We plugged the Festool price increase list supplied by McFeely’s into good old Microsoft Excel so we could get a feel for what’s going on with their prices.

(And just so Festool doesn’t feel like we’re picking on them, here’s our article on Grizzly’s coming price increase >>)

Overall Changes in Festool Pricing
Festool products will increase in price in total by $6339.99. At least for the Festool tools and products sold by McFeelys.

If you bought every item in the catalog today (without shipping) you’d pay $136,312.50.

After February 1st, 2009 you’ll pay $142,652.49.

That looks like a 4.7% increase overall if my arithmetic’s working right.

Largest dollar amount increase: $100.20
For the 7″ Sander LEX2 185/7 package A

Percentage increase: 8%
Old Price: $1248.50
New Price: $1348.70

Largest percentage increase: 35.7%
For the 30 mm high, 5 per pack Coarse Polishing Sponges

dollar increase: $15.00
old price: $42.00
new price: $57.00

Largest price drop: 55.1%
For the Abrasives, 115mm x 228mm Titan2 P180 Grit, 100 Pack
Price drop: $21.50

Festool Price Increase Discussion:
From Festool price increase In LumberJocks >>
“The prices are unnecessarily high. They know that their clientele is the type that is not a professional and thinks that expensive equals better. Several people have mentioned that their tools are very nice. In some cases, this is a fair judgment. That said, take a quick look through a Festool owners group and you’ll see all the problems that people are having. Many of their tools are having problems performing basic functions that a harbor freight tool would have no issue performing.”
Mike Kunkel

alternately:
“I certainly don’t think having Festool is going to make me a better woodworker. But the convenience and safety features of Festool make my woodworking experience more enjoyable. So to me, the cost is worth it.”

From Festool Owner’s Group Festool Price Increase >>
“If you don’t think their products are worth the additional cost, you have two options as far as I can see.
1 – Buy those items you are considering before the increase goes into effect (which I just did). Bob Marino just sold another Domino system to this Kalamazoo business owner.”

“2 – Send a message to FESTOOL corporate by not spending your hard earned dollars on their overpriced merchandise.”
KCW

From Festool Price Increase T55 now same as Tracksaw in WoodNet>>
“guess they didn’t like dewalt being higher then they were”
guyk

More Festool Coverage by ToolCrib.com
Best of the Fest: The Top 5 Festool Tools

Festool has figured in some previous articles on the ToolCrib blog. Here’s how they did:
Festool placed 2nd in Top 5 Most Popular Random Orbit Sanders.
Festool placed 3rd in The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better
Festool placed 5th in Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service
Festool placed 7th in The Battle of the Power Tool Brands TOP TEN

If you’re signed up for the right programs with both companies you can get UP TO 3 discounts of UP TO $250 by searching for items on Microsoft Live Search and then buying them through the eBay Buy it Now program.

The kicker is that I’m reading forum reports that Grizzly will add items to eBay if you contact them, meaning you can get up to $250 back on your next Grizzly power tool purchase. This is HUGE news, especially in light of the rising cost of both shipping and metal that meant no summer sale for Grizzly.

First I’m going to outline what you have to do in order to get 20% back from Microsoft and eBay. Then I’ll explain what you have to do to get your Grizzly discount. And if you’re wondering if you should invest in Grizzly, check out Grizzly Tools – What is Your Opinion?

1) You have to sign up for the cash back program with Microsoft Live Search.
2) Reports seem to vary but I think you have to sign up or buy through Paypal (an eBay company)…
3) Your searches have to go through Live.com.
4) From those searches you have to click through to your items on eBay.
5) Make sure there’s a green Microsoft label on eBay.
6) Make sure you buy it through the “Buy it Now” button
7) Wait 60 days.
8) Get your cash back through your Live Search account.

I based this outline on the following 2 blog posts. Both have pictures that show what you need to be looking for:
eBay has gone discount crazy – 20% cash back now avail! Up to 30%+ off if you play it right!!!
35% Off Ebay Thru Live Search Cashback

Getting the Grizzly Tool You Want
If there’s a particular Grizzly item you’re jittering and jiggling to buy right this minute AND it’s not currently in eBay then you can contact Grizzly and ask them to list one. BUT you have to contact them through the Grizzly eBay presence according to reports I’m reading in the forums. This contact would obviously have to happen between steps 3 and 4 as I believe you may have to go back and search for the item in Live.

My main caveat is that I have no idea how long this will continue. The earliest mention of it I’ve seen thus far is from June so it’s been going on a good 4 months so far. My suspicion is that Microsoft (who’s the one paying out the cash) will continue through the holiday season as they’re paying for people to adopt their search engine over Google’s. My secondary caveat is that you’ll be buying from eBay instead of Amazon (who keeps the lights on for us here at ToolCrib…). Maybe we can get Amazon to list tools in eBay ;P Oh well. I hope you get the Grizzly of your dreams!

Here is some forum coverage of the live + eBay discount plus other resources you might find useful:
eBay’s Official Cashback Terms and Conditions
Microsoft Live Terms and Conditions
Live rebate and Grizzly (woodnet)
LIVE.COM EBAY CASHBACK IS NOW 30% (woodnet)
35% cash back from eBay purchase using Microsoft Live Search *No selling!* (slickdeals)

If you have gotten a power tool discount through the Live + eBay deal let me know in the comments.