Festool 2017 Price Increase (US)

[HarveyWildes]

I have a pretty good amount of green in the shop and have been around the brand (if not the FOG) for long enough to not batt an eye at the yearly price increase...until this year. Those are some stout increases! Really nuts on some items in my opinion! I'm glad I'm mostly kitted out. These increases at a time when the exchange rate is so favorable is completely unjustifiable. I'm not naive enough to expect decreases (although Lee Valley does a good job tying their American prices to the dollar) but a $60 increase on a tracksaw? They've lost their minds.

Yeah - that track saw increase caught my eye too, especially since the individual prices on the pieces parts have not changed.  Apparently the new kits include the new airstream batteries and chargers - see above in the post.  So the $60 increase looks bad, but it's not apples to apples.  The individual parts in the old kits can still be had for the same prices as the old kits, except for the high end kit where you're paying $100 for a 55" rail that costs $133 (now) separately.

 

[live4ever]

It seems as though some of the larger price increases people are complaining about are related to the cordless KITS and not the bare tools (BASIC).  Example - The TSC55 kit is increasing $60 but not the bare TSC55.  Same thing for the HKC55 kits and the DWC kit.  You can search this easily on Shane's awesome list.  This suggests it's about the batteries/chargers - perhaps they are replacing the batteries in the kits with the new Airstream batteries and charger?  Or they've just decided their batteries should be more expensive. 

I hate the annual April price increase as much as anyone, but just wanted to point that out.

EDIT:  And I just realized that was pointed out earlier in the thread.  Well, carry on then.  [embarassed]

 

[DB10]

What about increases from other brands? Festool did their price rise in Oz early January, approx 3% per year. Most other brands tend to go up by the same amount early in the year here as well :/

That's true but with other brands you have the option to shop around for a deal.
I can't be the only one who has found a good deal on let's say Makita on the internet from a tool store offering free shipping in Aus and noticed that Bunnings haven't lowered their prices in time to match the same item and therefore taken advantage of the extra 10% on their we'll beat any price by 10% guarantee.

 

[LooseSox]

Yeah I got bunnings to order in the Bosch gex125/150ave sander for me. Quoted $258. Total Tools had it $249 so I ended up paying $224.10

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I was surprised that the new tools released last year were having a price increase - I seem to recall in the past that first year tools held pricing for a year, but maybe I am mistaken. The Vac-Sys is one example.

It is funny, every year we have this discussion - as Edward said, death, taxes, the annual price increase in April from Festool and I will add the annual thread complaining about the price increases. And then it passes and folks still continue to buy and discuss tools and it is all forgotten until the end of the year when some member asks about the annual price increase.

At the end of the day it is not all that much money - sure, we all want to save a couple of dollars. But at this level of tool, is an extra $5 - $30 really going to matter all that much? Even spread over several tools it is not that much money when you figure how long you will likely use the tools over the course of a few - several years. It adds up to cents on the day. I bet many people spend more on daily coffee or lunch and endure all the little price increases on the daily purchases that add up to much more than the cost of a tool. Every retailer raises prices - it is a fact of life. At least Festool gives us all plenty of warning and let's everyone know what the new prices will be in advance.

Not trying to discount anyone's feelings on the topic and I hate paying more money just like the next person, but trying to offer another perspective.

 

[vkumar]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] few questions:

1. Is there a typo on this page for the new airstream battery kit for the TSC 55.

TSC55 w/Airsteram
Shows that this comes with the TC3 charger and not the SCA 8 charger.

2. Will the TSC 55 accept the 6.2Ah battery?

3. Do you have a basic TSC 55 C available in metric?  Any new old stock?

 

[vkumar]

Some of the new kit prices don't seem to add up very well, compared to the current prices.
TSC 55                                          $465  ->  $465
TSC 55 w/Batteries&Chargers          $725  ->  $785
                        new separate prices                $465+$55+$55+$65+$65+$12/13 ($727/$728)
TSC 55 w/Batteries&Chargers&Rail    $825  ->  $885
                        new separate prices                $465+$55+$55+$65+$65+$12/13$133/136 ($860/$864)
Battery                                            $55  ->    $55
Charger                                            $65  ->    $65
Stop Limit                                        $12  ->    $13
I'm thinking I'm buying the pieces parts separately, and maybe without the second charger, if I buy them at all.  Not that I want to draw too much attention to the math, since Festool will probably just make the less expensive prices more expensive.

I thought that also until I saw that the new cordless tool kits will come with the AirStream batteries & chargers.
The AirStream batteries & chargers cost $80 each. That is a $15 increase for each battery & charger included in a kit.

[member=1903]JD2720[/member]
I dont understand the math above. Why do you have 2 items @$55 each and 2 @ 65 each. Should there be only one item for the charger @ $65?

 

[chrisrosenb]

Some of the new kit prices don't seem to add up very well, compared to the current prices.
TSC 55                                          $465  ->  $465
TSC 55 w/Batteries&Chargers          $725  ->  $785
                        new separate prices                $465+$55+$55+$65+$65+$12/13 ($727/$728)
TSC 55 w/Batteries&Chargers&Rail    $825  ->  $885
                        new separate prices                $465+$55+$55+$65+$65+$12/13$133/136 ($860/$864)
Battery                                            $55  ->    $55
Charger                                            $65  ->    $65
Stop Limit                                        $12  ->    $13
I'm thinking I'm buying the pieces parts separately, and maybe without the second charger, if I buy them at all.  Not that I want to draw too much attention to the math, since Festool will probably just make the less expensive prices more expensive.

I thought that also until I saw that the new cordless tool kits will come with the AirStream batteries & chargers.
The AirStream batteries & chargers cost $80 each. That is a $15 increase for each battery & charger included in a kit.

[member=1903]JD2720[/member]
I dont understand the math above. Why do you have 2 items @$55 each and 2 @ 65 each. Should there be only one item for the charger @ $65?

I only replied to that post. HarveyWildes posted the pricing information.

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] few questions:

1. Is there a typo on this page for the new airstream battery kit for the TSC 55.

TSC55 w/Airsteram
Shows that this comes with the TC3 charger and not the SCA 8 charger.

2. Will the TSC 55 accept the 6.2Ah battery?

3. Do you have a basic TSC 55 C available in metric?  Any new old stock?

[member=163]vkumar[/member], sorry for the longer-than-usual time to reply.

1) Yes, it's a typo. All of the Airstream cordless tools include the SCA 8 Airstream charger.

2) Yes, you can use the 6.2Ah battery with all existing 18v cordless tools.

3) Yes, we have it in stock, link below for your convenience.
http://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-561730-tsc-55-cordless-plunge-cut-track-saw-basic-metric.html

I dont understand the math above. Why do you have 2 items @$55 each and 2 @ 65 each. Should there be only one item for the charger @ $65?

The TSC 55 kit comes with two chargers. Since Festool does not have a dual-port charger, they include to single port chargers so you can charge both batteries simultaneously.

 

[vkumar]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] few questions:

1. Is there a typo on this page for the new airstream battery kit for the TSC 55.

TSC55 w/Airsteram
Shows that this comes with the TC3 charger and not the SCA 8 charger.

2. Will the TSC 55 accept the 6.2Ah battery?

3. Do you have a basic TSC 55 C available in metric?  Any new old stock?

[member=163]vkumar[/member], sorry for the longer-than-usual time to reply.

1) Yes, it's a typo. All of the Airstream cordless tools include the SCA 8 Airstream charger.

2) Yes, you can use the 6.2Ah battery with all existing 18v cordless tools.

3) Yes, we have it in stock, link below for your convenience.
http://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-561730-tsc-55-cordless-plunge-cut-track-saw-basic-metric.html

I dont understand the math above. Why do you have 2 items @$55 each and 2 @ 65 each. Should there be only one item for the charger @ $65?

The TSC 55 kit comes with two chargers. Since Festool does not have a dual-port charger, they include to single port chargers so you can charge both batteries simultaneously.

So if I understand you correctly the current kit comes with 2 TC3 chargers. What about the new kit? 2 SCA 8 chargers or does the SCA 8 charger already charge 2 batteries?

 

[Shane Holland]

So if I understand you correctly the current kit comes with 2 TC3 chargers. What about the new kit? 2 SCA 8 chargers or does the SCA 8 charger already charge 2 batteries?

[member=163]vkumar[/member]

The non-BASIC models come with two chargers. The current models come with two TCL 3 chargers, the new models (annotated as "AirStream" on our website) come with two SCA 8 chargers.

The SCA 8 is still only capable of charging a single battery at a time. While it looks like there are two charging slots on it, one is for Lithium Ion batteries and the other is for older NiCad and NiMH batteries.

 

[ear3]

Lol

and I will add the annual thread complaining about the price increases. And then it passes and folks still continue to buy and discuss tools and it is all forgotten until the end of the year when some member asks about the annual price

 

[leakyroof]

Lol

and I will add the annual thread complaining about the price increases. And then it passes and folks still continue to buy and discuss tools and it is all forgotten until the end of the year when some member asks about the annual price

. Yeah, we're guilty of this...each year [embarassed]

 

[Bob D.]

Bump, ICYMI.

Beat the price increase, order now to save!

Thanks, just ordered the Festool 201353 Domino XL Connector Systainer Set. I have a couple tables which I plan to make as knock-downs and this will be perfect. Plus another chance to use my Domino XL.  [big grin]

 

[Shane Holland]

Thanks, just ordered the Festool 201353 Domino XL Connector Systainer Set. I have a couple tables which I plan to make as knock-downs and this will be perfect. Plus another chance to use my Domino XL.  [big grin]

Thanks, Bob! I saw your order come in, much appreciated. Be sure to share some photos of your project.

 

[Goneshootin88]

With Mafell making a bigger push into the US market and Festool having the annual price increase, at some point justifying the additional price for Mafell tools isn't going to be hard to do.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DrD]

[member=39397]Goneshootin88[/member]

Yeah, if this stuff continues I'm either going to spend more time doing what your handle says or I'm changing from green to red - maybe a combination of both.

DrD

 

[Runhard]

One thing that irritates me about the annual price increase is that some of these tools haven't been updated in nearly a decade. I have more than enough Festools for my hobbyist use so I'll most likely just be buying consumables.

Who I'm I kidding? I'm sure that I'll want something in the future.

 

[vkumar]

As someone who prefers metric, if I order a TSC 55 basic metric now and the order the Airstream batteries and charger later;

Would I be able to order a new insert to fit the existing Sys 5 to be able to fit the TSC 55 saw, the 2 Airstream batteries (5.2Ah) ateh 2 new SCA 8 chargers. I know you may not have pricing now but approx how much would it cost?

Thanks

 

[Shane Holland]

Would I be able to order a new insert to fit the existing Sys 5 to be able to fit the TSC 55 saw, the 2 Airstream batteries (5.2Ah) ateh 2 new SCA 8 chargers. I know you may not have pricing now but approx how much would it cost?

[member=163]vkumar[/member], yes, the insert will be available. We have requested info from Festool on the inserts but I don't think we've got it yet. Usually inserts are about $15-20 if memory serves me.