Rockler is DROPPING Festool

[nickao]

" would be detrimental", to what? Making money of course.

Business are run to make money period.

If dealer enforcements are not handled properly that boils down to money, they cant make enough money by festool rules etc. There is not a business in the world that is not run to make money, thats the point. Every decision must be made for that reason, unless it is a non profit, money(and there is a lot of money there too) is ALWAYS the issue, it's business101. making people happy, good service, following rules laid out by law or manufactures are all done to make money.

What you are saying is all about money in the end.

Not really sure of your point but enforcing dealer agreements,litigation etc etc are either reasons, restrictions or barriers  or gateways to make more or less money depending on which side.

Call the Rockler in Shaumburg IL and ask, they will tell you issues with the manufacturer make it not worth the "money" they make.

This is not a bad thing at all.I like to make money.

 

[peter halle]

I'll disagree because there can many many things in a contract that are not about money.  That is why in the court systems there are two avenues - injunctive relief and then monetary relief.

But I will agree to not post any more on this.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[jeh]

Seriously, who cares? It's not like they sold Festool at a discount. There are plenty of purchasing options, such as Bob M. And Tool Nut, who know the product line and are helpful.

 

[sancho57]

Do you guys get discounts on festool in the US or do festool set the price?

No discounts in the states bud. All dealers sell them for the same price.

Rockler is no loss for me.

When I lived in the states they got me upset and I havent been back since. I drive right by them on my way to another supplier.

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

Only time anyone spoke to me was the mgr griping about Mia being there when he walked past me numerous times.

walked out, didnt buy anything and havent since, they lost about 6-7K in festool sales not counting other things, glue, fasteners, squares etc..

 

[AlexThePalex]

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

I am always glad when store people leave me be without jumping right on me. Most of the time I'm just looking anyway. When I decided I want something, I find me somebody to help me.

 

[batcave]

I'll pass on rockler anyway. I do not care for their sale structure.

 

[atlr]

That Rockler store in Atlanta ...

An Atlanta Rockler employee ably showed me how to set up the MFT on one of their demo days. His name escapes me;  one of the younger guys.

 

[gkaiseril]

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

Only time anyone spoke to me was the mgr griping about Mia being there when he walked past me numerous times.

walked out, didnt buy anything and havent since, they lost about 6-7K in festool sales not counting other things, glue, fasteners, squares etc..

You need to regster your dog as a service support dog. Then there should be no issue.

 

[wow]

Rockler is no loss for me.

When I lived in the states they got me upset and I havent been back since. I drive right by them on my way to another supplier.

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

Only time anyone spoke to me was the mgr griping about Mia being there when he walked past me numerous times.

walked out, didnt buy anything and havent since, they lost about 6-7K in festool sales not counting other things, glue, fasteners, squares etc..

Nothing wrong with the doggie being there if he was well behaved, but it DOES sound like that manager should have been sent to the pound for distemper!

[eek]

 

[Throwback7r]

Lets not start on if the dog should or should not of been in the store. Lets keep this on Rockler not carrying Festool. When ever I am at any store that sells Festool, usually I do not get any help, It seems as if people don't know how to sell anything any more. That being said, any place that has a good dealer be thankful that you got a good one. For me I get to read reviews and see what is coming from FOG and other reading.

 

[Sparktrician]

When ever I am at any store that sells Festool, usually I do not get any help, It seems as if people don't know how to sell anything any more.

+1!  I will note that two dealers in this vicinity have displays that include tools missing parts and MFTs that are just set up wrong and they don't know the difference.  That having been said, there are two other dealers (Woodworkers Club in Rockville and Capital Building Supply in Beltsville) that carry a very good line of Festool products and have knowledgeable staff that can definitely help with purchases. 

 

[gkaiseril]

Rockler is no loss for me.

When I lived in the states they got me upset and I havent been back since. I drive right by them on my way to another supplier.

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

Only time anyone spoke to me was the mgr griping about Mia being there when he walked past me numerous times.

walked out, didnt buy anything and havent since, they lost about 6-7K in festool sales not counting other things, glue, fasteners, squares etc..

Nothing wrong with the doggie being there if he was well behaved, but it DOES sound like that manager should have been sent to the pound for distemper!

[eek]

Coming form a family with lots of dogs form lap top to standard poodles, and up to 3 dogs in one family with a mother with fear of dogs, I can understand why many stores might not want dogs or other pets being brought into their shops out of consideration of the other customers and their children that might be in the store. The size and weight of the store inventory and possibility of noise should also be considered.

I think it comes down to my rights and the respect of others rights.

 

[greg mann]

My Festool dealer won't let me in the store if I don't bring my dog. First question is, "Where's Rommel?" So it isn't about the dog. The issue is probably whether Rockler and Festool are a good fit fr each other. Based on the Rockler in my area, and based on many observations about other Rocklers, I don't believe they are a good fit. My dealer thinks Festool is his flagship product. Woodworld in Chicago is a WOOD dealer and they only sell Festool, seem happy to have the line and promote it well. Obviously, some retailers believe the line is worth having and are apparently making money with it so I think this says something about how Rockler handles their products. Overall, for a national chain Woodcraft seems a better fit and most postings here confirm that. At the same time, it seems independant dealers do better at inventory, knowledge, everything in general. It's about commitment to product and buy-in by the people at the point of sale. It seems Rockler is lacking there and for a product line like Festool that won't work.

This is where independants will always outshine the chain outfits.

 

[grbmds]

What happened to the information about Rockler dropping Festool or Festool dropping Rockler? I was interested in that thread. I love dogs but doesn't seem relevant to the original subject. I'd like to know more about Rockler and Festool.

 

[gkaiseril]

Rockler and Festool are both privately owned. I do not think either will air their differences unless they go to court. Obviously there are some differences in opinions that are serious enough to get either or both upset.

 

[leakyroof]

My Festool dealer won't let me in the store if I don't bring my dog. First question is, "Where's Rommel?" So it isn't about the dog. The issue is probably whether Rockler and Festool are a good fit fr each other. Based on the Rockler in my area, and based on many observations about other Rocklers, I don't believe they are a good fit. My dealer thinks Festool is his flagship product. Woodworld in Chicago is a WOOD dealer and they only sell Festool, seem happy to have the line and promote it well. Obviously, some retailers believe the line is worth having and are apparently making money with it so I think this says something about how Rockler handles their products. Overall, for a national chain Woodcraft seems a better fit and most postings here confirm that. At the same time, it seems independant dealers do better at inventory, knowledge, everything in general. It's about commitment to product and buy-in by the people at the point of sale. It seems Rockler is lacking there and for a product line like Festool that won't work.

This is where independants will always outshine the chain outfits.

 Accurate thoughts.... and not just becaused I'm biased about Wood World... Okay, maybe a little since they're about 5 minutes from the house and I've bought 95% of the 50 plus Systainers/tools that I own from them. [wink]
Agree totally that being a Retailer of anything highline and expensive can be challenging, but price is only the first talking point,no matter what you're selling .
I will say there is a true story of someone going to the Schaumburg Rockler store with a Festool T-shirt on, and being told by a store employee that 'they shouldn't consider Festool as they're too expensive', while the customer and the store person were discussing power tools,  all the while wearing that t-shirt.... [embarassed]
To me, that's missing your market, while it's standing in front of you.... [eek]

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Do you guys get discounts on festool in the US or do festool set the price?

No discounts in the states bud. All dealers sell them for the same price.

Rockler is no loss for me.

When I lived in the states they got me upset and I havent been back since. I drive right by them on my way to another supplier.

I went there to buy a kapex, kapex MFT, crown stops and extension wings and they didnt even ask if they could help me while I was standing by the festool display with my wife and little doggie.

Only time anyone spoke to me was the mgr griping about Mia being there when he walked past me numerous times.

walked out, didnt buy anything and havent since, they lost about 6-7K in festool sales not counting other things, glue, fasteners, squares etc..

The reason I ask is that I had a long conversation with my dealer last week. And he was pretty sure the US did have discounts but I was sure they hadn't got there yet.  It was quite interesting.
He told me of a festool rep who was told that he had to shut down his biggest account because they weren't keeping to the dealer agreement. I think they were wholesaling and discounting. This was pre the price fixing fine.

He told me that a dealer had brought a case against festool in the uk but it wasn't successful because festool did not move enough products in the uk for their price fixing to have an effect on the market again this was before the fine.

 

[newbirdhunter]

I learned of this today while at my local Rockler. The salesperson said they weren't dropping them, they were re-negotiating their contract. Smelled like a euphemism for "Festool dropped us" but I didn't pry. She did offer that they were bringing in more Dewalt, and two other manufacturers to "take up the slack". Not sure what "take up the slack" means but I figure it means sell better. When I asked who the other two manufacturers were, she couldn't remember but thought they began with an "R". I asked if it might be Ridgid or Ryobi and she thinks one of them might be Ryobi. Personally, introducing Ryobi puts Rockler on par with Home Depot which is far closer to me than the 20 miles I travel out of my way to visit Rockler.

Again, not sure why the change but was more disappointed in who (potentially) was being brought in rather than the fact that Festool was being taken out.  [tongue]

 

[SittingElf]

Well I can tell you that it certainly WON'T be Ryobi.

In the USA, Ryobi is exclusively distributed and sold by Home Depot. You won't find their products anywhere else....at least under license. In other countries, Ryobi is available at multiple locations.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Stephen B]

Well I can tell you that it certainly WON'T be Ryobi.

In the USA, Ryobi is exclusively distributed and sold by Home Depot. You won't find their products anywhere else....at least under license. In other countries, Ryobi is available at multiple locations.

Cheers,

Frank

[size=12pt]
Not in Australia, now exclusive to Bunnings. No loss  really.

Interesting Bunnings claim that if you can find it cheaper at another store, they will beet that price by 10%; when lots of their stock, either brand or certain model numbers, is exclusive.