No More Shipped Husky's From Bailey's

[B_Turner]

Here in the midwest who cares if Baileys no longer sells Husky via mail order or the internet?

You guys in the PNW think you're the only market for saws? Hell, we've got Husky dealers here as thick as you do Stihl dealers out there. And every farmer here in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan - - 10's of thousands of them probably have at least one chainsaw. Not to mention the thousands of people just moving to rural areas with their small woodlots etc. They buy Stihl and Husky and Poulans and they buy Ranchers, and Farm bosses and whatever.

I think Husky will do just fine - and as far as Pro saws determining the market - - more homeowner saws are sold by both companies than we could even count! That is where they make their money!!

Al

I hear what you are saying. I don't think we here in the PNW think we are the only one with saws. We are using our own personal experience to back our opinions on this subject and naturally are experience/examples are in the PNW. We fully expect your own examples to reflect you area and are glad to hear them.

And I fully agree the real money in saws is not to pros, although I think how well a brand is viewed by the professional market is important to any tool manufacturor in the long term.

And other than the idea of selling a Chinese saw, I am not too worked up by the Husky news, as things have a way of changing...

 

[NBailey]

That was a great post. I asked Mr.Bailey just what Husky's reasoning was behind shutting down online sales but he must have missed that post, he never responded. I think your post clears up my question very well. Good job!!!

Thall,

Sorry I missed your post. We received the same letter that anyone selling Husqvarna online gets, which states that for safety and quality reasons, internet retailers can only sell their 137 and 142 chainsaws after a specific date. We received this letter about two months after we printed our 2007 Master catalog, which included a Husqvarna chainsaw on the cover.

Our initial response was predictable, and included litigation etc. We have been down that road before with another large European saw manufacturer, so we needed some concrete numbers to justify what we were taking on. Here is what we found.

Our Husqvarna chainsaws sales have actually been going down for since peaking about 3 years ago. It seems, with all of the internet competition, our profit margin was also loosing ground on Husqvarna sales. Our answer became gin clear, quit waisting time with this issue and move on to a line more profitable.

As Spike noted earlier (BTW nice post), we are a drop in the bucket for U.S. Husqvarna saw sales, and I although I disagree with their new marketing plan, the folks that run Charlotte are very savvy. Their biggest hurdle is not with relatively small players like us, it is with Lowes and TSC. They are the true movers of OPE. I also think the internet issue is based more on the fact that Husqvarna is having a hard time justifying their inflated European pricing when anyone with a computer can see stuff retailing for 1/2 the price here in the states.

As for us, we have been fortunate to mail order a high end saw like Husqvarna. We have picked up well over 100,000 new customers over the past few years, and most of them professional. Husqvarna hasn't faired too shabby either, as they have been getting brand name recognition in the front of our catalog for some time. We mail well over a million copies now, and that was cheap advertising for them.

Moving forward, we will continue to supply parts and service for Husqvarna chainsaws for quite some time. We do a fair amount of local business in Woodland Ca also. As for new chainsaw lines, we are finalizing vendor agreements with a couple of new manufacturers right now, and we will broaden the Solo and Echo lines.

 

[THALL10326]

Thall,

Sorry I missed your post. We received the same letter that anyone selling Husqvarna online gets, which states that for safety and quality reasons, internet retailers can only sell their 137 and 142 chainsaws after a specific date. We received this letter about two months after we printed our 2007 Master catalog, which included a Husqvarna chainsaw on the cover.

Our initial response was predictable, and included litigation etc. We have been down that road before with another large European saw manufacturer, so we needed some concrete numbers to justify what we were taking on. Here is what we found.

Our Husqvarna chainsaws sales have actually been going down for since peaking about 3 years ago. It seems, with all of the internet competition, our profit margin was also loosing ground on Husqvarna sales. Our answer became gin clear, quit waisting time with this issue and move on to a line more profitable.

As Spike noted earlier (BTW nice post), we are a drop in the bucket for U.S. Husqvarna saw sales, and I although I disagree with their new marketing plan, the folks that run Charlotte are very savvy. Their biggest hurdle is not with relatively small players like us, it is with Lowes and TSC. They are the true movers of OPE. I also think the internet issue is based more on the fact that Husqvarna is having a hard time justifying their inflated European pricing when anyone with a computer can see stuff retailing for 1/2 the price here in the states.

As for us, we have been fortunate to mail order a high end saw like Husqvarna. We have picked up well over 100,000 new customers over the past few years, and most of them professional. Husqvarna hasn't faired too shabby either, as they have been getting brand name recognition in the front of our catalog for some time. We mail well over a million copies now, and that was cheap advertising for them.

Moving forward, we will continue to supply parts and service for Husqvarna chainsaws for quite some time. We do a fair amount of local business in Woodland Ca also. As for new chainsaw lines, we are finalizing vendor agreements with a couple of new manufacturers right now, and we will broaden the Solo and Echo lines.

Thanks for repsonding back. From looking at your post and Spikes post its clear to me Husky is taking a new path.

Last question and then I'll quit bugging you. Wasn't Husky in fact dealer only before E-lux bought them out? Seems if I recall when E-lux took over Husqvarna they were at the time dealer only. Now that E-lux has separated Husky could it be Husky themselves now want to return to the way they use to do business?
Thanks in advance.

 

[NBailey]

On the subject of Bailey's importing a Chinese saw, that strikes terror into my heart on many levels.

No where close to that right now. We offer some Taiwanese parts right now, but the vast majortiy of our parts sales are still OEM. Bringing in an assembled Chinese saw would be a can of worms. That being said, I am sure one of the high end European OEM's will start be sending Chinese made saws to the U.S. in the very near future. Labor is a big cost component in the manufacturing of chainsaws. There is no reason to think that the quality would be any less that what poulan makes here in the states.

 

[5555555]

Newest Husky Dealer

It's interesting to hear that Husky is ending internet sales to increase their dealer network. I saw our newest Husky dealer when I was Christmas shopping. I walked into COSTCO and saw a couple pallets of 455 Ranchers.... I looked for a parts and maintanance shop, but I couldn't find one..... Get rid of Balieys - add COSTCO. Looks like a good strategy!

Won't it be ironic if Lowes and TSC start complaining!

 

[NBailey]

Thanks for repsonding back. From looking at your post and Spikes post its clear to me Husky is taking a new path.

Last question and then I'll quit bugging you. Wasn't Husky in fact dealer only before E-lux bought them out? Seems if I recall when E-lux took over Husqvarna they were at the time dealer only. Now that E-lux has separated Husky could it be Husky themselves now want to return to the way they use to do business?
Thanks in advance.

Believe it or not, I know very little about Husqvarna (Charlotte). Perhaps Spike can better inform you about the internal workings. We have been fortunate to do business with a small, family owned distributer (Bee-Tee). They are the ones really getting squeezed here.

 

[THALL10326]

Believe it or not, I know very little about Husqvarna (Charlotte). Perhaps Spike can better inform you about the internal workings. We have been fortunate to do business with a small, family owned distributer (Bee-Tee). They are the ones really getting squeezed here.

I do apprecaite your honestly. I don't know much about them either. I'm trying to think back and if I recall correctly they were at one time dealer only. We had several good size Husky dealers in our area but they've close up shop a good while back. The last one being not long ago but he's quite aways from me. He tossed in the towel complaining he could not compete with Lowes and Sears, he's selling Stihl now, his rep is my rep. Thanks for being open with the information Mr.Bailey, I apprecaite it.

 

[Erick]

On the subject of Bailey's importing a Chinese saw, that strikes terror into my heart on many levels.

I am really opposed to this new trend in the world of buying cheap crap (often made in China because they can make stuff so cheap). HF is the perfect example..............

...............Anyway, cheap crap like HF sells is one of my buttons....

Excellent post, sorry it won't let me rep ya for that one .....Yet.

I got on this a few years ago on another forum and I couldn't believe some of the responses I got to that post. Most people just don't get it, all they care about is getting it cheap......at any cost.

I remember one of the responses.........well the chainsaw forum is not the place to continue that thought. Just know that most folks (even in business) don’t seem to get it. Good Post

 

[NBailey]

Thanks for everything over the years Nik Bailey!!!

Gary

Gary,

We appreciate the business. I actually grew up in logging camps, and your avatar reminds me of the many bull bucks my old man used to cut for. I guess that is why I am so partial to this site.

 

[joatmon]

The sky is falling, everything is going to pot. NOT.

In the last year, there have been hundreds of topics and thousands of posts about, "What should I buy?" And you know what usually ends up being said in reply? I'll refresh some memories:

1. Find a local dealer. You need support. A pro needs support because his livelihood depends on it. A homeowner needs support because he doesn't know jack about repairing a chainsaw.

2. Put the saw in your mitts and see which one feels best. Seeing as how my internet transponder mittens are broken, I can only do this at the local dealer.

3. Big "S" and big "H" both make good saws. Just depends on your preference. (See items 1 and 2 above).
a. 346XP vs. 260 Pro = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
b. 357XP vs. 361 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
c. 372XP vs. 440 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
d. 385XP vs. 460 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
e. 395XP vs. 660 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
f. 3120XP vs. 880 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.

I see three reasons to buy on the net.
1. No dealer for my preferred brand nearby.
2. My local dealer doesn't "fit" me.
3. I wanna save some dough.

Tommie, the Stihl method is superior, right? Looks like Husky's making a move in the right direction.

Spike, internet sales skims a few units from your sales, right? Here's an opportunity.

Scott, Dolmar doesn't allow net sales, but Husky did, right? You are better positioned to compete now.

It appears to me that the real loser here is someone that wants to save some dough buying a Husky on the net. Now, the question is, will the price buyer end up with the same Husky at a higher price or will he think the Stihl to be a better saw when the prices are more in line.

Tommie, Spike, Scott. Best of luck.

Joat

 

[bcorradi]

Great Post Joat.

 

[g.moore]

The reason I will not buy a saw not offered for sale online is because:
1) My local Stihl and Husqvarna dealer is about an hour away and they are both flaming a-holes. Went in to get parts for my 051 and they basically told me to either buy a new saw or leave. Business lost.
2)Because of where I live it's immensely easier to point and click and have it arrive on my doorstep than to have to spend 2 hours in the truck and another 2 hrs listening to the idiots described in (1) tell me what I want.
I actually bought my pickup online because the dealers refused to sell me what I wanted whereas the online dealer said "oh, OK no problem you will have the truck in about a week".

Also, the dealer in (1) wanted to sell me a new 290 to replace my 051. I've used an 290, great limbing saw but worthless for cutting down and blocking a 24"+ tree unless you want to spend 8 hrs dealing with 1 tree.

Due to the size of my community I would love to support the locals but when they will only sell you what they feel you should have they lose my business.

 

[THALL10326]

The sky is falling, everything is going to pot. NOT.

In the last year, there have been hundreds of topics and thousands of posts about, "What should I buy?" And you know what usually ends up being said in reply? I'll refresh some memories:

1. Find a local dealer. You need support. A pro needs support because his livelihood depends on it. A homeowner needs support because he doesn't know jack about repairing a chainsaw.

2. Put the saw in your mitts and see which one feels best. Seeing as how my internet transponder mittens are broken, I can only do this at the local dealer.

3. Big "S" and big "H" both make good saws. Just depends on your preference. (See items 1 and 2 above).
a. 346XP vs. 260 Pro = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
b. 357XP vs. 361 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
c. 372XP vs. 440 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
d. 385XP vs. 460 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
e. 395XP vs. 660 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.
f. 3120XP vs. 880 = both good, reliable, dependable saws.

I see three reasons to buy on the net.
1. No dealer for my preferred brand nearby.
2. My local dealer doesn't "fit" me.
3. I wanna save some dough.

Tommie, the Stihl method is superior, right? Looks like Husky's making a move in the right direction.

Spike, internet sales skims a few units from your sales, right? Here's an opportunity.

Scott, Dolmar doesn't allow net sales, but Husky did, right? You are better positioned to compete now.

It appears to me that the real loser here is someone that wants to save some dough buying a Husky on the net. Now, the question is, will the price buyer end up with the same Husky at a higher price or will he think the Stihl to be a better saw when the prices are more in line.

Tommie, Spike, Scott. Best of luck.

Joat

Good post there Joat. Far as what method is superior for selling, I've always been a firm believer in look the man in the face and answer whatever questions he may have. That just me though. Far as price goes seems Mr.Bailey himself was having to lower his margins way down to compete with other online sellers. He made it clear he sure wasn't make much money on those saws. There comes a point when competitors will lower prices to a point the product is no longer worth fooling with altogether. I get a sense Mr.Bailey is implying that somewhat. Therefore I do tend to agree with Stihl trying to keep prices on par for all its dealers. However one cheapie sale can go unnoticed Joat, getcha ya self on up here,LOL

 

[joatmon]

The reason I will not buy a saw not offered for sale online is because:
1) My local Stihl and Husqvarna dealer is about an hour away and they are both flaming a-holes. Went in to get parts for my 051 and they basically told me to either buy a new saw or leave. Business lost.
2)Because of where I live it's immensely easier to point and click and have it arrive on my doorstep than to have to spend 2 hours in the truck and another 2 hrs listening to the idiots described in (1) tell me what I want.
I actually bought my pickup online because the dealers refused to sell me what I wanted whereas the online dealer said "oh, OK no problem you will have the truck in about a week".

Also, the dealer in (1) wanted to sell me a new 290 to replace my 051. I've used an 290, great limbing saw but worthless for cutting down and blocking a 24"+ tree unless you want to spend 8 hrs dealing with 1 tree.

Due to the size of my community I would love to support the locals but when they will only sell you what they feel you should have they lose my business.

I'll bet that the lack of potential internet saw sales may actually increase the chances that a new, better saw dealer may appear in your neck of the woods.

Joat

 

[joatmon]

Good post there Joat. Far as what method is superior for selling, I've always been a firm believer in look the man in the face and answer whatever questions he may have. That just me though. Far as price goes seems Mr.Bailey himself was having to lower his margins way down to compete with other online sellers. He made it clear he sure wasn't make much money on those saws. There comes a point when competitors will lower prices to a point the product is no longer worth fooling with altogether. I get a sense Mr.Bailey is implying that somewhat. Therefore I do tend to agree with Stihl trying to keep prices on par for all its dealers. However one cheapie sale can go unnoticed Joat, getcha ya self on up here,LOL

Tommie,

I'm afraid. Very afraid. If I were to see you face-to-face, experience that big MS880 ease through a big log in the chilly, crisp air, and then warm myself with a tepid Folgers in the back room, I would surely reach for my wallet. Yes, I'm very afraid.

Friend of The CHAMP,

Joat

 

[Jacob J.]

I'll bet that the lack of potential internet saw sales may actually increase the chances that a new, better saw dealer may appear in your neck of the woods.

Unlikely here, it takes a lot to get a license to sell Stihl or Husky. There's a distance factor (only so many dealers in a given area) and you need a chunk of change to set-up a "concept display", something required of dealers as of late. A few years ago Stihl threatened to cut our margins in half if we didn't display over $16k in stocking merchandise and pay $5k for their "concept store", and Husky was almost as bad at the time.

 

[joatmon]

For the record.

My posts in this thread may cause some to infer something that is clearly not my intention. And that is, I mean NO disrespect to Mr. Bailey, his business, or Gregg, etc. They have cetainly fulfilled a need andthey all seem to be very professional and most helpful. I have ordered and will more than likely order from them in the future. My local dealer knows not of the so called 372XPW (375) and I am very seriously considering ordering one with a drop ship option very soon.

Joat

 

[2000ssm6]

However one cheapie sale can go unnoticed Joat, getcha ya self on up here,LOL

Hey don't give Joat all the good deals, po little ole me cuts too. Heck, have you seen that nice SP125 of his?

btw, I Stihl see a big bad BR600 in my future, just need to make it back up.

 

[joatmon]

Unlikely here, it takes a lot to get a license to sell Stihl or Husky. There's a distance factor (only so many dealers in a given area) and you need a chunk of change to set-up a "concept display", something required of dealers as of late. A few years ago Stihl threatened to cut our margins in half if we didn't display over $16k in stocking merchandise and pay $5k for their "concept store", and Husky was almost as bad at the time.

I'll stand by my statement that a business selling a particular product is more likely to open in a market if the product in question is not easily and cheaply available on the net.

No guarantee a business will open, but certainly a barrier to opening said business is now removed.

Joat

 

[THALL10326]

Tommie,

I'm afraid. Very afraid. If I were to see you face-to-face, experience that big MS880 ease through a big log in the chilly, crisp air, and then warm myself with a tepid Folgers in the back room, I would surely reach for my wallet. Yes, I'm very afraid.

Friend of The CHAMP,

Joat

I'll be dayummm I just waxed up that 880 just yesterday, boy that thing sure is pretttttttttttttttttttttttttttty:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: