Where in europe is the best place to buy festool for a tourist

Cellule

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
54
I'm a canadian tourist that may count for the dollard conversion to pound or euro.. I would like to know if there is a place that is like no tax or something that can appeal a tourist to buy stuff.
 
Surely you will be hit by duty when re-entering Canada? Also, the average sales tax in the EU is around 20% and with the current exchange at 0.65 euro's per 1 CAD, not sure you are going to see a big saving. The only benefit I can see is possible access to some products not typically available in your country.
 
Ouch, that's an expensive proposition to begin with. You also have to consider that most of Europe is 240V so the 120V version may be difficult to find. If your intent is mainly for a small table saw I would recommend the one made by DeWalt. I use one at work and I very impressed with it.
 
The 120v version of various tools are easy to buy in the uk as they are required under our H&S rules. All tools on site must be 110v. However i'm sure about the htz and whether our versions will be compatable your end. Some motors are designed to be used with 50-60htz supplies. While others have fixed ratings. Although i haven't noticed any difference in use from any porter cable routers/sanders i have imported from the usa. :)
 
All of my 240V Festool kit states 240V 50/60Hz, whereas the 110V kit is 50Hz only. Can't see it being a big issue unless of course the MMC electronics rely on the voltage frequency.
 
I hear wonderful things, and have seen some pretty cool photos of "World of Festool".  I think they're in Germany or Switzerland.
 
I havent noticed any real difference using my tools from the states here using a 3.3KV tranny. Not 100% sure but I think the difference in the Hz for the tools from europe and the states 50hz-60hz  will cause the one from the state here to run a tad slower, not really noticable and the ones from here to the states will run a tad faster which I assume wont be noticable either.
 
Sean Ackerman said:
I hear wonderful things, and have seen some pretty cool photos of "World of Festool".  I think they're in Germany or Switzerland.

I've heard tell of Unicorns and Wizards!
 
My intension is not to buy power tools only the insert... so the voltage difference or frequency of the tool dosen't matter for me. Is Italia a good choice for buying tools or Germany is the place to get the most for my money?
 
I recommend that you also get the CS50 fence (stopper) and the side extension table while your at it.
 
Cellule said:
I'm a canadian tourist that may count for the dollard conversion to pound or euro.. I would like to know if there is a place that is like no tax or something that can appeal a tourist to buy stuff.

I just got back from the UK and bought some stuff from a tool shop in London called D&M tools. They are a Festool dealer and have quite a big range in their showroom. I was quite surprised but they support tax-free shopping for international travellers. You will get to claim back 19% VAT I believe.

I would have thought the US and Canadian market is the cheapest place to buy Festool?

James
 
Cellule said:
Yup, my goal is to get the ts55 cms insert...

Careful with this one... while technically it should be no less "safe" to use this in Canada or the US than it is to use it anywhere else, if memory serves, it may void the warranty on the CMS itself if Festool discovers you used that particular insert in North America...

jamste said:
I would have thought the US and Canadian market is the cheapest place to buy Festool?

Not when a specific product is NAINA...
 
fdengel said:
Cellule said:
Yup, my goal is to get the ts55 cms insert...

Careful with this one... while technically it should be no less "safe" to use this in Canada or the US than it is to use it anywhere else, if memory serves, it may void the warranty on the CMS itself if Festool discovers you used that particular insert in North America...

jamste said:
I would have thought the US and Canadian market is the cheapest place to buy Festool?

Not when a specific product is NAINA...

C'mon, there is no way anyone would know what you are doing with your CMS in terms of voiding the warranty. It's just an insert and the CMS is just a fancy table with an outlet and switch.
 
C'mon, there is no way anyone would know what you are doing with your CMS in terms of voiding the warranty. It's just an insert and the CMS is just a fancy table with an outlet and switch.

Ve have vays of knowing...
 
The best I have found for price in the UK is:
http://www.powertool-supplies.co.uk

I've not been to their shop but the delivery is quick. If you do order I would call first to check their stock levels. I think because they have such great prices they are constantly having to get new shipments.

Otherwise here are a few others I have used:
http://www.dm-tools.co.uk (as mentioned in an earlier post)
http://www.toucantools.co.uk
http://www.its.co.uk
http://www.ffx.co.uk

Most of them are London based
Hope this helps
:)

 
I would go to Switzerland or Germany. Both these countries have tax refund programs for tourists. and the prices aren't completely out of wack (like Belgium...) You just need to show up at the airport with your receipt and they will refund the tax. You might want to do this before checking in your item since they might want to see it (they rarely do).

But yes you will have to pay the taxes + duties when you enter canada. Mind you you can look up the customs tarrif code and see if there is duty in the first place. Most tools actually don't have duty on them. If you are travelling with your wife, you can use both your exemptions (800$ each) and deduct that from the price of the item in CAD and only pay the taxes on what's left, if any.

If you have your own business (contractor or such) then you can get the taxes back through the company.

The insert for the TS55 is 532 CHF in Switzerland, so about 670 CAD. Well within one person's exemption. Its not that bad actually.
 
Back
Top