Thread: Discounts on Festool

I came across exactly the same thing. I priced the Festool 3mm sander recently from several locations, each and everyone was within a couple of dollars.

Several said the same thing (as above comments), when I mentioned that this was 'retail price maintenance' and therefore illegal, they shrugged their shoulders.

Yep

Same story with me. The receipt line above rings a bell - I was given the same story. However when I bought the plunge saw from Carbatec it was during their annual sale and I got the 10% off. Go figure.

Regards
Rick

The only time I have been offered a discount on Festool, was from the Sales Rep that would sell demo stock, reduced by 30% and still have a 3 year Warranty. I think it is rare that these items are discounted. I would think that this is a significant part of there philosophy and marketing plan. Superior product, superior service (24hour) and fixed price.

Maybee ask the sales rep in your state if he/she has any stock that has been upgraded and old demo stock can be sold at a discount.
regards tony

i heard a similar story from a bloke at work who finally decided he had made it in the world and was looking at a 3 series BMW. On asking the dealers for a better than list price he was told that thats the price and if you don't want it the 30 yuppies that will be in after you will. He bought an Audi A4 out of spite.

I've also heard the bit about price fixing. Also Festool seem to insist on a high level of stock being held by the retailer, so much so that at least one retailer gave Festo the flick a few years ago when they started pushing all this.

I can't see any retailer that stocks Festo stepping out of line, there is very little profit in power tools any time, specially with people like Bunnings around, and complaining that Festo at least let them make a living.

I like Festo, I have a cordless 9.6v that I bought 10 or more years ago direct at a wood show, but they have missed out on a few thousand dollars in retail sales because they won't let the retailer give a 'good customer' a discount.

If you REALLY must have a Festo tool, you could check out the UK market, but shipping is likely to kill any savings.

Got bargain prives on a planer, router and a saw from a local retailer selling off all of their Festool stock, about half price plus they threw in a free set of blades for the planer and some Festool jigsaw baldes. They also orded a few bits and pieces for me from Festool a few months later and are quite happy to order any other Festool accessories that I may need in the future, so it appears that Festool are still happy to supply them with their products/accessories. All have their 3 year warranties - ratified by Festool.

Peter

Thanks guys.

Now I know that discounts can be had from time to time, I'll run the dripping tap method when I'm in the market for expensive tools.

Purchasing from England won't work as the tool cost as much over there as it does here + shipping.


Ben.

I have two festo sanders, have owned one of their cordless drills and own a new 1400 watt router, so i would consider my comments fairly informed. i did shop around for the routewr and got it for $790. List is $850, and the retailer insisted on giving me a dummy invoice for this higher amount. I went to buy another sander but could get next to nothing off it, so Festo must have the resellers bluffed. Today I bought a new 1/4 inch collet for the router and was slugged $77. This is price gouging, and as I will be in Europe for the next three weeks I will certainly be doing some price comparisons. Both Festo and the resellers are engagaing in resale price maintenance which is illegal under trade practices legislation because it rips off the consumer. By continuing to buy the product under these circumstances we encourage this high handed behaviour. If there is a substantial price difference I will let the retailer of the collet know and show him the invoices of any other products that i bought elsewhere becuse he supports Festo's illegal behaviour. My next step will be to wait until I need a few tools including a Festo and then insist every item on the invoice except the Festo be recorded at recommended retail price. After all, the only important thing to me is the total price. I would like to see the look on a retailer's face when I walked after waving a couple of grand in his face. The retailers are complicit in this, and should be warned that they are breaking the law every time they refuse to budge from Festo's prescribed price.

The ACCC ARE aware and looking into this.

Can you share any more on that Zymurgy?

Suffice to say, I dropped the ACCC an email. They called and asked me about my experience. They wouldn't say anything except they were aware of the issue and it was being looked into.

Maybe others should follow suit.

price fixing yes thats what it is, we also have the same problem in my industry if they are caught discounting the supplier will pull there dealership, its in nearly all of the tool industry i have been threatened that many times over the phone and yes that includes other dealers . thats why we set up a forum like this one to be able to talk about it and may be even boycott suppliers like this one u talk about power to the people. I will put our forum here but if u dont want it on here u can take it out of the post i would understand after saying that i would like to post your forum on our forum if i may .
alot of lawnmowing guys do wood work etc www.indmowing.com.au/forum

Thanks Dean Bartorelli

iI would be interested what they have to say every time i complain they say put it in writing you send it of and nothing happens lol whats new

I bought my festo tools in Germany. Here also is the price politic very restrictive.
The dealers a forbidden to give lower prices, if they don´t wont to loose the festo products
under
Festo Germay you can compare the german prices

regards
Rolf