Please recommend an online Independent Festool Dealer

[BarBuilder]

Fellow FOG Members-

I am looking for your recommendations. I am preparing to make a rather large Festool purchase and would like to know who you suggest I place my order with? I would prefer to do business with an "independent" and avoid the big box retailers (Woodcraft/Rockler). My experience is that service can be difficult to receive at these stores & the scope of their knowledge of the Festool line can be hit or miss. I would like to find an independent salesman with experience and knowledge with the tools who provides EXCELLENT customer service. Preferably, they should also be a FOG contributor. I have reviewed Shane's list of dealers who are FOG members but would like to hear of some real world interactions with these folks.  I look forward to hearing your endorsements.

 

[Zacharytanner]

Bob Marino is fantastic.... Free Shipping and no sales tax if you don't live in NJ or Ohio.
I have ordered several tools and he is a pleasure to do business with. He is a FOG member too.

Frank

 

[fisheye]

I've had good luck with these guys: http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/

Bonus is their site is well designed, so it's pretty easy to get exactly what you need.

 

[BarBuilder]

I've actually spoken to Bob - super awesome guy, very knowledgeable and I may end up doing business with him based on his reputation. Unfortunately my circumstance is that I do live in Ohio.

 

[fisheye]

I don't understand why Ohio is a problem.

 

[BarBuilder]

fisheye - please read zacharytanners response for an explanation of why Ohio is an issue - but only a minor one.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Since you plan to order a bunch of stuff why don't you split the order among several dealers and compare their service?

I'd start with those dealers who contribute information to the forums.

Bob Marino

Tom Bellemare

Sean Ackerman

I'll go ahead and include Dan Clermont even though he only sells to Canadian customers.

 

[andvari]

I had a good experience with Tool Nut, represented here by Sean Ackerman. Around Christmas I ordered a TS55 set from them through Amazon. Amazon botched the shipping on it, twice. Tool Nut reached out to me and was helpful when I was going through the process of getting the mess resolved even though what happened had nothing to do with them.

In my opinion the real test of a supplier is how they react when something goes wrong. Tool Nut passed that test as far as I am concerned.

 

[tms0425]

After not so good experiences with local dealer, Bob Marino has been fantastic for me with multiple purchases over the last couple years. I especially measure it more for what happens after the sale. I've had a couple of product issues and Bob was all over it before I could even think through what to do. Being in Indiana, everything that comes from Ohio or is drop shipped direct from Festool is same day ship and next day arrival for me. Very highly recommended!

Tom

 

[durango]

+ 1 for Sean Ackerman and the Tool Nut.  They have seperated me from a whole lot of my disposable income lately, and it has been all good...

 

[waho6o9]

What tms0425 said.  After the deal is what matters the most, Mr Marino will come through for you.  Thanks again Bob!  [big grin]

 

[woodie]

I just recently started buying from Tom Bellemare, and he's been really good to work with! Good inventory, ships promptly, great to talk to if you have any questions about product. He recently resolved an issue I had with an MFS set I had ordered. The resolution went well beyond what I expected!

 

[erock]

I deal with Uncle Bob.  Class act.  Very trustworthy.  I live in Ohio and in most cases received the items in a day or so because it ships from Ohio. 

Eric

 

[BarBuilder]

Thanks to everyone so far for the input. This is the type of info I was looking for. It sure is nice to have a community like the FOG members to ask these questions to.

 

[EWTHeckman]

I haven't worked with Bob Marino, yet. But I have had good service from both Tool Nut and Tool Home.

 

[Tinker]

Bob "Uncle Bob" Marino.
One of his unusual dealings with me was a time when we had a miscommunication about an order.
when i called him about the problem, he wanted to drop everything and drive from New Jersey up to the boonies of Connecticut to deliver for me immediately.

I had to argue with him that it was not necessary, i was perfectly willing to wait.
Finally, after much discussion, I finally persuaded him it was ok to send the item.

You can't expect any better attitude than that.
I have heard nothing but good things about anybody's dealings with Bob.
Tinker

 

[Sparktrician]

I'll add my vote for Bob Marino.  All dealings have been handled exceptionally well.  Bob even took the time to call me before shipment to clarify an order when I had inadvertently fat-fingered the quantity.  I couldn't ask for any quicker delivery or any better packaging of the ordered goodies. 

[smile]

 

[Tristan Howe]

While I have used the local woodcraft and rockler for Festool purchases I have also used BoB Morino for an order before christmas (ok so my wife did) and it all arrived and has been used since then.

 

[extiger]

Donald Cope of Athens Georgia. That might seem like a long ways away from Trinity County California, but Don Cope is a furniture maker, and teaches woodworking and (more important) furniture design at a local university.

As a new woodworker 6 years ago, Don could explain Festool equipment, and also guided me through purchases of machinery for my shop. Machinery he doesn't sell. If you need information, he's your guy.

Gary Curtis
Weaverville, California

 

[ROGSONSLASER]

The boys at TOOL TOWN in New Jersey get my vote, very helpful.