On Monday, December 22, 2014 11:10:33 AM UTC-6, -MIKE- wrote:

I have no doubt the Festool is a better product, however it would be
nice to still have the choice considering the Bora is 1/3 the price of
the Festool.

I would consider it coincidence if it weren't for the lot of other
branded tools that have suspiciously disappeared from the Woodcraft
shelves a short time after getting in bed with Festool.

No coincidence at all. While there is no doubt as to the great quality of Festool products, they have turned out to be a winner for Woodcraft as well.. Their sky high prices for their tools are also reflective of the sky high margins that WC enjoys when selling those products.

Years ago when they got in bed with them, I had a pretty good friend that managed our local store. He wasn't thrilled about the arrangement that Festool wanted, which was a minimum amount of product in the store, a minimum amount of shelf space, and a non negotiable price for their products. In other words, Festool dictated all the terms of the relationship.

The attraction for the WC franchise owners were that they all got a better price on Festool products than an average store or small chain (better margins), and with price protection they never had to worry about anyone's sales, or the biggest threat to the brick and mortar retailer, internet pricing..

I think they were smart to make that move for themselves, and in reality, it never hurt anyone like me. I have always been a fiend for utility value of a tool, probably reflective of over thirty years of self employment. But sometime back it seems that WC realized that they were no longer catering to professionals. This was pointed out to me when my buddy pointed out to me I NEVER bought tools or consumables from him. I only went to the store to purchase incidentals like pattern bits for my router, a few odds tool bits, etc.

No professionals I work with, NONE, shop at WC. Like me, they consider it an upscale hobby store that caters with folks with a lot of free time. And I have only seen Festool tools on the job two times in the last 20 or so years; their Rotex sander used for its dust collecting ability, and their 12V drill that was favored by a cabinet installer I knew. The only two guys I know that use Festool professionally at this point are Karl and Leon, and they get their money's worth.

I think that WC's current selection of tools is reflective of the client they wish to serve, the well heeled hobbyist that just enjoys owning a fine tool.

Robert