Jonsered stories

[SawTroll]

...
Someone has mentioned that Husky is sometimes seen in box stores. ...

Good to see you posting!

Around here it is the other way around - Huskys are sold by full service dealers only, Stihls and Jonsereds are sold both by dealers and box stores!
:hmm3grin2orange:

God helg!

 

[manual]

I like my Jonny red because................Well mostly I don't like the competition telling me whats a better shade of orange. Oh yeah, The chicks dig it.

 

[eyolf]

The bag and drag thing is for any saw that comes in. You have to have a "whole" saw, or enough parts to make one (not just a sack of miscellaneous junk), but any model or make goes. Around here the sale starts in the fall.

I think it's kinda interesting though, that the dealer is taking anywhere from $60-$120 off the price for the trade in...but calculating the reduction from full retail "list" price. When the sale isn't on, you just make your best deal, like normal.

Example: last fall the bag and drag price for a 2171 w/20" bar was $720, less $100 for the bag and drag for $620. The same store would sell you a 2171 with a 20" bar for $640 before the promotion, and maybe do a little better for favorite customers.

 

[spike60]

Interesting point there about the companies ramming other goods down the dealers throat. We had two long time Husky small equipment dealers, the usual saws, blowers, trimmers thing, within a few miles of us that kicked out Husky. The story we got was Husky came to them and demanded they carry their mowers or else. The one dealer sold Kubota mowers and said no way and the other is a bigtime mower repair shop that refuse to carry their mowers as well. Both dealers quit Husky altogether over that and one now carries Stihl and the other one carries Stihl and Shindiawa. I was told by one of my big honcho's that they too had considered Husky but got told mowers must be included in the deal and that was it for us. Anyone know why Husky is doing the mower thing? Seems to me they would be happy with dealers carrying their small equipment line of saws, blowers, trimmers and accessories without forcing the mower issue. Any idea's???

The reason for all of this is that many companies want to grow their business by expanding into product categories different than what they are best known for. Some companies have had some success with this, but most times it is a struggle to capture market share in totally new product groups. Husky for instance has made a big investment in tractors, consumer Z mowers and commercial mowers. That's what they call their "total source" program. Most of the stuff, especially the commercial product, is pretty good. But if a dealer already has an established tractor or commercial line in his store, it might not be a good fit. And even if you bring it in, it may not sell well enough to be worth the effort. And how many of the sales that you do get could have simply gone to the brand you already had?

Additionally, the fact that some dealers are or aren't willing to play ball with these other product groups further contributes to having too many dealers in a given area.

Those 2 factors are why we have backed off and are primarily doing just saws. For both my tractor line and my commercial line, I am the only dealer in the county. As there is only one dealer in the county for Toyota, Chevy, Ford, etc. There are more Husky dealers in the county than there are McDonalds! So, why should I put my effort into promoting a line that can be shopped anywhere and everywhere?

My Husky rep asked if I was "looking to grow" with husky. My answer was that I have a different definition of growth than Husky. My idea is to promote and grow the lines that are, at least locally, only in my store. Husky's idea of growth seems to be that their product is like Pepsi and Coke, and should be in every store. (not to mention every catelog, web site and such)

When we did do the full catelog, we did well. and I think that we were the number 2, 3 or 4 dealer in the territory. But why compete with a dealer who is selling commercial equipment part time, closes his store at about 2:00PM to go to his job as a prison guard, isn't set up with Kohler or Kawasaki, etc.?

So, Thall, the dealers you mentioned must have had some of the same concerns, and would have probably been good prospects for JONSEREDREP. This is what I ment when I suggested that he focus on the differances in the companies rather than talking about the saws themselves. A good sales rep doesn't talk people into buying something they don't need. He has to find a dealer with a need or opportunity and then sell him. For Jonseredrep, it's not what's different about the saws, it's what's different about Tilton Equipment that will help him sign up some new dealers.

 

[eyolf]

Good post, Spike. Your store probably is doing OK because you're smart enough to assess your market and figure out what works and what doesn't.

The trouble with some of us is that we want the guy down the street to carry all the lines we're interested in, and let us stop in after supper to fondle them...but take our sweet time about deciding to buy. Oh, and we want him to carry every part for the stuff our Dad bought from HIS Dad, even though it was made 20 years ago.

My budget for tools and "guy stuff" is ridiculously small...like maybe $2000/year. Be aware that out of that comes gas to mow the lawn, guns, ammo, and hunting licenses, parts for the tractor, etc. etc. Even taking my wife out for breakfast on a Saturday morning while the kids sleep! ... the list goes on endlessly. A new chainsaw at $500 - $800 is a big chunk of that, so I don't get one every year...last year it was a rototiller! Since I'm assuming that most other households in the county are in about the same boat, I'm thinking that the guy down on the corner is not just competing against another OPE guy somewhere, but competing against the cafe across the street, the lumberyard and the hardware store, even trying to yell above the siren call of Wal-mart and Target in the next town...

Truth is, I wonder how some of these stores can make it at all. What must it be like for the little guy down on the corner when we show up 15 minutes before he wants to close, but its almost a given that we're there to buy a piece of fuel line and a filter bob, not buy the new saw we're covering with fingerprints and drool?

Just one more point: this thread, and a few others have tried to establish a model for a successful OPE business, at least in a way. Why would there be just ONE, that would work everywhere? The stores in my area are connected to
1) an ag dealer
2) a commercial /lawn care/construction equipment store
3) part of a chain of stores covering most of the state. I like this last business model...each location is managed locally, but they have a store somewhere within 120 miles that carries almost every known make of equipment; further, they have set up a central parts and whole goods ordering system...so every store has access to every part available somewhere in the system, and each store has the option of carrying just the products that sell well there. Some makers, like Deere and Husqvarna won't license them to sell limited lines of whole goods out of any the stores (they want a site license and full line for each one), but that works out OK, because the entire reasoning behind this plan was to leverage the original scheme of making a reputation on service anyway. Parts and accessories are available across the entire system, and there really hasn't been anything Deere or Husky has been able to do about it. Second tier lines like Efco and Exmark mowers love it because it gains them exposure thay might not get with little local shops.

An important part of their business model is to service and sell parts and accesories for the stuff that Home Depot blows out...the local store doesn't have a site license for Deere or Husky, but the store has a contract with HD to handle service, warranty, etc. The Deere dealer in that town actually moved next to the HD to try to win back business from HD after noticing that the light green tractors were showing up as trade-ins on the lot at the other store. For 5 years, they had laughed at customers for buying at HD..."cheapskate...you're on your own".

 

[spike60]

You are right about the fact that there is more than one business model for a succssful dealership. There are pobably as many models as there are different markets. What is working great for me in my area might be a disaster somewhere else.

But your more interesting point is about your $2000 budget for "guy stuff". A saw dealers' primary competition is obviously other retailers selling saws. But in a larger sense, all businesses are competing for the same thing: disposable inome. Will it be a new saw or a new rifle? A new tractor or a new deck on the house? Or maybe a snowmobile? Whenever the Big 3 have one of their 0% or employee discount sales, we are competing with them for our landscapers disposable income. A new Z or a new truck?

Certainly, different things that happen in peoples daily lives are constantly shifting priorities as to where this disposable income goes. A customer that you were certain was going to come back and buy that 2171 may come back in for something else and tell you that the saw purchase is off because he had to put tires on the wife's car or whatever.

 

[Pcoz88]

I wish they had more Jonsreds dealers around Tiffin,Ohio or near by.We just have one and he's pretty small.That bag and drag sounds nice.Is there any other dealers in Ohio ?:bang:

 

[350 logsplitter]

jonsered 361

Any ideas where I could find a new clutch for my jonsered 361?

 

[bama]

Jonsered part sources

Any ideas where I could find a new clutch for my jonsered 361?

I PM'd you some sources that I have gotten from AS.

 

[Paul61]

Welcome Jonsered Rep!
Jonsered is top dog around here!There is plenty of dealers(servicing) in Wisconsin and parts are never an issue.Most are just saw shops that cater to the loggers and help out warriors.Most sell over 75+ 2171's and 2186's a year.And the "bag it or drag it" deal that Jonsered puts on is great also!

Another welcome to Jonsered rep!
This is Stihl country around here (southern Ontario), a dealer @ each crossroads (kinda). It's hilarious how I found the ONLY Johnny Red dealer .............was referred by a Stihl dealer(!), as I needed a drive sprocket for the 2050.
Get this.........the Jonsered dealer doesn't advertise or have a sign outside the place..............ONLY WORD OF MOUTH REFERRALS! Say's he doesn't need the extra business.
The place is full of saws & parts, new & used, & they're lined up @ the door for repairs (mostly other types, hehe)!
I bought a next to perfect 2095 with a (small) 24" bar for $550 CND.
My little 2050 came from Nova Scotia as a house warming present from the out-laws. Just in time as we were hit with a type 3 tornado last summer.
Only a little one with wind gusts to 285 km/hr. I've got @ least a year's worth of clearing to do.
I'm told it's also Jonsered country on both Canadian coasts as well as the North.
Love the saws especially the big one.

 

[hamradio]

I don't know. I'm not really brand particular (though I like my STIHLs), as long as it isn't a cheap newer Poulan, Homelite, Mcculloch, etc. If it cuts, and lasts, I'm fine with it. I've used a Dolmar, STIHL, Olympyk, and a Mcc. The Mcc 32cc was the real piece of crap. Vibrated so bad, I couldn't cut for 10 mins without taking a break, and wait for my hands to stop itching, so I could hang onto the saw again. I almost bought a 2050 Turbo for $80. But, I bought the 039 a few months later, and got another parts saw for it, to get it running (some idiot owned it before me, and didn't mix the gas. 2 stroke oil was in the bar oil tank).

 

[Paul61]

Ham,

I agree with your theory, use whatever works , holds up, and...........is cheap!

I may get a saw that's between the 2 current ones I have, something around 75cc? (2176). Before finding the 2095 (95cc), I was looking @ the Stihl 650 but, @ $1100.00 + taxes.............pockets weren't deep enough!

 

[hamradio]

Yep. My 039 parts saw (1st one) cost me about $100. Nearly new. My second 039 parts saw cost me $25. My 011 cost me nothing, but needed a new AV buffer. My Olympyk 935DF cost me $30, and it looked horrible when I got it. I cleaned it up, and it looks nearly new. Same with my 011. Completely covered in oily sawdust, now looks nice. Free, or cheap good saws are out there, they just take looking. When someone tried to sell me my Olympyk, they said it was red. I thought it was a Homelite, and wanted nothing to do with it, but I asked him to write down the brand and model. He said it was an Olympyk, and based upon questions I asked him, it was a 935. Brought a picture, and he said that was it. He got the model off the saw, and it was a 935. I quickly bought the saw, since I've always wanted a good quality tiny saw. It is very well balanced, and almost easier to cut using one hand, than two. Not too bad of a deal, for $30. All I had to do was clean the gas tank (removeable, so it was no problem), and, if I recall, I don't even think I pulled the diaphragm side off the carb. Just the inlet side. The tank was filled with at least 5 year old gas. But, heck of a deal on all my saws, I think.

 

[Paul61]

Jonsered. I have got a couple 2095's, love them. The dealer is the best around my area for parts, service and price. He has sold them for years and and stands behind his product. I bought mine used and rebuilt them myself but he never gives me any attitude. Always a happy experience. He has never asked me to buy a new one from him. The other brands available to me from dealers do fine but not the same.

I like the way mine feel, run and sound.

I do not like the small re-badged Poulan saw price or the fact that they put their name on the worthless leaf blower that they are trying to sell. They should be ashamed of themselves. I also do not like the fact that they do not have a 90cc + saw anymore but since I did not buy any saws from them new I should not complain.

My story would be great saw, easy to rebuild, excellent to attack nature with. As with most equipment the dealer is very important to customer satisfaction.

The 2095 and 066 Stihl are the best firewood saws I have.

Too bad they don't make this monster (2095) anymore, it's clearly my favorite, any idea why they went to a smaller saw, 86cc?
If I could only find a 111, CHEAP??

 

[Freakingstang]

I wish they had more Jonsreds dealers around Tiffin,Ohio or near by.We just have one and he's pretty small.That bag and drag sounds nice.Is there any other dealers in Ohio ?:bang:

There is one up by me in orville (east of mansfield, and east of wooster)
He is High price on everything, but he is a Jonsered Dealer. The place is called Stoller's Lawn and Garden. They are also a Redmax Dealer. I've treid buying a new 2171, but he does't want to part with it for less than msrp.


-Steve