Went to the roadshow today...

[Nat X]

Got it the first time.  With a little common sense planing Festool could change their schedule to have the roadshow for the largest markets on the weekends.  Dallas on a Tuesday?  Atlanta had two Festool Roadshow stops, one at Woodcraft and one at Highland Woodworking.  Both were during the week.

Wouldn't it be common sense to spend the bulk of your advertising dollars on markets where people might not know as much about you in order to foster growth?

 

[McNally Family]

Quit your whining.  I for one am grateful that they are stopping in Northern Colorado next week.  On a Tuesday.  Get some shop work done in the morning, run into town for tool drooling and socializing, get back to the shop and do some work.

Wish I had that option.  Most people don't have the kind of job that allows for that.

It's not about whining.  It is about Festool using good business acumen.

Festool Roadshow on a Saturday in Atlanta?  No thanks.  It would be more crowded than trying to drive in Atlanta during rush hour.

Nashville had a good showing (on a Monday), but not so large that you could not see or hear the product demonstrations by Festool trainers, or have access to one on one conversations for your specific questions.  A bigger crowd in this setting would not serve either Festool or you in a positive way. 

 

[TylerC]

I'm thrilled that some of you've been able to make it out to these first Roadshow dates! (Please keep sharing pictures!)

Without getting into details, I'll just say that some of the rumors and assumptions made aren't accurate.

Also, there are a variety of factors that affect where and when each stop happens. Give us the benefit of the doubt on some of this. (Personally, I'd argue that larger markets make more sense for weekdays, because the high population density means that people don't have to drive as far.)

We plan for the Festool Roadshow to be rolling for the next several years. So if we don't make it to you soon (or if you aren't able to make it out when we pass through), hopefully we'll get to you eventually!

 

[anthonyz]

Looking forward to the Show in Mesa, AZ on the 27th at Timber working and Machinery. But I warn the Festool guys, it's probably going to be a scorcher. Will be hitting about 106 tomorrow. Two week from now could be that or higher. Bring lots of cold water. Lucky for me I only live 7 min away. And I will be helping out at the store that day.

 

[TheMarvelousOne]

I'm thrilled that some of you've been able to make it out to these first Roadshow dates! (Please keep sharing pictures!)

Without getting into details, I'll just say that some of the rumors and assumptions made aren't accurate.

Also, there are a variety of factors that affect where and when each stop happens. Give us the benefit of the doubt on some of this. (Personally, I'd argue that larger markets make more sense for weekdays, because the high population density means that people don't have to drive as far.)

We plan for the Festool Roadshow to be rolling for the next several years. So if we don't make it to you soon (or if you aren't able to make it out when we pass through), hopefully we'll get to you eventually!

OKLAHOMA! remember it!  [big grin]

 

[McNally Family]

Looking forward to the Show in Mesa, AZ on the 27th at Timber working and Machinery. But I warn the Festool guys, it's probably going to be a scorcher. Will be hitting about 106 tomorrow. Two week from now could be that or higher. Bring lots of cold water. Lucky for me I only live 7 min away. And I will be helping out at the store that day.

Ahhh, but it is that "dry" heat.  106 in Tennessee and you would start sweating just thinking about going outside.

 

[ear3]

Looking at the itinerary of the Festool Roadshow, it looks like they hate us Yankees.

 

[Potts17]

How far you have to drive is not the point.  The point is that most working people cannot get time off work to go look at power tools.  Jeesh.

You sound very bitter and I guess I don't know why. Festool doesn't "owe" you anything. They don't have to move their schedule around you. Obviously there has been a decent turn out. Perhaps you need to find a different job if you believe they should let you leave for your hobby, maybe another company will, maybe start your own company? Not trying to hate at all, but I guess I'm appreciate of the amount of money and time that Festool is putting into the Roadshow, will it sell them more product, probably, but overall it's great for customer service in my opinion. I with they'd come to my area, I would most definitely go, even if it was during the workday.

 

[ear3]

Please keep it civil.

 

[rljatl]

How far you have to drive is not the point.  The point is that most working people cannot get time off work to go look at power tools.  Jeesh.

You sound very bitter and I guess I don't know why. Festool doesn't "owe" you anything. They don't have to move their schedule around you. Obviously there has been a decent turn out. Perhaps you need to find a different job if you believe they should let you leave for your hobby, maybe another company will, maybe start your own company? Not trying to hate at all, but I guess I'm appreciate of the amount of money and time that Festool is putting into the Roadshow, will it sell them more product, probably, but overall it's great for customer service in my opinion. I with they'd come to my area, I would most definitely go, even if it was during the workday.

I have to say, you dont sound real bright.  You are STILL missing the point.  It is not about me. I can easily take off if I don't have conflicting meetings or something.  But most working people cannot.  It is about Festool making smart business decisions.

Why cant I express my opinion without being attacked?  If you don't agree with me, then don't say anything at all.  Jeesh again.

 

[semenza]

Please keep it civil.

Yes.

Thank you.

Seth

 

[rljatl]

Guess I'll do what I did a few months ago and delete most of my recent posts.  I'll just read others posts and not participate.  Just like several other former regulars are doing.

 

[Cheese]

Looking at the itinerary of the Festool Roadshow, it looks like they hate us Yankees.

Ya, a couple of weeks ago I asked Peter why the Festool road show was adverse to traveling above the Mason-Dixon Line. The bread basket of the US along with the large East coast cities seem like a natural stopping off point to me...even if it's on a Tuesday afternoon...

 

[TylerC]

Looking at the itinerary of the Festool Roadshow, it looks like they hate us Yankees.

It's a big country (not to mention that we'll be heading to Canada as well), so it will take some time. The truck was built in North Carolina, which is why the tour started in the south. I believe -- and I could be wrong -- that the reasons we went through the west first instead of north were (a.) we'd just been at JLC Live in New England and (b.) during unpredictable spring days we'd rather by in predictably warm and (relatively speaking) dry places like Texas and Tennessee.

I actually overheard conversations yesterday about the Northeast schedule for later this year. We'll get there!

 

[ear3]

Thanks for the update [member=57769]TylerC[/member]

Looking at the itinerary of the Festool Roadshow, it looks like they hate us Yankees.

It's a big country (not to mention that we'll be heading to Canada as well), so it will take some time. The truck was built in North Carolina, which is why the tour started in the south. I believe -- and I could be wrong -- that the reasons we went through the west first instead of north were (a.) we'd just been at JLC Live in New England and (b.) during unpredictable spring days we'd rather by in predictably warm and (relatively speaking) dry places like Texas and Tennessee.

I actually overheard conversations yesterday about the Northeast schedule for later this year. We'll get there!

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Guess I'll do what I did a few months ago and delete most of my recent posts.  I'll just read others posts and not participate.  Just like several other former regulars are doing.

For what it's worth I agree that a weekend schedule would make it easier to attend.  The closest that it came to me was 1 1/2 hour away on a Thursday.  That made it not possible for me to go.

 

[TylerC]

For what it's worth I agree that a weekend schedule would make it easier to attend.  The closest that it came to me was 1 1/2 hour away on a Thursday.  That made it not possible for me to go.

I appreciate that weekday events are tough for some people's schedules -- it wouldn't be ideal for mine -- but it just isn't feasible to only do stops 2 out of 7 days per week. Also,  a lot of dealers are closed on Sundays, which provides an additional complication.

 

[SS Teach]

It's coming to my area in June, looking forward to it.

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
  This will be the 4th year the European truck has visited the U.K - planning an event like this in the UK is hard enough with manpower and logistics over a 4 week period - with the size of the US and running the truck for months is a big challenge on the logistics side and opening times for dealers.
rg
Phil

 

[anthonyz]

How far you have to drive is not the point.  The point is that most working people cannot get time off work to go look at power tools.  Jeesh.

You sound very bitter and I guess I don't know why. Festool doesn't "owe" you anything. They don't have to move their schedule around you. Obviously there has been a decent turn out. Perhaps you need to find a different job if you believe they should let you leave for your hobby, maybe another company will, maybe start your own company? Not trying to hate at all, but I guess I'm appreciate of the amount of money and time that Festool is putting into the Roadshow, will it sell them more product, probably, but overall it's great for customer service in my opinion. I with they'd come to my area, I would most definitely go, even if it was during the workday.

I have to say, you dont sound real bright.  You are STILL missing the point.  It is not about me. I can easily take off if I don't have conflicting meetings or something.  But most working people cannot.  It is about Festool making smart business decisions.

Why cant I express my opinion without being attacked?  If you don't agree with me, then don't say anything at all.  Jeesh again.

I think the times are partly based upon the trucks route and schedule, and the Dealers who participate. Dealers have to bring in a large amount of stock in order for Festool to Justify a show at that venue. So that determines where they will go. So in turn, there are a number of factors involved on how all the scheduling happens. Some on the side of Festool, and some on the side of the dealers. I think since the Truck is probably rented and the team get switched up, they can't take all year to do a tour, which would cost a great deal more. So I am guess it's compressed, which would require them to work the weekdays and allow them to travel at night, after packing up the truck and everything, to head out to the next venue. So I agree, time could be better, but I am guessing with the many factors in play, they have worked it out how they can hit as many venues as they can. Unfortunately that will not work for everyone, but those who can make it, enjoy the moment. Not attacking anyone view here.