No one is forcing hagglers to buy at any price, and no one is forcing dealers to sell to hagglers. The O.P. only asked a question, and I.M.O. should be informed of the nature of Stihl's pricing structure (in lieu of brow-beating), and how low dealer profit margins are. You are lucky to get a chain and oil, much less a case or any Stihl at a lower price than M.S.R.P.
But let's not act like all products sell for M.S.R.P. exactly, so that it should be common knowledge that chainsaws (or Stihls specifically) do not. Think of where chainsaws fit within the continuum from automobiles, motorcycles, boats, tractors, firearms, power tools, to hand tools etc- some are negotiable and some are not. I now understand they are closer to the products you don't negotiate on, but I.M.O. it's the nature of the dealerships that throws people off (E.G. Huskies in department stores sell for about the same as in their dealerships, yet no one would go into Sears and offer less than the price tag, as they might in a dedicated Husqvarna dealership). O.T.O.H. some of these guys may very well be walking onto car dealerships and handing over the exact amount printed on the window sticker, and paying M.S.R.P. on handguns, etc.
So to the O.P. yes that has been my experience too. Paying M.S.R.P. seemed a little high at the time (especially comparing with other brands)... but now I'm trying to figure out how they give them away so cheap L.O.L. because if you want a quality C.S. go for it and don't look back. I couldn't be happier with mine and I.M.O. they are worth the price!
Good luck.
