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

Well I think I speak for the crowd but you'd be doing your customers a dis service by doing that. Conspiracies and all, I have been following along and chuckling every time I read some of these posts, but....people are people are people etc etc etc and they will believe what they will believe. I've bought several items. I bought a Midi, an OF2000 ( and thanks to the members who gave me direction the other day...I really needed some help and they were there for me), an OF1400, a C15, a CXS, an ES125 and the Kapex.

I for one....actually everybody has....has watched the recon list, refreshed repeatedly and contacted my salesman. The process could be better, Bob as well as the other dealers have been incredible in their handling of customers, both old and (me this year) - new.  I don't believe in any favoritism, or private lists, and will honestly be pretty ticked off of you or anyone else from Festool decides carte Blanche to just drop the program because some people have uninformed ideas. But then again I am so used to dealing with people like that at my job I just don't dwell on it. The system is the way it is and I don't whine about it.

Additionally, I look forward to the support I receive from the FOG as a new member (December will be one year) and expect support from Festool staff (the guys that offer tech support at Festool are AWESOME! I've asked for help when I haven't been able to research it and got great and friendly direction) as in addition to the great values I've received from the Recon sale, I have happily spent hard earned cash to keep this company going myself. My tiny Woodshop is blessed with a an MFT/3, Carvex, TS55REQ, T15 and Ti15 and the Domino. AND I STILL DONT HAVE A FREAKIN' HAT!!!!  [wink]

So with that being said, I hope I can look forward to having the support from the Festool staff for another Recon sale and the conspiracy people, like the UFO people...and the JFK People...and the Lunar Landing People...can continue to use such a sale to facilitate their opinions however ignorant they may be.

Just my two cents. Chris.
 
I personally don't get the conspiracy theory remark. Obviously, an item goes up and within minutes the item disappears which tells me it must have been sold (today was a good example because it happened a lot). Clearly there are those watching the list more than others. Whether a retailer is taking names and numbers or a client is calling the order in and getting lucky seems beside the point, since, this forum has already established that both examples are legit ways of participating in the sale. Where's the conspiracy? Maybe I missed something.
 
Shane Holland said:
I guess conspiracy theories might be fun, but the reality is that it would be impossible for a dealer to sandbag all of the inventory. The nature of the way the ordering process works wouldn't make that possible.

I'll be glad when this recon sale is over and vote not to do it again anytime soon.  [unsure]
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I've already posted on this topic but am starting to take a different position. I can't lose something I never had, I stand by my original post of being happy to get what I get. If people want to whine about not getting a discounted tool, then I'd just as soon see Festool offer the tools to woodworking programs and we can all pay full price. Then that would be fair to all.
 
I think the reconditioned sale is a terrific idea, and largely a success. I wanted one particular item, saw it come and go a few times, and then grabbed it eventually. It was in the 40% category.

If I could recommend one change it would be to establish a definitive list of items for sale at the outset- published at the beginning of the sale- and when the items were sold out that would be it. I don't think the drip-drip method of releasing items serves anyone particularly well. It forces customers to constantly check the list for an elusive tool, and seems to play havoc with dealers' schedules.

It shouldn't be that difficult for Festool to establish how many Midis, for example, they have for sale, and then figure that into the recon inventory.

If there is an issue for the service department to fill orders as they come in and that is the reason behind the slow release of items for sale, the sale could last for a specified period of time (as it is now) and then orders could be shipped at the end of that period.

 
I'm going to chime in here - again.  I'm glad Festool offers recon sales; its good for the customers and allows Festool to continue with their 30 day free return policy. Having said that, I'm blessed with the best customers a man can ask for. Having also said that,  the way this program has been set up is tragically flawed...as I've mentioned from the get go.
Though I posted that I would be basically stepping back from the recon program, I would never refuse to take a recon order from a customer at any hour. I just needed to post as a heads up to customers that under the present way this program has been running, that I may not be available all the time to take their orders. Actually after hours sales are easy, it's the other times that are rougher for me. Case in point, I was driving my daughter to a school function this afternoon and had had to inform a very nice and patient customer when a CT MIDI came up that I was on the road and would not be getting back home for at least a half an hour and to choose another dealer, as I did not want him to miss out.  When I got home, I called and it was too late, he had ordered from another dealer. No worries, as I was glad that he got it, but there is something inherently wrong in such a system.  I have been participating in the recon sale for as long as Festool has run them - and I am betting I had more recon sales than 95% of the dealers - and I am proud of that. I did later score some other tools for my customers  that came up later in the evening - right around dinner time btw, vino in hand, taking those orders. There are no too many dealers in this country with longer hours than me, but there's also a reason why the overwhelming majority of dealers - some very prominent FOG dealers, are not participating in this sale.
Festool is a good company, the best as far as I can see, but even the best can close their eyes and miss the mark that Ray Charles could have seen coming. Here's to a good last week of recon sales and a better administered and less taxing next recon sale.

B
 
Cochese said:
Bob Marino said:
I'm going to chime in here - again.  I'm glad Festool offers recon sales; its good for the customers and allows Festool to continue with their 30 day free return policy. Having said that, I'm blessed with the best customers a man can ask for. Having also said that,  the way this program has been set up is tragically flawed...as I've mentioned from the get go.
Though I posted that I would be basically stepping back from the recon program, I would never refuse to take a recon order from a customer at any hour. I just needed to post as a heads up to customers that under the present way this program has been running, that I may not be available all the time to take their orders. Actually after hours sales are easy, it's the other times that are rougher for me. Case in point, I was driving my daughter to a school function this afternoon and had had to inform a very nice and patient customer when a CT MIDI came up that I was on the road and would not be getting back home for at least a half an hour and to choose another dealer, as I did not want him to miss out.  When I got home, I called and it was too late, he had ordered from another dealer. No worries, as I was glad that he got it, but there is something inherently wrong in such a system.  I have been participating in the recon sale for as long as Festool has run them - and I am betting I had more recon sales than 95% of the dealers - and I am proud of that. I did later score some other tools for my customers  that came up later in the evening - right around dinner time btw, vino in hand, taking those orders. There ain't no dealer in this country with longer hours than me, but there's also a reason why the overwhelming majority of dealers - some very prominent FOG dealers, are not participating in this sale.
Festool is a good company, the best as far as I can see, but even the best can close their eyes and miss the mark that Ray Charles could have seen coming. Here's to a good last week of recon sales and a better administered and less taxing next recon sale.

B
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Sorry we couldn't hook up earlier, and sorry I interrupted your trip with your daughter. I understand how important that is. I appreciate you willing to personally lose a sale in order for the customer to get what they want. Turns out, I could have waited for you to be available, but no one could tell that ahead of time.

In the process of losing a sale from me, you gained future ones though. I hope that is some consolation.
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`

Hey Chris,

No, no no, nothing to be sorry for. You were not interupting anything; I was simply doing a "dad' chore, driving my 16 y/o daughter for a school type function and physically could not place the order that moment and had to ask you to choose another dealer, to ensure you get that CT. The issue/problem is on Festool, not you.

Bob
 
Shane Holland said:
I guess conspiracy theories might be fun, but the reality is that it would be impossible for a dealer to sandbag all of the inventory. The nature of the way the ordering process works wouldn't make that possible.

I'll be glad when this recon sale is over and vote not to do it again anytime soon.  [unsure]
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I don't think that one dealer is sandbagging all of the inventory.  I would guess multiple dealers are seeing the items added and put one or two into their shopping carts while trying to get a customer on the phone that has requested that item.  When they can't get the customer on the phone it times out and becomes available again.  I did get lucky on one of my orders as I saw the item posted and called while on hold I refreshed the page and it was gone.  I had figured that I had missed out however when I said what I wanted they checked and it happened that one of the other employees had it in their shopping cart so I was transferred to them to complete the sale.  I was very happy to be able to get the item.  Not all customers are going to be able to monitor the website for updates so I can see some dealers offering to call the customer if the item becomes available.  To me this shows that the dealers are trying to take care of their customers.  I do not expect most dealers to be able to do this as it requires a lot of time and effort that they may not have available. 

I am very grateful that Festool offers reconditioned tools and hope they will do another sale in the future.  Hopefully they are able to iron out the few issues they had this time and next time it goes smoothly.  Please don't let the few issues encountered this time keep Festool from running another recon sale. 
 
I'll also chime in to support the recon sale. I picked up a few items I wanted and missed a few as well. I went ahead and purchased a c15 at full price yesterday to replace a VERY tired old nicad c12 and am very pleased with the upgrade. Luckily business has been booming so I have no qualms purchasing high-use tools at retail and look at anything I get at 40% off as icing on the cake.
On a side note, I had a chance to scribe in a cabinet using the ras115 the other day and was amazed at how efficiently it melted through 3/4" ply! I doubt I'll ever use a jigsaw for this task again!
Thank you Festool for continuing to make fantastic tools that make my life easier every day!
 
epicxt said:
I'll also chime in to support the recon sale. I picked up a few items I wanted and missed a few as well. I went ahead and purchased a c15 at full price yesterday to replace a VERY tired old nicad c12 and am very pleased with the upgrade. Luckily business has been booming so I have no qualms purchasing high-use tools at retail and look at anything I get at 40% off as icing on the cake.
On a side note, I had a chance to scribe in a cabinet using the ras115 the other day and was amazed at how efficiently it melted through 3/4" ply! I doubt I'll ever use a jigsaw for this task again!
Thank you Festool for continuing to make fantastic tools that make my life easier every day!
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I want to echo the comment as well. I was lucky to get two tools - but assumed going into this that it was a lottery and would have been ok regardless of the outcome. Thank you Festool and Shane for giving us the opportunity to purchase these tools at such great prices. Would have been challenging to do no matter what the approach was.
 
Well, it sounds like we are all saying the same thing, so, no conspiracy theories! Just a tough situation for all. From the avid user to the newbie to the dedicated hard working retailer to the Festool fanatic! I think we all would like to see the greatest number of tools in the greatest number of hands. Let's face it Festool is still a niche brand. Reminds me of Apple back in the day, until, that iPhone came along and now they are a huge company serving a huge population of people. Maybe Festool some day will have a retail chain of their own. Better yet Festool learning centers where you can take classes, buy products and use their full line of other tools etc. A building coop based on the German apprenticeship program, similar, to what is happening down in South Carolina right now. Who knows they might even help with job placement one day with other companies. Hm. Anyhow, best of luck to everyone during the last few days of this crazy sale.
 
I don't typically reply to these lengthy threads, but here it goes:

First, thank you Festool for the Recon sale.  No ifs ands or buts…just thank you!  In the future roll it out however you like, you are providing us a huge discount and I thank you.

To those who didn't score on the sale, try Craigslist, Ebay (or other used sources).  With Festool's transferable warranty, it is possible you'd get a better warranty than the 1 year offered via the recon sale (a 3 year transferable warranty on a 1 1/2 year old "used" tool should still be better with the remaining 1.5 years).  It is cool to be able to see the tool first, meet the owner (make another friend), and get a discount.  I have spotted some sweet offerings on Craigslist (I bought my OF1400 and CT22 on C-list and feel just fine about the deal I got.  I found my MFT/3, MFS, drills and dovetail jig at a garage sale of all places).  Occasionally even on craigslist I don't get the tool when somebody contacts the seller first.  In those cases, all I can say is "darn", better luck next time.  That is the law of supply and demand.

If that isn't a fit, buy new.

I think it's important to put things in perspective.  Sure this sale is winding down, and not everybody scored what they wished.  Such is life, and there are other ways of buying used equipment at a discount.  In either case, I for one simply say thanks to Festool for putting this on, thanks to the dealers who made themselves available at all hours (and hopefully made some money doing so).

I hope this doesn't come across as preachy, and I'm the first to admit that I am far from perfect.  Just my two cents.
 
Shane Holland said:
I guess conspiracy theories might be fun, but the reality is that it would be impossible for a dealer to sandbag all of the inventory. The nature of the way the ordering process works wouldn't make that possible.

I'll be glad when this recon sale is over and vote not to do it again anytime soon.  [unsure]
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I'm sorry this has been so painful.  It's impossible to make everyone happy.

I for one thank you guys for your effort and for this fantastic sale.  It allowed me to justify some tools that I wouldn't have been able to buy at full retail.

I appreciate your effort dealing with all the frustrated bargain seekers and hope we can all behave a little better next time.
 
The recon sale ends on Friday.

Just a heads up... There will likely be quite a few products that are available in 1-2 quantities which become available on Thursday at 1:00pm Eastern. Don't be disappointed if you miss out because they will go in the blink of an eye.

Good luck with your final opportunity to score a good deal.

Shane
 
Shane Holland said:
The recon sale ends on Friday.

Just a heads up... There will likely be quite a few products that are available in 1-2 quantities which become available on Thursday at 1:00pm Eastern. Don't be disappointed if you miss out because they will go in the blink of an eye.

Good luck with your final opportunity to score a good deal.

Shane
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Thanks for the heads up, Shane. And thanks again for the opportunity. Got me into several tools I could not normally afford. Already making a difference in my work.
 
Cochese said:
Got my MIDI today, I'm still a bit confused as to which motor I got. The model number is 583376 (on the box at least), it came with a HEPA filter and certification, and the manual is for a 130 cfm model. The only other number I saw was 498250.

Just curious at this point. My Ridgid will be sticking around for floor tools and the routers.
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You have the "upgraded" version.
 
Just a heads up to all those who have inquired or will be inquiring, previous commitments will prevent me from taking recon orders today. I don't want anyone spending their time calling when I won't be able to help out and waste that time when you could be getting it elsewhere

Sorry guys.

Bib

Sorry about that
  Bobh
 
Cochese said:
Here's hoping for an ETS 150/3.  ;D
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I just sent you a PM, but I have a 150/3 that I bought during the recon sale that I'd like to sell.  If you're interested message me back.
 
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