Is Festool regarded as a premium brand in the EU?

[bwehman]

I mean, I know it's a premium brand, but I often wonder if it's esteem in the U.S. is largely due to it's rarity and price. Is it more of a commodity tool brand in the EU, maybe akin to DeWalt here in the states?

 

[simondelacourt]

I mean, I know it's a premium brand, but I often wonder if it's esteem in the U.S. is largely due to it's rarity and price. Is it more of a commodity tool brand in the EU, maybe akin to DeWalt here in the states?

Here (The Netherlands) Festool is considered premium, not due to its rarity, but due to its price and reputation. Mainly the sanders and vacuums have a very good reputation. Any serious toolshop sells Festool stuff, I have never seen it in any of the big box stores, DeWalt I have though.

 

[charley1968]

i think the concept of premium brand might not be as ubiquitous in Europe as it is in the US. There are less people ready to buy the whole line-up 'because it's a system'. The folx i know are happy to buy the tool best for their need, be it Dewalt, Bosch or whatever. But then there are certain tools that are the top of the line ( ft routers, sanders..) and these get bought, accordingly..
People might be more happy to mix and match, so to speak. But then: i don't know the whole of Europe..

 

[AlexThePalex]

Here Festool is definitely regarded as a premium brand. Those in the trades know the brand very well, while the wider public hardly knows it.

I don't see there's a major difference in how people approach the brand here and from what I read in this forum how it is in America. Some people just buy the tools they need, and some from other brands, and some people go crazy an buy every Festool in the catalogue.