Author Topic: One for the Aussies... (Read 424650 times)

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #150 on:** April 15, 2015, 02:09 AM »

Quote from: DB10 on April 15, 2015, 01:30 AM

@Untidy Shop Yep, JT had registered it for me, there a good bunch of lads over there. Thanks for the heads up on that.
You got me started on Discounting now.
My local Festool Dealer is day dreaming when he said to me that price fixing will be good for their business, as all dealers will now have to play on a level playing field.

My local dealer has now become quite obsolete to me, there is no point for me to drive 45 mins burning up fuel to put an order in with a sales person who knows very little about festool, as the so called expert on hand is never there.
Only to find that most of what I need they won't hold in stock and will have to order in, resulting in a return trip usually a week later when the stock arrives.
When I can order on line with Festool Aus at the same prices, my orders usually come post free and arrive in one go a few days later.
There is only one business who will thrive with this arrangement and I wonder who that will be.

Couldn't agree more, what was the ACCC thinking when they thought this move would increase competition!!?

I will continue to support JT however, as their staff offer excellent service and knowledge and both shop and Internet services. And they sell more than just Festool. It is customer service such as theirs that will keep some stores selling Festool due to demand from their own 'fan' base.

Whether some other stores drop Festool as their service is not up to scratch and sales drop, or reduce their display space and range, in the face of Festool HQ Internet sales, remains to be seen.

@DB10

Linbro · « **Reply #151 on:** April 15, 2015, 06:52 AM »

The last Festool I bought was an HL850, about six months ago from my local, with a nice discount. I honestly can't see when my next Festool purchase will be, with the already high prices, and no chance of getting a better than retail price.
Thing is, I'd like to keep my 1400 router in a table, and buy a 1010 for hand/guide rail use. I could have got the price down enough, that buying a Makita (for example) would cease to be an attractive option. I would pay the bit extra and not even think about it. Now, buying another brand and leaving that in the table, freeing up my 1400, seems like a much better idea.
I recently upgraded my TS55, and in the past would have checked out the 75 - but it make more sense to import a different saw direct from Germany.
Looks like the change has had an effect on me.

Michael1960 · « **Reply #152 on:** April 15, 2015, 07:44 AM »

Quote from: Linbro on April 15, 2015, 06:52 AM

The last Festool I bought was an HL850, about six months ago from my local, with a nice discount. I honestly can't see when my next Festool purchase will be, with the already high prices, and no chance of getting a better than retail price.
Thing is, I'd like to keep my 1400 router in a table, and buy a 1010 for hand/guide rail use. I could have got the price down enough, that buying a Makita (for example) would cease to be an attractive option. I would pay the bit extra and not even think about it. Now, buying another brand and leaving that in the table, freeing up my 1400, seems like a much better idea.
I recently upgraded my TS55, and in the past would have checked out the 75 - but it make more sense to import a different saw direct from Germany.
Looks like the change has had an effect on me.

I too haven't bought a new Festool in the last six months. At my last visit (6 months ago)
to my preferred Premium Festool dealer I was told about about the ACCC decision to allow Festool price fixing in Australia. This is a total turn off to me.
Over the last few years I have bought at least twenty Festool tools. I expect future purchases will be a mix of different brands.

DB10 · « **Reply #153 on:** April 15, 2015, 09:03 AM »

for JT. Just wish I lived within driving distance to them.

You are right about this price fixing being a turn off, whether you are trade or not if you are spending big bucks with one supplier, and we are talking about enough money here to buy a car, you expect a bit of discount, it's the way it's always been and it makes you feel valued. And that's what's missing here now, as a customer you don't feel valued anymore.
Dealers can't help as their hands have now been tied, so it is only natural to start looking at other brands for new purchases, and if you look at the three big M's Makita Milwaukee and Metabo, you can still get some good discounts there.

Strange that Festool have chosen this route to price fix here, as there hasn't been any explanation to the customer from what I've seen, only what I've been told from the dealers. They wouldn't get away with this in Europe so why try it over here.
@Untidy Shop

SittingElf · « **Reply #154 on:** April 15, 2015, 09:24 AM »

We went through the same thing in the USA. Originally, there was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that prohibited price fixing. Unfortunately, the Act was modified later which opened the gates for companies like Festool to set SELLING prices, not just Minimum Advertised Prices as was the case previously.

From the last post: "...and we are talking about enough money here to buy a car..."
Ummm, actually about THREE cars!

I can't justify paying US$175 for a Syslite, though I'd love to have one. It would be nice if Festool "rewarded" me for my intense loyalty and purchases by sending me one as swag! Festool, are you listening? The hat was nice, but c'mon! Just saying....

Cheers,

Frank

Bohdan · « **Reply #155 on:** April 15, 2015, 09:32 AM »

Quote from: DB10 on April 15, 2015, 01:30 AM

@Untidy Shop

My local dealer has now become quite obsolete to me, there is no point for me to drive 45 mins burning up fuel to put an order in with a sales person who knows very little about festool, as the so called expert on hand is never there.
Only to find that most of what I need they won't hold in stock and will have to order in, resulting in a return trip usually a week later when the stock arrives.
When I can order on line with Festool Aus at the same prices, my orders usually come post free and arrive in one go a few days later.
There is only one business who will thrive with this arrangement and I wonder who that will be.

Just about to order a CMS-OF and non of my usual dealers carry it in stock, but will get it in and send it to me in a few days at retail+freight.

And as you say I can order online with Festool Aust at the same price, post free and get it quicker.

This is what the Aust Government considers to be competition - probably why in Aust two supermarket chains have 80% of the business.

DB10 · « **Reply #156 on:** April 15, 2015, 09:59 AM »

Quote from: SittingElf on April 15, 2015, 09:24 AM

We went through the same thing in the USA. Originally, there was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that prohibited price fixing. Unfortunately, the Act was modified later which opened the gates for companies like Festool to set SELLING prices, not just Minimum Advertised Prices as was the case previously.

From the last post: "...and we are talking about enough money here to buy a car..."
Ummm, actually about THREE cars!

I can't justify paying US$175 for a Syslite, though I'd love to have one. It would be nice if Festool "rewarded" me for my intense loyalty and purchases by sending me one as swag! Festool, are you listening? The hat was nice, but c'mon! Just saying....

Cheers,

Frank

You are forgetting that cars cost 3 times as much down here & Festools cost 10 times more.

Hats would be nice, we just get stubby holders now.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #157 on:** April 15, 2015, 10:17 AM »

I just emailed 'The Checkout' ABC program re ACCC decision. They probably will not pick it up, but I feel better now!

For information of non-Aussies 'The Checkout' is a satirical consumer rights program.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/thecheckout/

@DB10 @Michael1960 @benwheeler @Kev @Linbro

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #158 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:09 PM »

JT have just revised their website (and their prices since April 1). For Festools look at -
http://justtools.com.au/festool-shop

You should note they are now offering free Australia wide delivery for most items.

And to see images of their shop front Festool display see -
http://justtools.com.au/festool-shop-(2)

Please note:
I have no direct connection with JT other than being a very satisfied customer.

DB10 · « **Reply #159 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:56 PM »

Looks like those pictures of their shop were taken a few years ago,
if you had to take a guess, how many years?

Linbro · « **Reply #160 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:16 PM »

Quote from: DB10 on April 20, 2015, 06:56 PM

Looks like those pictures of their shop were taken a few years ago,
if you had to take a guess, how many years?

Yeah, no T-locks is a bit of a giveaway. Can't see anything Domino related, either.

benwheeler · « **Reply #161 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:24 PM »

They're going to have to take that sale sign off the window before they get in trouble!

No sign of the C18 still that I can find, either on Festool Australia or elsewhere..

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #162 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:18 PM »

Quote from: DB10 on April 20, 2015, 06:56 PM

Looks like those pictures of their shop were taken a few years ago,
if you had to take a guess, how many years?

Mmmm, must admit I did not look too closely at the shop photos. Apart from no t locks, that is not even their current layout!

DB10 · « **Reply #163 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:25 PM »

Doh, I bumped into the Festool rep yesterday, and was having a chat, I had a few questions regarding the Kapex, sorry totally forgot to ask about the C18.

If you get a chance give Festool a call, because it was last week now that they said to me it's going up on their web site.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #164 on:** April 20, 2015, 11:16 PM »

Quote from: DB10 on April 20, 2015, 08:25 PM

Doh, I bumped into the Festool rep yesterday, and was having a chat, I had a few questions regarding the Kapex, sorry totally forgot to ask about the C18.

If you get a chance give Festool a call, because it was last week now that they said to me it's going up on their web site.

As of 13.15hrs AEST today.
'. . . using (what) different words'.

--------
DB did you and the Festool Rep discuss the ACCC!?

@DB10 @benwheeler

benwheeler · « **Reply #165 on:** April 21, 2015, 12:24 AM »

Although to be fair, that search probably wouldn't work anyway - I think it's a "C 18"

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #166 on:** April 21, 2015, 01:41 AM »

Quote from: benwheeler on April 21, 2015, 12:24 AM

Although to be fair, that search probably wouldn't work anyway - I think it's a "C 18"

And to be further fair Ben, I should say that both C18 and C 18 give no result on the UK site either. There you have to find it via the product menu.

@benwheeler

DB10 · « **Reply #167 on:** April 21, 2015, 02:12 AM »

Untitdy, I didn't mention the ACCC.
But the rep brought up the subject of "price fixing", not that he used those exact words and mentioned that, when you put an order in on line there is a section that you have to tick that states your premium shop. When the order goes through to Festool, your local Premium shop clocks up the sale!
This might explain why the big boys signed up to this deal because without their approval the ACCC deal would have been a non starter. Just a thought.

@Untidy Shop

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #168 on:** April 21, 2015, 02:33 AM »

Ah! As they say the plot thickens!

And there goes the internet sales theory.

@DB10

Edit.
Just pretended to order a new ETS-EC 150/3 Orbital Sander. Well why not! Yes all the dealers are listed in the window and one must be selected prior to getting out the credit card details.

That is where I unfortunately called a halt to the proceedings.

benwheeler · « **Reply #169 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:34 AM »

Popped along to the Festool evening at Tool House in Dandenong this evening, which I confess I'd never heard of before. Awesome shop, and lots of good tool info from the presenter, the sales staff and even the attendees. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that they offer an additional 2 years' warranty on top of Festool's, bringing it to 5 years in total. I reckon that's a pretty good deal! Makes me feel much better about the absence of discounting anyway. I couldn't help but lighten their stocks of ETS 150/3s :-D

Also, according to the boss man Chris, no C18 until August! The C15 was very impressive though..

Mr_Mod · « **Reply #170 on:** April 29, 2015, 07:42 AM »

Did Festool notify you of the evening, went to tool house last year to but a load of stuff. I ended up walking out as one sales guy was to interested with his phone the other his cigarette at the door.
Ended up going to JT and got served much better and got a lot of things thrown in.

benwheeler · « **Reply #171 on:** April 30, 2015, 07:19 AM »

Quote from: Mr_Mod on April 29, 2015, 07:42 AM

Did Festool notify you of the evening, went to tool house last year to but a load of stuff. I ended up walking out as one sales guy was to interested with his phone the other his cigarette at the door.
Ended up going to JT and got served much better and got a lot of things thrown in.

Although I've always opted-in to any Festool-related email I could find, the answer is no - I found out about that evening by following Festool on Facebook. One thing I think Festool Aus could definitely work on is communicating with its customers. They have a fairly captive audience of loyal purchasers, and yet I get almost no emails from them, and the Facebook page often just has inane questions such as "When using a multi tool what is your favourite accessory and blade to use?" Brilliant! That'll get people engaged!

Regarding TH vs JT, I've had great service from both. Chris (who seems to be the head honcho) at Tool House spent ages with me talking about various tools, but it I suppose it wasn't a normal sales situation.

Anyway, the 5 year warranty will certainly have me back there!

DB10 · « **Reply #172 on:** April 30, 2015, 07:33 AM »

Ben, an extra 2 years warranty is good, is it only TH that is doing this deal?

My Local Festool dealer was having a training day today, I would have liked to have gone but it Was held between 10am and 3pm and I was working 40klms away so I missed out.

@benwheeler

benwheeler · « **Reply #173 on:** April 30, 2015, 02:55 PM »

Yes, just TH apparently.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #174 on:** April 30, 2015, 11:54 PM »

Only one month in from April 1, and we hear that The Tool House is offering a customer benefit not being offered or may be in fact not able to be offered by other dealers: that is; an extended Warrenty of 2 more years.

Surely this is not in the spirit of the level playing field promoted by the ACC decision.

Indeed it may even be in breach of that decision - page 26 Conditions, ' . details of any changes made to standard dealer contracts'. In other words is Festool Australia providing additional access to its service and warranty sections that are not able to be accessed by other dealers, or is TH totally covering these additional costs?

If TH is covering these additional warranty costs, how is this different to a dealer who before April 1 also cut into their operating costs but by discounting?

@benwheeler @DB10 @Mr_Mod @Linbro @Bohdan

benwheeler · « **Reply #175 on:** May 01, 2015, 12:50 AM »

My understanding is that the warranty is provided by Tool House, and they've been offering it for a couple of years. Also - SHHHH! I want them to keep offering it :-D

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #176 on:** May 01, 2015, 02:30 AM »

Quote from: benwheeler on May 01, 2015, 12:50 AM

My understanding is that the warranty is provided by Tool House, and they've been offering it for a couple of years. Also - SHHHH! I want them to keep offering it :-D

Shhhh too late - see Festool Australia FaceBook page. Be quick!

https://www.facebook.com/festoolaustralia

@benwheeler

Mike B · « **Reply #177 on:** May 01, 2015, 04:01 AM »

Pretty disappointing May/June promo catalogue from Festool Aus IMO...

benwheeler · « **Reply #178 on:** May 01, 2015, 07:47 AM »

Quote from: Untidy Shop on May 01, 2015, 02:30 AM

Shhhh too late - see Festool Australia FaceBook page. Be quick!

https://www.facebook.com/festoolaustralia

@benwheeler

Shhhh! What are you referring to? I can't see anything bad on their FB page or website..

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #179 on:** May 01, 2015, 08:23 AM »

Quote from: benwheeler on May 01, 2015, 07:47 AM

Quote from: Untidy Shop on May 01, 2015, 02:30 AM
Shhhh too late - see Festool Australia FaceBook page. Be quick!

https://www.facebook.com/festoolaustralia
@benwheeler

Shhhh! What are you referring to? I can't see anything bad on their FB page or website..

@benwheeler

Of course you carn't see anything bad Ben!

However look at the first comment under 'Posts to Page' which is a slight re-work of my post # 175.