In defense of Real dealers....

[marrt]

My favorite online retailer is Amazon.  I live in a rural area and can get just about anything I need in a couple days using my Amazon Prime account.  When I logged in to the site recently, some of the items "Inspired" by my recent browsing included a number of Festools.  What caught my eye?these items included Prime shipping!  This indicates to me that Amazon is carrying these items directly in inventory, instead of through an affiliated "real" Festool dealer.

This doesn't make sense.  From my understanding, Festool has justified its price fixing by emphasizing that dealers compete based on service, not price.  Further, high service dealers are always available to provide expert advice, actually SELL the brand's unique features and functionality, and generally evangelize Festool.  This is readily apparent from dealer participation on FOG and through email/phone conversations with Festool dealers.  Amazon provides none of these services.

So, why distribute through Amazon?  And, if Amazon is OK, why not Home Depot or Walmart.  All three of these retailers provide the same level of value-added service (i.e., none).  

There are plenty of high service internet dealers already.  It doesn't make sense to increase their competition by giving the product to a no service dealer like Amazon.  As I've said in the past, if I'm not getting high service, then I certainly don't want to pay for it.  Amazon is benefiting from the good reputation high service dealers have built for Festool...but at the expense of lost business to these same dealers.  Where I come from, what Festool is doing is called "Biting off the hand that feeds you."
   

 

[mikeneron]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Festool-TS-55-EQ-Plunge-Cut-Circular-Saw-Track-Saw-561174/14227078

 

[nickao]

I like being able to get Festools on Amazon. Obviously Festool signed up for it and provides Amazon the tools directly.

I think it is fine. If you want the service from a smaller seller then purchase from them. But why should Festool exclude themselves from another selling avenue.

Like you I use Amazon a whole lot because I am out in the "sticks" and many times have wished Festools were on Amazon, especially the consumables.

I have never ever paid shipping on any Festool tools I ever purchased. I have once or twice on some Festool consumables, but now I only go to the dealers that give free ship, even on the consumables.

 

[ajones]

brand awarness?times are tough?

 

[nickao]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Festool-TS-55-EQ-Plunge-Cut-Circular-Saw-Track-Saw-561174/14227078

Yeah, but that is sold by Tool King not Walmart. What he is saying is that Amazon is selling the tools direct without a Festool dealer like on that Walmart link.

 

[nickao]

brand awarness?times are tough?

Must be as I never saw a 10% off Festool for an existing tool and I am not sure they are even upgrading the advertised tools. TS75 and TS 55 both 10% off.

 

[ajones]

I like being able to get Festools on Amazon. Obviously Festool signed up for it and provides Amazon the tools directly.

I think it is fine. If you want the service from a smaller seller then purchase from them. But why should Festool exclude themselves from another selling avenue.

Like you I use Amazon a whole lot because I am out in the "sticks" and many times have wished Festools were on Amazon, especially the consumables.

I have never ever paid shipping on any Festool tools I ever purchased. I have once or twice on some Festool consumables, but now I only go to the dealers that give free ship, even on the consumables.

Free shiping is a myth nothing is free

 

[GPowers]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Festool-TS-55-EQ-Plunge-Cut-Circular-Saw-Track-Saw-561174/14227078

ToolKing.com is selling Festool through Wallmart.

Five responses in just a couple of minutes.....

 

[nickao]

Nothing may be free, but I saved money by not paying shipping verse someone that did.  

Because the Festool prices are the same everywhere the "free" shipping is a valid and money saving reality.

 

[ajones]

Nothing may be free, but I saved money by not paying shipping verse someone that did.  

Oh  you paid,,,,,,,,,,,, believe me [big grin]

 

[ajones]

what are the alternatives? most people would not have a clue what a festool is.there is a world wide turn down in the construction industry.
there are only so many comfortable hobby carpenters.bottom line is units through the door or lay off staff. and shut the doors

 

[ajones]

what are the alternatives? most people would not have a clue what a festool is.there is a world wide turn down in the construction industry.
there are only so many comfortable hobby carpenters.bottom line is units through the door or lay off staff. and shut the doors

there will always be the hands up billy bunters that will hand over full retail at the big river or similar outlets but I know there is always a deal to be done
with your tool dealer once you have a relationship so I will not worry about the smaller outlets

 

[image132]

Sorry to not add anything but wow FestoolFootstool. 3 posts straight after each other and you even quoted yourself...  [scared]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Sorry to not add anything but wow FestoolFootstool. 3 posts straight after each other and you even quoted yourself...  [scared]

[tongue]

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....Where I come from, what Festool is doing is called "Biting off the hand that feeds you."

Yes, you are right, this seem like a blow to the small dealers out there earning their keep through genuine service. 

 

[nickao]

If the hand that feeds you is still keeping you hungry you need to expand your search for food.  

It seems simplistic to say it is obvious, but Festool may be feeling the pinch as everyone else, especially at their price point. If not great, they are just expanding their business anyway they can. A big business is not going to get nostalgic over the people that initially made the company what it is, they will go on and do anything they can to make more money. The point of any business is to make money, not to give great customer service or be faithful to their buyers, even making great tools is not the point of a company. Those are just a means to make the money.

I think if a company could make say twice the amount of profit just using Amazon than using small dealers and Amazon together, the company would get rid of the small dealers. Thinking anything else may be a bit naive. Business is cut throat, especially if  it's survival is on the line.

 

[ajones]

Sorry to not add anything but wow FestoolFootstool. 3 posts straight after each other and you even quoted yourself...  [scared]

Yeh thinking I peaked to early [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Mac]

Sorry to not add anything but wow FestoolFootstool. 3 posts straight after each other and you even quoted yourself...  [scared]

Yeh thinking I peaked to early [big grin] [big grin]

A problem you often suffer from, my friend?  [eek]

 

[ajones]

Sorry to not add anything but wow FestoolFootstool. 3 posts straight after each other and you even quoted yourself...  [scared]

Yeh thinking I peaked to early [big grin] [big grin]

A problem you often suffer from, my friend?   [eek]

no not ussualy feet knees elbos most eveything else works. bit distacted watchin kylie on rosses lap [eek]

 

[peter halle]

.....Where I come from, what Festool is doing is called "Biting off the hand that feeds you."

Yes, you are right, this seem like a blow to the small dealers out there earning their keep through genuine service. 

I have mixed thoughts on this.  Initially I was in the camp of this will hurt the smaller dealers.

But then I started to also look at the other side.  Amazon will increase sales.  Cost of the product to the consumer will be equal.  Shipping costs might be different, but if I am not wrong, the dealers can establish their own shipping costs and could conceivably compete there also.  Dealers already in the pipeline have usually gone thru some training.  How about the server on the Amazon site?  Dealers can offer advice.  How about that server?

Selling thru such a huge site such as Amazon will surely increase sales and market share.  Likewise, it may increase demand.  What happens to those who can't get answers thru Amazon and then find a dealer who can answer their questions and offer advice?  Once they find out that the only difference in the total cost of the products might be the shipping costs, you might see the dealers actually increasing their business.

I shop at Amazon occasionally.  I refuse to shop at Walmart.  I am sure many will have issues with my thoughts.  I will continue supporting those dealers who have provided me with excellent service.

Peter