Festool email about subscription service

[peter halle]

I started to complete the survey but then threw in the towel.  I have never needed sharpening services to the extreme that are in the choices.  In fact, I've never had a blade sharpened - I just bought another.  SO I do have some that could be sharpened right now.  I researched insuring my tools thru my contractor policy and came up with a way to get the costs to a reasonable point for me.  I have always purchased extended warranties on appliances, but never on a tool and don't see myself getting into another recurring expense.  Regarding theft coverage - I talked at length about that with Christian after I became a moderator and was trying to come up with different ways to leverage the forum's popularity to provide an affordable benefit for being a FOG member.  At that time it would have been next to impossible to find such coverage here in North America.  Just as it is next to impossible for a repair garage owner to provide insurance for his employees' personal tools.  Typically you can't buy a policy unless you have an insurable interest.  So, it would seem that unless things have changed, it would most likely appear that Festool, or a division of Festool would have to self insure which could be a great profit stream or an ultimate disaster.  I would prefer to see them concentrate on manufacturing tools.

I sincerely have my own personal doubts that any of this will come to fruition, but it is rather an exercise to see what endusers really prefer the most and frankly in the end it will be one of those " well we heard that there was interest in XXXX but when we polled the endusers en mass the results came back to the contrary."  Check that off the list.

Just my thoughts and opinions.

Peter

 

[Packard]

My brother had an extended warranty on his car.  I forget the make and model.

The starter motor failed, and starters were a covered item.  The insurance company said that the starter failed because one of the bolts became loose, and since bolts were a non-covered item, they would not pay.

Something similar happened with his air conditioning and he concluded that the insurance company had a staff of professional weasels, and it would be a rare occurrence where they ever paid for a repair.

Consumer Reports always recommends against extended warranties. I always decline.

 

[@bazaba]

The survey was frustrating as in it seemed like they were trying to fool you with what to pick and nothing sounded good. Like would you rather poke your left eye out, right, or both eyes?

 

[sancho57]

subscription service???? Hmmmmmm

I didnt do the survey, I deleted it. But From what I read in this thread I find interesting.

When I first started using FT in 2010 and joined the FOG, some of the reasons people here justified paying the high prices FT charged to others whowere critical of the high cost for their products to to others was the quality of the tools.
They were very good and in the case of track saws they and Mafell were the only ones I knew that made a quality track saw.
Next was the customer service, it was awesome back then.
They went out of their way to make us very happy.
Next was the warranty a 3 year no questions axed warranty was unheard of then.

Now with competition for products like track saws from Makita, DeFault, Milwaukee and others there is a increase in competition and value. Also FT seemed to fall behind other companies in the cordless realm. But are catching up. Same with innovation, for the longest time it seem FT was resting on its rep and creating innovative products until recently (last 2-3 years).

Now it seems to me that instead of exceeding what the competition is doing as far as warranty service and over all product support, not only do they want us to pay more for their tools then their competitors, they also want us to pay a for subscription service?

Other than a money making scheme It just doesnt make sense to me. Why pay more for tools when the competitors tools cost less?
Why pay for a subscription service for things that I can get else where for less?

I think FT has lost their customer focus which is why most of us bought their tools and supported them for many years to begin with.

They need to be more customer focused in light of all the competition for similar products now. Not figuring out ways to fleece us more.

 

[bub254]

I’ve always been more than happy with any dealings I’ve had with festool regarding warranty issues or purchases.  30 day money back guarantee, 3 year warranty, free shipping, they’ve always been a much better costumer experience than dewalt or ridgid.  The only negative I felt was the tool registration platform that got revamped and all the old info was lost. 

Festool is a power tool manufacturer that has a pretty well designed tool “system” that works well together and seems geared to high end sight work for contractors.  They don’t owe me any extra experience.  If the tool I buy runs when I pull the trigger they have done their job.  All the extra stuff is nice and good customer service will keep people in a positive mindset when laying out money for tools. 

At least festool is inquiring about the direction their customers
Want them to take in the future.  Anyone ever receive a survey from Milwaukee?