Chainsaw sales cycle - when do you buy?

[TonyM]

Alright, I have a little question for all you professionals out there. What time of the year do you buy new saws? I'm thinking this is going to depend on what type of work you're in, as in timber cutting, arborist work, firewood cutting, etc. It seems to me that the price of saws on ebay took a dramatic drop around the beginning of March or so, so I'm thinking demand is down right now. I can see why firewood cutters would buy in the fall, but it seems to me like arborists and timber cutters would buy more in the springtime. What do you all think?

 

[Chainsaw_Maniac]

I think all the stihl dealers have 2 major sales a year. One is where you get a "wood pro kit" free, which is a case, an extra cahin and a hat (or something) and the other is where they knock $50-$200 off the price of some saws.

My stihl dealer gives me sale prices always. For example on my last new saw (a 066 Arctic) the big sticker said $1229 but my price was $1080. I'm assunming my dealer has some way of clearing that with stihl central command, or else he just sais he sold a few more saws during the sale than he did so he can pass the saving on to people like me. He's a nice guy, I know.

If it weren't for that I guess samrt people would buy the saws when they are on sale. Non-pro's and homeowners (and occasionally pro's that have a saw suddenly unreperably broken, lost, or stolen) would buy the saw when they need it, sale or no sale.

 

[JimL]

Timber.
We sell alot of saws year around, but most of the timber guys around either buy in the fall or spring.

Ive never bought a new saw. old 066 is going to run a few more years for sure

 

[Lewis Brander]

Chainsaw prices:

Well, tony, I'd say it depends on the custoner, his wallet, and the dealer or the source where the saw is bought. If your a steady customer and the dealer sees and understand this, I feel he'll give you his best price on a saw that your interessted in, new or used. If he sees you bringing in your saw for legitimate service and knows your taking care of your equiipment he'll take this into concideration and give you a decent price on the saw for repeat business. I'm not talking about Lowes, Walmart stores, etc, but a bonified dealer. When I was in business I always gave my good or repeat customers a break, if I could. I wasn't in business to losse money. Those that came in and thought it was a privelage for me to work on their vehicals and expected it done for nothing got a different price. The old saying goes something like this. If I do the work, it's one price. If I do the work and you watch, it's a bit higher. If I do the work and you help, it's a higher price, yet. If you watch and tell me how to do the work, then you get told to go and do the work yourself, somewheres else. The dealer sees ups and downs in his business. If I was selling saws that people used for winter work, I'd try to get them in during the summer for service or upkeep work on their saws, so they'd be ready for fall work. Same with the Arborist, they might be encouraged to come in during the fall and winter. I've watched Ebay prices on various saws and models of saws. Have not figured out why some saws go so cheap and others go for megabucks. Guess most feel they're getting a great deal. But some pay for it in the end, right up the nose. Have not bought anything from ebay as yet, but may eventually. I personally would want to have the dealer and his service behind me, in the long run. Our local saw shop sells Sthils and so doesn't the local hardware store, but I'd like to see you deal with them and their profit margine. They don't care who you are, they just want to make a buck. The local dealer, once he knows you will, I believe give you the best deal. We have dealers here, like I said, your not in the business to loose money, but am I right. Jump in here. JMO. Lewis.

 

[TonyM]

Good info, but I was looking more for when is the demand higher for certain types of saws? Like 50-60cc saws for firewood guys in the fall? Top hanldes and small bucket saws in the spring, when the tree services get busy? Obviously saw sales will spike after big storms, etc. Not sure if the timber guys would be buying at any particular time, but seems like they would want to cut early spring before the trees bud, or in the fall after the leaves are gone.

How about an opinion on what brings you to a dealer, and keeps you there? Good prices, quality product, parts in stock, proffessional service, all pretty obvious. But what things might sway a potential customer, all else being equal.

 

[weimedog]

I've been watching the market trends..and sensing a buyers market; bought now. I plan to buy more saws as a lot of cutting is going to happen around here. I know thats not what a vender wants to hear...but I already have saws and will continue to find deals when they appear. When I had my excavation business, I bought equipment for a job. Wasn't as interested in price. Now I have time to be patient.

One other factor is how a dealer presents. I always prefer to keep dollars local and support the local guy...if I get the right attitude. A lot of times I get the attitude that the dealer is in control of the sale....having spend over 15 years in the sales & marketing business, and another 10 as an owner/operator in the excavation business; that attitude offends so when I see that as I recently have...internet here I come. For my recent purchase, the best price I could have gotten locally on my Husqvarna 365 was $495 plus aprox $50 dollars tax tax plus driving 45 minutes each way to that dealer in my gas hog Durango....the local guy was $580 something plus tax, over $630 dollars. I had the saw delivered to my door for $477 from an internet source. If my local guy had even gotten into the $550 range tax included, I would have bought this and probably several other from him over the next couple of years......sometimes those "appearances" a dealer looks to for clues don't uncover a good customer potential that building a relationship does. The service I have gotten so far from an internet company will net them probably three more saws over the next year...a trend with my family.

I put my money where my mouth is with my motorcycle & horse habbits. We support 8 horses and 8 motorcycles. I ALWAYS buy my grain and supplys from our local "County Max" because the store manager spent the time to find out what we (my wife, kids, and I) were about..and now we spend thousands there each year..even if he's a bit higher. Same with the motorcycles. I was a dealer rep for a motorcycle company for a couple of years, and two dealers kept in touch. I send thousands of dollars their way too, even if there is a slightly cheaper option.

They know and understand one hand washes the other. Business is about people and the relationship between them.

 

[Lawn Masters]

What brings me to a dealer? Knowledgeble staff, friendly service, parts in stock at the shop, and, decent prices.

The parts being in stock is a big factor, because when the parts are on hand, I can get what I need and get my saws back in action that much faster, rather than waiting for the shop to call me and let me know 2-3 weeks later that the parts are in and I can pick them up then.

Decent prices are important because I dont have a pound of $20's to spend on parts, I'm sure money dont grow on trees.

Knowledgeable staff and friendly service are important because the parts clerk should at least know what you're asking for and be able to get you the desired parts without any problems doing so.
Friendly customer service is important to me too, mainly because I like the shops where they put the customer ahead of profits, if the shop's employees are dedicated to making you happy and doing things right the first time you have them done, then they're going to stay around because they treat people right, and satisfy their customers well. They know you'll be back eventually when the saw wears out, or when you need a special part for that old 090 in the shed.

 

[tony marks]

oh but u arec wrong about money growing on trees.. just ask my daughter..
she knows exactly where its growin on this tree.. im expectin anytime for her to start picking the fruit herself ,,rather than even ask me for it..

 

[Lawn Masters]

Where is this money tree you speak of?