[solved] Best place to order Domino for shipping to North Texas?

[yestool]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have some vendors in mind thanks to the help provided.

I know this has been discussed before, but I don't feel bad about bringing it up again since it's the kind of thing you want the very latest updates on.

#1 priority is price. I want to pay $1325 out the door for the DF 700 set(574447) with trim stop and cross stop.

#2 concern is shipping quality. If all retailers use the same packing(i.e. whatever box the Domino comes from Festool in), then I suppose it's anybody's guess which retailer would offer the lowest chance of a damaged tool. If there are differences, I want to hear about sellers that use the best packaging, or are willing to pay return shipping if something goes horribly wrong in transit.

#3 concern is shipping speed. Some of the better rated sellers are quite a ways away on the east coast. Some like toolbarn in central US would be ideal, but they say that it won't even ship for 10-14 days. That's cray. I suppose I would be OK with an item taking a week to get here, even if I would love to get it sooner. However, if it takes 10+ days before it even ships? Oh hèll no.

Maybe I want too much, but if you were ordering in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, where would you buy your Domino from? Here's an incomplete list of dealers I've considered from different sources(Festool, Google shopping, Amazon).

Tom Bellemare        - Taxes.

Amazon                      - Their non-existent packing quality and tax kill the romance. Plus I'd have to pick it up from the post office.

CPO/Tyler Tool        - Listed by Festool. Seen some terrifying images of items they've shipped, seen mixed reviews. Having different names is fishy.

Toolbarn                    - Listed by Festool. 10-14 days to ship? Get real. High percentage of negative reviews, too.

Hartville                    - Are they authorized? Looking on their site I didn't see anything about it. Festool doesn't list them, either.

Coastal Tools            - Good reviews, but they're WAY out east and north.

In Touch Tools          - Listed by Festool. Not a lot of reviews. They're in SoCal.

Bob Marino              - Listed by Festool. Is a member here. Haven't seen any reviews other than glowing ones on this site. East coast.

ACME Tools              - Looks like they ship from North Dakota, so shipping times might be about as bad as either coast.

Festoolproducts.com/ToolNut - Listed by Festool. Mostly good reviews. I saw them mentioned in previous where-to-buy threads. Multiple domains is annoying and it looks like they're almost as far east and north as Coastal Tools.

Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[wow]

What about Tom Bellamare at ToolHome - he's in TX?

 

[copcarcollector]

Tom @ Tool Home for sure, or Tool Nut, or In Touch - I have used them all with fine results, as well as Bob Marino. I will say that Bob Marino ships from Ohio if I recall correctly, and their packaging is bullet proof!

(I guess Tom @ Tool Home would have to charge you the dreaded sales tax...)

 

[yestool]

What about Tom Bellamare at ToolHome - he's in TX?

If he's in Texas, I assume he has to charge tax. That's $100 I don't have to spend.

Tom @ Tool Home for sure, or Tool Nut - I have used both, and Bob Marino. I will say that Bob Marino ships from Ohio if I recall correctly, and their packaging is bullet proof!

So there is a difference between how vendors ship the domino? It's not all in the same box with the same packing?

 

[copcarcollector]

So there is a difference between how vendors ship the domino? It's not all in the same box with the same packing?

In my experience, yes. Bob Marinos crew uses a ton of bubble wrap around the Systainer and a larger box overall. Bob gets consistent thumbs ups for his packaging!

 

[richardkent]

Festoolproducts.com/Toolnut are the only company I've bought from on your not-crossed-out list.  I'm not in the Dallas area, but even if I moved there I'm big on dealing with companies that are reasonable and professional.  I expect if there's an issue, it is quickly resolved and reasonably done.

While I'm east coast, I can say in a couple dozen orders that Toolnut/Festoolproducts.com have been fast to ship.  If the availability says 'ships in 24 hours' I've always had that be the case for me.  Anytime I've had an issue or question, they've gotten back to me quickly via email (I seem to always chat with Peter).

As for packing, they put it in a single box and pack the gaps with peanuts.  While I've received better packed items, compared to Amazon/etc, it is light years better.  More to the point, none of my systainers have ever been cracked/broken in my orders.  Then again, I'm east coast, so I basically get the package next day.

Don't be put off by multiple domain names in this case, service/speed has been great to date for me.

I've never done a return but their policy reads you'd pay return shipping:
http://www.festoolproducts.com/terms.asp

Even if it took a little longer to receive the shipment, I'd go with a place like festoolproducts.com/toolnut.  I've found while fast shipping, quick to arrive (ala Amazon) is becoming more mainstream, it is harder to get quality support/problem resolution.  Amazon seems to cover that area well, in that they'll ship it back for free and credit you ASAP, but the poor packing means it may come damaged.  It's nice they make it easy to fix it, but I'd rather know the tool arrives fine and I don't have to return/refund/reship another one to possibly repeat the same issue.

 

[deepcreek]

I'm a big fan of Bob Marino.  He's great at answering questions and his packaging service quality is excellent.

 

[Staniam]

I've ordered plenty from Hartville with nothing but great packaging. I hear Bob Marino is great to work with and order from too.

 

[SittingElf]

+1 on Bob Marino and Toolnut (Festoolproducts.com). Both exceptional service and Bob's packing is unmatched. No tax, quick shipping and free shipping.  Can't go wrong with either, and I've bought large and smalls from both.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[yestool]

Festoolproducts.com/Toolnut are the only company I've bought from on your not-crossed-out list.  I'm not in the Dallas area, but even if I moved there I'm big on dealing with companies that are reasonable and professional. 

Thanks for the info and link to their policy. Even though it's annoying that they don't cover return shipping, at least I know it's less likely to be an issue. And yeah, Amazon does cover return shipping, and they even pay for UPS to make pick-ups, it's not worth it. Even with free 2-day shipping, it might take a week or two to get everything sorted out because they can't pack items to save their life. I just use prime for videos and books now.

I'm a big fan of Bob Marino.  He's great at answering questions and his packaging service quality is excellent.

Good to know. I guess Bob's tied with tool nut.

I've ordered plenty from Hartville with nothing but great packaging. I hear Bob Marino is great to work with and order from too.

But are they an authorized dealer? And what's the disadvantage if they're not? If it turns out they're authorized, and they ship in 24 hours, they beat out Tool Nut and Bob.

 

[leer]

So there is a difference between how vendors ship the domino? It's not all in the same box with the same packing?

In my experience, yes. Bob Marinos crew uses a ton of bubble wrap around the Systainer and a larger box overall. Bob gets consistent thumbs ups for his packaging!

When my TS-55REQ arrived from Bob Marino, I thought we were taking delivery of a dishwasher or some largish appliance.  [wink]

 

[deepcreek]

Bob is not affiliated with ToolNut.  He is probably one of the original Festool dealers.

 

[Tinker]

Bob's packing is indestructable.  It could be run over with a tank and it won't break open.  If it landed in middle of Atlantic, or any other ocean, it would never sink.  If I order anything for delivery, i have gone to him.  The Tool Nut has always offered to ship to me, but they are only 40 minutes away each way.  They are always very helpful and I am sure they would do a great job of packing.  But, it is a very pleasant drive and great people to BS with.  You can't beat that combination. As for Tom Bellamare, he has always been very helpful on The FOG.  Full of good tech advise and he works with his tools. I am sure nobody involved with packing for a large mail order type biz has the slightest idea of what is in those packages.  They get paid no matter how thorp or lackadaizicle they are bout their work. 

Don't get yourself caught up in overthinking. Everybody here has given you good advice.  Pick a number and enjoy the tools when they get to you. 
Tinker

 

[yestool]

Bob is not affiliated with ToolNut.  He is probably one of the original Festool dealers.

I know. When I said "tied" I meant they were in a tie as far as who's better for shipping to me. I should have been more specific, given that there are affiliations between some of the vendors being discussed.

 

[Stoli]

Since you want Texas support, I'll add a second recomendation for Tom Bellemare.  Ordered a couple items from the recon sale last year through him.  A quirk of this sale was that the items actually shipped from Festool in Indiana, so I can't comment on packaging.

You will have to pay sales tax, but you may be able to pick it up today with no risk of shipping damage.  Makes for an interesting choice.

 

[deepcreek]

Since you want Texas support, I'll add a second recomendation for Tom Bellemare.  Ordered a couple items from the recon sale last year through him.

Tom's a good dealer but he is obligated to collect sales tax for shipments in Texas.

 

[Stoli]

Since you want Texas support, I'll add a second recomendation for Tom Bellemare.  Ordered a couple items from the recon sale last year through him.

Tom's a good dealer but he is obligated to collect sales tax for shipments in Texas.

If the OP is so concerned with packaging and ship times, it may be wothwhile to pay the taxes but be able to put hands on the DF700 before walking out the door.

 

[Sean7a]

I'd go with Tom!  Keep that extra money in the state.  The lead time is significantly reduced also.  To top it off, you're helping the environment and a GREAT guy in Tom.

 

[dltflt]

I have used In Touch many times. They are great to work with and usually have the stuff in stock for immediate shipping.

 

[RKA]

I've ordered from everybody on your list save for In Touch Tools. Bob, Tom and the Nut top the list. The tie breaker might be packaging and that goes to Bob. All 3 participate on FOG which I appreciate.

Hartville is authorized last time I checked. I've also had good experiences with them.

Regardless of whom you choose, call to confirm stock on hand if shipping times are a concern. Anything on hand should ship within 24 hrs.