Did you know that Stihl products aren't expensive??

[montanaman]

OK, you caught me, I'm a dealer......

But this is something I have given a lot of thought to. I can't count the number of times I read on here that someone is looking for a lawn widget and they say they would love to buy a Stihl, but can't afford it!! Now if you are shopping in the throw away price range, this is true, but if you are looking at the higher end products that the box stores carry, in many cases, the local servicing Stihl dealer is cheaper!! The blue box store sells the husky Rancher for more money than a Stihl dealer sells the Farm Boss for yet the Farm Boss is a two piston ring engine vs a single ring, has more HP, easier to operate chain tensioner and fuel and oil caps, and an easier to service air filter. Add to that a Swiss made chain with twice the chrome on the cutters and rivet holes that are reamed, rather than stamped in a chain that is pre-stretched, and you can get all of this from a dealer that can actually repair and service it for you!! The orange box store sells Echo and again, in the same engine size saw, Stihl is cheaper with more STD features.


Another big difference comes after the sale. Every time I have checked their prices, I have been cheaper on chains, trimmer line, files, etc. The orange store sells a chain I have never heard of made in China, for as much as $5 more than I sell a genuine Stihl chain!! The only lower priced product they offer that you need to buy to keep your equipment running are their generic oils, and they are not the same quality as what I sell.

Just a little rant and I was curious to see where this thread would go!

Ken

 

[gordon21]

I'll bite. When living in Florida, I bought several gas powered yard tools over a 5 year period. One was a gas pole trimmer about 10' long. Home Depot had one for about $199 and the Stihl dealer was over $350 for what appeared to be a VERY similar model. Same thing with the gas hedge trimmer, etc.

I did patronize the dealer for filters, blades, etc and he probably made about $200 in sales from me over the years. Probably $40 profit. It could have been much more, except I balk at 50-80% premiums in pricing for homeowner tools. Maybe I wasn't big enough for him. He liked to show off his $6000-$8000 zero turn mowers he had. They were some brand I never heard of. Fit and finish weren't too good either. He did apparently sell those OK. It seemed as though the service area always had some in the shop.

It scares me when the dealer focuses so much on his service dept. It almost gives you the feeling that he KNOWS the product he is selling you will spend a lot of time in the shop. If he is truly selling quality, then why is it supposed to break all the time????


Ryobi 30CC fixed length pole pruner 10" bar 2 yr warranty $189 at Home Depot
Stihl 31CC fixed length pole pruner 12" bar 2 yr warranty $429 at local Asheville NC Stihl dealers

I looked up these prices just now. This is the same scenario that I experienced in Florida. Granted the stihl comes with a 12" bar instead of a 10", but over double the price?? Both have the same warranty for homeowners. Commercial people only get 90 days with Stihl.

 

[montanaman]

I'll bite. When living in Florida, I bought several gas powered yard tools over a 5 year period. One was a gas pole trimmer about 10' long. Home Depot had one for about $199 and the Stihl dealer was over $350 for what appeared to be a VERY similar model. Same thing with the gas hedge trimmer, etc.

I did patronize the dealer for filters, blades, etc and he probably made about $200 in sales from me over the years. Probably $40 profit. It could have been much more, except I balk at 50-80% premiums in pricing for homeowner tools. Maybe I wasn't big enough for him. He liked to show off his $6000-$8000 zero turn mowers he had. They were some brand I never heard of. Fit and finish weren't too good either. He did apparently sell those OK. It seemed as though the service area always had some in the shop.

It scares me when the dealer focuses so much on his service dept. It almost gives you the feeling that he KNOWS the product he is selling you will spend a lot of time in the shop. If he is truly selling quality, then why is it supposed to break all the time????

Thanks,



This wouldn't be any fun if you didn't! I think the key word is appears. Like I said, for a home owner using a tool x number of hours, Stihl will not have a product in that price range but when you compare the high end products in the box store, Stihl is often less expensive. Heck there is someone out there building a multi function tool with a trimmer, pole saw, and tiller for less than I can sell the powerhead alone, but it is not fair to compare it to a high end product. A friend of mine almost bought one because his brother told him how great it was, and he was lucky that his brother called him to tell him it broke before he ran out and got one!

I'm just comparing the higher end products at a servicing dealer vs the higher end products at a box store.

As far as service, it ranges widely. I have a climbing saw I'm putting the guts from in a new case because the owner had it fall when he was using it. I usually get a lot of fuel related repairs usually with home owner products because they leave them sit with gas in them for years between uses. A lot of the local tree services use this stuff every day, so they are in need of replacements of wear items like starter rope, sprockets, bars, etc. It is very rare when I have a major repair needed on a product that is cared for properly, but even the best out there will eventually quit, when run 40+ hours a week.

I'm also not debating the need for lower priced tools built for occasional home owner use. If I only cut a few limbs a year and a tree every now and then, a Poulan could do that but when you get into the high end products, I just think folks are brainwashed into thinking it will be cheaper in a box at the box store!!! And it is not just the whole goods, but the supporting parts like chains, bars trimmer line, etc are often much higher priced and much lower quality.

Ken

 

[rox]

montanaman,
Since we are farmers and use all our tools in our business we only buy from a dealer and we only buy Stihl. In order to get the leaves out of the olives we use a Stihl leaf blower/vaccuum. We work that tool all day long for 6 weeks. When the tool goes down, and it has we hop in the car run over to our dealer and the repair guys stop what they are doing and fix it on the spot. When that one tool is down we have a crew of 6 people who can't work. This is what a good dealer does for you he knows when to drop everything and fix your machine and when to ask you to leave it. FWIW i really like the Stihl chin saws, they jsut cut better and wear longer.

 

[shvl73]

Ryobi 30CC fixed length pole pruner 10" bar 2 yr warranty $189 at Home Depot
Stihl 31CC fixed length pole pruner 12" bar 2 yr warranty $429 at local Asheville NC Stihl dealers

I looked up these prices just now. This is the same scenario that I experienced in Florida. Granted the stihl comes with a 12" bar instead of a 10", but over double the price?? Both have the same warranty for homeowners. Commercial people only get 90 days with Stihl.

I think the key here is that higher end tools are what he is discussing. Ryobi is not high end at all. I have some Ryobi tools (not gas yard tools) and they are good for my use. My Poulin "Wild Thing" saw is good for my occasional use but, for any serious work, no way.

 

[Shmudda]

You know I have to chime in here on this one!

When I finally built my house in 1996 I put a wood burner in it. At that time I was using an old Mcculloch Mac 10-10 saw that my Dad bought in 1968, and used it until 2002 when I had finally had enough. Not that the saw was giving me problems or not cutting (which it cuts really good) but I was tired of the vibration, and it was just working me harder then I worked it. I went to my local Stihl dealer in Delmont, PA and was looking at saws when the owner came up to me and asked if he could help me. I answered that I wanted a saw that I could work, and one that wouldn't work me. At that time he took me over to the "homeowner" type saws, MS290 Farm Boss. I looked at him and very politely said, "I don't think you understood what I said. I said I want a SAW, not a toy" I walked over to the MS460 picked it up and told him to fuel it up, it was going home with me.

I got it home and began to attack a pile of logs about 8' high, 8'wide x 12' long or so. I ended up cutting that pile up in less then half the time it would have taken me with that old Mac 10-10. I had the biggest grin as the sawdust was flying and had enjoyed every minute of that day. Needless to say I have purchased a few more Stihl saws, and a blower. I am very happy with everything that Stihl engineers and manufactures because it is quality and top of the line equipment, second to none!

I just wish they would make a tractor now..........but I'm in good hands with my BX24.........

Craig

 

[LBrown59]

I have almost as many Stihls as I have Kubotas.

 

[Egon]

I have as many Husky's as Kubota's, one of each.

Neither was purchased at a box store.

I prefer to go to the small dealers for chain saws and such tools. I'm not the most knowledgeable of people so the small dealers fill a much needed gap when it's question time.

Another advantage is that if it's not in stock chances are they can order in and have it for you in a weeks time or so.

Just for example check out a box store and see if you can find a 24 inch 3/8 rip chain.

In our area there are quite a few small engine type businesses in operation.

 

[Gizmo36]

I have a Stihl 044 that is 29 years old and it runs as good as the day I bought it. and it has been run hard .My friend has when through 5 saws .the last one when out last weak he is going to get a stihl this time.

 

[swines]

I have a Stihl 044 that is 29 years old and it runs as good as the day I bought it. and it has been run hard .My friend has when through 5 saws .the last one when out last weak he is going to get a stihl this time.

I've got a 25 year old Husky that does the same thing - works everytime. It's been in to be repaired once - the chain oil pump went out. My fault, I loaned it to someone who didn't put oil in the chain oil sump...and ran it for two weeks without oil....oh yeah, it needed a new bar and chain too...

I don't loan it out anymore. I always wondered what he thought the gallon of bar oil I gave him to use with the saw was for.

 

[Shmudda]

Swines,

Thats why my tools are MINE. If someone wants to borrow something, I tell them the local dealer has all they want. My wife gets pissed, but in the end, I'm not left with a repair bill and a busted up, worn out piece of junk because someone can't take care of it.

Craig

 

[montanaman]

Another advantage is that if it's not in stock chances are they can order in and have it for you in a weeks time or so.

If I have a steady customer come in for something like a bar, chain, or clutch part and I'm out of stock on it, he will get one from a new saw on my shelf and I will replace it when it comes in.

Ken

 

[Duckklr69]

I own 2 Stihl saws and a Stihl weedeater, I figured out a long time ago if you buy cheap you end up doing it many times over, I buy top of line products now and only buy once.

 

[Hookblock]

I have the MS 021,260,361 chain saws, FS 95 brush cutter, BG 55 blower, and a TS 350 cutoff saw. And soon a HT 101 pole saw. Very happy with all of them. I have a great dealer to work with.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

MS361 and FS110R...excellent products, excellent dealer

 

[RWEST]

Yes, Stihl definitely makes top quality products. I own a number of their saws, ranging from an old (25-30 years, probably) 014 that still works fine through various "Pro's" (026, 036, 046) to the 066, which is a beast. Never had any real problems with any of 'em. They all just work!!

We were clearing some property a few years back, and got so tired of hearing my brother squawk about the problems he was having with his saw (Craftsman, I don't know who actually made it) that we pitched in and got him an 036 as an early birthday present. He was amazed at the difference.

We also have an FC95 edger with mini-cultivator and power sweep gadget, which really makes short work of lawn cleanup in the spring - the snowplows push gravel and stuff along the edges of the yards, and that power sweep is much nicer than a lawn rake.

Stihl's definitely good stuff!!

In fairness, Husqvarna equipment, at least their chainsaws, is also top of the line. Aside from an improperly installed fuel filter from the factory on a 261, my Husky's have never been a problem, either. Their 365, which I believe is no longer made, is probably the best all-around saw I've ever used. Light enough to run all day, powerful enough to handle the 12-16" hardwoods that predominate around here. But, this IS a "Stihl" thread, so, I shan't digress further.

Spending a few more dollars for a top quality piece of equipment isn't really an expense, if you factor time saved (or lost) having to constantly adjust this, or tighten that, or whatever. And, there is definitely a difference in the 'feel' of a top quality piece of equipment that can't be overstated. Can't be described, either, but you'll know it when you feel it.

 

[williekioti]

You get what you pay for, plain and simple. I have way more chainsaws than tractors, something like a 14:2 ratio . Most of 'em are Stihls, a couple of Huskys and few others.

If you want longevity in a chainsaw buy a Pro model Stihl(or Husky/Jonsered or Dolmar), something that just cuts and delivers the performance for years with very little cost over time. If you just cut a couple cords a year or yard clean up in suburbia or occasional trimming and such then a cheapy, throw away saw is probably fine. [Disclaimer: I say throw away only because when you wear out a piston/cylinder or break any major component they are not worth fixing vs. a pro saw that can be rebuilt many times over.]

I have 30+ year old Stihls still cutting with their original P/Cs only having replaced plugs, filters and such, now how many Wild Things or Ryobis bought today will be operating in 2038? Not saying consumer (homeowner) saws are junk or not a viable option, you just have to decide how soon you want to replace it.

As far as promoting the service department and technicians working in same, that is probably the biggest selling point for me in choosing a saw dealer and I perform 99% of my own saw maintenance including rebuilds. I favor the old hole in the wall saw shops with oily floors, the smell of two-stroke in the air, guys with dirty hands and crates full of old, burned up/crushed saws and parts out back to the pretty OPE stores with clean white shelf rack systems and pressed uniforms. But that's just me. I like talking to owners that KNOW their product inside and out. Like the Olive grower (sorry forgot your username ) stated earlier to be able to walk into a shop and have the guy(s) assist you imediately to get an intregral piece of equipment back into service ASAP is priceless. Stuff breaks, even top end, pro grade saws (usually do to user) so having a top end dealer with a competent tech staff is a must for me.

My .02.

Oh, just like to add.........I find this thread particularly interesting on a site where guys and gals are spending many thousands of dollars on tractors and tractor toys but quivelling over spending few hundred on a decent chainsaw. I favor orange & white myself, but recommend Pro grade of any color as a starting point for any potential sawyer.......................

 

[TCowner]

I agree with the idea you get what you pay for. Many years ago I purchased a throw away say when JC Penny actually sold chain saws. It was a McCullogh 310 so I thought it would be a pretty good saw. I fought the darn thing for about 3 years. I finally gave up.

I went to the local Sthil dealer and purchased an 026 and never looked back. Thats been over 12 years ago. I've replaced numerous chains, a couple of bars and one drive sprocket but that is it. It starts easily, and I'm convinced it runs just as well and has lost no power since it was new. It certainly fits in my "best buy" category.

I also purchased an Echo 670 two years ago which also has been a great saw. But we'll see whether it has the longevity of the Stihl. But so far, so good.

 

[NuBota]

You know I have to chime in here on this one!

When I finally built my house in 1996 I put a wood burner in it. At that time I was using an old Mcculloch Mac 10-10 saw that my Dad bought in 1968, and used it until 2002 when I had finally had enough. Not that the saw was giving me problems or not cutting (which it cuts really good) but I was tired of the vibration, and it was just working me harder then I worked it. I went to my local Stihl dealer in Delmont, PA and was looking at saws when the owner came up to me and asked if he could help me. I answered that I wanted a saw that I could work, and one that wouldn't work me. At that time he took me over to the "homeowner" type saws, MS290 Farm Boss. I looked at him and very politely said, "I don't think you understood what I said. I said I want a SAW, not a toy" I walked over to the MS460 picked it up and told him to fuel it up, it was going home with me.

I got it home and began to attack a pile of logs about 8' high, 8'wide x 12' long or so. I ended up cutting that pile up in less then half the time it would have taken me with that old Mac 10-10. I had the biggest grin as the sawdust was flying and had enjoyed every minute of that day. Needless to say I have purchased a few more Stihl saws, and a blower. I am very happy with everything that Stihl engineers and manufactures because it is quality and top of the line equipment, second to none!

I just wish they would make a tractor now..........but I'm in good hands with my BX24.........

Craig

Did the exact same thing - had four 50" oaks to cut - the MS460 rocks - use the 20" Crapsman for limbing

 

[Birdmayon]

I agree with the original poster. I went to Lowes and checked out the husky saws. I almost bought one just based on the ASSUMPTION that a similar Stihl would be more expensive. Luckily I decided to check out my local Stihl dealer and the Farm bosses were the same price, so I left with a 310.

Would the husky from lowes be as good a saw? Maybe. But here's something to chew on...I bought a husky weed trimmer from Lowes. The cheesey throttle trigger snapped off less than a year later. I had to call Husky directly to try to get it fixed, they said I'd have to bring my receipt to a husky repair shop and they could replace the trigger under warranty. Of course I didn't have the receipt and the closest husky repair shop was like 40 miles away anyway. Had I purchased a trimmer from a local shop, they could've looked my info up and just taken care of it. I tried to purchase just the trigger from husky, nope, have to buy the whole handle assembly for $60 to replace a $2 plastic trigger. I won't buy husky again, and I probably will buy all of my equipment from local dealers from now on. You may save a little up front when buying from a box store but I think you're better off in the long run if you deal with an actual dealership.