One for the Aussies...

[Stephen B]

[member=26367]eddomak[/member]

Thanks for making contact, two emails sent.

 

[Stephen B]

Reminder that submissions to the ACCC are due tomorrow, Feb27th. AEST.
___________________

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Dear Sir/Madam

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) has received a notification from Tooltechnic Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd, which is proposing to engage in resale price maintenance (RPM) with regard to its Festool and Fein power tools.
The ACCC invites you to comment on the arrangement.

A copy of the RPM notification and supporting submission is attached. A full copy of the RPM notification and its attachments will be available on the ACCC’s website tomorrow: www.accc.gov.au. 

If you intend to provide a submission in relation to this RPM notification, please do so by 27 February 2018.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me on (03) 9290 1835 or adjudication@accc.gov.au.

Regards,

Tess Macrae

Assistant Director | Adjudication | Merger and Authorisation Review
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Level 17 | 2 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, VIC 3000 
T: + 61 3 9290 1835
www.accc.gov.au
The ACCC acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to the land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to their Elders past, present and future.

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[Kev]

To all Aussie Festool (and other premium tool) buyers ...

Operating a business in Australia that imports high quality products from overseas and distributes them through a local retail network is NOT VIABLE.

The only way to make a profit from the model is to rape the local market on price and that's simply not ethical. I've experimented with a premium product (CADEX) and I was unable to land a product locally and offer it through a retailer and break even - let alone make a profit.

Part of the problem is the way the Australian government hits you on importing ... it'll always be cheaper to perform a one-off buy and use a service like Shipito to get by bad international shipping rates and "grey" limitations. The other part of the problem is the greedy expectation of the importer/distributor to make a fat profit.

Service and warranty are an issue for certain ... don't jump into a new product and buy it from OS on launch, wait till the dust settles.

... just my 2 cents

 

[HarveyWildes]

Part of the problem is the way the Australian government hits you on importing ...

Hi Kev - Normally tariffs are imposed to protect local production.  Is the Australian government protecting any local companies with high tariffs on Festool or other power tool manufacturers?  I tried to look online for power tool manufacturers in Australia, but could only find a list of companies who sell their power tools there.  I know that there are some good hand tool companies because I have one or two of their items.

 

[Stephen B]

Selling old/Vintage Tools
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Looking for some recommended Australian specialist sites in old handtools.

I am considering selling some of my  inherited handtools. Some are in excellent condition, some need restoration. Includes drills and planes.

Thanks

 

[Grakat]

There is one site is called The Tool Exchange, and there is another group that specialises in doing old tool swap meets. I think I have seen them on Facebook but the name escapes me.

 

[Stephen B]

I have published Festool Color formulas elsewhere on the FOG in the past. However due to base product differences these have probably not been applicable outside Australia.

At work last weekend I revised, via a calibrator, my formula for Festool Blue/Black. Sample was  again taken from the case of -
https://www.festool.com.au/products...ObjectPath=/Shops/tooltechnic/Products/495128

Extra Bright Base - 1 litre of Dulux Oil Based High Gloss Enamal.

CV 1Y 26.5N
M  1Y 27.25N
TT 0Y  7.25N
W  0Y. 2.25N

[attachimg=1]

 

[dr.r.lam]

Hi AussieFOGs!

New to the forums.
Looking to buy some Festool kit.
I'm Sydney-based.

Any recommendations on online retailers (like JustTools or IdealTools?
Is there any benefit to buying from Festool direct?

Reading this thread, it seems we are completely gouged on price.

Am I correct to assume that the warranty is covered by the dealer first, and then Festool? Or do all warranty issues go through Festool directly?

Thank you very much.
R

 

[Stephen B]

[member=68255]dr.r.lam[/member]

Welcome to th FOG.

I can not speak highly enough of Just Tools, they are my dealer for in shop and on line sales. However as you live in Sydney you may want to consider a Sydney based dealer. Northern Abrasives has in the past received favourable comment here. Your choice of dealer is important, not only for product knowledge but because of any warranty issues.

Yes we are price gouged in Australia and we do not receive the level of after sales service enjoyed in NA and Europe. See elsware on this thread.

There are some great Festool tools such as the track saws, domino, the routers and most sanders. In some cases, such as heavy duty drills, look elsewhere at Metabo and Makita etc,.

Enjoy your new Festools.

 

[Grakat]

[member=68255]dr.r.lam[/member]

Welcome to the FOG.

I can echo the sentiments above re Northern Abrasives, I too have heard good things about them.

In regards to purchasing Festool there is no difference in price between online sales and store sales, this is due to a "price fixing" deal that Tooltechnic systems have with the ACCC.

There is a benefit in forming a relationship with a premium festool retailer so that you can learn how best to use the tool. For some tools I would argue its not necessary, however other tools like the Domino certainly can benefit from some hands on training.

 

[dr.r.lam]

Thank you [member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member] and [member=59890]Grakat[/member] for your recommendations.

I will certainly get in touch with Northern Abrasives and try to order through them.

Best regards,
R

 

[Stephen B]

Last Friday I officially retired as a team member at the 'Green Shed' [code for a major Australian Hardware Chain].

This means I am no longer 'restrained' by the 'Green Sheds' social media policies. Hence I can be a little less restrained regarding subjects and  comments on the FOG.  [eek]

And naturally, [member=1674]Peter Halle[/member] , my comments will be within the FOG guidelines!  [big grin] [smile]

 

[dr.r.lam]

Last Friday I officially retired as a team member at the 'Green Shed' [/size][/font][code for a major Australian Hardware Chain].

Congratulations!!!

 

[peter halle]

Congratulations!

 

[Grakat]

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member]

Congratulations mate. Was it an untidy green shed lol.

Hope it's a long retirement. Have fun.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]Thanks for your thoughts -  [member=68255]dr.r.lam[/member] [member=1674]Peter Halle[/member]  [member=59890]Grakat[/member]
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[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member]

. . . . .  Was it an untidy green shed lol.

[big grin][size=13pt] [member=59890]Grakat[/member]
No it was a very tidy Green Shed!  [smile]
It received the Victorian  Green Shed of the year in 2017. Great team to work with.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]Just received this Email from ACCC. FESTOOL Aust. Continues to have Retail Price Maintenance in Aust.  [eek]  [mad]
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"Good afternoon

The ACCC has decided not to take further action at this time in relation to Tooltechnic’s resale price maintenance notification for its Festool and Fein power tools lodged with the ACCC on 12 February 2018.  This means that the legal protection afforded by Tooltechnic’s notification will continue and allows Tooltechnic to impose a minimum price for the retail sale of these tools.

Please refer to the ACCC’s Statement of Reasons and letter for further information.

Regards
Jaime

Jaime Martin

A/g Director | Adjudication | Merger and Authorisation Review Division
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Level 35 | 360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 3000 | www.accc.gov.au"

 

[eddomak]

[size=13pt]Just received this Email from ACCC. FESTOOL Aust. Continues to have Retail Price Maintenance in Aust.  [eek]  [mad]
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The ACCC has decided not to take further action at this time in relation to Tooltechnic’s resale price maintenance notification for its Festool and Fein power tools lodged with the ACCC on 12 February 2018.  This means that the legal protection afforded by Tooltechnic’s notification will continue and allows Tooltechnic to impose a minimum price for the retail sale of these tools.

Please refer to the ACCC’s Statement of Reasons and letter for further information.

All the supporting info here on the ACCC's page.

And the PDF with the reasons here

 

[Stephen B]

For those in Victoria’s Geelong Region. Sydney Tools and consequently Festool are now available in Corio. Compared to some Melbourne dealers their stock is limited  [to saws, dominos and routers].  Stock of sanders and drills and the range of accessories is disappointing.

None the less this is a welcome shop front opportunity for those living in Western Victoria.

 

[JimTom]

Carba-Tec New Zealand used to have specials all the time, not anymore. Their prices seem to have gone up too, the only store in the country