Life Changes

[Carl Prentiss]

  So I've been pouting to myself the last few days that I don't do the kind of work that would justify owning a Conturo, or for that matter most of the other Festools that I already own. I have a comfortable retirement that allows for the occasional Festool purchase but I just bought the Kapex so that would be it for a while.
  Fast forward a couple of days and I'm at my local dealer and see a help wanted sign. I wandered around the store with the wheels turning and smoke billowing. I don't know what came over me but I strode up to the front desk and asked to speak to the boss. A short while later and he appeared and I told him I wanted to sell Festools. After a short discussion where I made him aware that he's not getting  a bright eyed, bushy tailed, low milage product, we reached an agreement. I believe I'll be starting next week.
  I'm at once excited and a little apprehensive as I've never been a salesman or have worked in retail. I have however worked for this company 30 years ago in their sawmill and millwork shop as well as driving tractor-trailer. I've also been trained for the last 3 years by some of the best Festool minds in existence. (thanks to you guys) I can't help but wonder what I've gotten myself into.
  [eek]
  The moral of the story is how far a Festooligan will go for his tool fix.
Wish me luck.
-Charlie

 

[davetink]

Good going!!!!!!!!!! The best part is if your not happy you can stop but selling Festool and sharing the passion sounds great.

 

[tigger]

Good luck Charlie  [thumbs up]

You don't have to be the worlds best salesman. Your passion for Festool will always show and that is what will get people to buy it.
Much easier selling a product you believe in and with Fez, you can't go wrong.

You'll do fine  [big grin]

Tigger

 

[pettyconstruction]

Beats the hell out of being a wall mart greeter[emoji2][emoji2]

 

[peter halle]

Charlie,  Congratulations for your new position and also congrats in advance for your success.  People who understand Festool sell not the tools but rather the advantages and the effects.  You will do well.

I have been following my dream for a number of years but it hasn't happened yet.  But there is hope even for me.

Rock it Dude!

Peter

 

[EA Custom Millwork]

Best of luck Charlie.
It's all about customer service....and every now and then we get to make some sawdust......that promptly gets sucked up by the ct.
Best
Everett

 

[Carl Prentiss]

  Thanks for the well wishes guys. I'm looking forward to learning from builders and tradesmen as well as helping DIYers. REALLY looking forward to sharing my Festool enthusiasm with potential new Festoolers. You can be sure I will point them to this site.
-Charlie

 

[erock]

Congratulations Charlie !    Good for you man!!!

I honestly wish I could walk into a local woodworking store and have someone who understood the Festool system as I'm sure you do.

The two stores near me that sell Festool have a common saying,  "No, we don't have that, but we can order it for you."  Or

"I'm not sure about that, I'll have to check on it and get back to you"

So the guys visiting the store you'll be working at are in for a treat.  The Festool sales are more then likely going to increase.

Best of luck to you.......and I hope that you negotiated your payment so any and all Festool products are for "research" purposes .  [wink]

You know, too better educate the customers.    [big grin]

Eric

 

[wow]

Congratulations on your new position!

I agree that enthusiasm is contagious, and far more important than sales training.  You will do a great job simply because of your knowledge and experience with the product.

Be sure to stop back and let us know how things turn out.  I can't wait to hear some of your success stories!

 

[sae]

Congrats!

So let's address the elephant in the room, is there an employee discount at the dealer level? 

 

[Tinker]

Charlie,
That is great.  I wish you all the success you are deserving of.
That "deserving" will come from your own enthusiasm.  No matter what product you are selling, if you are honestly enthusiastic in you attitude and, of more importance, you knowledge, you will do well.  I have no idea (well, maybe a little idea since you have been hanging out in the FOG  ) how much experience you have with Festoys, and you maybe do not have the where-with-all to purchase all of the range on your own; and your employer may not stock all of the entire range.  You know a lot more than any newby who walks into the store.  Be helpful to the customer.  If you get blindsided by a request for which you have no answer, you may already know about some holes in your knowledge.  Try to find the answers immediately and get back to the customer right away.  A call back will indicate your own interest in their problem.    Enthusiasm, honesty and knowledge is of the most importance.

Of course, if your employer(s) is (are) enthusiastic and straight forward, that helps as well. 
Tinker

 

[Stephen B]

Congrats!

So let's address the elephant in the room, is there an employee discount at the dealer level? 

[size=14pt]
The elephant in the room is why I prefer to sell 'lesser' tools in a hardware store/TY where occaisional purchases even after a moderate staff discount do not equal wages!  [eek]

Tinker you are so right in your guidance regarding personal enthusiasm and forming genuine customer relationships. Also the no BS, and the need in some cases  for genuine follow up.

Charlie enjoy your new experience. Since I retired from education I have nearly completed an owner build and a renovation. This together with weekend employment might seem miles away from my past career, but there are certainly carry through skills such as having a genuine interest in people and their needs as a customer. This is little different to a genuine relationship that facilitates the social and academic needs of students [and their parents].

No doubt Charlie there will be some customers who come in angry. I always try a game with myself [and them] in trying to get them to leave with a smile.  [smile]

Enjoy.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Charlie

Simply brilliant - I am sure that you will do well, will enjoy the experience and be much valued by both the company and the customers.

If there was a Festool outlet within 5 miles I would try and do the same.

Peter

PS - Perhaps you will get staff discount !

 

[Alan m]

i think festool is an easy sell.
there are only 3 type of buyers. people that want crap and wont pay for good tools
people that want good tools but cant afford them
people that want top quality and will pay for it

you will never get the first type to buy a festool , the second group would be a big challenge. maybe a few would buy.
the third group is easy to sell to. all you have to show is the good quality and how it will speed up or increase accuracy  in the job

I have been in my dealers and helped sell a few (not officially just talking to people looking  at them)

I think you will be a great salesman. use all the tips and tricks you picked up here on the fog.

one day I was in my dealers one day at a small show.
one guy was going to buy a kapex but couldn't without having the wings and the crown stops. I showed him he trick where you put the wings on the wrong way round . bingo sale done

 

[NHSP759]

Congrats Charlie, I pull the plug God willing in 3-1/2 and I've never done sales but I'm eyeing a job at my local Woodcraft when I call it quits. Time to try something new and my wife is already panicking.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Congrats!

So let's address the elephant in the room, is there an employee discount at the dealer level? 

I don't know if there is any such discount but if so, that's just an added bonus. That wasn't part of my impulsive decision process. It's mostly about my tool pig tendencies. Added bonuses are that I'll be less underfoot at home and just maybe it will spare the FOG community some of my random non-sensical posts from having too much free time.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Hi Guys,
  Just a quick update. First things first. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I've been working two days a week. Mostly freight days, moving goods from the freight dock to the store shelves. Overall it's enjoyable work. I've helped a few Festool customers find consumables and answered a few questions but have yet to sell a tool. I got to visit with the Festool district rep/manager. A great guy. He gave me some Conturo training which was so cool. I've had manufacturers training in screws and fasteners and I'm receiving ongoing training in paint mixing. The educational aspect is great. I would come in for this on my own time but to be paid to learn is outstanding.
  We're having a pro day coming up and I was asked if I wanted to demo Festools and of course I said yes. I'm trying to mentally prepare but not sure what to expect. I'm going to try to contact the district rep next week for some tips and hoping to get some advise from the world's best Festool minds here on the FOG.
  Right now, my biggest area of concern is the CMS system, which I don't own and am somewhat ignorant. I will be reading every post I can find here on the subject over the next week or so.
  I'm also unsure what tools I'll have available for demo. I should find that out this week. Any thoughts on which to prioritize?
Again, thanks for following my story and the much appreciated encouragement.
-Charlie

 

[teocaf]

regarding the cms demonstration i have just one piece of advice:
there will be one person, there always is, usually a smart aleck like me,  who will ask:  how come i can't put an of2200 in the thing--after all, the kit includes a ring and a dust shroud for it?  DON'T take the bait man,  just say "and moving on..." and go on to the next subject.
anyway, congratulations--sounds like the position is right in your wheelhouse.

 

[bkharman]

@Charlie Mac

Think about WHY a potential customer would want a tool.

I do own a CMS and use it daily. I build cabinet doors, route profiles for trim, a little lite jointing, shaping... Anything a router is good for.  ;^)

In general you will get people who don't understand the "Festool system" concept and just see a high $$$. Same advice as Teocaf said... Say "the price is fixed by Festool across all dealers in North America" and move on.

I think if you do need to demo the CMS, an ideal way would be to have it in the table, ready to do a task using the table and fence. Do the task, unplug all cables and DC.  Undo the locks to keep the CMS plate in the table, take the fence off, take the plate and router out and flip it over. Undo the three hold downs, take the router out, take the pin locator off of the OF 1400.

This is most important... Click the trigger to release the ratchet and say "now the router is ready for any hand work you need to do". If you can go from the CMS setup to it sitting on a MFT in under a minute, you will impress.

Good luck and let me know if you need any other tips.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[teocaf]

that's a great demonstration approach Bryan, going from full setup to disassembled.

one other thing, CharlieMac:  make sure you empty your car trunk before you go to work that day.  I have a feeling that you'll be taking your work home with you...