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Post by gimmesomeshelter on Apr 18, 2014 21:13:55 GMT -5
Does anyone have any information about Mafell's plans (if any) for expanding into the North American market? I understand that they make some great tools, but I'm a little nervous about spending top dollar on products that may or may not have much dealer support in the future.
Cheers,
Paul
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Post by 7 on Apr 18, 2014 22:00:41 GMT -5
The negative- There is only the one supplier, timber wolf tools in Maine. That does cause some worry. With most other brands if one supplier went under it would hardly make a difference to any consumers. I don't know that there are many if any positive aspects to a monopoly. I prefer to handle a tool before purchasing especially with tools that are this expensive. You can tell certain things from pics and videos but nothing close to picking up a tool and checking it out. That said I have been extremely happy with all Mafell products that I have purchased sight unseen (MT55, KSS 300, KSS 400, P1CC).
The positive- They are well established, many on the forum have had positive experience with them. I am not sure on this but i believe people have had mafell tools in north america for the past 30 years or so, mostly timber framers. I don't think any of us have any insider information on Timber wolf tools financials but they appear to be a strong company.
Bottom line- I understand your concern. It has crossed my mind as well.
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Post by 7 on Nov 27, 2014 2:15:25 GMT -5
Just a few additional thoughts that I have been having on the one dealer topic today: Bottom line- As long as "The" one dealer is a reputable and stable business I actually like that there is just one dealer and actually view it as a positive. I beleive that we have the best of both worlds in a lot of ways in fact the only negative that I can think of is that it would be nice to see and hold the equipment before making such a large purchase. I think it would help a lot for example to see both the KSS300 & 400 side by side before choosing one. But with that said, it's nice to get small company type service from Timberwolf Tools while being able to buy from a somewhat big company in Mafell. I got a call randomly today from Jeff @ Timberwolf to tell me that he had finally got some stickers for me...something that I had asked him months ago and basically forgot about realizing that it was sort of a funny want anyway. Just a simple thing from a "small" company that is meaningful to me. It seems like they remember each of their customers and know a little bit about them. David has referred to other people's use of certain tools during phone conversations, such as Tom's passion for the KSS 400 which we are all aware of. This type of personal interest is also significant to me which is definitely something that becomes lost with several dealers. There is a sort of accountability that isn't seen with large companies that don't really value each customers purchases anymore. I bet we have all experienced some of the "get in line" type of treatment from some of the bigger companies that we have dealt with. It seems that with social media and other methods of information sharing that customer service as a whole has probably gone up in recent years but I still don't think that most are as good as my experiences with Timberwolf. They have dealt with me in a very genuine way. And oddly, I am more excited about a few stickers than is reasonable for a 37 year old guy.  |
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Post by toomanytoys on Nov 27, 2014 7:11:22 GMT -5
Wait until you get to 60, then you'll start to forget where you put the stickers.
Based on you comments I wonder if they monitor this forum?
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Post by jalvis on Nov 27, 2014 12:09:15 GMT -5
Timber Wolf has a profile on the forum and is a Member. They aren't real active on the forum but are welcome to participate.
I think there is interest for more dealers in the USA but Mafell is limiting it. There are other Mafell "dealers" but they offer one or two items. I'm confident that if Timber Wolf left another would step in. In fact I would jump in if I had the opportunity. I'm better at selling tools then working with them.
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Post by 7 on Nov 27, 2014 12:19:21 GMT -5
Jalvis- I agree, selling tools would be a great gig. Easy sell when they save time on tasks that you can bill for.
Toomanytoys- Not sure what you mean by "based on your comments I wonder if they monitor this forum?"
I am afraid of the day I am 60...I already have way too many senior moments...go to the trailer to get a specific tool then forget why I went to the trailer then go back inside to pick up where I left off and immediatley realize what I needed so go back to the trailer. That's a weekly issue for me already.
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Post by jalvis on Nov 27, 2014 12:31:38 GMT -5
Jalvis- I agree, selling tools would be a great gig. Easy sell when they save time on tasks that you can bill for. Toomanytoys- Not sure what you mean by "based on your comments I wonder if they monitor this forum?" Just a few weeks ago I had another professional woodworker and wife tour my shop for ideas. They both told me I should sell tools rather then build stuff. As for Timber Wolf monitoring MUF. It would be wise for them to do so. This site is a free servaying system and they don't even have to moderate it. The day this site got started I called David at Timber Wolf to let him know there is a new resource. After about 3 months of the site getting started there sells on cabinet tools spiked. There is more information on this site then when I bought my first Mafell. All I had was a manufacturer video in german and a product catalog. |
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Post by 7 on Nov 27, 2014 12:47:56 GMT -5
Jalvis- I agree, selling tools would be a great gig. Easy sell when they save time on tasks that you can bill for. Toomanytoys- Not sure what you mean by "based on your comments I wonder if they monitor this forum?" Just a few weeks ago I had another professional woodworker and wife tour my shop for ideas. They both told me I should sell tools rather then build stuff. As for Timber Wolf monitoring MUF. It would be wise for them to do so. This site is a free servaying system and they don't even have to moderate it. The day this site got started I called David at Timber Wolf to let him know there is a new resource. After about 3 months of the site getting started there sells on cabinet tools spiked. There is more information on this site then when I bought my first Mafell. All I had was a manufacturer video in german and a product catalog. Completely agree. That is the main reason I joined this forum...I had a really hard time finding any information on Mafell. The general consensus was always that they were great tools but almost zero real world user reviews (in english anyway). It seemed appropriate to join the forum and contribute to the community instead of just receiving benefit from everyone elses contributions. Turns out it's a community I have enjoyed and look forward to checking in on. But yeah, it has exploded the ability to get good information on Mafell tools which as you mention should be a great thing for Timberwolf Tools. |
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Post by toomanytoys on Nov 27, 2014 15:39:51 GMT -5
............ It seems like they remember each of their customers and know a little bit about them. David has referred to other people's use of certain tools during phone conversations, such as Tom's passion for the KSS 400 which we are all aware of. ......... This is what got me wondering if they visit the site, maybe more due my normal phone conversations contact with people. My wife would state I don't extend calls long enough to classify them as conversations. |
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Nov 27, 2014 17:41:50 GMT -5
They visit and David has posted a couple of times in the past.
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Post by 7 on Dec 1, 2014 23:21:40 GMT -5
............ It seems like they remember each of their customers and know a little bit about them. David has referred to other people's use of certain tools during phone conversations, such as Tom's passion for the KSS 400 which we are all aware of. ......... This is what got me wondering if they visit the site, maybe more due my normal phone conversations contact with people. My wife would state I don't extend calls long enough to classify them as conversations. That makes sense now. I just checked the registered forum members and as Mr tooljunkie mentioned David/ timberwolf are registered and he posted one time. If my memory serves I bought the KSS400 right after Tom did...based somewhat on his reviews and somewhat on a need that arose. When I have purchased additional Mafell tools David has asked how I am liking a past tool purchase. Either he has a good memory or pulls up a computer record right when I call. As a small business myself, much smaller than Timberwolf, I remember everyone that I have ever done a job for even when they call 5 or 6 years later. Doing even a small job that takes a couple days is more memorable than selling a tool though I would think. |
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