my stihl dealer told me some bad news

[spike60]

50 handheld units a year is really pretty lame. That's only about one a WEEK. With some of the low price points figured in, let's say that he averaged $75 profit. That would add up to a whopping $3750, for the entire year. Even if he averaged $100 he's only making $5000.

It would be interesting to know what kind of numbers the other two dealers in that market are doing. If they are both pretty low, then it might just be a dead market area to begin with. But if they are each doing a couple hundred a year, and the other guy can't hit 50, then I think we can assume where the problem lies.

 

[THALL10326]

Any of them customers of yours ?

Oh yes, deal with many all the time. What I say to them while they are here and what I say about them after they leave is just like any other business. Everyone talks about everyone, they probably get in their car and call me a prick and while they are buckling up I'm calling them the samething, business as usual...

 

[spacemule]

Independently owned. We have a little chain in our area that's called Race Brothers, they have four or five stores and carry both Husky and Stihl.
They carry the full lines with fancy display area, but for the most part don't have a clue about what they sell on reference to chainsaws, run into one really knowledgeable guy, otherwise about like Wal-Mart. They use Husky to push the Stihl, the only husky they'll recommend is the 372xp, when I went in to buy the 346 they did everything they could to push the 260.

I grew up going to the Race Brothers in Harrison. You're right--they don't have a clue about saws. However, last time I was in there (about 5 years ago), they had 660's on sale for $799. Pretty good prices they had.

 

[indiansprings]

In our local one (13 miles away) Monett, Mo. the best deal is the deal on the MSRP sign, regardless of cash in hand. The old dealer in the town which is a Coast to Coast just hands them their azz based on price and service second to none. Heck, I'd even pay a few dollars more at the old dealer just based on knowing what kind of service I get, course I've been doing business there over thirty years.

 

[THALL10326]

I forget, how many saws CAN you stuff in a 2 seat Mercedes convertible?

About 3-4000.00 worth. Been there done that. Hoss told me that car we filled up with 660's, extra bars, oil mix, chains and so on cost around 200 grand. Never seen a car packed to the ceiling like that thing. He was a great guy though. He was sending all that stuff to Africa of all places.

 

[gallegosmike]

Well if its going to be that way, can we just order the parts ourselves from Stihl. I literally will wait and drive 2 hours out of my way to go to Benton, IL than deal with a Stihl dealer that 10 minutes away. They are that ignorant ....nice people, but clueless.

If I have to have "Lil Jimmy" order my parts on the computer, I wish I could just do it myself. Then if I have to pay to have it shipped to a dealer's address across town, I just as soon pay to have it shipped to my house. That saves me more time in the long run and a lot of hassle with ignorant dealer employees.

Sam

Thats why I am sticking with husky saws. I am not putting down stihl saws, as they are great saws! But I do not like the companys (stihl's) attitude that if you want to run thier OPE. YOU Will have to deal with thier dealers, period! Between baileys and a partstree.com. I do not have to bother with poor service from my local dealers(only a few in my area). I do not care if the money leaves my local area. Idiot dealers don't deserve MY HARD earned money. I can call up saw dealers in southern colorado and have one shipped to me cheaper then buying local. You guys that have a abundance of OPE dealers. You sure are lucky, as a good and honest OPE dealer is worth his or her weight in gold!

That is my .02!

It is friday!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I forget, how many saws CAN you stuff in a 2 seat Mercedes convertible?

About 3-4000.00 worth. Been there done that. Hoss told me that car we filled up with 660's, extra bars, oil mix, chains and so on cost around 200 grand. Never seen a car packed to the ceiling like that thing. He was a great guy though. He was sending all that stuff to Africa of all places.

Yep. Taxman, you might be surprised at what some of these folks will spend money on. A guy driving a Mercedes and cutting his own wood is not surprising around here.

 

[flimflam]

I'm gonna use your free coke and hot dog idea, to attract customers.

That aint gonna work! all them bastards are just gonna eat up all the food and use your toilet. Get a girl that looks good for a saleswoman.

 

[Muffler Bearing]

I forget, how many saws CAN you stuff in a 2 seat Mercedes convertible?

With the Top Up? Or Down?

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Y'know, Muffler, I'm glad you quoted taxmantoo in your post.


Otherwise, I would have thought you were replying to flimflam's suggestion.




:monkey:

 

[Muffler Bearing]

Great Idea

Franks Hay And Stihl Dealership.

I'll bee like Dolmar And Will'nt post an address!

 

[bowtechmadman]

Interesting thread...just this past week I stopped into local ATV / Snowmobile / Boat-motor shop, he buys rebuilds/repairs, resells. Business is about 4 yrs old. I was snowmobile shopping and he mentioned he's looking into picking up an OPE line. Two Husky dealers w/in 15 miles, Stihl and Jred also inside 15 miles. He's thinking Stihl but that initial investment has him nervous. Asked him if he had considered Dolmar and he had never heard of them. I'm taking in my 5100 so he can check it out and run it. Nearest Dolmar dealer is 30 miles away and he doesn't stock any inventory. How's Dolmar to deal with? Hate to recommend something that could turn into a nightmare for him. I'm hoping he becomes a dealer, local guy that started from scratch and has built a nice repair service business.

 

[AdamL]

I'm curious to see how many dealers will be affected with the number of dealers to population. The John Deere dealer that is less than 2 miles away just got his shipment of Stihl product in Jan. At my shop we've managed $250,000+ in sales in STIHL alone each year since I began working there(4 years). The city is only 25,000 people, but we are the largest dealer within 60 mile radius. We did have a Husqvarna sales rep stop in and lay his pitch out last week, sounds interesting....

 

[injun joe]

well i would love to help my dealer out hes seems to be a good guy and his wife is very nice to. i wouldnt mind selling over the internet but i really dont know the demand for them? would they sell well?? i am gunnna hel[p him out and buy at least 2 saw the 460 and a 250. a big r is like a tractor supply i would imagine its more less for the hunter or farmer ranch person. its got lots of stuff there stihls but no bar oil and huskys. lots of other stuff to do with ranchin and such. i realize businesses live and die but the others are scum bags imo why would you sell stihl products and not service?? there just trying to get a cut of the action. well 3 dealers in a big town isnt a problem but the 8,000 people have bought stihl since the 70's so theres plenty of stihl floating around in that valley. but yes not a whole lot of people making the big bucks except the perrys. sorry but i am truly disappointed in stihl but what do they care ha.

 

[Wild Knight]

Independently owned. We have a little chain in our area that's called Race Brothers, they have four or five stores and carry both Husky and Stihl.
They carry the full lines with fancy display area, but for the most part don't have a clue about what they sell on reference to chainsaws, run into one really knowledgeable guy, otherwise about like Wal-Mart.

Sadly, we have a dealer like that here in Louisville. They sell OPE but don't really know anything about them. They don't wanna talk saws, they don't get excited about new technology and I got a blank stare when I asked for an 8 pin. They are at least smart enough to keep a good Stihl tech to compensate. Otherwise, they would be as worthless as a big box store.

I was out to dinner the other night and low and behold I saw a table of guys wearing formal, black shirts that had the Stihl logo printed on it. We got to chatting, and I got to prying about when I could expect the 261. They said that nationally, the sales were down for pro-grade saws. Homeowner saws were the primary seller, and we would see the homeowner and mid grade saws be introduced before any new pro-grad models.

What I read between the lines of the conversation was that pro's sales are relatively constant. Guys buy the same saw when one wears out, and are more inclined to rebuild now than buy new as often. Additionally, this market is saturated. The homeowner market is where money is being made. This means disposable, clamshell units are the priority. Unfortunately, you don't need a good dealer to sell you a saw you throw away when you are done. This is as much a social problem with our spending habits (another conversation for another forum I suppose), and regrettably businesses must adapt.

I hate seeing the Stihl philosophy change (or more appropriately, the market change the way Stihl has to do business). IMO, they were one of the last billion dollar companies that still had traditional values, with quality and customer service being top priorities. I know the Stihl-Husky-Dolmar-whomever debates will never end, and that's fine. But, when the last of the giants is forced to change, we should all take notice. All others will follow suit...

Oh, BTW, most of these guys had an account here, so, yes, they do watch and read.

 

[Wild Knight]

As a side note, these guys were some cool cats. They even stopped by my table and said good-bye when they were done eating. One fellow went to his truck and came back and brought me a stack of Team Stihl hats. Good guys!

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