What do you think of this Craigslist seller?

[estaud]

Every few months this seller has a few NEW tools listed on Craigslist in Los Angeles. Appears to be a few miles from my house. I'm assuming these come without warranty. Everything is about 10-15% less than retail. I'm a hobbyist, and not putting a lot of heavy use on the tools. Will Festool repair a tool that wasn't originally purchased through a dealer? Is there a database of stolen serial numbers that I can check on the spot?
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tls/d/los-angeles-festool-6-random-orbit/6987262643.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tls/d/los-angeles-festool-ts-55-circular-saw/6987262381.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tls/d/los-angeles-festool-6-rotex-sander/6987262884.html

 

[peter halle]

Buy new.  Warranty runs with the tool but unless originally registered or receipts of original purchase are available then the manufacture date on the label may come into play. No online database.

Peter

 

[DynaGlide]

Might be doing some shady re-selling. Woodcraft employees get ~22% off tools and ~50% off accessories from the receipt I found on the Domino I purchased second hand that he forgot he left in the systainer.

 

[ChuckM]

Based on the asking prices, the seller isn't making any serious money even if he's got them with a staff discount. From a seller's or profit point of view, it isn't worth the trouble of buying and reselling them at that kind of price.

To a buyer, those prices are attractive...if it can be ascertained that they are not stolen goods.

When it comes to machines (including computers), I pay more attention to user reviews/ machine reputation and user acceptance tests than warranty. I have never used any warranty service for any of my woodworking machines because either the warranty has expired (2 or 3 years is nothing compared to the normal life of a tool) or the machines are always in good working conditions that they never need any warranty service. I never buy the sales pitch that extended warranty (for a price) is a good thing.

 

[sancho57]

Id rather buy from a reputable dealer or if used from a private seller. These are new tools sold at a discount.

One thing Ive learned in my 66 years on this planet is there is no good deals. As WC fields said, You cant cheat a honest man.

When its to good to be true, it usually is.

Ive missed out of some legitimate deals with this philosophy but I also saved myself the pain of being ripped off .

 

[AlexThePalex]

One thing Ive learned in my 66 years on this planet is there is no good deals.

I feel sad for you. I've had many good deals in my life.

The best one I got, tool related, was definitely my CS70E Set for €1000 from a retiring contractor. Got it for 7 years now and it's still running as good as the day I bought it. At one point somebody offered me €2150 for it.

 

[estaud]

Buy new.  Warranty runs with the tool but unless originally registered or receipts of original purchase are available then the manufacture date on the label may come into play. No online database.

Peter

Thanks everyone. Lot's of food for thought. I wish there was a serial number database to check for stolen tools. In this case I lean toward the theory that there is an employee or corporate discount happening. Maybe the seller is making 5% off each sale.

I'm a hobbyist who only does a few small projects a year, so the warranty is less important to me because the tools receive very little wear and tear and I also don't rely on them for my income.

 

[Svar]

I wish there was a serial number database to check for stolen tools.

If the tools are brand new, sold on a regular basis, and of the same brand they are probably not stolen. It is highly unlikely he specifically robs Festool dealers on a regular basis. Small thieves are opportunists, not tool connoisseurs.

 

[estaud]

I wish there was a serial number database to check for stolen tools.

If the tools are brand new, sold on a regular basis, and of the same brand they are probably not stolen. It is highly unlikely he specifically robs Festool dealers on a regular basis. Small thieves are opportunists, not tool connoisseurs.

That sounds like sound logic to me.

 

[RJNeal]

Maybe the seller needs cash and can only buy stuff on his credit card, because his cash advance might be up to his limit. So he charges on cc then sells for what he can get for it.
Awhile ago I bought a RO 150 and a TS 75 from a fellow that bought them from a pawn shop. He mentioned that how so people generate cash, by buying and sell to a pawn shop. Hard way to make ends meet.
Deals? I paid 450 for both tools and sold the RO for 300. 150 for a ts 75.
Rick.

 

[WeekendWoodWerker]

One thing Ive learned in my 66 years on this planet is there is no good deals. As WC fields said, You cant cheat a honest man.

When its to good to be true, it usually is.

Ive missed out of some legitimate deals with this philosophy but I also saved myself the pain of being ripped off .

I usually have this skepticism too, however just the other day I missed out on a legitimate deal. Neighbor had Ridgid 6" jointer, DeWalt 734 planer, 3HP dust collector with cyclone separator and drum, and 14" standing drill press. All barely used condition. He wanted them gone out of his garage and sold them for $100 each, $400 total...

 

[sancho57]

One thing Ive learned in my 66 years on this planet is there is no good deals.

I feel sad for you. I've had many good deals in my life.

The best one I got, tool related, was definitely my CS70E Set for €1000 from a retiring contractor. Got it for 7 years now and it's still running as good as the day I bought it. At one point somebody offered me €2150 for it.

And if when you took it home plugged it in used it for a week or so and it crashed, whose gonna pay for the repair/ you take it back to the guy if you can find him, he'll tell ya to pack sand you bought as is. then your on the hook for the repair.

But were not talking used are we? The op said NEW

Dont mix apples and oranges.

Also when buying used you got to take extra steps to make sure the tool hasnt been abused, not stolen and if it goes bad yer on your own to repair it.

I have bought used festools before. But I am careful last used tool I bought was a 850 planer. Works good. Had to check to make sure it wasnt hot and it defenately not under warranty.

You have ax , are used tools "good deals"?

I say yes and no.

Lower price yes, warranty and reliable, depends thats the risk.

Can you afford to get it repaired if it crashes on you?

If you can then why not buy new, get the warranty and the confidence of knowing if it does go south its covered for 3 years.

As I said no truely good deals.

Theres risk involved.

Buying used tools is like buying used cars.

You are taking a risk.

Question is do you want to take that risk?

For example as I said buying used tools is like buying used cars.

I buy only new cars/trucks.

Some people tell me Im losing money cuz they drop in value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

I say yes and no.

When I buy a vehicle I hold on to it until it pretty much dies.

Example, I bought a Honda accord new in 1990 held on to it until 2009. My accord had 298,000 miles on it and still passed calif smog when I sold it.
I bought it new, took care of it made sure the maintenance was done  etc etc and it lasted.

Then bought another NEW Honda.  Still have it it still runs good. I know all the maintenance that has been done and its well maintained. Ill still have it 10 years from now.

Same with tools.

You can take the risk if you want to.

I prefer to pay the little bit more and know what Im getting.

Any abuse is done by me.

When It gets long in the tooth Ill sell it to you, buy another new one and repeat.

Another thing, you are relying on the honesty and integrity of the seller.

think about that one to