Dealer Experiences?

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
This forum has the best group of Festool Dealers to be found in one forum!  There are 32 active dealers here.

Likewise, customers in this forum represent many different dealers, not just one.

But it's not always clear how the dealers in the forum end up connecting with the customers in the forum.  I think new members coming to the forum often want to know where the dealer-customer connections are happening.  It helps them make their own decisions.

With that in mind, I'd like to hear people's responses to these questions: who is your dealer, how did you find that dealer, and what did you buy?  Even more interesting, did you find out about the dealer through the forum?

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[Nespresso]

Bob Marino; Web search; Domino, CT22, MFT,55, planner, gizmo's.  Bob Marino is a super rep.  He always is there for questions & when you purchase he contacts you too make sure the order is complete.  It was Bob's site that directed me to FOG.

 

[Jimhart]

Bob Marino.

I learned of Bob through SMC and FOG. Saw he was participating in the forums more as a woodworker first and a dealer second.
The many positive comments from his customers told me I couldn't go wrong.

I've purchased a Domino, Rotex 150, TS55, OF1400 direct from Bob.

After sliding down the slope, I've picked up these used; ETS 150/3, C12, HL850, CT33, PS2, PSB300.

Jim

 

[Dan Clermont]

Bob Marino is a contributor on Woodnet and I found out he was a dealer. So I bought my TS55, OF 1400 and other tools from him.

Dan Clermont

 

[sw1211]

I've used Bob, the Local Rockler (when I don't have the patience to wait for UPS) and Timmy.  Based on service and going above and beyond, Bob will see the majority of my future purchases.

On a seperate note, not trying to start something, does anyone feel Timmy is alienating existing/future clients by running the other site?  I thought he had pretty good business sense but this seems like a bit of a blunder on his part.  Could just be me, but that's my perception.

 

[Hotwheels]

I have had excellent customer service from Bill at Festool Supply.Com. He is knowledgeable, takes the time to answer questions and make suggestions, and is timely in his shipments and followup.

 

[Jack Rafter]

I've bought all my Festools for Jim at Force Machinery. Jim and Lee have been great and have helped me out a few times on stuff Festool should have done.

 

[Daviddubya]

.........
On a seperate note, not trying to start something, does anyone feel Timmy is alienating existing/future clients by running the other site?  I thought he had pretty good business sense but this seems like a bit of a blunder on his part.  Could just be me, but that's my perception.

I don't understand where this stuff comes from... I am a member of the other forum. Timmy volunteered to give his time and moderate one of the 18 forum areas of the site, and an off topic one at that. How does that translate into running a site? Bob M. has also posted there as well as many others who belong to this forum,and others, Are they "running" the site also?
...Scott W.

I'd like to suggest that we cut this discussion direction off right now!  If Timmy wants to reply, fine,  But the rest of us are simply speculating about something that is Timmy's business.  Thanks.

To get back on track, I started buying Festool products from a local Phoenix area rep, Tim Bonham, a few years ago.  I had good luck with Tim.  More recently I have gravitated to Bob Marino, mostly based on the recommendation of another Festool user who is a member here.  Bob's customer service, availability and attention to detail are all terrific.  I have ordered once from Timmy and would do so again.

 

[ChicagoMike]

I'll continue the track

I stumbled upon Festool about 3 years ago at Warren Cutlery in Rhinbeck, NY. That is where I bought my C12 drill. I fell in love with it. Jim (owner) and his wife are exceptional people!

Now I have to pass up 3 dealers to get to them, but I am as loyal as they come. He is a small store and I like to support local businesses. I have purchased 2 routers, circ saw, 4 rails, MFT, jigsaw, 4 sanders, domino, vac, numerous bits and attachments, and anything else I can get my hands on.

I list the tools by name because frankly I think the naming of the Festools is a little confusing. I just call em by name. Anyone else agree?

 

[nclemmons]

Bob Marino.

First ran into him on SMC and then hooked up with him on the old FOG.  Turned my brother on to him and then I got the bug.  Bought a lot of tools from him based on knowledge and service.  He knows the product line.

I shop locally at Woodcraft for consumables, but have not found they have nearly the in-depth application or product knowledge.

neil

 

[Chris Billman]

My experience so far:
1: Read a Woodnet post about cashback at live.com
2: Go to live.com and type "festool"
3: Click link that says "20% off" that takes me to eBay
4: Order a bunch of expensive stuff from utterguys (cause that's who had the listings for tools/combos I was interested in).
5: Credit card was charged a whole lot of money, and a few days later big boxes start showing up at my door.
6: Smiles ensue as tools are used.

Future purchases will likely be from Hartville or some other internet retailer to save sales tax.  Plus my closest local dealers are either boneheads or have very little in stock.  I've heard good things about local dealers a bit further down the road, and I may try them when the wallet is replenished.

 

[sw1211]

.........
On a seperate note, not trying to start something, does anyone feel Timmy is alienating existing/future clients by running the other site?  I thought he had pretty good business sense but this seems like a bit of a blunder on his part.  Could just be me, but that's my perception.

I don't understand where this stuff comes from... I am a member of the other forum. Timmy volunteered to give his time and moderate one of the 18 forum areas of the site, and an off topic one at that. How does that translate into running a site? Bob M. has also posted there as well as many others who belong to this forum,and others, Are they "running" the site also?
...Scott W.

I'd like to suggest that we cut this discussion direction off right now!  If Timmy wants to reply, fine,  But the rest of us are simply speculating about something that is Timmy's business.  Thanks.

To get back on track, I started buying Festool products from a local Phoenix area rep, Tim Bonham, a few years ago.  I had good luck with Tim.  More recently I have gravitated to Bob Marino, mostly based on the recommendation of another Festool user who is a member here.  Bob's customer service, availability and attention to detail are all terrific.  I have ordered once from Timmy and would do so again.

I beleive there's more to it, but I'll drop it in order to keep the the peace......

 

[peter halle]

I have purchased my Festools from several dealers. I guess that I'm lucky to have at least three local dealers. I have actually bought most of my stuff from Mcfeelys. My last z orders have been thru Bob Marino. Both Mcfeelys ad Bob Marino have given ocellate service. Bobs shipping times are now shorter, and the recommendations on the forum have been accurate.

peter

 

[joekenpo]

Just my 0.02

I have purchased locally (Rockler and Kayheart) and on the internet (McFeeleys and Tim)  My best experience and most knowledgeable service has been from Tim.  He spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me to determine exactly what I needed and expedited the order so that i could have it when I needed it.  My future purchases will be from Tim.

Jim

 

[gkeas]

My first Festool purchase was from Woodcraft.  I was more knowledgable than the sales folk I dealt with (not inspiring confidence).  Subsequently, all of my NEW purchases have been through Bob Marino " www.bobmarinosbesttools.com "  He is ALWAYS available to answer questions and provice support for existing sales.  I cannot, repeat, CAN NOT, recommend him highly enough.  You simply cannot go wrong in dealing w/ Uncle Bob (other than not dealing with him.  I suspect that would be unfortunate for you)

 

[nickao]

Timmy at Festooljunkie has personally called me over a 35.00 single sheet purchase of sandpaper, then proceeded to give me a 100% refund.

Not many other owners would call the client for such a deal. McFeely's and Acetool have been good to me too, but nowhere near the personalized service of Tim and like I said for really small purchases, it's amazing!

I put in order of satisfaction the companies I have dealt with from best to worst:

Festooljunkie - to much to remember - all Festool
Bob Marino - one 60.00 item - all Festool
Acetool - to much to remember - all Festool
McFeelys - 1500.00 - Festool and misc
Bibb tool - 500.00 - Misc
Rockler - thousands over the years - Misc
Woodcraft - thousands over the years - Misc

Nickao

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I purchased my first Festool - a Rotex 125 from Hartville Tool, the first local stocking dealer in my area, and later purchased an MFT 1080 and OF 1400 and some accessories from them.  But the bulk of my purchases are from Bob Marino who I became aware of through this forum.  Bob knows the product line far better than most and thus helps me select what will best suit my needs, always fills my orders expeditiously and frequently goes the extra mile or two to ferret out obscure parts whenever requested. 

Dave R.

 

[peter halle]

My most recent purchases have been thru Bob Marino and he has gone the extra mile to make things happen.  I'll be back.  He's gotten my last couple of orders and will get more.  By the way, it's interesting in talking to him how much he pays attention to this forum and how much he cares for all the Festool users out there - not just his previous customers.

BOB ROCKS!! ;D ;D ;D

Peter

 

[cdconey]

Bob Marino.  He takes care of you.  I used to buy from Festool direct, back in the day, but Bob's service knowledge is unmatched.