Buying my 1st chainsaw in Australia. Should I import a saw?

[blsnelling]

I highly recommend a muffler modded 346xp. I can hook you up if need be.

 

[zogger]

Used rebuilt import

Probably the most saw for the money for you is a used/rebuilt good quality unit..right from the classifieds on this site, from one of the saw builders. Even counting shipping costs..you'll be hundreds ahead, enough to purchase all the protective gear you need plus extra chain loops and files, etc.

 

[MattCrowe]

hey matt from tassie, given your love of paying inflated retail prices , was wondering if you were interested in a nice little bridge i could sell you, start charging tolls and you could have another little $500 a day earner in your portfolio :wink2:


oh and just to keep on topic i bought a technically 2nd hand ( a 3rd party walked into the stihl dealership paid cash for it then went directly to the postal office and sent it to me) ms261 from the US and it worked out about half price landed in Australia.

Damn, wish you had piped up earlier, i just imported 5 bridges from the states complete with toll gates and speed cameras, I only needed one, but they were so cheap i bought the whole package.

Anyway, you guys can bag me out all you like, you like to buy saws from the US to save money, i like to buy my saws locally and pay what seems to be a fairly silky premium, at the end of the day we all get what we want in the end i guess.

It would be nice to have a good reliable source over there, i have mentioned in a thread here before about ebay, that the guys over there should look at listing down here, not so much as a way for us to get cheap saws, but i was more pointing to them getting a better sale price for their gear.

When you have lived in Tasmania for as long as i have, you realize you are fairly segregated from the rest of Australia, it can be hard for us to get items shipped from Victoria, let alone the US.

 

[MattCrowe]

If I were using a saw to make a living I'd make the same decision as you. It's a tax write-off after all.
But I don't. A pro saw is basically a toy for me - a 50cc homeowner saw will do all I NEED - and either way it's never going to earn me a dollar.

Even then, if I had a dealer 2 minutes down the road with the saws on the shelves for me to pick up and handle, I'd probably just fork over the money.
But I don't. It's probably a 500km round trip to a dealer with a full range of saws.

So if I'm going to have to order a saw & buy it sight unseen - why wouldn't I at least think about ordering from the US?

Now that would make it an easy decision then i guess, see if i drove 500Klm's where i am, i would travel 300Klm's on land and then the next 200Klm's would be out to sea on my way to Antarctica, while on land in that 300Klm's i would pass at least 8 dealers stocking every model available in this country. Here in Launceston (north) we have 2 Stihl dealers within 10 Klm's of each other that stock everything from the little plastic toy saw you buy the toddler to MS880's and have 2 of everything on the shelf, god only knows why, but maybe they know what a pain it is to get stuff into this state in a hurry so they stay prepared. So i guess in your case its worth a shot.

Just take care when you do buy that professional toy though, after all its a toy that has the potential to leave your body standing there without a head on it anymore...:msp_biggrin:

 

[Nardoo]

Matt, nobody is trying to bag you out. Just good robust discussion among brothers as I see it. :msp_smile:

I am sure we have all purchased saws in Oz at full retail over the years and to be honest, I used to be very happy to do it. Trouble is, I discovered AS and saw what what the guys stateside get for their dollar and became discontented. To me warranty is unnecessary as realistically, and without sounding bigheaded, I can fix my own saws. And with what I do to them when I buy them the warranties would be void anyway. When I have a tricky problem with a saw I don't go down the road to my neighbourhood saws shop, I post here. The combined wisdom of the AS members is remarkable.

As an example, I know where there is a virtually new 357Xp for $350.00. At a dealership too. It is sitting in a box because the mechanics cannot get it to run right - it has an air leak and they cannot work it out. With two minutes searching here you could find that it is typical carb/boot clamp problem and the members would give you the part numbers and probably pictures of a quick fix. I will take that any day.

You guys that are professionals and need reliable tools to make your living are different - I understand your need for a good dependable dealer. But we chainsaw junkies, and blokes like me who have more saws than they can ever use, would never dream of taking our saws into the shop to be worked on. And getting a cheap saw just leaves more money for more saws! We never really save money but we do get more bang for our buck.

Al.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I have a wife and 2 kids. I have guys with familys who work darn hard for me every day.

My last 3 saws came from stateside and saved me 2 grand. Choosing between money going to my local dealer and money going to either my family or my guys is a no brainer.

I can buy a plane ticket to the US, fly 10,500 kms, get at least 3 meals, free drinks and probably 5 movies pick up 4 ms200t's at a dealer in LA, fly home with more food drinks and movies and it would cost me LESS than driving down the road to by 4 at the local dealer.

We get ripped off on prices. The cost of parts is insane. I dont blame the dealers but at one stage a piston and cylinder were worth more here than the entire MS200t was in the US. Guys in sweden were buying huskys online from the US. One guy I know off had family working at the husky plant who could get the saws cheaper from Baileys than they could from the factory with staff discount.

We live in a modern open access, free trade (almost) environment. If the corperates at stihl, husky, echo etc think they are going to be able to treat customers they way they have done in the past with overinflated regional pricing and still retain local loyalty, they are freaking dreaming. They show no loyalty to there local workers as they move more factories to china, its hypocritical of them to expect to keep us trapped with the suppliers and costs that THEY want US to endure.

 

[deye223]

I have a wife and 2 kids. I have guys with familys who work darn hard for me every day.

My last 3 saws came from stateside and saved me 2 grand. Choosing between money going to my local dealer and money going to either my family or my guys is a no brainer.

I can buy a plane ticket to the US, fly 10,500 kms, get at least 3 meals, free drinks and probably 5 movies pick up 4 ms200t's at a dealer in LA, fly home with more food drinks and movies and it would cost me LESS than driving down the road to by 4 at the local dealer.

We get ripped off on prices. The cost of parts is insane. I dont blame the dealers but at one stage a piston and cylinder were worth more here than the entire MS200t was in the US. Guys in sweden were buying huskys online from the US. One guy I know off had family working at the husky plant who could get the saws cheaper from Baileys than they could from the factory with staff discount.

We live in a modern open access, free trade (almost) environment. If the corperates at stihl, husky, echo etc think they are going to be able to treat customers they way they have done in the past with overinflated regional pricing and still retain local loyalty, they are freaking dreaming. They show no loyalty to there local workers as they move more factories to china, its hypocritical of them to expect to keep us trapped with the suppliers and costs that THEY want US to endure.

you got it in one.......2......3 corperates

 

[OrangeRidge]

The UK was the same when I lived there up until '87 . With the advent of the single European Market
and no barriers ( as long as it was purchased in another EU country ) to inter-country trade , the UK
has learnt to reduce prices , or you buy your BMW etc and drive it home ( like my Mother's neighbour
and his 335 coupe ). I detest the way we're the last refuse of scumbag importers/Corporate cartels.
It won't change in our lifetime ; who the hell are we going to "pact" with ? We're a load of Brits/decendants
in an overlooked place. Never mind Apple getting cheaper ; they're blocking the competition ...........
I went into the Nambour Stihl shop today and some kid gave me a price of $1700 on a $1799 MS460 20".
Thought he was doing me a favour .......... KMA . Small town tossers !

 

[jmw]

Thanks for all the responses - both the chorus shouting "do it mate, do it" & the one dissenting voice.

Think I'm going to do it.

I'm leaning towards buying a modded saw from a site member - if I'm not going to be able to use the warranty I might as well get something that voids that unusable warranty.

Unlike seemingly everyone else on here I'm not going to be cutting firewood. I live in the sub-tropics & in mid-winter we close the bedroom windows & put a blanket on the bed. No heating of any kind needed.

Pushing me towards a bigger saw is the idea of slabbing the 100+ foot ghost gums that are overshadowing the house.
Once a crew with a cherry-picker cuts them down, that is.

Maybe I'll rip the logs free-hand & clean the slabs up with my stanley #8. Nah, looks like I need a chainsaw mill. Guess I'll import that too.

 

[deye223]

Thanks for all the responses - both the chorus shouting "do it mate, do it" & the one dissenting voice.

Think I'm going to do it.

I'm leaning towards buying a modded saw from a site member - if I'm not going to be able to use the warranty I might as well get something that voids that unusable warranty.

Unlike seemingly everyone else on here I'm not going to be cutting firewood. I live in the sub-tropics & in mid-winter we close the bedroom windows & put a blanket on the bed. No heating of any kind needed.

Pushing me towards a bigger saw is the idea of slabbing the 100+ foot ghost gums that are overshadowing the house.
Once a crew with a cherry-picker cuts them down, that is.

Maybe I'll rip the logs free-hand & clean the slabs up with my stanley #8. Nah, looks like I need a chainsaw mill. Guess I'll import that too.

haha didn't take long
and may CAD grab by the BALLSgone bloody dog :msp_thumbsup:

 

[MattCrowe]

Thanks for all the responses - both the chorus shouting "do it mate, do it" & the one dissenting voice.

Think I'm going to do it.

I'm leaning towards buying a modded saw from a site member - if I'm not going to be able to use the warranty I might as well get something that voids that unusable warranty.

Unlike seemingly everyone else on here I'm not going to be cutting firewood. I live in the sub-tropics & in mid-winter we close the bedroom windows & put a blanket on the bed. No heating of any kind needed.

Pushing me towards a bigger saw is the idea of slabbing the 100+ foot ghost gums that are overshadowing the house.
Once a crew with a cherry-picker cuts them down, that is.

Maybe I'll rip the logs free-hand & clean the slabs up with my stanley #8. Nah, looks like I need a chainsaw mill. Guess I'll import that too.

Just a thought, personally it has nothing to do with me where you buy your saw and to be honest unless you were buying it off me its of none of my concern, however, with husky's and stihls platinum plated price tags, 1800-2000 bucks is gonna buy you a 90cc job here new, you will kick your ghost gums ass*s and never look back, but like you say you can get one for half that out of the US, fair call...

These things are half that already, I have no experience with them at all so i can only comment on what i have read on this board and some of the guys here reckon they are a rocket ship, if they are only 1000 bucks here new, maybe chase one of these up over there and land your self a pro 90cc beast here for around 500 bucks ? ok the color scheme isn't the greatest, but nor is orange and white when you stop to think...

Makita 90cc Petrol Chainsaw - 2 Stroke (Pro Saw) DCS9010 | eBay

 

[AUSSIE1]

Just a thought, personally it has nothing to do with me where you buy your saw and to be honest unless you were buying it off me its of none of my concern, however, with husky's and stihls platinum plated price tags, 1800-2000 bucks is gonna buy you a 90cc job here new, you will kick your ghost gums ass*s and never look back, but like you say you can get one for half that out of the US, fair call...

These things are half that already, I have no experience with them at all so i can only comment on what i have read on this board and some of the guys here reckon they are a rocket ship, if they are only 1000 bucks here new, maybe chase one of these up over there and land your self a pro 90cc beast here for around 500 bucks ? ok the color scheme isn't the greatest, but nor is orange and white when you stop to think...

Makita 90cc Petrol Chainsaw - 2 Stroke (Pro Saw) DCS9010 | eBay

Why when you can have a tweaked 390XP for less? And they're pretty!

 

[MattCrowe]

Why when you can have a tweaked 390XP for less? And they're pretty!

Never actually stood in awe of any saws beauty, i'm more into the Myer lingerie catalog for that sort of thing, but each to their own i guess...

 

[AUSSIE1]

Never actually stood in awe of any saws beauty, i'm more into the Myer lingerie catalog for that sort of thing, but each to their own i guess...

Neither do I, but you made mention of the Dolmars colour of dress!

 

[Jon1212]

Never actually stood in awe of any saws beauty, i'm more into the Myer lingerie catalog for that sort of thing, but each to their own i guess...

Matt, what you choose to wear under your work clothes is your own business, and don't let anyone here try to tell you otherwise.........I say 'good on ya"...............

As for the OP JMW, I think you are doing the right thing by saving the money, and sourcing your saw here through a reputable member. Afterall, as you have stated a few times, this is a hobby, and not a way of making money. However be forewarned that having multiple saws seperated by 10cc's from, oh lets say a 30cc top handle up to 90cc+ brute is inevitable..........I just need a 70cc class saw, and then my saw plan is complete.......................yeah right like that'll ever happen.

Welcome to AS, and welcome to CAD.

 

[OrangeRidge]

..... However be forewarned that having multiple saws seperated by 10cc's from, oh lets say a 30cc top handle up to 90cc+ brute is inevitable
.

.......... That's how I've ended up with 5 electric archtops , each 1/2" wider that the next :rockn:

 

[kingcaribou]

Now I find myself considering importing a saw...

JMW did you end up importing?

Enough of my lurking. Importing is my preferred approach, primarily based on cost and the fact I already maintain anything I have with and engine attached to it... what's wrong with another potential project?

I live on a small 80 acre grazing property in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. My property is dotted with 100-500 year old red gums and their remnants (the previous owner dug out and piled the roots and stumps from earlier felling to clear the land).

The open fires beckons as the temperatures start to drop. Last year I managed to feed them using an axe/block splitter and wedges (still need to liberate a wedge that’s trapped in large root). This year I’ve decided its time to get a chainsaw.

I’ve used and worked around chainsaws for years with my dad and working part-time with a fencing contractor/arborist/hedgelayer in the UK and borrowed a friends saw on numerous occasions for fencing and firewood cutting since acquiring the property here..

After much reading and weighing up I think I will settle for a Stihl MS 441 CM which should handle the large roots, trunks and branches.

I have noticed in the past 6-12 months that most of the unofficial importers online have mostly disappeared and prices have escalated. Am I looking in the wrong place? I tried to get a colleague at work to bring one back when he goes to the US next week but he declined even though he has the room in baggage as a Qantas Platinum member. I suppose he does have that look about him that might get him some unwanted time with immigration when they see what’s in his suitcases.

So how do I find someone who will send me a new saw from the US?

 

[Rudolf73]

JMW did you end up importing?

Enough of my lurking. Importing is my preferred approach, primarily based on cost and the fact I already maintain anything I have with and engine attached to it... what's wrong with another potential project?

I live on a small 80 acre grazing property in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. My property is dotted with 100-500 year old red gums and their remnants (the previous owner dug out and piled the roots and stumps from earlier felling to clear the land).

The open fires beckons as the temperatures start to drop. Last year I managed to feed them using an axe/block splitter and wedges (still need to liberate a wedge that’s trapped in large root). This year I’ve decided its time to get a chainsaw.

I’ve used and worked around chainsaws for years with my dad and working part-time with a fencing contractor/arborist/hedgelayer in the UK and borrowed a friends saw on numerous occasions for fencing and firewood cutting since acquiring the property here..

After much reading and weighing up I think I will settle for a Stihl MS 441 CM which should handle the large roots, trunks and branches.

I have noticed in the past 6-12 months that most of the unofficial importers online have mostly disappeared and prices have escalated. Am I looking in the wrong place? I tried to get a colleague at work to bring one back when he goes to the US next week but he declined even though he has the room in baggage as a Qantas Platinum member. I suppose he does have that look about him that might get him some unwanted time with immigration when they see what’s in his suitcases.

So how do I find someone who will send me a new saw from the US?

Welcome to the site for starters. If your mate is going over to the US he might be able to ship a saw back - will cost you around $150 in shipping via USPS. Just make sure you declare the saw as under $1000 to avoid a whole lot of trouble. Otherwise one of the friendly US members on here might offer to send you one when they read this thread.

 

[gcdible1]

Welcome to the site for starters. If your mate is going over to the US he might be able to ship a saw back - will cost you around $150 in shipping via USPS. Just make sure you declare the saw as under $1000 to avoid a whole lot of trouble. Otherwise one of the friendly US members on here might offer to send you one when they read this thread.

Id check with one of the porting guys like Mastermind. He can really do you up a 441crm! PM and ask him it doesnt hurt. I MAY possibly part with my 066 hes building me right now. Only reason why is because I thought about getting a 441 myself. But I probably wont let it outta my sight after I run it once! My sister in law is from Australia and her sister just visited. Not really sure where they are from though. I think between sydney and melbourne.

 

[OrangeRidge]

Carry back limits

The only problem with bringing something back with you is the Aus$400 before tax , vs. the Aus$1000 when
posted over . The Government do this because postage costs put alot of folk off , and therefore that fact
keeps the tax free imports down , whereas everybody could carry a Grand's worth in their suitcase.
I asked a friend in SF to look into posting over a MS460 , but he had to buy it from a Stihl ship with a bar and
chain . The bar's a bad shape for postal costs , and renders the deal not worth the small saving :----
MS460 with 20" and chain is $US980 plus tax . Post on the head is 60ish , and on the bar , it's break-even worth ditching ....
So , $US1100 ish , plus bar ( if re-bought here for $90ish ... ) . Even if the paperwork is falsified it's going to be Aus$ 1280 insured
and I can get one in Queensland for Aus$1530 , with a better exhaust , warranty and dogs .................

With regard to rip-offs and Stihl Australia . After years ( 4 now ! ) of parity and better , with the Greenback , RIVERA Amps have
had enough of their Aussie importer and have signed up a new mob who sell for US prices . About bloody time too . Just about
every other importer in this country is a shyster imo.