Stihl dealer withouts parts or service

[Moto Vita]

I live just outside a medium sized city in WA. Most of the Stihl dealers here are Ace hardware stores, a new one opened up near me a couple years ago, they are now listed as a Stihl dealer and have a big Stihl sign outside. Today I called them to see if they had a small part I need and was told that they don't sell parts there and suggested I call another Ace store in town (there are several), but couldn't tell me which one(s). I wonder if this is the first step towards seeing Stihl in the big box stores, or if the tweaker I talked to on the phone just could only find his way to the smoking area out back (pot is legal here).

 

[cus_deluxe]

I doubt legal marijuana in your state has anything to do with how worthless the kid at the counter is...does sound like the "dealer" tag is a little watered down if they are unable to "deal"parts or service.

 

[1Alpha1]

I live just outside a medium sized city in WA. Most of the Stihl dealers here are Ace hardware stores, a new one opened up near me a couple years ago, they are now listed as a Stihl dealer and have a big Stihl sign outside. Today I called them to see if they had a small part I need and was told that they don't sell parts there and suggested I call another Ace store in town (there are several), but couldn't tell me which one(s). I wonder if this is the first step towards seeing Stihl in the big box stores, or if the tweaker I talked to on the phone just could only find his way to the smoking area out back (pot is legal here).

We have a CAL-RANCH box store here. They sell Stihl and have a pretty good line of O P E. So far, I've purchased two machines from them.

They don't have a service dept. or a parts dept. The only reason I buy from them, is cause they offer discounts if you apply for one of their credit cards. As soon as the purchase is made, I call and cancel the card as soon as I pay it off in full.

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

In Indiana, saw Stihl at Rural King. They had MS 461 on shelf. Just can't bring myself to dealing where I can't buy parts.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Ax-man]

This seems to be the way Stihl is going. We also have a farm and ranch chain store where I live. They only sell saws ,blowers, and trimmers. They don't have much if any in the line of parts or a service department.

This is contrary to what a Stihl sales rep told me years ago . Stihl's marketing plan at that time was to keep sales in the hands of only servicing dealers, no box store or chain stores would be selling their products. I don't know how anyone else feels but the box store doesn't have the same atmosphere as a small engine shop that sells strictly saws and some mowers. You can't beat the small shop atmosphere because you can talk shop with the owner, bump into other sawyers which is why I refuse to buy a saw or parts from a box store. The small shop is a little higher priced but when you walk in the door they know who you are and will take care of you verses the box store where you are just another nameless face.

It probably won't long before Stihl starts selling on line . I am probably a dying breed but you can't fight trends

 

[texican65]

I live in Maple Valley, WA, we have a hardware store that is quite the opposite, Johnsons. A local Stihl dealer with a great repair tech...that guy has spent lots of time digging through books and computer files trying to find diagrams and part numbers with me, and ordering anything I need...as long as it's still available...which a lot of times is not with my old stuff...buts sometimes. So, all is not lost with smaller/hardware store type dealers everywhere. Another amazing Stihl dealer/repair shop is Skipworths in Shelton, haven't been there in 10 years, but those guys were some of the best years ago, would work on and order anything.

Dow

 

[Jon1212]

We have a CAL-RANCH box store here. They sell Stihl and have a pretty good line of O P E. So far, I've purchased two machines from them.

They don't have a service dept. or a parts dept. The only reason I buy from them, is cause they offer discounts if you apply for one of their credit cards. As soon as the purchase is made, I call and cancel the card as soon as I pay it off in full.

Give it a year, or two and CAL Ranch will be out of AZ. They have already closed the Laveen store, and are in the process of depleting inventory levels at Prescott and Casa Grande.

The only real service center I am aware of is in Payson UT. CAL Ranch is a total clusterfugg in their upper management and ownership. Many are former management from Sears. That speaks volumes for the direction CAL Ranch is taking. In fact they didn't have a service tech in Payson from Nov-May.....also, the tech is supposed to be a Gold Certified. The guy they have now is really good, but he hasn't passed the required tests.

 

[HarleyT]

So are you guys saying that these "box stores" have a dealership arrangement with Stihl, or just a few franchisees also happen to be Stihl dealers?
I was a tech at a hardware store, the owner had several stores and was a Stihl dealer in most of them. He changed hardware brands, {i.e., from Ace to Do It Best},
and it didn't change his affiliation with the regional Stihl dist.

So just seeing a Stihl sign at an Ace Hardware, doesn't mean too much.

 

[1Alpha1]

Give it a year, or two and CAL Ranch will be out of AZ. They have already closed the Laveen store, and are in the process of depleting inventory levels at Prescott and Casa Grande.

The only real service center I am aware of is in Payson UT. CAL Ranch is a total clusterfugg in their upper management and ownership. Many are former management from Sears. That speaks volumes for the direction CAL Ranch is taking. In fact they didn't have a service tech in Payson from Nov-May.....also, the tech is supposed to be a Gold Certified. The guy they have now is really good, but he hasn't passed the required tests.

I was there this this morning as a matter-of-fact. The store looked as full of stock as it ever has. I was there a little after 9am, so there wasn't a lot of customers though.

I'm not sure how long it's been here (5+ years?), but they seem to move the stock easily enough. I was quite sure that at one time, they also sold Husky.

 

[1Alpha1]

So are you guys saying that these "box stores" have a dealership arrangement with Stihl, or just a few franchisees also happen to be Stihl dealers?
I was a tech at a hardware store, the owner had several stores and was a Stihl dealer in most of them. He changed hardware brands, {i.e., from Ace to Do It Best},
and it didn't change his affiliation with the regional Stihl dist.

So just seeing a Stihl sign at an Ace Hardware, doesn't mean too much.

I'm not sure what kind of arrangement CAL-RANCH has with Stihl. According to the Stihl commercials on tv, their dealers must be a full-line, servicing dealer.

I can and will say this though. I've received some very good service from Ace Hardware stores that sell Stihl.

 

[HarleyT]

Is Cal-Ranch like a Tractor Supply?

 

[1Alpha1]

Is Cal-Ranch like a Tractor Supply?

Pretty similar, but CAL-RANCH has much more stock, like clothing and a firearms dept. They stock tons of Carhart stuff. Lots of footwear as well.

Big time DeWalt / Milwaukee dealer.

 

[Jon1212]

So are you guys saying that these "box stores" have a dealership arrangement with Stihl, or just a few franchisees also happen to be Stihl dealers?
I was a tech at a hardware store, the owner had several stores and was a Stihl dealer in most of them. He changed hardware brands, {i.e., from Ace to Do It Best},
and it didn't change his affiliation with the regional Stihl dist.

So just seeing a Stihl sign at an Ace Hardware, doesn't mean too much.

Yes. CAL Ranch has a dealership arrangement. Though it isn't monitored very closely by Stihl. Otherwise they would be in violation, repeatedly.

 

[Moto Vita]

So are you guys saying that these "box stores" have a dealership arrangement with Stihl, or just a few franchisees also happen to be Stihl dealers?
I was a tech at a hardware store, the owner had several stores and was a Stihl dealer in most of them. He changed hardware brands, {i.e., from Ace to Do It Best},
and it didn't change his affiliation with the regional Stihl dist.

So just seeing a Stihl sign at an Ace Hardware, doesn't mean too much.

I suspect it's both. Not all the Ace stores here are Stihl dealers, but at least half of them are, and at least one is a Husky dealer (possibly just lawn and garden). Until the most recent Ace store opened near me, all those that had Stihl had some sort of parts/service dept, some better than others.

 

[67L36Driver]

My local Ace is a Stihl dealer but their parts on hand is dismal.

 

[Little Al]

Although I know the problems & the parts I require to put it right with more often than not part#'s I would not be very comfortable buying from a outlet that had no repair /spares facility some what akin to buying cream cakes from a butcher.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

The Ace in Anchorage is a Stihl "dealer". They sell saws and are supposed to be a service shop (same as every Stihl dealer) but they basically aren't.

I really hope Stihl sticks with their "no box stores" plan because it will lead to their dismise otherwise, same as McCulloch, Jomelite, Poulan, Partner, Johnsereds, Husqvarna, etc.

 

[Ax-man]

The Ace in Anchorage is a Stihl "dealer". They sell saws and are supposed to be a service shop (same as every Stihl dealer) but they basically aren't.

I really hope Stihl sticks with their "no box stores" plan because it will lead to their dismise otherwise, same as McCulloch, Jomelite, Poulan, Partner, Johnsereds, Husqvarna, etc.

You are sooo right on that one. It would be a shame to see that happen. Stihl seems to be getting more aggressive in the consumer or homeowner market and it shows as the quality of their products is slipping . That is the way it seems to me anyway.

 

[dougand3]

The neighboring town of New Hope, AL has a place to get an MS362, MS250, rakes, lettuce, pulled pork, cereal, deodorant....Stihl dealer inside an Ace Hardware inside a Piggly Wiggly.

 

[HarleyT]

The neighboring town of New Hope, AL has a place to get an MS362, MS250, rakes, lettuce, pulled pork, cereal, deodorant....Stihl dealer inside an Ace Hardware inside a Piggly Wiggly.

Kind of like a "TurDucken"!!!