Extreme Stihl Dealer Dissapointment

[zich6]

As you may recall, I posted several weeks ago asking for help on the purchase of a new Stihl saw. I received good advice and ordered an MS-460 on 12/16. Since I hadn't heard anything, I called the dealer today and inquired on the status. I was told the distributer, Stihl Mid-Atlantic (SMA), was snowed under and was not shipping. I then called SMA and they told me the order wasn't placed until 12/27, they had been shipping all along and that there was an issue with the dealer that was holding up the order. They would not go into detail, but it was clear the issue was financial. I understand times are hard, especially for small businesses like them, but that being the case, I should have been told.

The SMA rep called another dealer to try to get me the same deal I had with the original dealer, but was unsuccessful getting the dealer to honor a reasonable deal - less than 10% off. In fact, the 2nd dealer wouldn't budge off their normal price. I ended up driving to a third dealer about 45 minutes away and buying the saw.

Since this is my first Stihl I have to say that I'm under-whelmed with not only the dealers in my area, but more importantly, the inability of my Stihl distributer to influence their dealers in any way. I know the dealers are independent, but when SMA called them for help because a customer got hosed, the answer was, essentially, "pound sand." What concerns me now is who can I trust to get reasonable prices and competence with parts and service? I really don't want to make the 45 minute drive every time, but I may have to.

I really don't need much advice here, I just needed to vent. Also, if anyone wants the name of the good and bad dealer I dealt with, I'd be happy to supply it, but I didn't want to violate any forum rules.

All that said, even though the purchase was not fun I love the dad burn saw. It's really great.

 

[jrr344]

As you may recall, I posted several weeks ago asking for help on the purchase of a new Stihl saw. I received good advice and ordered an MS-460 on 12/16. Since I hadn't heard anything, I called the dealer today and inquired on the status. I was told the distributer, Stihl Mid-Atlantic (SMA), was snowed under and was not shipping. I then called SMA and they told me the order wasn't placed until 12/27, they had been shipping all along and that there was an issue with the dealer that was holding up the order. They would not go into detail, but it was clear the issue was financial. I understand times are hard, especially for small businesses like them, but that being the case, I should have been told.

The SMA rep called another dealer to try to get me the same deal I had with the original dealer, but was unsuccessful getting the dealer to honor a reasonable deal - less than 10% off. In fact, the 2nd dealer wouldn't budge off their normal price. I ended up driving to a third dealer about 45 minutes away and buying the saw.

Since this is my first Stihl I have to say that I'm under-whelmed with not only the dealers in my area, but more importantly, the inability of my Stihl distributer to influence their dealers in any way. I know the dealers are independent, but when SMA called them for help because a customer got hosed, the answer was, essentially, "pound sand." What concerns me now is who can I trust to get reasonable prices and competence with parts and service? I really don't want to make the 45 minute drive every time, but I may have to.

I really don't need much advice here, I just needed to vent. Also, if anyone wants the name of the good and bad dealer I dealt with, I'd be happy to supply it, but I didn't want to violate any forum rules.

All that said, even though the purchase was not fun I love the dad burn saw. It's really great.

Seems like anymore it is that way with any dealer from saws to cars, they are all idiots they would rather not make a deal and keep the invetory than make a few bucks. I deal with the shindaiwa dealer here and everywhere else dealers are discounting there shindaiwa saws to get rid of them for the new echo's but this guy wont budge on any of them, it is frustrating to deal with him.

 

[Work Saw Collector]

All that said, even though the purchase was not fun I love the dad burn saw. It's really great.

Glad you did get the saw, have fun with it. There are some good and some bad dealers same with anything you try to buy. A good dealer is worth the drive.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

It's more common than you think

A lot of OPE dealers are on credit hold with there distributors. Several in this area have prioritized their product lines. If their business is primarily homeowner and they carry Stihl for instance, only for the trimmer and small saw line then those bills get paid last.

In the future, look for shops that do a lot of business with tree services and loggers. They will be current and able to get things quickly as that is their lifeblood.

While I believe they should be up front, I can see the dealer's side as well. Who wants to buy a $1000 saw from a guy who may not be able to get service parts, or worse yet in a financial position that line(s) may be pulled from the dealership.

Anyway, glad you got the saw and are happy with it.

Take care

 

[Ambull]

That sucks. If price is a real issue, you would be best served going to another brand. Dolmar is priced significantly below Shihl for similar products. Husqvarna is even a bit less. I would only pay the premium for the Stihl if there was a good dealer in close proximity. No way would I go Shihl for list price 45 minutes away. I would go 45 minutes for a discount Dolmar though.

On the flip side, Stihl makes a very robust saw. For most users, you will be able to maintain the saw yourself, and you may never need to go to the dealer for repair. Plus, you will have this forum to guide you through it.

I must admit it is a hell of a lot easier just picking one off Ebay. If you are patient, you can get a slightly used saw for 60% of the price of a new one.

 

[zich6]

That sucks. If price is a real issue, you would be best served going to another brand. Dolmar is priced significantly below Shihl for similar products. Husqvarna is even a bit less. I would only pay the premium for the Stihl if there was a good dealer in close proximity. No way would I go Shihl for list price 45 minutes away. I would go 45 minutes for a discount Dolmar though.

On the flip side, Stihl makes a very robust saw. For most users, you will be able to maintain the saw yourself, and you may never need to go to the dealer for repair. Plus, you will have this forum to guide you through it.

I must admit it is a hell of a lot easier just picking one off Ebay. If you are patient, you can get a slightly used saw for 60% of the price of a new one.

I got 10% off the saw and 25% off a spare chain, oil and chaps at the dealer 45 minutes away.

No doubt I'll be searching for chain sharpening threads.

Thanks all.

 

[j.williams]

That suxs, i know that can piss a guy off bad. Lucky for me our dealer is excellent & anything i have ordered from him is here the next day or two days at the most. Being a business owner myself i know how important it is to be upfront and honest with your customers. Better luck next time and once you find a good dealer that you fell comforatable with its all good for there.

 

[c5rulz]

I stopped Tuesday at a local Stihl dealer that sells snowblowers to see if they had any used saws in. (Begining stage of CAD) Then I asked if they had one of the new 261 Pros's. He said they don't carry those and tried to sell me a 250 or 290 because he said it had more horsepower.

Now if someone was inquiring about a pro line saw, to you think they would be interested in entry leve. $hit. I have operated 4 different 290's and have been very underimpressed. They aren't even close to my old 028 Super.

They sold a lot of snowblowers though since I was in last.:biggrinbounce2:

 

[CWME]

Glad you got your saw! A good dealer is worth the extra drive. I am lucky and have a great dealer 500 yards up the street from my house. He services a lot of the local tree companies and loggers. He subsequently has just about everything I have asked for in stock. My 460 took a few days to get because no one around here uses that model on a regular basis I guess. He apologized for not having one in stock. He now carries the 460 as a regular saw and has sold at least 1 that I know of because of it Told a logger buddy that I got one and he went and got the second one the dealer ordered when he ordered mine!

Anyway, when I walk in they know my name, which saws I own, and what type of chains I like to run. A bottle of Stihl ultra 2 stroke is tossed in for a penney every now and then when I pick something up. Bought my 25" bar and chain and got some oil thrown in for example.

Point, drive the 45 min for the good dealer.

 

[fearofpavement]

Bought my 25' bar and chain and got some oil thrown in for example.

QUOTE]


Dang! Hope that 25 foot bar has a helper handle. Youre gonna need a bigger powerhead.

 

[CWME]

Bought my 25' bar and chain and got some oil thrown in for example.

QUOTE]


Dang! Hope that 25 foot bar has a helper handle. Youre gonna need a bigger powerhead.

:bang: Details details details. My point still stands. A good dealer is worth the drive.

 

[spacemule]

Kudos for starting a thread about saws in the chainsaw forum. That's a nice change for the last couple days.

 

[sunfish]

I have dealers closer, but drive an hour to my dealer, no big deal.

 

[subhunter]

What concerns me now is who can I trust to get reasonable prices and competence with parts and service? I really don't want to make the 45 minute drive every time, but I may have to.

I hate to say this but order online. I have had a lot of bad dealer experences getting parts. Granted how many dealers have on the shelf a set of piston rings and a bunch of odd ball parts? They all say they can order them but I have to pay"freight". So I say no thanks I can order my own and get it in the mail box...

 

[subhunter]

Also I like the online prices way better. A brand new stihl chain 20" .50 3/8 at my dealer is $33 plus 10% tax. ON ebay 15 plus 5 shipping. with only a buck extra per add'l chain. You tell me where the best deal is

 

[zich6]

Also I like the online prices way better. A brand new stihl chain 20" .50 3/8 at my dealer is $33 plus 10% tax. ON ebay 15 plus 5 shipping. with only a buck extra per add'l chain. You tell me where the best deal is

Um, I'd sure appreciate knowing where you can buy Stihl parts online. Thanks.

 

[subhunter]

Ebay is my favorite place

 

[eat a peach]

Ebay is my favorite place

Amen to that brother ,bought all my chains for at least the past 2 yr's on e-bay. also 4 different saws

 

[Saw Dr.]

Any chance you called the original dealer and told him you no longer want the 460? If he is in a financial bind now, just imagine him having $700 tied up in a saw he probably will have to give away. Not a fun call to make, but might be a nice thing to do in the long run.

 

[Kwdog75]

Ebay is my favorite place

x2!!!

Preach on brother!