how to check serial numbers

dng

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2010
Messages
12
Hello

I wanted to buy some used festools online, but I wanted to make sure there not stolen.  Is there a number or a link that I can do this at?  Also is there anyway to transfer a warranty if it still applies?  I searched the festool website but there was no info.

Thanks
 
No action is necessary on your part to transfer the warranty.  The warranty is based on the original purchase date regardless of owner. 

Unfortunately, there's currently no method for checking if the tools are stolen.
 
Shane Holland said:
No action is necessary on your part to transfer the warranty.  The warranty is based on the original purchase date regardless of owner. 

Unfortunately, there's currently no method for checking if the tools are stolen.

Shane,

Festool must (for the puroses of the warranty system) have a list of serial numbers, and against each will be the name, address and contact details of the person who it is registered to. So to say that there is no method for checking isn't strictly true. There is a method - a potential purchaser could contact Festool with the serial number along with the name (and address) of the seller. Festool could then either confirm or deny that that tool is registered to someone with that name. You wouldn't be giving out any personal information, merely confirming if the information provided by the buyer was correct, so there shouldn't be an issue with privacy of information.

I think that a facility such as this should be available from Festool, and Festool should be helping to protect their customers' investment in the tools by making stolen tools harder to sell on (even if it's only slightly harder).

I suspect the issue here is not that Festool can't provide this basic service; it's just that the procedures are not in place to process the requests. That could be sorted very quickly.

Or am I oversimplifying it? [scratch chin]
 
I think there would be huge issues with data protection,just confirming information could be a breach.A official body such as the police could have access to this information, but when my van was emptied some years ago,I asked what the chances of getting my tools back, the attending officers just laughed.

no one is interested if your tools are stolen.For the manufacture it means more sales.
The police do not have the resources and are not interested

For the manufacturer the cost of gathering/storage and supply of information would be high.

I think that this thread is not helpfull to festool owners and the information that Shane has posted should be deleted [2cents]
 
jonny round boy said:
so there shouldn't be an issue with privacy of information.

The moment YOU give somebody else's info to Festool is a breach of privacy on your behalf, and Festool would be complicit if they went along.
 
There could be a simple way to do this and be automated with Festool just having to provide a website data base.

If someone has tools stolen, they input the serial numbers onto the database.

Then if someone enquires about the status of the tool the answer could be flagged up as being reported stolen on such and such a date, or,
items not reported.

The onus is then on the owner to report them stolen and on the buyer to check and hopefully if they discover some reportedly stolen tools they inform the police, who one would hope would go see for themselves.

Quite often thieves will cut out the serial number on shoplifted and other stolen goods, a huge warning sign to any honest buyer!

Rob.
 
Rob,

That is actually a project that is on my agenda for this year.  The addition of a section to our website where Festool owners can enter information for their tools.  They will be able to mark them as lost/stolen.  Visitors to the site would be able to enter a serial number to see if it's been reported stolen.  This is only at the concept phase now but more to come soon.

Shane

PS - Maybe I should have elaborated in my original response that it was in the works.  That's why I said "currently no method".
 
So I am not alone in my thinking then ;D

Hope it works out Shane, I think it would be an added value concept to the warranty system already in place.

Rob.
 
Rob, no you are not alone!

Kudos to Shane!  [thumbs up]  [thanks]

Shane,
    You may have already given this some thought, but where dealers supply warranty information to Festool for the purchaser, you'll need to makes sure that there is a mechanism in place to handle `tools purchased for others`.
 
Shane Holland said:
Rob,

That is actually a project that is on my agenda for this year.  The addition of a section to our website where Festool owners can enter information for their tools.  They will be able to mark them as lost/stolen.  Visitors to the site would be able to enter a serial number to see if it's been reported stolen.  This is only at the concept phase now but more to come soon.

Shane

PS - Maybe I should have elaborated in my original response that it was in the works.  That's why I said "currently no method".

Great idea! 
 
I had brought this idea up in another thread which I can't seem to find at the moment.  The topic was basically the same, the ability to research used tools, as I recall and I proposed setting up a mechanism through our website.  The response from members was good.

you'll need to makes sure that there is a mechanism in place to handle `tools purchased for others`

The way I envision it working, there would be a way to transfer ownership in the system through a request made by the purchaser or initiated by the seller of a tool.  Maybe even a link that the seller of a tool could post in a classified ad that could be used to prove authenticity.

I'm still in the early stages of working through all of the details.  Any ideas are welcome.
 
Festoolfootstool said:
Hello Shane is this a worlwide thing or just the States?

Well, I can't speak on behalf of Festool in other countries.  So, the project I am working on would be specific to the US/Canada.  However, maybe it will be successful enough that other countries would consider implementing something similar.
 
Shane Holland said:
Festoolfootstool said:
Hello Shane is this a worlwide thing or just the States?

Well, I can't speak on behalf of Festool in other countries.  So, the project I am working on would be specific to the US/Canada.  However, maybe it will be successful enough that other countries would consider implementing something similar.

Could we interest you and your family in a permanent move to the UK?? [big grin] [big grin]please
 
Festoolfootstool said:
Shane Holland said:
Festoolfootstool said:
Hello Shane is this a worlwide thing or just the States?

Well, I can't speak on behalf of Festool in other countries.  So, the project I am working on would be specific to the US/Canada.  However, maybe it will be successful enough that other countries would consider implementing something similar.

Could we interest you and your family in a permanent move to the UK?? [big grin] [big grin]please

Yeah, We want need a Shane! ;D ;D
Anyone good with campaign buttons/badges and fundraising?
 
Back
Top