Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I feel like I have been living under a rock, which I probably have, but I'm having a tough time deciding on what to do about a new saw. I currently have a little saw, but it's older with no chain brake which gets annoying shutting it off and starting it every time I move. It doesn't have the grunt for what I would like to do. In the past I've lived in areas that were big in forestry, and as such finding used chainsaws was no problem. That is no longer the case, the only trees we have around here are shelter belts. Heating with wood is minimal. There is no used market that I can find. I have been watching this forums classifieds, but I've not seen anything I'm interested in for the last month.
So that brings me to buying new which I have no problem with. I realize we are still dealing with inflation and shortage, but I'm amazed at how poor the chainsaw market seems to be. I have two decent Stihl dealers near me, one Husqvarna dealer, and kind of an Echo dealer. The Echo dealer is a lawnmower shop. He carries chainsaws, but only two of the smallest models. He could get the one I want, the 4910, but it would not be any time remotely soon, so that's not really an option. The Husky dealer is a Tractor Supply. They aren't bad, but I really don't like that store. It seems they manage to fill the store with everything except what I need. They do have the 450 rancher I am considering. The Stihl dealers are both good, they carry the full line of Stihl everything.
The problem is all of them are at MSRP and they wont budge. I've asked about a fall sale or a black friday sale, and nobody seems to know anything. Runnings, which is a Stihl dealer was the only one who did know, and they are for sure not having any sales of any kind this year. It's MSRP or nothing, although they would throw in a Stihl carry case which I don't really care about. The Tractor Supply I've tried in person, and they knew nothing. I then called the manager, and was told he did not know either, check the website. The website did not say anything. It too is MSRP. The Echo dealer obviously won't do anything, but I'm finding Echo 4910's online in quite a few places, but they mostly are MSRP as well. One place I've shopped before offers them for MSRP and free shipping. Maybe I've been out of it too long, but are chainsaws just sold at MSRP now? There used to be fall sales on these every year, is that not a thing anymore?
I guess ultimately my question comes down to another in the long list of "what chainsaw should I buy?" threads. Getting more into the nitty gritty, the Stihl MS250 offers no great features. It has a cheap Zama carb with goofy adjustments, non-adjustable oiler, but other than that it is a simple saw that would work for what I want. The Echo CS-4910 seems a shoe-in on paper. Lightest 50cc saw on the market, fully adjustable Walbro carb, adjustable oiler, magnesium crankcase, and probably more. Both are foreign companies, with their saws made in the USA. I guess I just can't get over the thought of paying sticker price. Am I wasting my time hoping for a sale, or am I just looking in the wrong places?
