Dolmar 5100S Prices

[DOLMARatOs]

And buying a bunch of grinders to list on ebay to undercut other sellers is any differant?

Don't be a hypocrite.

Actually there is a HUGE difference. I'm not talking about Amick's PRICING. I'm talking about the fact that I signed an agreement with Dolmar not to sell via internet, only to sell saws set-up and show the customer how to run them. The dealer agreement prohibits me from selling via mail-order. Scott touched on this point also.

As for OREGON and MAXX chain grinders, I was approached by OREGON and GB American to sell their equipment via internet and mail-order sales. The only reason I got in that line of business was being asked by my distributors to handle the product in that fashion. Let's face it...List price on an OREGON 511A is $586.00 no one would buy a unit for that. The supply and demand of EBay is the same as any other store. I am not the cheapest dealer either but getting the unit to the customer fast and in good condition is what works out. If you'll notice, there isn't much difference between the highest and lowest prices of things available via eBay.

Let's compare apples to apples here. It isn't a lower priced Dolmar that bothers me, if they can afford to sell for less then they are welcome to IN THEIR LOCAL AREA, but don't go shipping equipment cross country to undercut me if MY dealer agreement (and probably theirs) doesn't allow for that practice.

 

[04ultra]

Actually there is a HUGE difference. I'm not talking about Amick's PRICING. I'm talking about the fact that I signed an agreement with Dolmar not to sell via internet, only to sell saws set-up and show the customer how to run them. The dealer agreement prohibits me from selling via mail-order. Scott touched on this point also.


Let's compare apples to apples here. It isn't a lower priced Dolmar that bothers me, if they can afford to sell for less then they are welcome to IN THEIR LOCAL AREA, but don't go shipping equipment cross country to undercut me if MY dealer agreement (and probably theirs) doesn't allow for that practice.

Jay if I were to be in your area on vacation and would stop in and buy a saw from you for a sweet deal . Then bring it home and my local guy saw it, what would that do? Would he be able to raise a stink??

This is just a question I always wondered about...

.

 

[chowdozer]

Actually there is a HUGE difference. I'm not talking about Amick's PRICING. I'm talking about the fact that I signed an agreement with Dolmar not to sell via internet, only to sell saws set-up and show the customer how to run them. The dealer agreement prohibits me from selling via mail-order. Scott touched on this point also.

As for OREGON and MAXX chain grinders, I was approached by OREGON and GB American to sell their equipment via internet and mail-order sales. The only reason I got in that line of business was being asked by my distributors to handle the product in that fashion. Let's face it...List price on an OREGON 511A is $586.00 no one would buy a unit for that. The supply and demand of EBay is the same as any other store. I am not the cheapest dealer either but getting the unit to the customer fast and in good condition is what works out. If you'll notice, there isn't much difference between the highest and lowest prices of things available via eBay.

Let's compare apples to apples here. It isn't a lower priced Dolmar that bothers me, if they can afford to sell for less then they are welcome to IN THEIR LOCAL AREA, but don't go shipping equipment cross country to undercut me if MY dealer agreement (and probably theirs) doesn't allow for that practice.

Good post!

 

[DOLMARatOs]

Jay if I were to be in your area on vacation and would stop in and buy a saw from you for a sweet deal . Then bring it home and my local guy saw it, what would that do? Would he be able to raise a stink??

This is just a question I always wondered about...

.

Absolutely not. It is perfectly acceptable for a person to physically walk in to any Dolmar or Stihl or even Husky for that matter and purchase a saw anywhere in the US. The dealer SHOULD set the saw up, test-run it and show you all points of operation before you leave the store. These are the guidelines that the manufacturers have set for us dealers (at least Dolmar and Stihl). There may be certain exceptions such as big tree care outfits, etc. but for the most part this is the procedure.

Would I as a dealer ever look down upon a customer for buying a saw at a better price via internet then they could get if from me? Nope, because I would do the same thing if the price difference warranted the extra problems if I had trouble with the equipment.

I would however as a dealer be very pizzed that the other dealer was not playing by the rules. In example, If GB and OREGON decided to not allow mail-order or internet sales for their chain grinding equipment then I would no longer sell through those venues. Plain and simple we should all try to play by the rules. Period.

 

[Works4me]

Jay if I were to be in your area on vacation and would stop in and buy a saw from you for a sweet deal . Then bring it home and my local guy saw it, what would that do? Would he be able to raise a stink??

This is just a question I always wondered about...

.

When I purchased my Stihl about six years ago I mentined that I might could buy it cheaper at another dealer.

He informed me that if I did he would like to know because of an agreement signed not to sell below retail.

He implied that he could turn the other dealer in to Stihl and cause him problems. How much truth there is to this I do not know. But I'm sure there are people here with the
correct info.

 

[THALL10326]

When I purchased my Stihl about six years ago I mentined that I might could buy it cheaper at another dealer.

He informed me that if I did he would like to know because of an agreement signed not to sell below retail.

He implied that he could turn the other dealer in to Stihl and cause him problems. How much truth there is to this I do not know. But I'm sure there are people here with the
correct info.

What he told you was a big ole lie, plain and simple. All Stihl dealerships are independent. Stihl does not own one single dealership that I know of. Any Stihl dealer can sell any Stihl product for whatever he chooses to sell them at. Stihl is hardcore about selling over the net but they don't care what the dealer charges for in house sales. Your dealer was crying foul so you wouldn't go elsewhere. Poor sales tactics on his part....

 

[litefoot]

What he told you was a big ole lie, plain and simple. All Stihl dealerships are independent. Stihl does not own one single dealership that I know of. Any Stihl dealer can sell any Stihl product for whatever he chooses to sell them at. Stihl is hardcore about selling over the net but they don't care what the dealer charges for in house sales. Your dealer was crying foul so you wouldn't go elsewhere. Poor sales tactics on his part....

So now I know that all the local Stihl dealers (except one) are liars. I suspected as much.

Stihl: Love the saws; loathe the dealers.

 

[DOLMARatOs]

Thall,

I hear the same type of "all Stihl Prices are the same" BS from the local Stihl dealers here.

I'm pretty sure that Stihl has a "minimum advertised price" to qualify for co-op ad $$$ but they really cannot do anything about a dealer's selling price. Every dealer has the choice as to how much they can make on a unit.

I agree 100% with Thall that the dealer was blowing some smoke to get the sale at a higher $$$. If it was in my store, I'd ask for the model, serial # of the unit and the sale price out the door including tax in writing. If it was a current model year unit and the price was agreeabl;e and the customer felt it was worth the travel time, I'd match the price if possible.

 

[THALL10326]

So now I know that all the local Stihl dealers (except one) are liars. I suspected as much.

Stihl: Love the saws; loathe the dealers.

Well I can't speak for all but I can speak for where I work. Discounts aren't hard to get as long as the person is reasonable. The come in demanding they go out slamming. They act nice and asked they 9 times out of 10 recieve. That dealer you were speaking of yes I'd say he's on the shady side. I don't think Stihl has time to check on what all their 35,000 dealers worldwide sell their products for. I'm sure Stihl is more concerned that the dealer pays the bill they send him.

 

[THALL10326]

Thall,

I hear the same type of "all Stihl Prices are the same" BS from the local Stihl dealers here.

I'm pretty sure that Stihl has a "minimum advertised price" to qualify for co-op ad $$$ but they really cannot do anything about a dealer's selling price. Every dealer has the choice as to how much they can make on a unit.

I agree 100% with Thall that the dealer was blowing some smoke to get the sale at a higher $$$. If it was in my store, I'd ask for the model, serial # of the unit and the sale price out the door including tax in writing. If it was a current model year unit and the price was agreeabl;e and the customer felt it was worth the travel time, I'd match the price if possible.

Well whenever a feller tells me he can buy the exact same machine at so and so for less I make it very simple, show me that dealers quote on paper and for your trouble I'll beat the price. Sometimes I'll say well let me call overthere and see if your telling me the truth here, if so I'll beat it, simple as that. Talk about some strange looks,LOLOL You'd be surprised how many times I've caught the good ole customer lying so it works both ways.
Had a guy call me once and tell me he could buy a 460 from somewhere for 525.00 out the door. I said really, well get on overthere and get it for its not everyday people are gonna sell them for less than they paid for them. I heard this CLICK on the line, he hung up,LOL

 

[mpapuga]

I'm pretty sure that Stihl has a "minimum advertised price" to qualify for co-op ad $$$ but they really cannot do anything about a dealer's selling price.

A big misunderstanding occurs when a non Stihl dealer tries to interpret what he thinks Stihl is trying to accomplish. MSRP is suggested, just like it sounds. If a dealer wants to sell a dozen saws to a good customer at a loss to keep the buisness, that is his perogative and has nothing to do with COOP money. Whatever he buys from his distributer, a certain percentage is charged for COOP funds, no matter what $$ it gets sold for, saws or parts.
Good buisness practices may require taking a hit (or at least not making a good percentage on a saw sale) for those excellent customers that bring in all their saw repair work and purchase all their bars, chains, bar oil, mix oil, etc. at a 40% markup because they developed a relationship with their dealer and appreciate a good deal with the saws. The initial price of the saw is nothing compared to the profit on all the other stuff.
Mississippi Valley Stihl, your local Stihl distributor Jay, is committed to helping their dealers and they expect the same commitment from the dealer to their customer.
I chose to carry the Dolmar line after MEW approched me on it a couple years ago. They were commited to promoting the product line and promised me parts availability and quick turn around, which is nothing less than what my customers expect, having that support already from Stihl. I've had an excellent relationship with Midwest Engine Warehouse for a couple dozen years, (now MWE) and they have come through for my dealership with their promise. I did my reseach on Dolmar and knew it would be a good fit.
Husqvarna is a whole 'nother story, but we are working together now to rebuild that buissnes. Still a good product to offer, but I let the buyer beware of parts availability, and for my commercial customers turnaround is huge.

Mark

 

[DaddyRabbit]

Hey Man, I'm sorry...My Bad!

DaddyRabbit and Hornett22 if you do not want AS to BAN you I would remove a NON SPONSOR LINK from this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rule #1 http://www.arboristsite.com/misc.php?do=page&template=Guidelines


Scott

 

[cuttinscott]

Hey Man, I'm sorry...My Bad!

No problem DR I just did not want to see you get into trouble for breaking rule #1

Scott

 

[DOLMARatOs]

A big misunderstanding occurs when a non Stihl dealer tries to interpret what he thinks Stihl is trying to accomplish. MSRP is suggested, just like it sounds. If a dealer wants to sell a dozen saws to a good customer at a loss to keep the buisness, that is his perogative and has nothing to do with COOP money. Whatever he buys from his distributer, a certain percentage is charged for COOP funds, no matter what $$ it gets sold for, saws or parts.
Good buisness practices may require taking a hit (or at least not making a good percentage on a saw sale) for those excellent customers that bring in all their saw repair work and purchase all their bars, chains, bar oil, mix oil, etc. at a 40% markup because they developed a relationship with their dealer and appreciate a good deal with the saws. The initial price of the saw is nothing compared to the profit on all the other stuff.
Mississippi Valley Stihl, your local Stihl distributor Jay, is committed to helping their dealers and they expect the same commitment from the dealer to their customer.
I chose to carry the Dolmar line after MEW approched me on it a couple years ago. They were commited to promoting the product line and promised me parts availability and quick turn around, which is nothing less than what my customers expect, having that support already from Stihl. I've had an excellent relationship with Midwest Engine Warehouse for a couple dozen years, (now MWE) and they have come through for my dealership with their promise. I did my reseach on Dolmar and knew it would be a good fit.
Husqvarna is a whole 'nother story, but we are working together now to rebuild that buissnes. Still a good product to offer, but I let the buyer beware of parts availability, and for my commercial customers turnaround is huge.

Mark

I hear that loud and clear. We've been with MWE and do a lot of business with them. Trying to build Dolmar in our area but it's mostly homeowners. Sooner or later we'll get things rolling but it is going to take time.

 

[pallis]

If I start early in the morning, and drive all day without stopping anywhere, I might could make it to a Dolmar dealer in Denver or El Paso before they closed, but I'm not going to bother. Too bad too, because I love my 7900 and 5100, and would choose them over the competition without a second thought, but only if I can get someone to ship one to me. Maybe Dolmar should make some exceptions for those of us who don't have a dealer within a reasonable distance.

 

[bcorradi]

Thall - How strict is stihl? I was calling around to get some quotes for a bunch of saws for a local tree service a couple months back and one said they weren't allowed to fax me the quote. They could only tell me the prices over the phone.

 

[THALL10326]

Thall - How strict is stihl? I was calling around to get some quotes for a bunch of saws for a local tree service a couple months back and one said they weren't allowed to fax me the quote. They could only tell me the prices over the phone.

Hmmm thats odd. Sometimes I think some of these dealers are either scared of their own shadow or just don't know what the deal is. You call me and I'll give ya a quote on a bunch of saws by phone, fax or delivered by pony express. I will say if your not in my area I'm not gonna do it to undercut some dealer knowing your not gonna buy from me anyway. The only thing Stihl is hardcore on is no mail order or net sales. They want the machine fired up and gone over with the customer at time of sale. The rest doesn't matter. Hell If I gave em away why would Stihl care as long as we pay our bill...

 

[bcorradi]

Ok thanks. I'm not sure than why he wouldn't fax it to me.

 

[THALL10326]

Ok thanks. I'm not sure than why he wouldn't fax it to me.

Brad if you go to Stihlusa.com and click on the dealer locator and type in zip code 20175 you can get every price on every Stihl product made..

 

[bcorradi]

Ok thanks for the tip Tom.

Here is another question on the same topic sorta. Are there any rules/regulations that stihl corporate enforces about dealership density or is up to the regional rep or market research? The reason I ask, is my buddy from down south was looking to start his own stihl dealership, but the regional rep said that he couldn't be within 15 miles of an existing dealership. I know this is not the case because I know many instances where there are dealerships closer than 15 miles apart.