What Festoool promotions would you like to see offered?

[GreenGA]

I was thinking something not related to another purchase. Just suggesting Festool kinda reward it's loyal buying customer base.

There is little I need, note...; not want.  ;D  However, I do need more Systainers.

 

[tbellemare]

The people that matter at Festool do pay a certain amount of attention to this forum. I think it was a really good idea for Brice to start this thread. It may bear fruit someday...

Tom

 

[EcoFurniture]

If some decision makers from Festool read this forum,  then I'm really wondering why they are not listening to us???????

How often did we ask about tools that are not available in NA? How often did we get a feedback? As a business owner myself, I would be more then willing to write something ones in a while about product updates/issues/recommendations etc. At least tell us why we wont be getting the planex/router table/belt sander etc.
There are many things I'm shacking my head about when I hear about the decisions they make. One example is Hafele In Canada. The worst re-presenter of Festool anywhere in NA. But they are still allowed the sell. Then, on the other hand they cancel the sponsorship of a well liked and sale increasing podcaster.

Don't get me wrong, I like their tools. But I think it's time to listen....

And to be on topic:
The promotions they had so far except the drills and systainer deal, are pretty much useless for most of us. How about a special on single items? They can't tell me that their margins are soo tight that they can't allow for --let's say 10% off-- on a TS55...

I'm sorry for the rant, but this is getting pathetic...

 

[Brice Burrell]

I think wear items make for a good promo, ie, splinter guards and the like. But there are some things like router attachments and bits that scream to be packaged together. edge trimming and a down spiral flush trim, for instance.

Others...

-jigsaw zero clearance inserts (probably not the name they give for em, but you know what I'm talking about) and blades.

-I know there's a TS accessory package, but a promo with rail strips for guide rails, and green things anti-tear out things for the saws would be great And as long as they're following the logic of keeping chips down, safety glasses to keep the chips out of one's eyes would be awesome.........................

James consumables are a great idea as promotional items. I'm a safety glasses guy, if Festool offered they as a promo item I'd be pleased. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

If some decision makers from Festool read this forum,  then I'm really wondering why they are not listening to us???????

How often did we ask about tools that are not available in NA? How often did we get a feedback? As a business owner myself, I would be more then willing to write something ones in a while about product updates/issues/recommendations etc. At least tell us why we wont be getting the planex/router table/belt sander etc.
There are many things I'm shacking my head about when I hear about the decisions they make. One example is Hafele In Canada. The worst re-presenter of Festool anywhere in NA. But they are still allowed the sell. Then, on the other hand they cancel the sponsorship of a well liked and sale increasing podcaster.

Don't get me wrong, I like their tools. But I think it's time to listen....

And to be on topic:
The promotions they had so far except the drills and systainer deal, are pretty much useless for most of us. How about a special on single items? They can't tell me that their margins are soo tight that they can't allow for --let's say 10% off-- on a TS55...

I'm sorry for the rant, but this is getting pathetic...

Festool is listening but they can't do everything we want them to do. I'm sure they liked to offer their full lineup of tools here in N. America, that just isn't feasible now. Remember it wasn't very long ago that Festool was a virtually unknown in the States and Canada. They've gotten their foot in the door but still aren't a household name. Their building the brand here, that takes time. I imagine someday the product line will be greatly expanded here, I'm patiently waiting for that day.

The good news is that Festool is expanding the dealer network up north, as you know you aren't stuck buying from Hafele any more.

I'm like the rest of you guys I too would like to see a discount offered or even discount program. It really hasn't happened yet, that I'm aware of. Maybe the margins are tighter than you think, I don't know. The one thing to keep in mind is that we are already paying less for Festool products here then the rest of the world so I'd not going to hold my breath for any farther discounts. 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

In my opinion, the result of this thread is that there is no magic bullet when it comes to promos.  There doesn't seem to be a consensus about what would make an attractive offer.  While I prompted that someone start this type of thread, I can't guarantee that any of these ideas will actually come to fruition.  But what I can say is that we are indeed listening.

@Eco: Regarding the tools that are not available in NA, here's the answer... The employees of Festool USA want those tools here just as much as each of you, maybe even more.  If you want to see these products in NA, I would encourage you to spread the word to other professionals about your experience with our products.  The more we grow in NA, the more expansive our offerings will become.  I would like to point out that many of the newest tools (MFT/3, OF 2200, Kapex, T+3 drills) have launched here simultaneously or within a short period after the European launch.

Hopefully I'm not throwing myself to the wolves  :-\

 

[Holzhacker]

For what it's worth. The latest promotions are Ok but don't do me much good. It seems to me that Festool promo's are based on generating tool customers, which of course is a good thing. However, I think they are missing the 2nd half of the equation. Promo's for those of us who already have the tools. Tool promo's can bring in new users. Accessory promo's keep existing customers happy and buying more tools.
In this down economy, I honestly can't spend big dollars on new tools. I can however spend less money (recent $179. for the guide rail / angle unit acc. kit.) on useful / needed accessories. Saw blade promo's should be semi-permanent. Drill bit and paper promo's would be really helpful. Or buy X dollars in accessories, get X% off of a Sys to put them in. Buy a CT and get Acc kit at a 'real' discount.
Let's hope Festool listens. Their overall sales must also be down.
Markus

 

[EcoFurniture]

Hi Shane,

Thank you for your post! Good to know that you guys are working on expanding the tool selection!!!! I feel with you, sometimes in business, it can take forever to get things going :
I guess, we all have to lean back and watch the show for a while to see what's coming down the drain  ;D

 

[ForumMFG]

To everyone:

As Shane said: "There doesn't seem to be a consensus about what would make an attractive offer." 

Maybe someone should start a poll with items or ideas we could vote for?

This way we could come to more of a concensus?

I'll just through that out there.

-Dave

 

[PeterK]

For what it is worth---
I believe a different approach might work better than how it is handled now. Having a fixed promo with specific items rarely has exactly the items those of us with tools already really need and want. I would love to see a build-your-own offer. Something like buy any 4 router bits and get one free, or purchase $200 in consumables and get 20% off. By far the best offer I have ever seen with Festool was a few years back when they had the promo to reward existing customers by allowing any tool purchases with I believe a 20% discount. I bought a bunch of sanders and accessories then. Bet I spent $1500.

Kind of surprised that a router bit set has not been created at a package price. Virtually every bit company has various sets that seem to be quite popular. I would love to purchase more Festool bits but the pricing holds me back somewhat.
Pete

 

[James Watriss]

Drill bit and paper promo's would be really helpful. Or buy X dollars in accessories, get X% off of a Sys to put them in.

Right on. Now you're thinking.

I emailed Bosch the other day to let them know that they should get off their ass and get systainers here in the states, too. They exist, I do own a bosch sys 2 for my jigsaw now. But even if they're only available as an accessory, I wrote to say that they should get them over here. I got a raised eyebrow from a client on a recent job for having a neatly stacked pile of systainers with tools and parts in them, instead of the typical pile of assorted tool cases and crap everywhere. I do dig the systainers for site work.

The consumables are important. But promos packaged in systainers would be even more appealing. That is, better, more realistic promos than $300 of proprietary drill bits... centrotec is cool. But not cool enough to buy everything.

Packaged in rack systainers, or in something like a sys 3 with the new organizer tray lid... something out of the ordinary, would be even cooler.