What's the point of retail stores?

[cpw]

I live about 20 minutes from the Tool Nut, and bought my first Festool there. CT26 and TS75, still going strong after 8 years - though the CT has needed various self-repairs. I got good advice about taking a LR32 rail instead of a regular 55" rail (I swapped the 75" for a long rail, and then also took the 55"). They had the showroom closed for many years, but have reopened just recently.

With their closing, I got used to ordering things online. Even Tool Nut if it wasn't urgent. Though also from US Tool and Fastener, and get my information from this or other forums now though.

I hope they can keep the showroom open, but my revealed preferences are s probably not helping that cause.

 

[ChuckS]

I shop at Lee Valley Tools, and they usually have more than one staff member knowledgeable about whatever products they carry, including Festool and SawStop. They always have someone on the floor and if they can't answer your query, they'll find someone at the store who can.

But staff can go on holiday or quit and no stores can guarantee the expertise to answer a particular customer's questions is always there. If I have a technical question (rarely, as AI or forums can find me pretty much anything I want to know), I'll call first.

 

[Coen]

Festool used to require dealers or their employees to take classes at the training center in Lebanon IN. These were / are real hands on classes on using the tools and actually making things. However I am not sure of the current status.

Seth

In Europe that kinda disappeared at the same time they got punished by the EC on 'vertical price fixing'. If you can't protect your dealers from lower-priced competition, you also can't force them to get more educated on the products.
So now we get these influencers... who most of the time don't know what they are talking about. The better format is when the manufacturer sends a representative to them to talk about / use the tools together or has it's own online knowledge base. Festool USA does that wonderful with the Festool Live episodes on Friday.

city sales tax rates

Lol what.

In the Netherlands we have now some closed border crossings with Germany because there were traffic jams of Dutch drivers on small roads going to Germany to get cheaper gas. The German general VAT is also lower (19% vs 21%).

I find it astonishing that US Foggers drive hundreds of miles to go to specific retail stores. If I did that in the UK I'd be driving "coast to coast" to go browse tools. Thing is, I'm beginning to think that's what I need to do, maybe not coast to coast, but defiantly "up and down the M1".

Bob

Because we aren't as addicted to driving as a society as they are. And also more conscious about the cost of driving.
The city I grew up in had horrible bicycle infrastructure (and still getting worse). The internet made it possible to skip that sh*tty infrastructure and let things be delivered.

There are a few stores that are really nice to visit. For me that would be Van Opzeeland Techniek (formerly Hugo Schipper) in Nootdorp, close to the Hague, importer of PB Swiss Tools. Or Baptist in Arnhem; they sell all kinds of unique woodworking tools.

But besides that, groceries and clothes... I get almost everything online. Clothes just suck because their sizing isn't anywhere near reality. But once I find something and I need another / more pieces; I will just order the exact same thing online, usually from the same place.
I have the same brand and type of shoes for the last 20 years. I used to just go into the city center and buy a new pair during lunchbreak... (it's like 2 minutes in and out the store) then that store stopped selling that type. They wanted me to try other shoes. I said "Thank you, bye" and I never returned there. I then once went to another city to get a pair. I told them; "I got them from this other store over the past 10 years, they stopped selling this type.". They told me: "That is really stupid, because people buying this type of shoe are 'in&out' in no-time". That last store closed before I needed another pair. Now I get the same shoes delivered from some other place... for less money too.

 

[woodferret]

My local Lee Valley has one person (retiree) that's basically knowledgeable about some of the Festool. Although the display itself hasn't been updated since 2017 I think. And it's still got a great many classic systainers in there. I think they finally took down the OS 400 this year It definately feels like FUSA got reshuffled a few years ago to be more franchise and less rep based.

Kinda slightly torn about it. Yes, I get a great many more shops to buy from (online), but the limited number of goods means a store isn't stocked anymore and getting the consumables without a 6 month wait was a draw for Festool in the older days.

 

[leakyroof]

Don't forget factory reps can easily rebalance the equation. &

The original Minnesota Festool rep used to stop by the Minneapolis Woodcraft store every 3-4 months and give demos and answer questions. There was no time limit and he would demo anything you wanted to see and discuss anything you wanted to talk about. If Woodcraft didn't have the requisite Festool item in stock, he'd go out to his truck and bring the item in to demo and pass it around.

The current Festool rep hasn't stopped by Woodcraft in the last 7-8 years. I don't even know his/her name. I no longer make many special Saturday Woodcraft excursions.

Was that Danny as your original REP? Or someone else?. And yes ,having the sweet spot of knowledgeable Sellers, and the drop-in of the Regional Rep at the right time can really boost Festool Sales and Product knowledge for Retailers and Buyers. I was SUPER spoiled to have both for a number of years, which explains how much easier it was to talk myself into more Festool purchases...

 

[Cheese]

Was that Danny as your original REP? Or someone else?. And yes ,having the sweet spot of knowledgeable Sellers, and the drop-in of the Regional Rep at the right time can really boost Festool Sales and Product knowledge for Retailers and Buyers. I was SUPER spoiled to have both for a number of years, which explains how much easier it was to talk myself into more Festool purchases...

Yup...Danny it was. He was terrific, part salesman, part educator and just a fun guy to hang with & talk to.
Once at a demonstration, he "accidentally" knocked the KAL Syslite off of an MTF and a 6' ladder onto the cement floor 4 different times. Guess what I purchased that day?

 

[Coen]

Guess what I purchased that day?

A hard hat and safety shoes.

 

[UncleRunkle]

Rockville is a great shop with very nice and welcoming staff. If they don't have what you're looking for, give the Baltimore location a call. Chances are they'll have it in-stock. I've heard that people will call them and then drive all the way to Baltimore because they got it that day. One guy drove from Pittsburgh to pick up a PCS.

Sounds good. Likewise if you’re down this end of the BW Parkway my friend’s store in DC is a dealer with a decent inventory and can order as well for you