I was in Woodcraft a while ago to purchase a box of 5" 180 Granat. They didn't have any in stock. The sales guy took me to a display where they had small packs of Festool disks packages in Woodcraft plastic sleeves. He told me they get the sandpaper when the tools come in and the owner breaks them apart and repackages them for customer convenience. At the time, I didn't realize he meant the owner takes them out of the systainers before he sells the tool. Since Festool doesn't say what abrasives are included, I guess the door is open for any distributor to do the same.
For those about to RO90
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Brice Burrell
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Julie Moriarty said:
I seriously doubt you have the right.
Brice Burrell
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jacko9 said:
At release the RO90 did come with a nice sample pack. Evidence shows that's no longer the case.
Bikeboy80 said:
You know, the info I gave in my post above may well be wrong. In fact, I'm going to go back and edit that post.
Julie, What I didn't mention in my previous posts is that I have used my RO 90 to re-finish oak kitchen cabinets and it works great. Even at my advanced age of 68 the tool was comfortable to use for long periods and with proper hand holding positioning, it was easy to keep under control.
Jack
Jack
Kev
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I personally do not expect a premium / professional grade too that can be used in a variety of industries to come with a range of consumables. I just see it as a bonus if it does.
On promotion I did get a set of abrasives with the RO90, but I've tucked them away as I got a big range of Granat for it. My ETS150/3 and /5 didn't come with samples (maybe 1), same with the DTS400 and the LS130. When I got the RO150 it had a promotion where I got a 150mm abrasive storage systainer with a range of abrasives quite cheap. Again, I've got a wide selection of Granat and haven't used much if any of the samples. I don't think the RAS115 even came with a sample, but I didn't buy it to sample it - I bought it with intend.
In Australia we don't get a free go to make up our minds for 30 days with our Festools.
On promotion I did get a set of abrasives with the RO90, but I've tucked them away as I got a big range of Granat for it. My ETS150/3 and /5 didn't come with samples (maybe 1), same with the DTS400 and the LS130. When I got the RO150 it had a promotion where I got a 150mm abrasive storage systainer with a range of abrasives quite cheap. Again, I've got a wide selection of Granat and haven't used much if any of the samples. I don't think the RAS115 even came with a sample, but I didn't buy it to sample it - I bought it with intend.
In Australia we don't get a free go to make up our minds for 30 days with our Festools.
FWIW, when the sales guy made his statement, the image formed in my mind was the store receives a tool shipment and with it there's an assortment of abrasives that comes with the shipment, sort of a bonus to the store. It was clear the abrasives were not paid for separately because the sales guy talked about it like it was free. Exactly how they came into the store and made their way to the display, I don't know.
Either way, throwing in a little sampler pack would be nice. I know it helped me a lot deciding which abrasive was best for a given application. There's no way I was going to buy a bunch of boxes so that I could try out the different types. That can get very expensive. If including an assortment with their sanders is too costly, Festool could bump the price a bit and include it that way or make a sampler pack so new owners can try the different types without buying a box of something they might never use again.
Either way, throwing in a little sampler pack would be nice. I know it helped me a lot deciding which abrasive was best for a given application. There's no way I was going to buy a bunch of boxes so that I could try out the different types. That can get very expensive. If including an assortment with their sanders is too costly, Festool could bump the price a bit and include it that way or make a sampler pack so new owners can try the different types without buying a box of something they might never use again.
jacko9 said:
Jack, I agree, I really like the RO 90 for working on the oak face frames. I quickly abandoned switching between the RO 125 and RO 90 and now just use the 90. A job I was dreading is almost done and with a lot less drudgery than I was expecting. If I had tried this with my old Bosch ROS, I would have set fire to the cabinets by now.
Kev said:
In my experience, just the opposite is true. High end customers typically expect more than what they would get buying a lesser quality item. When you buy a Ferrari you get an expensive set of Italian leather luggage. You certainly don't need that to drive the car but they include it anyway. And they also include a full tank of gas. Ferrari would quickly lose customer loyalty if they started charging for everything beyond bare bones. It's the same with any high end company. Anyway, that's been my experience.
Goodness - how many times have you bought a Ferrari? [big grin]
I do agree with your thinking.
My first Festool (which I didn't really know anything about) was an ETS125; can't really remember, but must have come at least a couple of abrasives,
because don't remember having to rush out before giving it a whirl.
Next purchase was RO150; the shop gave me a fair selection of abrasives - mostly Brilliant2 - up to 400, so I could get an idea of how the different Festool abrasives performed. At the time, whilst duly grateful, was no more than I expected.
My RO90 came with a good selection of pre-packed samples also.
Of course, now I understand the Festool range of sanders, and, Festool abrasives - would know which to go for - but didn't when I started out.
Richard.
I do agree with your thinking.
My first Festool (which I didn't really know anything about) was an ETS125; can't really remember, but must have come at least a couple of abrasives,
because don't remember having to rush out before giving it a whirl.
Next purchase was RO150; the shop gave me a fair selection of abrasives - mostly Brilliant2 - up to 400, so I could get an idea of how the different Festool abrasives performed. At the time, whilst duly grateful, was no more than I expected.
My RO90 came with a good selection of pre-packed samples also.
Of course, now I understand the Festool range of sanders, and, Festool abrasives - would know which to go for - but didn't when I started out.
Richard.
Julie Moriarty said:
If you have this complaint after buying a couple of sanders, wait until you're really snakebitten and buy a Kapex. Doesn't even come with the hose for the vac, or the crown stop base extensions. Point is, Festool is not a Ferarri and thats not a fair analogy.
I personally have grown to expect ONE thing when I spend alot on an item. Not free merch, or accessories, but great service. And Festool provides that in spades, and thats enough for me.
Pound for pound, I am sure Festools' service model makes Ferraris look like Wal Mart. Ferrari is a snobish brand, righfully so to some degree, but Festool doesn't treat the consumer who spent $400 on an RO 90 any differently than a production shop who has spend $30k on their equipment.
BTW, Ferraris doors are LOCKED when you go to a dealership to see one, you can't even sit in one. Systainers are open and the dealers let you try the tool.
Kev
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Julie Moriarty said:
You're talking luxury with a Ferrari - not premium / professional. A car detailing professional that buys a RO150 for polishing (and they do) would have little need for a range of abrasives.
Let's also remember that Festool want to sell their abrasives [big grin]
I would like free stuff with everything, but I don't want it to inflate the price of whatever I buy and I don't expect free stuff. If I am buying something expensive and luxurious I do expect the red carpet treatment - Festool is not a luxury item.
I think a fundamental thinking issue here is that to some people buying Festool is a personal luxury, then Germans making them are just producing high quality tools!
Would anyone think buying a titanium hammer should come with a selection of nails?
Okay maybe the Ferrari was a bad analogy...
So you hop in the car you just bought from the dealer and find the fuel gauge on E. If it's a Chevy, you shrug and head for the gas station. If it's a Mercedes, you march back into the dealer and complain. Buyers of high quality items are usually more demanding.
If I buy a Perfecto sander for $25 from WalMart and there's no sandpaper, I go to the sandpaper aisle and buy some. If I buy a Festool sander for $385 from Woodcraft and there's no sandpaper I ask the salesman, "I just spent almost $400 on a sander and there's no sandpaper?" Demanding customers benefit everyone.
I'm done.
So you hop in the car you just bought from the dealer and find the fuel gauge on E. If it's a Chevy, you shrug and head for the gas station. If it's a Mercedes, you march back into the dealer and complain. Buyers of high quality items are usually more demanding.
If I buy a Perfecto sander for $25 from WalMart and there's no sandpaper, I go to the sandpaper aisle and buy some. If I buy a Festool sander for $385 from Woodcraft and there's no sandpaper I ask the salesman, "I just spent almost $400 on a sander and there's no sandpaper?" Demanding customers benefit everyone.
I'm done.
My Fein MultiMaster came with a sample pack of various blades and sanders, while I haven't used them all it's nice to have and try the possibilities. Again I'd be willing to pay for a sample pack of various papers just so I could better evaluate. I sure as heck ain't buying a 50 or 100 pack of everything just to test with.
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