Sthil Chainsaw prices

[barneyrb]

I have a 036 pro and it has been a great saw. I don't take care of it as I should but it always starts and runs strong. With a 20" bar it cuts everything I need. Bought it 10 years ago and just spent $88 for a carb rebuild. tune-up, and chain sharpen. I do this every three years.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

We are a Stihl dealer. There is not enough margin in chinsaws to discount them unless is a really substantial sale. We make less than $20 on some of the small models.

Stihl does run promo's like buy 2 get 1 with chains, sometimes cases, hats, etc... but that is rare.

 

[WilliamBos]

We are a Stihl dealer. There is not enough margin in chinsaws to discount them unless is a really substantial sale. We make less than $20 on some of the small models.

Stihl does run promo's like buy 2 get 1 with chains, sometimes cases, hats, etc... but that is rare.

Is that because the saws sell themselves, so no discounting needed?? We bought Dad a new 55 Rancher for Christmas, a nice fall special.

 

[GaryS]

Is that because the saws sell themselves, so no discounting needed??

They aren't the only company that follows this pricing model. Bose does the same thing. The limit places they can be bought and strictly control the pricing. Sears will have sales "10% everthing in the store (except Bose)". Discounts are not allowed. That certainly doesn't mean that discounts don't happen, they are really discouraged.

When i asked my local dealer about a discount, he countered with "When you buy a Mercedes, you don't dicker over the price". An interesting comeback but not very accurate. Mercedes will wheel and deal with you, I know that for a fact. Walk into a Bose store and I doubt you'll get anything other than MSRP.

 

[montanaman]

Is that because the saws sell themselves, so no discounting needed?? We bought Dad a new 55 Rancher for Christmas, a nice fall special.

In his post, he said that there isn't enough profit in most of the products to discount them. As a Stihl dealer, I can tell you that is accurate information.

I hear it all the time on the web that people think Stihl dealers have an attitude and that they think you should just pay the price they ask. Well who ever decided that a chainsaw shop should be a garage sale? If you buy you wife flowers, do you dicker with the flower shop? Do you go out to eat and dicker on the menu prices before you order? I just ordered pizza for my kids for dinner and when I get there to pick it up, I'll pay them what they tell me I owe them...

Not to get on a rant but there are a lot of expenses to running a business and I think those that dicker the hardest, have never tried it, or at least not one with such a slim profit margin. How many saw a month do you think I need to sell at MSRP just to keep the doors open??

I offer very good service and that is the way I get a lot of business from the commercial tree services in my area but I have to make a living. Something that can barely happen even at MSRP.

Also, just check the prices on a Husky at Lowes and compare it to a Stihl at your local dealer that stocks parts and can service the saw, and you will see that the Stihl costs less. Don't forget that the consumer grade Huskys are built at the Poulan plant too.

I appreciate every customer I have and do my very best to guide them in their selection and to be here for them after the sale for all of their needs, but I am running a business here.

Ken

 

[ultrarunner]

Good points to remember...

I grew up around the family Car Business and sometimes I remember being very embarrassed on the rare occasions my Father would take me shopping.

One time, when I was about 8 years old, dad took me to get my first suit for my uncle's upcoming wedding. I was embarrassed because the first thing my dad did was ask what was on sale. We found a great suit, but it wasn't on the sale rack and my Dad just couldn't bring himself to pay retail for something I would out-grow.

The owner and Dad started talking about how good the suit looked on me all the while Dad was expressing his concern over the cost. To make a long short... Dad got the owner to throw in a tie and a pair of socks and I got my suit.

On the way home I told Dad how I felt. He told me I wouldn't feel that way if I was 8 years old, growing-up in the middle of the Depression like he did. He also said that NO ONE ever came into the dealership and offered to pay the full price for a car and that I would understand when I had to pay my own way.

Sometimes these early lessons last a lifetime.

I bought a Stihl MS250 saw last year. I was only looking and about to leave the shop as they were closing. The owner asked what it would take for me to buy it. I told him I didn't realize these saws cost double what some of the competitors charge. He told me he couldn't discount the saw.... but, he would include a second chain, bar oil and cap. I bought the saw.

 

[rvaitor]

Don't forget that the consumer grade Huskys are built at the Poulan plant too.

Ken

Are you saying the lower end Stihls are built in a Poulan plant?

I doubt anyone can make a living on saws alone and I asked for my dealer's best price and paid it for my pole saw. A great piece of equipment and I've forgotten whether I got a discount or not. I'd love to have a chain saw but am concerned about how much I would use it vs how long(years). The MS 260 would be ideal and I'll probably buy from the same dealer and I'd be glad for him to make a little or a lot, it's the overall value that has me sold on Stihl.

 

[WilliamBos]

Also, just check the prices on a Husky at Lowes and compare it to a Stihl at your local dealer that stocks parts and can service the saw, and you will see that the Stihl costs less. Don't forget that the consumer grade Huskys are built at the Poulan plant too.


Ken

I DO NOT SHOP AT BOX STORES!! Bought the Husky from a Local dealer, on a fall special. I would rather pay a little extra from a dealer, that have the profit go to some big greedy box store.

You seem like a nice guy, our local rental, a Stihl dealer and other lines, was $70 dollars more for a Husky than the dealer I bought from. His attitude is what gives the good folks a bad rap, and he is colour blind, don't care if you ask about a Husky, tried to sell me a stihl. They are not that much better, if any at all.

 

[GaryS]

This is turning into a wacky conversation. Sellers try to maximize price, buyers try to maximize value. It's the free market system and is what America used to be about before all the crazy bailouts. What's wrong with asking someone to sweeten the deal?

I'll buy where I feel comfortable and pay what is reasonable. There are good guys to work with and less than good guys (and good customer and less-than-good customers too).

As some have already said - dealers can toss in a chain, hat, or oil as part of the deal if they want to. I don't think that's too much to ask for when I'm looking at spending $500 on a chainsaw.

 

[vsteel]

Are you saying the lower end Stihls are built in a Poulan plant?

Husky and Sthil "consumer" saws are not built by their parent companies. If you want the legends, you need to buy the PRO saws. Poulans are not terrible saws, they are just not commercial grade. If you are going to be cutting maybe half a cord a year or only run a couple of tanks of gas a year, it will be fine.

In my view, sure the pro saws are expensive, but you are making an investment.

My earlier comment about a cover price to walk into the Sthil dealers around here was referencing the fact they really don't like to help when you walk into the store. I had a Sthil that I had bought and it was still under warranty. When cutting it would die. I took it in and told the dealer what it was doing, he let it idle sitting on the ground for 5 min and then said all was right with the saw. I never did get him to fix it after many trips back. A friend of mine had a saw with a broken oiler still under warranty and a different local dealer wouldn't work on it. He had to call the regional manager and after a month they finally agreed to have it fixed. I have heard a ton of complains about Sthil dealers around here.