Where to buy?

[Wim]

I have plans to move from Holland to the USA. And of course I like to get my Festools around me. It is really addictive.
In Allentown PA is a Woodcraft shop that could supply me but with the extremely good service record of Bob Marino I don't know where to go.
My feeling tells me to buy locally, so you have a face to face contact. You can take tools with you the second you pay them when in stock. But are they able to give the same level of support as Bob Marino. Beside the service and advise, is there also a financial advantage? Bob Marino is not that far from Allentown PA with regards to transport costs.
This is not a real problem for me, it is more a question to find out what others think of choice of buying locally versus buying online. And my moving will not happen within a year, so I have plenty of time to prepare myself.

 

[Steve Jones]

I know many people are happy with the service from on-line dealers, but I prefer a local dealer.

* When a tool needs repair I pick up it's loaner replacement when I take in in for service (never without a tool) and I don't have to pack it or ship it.

* When I need supplies I need them right now! (not after even overnight shipping)

* I like to borrow a tool and test it out before I buy (without the hassle of return policy) I can borrow any demo tool for a week and actually work the thing in my workshop or on site.

* In an emergency situation (I'm a carpenter - running out of sandpaper is an emergency), I've had my dealer bring supplies to me at the job site.

* It's not comfortable or very practical to go have a beer with a web site

* I use tools I don't own - I don't have enough use for it to warrant purchasing the MFS system (yet) but I've test driven (borrowed) my dealers demo unit three times so far.

I'm sure the on-line dealers are great guys - they have to be to get the kind of support they get here on the FOG, but they can't do any of the above for me - and those things are important to me. (And by supporting my local dealer I am doing what I can to stop the world disappearing into the interweb - to keep the choice open).

Steve

 

[Daviddubya]

When it comes to Festool, I buy from a quality online dealer.  My experience with local brick and mortar dealers stinks.  The ONLY local store that sells Festool is about 15 minutes away, and stocking is a problem, along with product knowledge.  Another local dealer no longer carries Festool.  And Bob Marino is about 1-1/2 hours by car from Allentown, PA.  That's almost as close as my nearest Woodcraft!

 

[GreenGA]

I do not mean to hijack this thread, but I noticed a couple of posters mention Allentown, PA...

In case anyone is interested, it just so happens that Festool is doing a dog & pony show at the Woodcraft in Allentown this weekend.