Do Stihl dealers not like to sell saw builders parts?

[Martinm210]

It seems like my dealer was really fast and helpful when ordering parts when I first came in on my 066 build, and over time...appears to be less helpful after making 044 orders.

For example, he said he couldn't order an 044 badge, then I ask him to just get me an MS440 tag, several days later he calls that he can't get that either.? I'm thinking, something's not right, that's a currently produced model, why can't you get a badge for it??

So I go in today (found an 044 badge on ebay) with my last laundry list of missing bolts and misc. parts I need to finish my 044 build and he starts asking me questions about "Am I going to use the saw, etc." It was like he was searching to find out if I'm dealing saw rebuilds which I'm not. I have three saws, never sold a one of them, I just like rebuilding them..:greenchainsaw:

Is there some sort of agreement dealers have that discourages them from selling to the public or us CAD diagnosed regulars?

Or is it just this store wanting me to pay their $50/hour for what I can do myself?

Just curious and a little frustrated by my lack of service. I have two more dealers I could explore by driving an hour and a half, but I'd hate to have to do that.

 

[Highclimber OR]

Of course they are going to be skeptical and non receptive once they figure out what you are doing. To them you are just a guy who is doing work that they would typically be paid for. I don't know that it is a signed agreement between Stihl and their dealers but it makes sense to me seeing as the economy is tanking and their business is likely starting to thin out. I would say that if it continues and it is blatant then at some point you should contact Stihl USA and tell em your story.

 

[Work Saw Collector]

I notice the same thing I'm on my second dealer both want to sell saws no parts I do not resale saws I have a couple, see signature I wish they could do internet sales and I could buy from a dealer that wants to sell parts. I have a order in right now thats over 200.00 and four weeks later none of it here yet they say maybe tomorrow every time I call.

 

[Saw Dr.]

It seems like my dealer was really fast and helpful when ordering parts when I first came in on my 066 build, and over time...appears to be less helpful after making 044 orders.

For example, he said he couldn't order an 044 badge, then I ask him to just get me an MS440 tag, several days later he calls that he can't get that either.? I'm thinking, something's not right, that's a currently produced model, why can't you get a badge for it??

So I go in today (found an 044 badge on ebay) with my last laundry list of missing bolts and misc. parts I need to finish my 044 build and he starts asking me questions about "Am I going to use the saw, etc." It was like he was searching to find out if I'm dealing saw rebuilds which I'm not. I have three saws, never sold a one of them, I just like rebuilding them..:greenchainsaw:



Is there some sort of agreement dealers have that discourages them from selling to the public or us CAD diagnosed regulars?

Or is it just this store wanting me to pay their $50/hour for what I can do myself?

Just curious and a little frustrated by my lack of service. I have two more dealers I could explore by driving an hour and a half, but I'd hate to have to do that.

I'd check all of the John Deere dealers, and ACE hardware stores around you. There may be an alternate Stihl dealer closer than you think.

 

[Erick]

If all of a sudden your buying a lot of parts for different saws he is probably thinking your running a saw repair bizz out of your garage and taking money out of his pocket.

All of the parts are still available for both the 044 and 066.... all of them.

 

[Martinm210]

The funny part about this is, the first time I ordered crank bearing he was telling me they wouldn't repair a saw that needed the case split, "It's just not cost effective" he says.

So basically all they want is to clean out plugged oilers and total your saw for you when you bring it in to buy a new one.

Why is STIHL so particular about selling parts online anyhow, this just doesn't make any sense to me. You can't tell me that $14 exhaust gasket I bought for my 066 didn't have some sort of profit built into it..

It's all too reminescent of that "Robots" kids movie.

Upgrades Upgrades! Why buy used, when you can buy NEW!...
:censored:

 

[Philbert]

My Stihl dealer is very helpful.

They have an inventory of those special small parts, or they order them for us. Last week, I kept him busy for half an hour just looking up part numbers that we were not buying, but to make up parts lists for our saws (I did bring in a dozen hot bagels and cream cheese for the shop).

We have bought a number of saws from him over the years, but he spent time with me before he knew me and I came in with my Craftsman electric saw. Showed me how to pull the flywheel and clutch when I was combining 2 damaged saws into one.

So, it sounds to me like an attitude thing. If you are fixing and selling used saws, yeah, you might be 'competing' with him. But if you are fixing up your own saws, even if you have a bad case of CAD . . . he should be happy to sell Stihl parts to you as a Stihl customer and he as a Stihl dealer.

Philbert

 

[excess650]

I have a large dealer who sells more than just Stihl, and were very helpful and quick with parts orders. In that they sell lots of lawn and farm equipment, I'm sure that chainsaws and parts are just a minor part of their business.

Is your dealer Stihl only? Regardless, if he's hesitant to sell you parts, he's only hurting his own business.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Fish is my new dealer!

 

[epicklein22]

The only thing my dealer doesn't like about me is that I get to work on all the fun, big models and do more than replace a fuel line or put in a carb kit. Every time I leave with my parts, I get a "Have fun".

Sounds like you need to find a new dealer that wants your business. Don't you live close to Jacob J? I would go where ever he goes.

 

[Work Saw Collector]

My dealer is a small mom and pop thats why I started going there. I guess those are on there way out for a reason.

 

[epicklein22]

The funny part about this is, the first time I ordered crank bearing he was telling me they wouldn't repair a saw that needed the case split, "It's just not cost effective" he says.

So basically all they want is to clean out plugged oilers and total your saw for you when you bring it in to buy a new one.

Why is STIHL so particular about selling parts online anyhow, this just doesn't make any sense to me. You can't tell me that $14 exhaust gasket I bought for my 066 didn't have some sort of profit built into it..

It's all too reminescent of that "Robots" kids movie.

Upgrades Upgrades! Why buy used, when you can buy NEW!...
:censored:

Maybe he went online and sees that you do better work than him and is now jealous.:taped:

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

Things you guys may not know or care about. It's Feb. and for most dealers it's the slowest time of year. All manufactures have minimum orders that we can place, usually 50-100$, and it's even higher to get free shipping anywhere from 100-300$. Much of the winter we try and go as long as we can between placing orders, in order to get free shipping. Remember your dealer is paying an employee to place that order to Stihl for all of your parts. He's paying that guy to sit there and manually enter 11 digit part numbers for every part you order, say you need 15 parts, all small stuff that the dealer may make 20$ profit an it takes him a half hour to enter all the parts for the order. Instead of spending that time entering an order that guy could have been turning a wrench and been making his boss 60$+ an hour.

 

[Martinm210]

I have a large dealer who sells more than just Stihl, and were very helpful and quick with parts orders. In that they sell lots of lawn and farm equipment, I'm sure that chainsaws and parts are just a minor part of their business.

Is your dealer Stihl only? Regardless, if he's hesitant to sell you parts, he's only hurting his own business.

No, my dealer is actually more of a small engine repair shop that's part of a ranching type supply store called Big-R. They deal both Husky and Stihl saws, but they also repair all sorts of small engine stuff. I know I've seen alot of mower belts and have seen them repairing some snow blowers.

I'll give him one more chance on this last order of parts. If it's strangely taking a long time or he's becoming worse, I'll walk to another dealer. I just bought a BR-600 blower from the "Over the hill" dealer, so I think they will deal with me.

Just bothering thinking that I may have to spend $50 on gas to go order $20 worth of small bolts and parts.

I appreciate the stories though, at least I'm not the only one getting a cold shoulder on parts. I can understand it's probably a bit difficult for them in times like these, especially if I'm just ordering small parts/bolts, probably not very profitable and hard for them to swallow especially if they think I am making money at this.

I think I'm just about done though, just need a couple of recoil starter pieces and a few nuts and bolts and I think I'm done building for a while. Almost season to go cut some more wood and enjoy these new builds...

 

[371groundie]

ive bought all my saws used. and some of dads. so when i go in asking for parts for a saw model he knows i didnt buy, he starts in with attitude. he sells husqy and stihl. ive considered becoming a dealer, he always seems busy and really cops an attitude. i can name more people than i have fingers that wont deal with him. so mabey i can be FREINDLYS SAW SHOP....

 

[Paul001]

My Stihl dealer is very helpful.

They have an inventory of those special small parts, or they order them for us. Last week, I kept him busy for half an hour just looking up part numbers that we were not buying, but to make up parts lists for our saws (I did bring in a dozen hot bagels and cream cheese for the shop).

We have bought a number of saws from him over the years, but he spent time with me before he knew me and I came in with my Craftsman electric saw. Showed me how to pull the flywheel and clutch when I was combining 2 damaged saws into one.

So, it sounds to me like an attitude thing. If you are fixing and selling used saws, yeah, you might be 'competing' with him. But if you are fixing up your own saws, even if you have a bad case of CAD . . . he should be happy to sell Stihl parts to you as a Stihl customer and he as a Stihl dealer.

Philbert

Talk to your dealer about setting you up with "the DVD". I have several accounts currently using it. Makes my parts dept. life easier, they get a fax in with part numers...pull/order and send them to the customer.

My customers love it, full exploded view, parts look up, retail price listed...the ability to see what the cost is, and if it's worth it to make repairs in their office, not standing at my parts counter.

State and County contracts, hell I couldn't even attempt them without this set up.

Have a chat with the parts manager, you might be suprised. Might want to put your laptop in the truck before heading over

 

[Work Saw Collector]

No, my dealer is actually more of a small engine repair shop that's part of a ranching type supply store called Big-R. They deal both Husky and Stihl saws, but they also repair all sorts of small engine stuff. I know I've seen alot of mower belts and have seen them repairing some snow blowers.

I'll give him one more chance on this last order of parts. If it's strangely taking a long time or he's becoming worse, I'll walk to another dealer. I just bought a BR-600 blower from the "Over the hill" dealer, so I think they will deal with me.

Just bothering thinking that I may have to spend $50 on gas to go order $20 worth of small bolts and parts.

I appreciate the stories though, at least I'm not the only one getting a cold shoulder on parts. I can understand it's probably a bit difficult for them in times like these, especially if I'm just ordering small parts/bolts, probably not very profitable and hard for them to swallow especially if they think I am making money at this.

I think I'm just about done though, just need a couple of recoil starter pieces and a few nuts and bolts and I think I'm done building for a while. Almost season to go cut some more wood and enjoy these new builds...

:agree2:
I wait couple more days for this $200.00 four week order, my order alone should make there minimun every time I walk in there. I have bought 4 20" bars and chains this last month and one 25 I have spent money with them its like the are tring to run me off.

 

[mile9socounty]

The saw dealers I work with enjoy when I come around. Normally every 2 weeks I will come in with a large list of parts to order for them. Nothing to serious. We sit there and bs a lot. They know I work on my company's saws. But if anything major happens to them. I take them to my dealers. It's kind of a win/win situation. That and sometimes I get hooked up with good stuff for projects.

 

[lesorubcheek]

Very similar taste was left in my mouth many moons ago and is exactly the reason I own ZERO stihl saws. Tried to help a friend get a starter fixed and all the dealers in the area wanted to do was fix it themselves and for a nice amount of money. None were interested in showing an IPL or just ordering the parts. Sorry, but if I can't get support to work on my own $^#% saws, I'm not playing.

Maybe things are different now, but I don't really care to find out. Happy with my old Homelites and the odd Poulan and Pioneer.

Dan

 

[Saw Dr.]

I have dealt with a few Stihl dealers around here. The one I have been going to the most is a small shop. They are very upfront about needing to have a minimum order. Sometimes they tell me that it might be several days before they even place the order. They also seem to have an out of date price list. They will give me an approximate cost, but it often changes with current prices (yes sometimes it is lower.) Funny thing is, I don't care about the wait or the prices, because they tell me the real story and not some BS. Plus they talk to me when I go in. There are only 4 people there, and one of them is not as helpful. If he is working, I just buy some oil, and make the parts order next time.