Is This Normal When Buyer a New Chainsaw at a Dealer?

[isipwater]

Yes, it was assembled and test run. Taken to the back room to fix oil cap issues.

 

[dl5205]

...There is nothing wrong with a 2011 model 555....

I totally agree- if it was purchased in 2011 or early 2012. But a 3-year-old display model??

Maybe I'm starting to sympathize with the OP's concerns. You nor I know anything about this dealership, and I've seen "dealers" that I wouldn't really want to buy a scrench from, if I could help it.

The saw probably really IS just fine. But. If the customer isn't happy, the dealer should try to make it so.

 

[isipwater]

The percentage of AT affected with issues is small. The AT problems reported on AS creates a impression disproportionate with reality.

OP, you've got a couple of choices- if the perceived problem bothers you that much, pony up the extra $40 or so and go home happy, or ask for a new cap and take the significant other out with the $40 you saved. BTW, if you had gone with Terry, you wouldn't have had this problem.

I would have gone to Terry immediately, but here is the problem. My local Husky dealer has a reputation for servicing the customers who buy their products immediately and putting customers who buy products elsewhere on the never ending (multiple week) wait list. I thought it would be nice to support the local dealer and be on the fast track to good and speedy customer service. Ultimately, I thought this direction would lead to greater peace of mind. I was willing to pay extra for that...

 

[KenJax Tree]

I want to see a pic of this cap.


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[Mike from Maine]

Honestly I couldn't read this whole thread.

But I think the answer is to make a spreadsheet and see what it says
You'll have to type in h e a r t h.com where the asterisks are.
<a href="http://www.**********/talk/threads/which-chainsaw-would-you-pick.126336/">Which Chainsaw Would

 

[sunfish]

I totally agree- if it was purchased in 2011 or early 2012. But a 3-year-old display model??

Maybe I'm starting to sympathize with the OP's concerns. You nor I know anything about this dealership, and I've seen "dealers" that I wouldn't really want to buy a scrench from, if I could help it.

The saw probably really IS just fine. But. If the customer isn't happy, the dealer should try to make it so.

Nothing wrong with a 3 year old display model.

But I agree, the customer should be happy & they should take care of the OP!

 

[1Alpha1]

Status Update:

Thanks for everyone's help. Remember this is my first chainsaw purchase so it helps to hear from all of you.

I decided to go to the dealer and communicate my concerns this morning, which were:

1) I initially told the sales person I did not want the floor/display model because I knew there were 3 other 555's in stock.

2) I was concerned that a possible threading issue could result from the jammed oil cap that now has gashes in it from a tech not being careful.

3) The 555 they tried to give me has a manufacture date of 2011. It is now 2014. I have done my research and understand the service bulletin issues associated with early 555 models (including 2011's). After looking at every other saw/models in the shop on display, mine was the only 2011 and the rest were 2012's and 2013's.

So here is what the dealer told me:

1) Don't worry about it.

2) We gave you $20 off the MSRP and a free chain because it was an older floor model. PLEASE NOTE: When I purchase this saw, I was never told they were giving me the $20 off and a free chain because it was an older floor model. Yes, they did leave that part part out.

2) We have to give you the oldest model first to clear out our inventory. Yes, the dealer did confirm that his 3 other 555's in the back are 2013's, but he won't give one to me.

3) How about a new cap?

4) If you want one of the new 2013 555's, we will have to take back our $20 discount and the free chain.

5) I will have to have our sales manager to get in touch with you tomorrow because it is off today and nothing can be authorized without him.

So, all in all, this has been quite the learning experience for me. All I want to hear is:

1) Here is your new saw that we just assembled out of the box. We appreciate your business.

We shall see...

Talk about a boatload of BS. "We have to give you the oldest model first to clear out our inventory"

I suppose if the dealer didn't do that, he could lose his right to sell Stihl.

Take that saw back, tell the dealer you want a new up-to-date saw and that he can shove that $20.00 discount and extra chain where the sun don't shine.

 

[1Alpha1]

Nothing wrong with a 3 year old display model.

But I agree, the customer should be happy & they should take care of the OP!

How about a 5 yr. old display model? Or maybe a 7 yr. old display model?

Before I even considered buying a 3 yr. old model, they would have to give me one Hell of a discount.

 

[dl5205]

...Nothing wrong with a 3 year old display model....

I totally agree. Like I said, the saw is most likely just fine. BUT, If I'm buying a 2011 saw in 2014, I want to know up front, And I would try to get a better discount than what was given.

Like I stated earlier, there is nothing wrong with a dealer trying to keep his inventory rotated.

To change gears a little bit, do the newest 555s have the new "flippys"?

 

[sunfish]

How about a 5 yr. old display model? Or maybe a 7 yr. old display model?

Before I even considered buying a 3 yr. old model, they would have to give me one Hell of a discount.

As long as it hasn't had fuel in it there is no problem. 7 years might be pushing it a bit though...

 

[KenJax Tree]

I would love to walk into my dealer and buy a 5-7 year old 346xp or 372xp off the shelf with $20 off and a free chain


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[isipwater]

The percentage of AT affected with issues is small. The AT problems reported on AS creates a impression disproportionate with reality.

OP, you've got a couple of choices- if the perceived problem bothers you that much, pony up the extra $40 or so and go home happy, or ask for a new cap and take the significant other out with the $40 you saved. BTW, if you had gone with Terry, you wouldn't have had this problem.

Yes, but, doesn't is just make good business sense to have open and honest communication with a new customer (and potential repeat customer) who potentially will be referring family and friends down the road.

When I ask for a new and unopened saw, how about "sure." If they don't have time to do it right away, how about the dealer say "can give me a day to get it ready?"

If a dealer is going to sell me a floor/display model that has been sitting for 2+ years, why not acknowledge that fact and offer the non discounted 2013 saw as well.

When a problem is respectfully brought to dealers attention, how about, "What can I do to make this right for you?"

It is difficult being a customer who is spending a lot of money and going home with lingering questions about the purchasing experience. Hence, maybe I will look elsewhere next time.

 

[1Alpha1]

If a dealer has old stock on hand, then he should advertise it as such and mark the price accordingly.

I'd be mad as a wet hornet if a dealer sold me a saw that old. Just another fine example of a saw dealer doing business in such a way as to create problems for himself.

If you want to sell a customer an OLD saw, make it known upfront, and make it worth the customer's time by discounting it fairly.

 

[1Alpha1]

I would love to walk into my dealer and buy a 5-7 year old 346xp or 372xp off the shelf with $20 off and a free chain


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That's fine and dandy if you're looking for a saw that is no longer in production, or one that's hard as hell to find. YOU are aware it's old and you won't be surprised by finding out later.

 

[dl5205]

I would love to walk into my dealer and buy a 5-7 year old 346xp or 372xp off the shelf with $20 off and a free chain

Maybe we need to find out Where I-Sip's dealer is.

 

[1Alpha1]

Maybe we need to find out Where I-Sip's dealer is.

Yeah.....maybe he has other old stuff on hand.

I'd love to pick up a NOS 1982 Honda CBX.

I'd even be good with a display model.

 

[isipwater]

Yes

I totally agree. Like I said, the saw is most likely just fine. BUT, If I'm buying a 2011 saw in 2014, I want to know up front, And I would try to get a better discount than what was given.

Like I stated earlier, there is nothing wrong with a dealer trying to keep his inventory rotated.

To change gears a little bit, do the newest 555s have the new "flippys"?

2013 555 has flippy caps but but the 2011 does not have flippy caps.

 

[Stormy]

I don't envy you your position OP. It must feel like you've shot yerself in both feet twice by now, most recently by getting off on the wrong foot with the place you thought you needed for yer peace-of-mind warranty considerations. But maybe take comfort either in the possibility that they were never really "all that," or at least in the hope that, if work is ever needed, they'll still side with you (honestly, of course) and put you at the end of their first line (for buying customers) or at least at the beginning of the second.

 

[isipwater]

I don't envy you your position OP. It must feel like you've shot yerself in both feet twice by now, most recently by getting off on the wrong foot with the place you thought you needed for yer peace-of-mind warranty considerations. But maybe take comfort either in the possibility that they were never really "all that," or at least in the hope that, if work is ever needed, they'll still side with you (honestly, of course) and put you at the end of their first line (for buying customers) or at least at the beginning of the second.

I am definitely learning a lot in the process but I wish this had gone more smoothly.

 

[Stormy]

http://www.morrisonspower.com/

Well, if I had a place like that here I'da baked a cake before goin in. What were you thinkin causin trouble there? Didn't you read their mission statement? Their 30+ years of top-notch customer service? Good news is they look too big to fail. Make nice-nice if you can, especially if you think you may have a sketchy AT.