I facilitated millions of dollars of warranty claims and the shop did it wrong. If you think in the lightest your sticking your neck out you get auths. Heck most manufactures you can call in or submit a claim online with a quick response. A company like Makita isn't going to stick it to a dealer. The dealer is going to do it to himself.
The internet wasn't a thing then. This was mid 90s. At the time was doing lots of small engine work, had 3 full time mechanics. These days we just take that work in here and there and work on it "when there's time", do logging, land clearing, lumber and firewood primarily.
Not much money in small engine work around here and neither of us have a desire to work on the stuff much. I'd much rather be out in the woods than sitting at a bench getting greasy fixing other people's stuff.
Had to do the work, fill out paperwork, and either mail or fax it in and hope they would pay for it in 3-6 months.
Oh, and if said sorry, but that's not in warranty, several customers then called Makita HQ and they called the shop and said "YOU WILL FIX IT". Ok, fine... but then after the paperwork was put in, NOPE... that was out of warranty!
Yes for sure Makita screwed the shop. Basically denied most every warranty claim. Refused to pay for parts that had been bought or where in shop stock and refused to pay labor.
Why do you thing I'd make up a story? I have no desire to spin up tales and then try to remember who I told one. Much easier to just tell the truth!
I'd be concerned of that brand of O PE if ONE shop is doing millions in warranty work, holy crap, talk about some real junk! Even if had to replace complete saws at let's say $500 each, that's ~4000+ saws!