No more Festool on Ebay.com or live.com

[utterguys]

Festool no longer wants there dealers selling Festool branded products on eBay.com or live.com as program called "Microsoft cashback has appeared on the Internet offering a discount that the dealers are not responsible for funding of or offering the rebate.

So at this time you will no longer see myself or other dealers selling on these 2 sites or any other sites that offer the Festool branded products

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Andrew,
Thanks for giving us an update on this.  There are obviously some changes afoot in the way Festool wants to handle its sales venues.
In the meantime, please feel free to use the forum as a way to communicate with customers about what's going on.
Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[Julian Tracy]

Dammm!

I was gonna buy the trim router last night and ran out of time, so I figured I'd do it this morning...

Had it in my cart and everything.

Festool USA - mind your own business!

JT

 

[rnt80]

I've got to echo Julian's statement.  I really try to keep an open mind for most things but this is really unfortunate.  Had it not been for that program I wouldn't have been able to purchase my CT22, Rotex and Kapex.  What is the reasoning behind this decision? 

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I've got to echo Julian's statement.  I really try to keep an open mind for most things but this is really unfortunate.  Had it not been for that program I wouldn't have been able to purchase my CT22, Rotex and Kapex.  What is the reasoning behind this decision? 

Let's hope we hear an answer from Festool on this.  Festool has put a lot of time and effort into developing their stellar reputation.  Decisions that make very visible changes like this should be explained in a timely manner.  That way, the company has a chance to look even better.

Festool is fortunate to have a forum like this where they can make statements that get immediate visibility among customers.  A lot of companies wish they had that kind of venue!

Thanks for posting,
Matthew

 

[Julian Tracy]

What's to find out?  They simply didn't want their stuff sold at a discount, right?  Even though they or their dealers had nothing to do with it.

I certainly didn't feel as though the availability of a rebate "cheapened" the worth of the tools - it actually would have allowed me to add to my system, where as now - I may hold off.

They got their panties in a twist and pulled a power play.  Never would have figured them for sensitive Nancies, but there you go...

Wish I had hit that buy it now button last night!

JT

 

[pmkierst]

Festool no longer wants there dealers selling Festool branded products on eBay.com or live.com as program called "Microsoft cashback has appeared on the Internet offering a discount that the dealers are not responsible for funding of or offering the rebate.

Hey, I got a Visa that offers a cashback on purchases; also "a discount that the dealers are not responsible for funding of or offering the rebate." They gonna ban paying with cash-back visa as well?

:

God save us from companies that demand total autonomy over the sales channel. Somehow, it is often the companies with awesome quality and attention to detail (quick examples, Canon and Apple) and they just can't seem to help themselves when it comes to the channels.

 

[sainttjames]

This must be their month for unpopular decision making  :-\

"Its 0 and 2 with 2 outs....batter up!"  ;D

 

[b_m_hart]

This must be their month for unpopular decision making   :-\

"Its 0 and 2 with 2 outs....batter up!"   ;D

Hopefully they don't call the game a tie!

Seriously, though.  I finally get over being bent out of shape over the whole domain name nonsense, and pick up a Domino with this program (yay for $200 of my HARD EARNED money coming back).  MFT was next, but not now

This is about protecting their "brick and mortar" resellers, which is a strong loyalty move on their part to protect their distribution channels.  I can understand the reason for doing so, and were I in the position of, say, Woodcraft, or anyone else that didn't sell through eBay, I'd be very happy with this decision.  Why?  Because I'm the perfect example - a Domino that I would have otherwise purchased at a physical store, I bought online through this promo - meaning the Woodcraft store between work and home lost out on the sale.

 

[utterguys]

If anyone needs help with a product(s) or would like to order you can call me at 800-249-5591 or www.utterguys.com and ask for Andrew

 

[Julian Tracy]

>>This is about protecting their "brick and mortar" resellers, which is a strong loyalty move on their part to protect their distribution channels.  I can understand the reason for doing so, and were I in the position of, say, Woodcraft, or anyone else that didn't sell through eBay, I'd be very happy with this decision.  Why?  Because I'm the perfect example - a Domino that I would have otherwise purchased at a physical store, I bought online through this promo - meaning the Woodcraft store between work and home lost out on the sale.

Woodcraft would have lost out on my purchase anyways - I always buy online as I save on the salestax.

This promo didn't change that fact.

JT

 

[Dan Clermont]

Festool has made it clear that they don't want the products discounted and want dealers to compete on service and not price. By having these promotions you refer to on Ebay and Live.com it gives the online dealers an unfair advantage over the other retailers.

It is the Festool way and lets face it, customer service is very important when you are selling high end products.

Dan Clermont

 

[pmkierst]

... it gives the online dealers an unfair advantage over the other retailers.

It is the Festool way and lets face it, customer service is very important when you are selling high end products.

Um, you're in Canada, are you not?

It is true, having all-out "war" on price can be bad, but that is assuming a good, local dealer cannot earn their premium. I work in an industrial area that has many professional dealers of various products, all selling at higher then discount prices. The pro's are only too happy to buy there, as long as the service stays up. They sure aren't going to deal with an online company. Is festool making a big push to amateurs, so think they have to protect the dealers? They sound confused to me.

 

[Dan Clermont]

... it gives the online dealers an unfair advantage over the other retailers.

It is the Festool way and lets face it, customer service is very important when you are selling high end products.

Um, you're in Canada, are you not?

It is true, having all-out "war" on price can be bad, but that is assuming a good, local dealer cannot earn their premium. I work in an industrial area that has many professional dealers of various products, all selling at higher then discount prices. The pro's are only too happy to buy there, as long as the service stays up. They sure aren't going to deal with an online company. Is festool making a big push to amateurs, so think they have to protect the dealers? They sound confused to me.

Hi Paul

I am in Canada and  won't buy from Hafele simply because the service and knowledge of the Festool line hasn't impressed me. I'd rather drive across the border and pick up products in the US.

I'll buy products at a hgiher price from local dealers simply based on service. For instance, I know that Home Depot may sell a tool or product cheaper then my local lumber yard but I'll support the lumber yard if at all possible.

Dan Clermont

 

[pmkierst]

Precisely my point. Good dealers don't need protection, and bad ones just propagate with it.

 

[rnt80]

Festool has made it clear that they don't want the products discounted and want dealers to compete on service and not price. By having these promotions you refer to on Ebay and Live.com it gives the online dealers an unfair advantage over the other retailers.

It is the Festool way and lets face it, customer service is very important when you are selling high end products.

Dan Clermont

I agree with you Dan.  However, the promotion that Microsoft was sponsoring only worked for three individual purchases, it was not infinite.  I guess the sad thing about this is that I'm not really that surprised by this turn of events. Like someone who had posted earlier I was planning on purchasing a 55 and an MFT, something I'll probably no longer do.  I'm sure Festool realizes that they have a very loyal customer base that, in some respects, is addicted to their tools.  Moves such as these may upset some of those customers but not enough to divorce themselves from Festool completely.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Festool has made it clear that they don't want the products discounted and want dealers to compete on service and not price. By having these promotions you refer to on Ebay and Live.com it gives the online dealers an unfair advantage over the other retailers.

It is the Festool way and lets face it, customer service is very important when you are selling high end products.

Dan Clermont

I agree with you Dan.  However, the promotion that Microsoft was sponsoring only worked for three individual purchases, it was not infinite.  I guess the sad thing about this is that I'm not really that surprised by this turn of events. Like someone who had posted earlier I was planning on purchasing a 55 and an MFT, something I'll probably no longer do.  I'm sure Festool realizes that they have a very loyal customer base that, in some respects, is addicted to their tools.  Moves such as these may upset some of those customers but not enough to divorce themselves from Festool completely.

I am one of those guys who puts purchases off unless their is a great deal or a discount. Unless I really , really need the tool or wood. Easier to justify to my wife if I can say I got a deal at the time so I understand the disappointment by others who were planning on using this promotion. 
Dan Clermont

 

[Woodenfish]

Festool may have won the battle of the day but the war is not over. American exceptionalism will prevail!

 

[Cannuck]

In defence of "banning" Internet sales through unofficial channels, ultimately this does protect consumers in the long run.  There is a lot of gray market and counterfeit product that is sold through internet channels, such as Ebay, to unsuspecting customers. 

By restricting the sales channels, Festool is in fact ensuring that the product we receive is the high-quality one that they manufactured.

I am not sure if counterfeits are a problem with Festool, but they are a premium brand that is gaining popularity/recognition - its just a matter of time.

 

[robtonya]

I always avoid E-Bay, (sorry utterguys), but I just get too nervous wondering if I am buying a legitimate product, or not. I had a friend that bought a $4,000  4-wheeler, and never got it. Now I know someone will tell me what avenue my friend needs to take to get her money back, and maybe she already did, but the last I heard she was contacting police in the listed city of the seller.