I'm curious what the difference in cost is here and in Europe for Festool tools. Are they charging us more? For example, you can buy a Mercedes Benz in Germany much cheaper than you can here.
When I was stationed in Germany, I can tell you the Festool stuff I saw there was equally as expensive. The Germans have a VAT (Value Added Tax) which is 19%. Factor in the Euro rate and there are no real values in buying stuff there. For new stuff that is. Buying used items, a consumer is not subject to the VAT.
Looks like a TS55 with rail and Systainer costs about 415 euro, which
is about $535.
I have heard of cabinetmakers flying to Germany or Italy to
buy edgebanders and other big machines and saving a lot
of money by doing it in person that way.
I am reliably informed Festool costs more in Europe than North America - because Festool is trying to gain a share in the NA market, their prices are much more favourable than they are here.
You could compare for yourself on Axminster.co.uk (Festool dealers all have set pricing)
Don't forget to convert GBP to $s at xe.com
Unusually, all the Festool dealers I looked in the UK have a bit knocked off at the moment.
If you purchase any tools or other VAT taxed items and ship them to the US, VAT tax is removed, so whatever the VAT tax is, then that is your savings. I have purchased items from the UK with the VAT discount of 17%.
VAT - Value Added Tax is used in Europe @ a set %. It is like Sales Tax here, and just like Sales Tax is not charged for out of State purchases, the VAT is not charged for out of Europe purchases.
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