Green and Black fix?

[Eric The Viking]

Nope, not chocolate.

Toolstation have gone "upmarket" it seems, even selling both sizes of Domino machines.

However, unless I am mistaken--and I have tried a few different search terms on their, ehem, "delightful" web site--they sell no Domino consumables separately, neither cutters nor the actual Dominoes themselves. It will get a bit steep, buying a whole new 500 and throwing it away every time I want some Dominoes in a rush.

So I'm not quite sure how that's gonna work, and TBH, since our local Festool specialist is so good, I can't see why I would ever need to buy from Toolstation (OK, the parking is slightly better, but it is marginal).

But there 'tis, another interesting marketing development in the whacky world of tool sales. I wonder if Festool realise they will have serious difficulty going back...

Per usual, I must be missing something.

Befuddled by Christmas spirit(s).

E.

 

[Doug71]

Just looked on Toolstation site and they refer to the Domino as a biscuit jointer.

Back in the day Festool was only available from a few specialist dealers who were trained and very knowledgeable about the full Festool line up, Festool tools were also way ahead of the competition.

Unfortunately Festool seem to have chosen a different path these days, and the competition have caught up.

Does your Toolstation have a Greggs next door like many seem to, that could swing the sale?

 

[HappyHacker]

My local Festool dealer has given them up despite having sold them for a very long time. They said the terms of the contract they would have had to sign up to were too onerous for them.

 

[Eric The Viking]

IIRC, the Domino patents expire in 2022. It's possible Festool anticipate a lot of competition and drop in profit margin, and are getting their retailiation* in first, so-to-speak.

But no consumables? Weird.

And they don't seem to sell extractors, either. Given it's taken me an age to work out a hose coupling that doesn't need gaffer tape, that will probably upset a few of the Toolstation regulars, as the things burn out when they try to run them without...

... Greggs, in Diet-anuary? Way too risky, for my waistline, anyway.

*"See wot I did there?"

 

[Eric The Viking]

My local Festool dealer has given them up despite having sold them for a very long time. They said the terms of the contract they would have had to sign u to were too onerous for them.

That's really interesting. I'll ask our local dealer - a huge proportion of their business is Festool. If they (Festool) are going downmarket, I hope they have a very, very, very good plan, as otherwise it will kill them.

 

[HappyHacker]

Further to my previous post.
The dealer that has given up Festool has very knowledgeable and helpful staff who were responsible for me buying my first Festool, a TS55. I cannot imagine that I would have ever bought a Festool without their demonstration and enthusiasm, it was a massive investment for me at the time.

Time will tell if their new business model works for them but already it is not working for me as recent purchases have been Bosch and Metabo as I do value the support and advice I get from my local dealer.

 

[Doug B]

Perhaps it’s s a clever marketing ploy that keeps the independent retailers happy whilst getting Festool’s name out in the mainstream?

Screwfix have been selling a limited number of machines for a good while now but as with Toolstation if you want accessories you need to go to a main dealer, chances are there is less margin in the sale of a machine but more in the parts, like cars. So Toolstation selling a domino will drive trade to an independent dealer who if they are any good will more than likely benefit by gaining a long term customer?