When you bring in a saw to get worked on, how do they know if you bought it online, bought it from a friend, moved to the area and already had the saw, or even just bought it from another dealer in the same town.
Scott,
I have to reply to you on this one, and eat a little crow while at it, chewing on my size 11 red wing never tastes very good and the steel toes always give me a tough chew...*lol*
Turns out my local dealer will not service anything they do not sell, on warranty. To make matters worse they charge over MSRP, because, "we are a full service shop and keep a full stock of parts on hand". For me one thing that pops out at me is that I will also get the luxury of paying over MSRP for parts from them as well.
I was told they will only do warranty work on saws that are California approved, which eliminates many models I've been interested in, although the 346xp is approved for California.
I have talked with the log craftsman I'm working with on my project, and he made a point that lighter is better when doing the type of log work I'll be doing, and when your working in 50-100 mph winds 12 feet off the ground, it's nice to have a lighter saw.
None of the small light saws seem to be available in California, the Husqvarna 339xp is not available, neither was the 336, nor is the Stihl MS200 (rear handle model). They do have a special California edition (with Green fuel) of the 338xpt they sell here, but my choices are few in the light category.
I found a place online that has NOS 336 saws for $359 with free shipping in the U.S. I believe this has been discontinued and replaced with the 339xp, which I can't get in California either. So, I bit the bullet and pulled the trigger on the 336 today...<gasp> over the web. :chainsawguy: I could get the 339xp on the web for $499 (MSRP), but would also need to pay shipping, another $25~. At the end of the day I'm about $175 cheaper with the 336. I know, I know, it's not a 346xp, but OTOH it's only 8 lbs. I think it will work just fine for the joinery I intend to do, so the log craftsman I'm working with also felt.
I guess I'm a hypocrite for ending up buying on the inet, but it seems I either get screwed by the dealer in buying a new one and paying over MSRP, or having to pay for service should I need it. Given that option, I'll take my chances with getting the saw serviced on my own, if I have to, or finding someone that will warranty it locally if that is possible. Chances are if I take care of the saw it won't need any server until after the warranty is long gone...(probably the same with yours also;-)
Cheers,
TT