Tight fisted Festool

Shane Holland said:
I have edited a couple of the posts in the thread.  Please do not attempt to type around the word filter.  That includes replacing letters with asterisks (*).

Thank you.

Shane, please dont make it sound like i tried to get around your word filter as i didnt. That was not my intention at all i just inocently typed asterixes over a swear word to avoid upsetting anyone surely we are all grown ups here ?
 
joiner1970 said:
I posted on here about a month ago how I had been phoned by Festool Germany and asked many questions about the TS55 and the guy said he was coming over and could he visit me, well he turned up today.

About 3.45 he turned up spent an hour nearly showing me lots of prototypes with new and old ideas and what did I get for my time  nothing [mad] [mad] [mad] bloody tight gits I thought I might get at least a Festool tshirt or something, as he left he said I might have a pen if you want it  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing].

Funny enough I spoke to an electrician today and he had a visit from another German company FLUKE who make testers, they paid him ?100 for his time and he is meeting with them again up in central London and getting paid again thats how it should be done Festool. [mad]

I dont expect to be payed but I would expect to be given some sort of thank you for my valuable market research.

I mentioned the FOG to him he had never heard of it  [laughing]

I suppose I will just have to sell the ideas I saw today to Makita or Dewalt then  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]

As I sometime remind my wife; when someone asks, you can either answer yes or no.  Why complain about the choice you made after the fact?

Or, on the lighter side, perhaps your visitor didn't feel the market research was as valuable as you thought. ;D
 
what drugs are you on mate ?

What do you mean complain after the fact how could i complain about not getting a freebie before as i wouldnt know would i ??

As i said i didnt expect money if i did i would have agreed that before the fact. As for your comment about my advice not being as good as i thought only i would know that, you wasnt there... All i can say is that i was very helpful .
 
I think what Steve was saying, is to take responsibility for your own decisions. It was your decision to speak with this person. He asked in advance if you were willing to speak with him in person. And as you already stated, you were not expecting anything in return. 

Most woodworkers would welcome such an opportunity for a couple of reasons. First off, the opportunity to get an advanced look at up-coming tools. If that doesn't interest you, then you should have said "no" when he asked. On the other hand, most woodworkers clamor for sneak-peaks, as is evidenced by the popularity of such discussions on this very forum. (Or paying admission to a trade show.)

The second reason is that you had the opportunity to mold the design decisions for the next generation tool. How many times have you picked up a tool and thought, "gee, I wish they would have made this feature just a little bit different, and then the tool would be an even greater asset to me." Taking stock in the future of a tool that you may someday own is far more valuable than a T-shirt or a coffee mug.

There is an old British expression, maybe you've heard of it; "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
 
joiner1970 said:
... As i said i didnt expect money... All i can say is that i was very helpful .

Okay, now I'm confused;  What is the point of this thread you started.  You didn't expect any money and you didn't receive any.  You seem to be upset that they didn't offer you a T-shirt, and yet you state that you weren't very helpful.  I don't get it.  Is this just an opportunity for you to complain for no apparent reason?  I would have been thrilled to have a Festool representative come to my home to speak with me about new improvements to any of their tools.  And I hope that I would have felt that I had been of help to them by the time they left.  Again, I just don't understand your attitude.

On Edit:  Sorry, I misread your post. 
 
Corwin said:
joiner1970 said:
... As i said i didnt expect money... All i can say is that i was very helpful .

Okay, now I'm confused;  What is the point of this thread you started.  You didn't expect any money and you didn't receive any.  You seem to be upset that they didn't offer you a T-shirt, and yet you state that you weren't very helpful.  I don't get it.  Is this just an opportunity for you to complain for no apparent reason?  I would have been thrilled to have a Festool representative come to my home to speak with me about new improvements to any of their tools.  And I hope that I would have felt that I had been of help to them by the time they left.  Again, I just don't understand your attitude.

Corwin

Perhaps you should re'read joiners post and edit your post acordingly.
 
Rick Christopherson said:
I think what Steve was saying, is to take responsibility for your own decisions. It was your decision to speak with this person. He asked in advance if you were willing to speak with him in person. And as you already stated, you were not expecting anything in return. 

Most woodworkers would welcome such an opportunity for a couple of reasons. First off, the opportunity to get an advanced look at up-coming tools. If that doesn't interest you, then you should have said "no" when he asked. On the other hand, most woodworkers clamor for sneak-peaks, as is evidenced by the popularity of such discussions on this very forum. (Or paying admission to a trade show.)

The second reason is that you had the opportunity to mold the design decisions for the next generation tool. How many times have you picked up a tool and thought, "gee, I wish they would have made this feature just a little bit different, and then the tool would be an even greater asset to me." Taking stock in the future of a tool that you may someday own is far more valuable than a T-shirt or a coffee mug.

There is an old British expression, maybe you've heard of it; "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

Rick............. dont look a gift horse in the mouth....meaning dont be ungratfull when you receive a gift.... as joiner received no gift the term has no relevance here..
 
Quote  " bloody tight gits I thought I might get at least a Festool tshirt or something, as he left he said I might have a pen if you want it"
  Wingeing Pom......somethings never change! [tongue]
 
Festoolfootstool said:
Rick............. dont look a gift horse in the mouth....meaning dont be ungratfull when you receive a gift.... as joiner received no gift the term has no relevance here..

Then like joiner's visit with Festool, you've missed the entire meaning of what I wrote.
 
Mac said:
jmbfestool said:
Mac said:
Mac said:
windmill man said:
Evening

Think the rest of the world could learn a few things from Festool USA.

John

I agree with this totally, John. It still bemuses me that there are no UK dealers or Festool UK employees on here at all, to my knowledge. Insanity.

Rick

Haha, minutes after posting this I've noticed this thread, started by a UK dealer. As my friend Neill said earlier...my bad!

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/kapex-base-frame-(ug-ka-set)/?topicseen

Well the Festool Rep I deal with here in the UK is on this Fog.  I dont know what his name is but he told me he was on here.
Also like I said on the other topics I got a letter from Festool mentioning this forum.

JMB

It'd be nice if they made more of a presence for themselves, in the way that Bob, Tom, Sean and others on the far side of the pond have done for themselves. Still, maybe in the future this will happen.

Cheers,
Rick

Am I wrong in saying the names you mentioned are Festool DEALERS not Festool REPS (employers) of coarse they will be more keen on here to make sales and also properly learn about the tools them selves and maybe do joinery them selfs.

Im talking about a Festool Rep but I agree with you even UK Festool Reps dont show any presence here.

We have

UK Rep ( Put never shows any presence)
USA Reps
German Rep on this forum

Do we have a

Dutch Reps?
French Reps on here??

any other country's?!?!

JMB
 
Joiner,
Rick hit the nail on the head about the yes or no.

On your second point, you are correct, I was not there and would have no way of knowing.  It was an attempt at humor that I thought was clear by use of the term "on the lighter side" and the smiley face.  No offence (or offense) intended.
Steve
 
Rick Christopherson said:
I think what Steve was saying, is to take responsibility for your own decisions. It was your decision to speak with this person. He asked in advance if you were willing to speak with him in person. And as you already stated, you were not expecting anything in return. 

Most woodworkers would welcome such an opportunity for a couple of reasons. First off, the opportunity to get an advanced look at up-coming tools. If that doesn't interest you, then you should have said "no" when he asked. On the other hand, most woodworkers clamor for sneak-peaks, as is evidenced by the popularity of such discussions on this very forum. (Or paying admission to a trade show.)

The second reason is that you had the opportunity to mold the design decisions for the next generation tool. How many times have you picked up a tool and thought, "gee, I wish they would have made this feature just a little bit different, and then the tool would be an even greater asset to me." Taking stock in the future of a tool that you may someday own is far more valuable than a T-shirt or a coffee mug.

Well said!
 
Steve Rowe said:
Joiner,
Rick hit the nail on the head about the yes or no.

On your second point, you are correct, I was not there and would have no way of knowing.  It was an attempt at humor that I thought was clear by use of the term "on the lighter side" and the smiley face.  No offence (or offense) intended.
Steve

It must be the language barrier  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]

Seriously though I noticed that most of the UK people who posted agreed with my thoughts where as nearly all you lot over there disagreed so we will have to leave it there.

Can I just state that I did very much enjoy looking at the new prototypes and it was very interesting discussing new ideas with the Festool guy, for all those of you that would have killed to be in my position. [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Cheers

Chris
 
joiner1970 said:
It must be the language barrier  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]

Seriously though I noticed that most of the UK people who posted agreed with my thoughts where as nearly all you lot over there disagreed so we will have to leave it there.

Can I just state that I did very much enjoy looking at the new prototypes and it was very interesting discussing new ideas with the Festool guy, for all those of you that would have killed to be in my position. [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Cheers

Chris

Probably correct - we are just two peoples separated by a common language. [laughing]
Steve
 
Perhaps the issue isn't so much a tight fisted company as much as it is a cultural or personnel training issue (or perhaps, individual assimilation of the training given). I really know nothing of German culture in such business situations, but I know that one can not judge the actions of a foreign culture based on one's own expectations and experience. In my experience, the Festool (USA) folks have been more than gracious and in a similar circumstance, I would be shocked if some sort of "thank-you" gift were not offered. At one time I had several long meetings with Makita engineers from Japan concerning their Impact Drivers. No gift was offered, and none was expected, but I was honored to have been consulted.

Jim Ray
 
Well said Jim that is just the right word, I did feel honored just getting the phone call a month or so ago let alone the personal visit on site.

I couldnt imagine Dewalt asking their customers what they want to see on their next tool "YOU GET WHAT YOURE GIVEN AND LIKE IT"  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]
 
About 7 years ago I purchased a Milwaukee Sawzall, a new quick blade release model..

I was so unimpressed with the quality, they fell apart in about two months, that I emailed the company a nasty letter. Basically I said my 3 year old and her school scissors could cut better.

About 3 weeks later I got a knock on my door. It was 2 guys from Milwaukee.  They were gracious, asked about how to make the tools better, etc. They apologized again and pulled out two brand new experiential model sawzalls. I checked them out and was impressed. They asked if they thought the experimental model looked to fix my complaints, I said it sure looked like it. They were about to leave and I was helping to load the car and one said ' hey those sawzalls are yours to keep". My jaw dropped! They cost near 400.00 for the two of them.

This was up and beyond the original sawzall that was fixed under warranty.

These guys drove 2 hours from Milwaukee to get to my home and I am still impressed.
 
nickao said:
About 7 years ago I purchased a Milwaukee Sawzall, a new quick blade release model..

I was so unimpressed with the quality, they fell apart in about two months, that I emailed the company a nasty letter. Basically I said my 3 year old and her school scissors could cut better.

About 3 weeks later I got a knock on my door. It was 2 guys from Milwaukee.  They were gracious, asked about how to make the tools better, etc. They apologized again and pulled out two brand new experiential model sawzalls. I checked them out and was impressed. They asked if they thought the experimental model looked to fix my complaints, I said it sure looked like it. They were about to leave and I was helping to load the car and one said ' hey those sawzalls are yours to keep". My jaw dropped! They cost near 400.00 for the two of them.

This was up and beyond the original sawzall that was fixed under warranty.

These guys drove 2 hours from Milwaukee to get to my home and I am still impressed.

Awesome service. That's a cool story, Nickao.

Rick
 
Mac said:
nickao said:
About 7 years ago I purchased a Milwaukee Sawzall, a new quick blade release model..

I was so unimpressed with the quality, they fell apart in about two months, that I emailed the company a nasty letter. Basically I said my 3 year old and her school scissors could cut better.

About 3 weeks later I got a knock on my door. It was 2 guys from Milwaukee.  They were gracious, asked about how to make the tools better, etc. They apologized again and pulled out two brand new experiential model sawzalls. I checked them out and was impressed. They asked if they thought the experimental model looked to fix my complaints, I said it sure looked like it. They were about to leave and I was helping to load the car and one said ' hey those sawzalls are yours to keep". My jaw dropped! They cost near 400.00 for the two of them.

This was up and beyond the original sawzall that was fixed under warranty.

These guys drove 2 hours from Milwaukee to get to my home and I am still impressed.

Awesome service. That's a cool story, Nickao.

Rick

Wow, killer story.  Talk about service.  Take note of "7 years ago..."  I doubt you'll see a big brand doing something like that anytime again soon.
 
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