UK - FREE battery from Festool and lower prices from Toolfest

[Gregor]

All valid products (DE and UK) for the promo here as PDF (festool.net).

 

[bobfog]

You can look up the model numbers on the festool website, select the basic or set version of the KS60 in the drop-down here:https://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?pid=561684

As ever, the Festool website is not very informative, but it looks like the set includes at least one clamp, a bevel and a light?

..and just check you are seeing the toolfest prices with VAT if that is appropriate!

The penny drops.

I didn't notice the prices were ex VAT. Still some very competitive prices, but hardly lowered to "epic" levels. Of the three tools I checked they were only approximately £10 cheaper than Axminster's standard year round pricing! And actually some things still more expensive, such as Systainers, MFT and Centrotec sets to name a few.

Not sure why the prices are ex VAT, toolfest isn't a "trade only" supplier so it would be more appropriate to display inc VAT prices like their competitors, and less misleading to customers.

 

[geoffshep]

Not sure why the prices are ex VAT, toolfest isn't a "trade only" supplier so it would be more appropriate to display inc VAT prices like their competitors, and less misleading to customers.

You can choose how the prices are displayed, just click the link at top right - 'Prices include/exclude VAT'

 

[massproducedsawdust]

Ah rats to it.

I too have fallen foul of the ex/inc VAT prices. Very unusual, as noted by a previous poster, to see a website display ex VAT prices as the default when it's not primarily a business to business supplier.

 

[bobfog]

Not sure why the prices are ex VAT, toolfest isn't a "trade only" supplier so it would be more appropriate to display inc VAT prices like their competitors, and less misleading to customers.

You can choose how the prices are displayed, just click the link at top right - 'Prices include/exclude VAT'

Yeah I see that now. It's just the song and dance about "epic" prices and the fact that it's highly unusual to see an ecommerce retail website default to ex VAT prices in this day and age meant I thought the prices displayed when following the link were to be taken at face value.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

The penny drops.

I didn't notice the prices were ex VAT. Still some very competitive prices, but hardly lowered to "epic" levels. Of the three tools I checked they were only approximately £10 cheaper than Axminster's standard year round pricing! And actually some things still more expensive, such as Systainers, MFT and Centrotec sets to name a few.

Not sure why the prices are ex VAT, toolfest isn't a "trade only" supplier so it would be more appropriate to display inc VAT prices like their competitors, and less misleading to customers.

Hi [member=60286]bobfog[/member]

Sorry to have underwhelmed you, but hey they are 'epic' prices for us and cheaper than A is better then more expensive. The new pricing applies only to machines at the moment.

You are correct we are not a 'trade-only' supplier but the majority of our sales are to other businesses and you might have asked us our customer profile before making this assumption  [poke]. Not only Festool but also through our Tanos and Fixings business, the large proportion of our customers are VAT registered, so pricing INC VAT is just including something that is irrelevant.

I am sorry if this confuses things but hey there is a button on the home page for 'Inc Vat' prices for those not able to claim the VAT back, and VAT is always indicated clearly on the Cart page.

Your point is valuable though and I've taken it onboard.

Best regards

Warren

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Ah rats to it.

I too have fallen foul of the ex/inc VAT prices. Very unusual, as noted by a previous poster, to see a website display ex VAT prices as the default when it's not primarily a business to business supplier.

Hi [member=63528]massproducedsawdust[/member]

Who says we are not primarily a business to business supplier, I love to know [poke]

Do tell?

Best regards

Warren

 

[bobfog]

The penny drops.

I didn't notice the prices were ex VAT. Still some very competitive prices, but hardly lowered to "epic" levels. Of the three tools I checked they were only approximately £10 cheaper than Axminster's standard year round pricing! And actually some things still more expensive, such as Systainers, MFT and Centrotec sets to name a few.

Not sure why the prices are ex VAT, toolfest isn't a "trade only" supplier so it would be more appropriate to display inc VAT prices like their competitors, and less misleading to customers.

Hi [member=60286]bobfog[/member]

Sorry to have underwhelmed you, but hey they are 'epic' prices for us and cheaper than A is better then more expensive. The new pricing applies only to machines at the moment.

You are correct we are not a 'trade-only' supplier but the majority of our sales are to other businesses and you might have asked us our customer profile before making this assumption  [poke]. Not only Festool but also through our Tanos and Fixings business, the large proportion of our customers are VAT registered, so pricing INC VAT is just including something that is irrelevant.

I am sorry if this confuses things but hey there is a button on the home page for 'Inc Vat' prices for those not able to claim the VAT back, and VAT is always indicated clearly on the Cart page.

Your point is valuable though and I've taken it onboard.

Best regards

Warren

Warren, which ever way we cut it, a 5% discount over what the products are readily available for elsewhere is hardly "epic". I don't know about your normal buying power, margins, etc; or if it's "epic" for you - that's not really the point, you over-egged the pudding. You also can't deny that based on all your competitors websites, to default to ex VAT is highly unusual.

 

[antss]

What I'm picturing in my head is an episode of Are You Being Served in which word has come down from on high to increase sales and the minions dream up a scheme; and they are more excited about it than the punters are.

5% off a 500 Festool will get you dinner at a decent restaurant (by yourself) , but I'd hardly call it epic either.

Epic is 65% off with coupon for further savings on a future tool.

But, I can tell you this - excited salespeople are better for everyone.  No one wants to shop at a store where the people are crumudgeons.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Maybe you two, [member=60286]bobfog[/member] and [member=727]antss[/member] can indulge me on this occasion. Selling Festool is a very tight market and when a few percentage points can make £100,000's of difference to our sales figures, I'm going to remain excited. I'm sure other dealers read the FOG, and so they may follow suit and it saves all of you money in the end?

Best regards

Warren

[big grin]

 

[bobfog]

What I'm picturing in my head is an episode of Are You Being Served in which word has come down from on high to increase sales and the minions dream up a scheme; and they are more excited about it than the punters are.

5% off a 500 Festool will get you dinner at a decent restaurant (by yourself) , but I'd hardly call it epic either.

Epic is 65% off with coupon for further savings on a future tool.

But, I can tell you this - excited salespeople are better for everyone.  No one wants to shop at a store where the people are crumudgeons.

Im thinking more Only Fools and Horses. Del Boy, ever the wideboy is telling Rodney to sell whatever their latest cash cow product is at "triffic" low prices and Rodney trying to explain that he can't just expect people to believe the prices are "triffic" just because he says they are.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Mmmm, I hope that comment is just in fun.

 

[GarryMartin]

I can't remember the last time a major, very well regarded dealer lowered their prices *across a range of machines* to the highest percentage discount they've ever sold at *for them*, and at levels below their competitors. Even at "just" 5%, it's still a great deal.

 

[Llap Goch]

What I'm picturing in my head is an episode of Are You Being Served in which word has come down from on high to increase sales and the minions dream up a scheme; and they are more excited about it than the punters are.

5% off a 500 Festool will get you dinner at a decent restaurant (by yourself) , but I'd hardly call it epic either.

Epic is 65% off with coupon for further savings on a future tool.

But, I can tell you this - excited salespeople are better for everyone.  No one wants to shop at a store where the people are crumudgeons.

Warren, your gracious and measured response to crass comments shows inordinate self-restraint. Well done and shame on the cheap and uncalled for posts which merely highlight bad manners. 

 

[mrboult]

I can't remember the last time a major, very well regarded dealer lowered their prices *across a range of machines* to the highest percentage discount they've ever sold at *for them*, and at levels below their competitors. Even at "just" 5%, it's still a great deal.

^^Exactly!  We know Warren has told us before that he is largely UN-able to compete in the same level as some of the other dealers at the their rock bottom profit margins and buying power.
But suddenly he is trying something new and is now the  lowest on price for every product i checked!

Warren is also regularly on the FOG being a wonderfully helpful and friendly member - i hope whatever he is trying out works well for toolfest.co.uk  and helps keep our UK prices competitively low.

The rude posts in this thread are surprising and unnecessary.

 

[southrider]

In the US 5% off of Festool on an ongoing basis would be HUUUGE!

It's hard here to get them to throw in a tshirt or a cap when you pay full retail.

Time for a revolution.

 

[mikeomalley]

Have to say Warren is a good guy and would get my business if I was closer.  Mike

 

[antss]

Warren , I'm not looking to take shots at you.  I hope your new promo is successful too.  Have you done 100k in new FT business in the few days since that was anounced ?  [eek]  [eek]. That's got to be some sort of record, and I can see why you're excited.  If it's just projections, well..... 

Is it your plan to make the 5% off the normal selling price ? This can be good for the consumer in the short term, especially if others match or exceede your offer. Then you're just playing a war of attrition and unless you're a big juggernaut with lots of volume and other lines you'll eventually lose as those types can easily fill orders at a few point of margin because of the volume and they'll always be able to out price you. It's simply a race to the bottom. 

This is exactly what FT doesn't want to happen, as it devalues their brand along the way.  Now , maybe they're at the business point they want to increase units sold at the expense of margin , but I don't know.

Of course 5% is better than nothing, like we have here in NA.  I'm just having a conversation about whether 5% is "epic" , or "huuuge" as SouthRider says.  I still maintain it is not either.  All are entitled to their opinion.

[member=1421]PatR[/member] - since when does disagreeing with someone make a person rude.  My comments are no different than a group discussion about any other promotion from a retailer.  Some times they are good , sometimes they are stinkers , and sometimes they're just ho hum.  Perhaps you're new to retailing , but businesses generally don't offer promotions or sales because they love their customers. They do it because they want to generate more sales and money for themselves.

The goal is to have a product or service that doesn't need a gimmick to sell. 

Another case in point : you know you've got an epic , huuuge , get it while it's hot deal when it ends after 3 days and your initial run is sold out, your three month supply is spoken for and there won't be any more for six.  That's big news, not 5% for an indefinite amount of time.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Warren , I'm not looking to take shots at you.  I hope your new promo is successful too.

Thanks [member=727]antss[/member] ,

Best regards

Warren

 

[yetihunter]

It pains me that I'm not allowed to curse on this forum.  [big grin]

Retail Price Management is super awesome. 
TOOLFEST/System Container/Bunny's Bolts = top notch.

Unfortunately, RPM is illegal in the U.K., so Warren probably takes care of tons of people that turn around and buy stuff he offers from amazon or b&q or whatever, just to save a lousy couple of £. 

Festool plays a big part in keeping my favorite businesses in business, here in the United States.  Do not underestimate the fact that most people will gladly spend all day in a store, demo products, tie up the salespeople, leave empty handed, and buy the product online to save a lousy ten bucks. 

Festool will maintain their pricing agreements in the US, and I am happy for it.
It really irks me to see anyone hassling a long time devoted Festool dealer over chump change.  However, that seems to be the trend in the U.K. these days.