MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
Hi Fellas.
Relatively new here but am in Australia (where we get ripped off for everything compared to you guys in the US
).
Recently ordered some supposedly Carlton Chains from the US in numerous lengths, both 3/8 Low Profile (N1C-54E, N1C-44E, N1C-50E) and 3/8" normal (A1LM-60E).
I had ordered some 54DL LP chains for my McCulloch 2316AV (as I had 2 new Oregon bars ordered locally but found that they wouldn't fit despite Oregon's recommendations - a 56DL bar, 160SDEA041 ended up being a perfect match AFTER ordering the chains).
Anyway, the business concerned was great to deal with, very friendly and reputable etc, but today I took the chains to the local Stihl agent and was going to sacrifice one of my 6 wrong chains to lengthen the other five to 56DL. The local dealer rang me and said it wasn't worth it as they were cheap Chinese chains and not even worth the price of two joiners (he is a bit of a peanut though!).
The 3/8LP chains have "N1" stamped on the drive link and the standard 3/8" chains have "A1" stamped on the drive link and to be honest the finish of the chains are nowhere near the Oregon 91VS chains I have previously purchased. The cutting edge also has a finish about the same as I can get with my bench chain grinder and not "polished" like other new chains I've bought. The links also seem to bind a bit although I'm sure they'd wear in quick.
Nowhere on any of the 25 chains I ordered is Carlton written although the boxes have "Made in USA" on them.
Had a look on the Carlton website and their chain ID pictures seem to have Carlton stamped (superimposed?) on the tie straps with everything else EXACTLY the same as the chains I purchased.
Landed the chains in Australia for around AUD$14 per chain inc. freight - same chains here are from AUD$35-45!
Just curious if anybody would have any input or information about the likelihood of these chains being counterfeit? I've had a good run buying stuff online from the US but despite only around AUD$310 being involved I am concerned that I may have finally been stung!
Have also just ordered a Dolmar PS-7900 from the US + spare 20" bar, sprockets, and 5 extra chains and despite our weak dollar I will land it here for less than half the cost of buying one in Oz. This never ceases to amaze me.
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any replies/help/information. I won't name the chain supplier though but the business is well known on eBay with 99.8% feedback and nearly 2000 deals. Until the Stihl supplier opened his mouth I was not concerned at all but he has probably made me a bit over suspicious
Matt.
Relatively new here but am in Australia (where we get ripped off for everything compared to you guys in the US
).Recently ordered some supposedly Carlton Chains from the US in numerous lengths, both 3/8 Low Profile (N1C-54E, N1C-44E, N1C-50E) and 3/8" normal (A1LM-60E).
I had ordered some 54DL LP chains for my McCulloch 2316AV (as I had 2 new Oregon bars ordered locally but found that they wouldn't fit despite Oregon's recommendations - a 56DL bar, 160SDEA041 ended up being a perfect match AFTER ordering the chains).
Anyway, the business concerned was great to deal with, very friendly and reputable etc, but today I took the chains to the local Stihl agent and was going to sacrifice one of my 6 wrong chains to lengthen the other five to 56DL. The local dealer rang me and said it wasn't worth it as they were cheap Chinese chains and not even worth the price of two joiners (he is a bit of a peanut though!).
The 3/8LP chains have "N1" stamped on the drive link and the standard 3/8" chains have "A1" stamped on the drive link and to be honest the finish of the chains are nowhere near the Oregon 91VS chains I have previously purchased. The cutting edge also has a finish about the same as I can get with my bench chain grinder and not "polished" like other new chains I've bought. The links also seem to bind a bit although I'm sure they'd wear in quick.
Nowhere on any of the 25 chains I ordered is Carlton written although the boxes have "Made in USA" on them.
Had a look on the Carlton website and their chain ID pictures seem to have Carlton stamped (superimposed?) on the tie straps with everything else EXACTLY the same as the chains I purchased.
Landed the chains in Australia for around AUD$14 per chain inc. freight - same chains here are from AUD$35-45!
Just curious if anybody would have any input or information about the likelihood of these chains being counterfeit? I've had a good run buying stuff online from the US but despite only around AUD$310 being involved I am concerned that I may have finally been stung!
Have also just ordered a Dolmar PS-7900 from the US + spare 20" bar, sprockets, and 5 extra chains and despite our weak dollar I will land it here for less than half the cost of buying one in Oz. This never ceases to amaze me.
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any replies/help/information. I won't name the chain supplier though but the business is well known on eBay with 99.8% feedback and nearly 2000 deals. Until the Stihl supplier opened his mouth I was not concerned at all but he has probably made me a bit over suspicious
Matt.
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