Echo rep stopped in today

[Hard Knocks]

An Echo rep happened to be driving past our door and decided to stop in today. He knew that we were a Husqvarna dealer from our sign and decided to snoop around. He told me that they like setting up Stihl and Husqvarna dealers because they have products that fill some of the gaps in the smaller displacement saws. I told him that I had only two concerns with Echo. One was brand awareness and the other was the fact that they sell to Home Depot (Husqvarna does not sell to anyone other than servicing dealers in Canada).

I am curious to get opinions on Echo quality and performance and quality of service from dealers. I personally don't mind working on their saws but I havn't had a chance to put many hours on one. The five year consumer (1 year commercial) warranty is a nice selling feature.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Echo saws are nothing special. They have outdated anti-vibe. But they are a solid saw for the money!!!

 

[Just Mow]

Don't waste your time or your money. They are just looking for someone to take care of the units sold at home depot for them.

Their equipment is very weak in power compared to what you already have.

And the 5 yr warranty is a joke. A drastic measure to help them sell equipment.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Don't waste your time or your money. They are just looking for someone to take care of the units sold at home depot for them.

Their equipment is very weak in power compared to what you already have.

And the 5 yr warranty is a joke. A drastic measure to help them sell equipment.

opcorn: opcorn: opcorn:

 

[STLfirewood]

I had a CS670 I liked the saw lot. It held up well. It's not as smooth as a husky or a Stihl but like someone said it has a good price on it. I think it needs bigger saw dawgs. They are really bad. I like the simple switches on it. Very easy air filter to clean out better then my stihls or huskys. I'm not brand loyal at all. I will run anything. It was a very good saw for the money. But not up to par with Stihl or Husky.

Scott

 

[Urbicide]

I have 2 Echo trimmers, one back pack blower, and a CS-4400 chainsaw. I have never had any issues with them at all. It is nice to have gas powered equipment that starts easily. I believe they are a decent quality product. I have been using the saw quite a bit lately while I wait on the return of my 359 and 372XP from Ed. The Home Depot deal really soured the Echo dealers much like the Lowes. Sears, Tractor Supply deal pissed off the Husqvarna dealers. I use the Echo Power Blend semi-synthetic 2-cycle mix in all of my 2-stroke equipment.

 

[bcorradi]

I've heard really good things about their blowers...but i do not have any firsthand experience with anything echo.

 

[Andyshine77]

Every Echo power tool I have used or owned has preformed flawlessly, they're not the most powerful, however they're simple, dependable and relatively cheep.

 

[upandcommer]

I picked up a used cs510-evl from rhe local stihl dealer not the lightest 50 cc saw not the most powerful but it pulls an 18" bar fine in hardwood starts great idles great and runs good a good all round product as long as they moved the oil tank to the side of the saw where it belongs.

 

[Sprig]

for their cheap pricing and the fact they do hold up rather well for what they are,kk, nice HO saws for light usage and beats a 129.00$ WildThang. Gotta sortta agree with them searching out some sort of support tho, that makes real sense from prv post, but also from their point of business view too. I have a dealer here who is a general small engine mech., he works on what ever comes into his shop (good with H & S 's) and has had very few problems with them. Last time I visited him though the only one that caught my eye was (a 570 or something) one of the larger ones.
The smaller saws he had were melted plastic junk imho, but then again I rather like older 'more metal' type engines. They felt cheap and chinzy and reminded me of when they invented the plastic crank, just didn't feel right.
Maybe if they care they will do better in the future but I have a feeling that realy cheap *** from China ect. will bury them unless they start to produce some good realiable products, and I have a feeling they may have the money to do it, but then who the heck knows. Just my worthless thoughts on the matter, regardless go check out their sites and offer your own opinions.

My 0,02$

 

[stckciv]

Echo may help out your business just on what they provide other than the saws. Most people will still want the Husky saw but Echo will have a cheaper hedge trimmer, some fairly nice trimmers and blowers.

It wont take over your Husky sales but may be a nice compliment.

 

[Lakeside53]

You'll get buried in the HD echo weedeaters... They sell many more of those than saws.

 

[stckciv]

At least you would be able to get parts for repairs, thats where you make the $$ anyway.

 

[shawn.m]

I thought the Echo was a nice saw until I bought my rancher , then my father in law bought the bigger 24" echo. I tried it, nothing special. Just doesn't have the umph of the Huskies. better than homelite crap.

I bought my 372 and my father in law was so impressed he bought a husky 460. He really likes that a lot more than the Echo.

On trimmers, we have 3 Echo trimmers that we use a lot for our vineyard. Our Mexicans love them. light weight and good power. Just bought my wife the EZ-Start Echo trimmer. I HEARTILY recommend this trimmer. Now she can start it herself instead of my having to quit cutting logs up and start it for her.

 

[computeruser]

Their non-saw products are top-notch reliable units. Their saws are decent and reliable, just not stellar performers.

If this was the only consideration I'd be all for stocking them. But the liklihood of getting all the "warranty" work from the HD customers would be enough to give me pause about becoming a dealer.

If you want another brand, sell Dolmar.

 

[Lakeside53]

At least you would be able to get parts for repairs, thats where you make the $$ anyway.

You lose on warranty work.. and the "5 year" expectation from the customer just makes it that much harder.

 

[stckciv]

You lose on warranty work.. and the "5 year" expectation from the customer just makes it that much harder.

That is why you ecucate your customer on what is warrantied and what isnt. Most issues that people have are not covored under the warranty.

 

[2000ssm6]

I have a cs346, great little limbing saw. I won't buy another though. I'm saving for a ms200 rear handle

Almost bought a cs-8000 back in the day, way before I found out about Stihl.

 

[Lakeside53]

That is why you ecucate your customer on what is warrantied and what isnt. Most issues that people have are not covored under the warranty.

Very few customers ask about warranty details - they just want a number. They all get "educated" on fuel and storage where I work. If the box stores did the same, there'd be a lot less consumer problems.

When buying they see the "5 year warranty" tag. When they come back in, "most stuff isn't covered". Yep.... That's why the advertising of long warranty eventually bites. And even if you do explain, do they remember in 3 or 4 years? If Echo was serious about it's 5 year warranty, they'd have a big notice with the 5 year tag explaining exactly what this means, and doesn't mean.. but that wouldn't help sales. The 5 is just a pitch against the 1 or 2 of the competition.

 

[pgg]

Go for an echo chainsaw if you're happy with a stifled gutless vibrating pos that'll pump out about 33% less ponies than the equivalent sized huskys or stihls backed up with a cynical phony dodging evasive 5 year B.S. warranty...

PS apologies to all the echo owners out there:blob5: