Recon tools - the final stretch - 40% off all tools

[elfick]

I just saw a Kapex on the list... I feel like I saw Bigfoot or a Sasquatch!

 

[lawhoo]

I'll put in another vote for handling the recon sale on the Festool USA website, with an option for the buyer to designate the dealer he wants to get credit for the sale.  The current system is almost a lose-lose system for the participating dealers (maybe why many dealers don't go to the trouble of participating) and many would-be buyers.  A buyer has to find a participating dealer, call to place the order (rather than simply doing it himself over the internet), probably have to leave a voicemail (because the dealer is swamped or it's 1 am), and hope the dealer gets the message and can act in time to place the order before the item disappears.  For the customer who gets what he "ordered," the system can work, although it's much more cumbersome and uncertain than the normal one.  For the unsuccessful customer (of whom I suspect there are many these days), the experience is an exercise in frustration.  The dealer, of course, is the worst off, because he has to deal with the extra workload and constant pressure (that lasts through the night), all just to make a lower commission and earn the ill will of some customers (though certainly not me or many others) who blame him when they don't get what they tried to order.  Please, Festool, fix this system.

Also, note that this is coming from one of the winners in the recon lottery.  Over the last three sales, I've snagged a Rotex RO 150, RS 2, T 15+3 set, TS 55REQ, Carvex, and (lucky me) Kapex.  I got them all through Bob Marino, whom I credit for going the extra several miles to participate in these sales and take orders almost around the clock.  I'm sure there are some other dealers who do this, too, but the real question is: why should we or they have to live with this antiquated, haphazard system?

Sorry for the rant.  I love Festool, but this recon sale is nothing like the Festool system to which we're accusomed.  And it doesn't have to be that way.

David

 

[elfick]

Please, Festool, fix this system.

David

Honestly, I doubt that Festool would find much value in changing the system. Perhaps the easiest option would be to remove the end users from recon sale and offer them for dealer purchase only. Then dealers could resell them through their normal channel.

 

[Greg M]

Please, Festool, fix this system.

David

Honestly, I doubt that Festool would find much value in changing the system. Perhaps the easiest option would be to remove the end users from recon sale and offer them for dealer purchase only. Then dealers could resell them through their normal channel.

That would be worse and would limit availability of the recon tools.  Local brick and mortar stores stocking inventory makes it much more difficult to get when supplies are limited.  Local stores with deeper pockets would suck up the supply and the small dealers who we prefer to deal with would miss out.

There is a lot of value to Festool in updating their service in the one area that it's lacking.  Bob's idea is by FAR the best one I've heard and is a win win for everyone involved especially Festool.  Festool's high price is based on faster, easier, smarter.  That not only applies to working with the tools but it should apply to purchasing the tools. 

For new tools they have a fantastic system.  For recon tools the system is terrible.  It's slower, frustrating and far outdated, just the opposite of what we expect from Festool.  This jump to 40% off has emphasized the weakness in their recon selling system.  It doesn't fit well with their new tool selling system.  It's a real pain for the dealer and very frustrating for the customer.  Everyone looses and it just doesn't fit with Festool's reputation.

 

[jcpsmallwoodworkershop]

Please, Festool, fix this system.

David

Honestly, I doubt that Festool would find much value in changing the system. Perhaps the easiest option would be to remove the end users from recon sale and offer them for dealer purchase only. Then dealers could resell them through their normal channel.

That would be worse and would limit availability of the recon tools.  Local brick and mortar stores stocking inventory makes it much more difficult to get when supplies are limited.  Local stores with deeper pockets would suck up the supply and the small dealers who we prefer to deal with would miss out.

There is a lot of value to Festool in updating their service in the one area that it's lacking.  Bob's idea is by FAR the best one I've heard and is a win win for everyone involved especially Festool.  Festool's high price is based on faster, easier, smarter.  That not only applies to working with the tools but it should apply to purchasing the tools. 

For new tools they have a fantastic system.  For recon tools the system is terrible.  It's slower, frustrating and far outdated, just the opposite of what we expect from Festool.  This jump to 40% off has emphasized the weakness in their recon selling system.  It doesn't fit well with their new tool selling system.  It's a real pain for the dealer and very frustrating for the customer.  Everyone looses and it just doesn't fit with Festool's reputation.

i think the greed of a few people should not outweight the fact that festool was
running a huge sale, and in doing so, was not making money on the old inventory.
if festool spends 100 bucks to make a product and marks it up 70% (usual) the
product sells for 170 bucks, then when they run a -40% sale, that makes this
product 102 bucks, they have 2 bucks or less to run with for that old inventory.
and this makes everyone elses (distributor) inventory worth less since the sale
pulls in future buyers at markup 70 % to just cost, not good for distributors.

so how to keep distributors happy? let them in on the sales.

otherwise, distributors pay (anyone will to reveal costs to join?) to be a distributor
and it would be worthless.

i assume you like the extras festool offers to cry babies? well they shouldnt waste
one cent on pacifying people who missed out on a give away, and any calls to make
a give away better is silly.

the only reason the -10, -20, -30 didnt work for the sanders and the drills, imho
is they are not competitive, and even i as an owner of festool ts55 ts75 carvex
mft, of 1400, of 2200, planer, ct 36, i couldnt justify a festool drill when i get better
tools elsewhere.

festool formula is not sell better at -40 % it is make better tools that lead not
also ran

 

[elfick]

That would be worse and would limit availability of the recon tools.  Local brick and mortar stores stocking inventory makes it much more difficult to get when supplies are limited.  Local stores with deeper pockets would suck up the supply and the small dealers who we prefer to deal with would miss out.

I probably should have been more clear... I wasn't suggesting they make recon tools available to all dealers, but rather that recon dealers handle the tools directly as described. As it stands, not all dealers participate in recon sales, I wouldn't expect that to change.

 

[Bob Marino]

Hey Bob, I'm sure you're slammed with this deal!  i've been trying to call to order for a couple days but haven't been able to connect.  is there a better way to contact you to place an order for some of these recon tools?  thanks!

Hey Nick,
 
Sorry for the incovenience, you can call now.

B

 

[Theshipstore]

Just got an email from UPS as to a delivery from TOOLTECHNIC SYSTEMS LLC due tomorrow. If this is what I think (recon's) what a fast turnaround from start to finish this event was...
Bob Marino came thru for me again.....

Sal

 

[Bob Marino]

I've been trying to the same thing.
I've pm'd here and sent an email.

I know everyone is slammed with these deals. I normally wouldn't try to be a pest, but I'm just trying not to miss out with things disappearing so quickly.

Thanks

  Hi,

Not a pest at all. My phone was wring since 6:20 ans I started answering at 7:30. Between  that time, there were over 60 calls, a bunch of texts and emails. I field the calls as fast as I can, on Tuesday just between 9 am and 11am, there were over 150 calls, dozens of emails. Simply impossible to manage in a satisfactory way and extremely frustrating for the customers and almost as frustrating for me, as I want to get the orders in as badly as the customers did.
  Nothing is gonna change this time around, hopefully next time the ordering system can change to something else.

B

 

[Greg M]

That would be worse and would limit availability of the recon tools.  Local brick and mortar stores stocking inventory makes it much more difficult to get when supplies are limited.  Local stores with deeper pockets would suck up the supply and the small dealers who we prefer to deal with would miss out.

I probably should have been more clear... I wasn't suggesting they make recon tools available to all dealers, but rather that recon dealers handle the tools directly as described. As it stands, not all dealers participate in recon sales, I wouldn't expect that to change.

The recon tools are available to all dealers.  Many dealers choose not to participate because of the hassles involved and because it will make some of their customers unhappy as we've seen here.  However, letting dealers stock recon tools would be very inviting to a lot more dealers, especially brick and mortar dealers like Woodcraft.  Those with deep pockets would buy all they could get their hands on, distribute them to their stores, and make getting what you want much more difficult.

 

[blakjak220]

Most of the problem is due to Festool insisting on making these "drops" to the site in the middle of the night.... Just do it during business hours, that way everyone has a fair shot at seeing what they want and actually getting someone on the phone right then rather than seeing it at 3am and only being able to send an email which most likely the dealer won't see until after he's answered his phone for the 100th time.

 

[Bob Marino]

Most of the problem is due to Festool insisting on making these "drops" to the site in the middle of the night.... Just do it during business hours, that way everyone has a fair shot at seeing what they want and actually getting someone on the phone right then rather than seeing it at 3am and only being able to send an email which most likely the dealer won't see until after he's answered his phone for the 100th time.

I don't know why that happened but I'm also hoping they get that fixed - that was not too cool for East Coat dealers and customers, just as this morning's 6:30 am list was not fair to West Coast dealers and customers.

Bob

 

[Billy D]

I managed to get an order in fairly early tues AM CST...
Seen the charge on my account ...
However no tracking info or any info for that matter...
Dealer said they would have my info by (4 hours ago)...
Guess as this will be my first Festool purchase I am chomping at the bit!
I will be happy as long as what I receive is in 100% working order - Does not matter to me if has been been painted over with a shag rug shawl as long as it does the job it was intended for!

 

[itasor]

Has either model Domino shown up at any point during this sale?

 

[mike_aa]

Billy D,

If there is a problem, Festool will take care of it.  I got a TS 55 early in the sale and when I went to use it it wouldn't power up no matter what I tried.  Contacted Festool Service and they promptly emailed a return label.  Put the saw in a box and shipped it on a Tuesday.  It was fixed and waiting on my doorstep that Friday.  It was a bit of a hassle, but I didn't mind too much because their service is great and they stand behind their products, new or reconditioned.

Mike A.

 

[SittingElf]

Has either model Domino shown up at any point during this sale?

As of this writing, there is a 500 in the list. Good luck!

Cheers,

Frank

 

[itasor]

Has either model Domino shown up at any point during this sale?

As of this writing, there is a 500 in the list. Good luck!

Cheers,

Frank

Ah, must have come and gone quick? I don't see it!

 

[SittingElf]

Yup... GONE! [scared]

It was $555

Keep looking and good luck,

Frank

 

[pettyconstruction]

With the price of these tools, a sale like this is bound to create a "rush".
I fell very bad for dealers like bob,who,in the time frame, have been VERY busy.
I think that festool has put them in a bad spot.
I have a order placed,don't know the status, but at these prices, I can be a little more patient than usual.
With me on the left coast and bob on the right,he must have got only 2hrs sleep in the last few days.
Rants over, be cool peeps, you stuff will work out.
Chuck

 

[Godfather]

Edit:  I received an email...looked right over it...thanks...

So I'm new to the recon ordering system.  Put my phone order in this morning.  No response by email or charges on my cc.  Items were up for 10-30 mins after the dealer said the order was submitted.  I don't want to bother the dealer for the same items again or receive duplicate items as they are non refundable.  Wondering if other had a cc charge on the same day?