I think I may need to move to the USA

[tigger]

I love my Festool gear, it just kills me that my dealers spoil the whole experience of owning them. It's never simply to just get what I'm paying serious money for.
I've converted so many tradies here to Festool but when I catch up with them, they all say the same thing. "not worth the hassle"
It's not about the money, it's about how they can't just walk in and buy what they want. Or the dealer does not know what they talking about. To make it worse, they ask me where is my amazing jigsaw (which just happened 30 minutes ago) and I have to tell them I'm still waiting. [embarassed] The look on their faces, says it all.
I never hear of anyone in the US complaining or is it just me that bitches so much? [tongue]

 

[bkharman]

I will trade you... My family up and moved to the states in 1980 from Rotorua and I have been back a handful of times since then.  Always looking for a way to get back... permanently!

I do agree though, that the cost of living is much different and perhaps that is why you hear less complaining.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[tigger]

It's a deal. I'll trade you my residency for yours. Then I can roll around in Festool all day  [big grin]

 

[Paul G]

tigger, my one and only local Festool dealer (Woodcraft) is often out of stock of the things I am interested in, especially consumables. It's difficult for me to understand their choice of what to keep in inventory (or not as the case may be). When I ask why they don't stock a certain jigsaw blade for example, they say because it doesn't sell. I ask when was the last time they ever stocked the item and they never did. So I ask how would they know it doesn't sell?  [huh] I've seen many folks come into the store looking at blades and don't find what they want and leave. They'd rather go home and order online than deal with ordering it at the store, that's what I do too. So if you move to the USA to have better Festool inventory be sure to do so near a serious dealer, they are not all equal.

 

[tigger]

tigger, my one and only local Festool dealer (Woodcraft) is often out of stock of the things I am interested in, especially consumables. It's difficult for me to understand their choice of what to keep in inventory (or not as the case may be). When I ask why they don't stock a certain jigsaw blade for example, they say because it doesn't sell. I ask when was the last time they ever stocked the item and they never did. So I ask how would they know it doesn't sell?  [huh] I've seen many folks come into the store looking at blades and don't find what they want and leave. They'd rather go home and order online than deal with ordering it at the store, that's what I do too. So if you move to the USA to have better Festool inventory be sure to do so near a serious dealer, they are not all equal.

I hear you Paul  [unsure] Greener grass and all. I think you are right though. Online ordering is definitely going to be the way to go in the future. I'm still a bit old school and like to see, touch and feel before I buy. I suppose that will need to change because this world is not going to stay the same. It's all about the money  [sad] I still thought the customer experience was important. Oh well, All I need now is to find a good website that will sell to NZ direct.  [unsure]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I never hear of anyone in the US complaining or is it just me that bitches so much? [tongue]

Man, Americans invented a whole new internet acronym for their frustration with Festool availability, NAINA.  [smile]

Here in Holland it's Festool heaven compared to all those far away places you guys live in, I'm close to the fire and even here I have to order lots of stuff because the dealers don't have it in stock.

 

[tigger]

I never hear of anyone in the US complaining or is it just me that bitches so much? [tongue]

Man, Americans invented a whole new internet acronym for their frustration with Festool availability, NAINA.  [smile]

Here in Holland it's Festool heaven compared to all those far away places you guys live in, I'm close to the fire and even here I have to order lots of stuff because the dealers don't have it in stock.

Hey Alex
Good to hear from you  [smile]

I do speak some dutch so.... Hmmmm. Holland maybe?? [cool]
LOL

Leon

 

[Mort]

I bought a Carvex and Woodcraft sent me a thank you card. Pretty cool, I thought.

I'm also old school in that I hate ordering anything online if I can help it.

 

[peter halle]

Hey Tigger!

You want to move here?  Great.  This country was been welcoming people just like you forever.  We aren't perfect and when it comes to Festool we generally have to wait and do not have the full product line,  We have been blessed with customer service beyond what we read about here in other countries.

peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

I do speak some dutch so.... Hmmmm. Holland maybe?? [cool]

Holland? You're welcome of course, but who ever heard of the Dutch Dream?  [smile]

 

[Paul G]

tigger, my one and only local Festool dealer (Woodcraft) is often out of stock of the things I am interested in, especially consumables. It's difficult for me to understand their choice of what to keep in inventory (or not as the case may be). When I ask why they don't stock a certain jigsaw blade for example, they say because it doesn't sell. I ask when was the last time they ever stocked the item and they never did. So I ask how would they know it doesn't sell?  [huh] I've seen many folks come into the store looking at blades and don't find what they want and leave. They'd rather go home and order online than deal with ordering it at the store, that's what I do too. So if you move to the USA to have better Festool inventory be sure to do so near a serious dealer, they are not all equal.

I hear you Paul  [unsure] Greener grass and all. I think you are right though. Online ordering is definitely going to be the way to go in the future. I'm still a bit old school and like to see, touch and feel before I buy. I suppose that will need to change because this world is not going to stay the same. It's all about the money  [sad] I still thought the customer experience was important. Oh well, All I need now is to find a good website that will sell to NZ direct.  [unsure]

Oh I'm old school also, I would much prefer to walk into the store to buy and often try. Here in the US Festool price fixes their dealers so the only difference in price might be the sales tax depending on the state you live in. (Sales tax is still due but most folks never pay it for their out of state purchases). Regardless of how folks feel about that, it can reduce the showrooming activity and sort of creates a somewhat level playing field pricewise. But if the store doesn't have what you want in stock then you do what you got to do. I've bought Festool products from the local Woodcraft, a few of the dealers that frequent FOG, and also Amazon, but I'd prefer it was always the local store, they miss out by not having product on the shelf.

 

[tigger]

Peter, I don't think USA wants yet another South African!! [big grin] But yes, service is key. I don't think that Festool customers are appreciated for their dedication to the brand and the time and money they spend on it.

Leon

 

[tigger]

Mort, I'm jealous.  [eek] I'm special too  [crying]

LMAO

Leon

 

[tigger]

LOL @ Alex [big grin]

 

[tigger]

Hi Paul

I couldn't agree more. I get the whole idea that no one will stock the entire range, but the consumables?? Thats why we go back to the store we bought the tool from. Because surely if they sell the tool, then they will keep all the goodies to keep ytou using it? But sadly, not the case.

Cheers

Leon

 

[NHSP759]

Seriously?????? I have four words for you Tigger......

LORD OF THE RINGS!!!!!

 

[Slartibartfass]

Being an immigrant to the U.S. myself I say [welcome].

And there are ways around the NAiNA issue if need be.....so don't let that discourage you....

 

[Sparktrician]

There are many parts of the US where Festool is an unknown word.  There are also many brick-and-mortar dealerships that haven't a clue about the merchandise they actually attempt to sell.  I'm very fortunate to have two very good stocking Festool dealers within reasonable driving distance (Woodworkers Club in Rockville, MD, and Capital Building Supply's Uber Shop in Beltsville, MD), plus there are several on-line dealers here on the FOG whose service and shipping are unparalleled. 

 

[Paul G]

Hi Paul

I couldn't agree more. I get the whole idea that no one will stock the entire range, but the consumables?? Thats why we go back to the store we bought the tool from. Because surely if they sell the tool, then they will keep all the goodies to keep ytou using it? But sadly, not the case.

Cheers

Leon

Maybe it's the shelf space requirement, jigsaw blades are really large, plus one blade style will cut everything and they never wear out so no one buys replacements.

 

[Ed Bray]

I'd be tempted to move to the USA for the space and for the other tools. Getting Festool products here is not an issue, it is pretty much all mail order but usually instock and delivered the following day.

Where the US shines for me is the wealth and diversity of other tools and accessories. Want a Seneca bit, US, no problem free delivery and reasonable prices, want a Seneca bit UK, ridiculous cost of shipping, customs fees, documentation fee and finally Value Added Tax of 20% of the final total, and it can take up to 3 weeks to get here.

Want something from Dan Marino's store (doesn't ship outside US) so NAITROTW.

But the biggest clincher for me would be the wealth and depth of large power tools, such as Cabinet Saws, Jointers, Thicknessers etc but particularly without the mummying issues from the EU. Officially there are no Cabinet Saws available to run a Dado set in the EU as to use one would flout both EU and UK H&S laws as you are not supposed to run a Cabinet/table saw without blade guard and riving knife.

Cost is also a major factor, things in the US are typically the same in dollars as we pay in UK Pounds. This goes right across the spectrum of goods. The buying power of the Continental US gives them the opportunity to get better prices and whilst dealers make money too, the consumer still pays less than in other parts of the world for the same items. This is especially so for Cameras and Photographic Equipment.

Still, we do have some advantages, gun crime and violent crime is relatively low in the UK compared to the US and we do drive on the correct side of the road. [tongue]