Festool Pro 5 Limited Sander Promotion - Here We Are

[Bob Marino]

Hot off that Festool Press, Festool will start shipping the remaining Pre-ordered Pro 5 sanders mid January, 2017. Festool will not be shipping any more in 2016. They will be making multiple bi monthly shipments  until our pre-orders are all filled, hopefully by the end of February 2017. That schedule may differ dealer to dealer, but this should hold for those pre-ordering from us. Emails will be going out tomorrow and another soon after that, with more specific shipping times for each customer's sander.
  I would remind customers and viewers once again, we will have enough sanders to fill all of our pre-orders. Demand, far and quickly outsold supply. But Festool did come through. Please don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Potts17]

At least it's an definitive answer. Everyone who pre-oredered will get their sander.

 

[PA floor guy]

I don't understand.  I ordered on day 1.  Literally 3/4 hours into the sale.  More importantly, I already paid in full.

 

[Bob Marino]

At least it's an definitive answer. Everyone who pre-oredered will get their sander.

Yes and yes. Not as quickly as most would like, but everyone will get their sanders,

 

[Bob Marino]

I don't understand.  I ordered on day 1.  Literally 3/4 hours into the sale.  More importantly, I already paid in full.

I won't answer for your dealer, but there was a huge amount ordered upon first wind of the sale and most dealers only received a very small fraction of their PO's.

 

[Carquest]

I think I ordered mine within an hour of receiving the e-mail from Tool Nut, and was one of the lucky ones.

 

[Svar]

I hope 3 year warranty, 30 day return countdown starts when it is actually shipped, not on November 1.

 

[nickao]

That's weird, of course not. Come on, you know that's not the case.

 

[Bob Marino]

I hope 3 year warranty, 30 day return countdown starts when it is actually shipped, not on November 1.

Of course - warranty will start when shipped, not when ordered. It's always been that way.

 

[Svar]

I hope 3 year warranty, 30 day return countdown starts when it is actually shipped, not on November 1.

Of course - warranty will start when shipped, not when ordered. It's always been that way.

You can't be too cautious these days.  [wink]

 

[atogrf1]

As long as we get them, then I am more than happy to wait.  A sander or two definitely won't hold up any of my projects, that's for sure.
Thanks for the heads up and for keeping us informed.

 

[jimbo51]

I just received in the mail Saturday the latest issue of Fine Homebuilding. There is a full page ad on page 19 for the Pro 5 sander. In Festool's favor is that there is no mention of a voucher or even any sustainer. Maybe Festool could just supply bare tools to those who request one based on this ad.

 

[wetndry]

I agree not a vendor problem.  This is a Festool problem.  Shipping 1,2 or 3 weeks late is disappointing but understandable.  Shipping 2 to 4 months late (jan 1 through feb 28) late is inexcusable.  Festool should compensate those who have to wait months for their sander.  They could add a 25 or better yet a 50 sheet variety pack of abrasives to each of the Promo kits for not living up to their promised ship date.

Craig

 

[Huxleywood]

I agree not a vendor problem.  This is a Festool problem.  Shipping 1,2 or 3 weeks late is disappointing but understandable.  Shipping 2 to 4 months late (jan 1 through feb 28) late is inexcusable.  Festool should compensate those who have to wait months for their sander.  They could add a 25 or better yet a 50 sheet variety pack of abrasives to each of the Promo kits for not living up to their promised ship date.

Craig

Whether or not you realize it what you expect of them regarding ship dates is unreasonable.  Sure Festool made a mistake in estimating demand but if this last year has taught us anything it is that forecasting public choice is difficult, even for dozens of companies who's sole purpose is to determine what the public will do based on essentially a binary choice. 

When it comes to shipping sanders keep in mind once the sanders are in the containers they are looking at a 5-6 week trip from Germany to Indiana, then a week to distribute to dealers then another 3-7 days to get them in the consumer's hands.  That doesn't count the time to squeeze in production runs into what is likely a packed schedule as it is.  The possibly conservative dates being sent out seem to reflect a company that is working very hard to produce and ship out the sanders. 

Sure it would be nice if they added something else for those that waited but I honestly think it is unreasonable to expect it on a deal that the secondary market is proving was amazing. 

 

[wetndry]

When it comes to shipping sanders keep in mind once the sanders are in the containers they are looking at a 5-6 week trip from Germany to Indiana, then a week to distribute to dealers then another 3-7 days to get them in the consumer's hands.  That doesn't count the time to squeeze in production runs into what is likely a packed schedule as it is.  The possibly conservative dates being sent out seem to reflect a company that is working very hard to produce and ship out the sanders. 

Sure it would be nice if they added something else for those that waited but I honestly think it is unreasonable to expect it on a deal that the secondary market is proving was amazing.

I agree with all the logistics problems you stated above.  My point is that festool was aware of all of these issues when they planned this promo and determined the ship date.  Their poor planning should not be placed on the backs of the consumer.  They have my money but I don't have the sander.  Again a few weeks late ok.  A few months ?  Not good. 

They could provide coupons to the dealers for  sanders that where shipped 2 or 3 months late.

Craig

 

[Huxleywood]

When it comes to shipping sanders keep in mind once the sanders are in the containers they are looking at a 5-6 week trip from Germany to Indiana, then a week to distribute to dealers then another 3-7 days to get them in the consumer's hands.  That doesn't count the time to squeeze in production runs into what is likely a packed schedule as it is.  The possibly conservative dates being sent out seem to reflect a company that is working very hard to produce and ship out the sanders. 

Sure it would be nice if they added something else for those that waited but I honestly think it is unreasonable to expect it on a deal that the secondary market is proving was amazing.

I agree with all the logistics problems you stated above.  My point is that festool was aware of all of these issues when they planned this promo and determined the ship date.  Their poor planning should not be placed on the backs of the consumer.  They have my money but I don't have the sander.  Again a few weeks late ok.  A few months ?  Not good. 

They could provide coupons to the dealers for  sanders that where shipped 2 or 3 months late.

Craig

The only issue you can lay at Festool's door is underestimating the demand, they had what they estimated to be the demand at the dealers for shipment on Nov 1 and a LOT of sanders shipped on time.  If you want to hang them for not having a crystal ball, it is your right, if you feel you are owed something extra for the delay, that is your prerogative but in both cases I think it is a little over board.

Plus, if you were charged when you made the order (which was rare except if you used Paypal or a prepaid card) then the dealer has your money not Festool, if you paid by credit card in the vast majority of cases all you are out in the intervening time is a $99 reduction in your credit limit. 

 

[wetndry]

I worked manufacturing for years. I was head of new product development and as part of my job I was responsible to integrate the new product into the manufacturing line and have enough production to cover the best guess initial orders. This was always very hard to predict.  The orders where always taken with a promised delivery date and if we missed that date by 2 or 3 months we would likely loose that order and if it were a new customer we may loose them forever.  On the rare occasion when we missed dates by weeks or months we would always offer discounts in price and shipping. Sometimes to the point of taking a loss on the product to compensate the customer and keep them long term.  We lost very few customers.  We were a small manufacturer that made all our products here in the USA and were proud of it. 

I already own multiple Festool sanders and extractors so I am a loyal customer that will probably buy from them again if I am in need of one of there tools but if this was my 1st purchase I may not buy again especially the 5 inch RO finish sander is not the strongest in there line up. It is maybe their weakest. I would not consider this a successful promo for new customers to Festool.

I realize that most companies will not go to the extremes we did but I do not think of Festool as most companies.

Craig

 

[Cheese]

They could provide coupons to the dealers for sanders that where shipped 2 or 3 months late.

They could..but then why would they? If you're unhappy with you're current situation, you have the option of cancelling your order. Think about the power you hold in your keystroke...you can exercise it or just lament about it...your choice.

 

[wetndry]

Why do companies repair their products for free when they are out of warranty.  Why do they give refunds when a customer is not happy even when they are not legally required to do so.  Why do Companies send out replacement products sight unseen and not even require you to send the defective one back.  Because it is there reputation to protect and it generates good will and confidence in buying.  This is Festool.

Companies don't have to stand behind there products if they choose and you can choose never to buy from again. That does not make it right or good business.

Craig

 

[Cochese]

Soon there will be a call for free sanders.