I have to ask this question for you guys that are actual dealers.
If someone was to get injured using a saw that you sold them. Let's use Sthil as an example. Are you backed up by Sthil as far as some type of insurance help or with some legal help or is that something that has to be covered solely by you under your private commercial insurance policy.
We have to carry a fairly large insurance policy, I'm drawing a blank on how many millions of dollars it is.
Say we sell a guy a brand new Stihl saw, and a week later he is out cutting and hurts himself. And the user decides to sue, the lawyer will advise them to do a few things. They'll sue the manufacturer Stihl, distributor NE Stihl, my dealership, and if they hurt themselves on the job probably sue their employer and the property owner.
So Stihl will send out a investigator, to gather information about the situation from the dealer. Stihl is looking to find out if the dealer did everything it correctly with regards to the initial sale of the saw.
Did the dealer properly assemble the saw? Was the customer physically capable of using a saw, and did the dealer qualify the customer and fit them with an appropriate piece of equipment? Was the owners manual given to them, and were they made aware of PPE at the time of sale?
Was the customer made aware of the safety features of the saw? and how to use them?
What bar and chain combo was sold on the saw? was it Stihl or aftermarket?
Was is green label or yellow label? Was the customer informed that there was a reduced kickback option available?
Was the customer shown how to properly to start and operate the saw?
Was the customer using the chainsaw for cutting wood? or was he using it to cut some non-approved material? Had the saw been modified or tampered with? Was all the safety equipment in working order when it left the shop?
If Stihl feels the dealer did a reasonable job of doing things the appropriately, Stihl will take care of the dealers legal defense in court.