How much $ is too much?

[Just Mow]

Interesting.

I've been looking into a carb for a 066. Is there any difference between OEM and aftermarket?

There are no aftermarket carbs. There are few manufacturers making the carbs for the OEM.

 

[Just Mow]

OK stihl poster boy, Bawhahahah whatever Bawhahaha


Price has nothing to do in quality most of the time IMO, only dealer greed and mark up for profit.

It would be nice if you knew what you were talking about. But once again you prove you dont.
The price of an original part is reflected in the manufacturing of the part. There are engineers and molds and machining as well as testing that needs to be done before the part is ready for use.
Unlike the non originals who use a scanner and computer graphics to copy such part and then produce it at a lesser cost.
So since it is YOUR opinion I guess you are entitled to it no matter how a$$inine it is.

Cheers,
STIHL poster boy

 

[livewire]

There are no aftermarket carbs. There are few manufacturers making the carbs for the OEM.

Sorry (multitasking)!

I meant carb kits, OEM vs aftermarket!

 

[Just Mow]

Sorry (multitasking)!

I meant carb kits, OEM vs aftermarket!

Almost the same senario. You can buy the OEM kits through the aftermarket companies if your dealer does not have them.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If you are on here and have a little "wrenching" back round there is no reason a saw can't be fixed by you. Now in certain situations special tools may be needed bit with a little ingenuity sometimes that came be overcome!


Now if you need the saw right away and don't have the time to deal with it..........then the dealer may be your only recourse.


Now if you are a nut like me and have more than one saw in every size than the saw can be fixed by you no matter how long it takes!!!

 

[spike60]

I don't know if dealers do this, but it would be nice if they would take precedence on those who purchased equipment from them, over those who haven't.

We sure do Rod! I've gone on and on about this many times, but if you didn't buy it from us, you probably aren't going to find a place in line period.

Qualified techs, and decent shops that employ them, are unfortunately a dying species. Those that remain are increasingly doing as we are: concentrating on their own customers. The volume of low end units being put out by the box stores, combined with fewer and fewer places to get them serviced is simply too much junk to be repaired by stores like mine. Some guys still take everything in, but then everybody waits a month to get their equipment back. How many of those people are happy?

I figure that box store work is best handled by shops that don't sell much stuff of their own and want to focus on that type of work. Some companies have attempted this on a national, or at least regional scale, with marginal success. What they inevitably run into is the fact that there is very little profit in this work. Like I've said a hundred times, if there was money in these repairs, Lowes and Depot would be doing them.

 

[lesorubcheek]

That what I am trying to say. Not all OEM stuff is quality because it cost more.

I'm with ya on that vote Cut4. Now its always a case by case basis, but nowadays I would agree that the majority of the time high price does not equal high quality. Its true all over, not just with saw parts. Look at clothes, shoes, furniture, cars, houses, I mean practically everything. A name brand sticker and some marketing hype and I bet cow manure would sell for $50 a pound. All it takes is a little herd manipulating to get people thinking a given brand is actually worth something and everybody else on the planet will envy me if I have this thing, then the "capitalism" kicks in and an otherwise worthless item is now priceless. Once again though, not trying to make any blanket statements here, just saying I see this in lots of places in today's market.

Dan

 

[Woodie]

I'm with the others...supply and demand set the labor rate. It's the right way, and it's the only way.

I must admit, though, I was very surprised to see a $68 labor rate. The shop I patronize has a guy considered by many to be about the finest saw tech in metro Detroit, and his rate is $45. And they have a very steady flow of business.

Are there no other decent mechanics where you live?

As to the price of OEM vs. after-market parts...thank God for the after marketers. They're the only one's keeping the OEM's honest.

There is a business model these days that is very pervasive...I'll call it the HP model. Anybody who's ever bought an inkjet printer knows what I'm talking about. You might pay $75 or $100 for a printer, and think wow, what a bargain. Then you buy ink for it...HP figured out a long time ago the best way to make money on printers was to sell the printer at cost, then make it up on ink.

So your $75 printer that slices, dices, and makes Julienned fries also needs $60 every few months to keep it in potatoes and carrots. Feel like your getting boned? Bend over...time for more ink...

HP was not the inventor of this model, but it's what they're famous for nowadays. More and more mfgrs are using it...you think any of the auto companies make much off the sale of the car itself? Not likely. It's the parts that make the difference. Try walking into the parts department at your car dealer and see what he's charging for canooter valves these days...

So do you think, for one moment, companies wouldn't charge even more for those parts IF there weren't aftermarket suppliers around? (Here's a hint: Oh hell yeah they would. Bet your frickin' lungs.) Prescription drugs are the same way...you think SAP would pay as much for his meds if there weren't generics around?

Are the parts the same quality? I can't say...I honestly don't know. But some people are willing to take a shot on 'em, and that's what keeps you from paying even more when you decide you want an OEM P & C.

Love,
Adam Smith

 

[swampfox]

Wow this thread has legs. The shop is in rural Alabama so I'd say the price is higher than other Metros but the issue is being "taken care of" once you buy. That's all I wanted. I paid full price and I expect reasonable treatment. I don't want my a$$ kissed but I also don't want to be nickel and dimed on BS parts and I want better treatment than HD or Lowes That's why I went to a local dealer in the first place. You get what you pay for and I don't mind paying as long as long as the service matches the high quality tool I bought. Am I crazy? Peter

 

[ropensaddle]

I'm sorry rope but I still dont agree on price has anything to do with quality. I buy a OEM part for $300 and it still is not up to the aftermarket replacement specs, that has fixed the problem with the $300 OEM part. You can get the aftermarket part for $150 and is better quality then OEM. That what I am trying to say. Not all OEM stuff is quality because it cost more.

Yeah I see what you are saying , but what I am saying is if I could afford not to be tight as some can I take the dern thing in a say fix it and pay the man as he is worth what he asks! If it were not for all the tight wad rich folk thinking they are taking their money to the grave we could all
afford to pay oem prices. It is usually the man that can afford that bitc???that is my point the saw tech is worth his pay and I would gladly pay him if the rich man would pay fair for his tree work instead of jew jew.

 

[Woodie]

I'll be honest, Fox...if he charged you shipping on a part like that...he doesn't seem like the brightest light in the harbor. That's not the way to make your customer happy...the proof being in your post here on AS. (Welcome, BTW.)

I wish I knew what to tell you...I'm like you...I like having saw shops around, so that's who gets my business. Your best bet may be to just get in the car and see who else sells in your area. Lots of guys here will drive good distance for a decent shop...your gas may drive the price up, but you'll walk out feeling better about the transaction.

Good luck and keep us posted...everyone likes to hear where the good dealers are!

 

[Lakeside53]

I'm sorry rope but I still dont agree on price has anything to do with quality. I buy a OEM part for $300 and it still is not up to the aftermarket replacement specs, that has fixed the problem with the $300 OEM part. You can get the aftermarket part for $150 and is better quality then OEM. That what I am trying to say. Not all OEM stuff is quality because it cost more.

What aftermarket spec did the oem meet or not fix? if you're talking about the squish you found on one of your saws... I think there more to that than meets the eye.

I can't speak for others, but Stihl OEM is top quality...

Most aftermarket pistons and cylinder kit quality definitely reflect their lower price... even Tecomec, who actualy makes a decent product, has "cheaper" made piston, rings etc than oem.. You get what you pay for..

 

[Austin1]

I think I am one of the real lucky ones, as I have a great dealer and saw shop. Because I have bought saw's and stuff off of them I tend to go to the front of the line! I have never had them service anything from me and don't know what the rate is but I would guess at least 65.00cdn hour. But the best part is if I need a part or advice they will tell you, they even tell you what you have to do to fix it! I think they do this as they know you will be a repeat customer that will tell a friend that will tell another. Plus every time I am in their I buy something be it oil, filters, chain, ext. I could buy it at a box store and save a few bucks. But the extra's I buy are all OEM or much better than you can get at a box store. Plus I could never find a 57dl 3/8'' loop of chain the non safety type at a box store!
They have to be doing something right they have been in business along time!

 

[Cut4fun]

What aftermarket spec did the oem meet or not fix? if you're talking about the squish you found on one of your saws... I think there more to that than meets the eye.

.

I knew that would corn-fuse some. I was making a point on aftermarket car parts, such as electric window motors, fuel sending units OEM $342, aftermarket $119 , electric fuel pumps etc. I am so glad to get aftermarket stuff ,intakes,carbs,pistons,rod bolts,gaskets, valves,springs,bearings,headers,rings. Could you imagine what it would cost to rebuild V-8's using OEM parts. :hmm3grin2orange: Hope to see more of the same in the saw industry for aftermarket uses. I think the market is there IMO.
Also my point on dealer mark ups is like when i needed a 084 clutch bearing.
3 stihl dealers close by, 10 miles, 18 miles, 25+ miles. Prices for same part, $12.50 had to order, $8.75 had to order, $10.25 in stock SOLD. 3 different dealers , 3 prices.
I dont care about being pretty to impress folks, I just want performance, saws and cars alike. Long live the aftermarket suppliers, keep it up folks. Lot of aftermarket stuff on here too and inside http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26803&d=1127070388

 

[Cut4fun]

Just wondering this, rim sprockets on Stihl, who makes them? I never payed attention to a new one. When i needed one in a hurry once, I was priced by the stihl dealers $7.50-$9 for a rim and I ran to the Dolmar dealer and picked up a aftermarket GB for $3.50. Top quality aftermarket from every GB rim I have ever owned.

 

[Cut4fun]

I meant carb kits, OEM vs aftermarket!

Steve (freakingstang) told me once he has used aftermarket carb kits in his carb rebuilds without any troubles $2-$3 apiece. I have only used OEM carb kits Tilly-Walbro in the past from web supplier and they cost between $7-$9 for the same carb kits. Hope that helped, but I would contact Steve through a pm if you want first hand info.

 

[vapnut257]

OK, so nobody is a fan of the big box stores, so this is what happened to me this very day. I had to send my lemon 359 (bought at the local big box store some like to call "Slowes". They sent the saw to their contracted Husqvarna servicing dealer for a diagnosis and repair estimate. The estimate to fix the saw was $278, and I declined the repair. I still owed $55 for diagnostics. When I went in to The Big Box Store to get my saw, I discovered it was still torn apart and not reassembled. Parts were even missing! This was unacceptable and if I had to, I would have sought my recourse with the crooked, dishonest servicing dealer, but instead complained to the Big Box Store manager. The manager offered to refund my original purchase price including taxes, or I could take a new saw off the shelf, my choice. Now I bought this saw FOUR YEARS AGO, yet the manager from this Big Box Store was willing to make ME a happy customer, and make things RIGHT. Now, what I want to know is... how many of you independent servicing dealers are willing to go this far to make things RIGHT for a customer? Or, do you have to LIKE me first? Husqvarna didn't, the servicing dealer wouldn't, but the Big Box Store went the extra mile for a customer. If you can't fix it yourself, your best bet is to get cheap, throw away saws you can buy from ANYWHERE, but not Steals because of their price fixing marketing strategy. Any saw is worth it's price only if it performs as advertised. And sometimes it's NOT something the customer did that caused a saw to fail, but try proving that one!

 

[spike60]

OK, so nobody is a fan of the big box stores, so this is what happened to me this very day. I had to send my lemon 359 (bought at the local big box store some like to call "Slowes". They sent the saw to their contracted Husqvarna servicing dealer for a diagnosis and repair estimate. The estimate to fix the saw was $278, and I declined the repair. I still owed $55 for diagnostics. When I went in to The Big Box Store to get my saw, I discovered it was still torn apart and not reassembled. Parts were even missing! This was unacceptable and if I had to, I would have sought my recourse with the crooked, dishonest servicing dealer, but instead complained to the Big Box Store manager. The manager offered to refund my original purchase price including taxes, or I could take a new saw off the shelf, my choice. Now I bought this saw FOUR YEARS AGO, yet the manager from this Big Box Store was willing to make ME a happy customer, and make things RIGHT. Now, what I want to know is... how many of you independent servicing dealers are willing to go this far to make things RIGHT for a customer? Or, do you have to LIKE me first? Husqvarna didn't, the servicing dealer wouldn't, but the Big Box Store went the extra mile for a customer. If you can't fix it yourself, your best bet is to get cheap, throw away saws you can buy from ANYWHERE, but not Steals because of their price fixing marketing strategy. Any saw is worth it's price only if it performs as advertised. And sometimes it's NOT something the customer did that caused a saw to fail, but try proving that one!

Well Vap, just because the Lowes manager was happy to put the knee pads
on, it doesn't mean that I would. Giving you a new saw after 4 YEARS, isn't going the "extra mile", it's called bending over. You are simply delusional if you think that a new saw after 4 years is what is needed to make things "right".

What's more likely is that you are a bit of a whiner. The kind of customer who wants to stomp his feet and cry until he gets his way. That store manager was really just giving you a pacifier so you would go away.

And why should the service dealer not get paid to tear down your saw and diagnose it? Just cause you want to bail out on the repair, the dealer should work for free? What's that, another extra mile?

You ask if a dealer has to LIKE you first. While this would obviously be difficult for any dealer, it still doesn't mean that he would work for free.

 

[rreidnauer]

Why am I not surprised to see a followup to vapnut's post come as name calling. A. He never said he wasn't paying for the teardown. B. When he came in for his saw, not only was it still in pieces, it was missing parts! What? You expect him to merrily come in, pay the $55, grab a bag of parts and walk out with a smile. Please.

I totally back vapnut on this one. He came in for a diagnosis, got a price which he wasn't satified with, came back for his saw, will pay for the diag. and leave with a saw that he brought in. Didn't go that way, so it was nice to see the manager make good for it, regardless of it's age. That was impressive. And that is why dealers hate the big box stores.

 

[spike60]

I'll stand by what I said in my previous post.

I know how the game works, and you don't get the free saw without pitching a fit.

The saw shouldn't have been missing parts, but most places won't re-assemble a saw that the customer doesn't want to repair. The customer would then have to pay for that reassembly.

So, who paid the dealer here? Lowes or Vapnut?

Dealers do like the box stores as they are a magnet for this type of customer, keeping them from bothering us.