In defense of Real dealers....

[Runhard]

can anyone refer their top 2 or 3 online dealers that "really" understand (and will answer questions)the Festool product line?
thanks

Bob Marino  http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com
Tom Bellemare  http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/

They are both here on the FOG and I can highly recommend them both. They are very knowledgable and will take the time to answer all of your questions.

Daniel

 

[SittingElf]

I agree that it is a little weird to have Festool products being sold directly by Amazon.  One of the issues that Shane has addressed is that Amazon does not register the products with Festool like the other dealers do.

That being said, as a Prime member of Amazon who has purchased well into six figure $$ over the years, I DO use Amazon as a first choice for many products. They are NOT my first choice for Festool, and I only order Festool products from Amazon when I HAVE to have the products in hand within two days.  This occurred recently when I was only two days away from leaving for Nigeria again, and ordered the Workshop Cleaning Kit for my CT36, and two more systainer carts. I didn't want the possibility of them being left on my empty house doorstep.  They did arrive on time.

I would hesitate to buy any significant Festool power tools from Amazon though. Not necessarily for lack of effective support (though that is really important), but because I would rather support independent dealers who are trying to make a living. I've been there and faced the same issues. ( I had a chain of retail computer stores in the mid-eighties and nearly went bankrupt when mail-order started virtually taking over the market).

Bob and Sean are my choices if I have major purchases, and the time to allow for ground shipping.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Slappy]

Bob Marino    .    .    .    he responds to a email within a 1/2 hour OR Less

 

[Jonhilgen]

Bob Marino    .    .    .    he responds to a email within a 1/2 hour OR Less

Bob and Tom both do this.  They offer an absurd level of customer service.  I have no brick and mortor in town, well, there is one.  But I know more about product than they do, so online it is.  I will never buy festools from Amazon.

Jon

 

[ShawnRussell]

old thread.. but I am surprised that no one brought up what I think is the most important factor.. is the company public or privately traded?

From Walmart, Amazon, GE, or Apple... as long as they answer to the street none of them are that different.

I try to buy local where I can and where it makes sense... I love Festool but I have bumped my rule and order online(not from Amazon). My local dealers are all an hour away and it just a waste of time to drive an hour out, look around, and drive an hour back. First off, screw Rockler, the store in Atlanta is an absolute joke. I would never buy Festool from there and I actually refuse to buy anything from that store. Service there was so bad I am ticked off enough at Rockler I refuse to buy anything from their product line. Highland Hardware is great and Chris does a great job. I have 0 complaints about anything they do. My local Woodcraft is also special. Steve is one of the few guys who sells Lie Nielsen and also Brese in stock! I am just equally pissed off with Woodcraft(Hand Plane fiasco and what the %@#@ have they done to Japan Woodworker) as I am with Rockler.