Husky in box stores?

[D]

Well, Husky is gonna join Echo, McCullough, Poulan, Homelite, and Green Machine. Only Echo makes a decent product any longer. Hopefully, Husky will still continue to make good equipment. 20% chance is not too good.

If you didnt know Husqvarna has announced they are going into Lowe's and Sears. This makes sense as Lowe's is opening several "service centers" and Sears already has theirs. I hardly call either store "service" oriented. If Husky doesnt bring their quality down, these two stores definitely will. Please support a servicing dealer. Entrepreneurs, like many of you are, feed this economy. Government is so into saving the big business, WHY? Most americans and Canadians are involved in a small business of some sort. So we are trying to save several thousand peoples jobs (airlines, etc). when its use millions of guys that may be stuggling. This may also make you think twice of going to some chain restaurant. Support the small guy!! Which is YOU.:angel:

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Thanks for ruining my day Darin. The only good thing about Sears is they stand behind their products usually. I doubt you will see 395XP's at Lowes next to Poulan Woodsharks. Maybe they are going to sell the 141's and 136's there. Govt stands behind big biz because they pay more taxes and give more campaign contributions, I think that is obvious. Well, if things get too bad at least there is not a "Stihlman" on the site yet. I guess that would be "Steereman"

 

[kdhotsaw]

Hello Darin,
Its really a sad state of affairs. I have two freinds who have husky dealerships. Its pretty hard to turn a profit some months. especially When your forced to buy lawnmowers and weed eaters that just sit there and dont sell. now their go1ng to be forced to do warranty work on the big stores sales items, you know warranty work is a high profit item. no problem though, George Bush's economic stimulous package sends all of the money to the largest company's in the USA. that will help the small business owner. Next time you buy a saw dont buy it from sears because its 20.00 cheaper, support your local husky dealer
My 2 cents worth
Ken Dunn

 

[D]

I like your 2 cents, My exact reason for running this thread. I am not saying, dont buy Husky. I am saying support small business. I realize why the prez is support big business, but I am saying dont as much as you can. I am a big republican, but if he gets any more democratic on this giving big $$ out to big biz I am gonna flip. He is leading our nation well, but this is one big thing I disagree with. Oh, I had to edit. sonny is our Stihl man.

 

[Fish]

This group seems to blast Stihl for not allowing their products
on the web, now you are doing a full reverse. Stihl has protected
there dealers, the other brands have sold out. Shindaiwa sold
me out a long time ago so I sell no brand, just fix all the junk
all of them crank out. Since Husqvarna is owned by the same
company as Poulan, what do you all expect?
Fish

 

[davefr]

Stihl's simply hurting themselves by having ultra restrictive distribution policies. Stihl better realize that they need to accomodate the consumer's shopping preferences. Online is a critical part of this. (the consumer will not change their shopping habits just for Stihl.)

Stihl is already uncompetitive. But when they enforce MSRP, make the consumer go to their local B&M dealers, and fail to realize that online = sales tax free sale, than they likely loose market share except to the most loyal professionals. Will their be enough market growth from this core group to sustain them long term?

Other companies have figured out how to embrace E-commerce and retain B&M dealers. Stihl might not survive unless they figure it out. Gee I can't even order Stihl replacement chain from Madsen's because Stihl prohibits their prices to be published. This is idiotic and just drives sales to the competitor.

Husqvarna's a formidable competitor with a much more diverse line card and a much more aggresive marketing approach. I would be worried if I were Stihl.

Are the rumors about John Deere buying Stihl accurate? How will that effect Stihl's dealer channel?

Originally posted by Fish
This group seems to blast Stihl for not allowing their products
on the web, now you are doing a full reverse. Stihl has protected
there dealers, the other brands have sold out. Shindaiwa sold
me out a long time ago so I sell no brand, just fix all the junk
all of them crank out. Since Husqvarna is owned by the same
company as Poulan, what do you all expect?
Fish

 

[Fish]

I knew I would get a quick response. Stihl does not allow any boundry crossing from its dealers, web or whatever. I am not
planning to be a champion for Stihl, but the Husqvarna infomercial
is starting to make me sick. I have blasted stihl for selling junk,
as I have done with Husqvarna, and will continue to do so. If
you think Husky is supportive of the small local dealer, say so
in this thread which was started along this topic. I think Stihl is
hurting themselves, but not because they support their local
dealers, but because they are allowing consumer crap to be
sold with their logo on it.
Fish

 

[Dennis]

I just got off the phone with my Husky Rep, and so far, here in Canada we are not following suit thankfully. I do suppose its a matter of time....he had also said that they were looking a 10 sku numbers going to the box stores..a couple saws..a couple weeders...couple lawnmowers...etc...down the line...still unacceptable in my eyes...if they do follow suit here in Canada.....I will be the first in line to get rid of the line, as I already deal with enough consumers bringing me cheapo weeders that wont start, that they bought at a box store, and that I happen to be the authorized warranty outlet..(Ie: Homelite)
Not for me thanks

-another little guy

 

[Fish]

Dennis, have they required you to sell the mowers and other
type equipment?
Fish

 

[Dennis]

Fish, when I took the dealership back again this fall, mowers and tractors were not a requirement, although I did take one of each...we did however have to commit to the weeders and brushsaws, not to my liking, but there were some concessions made so I could live with it. With not making a commitment of X number of mowers and tractors we do not get full discount on power equipment, or parts....the "Crown Dealers" get full discount....hard to imagine myself selling upwards of 20 tractors and mowers in a year in a town of 5000, that is relying upon a very unstable forest industry....especially when the damn box stores are selling virtually the same units for alot less.....

Dennis

 

[Treeman14]

My former local Husky dealer is now a Stihl dealer because they wanted him to carry all that other crapola. He just wanted to sell the saws, they said nope, we're pulling the plug. So, now I'm stuck switching to Stihl's.

 

[Fish]

Husky dealers are getting hard to find around here because they
are pushing their mowers hard. I hear Jonsereds is starting
a mower line, of course they are red versions of the Huskies.
I would probably try to be a Husky dealer if not for the mowers.
Fish

 

[HUSKYMAN]

I agree it is stupid to make dealers sell lawnmowers and the like when some of the best dealers are small little shops that dont even have room for a single rider. But dont tell me Stihl has taken the stance they have to protect their dealers. They are doing it to protect Stihl period. They want direct control over all their dealers and pricing, and if they were selling 023s and 009s at Home Depot they couldnt charge their rediculous prices anymore. I wont even buy as much as a chain at the big stores when I have a great dealer here in town.

 

[sonny]

Stihl rep. came out yesterday, said no merger with deer. Just bought out some tech rights on carbs.& as far as Dealers making so much on saws, Thats a bunch of c&%# . If they make 10 % there doing well. Stihl does not offer quanty discounts on units bought.I agree with them making some junk. Im( AMERICAN )as they come, But the junk is coming or being built hear.Just take your Huskys back to lowells hardware and get them serviced.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Then I dont have to be Steereman!

 

[Dennis]

The Jonsered line of lawn in garden is yes in fact the same thing as Husky, which 95% of is built by AYP American Yard Products..yes the very same AYP you see in Sears Craftsman(in Canada for sure..not sure about US) But they do build to different levels like MTD does with White and Cub and Yardman..the majority ofHusky/Jonsered mowers are a step above the Craftsman...but try telling that to a consumer when they see the same machine for 500 bucks less elsewhere...but bot Husky and Jonsered have taken the plunge and put their name on a couple of pieces of *&@% mowers......

mulling over mowers

 

[HUSKYMAN]

What else does AYP make. My buddy has the Crafstsmen with a Kohler engine, is that one of theirs

 

[Dennis]

Huskyman, I am not 100% sure on the full AYP lineup, but I know it includes most of the tractors, mowers, consumer weeders, blowers, hedgetrimmers....I also know that Craftsman, Husqvarna and Jonsered use their products..as for who else, I am not positive....your buddies Craftsman is more than likely AYP...there will probably be a tag under the seat, that will tell you the manufacturer.

 

[tundraotto]

isnt this all kind of premature?????

has the quality of saws gone down? why sure it has but this is throughout the whole industry - all have made crap. i dont think this whole deal has had any effect as of yet on anything - has it? and besides however likely i havent seen no huskys in lowes or sears and until i do im not speculating on anything - because i could only guess.

 

[Fish]

On Sear's equipment, the model number tells you who made it.
The first 3 digits, 917., say it is AYP. But Murray,MTD, etc. has
made and will make stuff for Sears. I have even seen McColluch,
Echo made stuff. The good thing about Sears is you can down-
load a blowup with part numbers from their website.
Fish