what is the point of registration (unable to anyway)

[mikeyr]

So, I purchased a bunch of Festool's year ago, most should be out of warranty but I did register them on the old website and that data is gone.  I purchased a Kapex 3 weeks ago, tried to register but the old site is gone, so I created a new account on the new site...it fricking wants a copy of my receipt...That went in the trash along with the box 3 weeks ago so it won't let me register the Kapex, I certainly don't have receipts for tools I bought years ago.

So what is the point ? what do I get if I continue trying to register, besides frustration.  I figure if I own the tool, its in my possession and that is that.  If it ever needs repair during the warranty period, they will know roughly when it was built and if under warranty or not. Plus or minus a few months anway.  What is the advantage ?  I would not mind trying to register my previous tools but no idea on even rough date they date they were bought, but I was pretty good about registering and if they required receipts then, I bet I did it, but its was "lost" on the old site.  If I ever needed, exact information, I could find it on my credit card statements, but that would be pretty hard to find as I really don't know the dates to start looking at.  This Kapex, I know the date...Feb-15 (from CC statement)

 

[squall_line]

Two primary benefits of registrations that I can think of off the top of my head, plus a third benefit sparked by conversations on the FOG about tracking personal tool inventory:

• Notification if a tool is recalled
• Proof of purchase/purchase date is already provided, streamlining the warranty process if the warranty is ever needed
• A second place to store data about the serial number and model of tools that a person owns in the case of an insurance loss claim or theft

The manufacture date isn't always relevant to the warranty period, especially for tools that have sat on a shelf in a low-volume retailer; there are many tales of people finding years-old discontinued tools for sale in a shop, or a box of new-old-stock tools being found when a warehouse moves.  These tools are still warrantied based on their purchase date, not their manufacture date, and so could be warrantied even perhaps 6 years after their manufacture date.

Reconditioned tools, with a 1 year warranty, are an even bigger mixed bag as far as production date, but I believe Festool tracks that all themselves since they're the sole retailer.

 

[Ron B]

I recently purchased a number of Recon tools.  I was shocked that one had a manufactured date of 03/2016 and another one was manufactured in 2013-eight years ago!  I bought both as basic to avoid old batteries, and I think the 2013 is just NOS-so hopefully no harm done buying such old equipment. To be fair, some of the other items were 2020 manufactured.

I also purchased some new items late 2020 and they were delivered in 2021 because of the order backlog.  I have not been able to register those new tools.  I have a hard paper copy of the invoice but it seems Festool now wants an electronic copy.  I called stating I did not have a fax or other method to send electronic copy but I could mail them a paper copy.  They did not seem interested, just told me if I did not register if would have a warranty from the manufactured date.  I guess I will keep the paperwork and fight that if and when the time comes. 

 

[grbmds]

I just registered a new tool last week. Plus, when I tried to register a tool bought a year or so ago, I got a message it was already registered. I guess that means that Festool does have records from my old login but I just can't see them when I login.

 

[squall_line]

I recently purchased a number of Recon tools.  I was shocked that one had a manufactured date of 03/2016 and another one was manufactured in 2013-eight years ago!  I bought both as basic to avoid old batteries, and I think the 2013 is just NOS-so hopefully no harm done buying such old equipment. To be fair, some of the other items were 2020 manufactured.

I also purchased some new items late 2020 and they were delivered in 2021 because of the order backlog.  I have not been able to register those new tools.  I have a hard paper copy of the invoice but it seems Festool now wants an electronic copy.  I called stating I did not have a fax or other method to send electronic copy but I could mail them a paper copy.  They did not seem interested, just told me if I did not register if would have a warranty from the manufactured date.  I guess I will keep the paperwork and fight that if and when the time comes.

Does a cell phone picture count as an electronic copy?  Seems odd, for sure.

 

[Cheese]

Ya the new system’s a mess. The old system at least allowed you to register older tools for insurance purposes.
I can’t register either of the Recon tools I just purchased.  [mad] [mad]

 

[Ron B]

Does a cell phone picture count as an electronic copy?  Seems odd, for sure.

I am the proud owner of a ten year old flip phone so I do not know.  I could take a picture, but would have to print and mail the picture.  I learned to hate phones when someone on their phone was speeding and t-boned into the side of my wife's car, totally both vehicles and sending her to the hospital.  So it is a personal thing, but I will probably not be taking a cell phone picture. 

 

[squall_line]

Does a cell phone picture count as an electronic copy?  Seems odd, for sure.

I am the proud owner of a ten year old flip phone so I do not know.  I could take a picture, but would have to print and mail the picture.  I learned to hate phones when someone on their phone was speeding and t-boned into the side of my wife's car, totally both vehicles and sending her to the hospital.  So it is a personal thing, but I will probably not be taking a cell phone picture.

I'm sorry to hear about your wife.  I didn't mean anything by it.

I was just thinking ahead to when I attempt to register any of my tools, but I see now how it may have come across passive-aggressive or condescending.

Mea culpa.

 

[Ron B]

You certainly owe my no apology.  I am just having a laugh at my own expense. I know I am stuck in the 1950's and that is fine with me.  I still use folding maps, and it drives my kids crazy.  But today kids cannot read a map or tape measure.  Here is an example.  I had a daughter graduate from Vet school and we had a family vacation to celebrate.  My wife and I were in the back seat and we told our daughter to turn left which would put us within 1/2 block of the rental house.  She said no she was following mapquest (or whatever) on her phone.  So instead of taking a left she proceeds to take three rights.  One left equals three rights.  My wife and I just looked at each other-we got to see the neighborhood, but I swear I could have my kids face the sun in the morning, and they could not tell me the directions.  They would need an app on their phones to do that.

So you certainly owe me no apology over suggesting a phone picture.  I know I am a dinosaur.  It is just lucky for the people talking on their phone and driving that I am not a state trooper.  So ABSOLUTELY NO OFFENSE taken. 

 

[mikeyr]

I understand tools can sit on the shelf at a dealer, but I got serious into Festool in 2016-2017, bought 8 different tools and also things like MFT table, many tracks, including holey tracks for LR-32, so all that is out of warranty now. Then son-in-law bought a old rust bucket and out came my TIG and body tools, engine tools, etc. and my shop became what it was in the old days a car restoration and metal working shop.  I had hoped when I got into Festool to never do a modern car again (1959 Mini Cooper), but I am good at it and did it. I prefer working on coachbuilt cars (aluminum skin over wood frame, which needs Festool's).  His car is done, back to my current hobby, woodworking on my car and I bought the Kapex which is the updated one, so not too old and that got me into this registration thing.  It seems really BAD business that they lost the old data, didn't they have backups ?

 

[ForumMFG]

Im just curious, who tosses a Receipt for a $1500 saw? Or anything that expensive that has a warranty.  I keep all my receipts for items that have a warranty.

 

[mikeyr]

me ! I toss it.  I also tossed my receipt for my SawStop table saw, I shred everything and keep nothing except what I am forced to keep for 7 years by the IRS.  If I have to prove ownership of a tool I own, something is very wrong and I can find the Credit Card bill when I bought it.  I buy everything on Credit Card to get miles, finding the year/month will be a problem though.  My guns are a exception since I live in California, I keep those receipts and DROS paper work, but tools ? no thanks don't need the clutter.  I did use to keep everything, I had several drawers full of receipts for tools, all kind of manuals that I kept over the decades and one day I was looking through it and found receipts for tires for my car going back to 1974 along with other stuff....shredded it and happier now.

To close off this topic, I won't be trying to register my Kapex anymore, more because I bothered to register my old tools and they lost the registration.  Yeah, I also didn't register the SawStop table saw which was far more expensive than any Festool.  Just not into clutter.

 

[dawatson833]

I've noticed that some items with an SR/TR number can't be registered.  The carvex circle cutter and angle base both have SR/TRs.
However, I could not register them on the My Tools site.

Also, is the MFT considered a tool.  Can it be registered?

 

[Mjolner174]

I guess that with all the Covid craziness, I forgot to register my TID18 and T18 drill that I bought a few months ago and now the web site will not allow me to register it. Where do I stand with warranty issues? WIll Festool atleast honor three years from the date of manufacture?