Resolved: "New" Domino - What would you do?

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Hi Guys,

I'm posting this looking for opinions to my questions.  I'm not sure if this is the best forum area or not, so I apologize if it's out of place.

Here is the situation: I just received a "new" Domino that I ordered online from a reputable tool supply company.  I bought through them do to my time constraint and my preferred dealer (active on these forums) is currently out of stock on the regular Domino. My concern is that the new unit I received has obviously been handled quite a bit out of the box, I would describe it as likely being a show floor unit or something of the like given the scuffs all over it.  Additionally, the unit has a manufacture date of 4/11, so its two years old.  Other than it appears to be working shape, although I've not tried it yet.

So here are my questions:
1. Has the Domino seen any improvements over the last two years?  That is, should I be concerned over the fact that the unit is already 2 years old?
2. What are other people's expectations when they buy a $900 (got the set) tool like this?  Am I being overly sensitive to expect it to be in factory new shape?

I'm not opposed to simply accepting it "as is" assuming it works well, but want to make sure I'm not compromising to quickly.    Thanks for the thoughts guys.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

If you ordered a new tool, you should have received a new tool. Period.

Feel free to use the one you have now until you receive a replacement.

I would recommend that you contact the dealer for a replacement. If there are any issues with that, let me know and provide me with the details and dealer's name and I'll assist.

Edit: there's no guarantee of manufacture date and the tool hasn't changed since that date in any way, other than maybe Classic vs T-LOC Systainer. If it's been used, that's reason for exchange though. Scuffs can happen from movement inside the Systainer to some extent.

Shane

 

[campbellcraft]

I had the same type problem with a RO 90 and it was taken care of very quickly. Shane had come in and the problem was solved. My dealer did mention that he wished I had come to him first.

 

[Kevin D.]

I had the same type problem with a RO 90 and it was taken care of very quickly. Shane had come in and the problem was solved. My dealer did mention that he wished I had come to him first.

But didn't the dealer have his opportunity to send a new one in when you "came to him first" in the first place to buy it, and in fact failed.  Sorry, he never even should have said that to you.  He should have apologized and left it at that along with tossing in a freebie for your troubles imo.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I had the same type problem with a RO 90 and it was taken care of very quickly. Shane had come in and the problem was solved. My dealer did mention that he wished I had come to him first.

But didn't the dealer have his opportunity to send a new one in when you "came to him first" in the first place to buy it, and in fact failed.  Sorry, he never even should have said that to you.  He should have apologized and left it at that along with tossing in a freebie for your troubles imo.

I think posting here first is not the right course of action imo.  A quick call to the dealer would have likely sorted this out.  Also, there is a good chance the Domino is indeed new and the scuffs are nothing more than normal for shipping across globe.  Some people get overly excited after paying big bucks for a tool and are expecting a shrine of perfection.  That may not be the case with the op at all. 

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

I had the same type problem with a RO 90 and it was taken care of very quickly. Shane had come in and the problem was solved. My dealer did mention that he wished I had come to him first.

But didn't the dealer have his opportunity to send a new one in when you "came to him first" in the first place to buy it, and in fact failed.  Sorry, he never even should have said that to you.  He should have apologized and left it at that along with tossing in a freebie for your troubles imo.

I think posting here first is not the right course of action imo.  A quick call to the dealer would have likely sorted this out.  Also, there is a good chance the Domino is indeed new and the scuffs are nothing more than normal for shipping across globe.  Some people get overly excited after paying big bucks for a tool and are expecting a shrine of perfection.  That may not be the case with the op at all.  

Let me explain further, I have confidence the dealer I purchased through will take the unit back (However, I've since learned this was their last unit in stock). I'm not attempting to vilify this dealer (nor Festool), note that I did not mention their name for this reason.  

What I am doing is exploring whether there was a difference in the unit over the last 2 years and which Shane has clarified.  I will likely keep this unit assuming I find no issue with its operation.  However, I'm confidant the scuffs are not just shipping, as the metal base of the unit has several horizontal marks indicating forward and backward moment well beyond what the shipping container would cause/permit.  Does the unit come with a router bit installed?  The one I received has one installed.

Shane, thanks for the response and support.  As I said, I intend to give this one a go.  If I encounter a problem I will contact the dealer directly first.

 

[tbellemare]

Does the unit come with a router bit installed?  The one I received has one installed.

As I recall, they come with a 5 mm bit installed, Jeff.

Tom

 

[John Stevens]

Let me explain further

Hi Jeff.  I thought you were clear in your first post, and I think your inquiry here was appropriate.  Not trying to be disagreeable with Brice (for whom I have nothing but respect) just thought you'd be comforted to know.

Regards,

John

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

One other note, I'm pretty confident that every Domino is tested and calibrated during the manufacturing process. So, they are all "used" in that respect. But it's probably one or two mortises.

And, yes, it comes with the cutter installed.

 

[joiner1970]

One other note, I'm pretty confident that every Domino is tested and calibrated during the manufacturing process. So, they are all "used" in that respect. But it's probably one or two mortises.

And, yes, it comes with the cutter installed.

Yeah I'm sure I was told that after I bought my domino back in December and found the cutter was fitted and there was even a small amount of saw dust around the cutter.

Might have even been you that told me Shane

 

[Kevin D.]

I had the same type problem with a RO 90 and it was taken care of very quickly. Shane had come in and the problem was solved. My dealer did mention that he wished I had come to him first.

But didn't the dealer have his opportunity to send a new one in when you "came to him first" in the first place to buy it, and in fact failed.  Sorry, he never even should have said that to you.  He should have apologized and left it at that along with tossing in a freebie for your troubles imo.

I think posting here first is not the right course of action imo.  A quick call to the dealer would have likely sorted this out.  Also, there is a good chance the Domino is indeed new and the scuffs are nothing more than normal for shipping across globe.  Some people get overly excited after paying big bucks for a tool and are expecting a shrine of perfection.  That may not be the case with the op at all.   

I agree also.  But I interpreted it was beyond a few inadvertent transportation minor dings, which he has since further confirmed.  But you are correct Bruce.  First course in this type of situation is either going back to the dealer, which to me can often prove just to add to the frustration, or going to the highly reputable manufacturer such as Festool in such a case as a first course of action to be better advised as to what is acceptable with a newly bought tool from one of their seemingly strictly selected retailers.  Coming on the forum is somewhat a faux pas, but at the same time is understandable.  The tools are not cheap, and paying top dollar and feeling you are not getting fair treatment/goods can easily lead to such reaction.

Might I suggest that Shane suffixes the title to this qualm with another "Resolved".  I've suggested this in the past to do such in similar threads, and Shane has done that with an cordiality thank you for suggesting such, but it doesn't happen that the titling in such similarly resolved threads always gets this treatment.  How many times have I heard people slag Festool citing the FOG as a source of how people complain of people having complaints, but without real attention as to the outcome of the subject thread headings that seem to mention such that are ultimately resolved satisfactorily unbeknownst to the casual interloper in the forum when the reality is that the vast majority of threads that initiate such complaints are in fact favorably resolved.  To me, the "Resolved" suffixing should be a standard practice that is done anytime it is appropriate.  FWIW.

 

[Debug]

I recall that my Domino came with a protective seal/tape on the base that I had to remove (per the manual). That was anout a year ago.  If that is missing and you didnt have to peel something off the base, that could be a tip off that it was used.  

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Debug, this unit did not come with a protective seal, just the metal that has some marring.  Another confirmation that the unit is unique in its presented condition, thanks.

Deep thanks to everyone that took the time to address my questions and provided me enhanced product support.  I’ll be putting the unit through the paces this weekend as I have a deadline for a project on Monday.  I expect it will work fine, but will be sure to update its working condition to provide resolution on my query.  Shane, if you want to label this thread “resolved” that is fine with me as my questions were answered. 

I do not view it as mistake or social blunder to inquire as I did.  I love my Festools and have over $7k and hundred of hours invested in the brand.  The fact that this unit was so far outside my past experiences is what prompted my concern.  Best regards to everyone.

 

[ajones]

Jeff I think that,based on your discription of the domino that you received, that you should take Shanes advice and phone the dealeer and get him to supply you with a new machine as that is what you paid for..

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

When you post a reply, you have an opportunity to change the subject. Feel free to prepend "RESOLVED" to a thread if you want in the future when you post your reply. I've changed your last post to include that.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Let me explain further

Hi Jeff.  I thought you were clear in your first post, and I think your inquiry here was appropriate.  Not trying to be disagreeable with Brice (for whom I have nothing but respect) just thought you'd be comforted to know.

Regards,

John

As far as I'm concerned Jeff didn't need to offer any farther explanation.  His first post was pretty clear.  Where the waters often get muddied is when a reply may have been directed at the entire audience, now and for the future.  It was my fault that I didn't make it clear that my reply was a general one, and specifically directed to Jeff.  

Keep in mind threads like this are not in a vacuum, and there is one or a few people that it applies to now.  That will chance as time goes on.  In the future someone out there will have a similar situation and my reply may be just what they needed to read.    

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

I used the Domino to success this past weekend and got a customers project done in time for Monday.  At this point I plan to keep the Domino and have marked this thread "resolved" in the title.  Here is a picture of base of the domino as I took it out of the box; unfortunately taking a picture of the marks was a challenge.  The weird swirl in the middle is actually the deepest mark (fingernail catches).  I noticed no impact on the tool performance however.  Once again, thank you everyone.

 

[peter halle]

Glad it worked out.  I am wondering if the domino workflow and performance was also what you expected?

Pet

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Glad it worked out.  I am wondering if the domino workflow and performance was also what you expected?

Pet

Hi Pete, it was!  I've wanted a Domino for a long time but projects never justified the investment.  The customer situation I had provided the perfect opportunity to justify the purchase.  So far, very pleased with its performance.

Thanks,
Jeff