French Festoolians: British Pound is level with the Euro - Buying in the UK ?

D

dkorn

Member
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
27
Over the last few weeks, the British Pound has fallen from 1.3 Euro to 1.05/1.06 these days, which makes UK Festool prices very attractive -the Kapex is GBP 729 ex vat (around E772), against E1072 or so over here in France (my dealer gives me 10% off, it's still around 970). Any of you French (or just France-based --Richard?) considering getting a tool in the UK? How about the warranty? Seems to me warranty coverage is (has to be) the same across all EU countries, whatever country you bought the tool in, or am I wrong?
David
 
I'm guessing it's the same as with buying other goods, for instance, people that live in Belgium can buy computers cheaper in Germany, and the warranty is the same BUT, if you actually need the warranty, you have to bring it in at the dealer you bought it at. ( And I'm not sure, but I think replacing the plug at the end of the cord is a modification that voids the warranty)

edit/I just realised you don't need to replace the plug, you can always use a conversion (travel plug), I have never been to England myself, but I do have friends in Ireland, where they have 220V, but different powerplugs. For tools with plug-it cables it's a non-issue.
 
I checked the plug types for uk festool stuff  on festool.co.uk, and it seems they are the same standard CEE 7/7 plug, which is used in France or Germany, so no plug replacement. Anyone in the UK could confirm that?
Now, the warranty coverage... I think you could contact your local TTS (ToolTechnic) subsidiary, or just write directly to Germany with your claim. After all, can't you be a traveling woodworker? Wishful thinking perhaps. Up until the wide currency variations we are experiencing now, pricing was consistent across Europe, so Festool's warranty policy is probably not engineered to protect local markets. It's a fugitive occasion before UK prices are hiked up by 30%...
 
Did some searching and found this. Apparantly the type they use throughout the UK is the same as in Ireland and called "Brittish standard"

 
You're right -found a pic of a powercord on fixys.co.uk, and it's the UK plug. Wikipedia has a good article on powerplugs.  You think changing the plug voids warranty? Did I hear a voice say "get a life"?
 
Yes, I've bought a fair amount of Festool stuff in the UK - mainly because I've never come across a decent Festool dealer here.  I've most recently bought from Tool Save up in the West Midlands (where I come from originally).  They have a website dedicated to Festool stuff.  The plugs on UK Festool machines are different - if its a Plug in cable no problem, if its something like my UK sourced Kapex I put an adapter on not to cut off the plug.  So far I have not needed any warranty work, but I think under EU rules their obliged to honour the guarantee.  I shall certainly be filling the van up next time I go over - mainly because I've got more ??'s amongst my meager savings than I have euros - and I don't want to buy any euros at the moment.

In my experience all power tools are generally cheaper in the UK than in France - I think i could earn a good living taking wine one way and cordless power tools the other.  i recently brought back a Dewalt 36volt battery for an electrician friend - ?50 in UK, 200 euros in France.  Whatever they do to the exchange rate that will always be a bargain.  (Of course i cry when I see the price of tools in the US, but I'll never have anything shipped from there again - they French customs made me pay 40 euros customs duty on a $100 import!
 
Richard,

The UK price for Festool stuff is rumoured to be going up 10% in January, allthough the way things are going
in the construction industry they really will have a problem selling.

Paul
 
Richard,

Is there a slow up in building work in Normandy with the French or UK people living there ?

Paul
 
Hello Folks,

here in Germany we discussed the same thing and there are some guy's ordering stuff from the UK! Not only Festool, also Routers from Trend for the Routertable and even Leigh Dovetail-Jigs! Shipping from UK to Germany is 14 Pounds.

Remember, in UK they decreased the sale tax from 17.5 to 15 Percent!

Markus
 
Markus K. said:
Hello Folks,

here in Germany we discussed the same thing and there are some guy's ordering stuff from the UK! Not only Festool, also Routers from Trend for the Routertable and even Leigh Dovetail-Jigs! Shipping from UK to Germany is 14 Pounds.

Remember, in UK they decreased the sale tax from 17.5 to 15 Percent!

Markus
Click to expand...

Lower price tags in the UK merely form a detail of their up-to-date approach. It's more to do with old-fashioned practices elsewhere. In America there aren't many 'closed shop' type trading practices. In the UK, similar. In France, Germany and Italy (and presumably others too) the old-fashioned way of only discounting to a trade still prevails. They will modernise but these things are deep rooted amongst the old style economies.

Then there's the UK's ability to adjust interest rates. They are amazingly competitive right now when required by the global slump. I pity the Eurozone members who can't take such action. I get the feeling there will be a heavy price to pay for this in due course.

End of economics lesson!
 
Does "closed shop" refer to only discounting when face to face with the customer?
 
CNC Paul said:
Richard,

Is there a slow up in building work in Normandy with the French or UK people living there ?

Paul
Click to expand...
Well it depends who you talk to.  I have a plumber friend who still has plenty of work.  I don't really have much to do with other Brits here business wise, but many French people seem to be pessimistic about 2009

 
Hi guys, just to confirm Festool have increased their prices 10% in the uk. I purchase the tools for the building company i work for and use 3 different tool shops and they have all done the same. The good news is, even though the shops here wont dare do a discount on the tools(they loose the licence to sell festool if they do) with the credit crunch the shops here are doing massive discounts on accessories and will also give blades/drill bits etc free with the purchase of a tool. As for warranties on tools bought abroad, most of my festool has been bought from the states and i've had no problems when i sent back my ps 300. hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top