New Stihl dealer in town!

[Four Paws]

I'm sure some of you remember me ranting about my local Stihl dealer - using words like arrogant, crook, idiot, etc. I'm sure many of you can commiserate with me and add to the "My Stihl dealer sucks" list. Well, lucky for me, there is a new kid on the block. The local rental shop picked up Stihl and has quite an impressive stock...for these parts anyway. Full line of saws from 170-441, larger models available special order. They also have quite a few trimmers, PPE, splitting mauls, concrete saws and blowers. Friendly, helpful, nice folks. I told the guy at the counter "I hope you put the other guys out" he replied "you aren't the first to say that. We're here to serve you - let us know what you need and we'll take care of you".

So, does this mean I am going to become a Stihl man and buy one of their saws - probably not. But, I would at least consider it now I did get to check out the 361 and the 441 in depth today. The 361 gets my seal of approval - nice saw, nice ergonomics. Terribly nose heavy with a 25" bar - I'm guessing a 20" would be perfect. $589 - must be MSRP. The 441 can stay on the shelf - I did not care for the ergonomics - the saw seems really wide, and the top handle seems low - made me feel cramped, and I am just an average sized guy. At $809, I would rather buy a 7900 and bank-roll the extra $200. Dolmar just needs to offer a full wrap handle and I'm sold.

 

[Cam501]

I'm sure some of you remember me ranting about my local Stihl dealer - using words like arrogant, crook, idiot, etc. I'm sure many of you can commiserate with me and add to the "My Stihl dealer sucks" list. Well, lucky for me, there is a new kid on the block. The local rental shop picked up Stihl and has quite an impressive stock...for these parts anyway. Full line of saws from 170-441, larger models available special order. They also have quite a few trimmers, PPE, splitting mauls, concrete saws and blowers. Friendly, helpful, nice folks. I told the guy at the counter "I hope you put the other guys out" he replied "you aren't the first to say that. We're here to serve you - let us know what you need and we'll take care of you".

So, does this mean I am going to become a Stihl man and buy one of their saws - probably not. But, I would at least consider it now I did get to check out the 361 and the 441 in depth today. The 361 gets my seal of approval - nice saw, nice ergonomics. Terribly nose heavy with a 25" bar - I'm guessing a 20" would be perfect. $589 - must be MSRP. The 441 can stay on the shelf - I did not care for the ergonomics - the saw seems really wide, and the top handle seems low - made me feel cramped, and I am just an average sized guy. At $809, I would rather buy a 7900 and bank-roll the extra $200. Dolmar just needs to offer a full wrap handle and I'm sold.

Glad to see the new dealer seems to care about the customer. the $589 matches our area for the 20" 361. Around here $769 is norm for a 25" 441.

 

[Woodie]

I'm sure some of you remember me ranting about my local Stihl dealer - using words like arrogant, crook, idiot, etc. I'm sure many of you can commiserate with me and add to the "My Stihl dealer sucks" list.

Tell me about it...I ordered a 20" loop of RSC chain from one of the local dealers here in DEEtroit fully two months ago...do you think it's in yet?

I'll give you a hint: No.

One month ago, they called, told me it was in. Drove all the way down there to find a shiny new loop of beautiful .325 RSC. If I owned a saw that ran .325, I can tell you I would have been happy to finally get it. (Here's another hint: I don't.) He even had the nerve to look kinda puzzled when I pointed out the big 3/8ths on the order ticket.

Fact is, I know there are some great Stihl dealers out there...there are a few great ones on this board. It's a shame Stihl USA won't cull the herd, though.

 

[manual]

Tell me about it...I ordered a 20" loop of RSC chain from one of the local dealers here in DEEtroit fully two months ago...do you think it's in yet?

I'll give you a hint: No.

One month ago, they called, told me it was in. Drove all the way down there to find a shiny new loop of beautiful .325 RSC. If I owned a saw that ran .325, I can tell you I would have been happy to finally get it. (Here's another hint: I don't.) He even had the nerve to look kinda puzzled when I pointed out the big 3/8ths on the order ticket.

Fact is, I know there are some great Stihl dealers out there...there are a few great ones on this board. It's a shame Stihl USA won't cull the herd, though.

Makes you wish they had internet sales.

 

[Cut4fun]

Thats why I just got another stihl loop or 2 or 3 of 3/8 RSK off the net.
36 mile round trip to the good dealer and still saved half the price getting it off the net.

 

[Woodie]

Fact is, I know there are some great Stihl dealers out there...there are a few great ones on this board. It's a shame Stihl USA won't cull the herd, though.

To be fair, I've run into at least one husky dealer who wouldn't know his backside from a hole in the ground, so this is not completely a Stihl thing, either...

 

[JohnO]

Glad you found a better dealer. I never liked my local Stihl dealer either, but then I found a nice small Mom and Pop Stihl dealer that was even closer to home. Sooooooo much better.

Wood-newbie, maybe you need to drive west a bit (Ann Arbor area) to find a better shop.

-John

 

[Woodie]

Glad you found a better dealer. I never liked my local Stihl dealer either, but then I found a nice small Mom and Pop Stihl dealer that was even closer to home. Sooooooo much better.

Wood-newbie, maybe you need to drive west a bit (Ann Arbor area) to find a better shop.

-John

You wouldn't mind PMing me with the name of that shop, would you??

 

[JohnO]

You wouldn't mind PMing me with the name of that shop, would you??

You have mail. Now it's time for a trip to Hamburg.

-John

 

[GASoline71]

Makes you wish they had internet sales.

Or move out to the PNW... I shudder everytime I hear you guys talk about overpriced saws, bars, chains, and dealers that don't know a spark plug from their elbow.

I'm spoiled when it comes to Stihl dealers. The 3 dealers I use are also logging supply shops. So they move a lot of saws, bars, and chains. Therefore prices can be lower than what a "lawn and mower shop" might charge. At least that's how I look at it. Simple supply and demand.

Plus, I can walk in to the shop and ask for nearly any part of a saw and they know exactly what I am talkin' about. Like I said though... I consider myself spoiled.

Gary

 

[Cam501]

Or move out to the PNW... I shudder everytime I hear you guys talk about overpriced saws, bars, chains, and dealers that don't know a spark plug from their elbow.

I'm spoiled when it comes to Stihl dealers. The 3 dealers I use are also logging supply shops. So they move a lot of saws, bars, and chains. Therefore prices can be lower than what a "lawn and mower shop" might charge. At least that's how I look at it. Simple supply and demand.

Plus, I can walk in to the shop and ask for nearly any part of a saw and they know exactly what I am talkin' about. Like I said though... I consider myself spoiled.

Gary

yup! not that it's a bad thing though...we're semi in the lawn mower shop boat. We probably sell as many mowers as chain saws on the whole, but stihl is our biggest volume line in the store

 

[adkranger]

Tell me about it...I ordered a 20" loop of RSC chain from one of the local dealers here in DEEtroit fully two months ago...do you think it's in yet?

I'll give you a hint: No.

One month ago, they called, told me it was in. Drove all the way down there to find a shiny new loop of beautiful .325 RSC. If I owned a saw that ran .325, I can tell you I would have been happy to finally get it. (Here's another hint: I don't.) He even had the nerve to look kinda puzzled when I pointed out the big 3/8ths on the order ticket.

Fact is, I know there are some great Stihl dealers out there...there are a few great ones on this board. It's a shame Stihl USA won't cull the herd, though.

I don't blame ya for being unhappy with this kind of service, regardless of brand name on the sign I'd tell this guy to take a hike. Two months for a loop of chain?? Are you serious?? I go into a dealer(that not only knows chain, but how to make up the loops as well) request my chain-d'jour, pay the gent and I'm out the door to go cuttin'. You need to find a dealer that also services, knows their product and can actually hand you a loop of chain upon request. I can understand a dealer not having some of the specialty chains in stock if not regularly sold, but no 3/8ths RSC?? That's insane. New dealer needed I'd say and if none exist near ya, go internet/catalog with one of our site sponsers....

 

[Woodie]

I can understand a dealer not having some of the specialty chains in stock if not regularly sold, but no 3/8ths RSC?? That's insane.

That's the only reason I gave him a pass in the first place...I needed .058 guage. RSC is one of the few (if maybe the only) types Stihl still makes in .058 3/8ths. Given as how no Stihl bars are 3/8ths + .058, I understood he needed to order it.

And if he was a LOW volume dealer, I would understand he needed awhile before he ordered again, so again I would give him a pass. But this guy is one of, if not THEE, largest dealers in town.

From his standpoint, he probably sees a non-professional cutter, who doesn't run his brand of saws, and probably believes I'm a one-off customer he doesn't need to waste time on.

What he doesn't know is that I'm currently in the market for another $600 or so of other OPE (string trimmer, stick edger), another $85 set of chaps, LOTS of new chain if I like the RSC, files, chain grinding service, an MS192 (when they come out)...

Time to find a new dealer!

 

[adkranger]

From his standpoint, he probably sees a non-professional cutter, who doesn't run his brand of saws, and probably believes I'm a one-off customer he doesn't need to waste time on.

What he doesn't know is that I'm currently in the market for another $600 or so of other OPE (string trimmer, stick edger), another $85 set of chaps, LOTS of new chain if I like the RSC, files, chain grinding service, an MS192 (when they come out)...

Time to find a new dealer!

Regardless of the name on the sign out front, the size/volume of the dealership and how much you're spending today in his shop, no one should be treated as "second rate". Especially a potential new customer! His loss. I personally believe in supporting dealerships, but only those I like and meet my needs. If I'm treated well though I can be an extremely loyal customer. Go spend your money where you feel comfortable you'll get the best bang for your buck.

 

[Cam501]

That's the only reason I gave him a pass in the first place...I needed .058 guage. RSC is one of the few (if maybe the only) types Stihl still makes in .058 3/8ths. Given as how no Stihl bars are 3/8ths + .058, I understood he needed to order it.

And if he was a LOW volume dealer, I would understand he needed awhile before he ordered again, so again I would give him a pass. But this guy is one of, if not THEE, largest dealers in town.

From his standpoint, he probably sees a non-professional cutter, who doesn't run his brand of saws, and probably believes I'm a one-off customer he doesn't need to waste time on.

What he doesn't know is that I'm currently in the market for another $600 or so of other OPE (string trimmer, stick edger), another $85 set of chaps, LOTS of new chain if I like the RSC, files, chain grinding service, an MS192 (when they come out)...

Time to find a new dealer!

That dealer certainly seems to have HORRIBLE service, but i do have to say that in our area we've had trouble getting 3/8 .058 RSC when customers ask for it. Our distributor offers nothing but a 100ft reel in RSC, and i just checked on their site and all loops of 35RS are back ordered. Hope you find a dealer that treats ya better for future purchases.