Kapex - Local Dealer or Internet?

[deepcreek]

I debated adding this question to the current Kapex thread but decided it might merit it's own discussion.

I've been considering the Kapex since it came out but held off after some initial reports of trouble from other carpenters.  I think Festool has worked most of the kinks out but have been advised to find a Kapex with a recent manufacture date to be on the safe side.
 
I've used a Dewalt 705 12" CMS going on 14 years and occasionally the Dewalt 708 12" Slider.  I've never been all that crazy about my SCMS - too big, too heavy, terrible dust collection, etc. - so it stays parked in my shop most of the time.  It may be a candidate for Craigslist if I go ahead and pull the trigger on the Kapex.

Anyway, I've heard stories of guys returning their Kapex multiple times for one thing or another so it started me thinking about where to buy it.  I try to support my local brick & mortar stores but we have relatively high sales tax here (8.25% = extra $107.25) so I'm tempted to buy this from a reputable Internet seller with free shipping.

Should I go to the local Woodcraft or Rockler store or order one from an online dealer like Bob Marino?

Is the Kapex still all that likely to need to be serviced or exchanged?  If so, what's involved with sending it to Festool USA?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[chrisrosenb]

I got my Kapex about 1 1/2 years ago. I have only had one & have not had any problems with it.

 

[tbellemare]

Joe:

For the first year, Festool pays shipping both ways. They send it back for free the 2nd & 3rd year.

Tom

 

[RONWEN]

Most of the Rockler & Woodcraft stores have a demo area -- a friendly store would probably allow for the saw you buy to be setup & tried for some of the more common problems you've read about.  That would save taking it home, finding something you didn't like and then going back to the store.  As you said from what I've read I believe Festool has corrected most of the common problems.  You would still have the 30 day return option (either from a store or online).

 

[leakyroof]

It's your call. The Kapex isn't as small as a bread basket/ systainer, so there is more physically involved shipping one back IF you needed to. Having said that, Festool sounds like they've got a decent policy with free shipping both ways for year 1, and return shipping free for years 2 and 3. I'll gloat for you while you place your order, then up it to a slight frown since you'll have one, and I don't...... [embarassed] [sad] -still................ [mad]  Our accountant states I have to really start contributing more back into my 401K- That really cuts into my Festool purchasing budget [scared] [scared] [scared]

 

[jmbfestool]

In UK festool just picked my Kapex up no problem its no more hassle than taking it to the store actually its less as I was able to just put the kapex back in the box and leave it out side my house at the front door for the currier to pick the kapex up.  If I had bought it from my local dealer I would of had to pack it up into the box aswell but then take it to my local dealer in my spare time.  

Also it would of taken longer for my kapex to be sorted through my dealer as they would of properly called the rep when they had time as I was able to talk to the festool rep and he started the ball rolling straight away so I found it was much quicker to deal with festool directly then through my local dealer! Okay it took a while to get my kapex back but it was christmas and I insisted on a new one not a replacement part and they had to get a new kapex from germany I was offered a free gift of my choice within reason I asked for a aluminium blade for the kapex. Brilliant service!

JMB

 

[Steve R]

I use Festool for my business, not as a hobby. I bought from the local Woodcraft as they will loan me Their demo unit if I ever have to send any Festool in for service. Plus my shipping boxes are gone and they would box and take care of all that.

That is worth a lot to me.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[NuggyBuggy]

If you're at all concerned that you might need to send it back for any reason, I'd buy it locally., and count yourself lucky that you're only paying 8.25% tax instead of the 13% we Canadians pay.

There's something to be said for supporting the local dealer who you may need to rely on for consumables, etc in a pinch.  If no-one supports them, they won't be there for long.  If you've given the stuff a spin at your local store, I'd say you should definitely buy from them.  I've bought some stuff online or used, and some from my dealer, and I don't feel right talking to my dealer about the stuff I didn't buy from him.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Just buy one.  It won't need sent back unless you break it.

There are a few things that should have left off the saw, which would have saved them money in repair work.

Works great in the shop or getting carted back and forth to the job site.

 

[jonny round boy]

...count yourself lucky that you're only paying 8.25% tax instead of the 13% we Canadians pay.

Try the 20% (yes - two-zero - twenty!) we pay over here...

 

[NuggyBuggy]

...count yourself lucky that you're only paying 8.25% tax instead of the 13% we Canadians pay.

Try the 20% (yes - two-zero - twenty!) we pay over here...

What's the premium over US prices you guys pay ??

 

[jmbfestool]

...count yourself lucky that you're only paying 8.25% tax instead of the 13% we Canadians pay.

Try the 20% (yes - two-zero - twenty!) we pay over here...

yes +1    try our 20%  [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared]

JMB

 

[sancho57]

I debated adding this question to the current Kapex thread but decided it might merit it's own discussion.

I've been considering the Kapex since it came out but held off after some initial reports of trouble from other carpenters.  I think Festool has worked most of the kinks out but have been advised to find a Kapex with a recent manufacture date to be on the safe side.
 
I've used a Dewalt 705 12" CMS going on 14 years and occasionally the Dewalt 708 12" Slider.  I've never been all that crazy about my SCMS - too big, too heavy, terrible dust collection, etc. - so it stays parked in my shop most of the time.  It may be a candidate for Craigslist if I go ahead and pull the trigger on the Kapex.

Anyway, I've heard stories of guys returning their Kapex multiple times for one thing or another so it started me thinking about where to buy it.   I try to support my local brick & mortar stores but we have relatively high sales tax here (8.25% = extra $107.25) so I'm tempted to buy this from a reputable Internet seller with free shipping.

Should I go to the local Woodcraft or Rockler store or order one from an online dealer like Bob Marino?

Is the Kapex still all that likely to need to be serviced or exchanged?  If so, what's involved with sending it to Festool USA?

Thanks,

Joe

I ordered mines from Bob. He ships it immediately and its free shipping. I found out first hand that he has great customer service and handles it personally.

I have a local supplier that I would buy my stuff from but b/c of the high sales tax here and me pissed off at the state for their mismanagement of my tax dollars I chose to buy from Bob. No regrets at all.

 

[tjbier]

Try the 20% (yes - two-zero - twenty!) we pay over here...

\

yes +1    try our 20%  [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared]

JMB

Someone has to pay for that big fancy wedding [wink] [wink]

I personally have bought from Uncle Bob and my local Woodcraft. Just depends if I can make a decision, then typically I want it now. lol

 

[GruntSgt]

Ouch 20% [scared], no sales tax here, but no Festool dealer either, the one we had went toes up. So it's either internet or drive a hundred miles east to Bozeman or a hundred miles west to Missoula, so I don't feel bad about not supporting a local vendor. That said I've bought from a vendor in Bozeman and internet and never had a problem either way.
Its basically about whats best for my wallet, I know either way Festool has my six.

 

[builderbob]

I purchased my Kapex on day 1.  I did have the "miter plate rubbing issue", so my Woodcraft got another for me and haven't had a problem since.  Keep in mind that Festool came out with a fix to that issue, but I experienced the problem almost immediately.  I use my Festools daily for my business and it's still kicking (butt)!

Having said that, I don't think you'll have any issues no matter where you get it from...save your gas & order online!

Bob

 

[Marc2010]

If you order from a different state do you still have to pay sales tax??
Marc

 

[leakyroof]

If you order from a different state do you still have to pay sales tax??
Marc

Depends on your state's tax laws. Some , like ours, have closed the loopholes of buying out of state to keep the tax money in the state. It started with, well if there's a branch of a business that's headquartered out of state, you paid sales taxes since they had a store in the(our) state. But, someone kept tabs on on-line purchases for all those places that didn't meet that requirement, and the missed tax money was too good to ignore. They've now gotten it to either you, the buyer, need to remember to pay the tax or face penalties, OR, the seller has to do it. I forget what the final version of the bill came down to.
But it has changed . Before , it was lots  of grumbling about lost revenue, now it's a done deal.  [sad]

 

[deepcreek]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Just curious - For those who ordered a Kapex online, did it survive the shipping process okay?

I've seen some tools not packed as well as my brown bag lunch and others sent in seemingly indestructible boxes.

I only ask because all the major carriers have been guilty of delivering stuff that looks like they backed over it with the truck before leaving it on my porch.

 

[James Watriss]

After watching Borders implode, I'm more and more concerned about supporting brick and mortar stores.

And if your local carriers are that rough with packages, I think that's almost worth paying the sales tax.

Not only that, Woodcraft stores are typically franchises, not corporate stores like Rockler, so there's a little more incentive for them to be helpful.

Don't get me wrong, Bob's been nice to me when I've dealt with him. He's the guy I'd go to with questions/ purchases that required a knowledgable sales person. But I can look the Woodcraft guy in the eye when I ask him what's going on with an order.