Festool Feedback Survey

**EconoMichael** · 13th May 2015, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Maybe its because the basic pay rate is about $10 an hour and like all international companies they work out what each market can sustain and price accordingly. This has been discussed many times and the only answer is not to buy Festool if you don't like the price. Bosch is near enough to the same quality at a far lower price so options do exist. What Festool do as a marketing strategy is market tools that are different and fill holes in the market or have unique design features and do not have made in China written on them. Everyone moans and groans about the loss of manufacturing in countries such as Oz and the USA but then those same people drive the manufacturers to move to PRC to lower costs because those same people complain that stuff costs too much. I buy Festool on price and performance, if neither is right then I look elsewhere. I don't see any need to have a workshop full of their tools and only have two drills of theirs, one bought recently on a run out of Protool at a huge discount and one bought many years ago because it was brushless when brushless first became available and I hate heavy drills. These days 18V tools are nearly the same weight as my old 12V Festool and I was astounded at the light weight and size of the 18V Protool when I bought it. They can keep their saws etc as to me they are overpriced and do not do anything I can't get done for thousands of dollars less and just as well. A domino might be in my future if the need arises but not just yet but it is one of those unique tools that cannot be bought elsewhere.

Good response Chris
Your right the U.S. pay rates are lower than in Australia. A couple of years ago I researched cabinet makers & carpenters earnings in the U.S. At the time their rates were lower than our guys were earning.

I have bought a lot of Festool gear over the years. I have justified the high prices based on quality, some unique features, excellent dust collection and the willingness of a dealer to discount prices.

My last Festool purchase was late last year. At the time I was told about the ACCC agreeing to the request by TTS for RPM (price fixing) in Australia. I thought about this decision and have taken the view to look more carefully at the other premium industrial tools. One thing I have noticed is other manufacturers are catching up with Festool. As a result, a couple of different coloured systainers are in my workshop!

Chris - on your last point...if I didn't already have a Domino I'd justify buying one based on unique design, quality and savings in production time.

**Chris Parks** · 13th May 2015, 05:45 PM

If I was a professional the first tool I would buy would be a Domino strictly on time saved. The hobby end of the market is not primarily what they are interested in, it is the pro and especially the paint and repair professional of automotive where the real action is.

**jack620** · 13th May 2015, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

This has been discussed many times and the only answer is not to buy Festool if you don't like the price.

That's one answer; not the only answer. Another is to buy elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Bosch is near enough to the same quality at a far lower price so options do exist.

In my experience Bosch isn't even close.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Everyone moans and groans about the loss of manufacturing in countries such as Oz and the USA but then those same people drive the manufacturers to move to PRC to lower costs because those same people complain that stuff costs too much.

I can't see what that has to do with Festool (a German company) charging considerably more for tools in Australia than they do in the USA. However, you are probably right about them charging what the market will bear.

**Chris Parks** · 13th May 2015, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by jack620

In my experience Bosch isn't even close.

Then you haven't bought the same Bosch tools as I have. The Glide Saw and the latest ROS line are within cooee of the same quality and do exactly the same job, the saw is made in PRC the ROS in Switzerland. I don't get why Festool cops criticism, just don't buy it, there is no law that says they have to comply with what you or anyone else thinks is a reasonable price for a tool. The companies that have done that are producing in PRC so that those who want to buy what they think is a reasonable price for a tool or anything else for that matter. That is the exact reason manufacturing gets moved to places like PRC and then those jobs disappear in Oz.

**jack620** · 13th May 2015, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

I don't get why Festool cops criticism....

Then you haven't been paying attention.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

... there is no law that says they have to comply with what you or anyone else thinks is a reasonable price for a tool.

Stop making silly straw-man arguments. I never said there was, or should be, a law against Festool charging what the market will bear. That doesn't mean I have to like their marketing practices. I have a Festool router and CT33 dust extractor. The router is still going strong after 23 years. The dust extractor is a simply superb. That doesn't mean I'm happy about paying way more for them than if I lived in the USA.

**Big Shed** · 18th May 2015, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Keep it civil please.

I posted this in post #16 after deleting 2 abusive posts.

It seems that some people can't read, Mr Ratbag I have deleted your very abusive post any repeat and there will be consequences.

If you can't respond civilly, don't respond at all.

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