive distributor of the 202097 Bluetooth Remote Set.  LOL

Disclaimer: I have no issues with Tool Nut nor Shane.  Heck, I bought something from Tool Nut a couple days ago. 

However, to Festool USA:  What the haystack?  Considering that the excuse for the retail price management is all about how Festool wants me to get properly serviced by a local dealer, I find it pretty odd that I can only buy a new product through a faceless internet transaction when I have ten or so Festool dealers in walking distance (exaggeration).

Not to mention the position Festool puts a dealer in when they have plenty of stock replenished while it seems like everyone else has seen zero units.    They don't deserve the blowback of resentment they're going to inevitably receive from their competitors. 

Just to clarify, I'm not angry nor upset over this.  After all, I'm talking about a remote control for a vacuum and not something genuinely important in my life. 
However, this isn't the first time that vendors have been accidentally (I presume) favoured in such an over the top fashion, and supporting local comes with understanding their frustrations. 

 

[peter halle]

Well, anyway, three weeks since the release date and it finally dawned on me that Tool Nut is the exclusive distributor of the 202097 Bluetooth Remote Set.  LOL

Disclaimer: I have no issues with Tool Nut nor Shane.  Heck, I bought something from Tool Nut a couple days ago. 

However, to Festool USA:  What the haystack?  Considering that the excuse for the retail price management is all about how Festool wants me to get properly serviced by a local dealer, I find it pretty odd that I can only buy a new product through a faceless internet transaction when I have ten or so Festool dealers in walking distance (exaggeration).

Not to mention the position Festool puts a dealer in when they have plenty of stock replenished while it seems like everyone else has seen zero units.    They don't deserve the blowback of resentment they're going to inevitably receive from their competitors. 

Just to clarify, I'm not angry nor upset over this.  After all, I'm talking about a remote control for a vacuum and not something genuinely important in my life. 
However, this isn't the first time that vendors have been accidentally (I presume) favoured in such an over the top fashion, and supporting local comes with understanding their frustrations.

Although it might seem to you this is the case, in reality over the years it really comes down to which dealers will pre-order how much inventory in advance of a release.  Then when the item proves to be popular they are caught with their shorts down.  And then they blame the manufacturer who happens to be their distributor.  The customer then feels just the way you do.

There are even some dealers out there who will sell and order for a drop-ship from Festool.  That is definitely a way to operate, but it has its own risks, both from an availability side and also from a financial side.

Peter

 

[yetihunter]

That's the best case answer, I agree.  Furthermore, the general response from local salespeople is that the reseller with the largest order will get serviced first, and that they accept that reality.  That's life.

Buuuuuuut, I've seen weird anomalies with these new release shortages that are just a bit awkward, to say the least.    Party foul on my part for bringing up the Pro5 promotion, but I recall pre-orders being long delayed while I was able to walk into a store (that was told to expect zero) and buy one of the ten unexpected units that randomly showed up (so it worked the opposite way in that scenario).  Not to mention the random vendor, further West, that ended up receiving multiple pallets and was resselling them on eBay for a markup.    To be fair, this scenario has primarily played out with the centrotec sets, batteries, accessories and limited items,
and not new power tools. 

It's weird, because I feel that their distribution capabalities are really quite good.
However, randomly, there are these instances where someone doesn't get the memo that orders are being strategically restrained and a pallet slips out to a store, depleting Festool's inventory.    Either that, or someone's pulling favors.  I can't blame a store for trying, but I can question the distribution end for complying (if that were the case).

I don't know the answers.  What I do know is that there appears to be a noticeable disparity between some retailers getting a large amount of product and other retailers receiving zero.  That's just not good for customers nor the businesses.

Anyway, enough of me nit-picking and beating a dead horse.  These things are all anecdotal anyway, and I don't know the actual maths going on. 

It's Saturday and I've got to go play with my Festools. 

 

[Lettusbee]

Does this remote only work with Festool Cordless?  Does it require the bluetooth battery?  Or is it a button at the suction end of the hose so you can turn on the extractor, regardless of what cordless tool you're using it with?

 

[nclemmons]

It works on the CT26/36/48 vacs.  Requires a small receiver panel installed in the vac and a remote on the hose.  Takes about 5 minutes to install.  $80 each.

Optional is a bluetooth battery from Festool to trigger the vac as well. 

Does this remote only work with Festool Cordless?  Does it require the bluetooth battery?  Or is it a button at the suction end of the hose so you can turn on the extractor, regardless of what cordless tool you're using it with?

 

[yetihunter]

I checked WoodCraft today, and they have the new brochures out, but no product (neither the bluetooth or new 36mm hose).  And they wonder what drives sales to online dealers.

Can't speak on your local Woodcraft, but concerning the two near me: I know when they ordered, what they ordered, how many they ordered and how many follow up phone calls they've made to Lebanon, Indiana.  The same situation applies to the massively inventoried, 3 store strong, local tool dealer with dedicated Festool show rooms that are larger than my entire home (granted, it's a condo).    I can't speak on the paint stores because I hate painting. 

Peter mentioned getting caught with pants down.  I'm suggesting that they're standing there in their underwear because Festool decided to ship all of the pants to New York.....