Dealer preparation of new saws

[Old2stroke]

For those of you who work for a dealer, what preparation, if any, do you do to a new saw before the customer gets it?
Just hand it to him in a box?
Get it running and make sure the tune is right on and everything works. Make sure he knows how to start it and understands the function of choke and fast idle?
Somewhere in between?

 

[Marley5]

I've bought new saws from Echo, Stihl and Husqvarna dealers and have yet to have one started in my presence.
The last Stihl that I bought 4 months ago I was handed a receipt, that's it, no owners manual, no instructions..... did get a hat.

If I were new to saws I'd still be pulling a rope.
When I helped a Dolmar dealer years ago, he was very thorough, physically going over the entire saw, starting, fuel recommendation, chain sharpening and filter maintenance.
He even set them rich for the 1st couple of tanks and had them return the saws for another tune.
Times have changed apparently.

 

[PV Hiker]

A buyer prospective,

I have never got a new saw box on any of my new Stihl chainsaws from two different dealers.

First dealer it was ready to go but asked them to start it and tune for higher altitude. Since that saw learned a lot and switched dealers.

New dealer got to know me pretty good. and my repair abilities etc. All new chainsaws were waiting for me and already put together and test run.

When I pick up the chainsaw I also bring my PPE as they have a big test log. I fire up and warm up the saws and go at the test log, loading it up to set the rings. This also tells me that the chainsaw is working properly before I leave the property. The 500i purchase I asked if he wanted to test it out since he had not been able to use one yet. Sure did, put on his PPE and had a very nice smile on his face.

I think they treat me differently than average home owner buyer and I have no idea how much time they spend with new costumers covering the details of a product.

 

[Old2stroke]

I've bought new saws from Echo, Stihl and Husqvarna dealers and have yet to have one started in my presence.

That doesn't necessarily mean they hadn't already been prepared. Any sign of oil on the bar, chain or around the clutch?

 

[farmer steve]

Last 3 saws I bought I just told my guy what wanted and have it sitting at the counter in the box with MY price on it. Done deal. He knows I'll prep it myself.

 

[StihlsawuserMS361]

My 500I came from and elite dealer,30 miles away. (Sadly, my local decent dealer got flooded out and just couldn't recoup financially) I asked said dealer (as he's taking over from his father) their procedure of initial start before sales. He replied, I start them, then go wide open to check oiling. I told him I want it warmed up first, or the sale is off. This may piss off some, but I'm a firm believer in breaking in gasoline motors gradually.

 

[SS396driver]

I’ve only bought two saws new from a dealer both times they were gassed up and started with me present. The 395 was put into wood before I took it

 

[Section VIII]

Where I worked until just before Christmas, before I personally did anything, I asked the customer if they wanted a new-in-box or if they wanted me to assemble and start. But all the other salespersons would assemble the saw (blower, trimmer, or whatever) and put about a half tank of bar oil (if applicable) and premixed Stihl fuel in and make sure it starts.

When I first started working there, one of the first Stihl equipment I sold (handheld blower) to a customer was running rough and I asked the "veteran" equipment sales guy where the extra tuning screwdrivers were and he told me not to touch the tune (I disagreed but I guess it was store policy?). Our store kept the manuals and "extras" in a separate area until the equipment was sold.

I would not go full throttle until the equipment warmed up for a few minutes. If the customer said they were novices, I'd go over all the ins and outs of the equipment. Also recommended to the customer to use only premixed fuel and/or non-ethanol.

I always made sure to get a new-in-box if I bought anything for myself. The employee discount was okay but definitely not as good as I expected.

 

[Marley5]

That doesn't necessarily mean they hadn't already been prepared. Any sign of oil on the bar, chain or around the clutch?

I removed the fuel cap and could smell fuel but thinking that was from the factory, QC probably.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I work part time at a Kubota dealership that also sells and services Echo power products and Cub Cadet mowers and power equipment and we unbox all the saws (and everything else and check them over before customers buy them. We go over the operations and provide a jug of bar oil as well as a gallon of Red Armor canned das with each unit purchased plus we go over the operation and have the customer start the saw.

The dealer I work at has a stellar reputation for quality service and customer relations.

Customer gets the packaging if they want it as well. Normally they don't and of course the operating manual and Scrench and each saw comes with a bar scabbard.

Remember that Echo as well as Stihl offers way more than just chainsaws for sale. We are full line Echo.

You won't get that at a box store like Home Despot, I guarantee that.

 

[StihlsawuserMS361]

I work part time at a Kubota dealership that also sells and services Echo power products and Cub Cadet mowers and power equipment and we unbox all the saws (and everything else and check them over before customers buy them. We go over the operations and provide a jug of bar oil as well as a gallon of Red Armor canned das with each unit purchased plus we go over the operation and have the customer start the saw.

The dealer I work at has a stellar reputation for quality service and customer relations.

Customer gets the packaging if they want it as well. Normally they don't and of course the operating manual and Scrench and each saw comes with a bar scabbard.

Remember that Echo as well as Stihl offers way more than just chainsaws for sale. We are full line Echo.

You won't get that at a box store like Home Despot, I guarantee that.

Interesting....My 500I came from an Elite Dealer. He told me I couldn't have the box it came in because people were using them to sell E Bay knock off's. Not a big deal really, it's just a box. But too, he's the only game in town, so it's his rules or his rules......

 

[PJwoodcutter]

I remember the first new saw I purchased. It was from a Husqvarna dealer back in the day. He went over everything from cleaning the air filter to bar and chain to starting procedure. After that he had me start the saw and actually do some cutting and gave pointers on how to do that from a safety perspective. At the time I was pretty well versed in operating a saw because I had worked for my uncle that was a small time logger/tree service in the winters. But had I been a novice this instruction would have been invaluable. That type of service is all but forgotten. The last saw I purchased they started it in back out of sight and gave zero instruction on starting procedure or maintenance. Handed me the saw and bag of manual, scrench and screwdriver. Oh, how far we have fallen. Customer service is a thing of the past. Now just a greeting is considered CS.

 

[sean donato]

Seems to depend in the "dealer" what new sales procedure is. My favorite dealer, Eblings, runs the saw, puts whatever bar and chain on it (if needed.) and makes sure it's good to go before handing it over. Usually they will submit the information for warranty registration too, for stihl. Can't remember if they did it for husqy or echo or not. Been a while since I got a husqy from them.
The closest, now defunct, dealer to me I wouldn't let run anything. They were just close and their service guys couldn't hardly change a belt on a lawn mower let alone know how to tune a saw/o.p.e.

 

[ZeroJunk]

Seems to depend in the "dealer" what new sales procedure is. My favorite dealer, Eblings, runs the saw, puts whatever bar and chain on it (if needed.) and makes sure it's good to go before handing it over. Usually they will submit the information for warranty registration too, for stihl. Can't remember if they did it for husqy or echo or not. Been a while since I got a husqy from them.
The closest, now defunct, dealer to me I wouldn't let run anything. They were just close and their service guys couldn't hardly change a belt on a lawn mower let alone know how to tune a saw/o.p.e.

So, you sell a saw. The customer wants it tested in a log, filled with oil, whatever. Then , he decides he does not want it for whatever.
You have a used saw.

 

[SS396driver]

So, you sell a saw. The customer wants it tested in a log, filled with oil, whatever. Then , he decides he does not want it for whatever.
You have a used saw.

No offense, but some of you are dumb as a stick of wood.

Saw is always paid for prior to starting the saw. Policy around here saw is only returnable if it’s defective and then it will be exchanged for a new saw . Dealer sends defective saw back . Just like all power equipment try returning a generator or lawn mower just because you changed your mind .

 

[ZeroJunk]

Saw is always paid for prior to starting the saw. Policy around here saw is only returnable if it’s defective and then it will be exchanged for a new saw . Dealer sends defective saw back . Just like all power equipment try returning a generator or lawn mower just because you changed your mind .

Good luck with that. Saw is paid for when you go out the front door with the invoice.
The buyer states that all is acceptable and accepts the warranty conditions before they leave with it.

 

[dwaugh]

If the dealer wants to start the saw after the paperwork he is a moron. Which is quite possible.

We used to call that customer service.

 

[dwaugh]

Pretty clear that most of you do not have a clue what you are talking about.

If somebody wants a saw started before they pay for it, then why would they pay for it before it before it is started. Duh.

I don't think it's a question of payment timing, empirical evidence suggests it's not uncommon for dealers to start stuff before it goes out the door. You might think they are dumb, but clearly they are not doing it for fun.

 

[moxiemaul]

Stated ahead of time, standard procedure at the place I bought my saw is for me to pay for it, then they obtain it (if not in stock), assemble it, put in oil and fuel, test run it for a few minutes (but not cutting wood), then its good to hand over. Manual and scrench are included, and a warning to "Be careful" because I was not an established customer. They have a little woodyard to play in outside which might've been fun but they didn't offer and it was near closing time and I wanted to make tracks to be ahead of rush hour.

Fine with me. Clearly, if the saw was a lemon and they weren't happy with it then they would get it straightened out before giving it to me. Not really getting what the issue is.

 

[stihlaficionado]

Pretty clear that most of you do not have a clue what you are talking about.

If somebody wants a saw started before they pay for it, then why would they pay for it before it before it is started. Duh.

My Elite dealer in Central Illinois always starts the saw before I pay for it & walk out the door
No idea if it's just me however, as I've purchased at a least 13 saws from him over the last 9 years & always pay cash