I'm a Festool addict...I admit it, and I should probably be in therapy or under a doctor's care for it but so far I've been able to avoid the 12 step program. WoodCraft happens to be my only local dealer, and I was needin' a particular accessory to finish a job (I'm just trying to rationalize my addiction here) so I darted in. As it happens I had recently decided to purchase a new CW and figured that I would buy it from them since it was their catalog that first made me aware of the product. When I mentioned this to the WoodCraft guy he was none too supportive of my decision.
First he suggested that I look at General's new CNC carver, that they appear to have scaled down from their larger format machines specifically to compete with the CW. His stated preference was for the General model. When I explained that I wasn't in the habit of spending that kind of dough without being able to kick the tires he informed me that they'd be more than willing to bring the General in for a test drive, but not the CW. He went into some rather vague diatribe about people preferring the General's software and more friendly attitude to foreign file formats (which may in fact all be true) but it was really the software that first attracted me to it so I was left a bit dismayed.
While they aren't ever going to compete with Sears or Lowes volume, they do have the perfect setting to demonstrate and do a more hands on, in your face presentment than the other retailers. A few days before I had been in for a fix (O.K. so I don't really think that I have a problem) and they had a guy turning a baseball bat on an older model digital lathe that they wanted to move. Low and behold...someone bought it the next day. Did I mention the guy was turning a baseball bat? Not exactly enthralling to watch...but that's all that was necessary to grab someone's attention and sell the machine. A rather singular purpose and over priced piece at that, IMNSHO. (I would gladly trade my lathe for a CNC anytime).
The reason that the CW wasn't going to be brought in was that they require a minimum order of three units, and the store didn't feel that there was enough interest from there stores to warrant the inventory investment. Anyway, they don't seem to grasp the concept of pile it high and watch it fly, not that I suppose I could blame them in this current race to the bottom "Recovery", but I really think that they're missing a great opportunity.
I'm kind of curious now about the General, even though I'm totally comfortable with my decision to go with the CW (didn't notice a General Tools of Canada forum...besides those darn Canadians are just like the ChiComs aren't they ...with all of that socialized medicine stuff)? I'm also not concerned about the file formatting issues 'cuz my son is fluent in all sorts of different computer languages and graphics programs, so I'm sure he'll be able to walk me through. Would be interesting to see a comparison. The Shop Bot thing was really kind of apples to snow shovels for me. As for the WoodCraft store's guidance, I'm less inclined to follow their advise mainly 'cuz I just accept that they point ya where they can make the best money for the least amount of effort. Besides, they're probably already convinced that I'm off my noodle 'cuz of my Festool... ahhh...issues.