Consumables in brick and mortar stores

[danrush]

I'm in the Chicago area and I'll be darned if I can't find centrotec drills, jig saw blades, ct bags,or most other consumables ( other than a pitiful selection of some sand papers) in stock.  This has happened at the two national dealers, and also a large local tool house, (with excellent stock of other brands).

I realize that Festool can't "force" the local dealers to stock certain items, but is there any way to have your reps push the subject?.  I have talked to local store managers, and all I get is   "yea, we should do that"    or more often just a blank stare. 

I can't believe this is good for tool sales.  If I were new to Festool, and I walked into the store to buy a C-12, only to find out that I would have to order bits, etc.  I wouldn't buy the tool!!

Sorry for the rant, it happened again today... 

Thanks, Dan

 

[Steve Jones]

Dan,

First I'd check the Festool "locate a dealer" site, I knew about Woodcraft locally but found a solid surface manufacturer also listed as a dealer - went to visit them and they were very obliging, happy to stock anything I asked them to.

Since then the local Woodcraft has seen the light and finally carries a decent stock of consumables. So now I have two local sources.

 

[nickao]

Dan I live in Woodstock and only purchase on the net now. It's not worth the hour drive to find they have nothing. I  have called Woodcraft and Rockler a few times, was told to drive on in only to find out the person on the phone was incorrect.

I have been dealing with Festoojunkie.com and Acetoolonline.com and  I get what I need so fast it is hardly worth going to the store.

I agree Festool is missing the boat not requiring the dealers to carry a certain amount of accessories and such. Any typical buyer and not a Festool user may be turned off by the hassle. And many manufactures do have stipulations that certain things must be carried by the retailers so Festool does have the power to at the very list provide a minimum stocking list of items they must carry in order to carry the line.

nickao

 

[dirtydeeds]

my guess is that the dealers will tell us that stock levels are a matter of finance and storage space

what is not so obvious to me is that all tool manufacturers and dealers make bigger margins on consumables than on tools

so why on earth they dont have better stocks of the consumables evades me 

 

[JJ Wavra]

dan,

I agree I live in Lagrange il.  Most of the time I go to woodcraft in woodridge and Berlands house of tools in Lemont.  Neither one carries a lot of accesories so this last time I orderd from Bob Marino.  I know from my stand-point that if the stores had more acces. in stock I should would purchase more.  However, when I have to make an order I think and then over think and often times don't buy.

JJ

 

[danrush]

JJ,

I'm particularily dissappointed with Berlands.  I have been a loyal customer for many years, knowingly overpaying a few dollars here and there to help brace against the extinction of the dedicated tool store. (nothing against our on-line dealer friends, I'm on my way to your side of the isle)

It's just that no matter how well one might plan ahead,  drills break, saw blades bend, and sometimes you need it NOW.  What good is carrying a line of tools with little or no support? Isn't the whole idea that Festool is a system?

This is not intended to be a rant against Berlands, Rockler, Woodcraft, or any other retail outlet.  Just letting FESTOOL know whats happening out here,  andI believe it could be costing them customers, particularily in these economic times.

Dan

 

[bruegf]

Dan,

I know it's not quite "local" for Chicago, but the Merrillville Woodcraft dealer has a fairly decent selection of accessories and consumables.  In additioin the manager of the store is quite knowledgeable about the Festool line.

Fred

 

[Daviddubya]

I have a couple of local woodworker friends that use Festool products, and we borrow back and forth when we need something right away.  Otherwise, I buy from Bob Marino and get orders in a day or two.  I have a Rockler within a ten minute drive and another store dealer a little further away.  Frankly, it is less time consuming, and far less frustrating to order on line.

 

[JJ Wavra]

Dan,

I was recently talking to an employee at berlands and he said the the festool rep told them that they had a great selection of things.  Needless to say I got a chuckle out of that.  The rockler in tinley park (which closed)  Had a great selection of both tools and consumables.  What irritates me is when you need a box of abrasives and you need it now and no one has it and you don't want to pay shipping on a small box.

oh well I guess everything is not perfect.  I too try to  support local business but when they don't have it in stick it is a pain.  What berlands told me was that they order on tuesdays and you will have it probably by the following tuesday.  With woodcraft they have to wait till they have a $1000 order until they even place the order which can take forever.

best
JJ

 

[Dan Clermont]

Stocking consumables is more important then stocking tools in my opinion. You want to get the guy who needs sandpaper into your store and have him as a regular customer so he can see the Domino KAPEX, various sanders and checkout the other tools he doesn't own.

Carrying Centrotec bits may be a lower priority for most dealers but I would at least expect Paper for all of the sanders and Domino's at the very least.

Dan Clermont

 

[nickao]

Dan,
What irritates me is when you need a box of abrasives and you need it now and no one has it and you don't want to pay shipping on a small box.

best
JJ

Just so you know acetoolonline.com does not charge shipping even on a 5.00 order.

nickao

 

[JJ Wavra]

Nickao,

Thanks for the heads up.  I am not satisfied with ace's service so I don't really consider them an option.  I ordered a domino with tenon sys. and they did not have it in stock yet they charged my credit card.  It may just be me but if there isn't something in the mail the card should not be charged especially on a thousand dollar order.

JJ

 

[nickao]

You know that just happened top me with CPO festool. I have ordered 8 tools and 13 accessories form acetoolonlione.com in the last two weeks with no problem. All companies have at least a few screw ups. Ace has above a 1000 things on the website. Still a LOT better than calling woodcraft being told they have something in stock, driving an hour, then them not having it.

So I would give them another chance. Especially if you want one pack of something.

It is easy to forget to pull something off line. I have done it myself on my online store and am glad the client did not hold it against me.

I  now use Festooljunkie.com also and I think they only req 25.00 min order.

nickao

 

[Christian93117]

Dan,

Thank you for posting.

We are well aware of the situation and are working on different ideas to improve the availability of
accessories and consumables in stores.

Regards,

Christian

 

[danrush]

Chistian,

Thanks so much for the quick reply.  I have been a fan of your product for some time.  It is good to know that the people behind the product are listening. 

I do hope that you folks come up with a solution to the problem I / we have described.  It's not a small matter. 

Trying not to beat a dead horse here but...  a system is a system...  and a three legged stool with only two legs isn't worth much.

Thanks again, Dan