Goodbye and good luck.

[Jack Rafter]

Matthew,

You refer to talkFestool as the protest site, just what were they protesting?

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Matthew,

You refer to talkFestool as the protest site, just what were they protesting?

I believe the answer lies in putting all the facts together.

Here's a hint of what people may have been protesting...

Ned Young, one of the founders of TF and a moderator on that site, wrote a document called "Forum ownership," which he distributed around the time TF was established.  In that document, Ned states his opinions about forum ownership , directly referring to me and the FOG.

I've attached Ned's document here for people to review.  Remember, as you read this, that Ned was a founding member of TF.  And as you read this document, keep in mind what I have written above regarding the other founding members and the dealer/commercial interests of that forum.

I believe that if you read Ned's document, the answer becomes clear about what I mean by a "protest forum." 

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Wouldn't it be funny if Festool owned that other forum  ???

I know nothing about Festool's role in TF.  Since the owners of TF have chosen to conceal details of who owns the forum, I cannot confirm or deny such a possibility.

However, I believe it would be a public-relations nightmare if what you say turned out to be true, since the founders of the protest forum have deliberately attempted to undermine the FOG.  So, no, it would not be funny.

Since Festool is not a self-destructive company, my guess is that they do not own the protest forum.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Daviddubya]

Seems like a whole lot of fuss about a forum that has existed for over two months and has less than 200 members, even with all of the "publicity" that it has received.  Hmmm.

 

[Frank_M]

Matt,

Forgive me, but I still fail to understand what do you think is so obvious from Ned's document.  

So far, only one argument makes sense to me, which is about your implied ownership and purpose of the other forum by another dealer.  And, if I am right about who TF thinks has too much influence here, I would have to say that person has a lot of influence even in other forums, not just here.  There is a very good reason to it as well.  I have purchased from him too.  I think he is an extraordinarily nice person to deal with and does everything possible to make the buying experience an excellent one.  Further, his comments about the tools are certainly not about cheerleading, he gives the facts and just does not sugarcoat things.  When I first gotten to know him from the forums, I knew him as a hobby woodworker, just like me.  He then got into  selling Festools and does a wonderful job at doing that.  To me Lee Valley is the gold standard in service, and this dealer to me is right up there.  If other dealers want that kind of attention/loyalty, all they need to do is to look back why customers think highly of their dealers.  It is pure track record in excellent customer service.

I really hope that this thing is not about dealer competition.  I really do... If it is, Festool sales management may want to take action, but again who am I to suggest this.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Seems like a whole lot of fuss about a forum that has existed for over two months and has less than 200 members, even with all of the "publicity" that it has received.  Hmmm.

I agree, and I have long had the attitude of ignoring them.  My attitude changed when they began using the FOG to promote their forum and openly attack me.

I'm going to lock this discussion soon, and see if we can get back to regular business here.  If the TalkFestool people cease their attacks and promotion, I will not mention their forum again.  If they return with more attacks, I will respond with more facts about their forum.

Forgive me, but I still fail to understand what do you think is so obvious from Ned's document.

It illustrates why I call TF a "protest forum."  It also points out why promotion of that forum has received a different response here than the mention of some other, neutral, forum.  Again, put all the facts together and I think the picture of what's going on becomes quite clear.

I really hope that this thing is not about dealer competition.  I really do... If it is, Festool sales management may want to take action, but again who am I to suggest this.

I also hope that's not the case.  All I know is the facts I quoted above regarding the founders of TF, the decisions of the TF management to ban members who question them, and the timing of certain events related to a prominent dealer in that founding.

Thanks,
Matthew