Festool Pro 5 Limited Sander Promotion - where are we?

[nickao]

WOW! Really Festool should drop them Little mom and pops that may or may not know the rules. Even if they did know the rules, its not hurting you, but you want them punished?

This world amazes me. This small amount of befor the date sales effects us in no way way all. It doesn't effect us and half a dozen sanders don't effect other dealers either, everyone is sold out, they aren't stealing sales. I really don't care who gets the sanders early and I definitely don't want people or businesses punished. I don't get it at all.

Tell me will you get satisfaction by seeing the punishment? Most of this whole thread is ridiculous, crying over a 99 sander.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Pay pal comes out when you order, the other shops(tool nut, etc) charge when the product ships.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[promark747]

WOW! Really Festool should drop them Little mom and pops that may or may not know the rules. Even if they did know the rules, its not hurting you, but you want them punished?

This world amazes me. This small amount of befor the date sales effects us in no way way all. It doesn't effect us and half a dozen sanders don't effect other dealers either, everyone is sold out, they aren't stealing sales. I really don't care who gets the sanders early and I definitely don't want people or businesses punished. I don't get it at all.

Tell me will you get satisfaction by seeing the punishment? Most of this whole thread is ridiculous, crying over a 99 sander.

I don't think it affects consumers much, but I can see where a dealer would be upset...a competitor who consistently offers early delivery/sale would in theory have a competitive advantage over those who don't.  But I agree with you in that it's probably an overblown concern, especially as it would have to be kept pretty quiet knowing the consequences (not to mention how easy I would think it would be for Festool to check receipts etc...the unscrupulous dealer would have to worry about quite a bit to keep his dubious perk from backfiring).

 

[copcarcollector]

Every dealer knows the rules, small mom and pop to big corporation. They signed an agreement and should abide by it, or face consequences such as being dropped as a dealer.  No it does not hurt me, it does hurt other dealers and that's not right. Having morals and integrity is important. I don't know that I would get "satisfaction" over a dealer being dropped for this reason, but I certainty would not lose any sleep over it either if they were dropped. It amazes me that some folks want to give these dealers a 'pass' for not following the rules they most definitely agreed to. Do you (a generalized 'you', no one specifically) not abide by your agreements in your business life...?

 

[Huxleywood]

Every dealer knows the rules, small mom and pop to big corporation. They signed an agreement and should abide by it, or face consequences such as being dropped as a dealer.  No it does not hurt me, it does hurt other dealers and that's not right. Having morals and integrity is important. I don't know that I would get "satisfaction" over a dealer being dropped for this reason, but I certainty would not lose any sleep over it either if they were dropped. It amazes me that some folks want to give these dealers a 'pass' for not following the rules they most definitely agreed to. Do you (a generalized 'you', no one specifically) not abide by your agreements in your business life...?

While contractional argreements are indeed to be followed or one faces the ramifications I draw the line at impugning someones morals without more facts.  In my mind morals are like (most) crime, there must be intent.  It is quite possible at a counter sales tool store someone shows up and says "You got any of those Pro 5 sanders?" and the counter jockey says yeah got them in this morning, goes to the back and makes the sale without the manager/owner knowing.  While the sales person SHOULD have been explained the rules of the sale it doesn't say anything definative about the moral fiber of anyone involved.  In the end in THIS case the dealer did not get a competative advantage compared to a case where they were selling a highly anticipated tool (without a sold out pre-order) prior to the release date and taking sales from other dealers as a result.  In the end it is a internal contractual matter. 

 

[Jason Kehl]

I think that some are making a big deal out of something minor, even if technically wrong. The other question is; why is the purchaser foolish enough to brag about his early acquisition on the FOG?  They had to know they would stir up a hornets nest...

j

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I think that some are making a big deal out of something minor, even if technically wrong. The other question is; why is the purchaser foolish enough to brag about his early acquisition on the FOG?  They had to know they would stir up a hornets nest...

j

I have seen many posts on instagram and fog of people getting the Pro5 sanders early.  It clearly breaks the rules that Festool put in place and the dealers should face the consequences of breaking the rules. 

 

[JHZR2]

I think that some are making a big deal out of something minor, even if technically wrong. The other question is; why is the purchaser foolish enough to brag about his early acquisition on the FOG?  They had to know they would stir up a hornets nest...

j

That seems the bigger question to me.

If you paid and are above the cut line, why not take it home?

I paid for mine in store, the store had some in stock, but of course they said they have to sit on them until 1 Nov.  Then I got a call saying I am not above their cut line for what they anticipate as their new allocation - so they could keep me on their list but refund my money.  I left my money there so far.

It will be disappointing if they (Festool) don't come through.  My store "sold" me one based upon their anticipated allocation of X, with Y in stock.  For the first Y people who actually paid for their items, why not let them pick them up and start writing reviews?  I'm not seeing how a PR nightmare like this could turn into is going to get any better without some good press and getting people to want the item even if they miss the promo.

Festool probably should have set the release deal at some number of coupons, and let orders be placed first come, first served.  Then those who went to get one (limit one per customer) could bring it home that day and start generating PR.

Why stores are sitting on these until 1 Nov.  sort of is beyond me...

 

[Cheese]

Every dealer knows the rules, small mom and pop to big corporation. They signed an agreement and should abide by it, or face consequences such as being dropped as a dealer. 

[thumbs up]
Wow, this thread is starting to read like a reflection of our current political situation. The rules are....there are no rules, and that's ok with the voting public?

When the merchants signed up to sell Festool gear, they signed contracts. Those contracts need to be honored, period. When that same merchant hires employees, he/she stipulates that the new-hires don't steal from the till, they don't slide product out the back door and that they will uphold the various rules/constraints of the manufacturers they represent. If management doesn't make the game rules explicitly clear to the employees, then shame on the employer and they need to be re-evaluated by Festool as being a reliable business partner, (see Rockler for more details).
However, if an individual employee is solely at fault, then the employer needs to take care of business, whatever that entails. These are important business decisions that need to be made by the merchant, as the wrong decision may severely impact his/her livelihood.

It's been rumored that Rockler lost 20-25% of their income when they lost the Festool account. And Rockler was not a big mover & shaker when it came to Festool products, just medium potatoes in the business.

 

[sancho57]

Just picked up my Pro 5 Sander earlier today!  Comes with a sample pack of Granat paper 2 of each (80,120,150,180,220), one P120 paper, new connecting sleeve, edge guard, cord, $50 coupon, manual.  Undecided on the new systainer colors. Purchased it for my neighbor who keeps borrowing my Festool sanders.  I will keep the coupon! Figured I would get him hooked on Festool with his first tool and then watch the fun begin when he will suddenly feel the need to add to his Festool collection!

Ok, guys after reading the above post how do you all feel about either having to wait until Tuesday - if you are among the lucky few, or the overwhelming majority who will have to wait a yet undetermined amount of time for their sanders to ship, and have this guy post about having his in hand days before dealers are allowed to ship or sell? Maybe in this world we live in, some will say "good for him, I wish I had such a dealer" but this simply isn't right and fair to the way overwhelming number of dealers abiding by the rules and their customers who placed their faith and orders with them. @Tyler, I hope Festool will act on this. If not, why not?
  Very disappointing and aggravating -  to say the least.

Im not sweating it Bob,

To me its not a competition to who gets his first. Mines will be coming.

I got other sanders I can and have been using.

When It comes it comes as long as I get it before I head back stateside, mid 2017. Even then Ill let the dealer know my change of address...

As far as dealers violating the rules,Its up to festool to deal with them. Im sure they will as a result of this thread.

Me, I patiently waiting

 

[pstout11]

To the ones that have picked up the sander early, great for you. You are just as dishonest as the dealer that sold it to you. Everybody that is a member of FOG knows the release date of Nov. 1. You say that it doesn't make sense that they can't sell until the 1st. It's a simple rule, don't break it. HONESTY! There's also an old saying, "What goes around, comes around "

 

[Holmz]

To the ones that have picked up the sander early, great for you. You are just as dishonest as the dealer that sold it to you. Everybody that is a member of FOG knows the release date of Nov. 1. You say that it doesn't make sense that they can't sell until the 1st. It's a simple rule, don't break it. HONESTY! There's also an old saying, "What goes around, comes around "

There IMHO seems little that makes the customer dishonest in the transaction here. They paid for the tool and honoured there 1/2 of the deal.

The rule in this case is more of a dogma, than a something that deserves a moral judgement and outcasting of customers.
I
They would be smart to not say anything... But that is a judgement on their intelligence rather than their moral character... As well as a judgement on their level of empathy for their dealer's predicament.

All this begs the question of whether dealer/customer bond should be stronger than the dealer/manufacturer bond. And then why or why not.

 

[bobfog]

To the ones that have picked up the sander early, great for you. You are just as dishonest as the dealer that sold it to you. Everybody that is a member of FOG knows the release date of Nov. 1. You say that it doesn't make sense that they can't sell until the 1st. It's a simple rule, don't break it. HONESTY! There's also an old saying, "What goes around, comes around "

There IMHO seems little that makes the customer dishonest in the transaction here. They paid for the tool and honoured there 1/2 of the deal.

The rule in this case is more of a dogma, than a something that deserves a moral judgement and outcasting of customers.

They would be smart to not say anything.

Agreed. If I order something and a dealer rings me a few days early to say I can come and collect it or they've sent it to me, then that's fine.

Anyone who thinks differently or worries that it's "dishonest" really must have the most boring and uneventful life possible.

 

[mrboult]

WOW! Really Festool should drop them Little mom and pops that may or may not know the rules. Even if they did know the rules, its not hurting you, but you want them punished?

This world amazes me. This small amount of befor the date sales effects us in no way way all. It doesn't effect us and half a dozen sanders don't effect other dealers either, everyone is sold out, they aren't stealing sales. I really don't care who gets the sanders early and I definitely don't want people or businesses punished. I don't get it at all.

Tell me will you get satisfaction by seeing the punishment? Most of this whole thread is ridiculous, crying over a 99 sander.

Well said! Thank you.

I've no doubt all the wonderful festool dealers here on the FOG will sell all the $99 sanders they possibly can, come the time.

 

[lambeater]

Wow this has become a frenzy, its just a sander and we are not on a desert island with it being the only one left, LOL

Lambeater

 

[Holmz]

To the ones that have picked up the sander early, great for you. You are just as dishonest as the dealer that sold it to you. Everybody that is a member of FOG knows the release date of Nov. 1. You say that it doesn't make sense that they can't sell until the 1st. It's a simple rule, don't break it. HONESTY! There's also an old saying, "What goes around, comes around "

There IMHO seems little that makes the customer dishonest in the transaction here. They paid for the tool and honoured there 1/2 of the deal.

The rule in this case is more of a dogma, than a something that deserves a moral judgement and outcasting of customers.

They would be smart to not say anything.

Agreed. If I order something and a dealer rings me a few days early to say I can come and collect it or they've sent it to me, then that's fine.

Anyone who thinks differently or worries that it's "dishonest" really must have the most boring and uneventful life possible.

While I wanted to say something to that effect, it is good that there is a broad spectrum of "moral compass".
I try not to judge their approach, as long as they do not judge mine.
Also sometimes people snap to a judgement early and out of their general character, so let's not be too harsh.

That opinion might bring something fruitful to examine, and I respect their right to have it, even if I disagree with it on intellectual and moral grounds... (It is still interesting.)

 

[pstout11]

Actually I have a very eventful and great life, I like to be honest with my customers. The dealers should be penalized for breach of contract with Festool. If the customer didn't know about the release date, it's not their fault. It's the ones that know and still go ahead with the transaction. It's a 'DISHONEST' deal, plain and simple. I'm pretty sure Bob and Shane can back me up on this.

 

[Bob Marino]

  Before this thread goes too much further, a few things I want to mention.
Dealers do sign an agreement with Festool to abide by the rules enumerated (nothing onerous at all). In this case, do not sell or ship prior to the stated November release date. I'm willing to bet, its probably more widespread than the couple of examples mentioned here though. Is it the end of the world that they sold some prior to November 1st or should those dealers be forced to resign? I'm not suggesting that at all. But there are consequences for violating that rule and that should be enforced. If there are no consequences, the rule is meaningless. Though to many/most customers its not a big deal and if I were a customer, I wouldn't lose one second of sleep about it either. I was just going to start enumerating cases where this would be a big deal, but I'm just not going to write a laundry list of scenarios. And no, a handful of dealers selling a few dozen of these sanders is not going to make or break another dealer's bank. That's not really the point anyhow and no dealer is suggesting Festool do anything more than enforce the rules.

But for those who say dealers shouldn't be concerned about such things, I say to you - you are not in a position to see it properly - you are not the ones, we dealers are, who are getting phone calls and emails from our customers regarding this situation. And that's a major difference.

On a note to my original post, we will be getting the updates on Monday regarding availability of the PRO 5 Limited. I'm sure you guys will all know as soon as we get the word.  And that's a good thing.

 

[erock]

This stuff is boring......

I'm going out to my shop to use my tools and build something.

I could use my new PRO5 sander on the project that I bought and picked up two days ago from my local dealer.  But I pitched the sander in the garbage. I have no need for the sander, I just wanted the blue systainer.  [tongue]

Eric

 

[Just F Me]

But I pitched the sander in the garbage. I have no need for the sander, I just wanted the blue systainer.  [tongue]

Eric

[big grin]