slowsuki
ArboristSite Operative
i have met alot of nice rich people, but not any good ones.
Please Boycott Dolmar OPE
- Thread starter TonyM
- Start date
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JJackson
ArboristSite Operative
Tony, I am sorry to hear the news. You're always there to answer others questions and appear to be a great guy. I wish you luck.
WOODBUTCHER
ArboristSite Member
Can someone pm me or post a link to contact these :censored: idiots. Tony wasnt local, but my stuff came almost as quickly. Sorry to hear this Tony, Good luck with everything.
pbtree
Addicted to ArboristSite
Dude,
Sorry to hear that!
I hate the way some business people treat others...
Sorry to hear that!
I hate the way some business people treat others...
ross_scott
ArboristSite Guru
Tony the size of your store and your location should not be an issue with a company looking for people to sell thier product the fact that you had started to get a good business relationship going with people who bought from you in the past and possible customers that have seen and liked the product you sell and were looking to go in a buy have been affected and your business has been hurt and crippled by the actions of your product supplier if I were you I would try to take them for your loss of income, loss of potential earnings and customers and make it known that the little guy won't take no crap from the big guy,I had similar issues when I tried to start a computer repair business and I was looking for suppliers and only two companies would deal with me but they never had the products that I was getting asked for and guess what all the suppliers that refused to do business with me declined me as a customer because i never had a website and I did not want to be an online retailer anyway and due to this fact I never got a single sale because I had no access to the brands the customers wanted and I had to close myself down and I spent alot of money on training to become a computer technician.So I do have some idea where you are coming from and it is very unethical for a supplier to judge you on the size of your building ETC. Hope everything turns out right for you
TonyM
ArboristSite Guru
DanManofStihl
ArboristSite Guru
Dolmar
I think what we should all do is go to the web page and everyone of us write an email to complain. One person does not make a difference to them but people in large groups get attention. I would be happy to write an email to compalin about what they did and how unfair it was. Who else is in? http://www.dolmarusa.com/
I think what we should all do is go to the web page and everyone of us write an email to complain. One person does not make a difference to them but people in large groups get attention. I would be happy to write an email to compalin about what they did and how unfair it was. Who else is in? http://www.dolmarusa.com/
sedanman
Just cut the piano!!
Alright, This is probably going to make me an very un popular person here but I need to say it. Tony's dealings with his distributor DO NOT WARRANT A BOYCOTT of Dolmar. For all we know his distributor found someone who will set up a "real" store with regular hours lots of inventory. I hear a lot of people saying "Dolmar needs dealers". This is true but, and I know this sounds harsh, they do not need anyone selling saws as a "hobby". By hobby I mean less than a full time commitment. I have dealt with Tony, he hunted high and low for a sprocket I wanted that no-one else would spend time looking for, and he found it. I think there is more to this than we or even Tony knows at the moment. A knee-jerk boycott by the members of A/S will have NO EFFECT on the bottom line of Dolmar this year you can count on that. Truth be told, Tony does not have a legitimate gripe with Dolmar anyway, his problem is with Central Power Systems. CPS serves 7 states from 2 locations, it is possible that they have dealt with enough people doing business out their home garages that they have made a descision that it is not in their best interest to do so anymore. CPS surely has a huge inventor of Dolmar saws and parts and the sales reps are under pressure to find ways to get it to move. Dealers that move a dozen or so saws a year are not going to empty the warehouse anytime soon. I have also heard the word "stealership" in this thread. I defy any one of you to lay out the money needed to open a decent professional saw shop and make a profit by "knocking $25.000 off" or "throwing in" chains, hats, files, cases etc. And in many areas saws alone will not support you, you need mowers, trimmers, blowers and all the rest. With good margins you'll have to do at least $500.000 in sales to start taking a paycheck. I had an auto repair shop that I didn't know how to run as a business, I was bankrupt in less than a year, I charged people what I though was fair not what I needed to to cove my expenses and make a decent profit. The MOST successful power equipment dealer I know was once himself bankrupt. You learn from getting knocked down. Flame on guys, I know it's coming.
I just looked at Central Power Systems' website and if they are selling Dolmar equipment I don't see it listed anywhere.
Why would they terminate an existing dealer if they weren't ready to pick up the business? How long does it take to modify a website to list a new product? 10 minutes?
Why would they terminate an existing dealer if they weren't ready to pick up the business? How long does it take to modify a website to list a new product? 10 minutes?
TonyM
ArboristSite Guru
Sedanman, you are right. I think I explained earlier that my gripe is not with Dolmar. Instead of boycott, how about just taking the time to voice how you feel about it to Dolmar and CPS.
Yes, I was selling saws out of a small shed at my home, after hours, not because I do not want to do it full time, but because the business is not there to support my family off from. In order to have enough business to become full time, I needed to gain market share and loyal customers. That was my focus, and it was working. I needed to be profitable at the level of business I was doing, and still provide a proffesional level of service. My goal was not to bankrupt myself in the process, which meant I was going to start small, reinvest the profits back into the business, and expand with the growth of the business WITHOUT BORROWING MONEY. If I had to borrow money to operate the business, first of all I have to pass the cost of the interest down to the customer, and I have a focus more on keeping my creditors at bay then serving my customers. My primary goal was to have my customers walk away from a transaction feeling like I gave them the best deal I could, that I am knowledgeable about the products I sell, and the products of the competitors, that I will stand behind what I sell in parts and service, and that I did this all because I enjoyed it, not soley to make money.
I felt I had a resposibility to my customers to keep my overhead as low as possible, as long as I did not have to sacrifice the service to the customer by doing so.
How many of the full time dealers will take the time to fuel up a saw, sharpen the chain, and drive out to the woods where a local logger is cutting timber to leave them a demo to use for a few days at no cost? I could have built a big fancy store and ran ads in the papers constantly, and no one still would know what a Dolmar saw is, or even want one. But if I could get some proffesional users to start buying Dolmar products, using them, and liking them, the farmers and homeowners would follow, because they see what the proffesionals are using.
All this was going to take time to develope, not just happen overnight. It was working. I knew the best advertisement I could do was to send away happy customers. The business was growing, and as it was growing, I was adding products. I was even considering some type of building expansion either this year or next. I have been thinking for a long time that I would like to start adding wood burning related products to the store, as that is another passion of mine. Sustainable long term growth was not going to come overnight, and I knew it.
Yes, I was selling saws out of a small shed at my home, after hours, not because I do not want to do it full time, but because the business is not there to support my family off from. In order to have enough business to become full time, I needed to gain market share and loyal customers. That was my focus, and it was working. I needed to be profitable at the level of business I was doing, and still provide a proffesional level of service. My goal was not to bankrupt myself in the process, which meant I was going to start small, reinvest the profits back into the business, and expand with the growth of the business WITHOUT BORROWING MONEY. If I had to borrow money to operate the business, first of all I have to pass the cost of the interest down to the customer, and I have a focus more on keeping my creditors at bay then serving my customers. My primary goal was to have my customers walk away from a transaction feeling like I gave them the best deal I could, that I am knowledgeable about the products I sell, and the products of the competitors, that I will stand behind what I sell in parts and service, and that I did this all because I enjoyed it, not soley to make money.
I felt I had a resposibility to my customers to keep my overhead as low as possible, as long as I did not have to sacrifice the service to the customer by doing so.
How many of the full time dealers will take the time to fuel up a saw, sharpen the chain, and drive out to the woods where a local logger is cutting timber to leave them a demo to use for a few days at no cost? I could have built a big fancy store and ran ads in the papers constantly, and no one still would know what a Dolmar saw is, or even want one. But if I could get some proffesional users to start buying Dolmar products, using them, and liking them, the farmers and homeowners would follow, because they see what the proffesionals are using.
All this was going to take time to develope, not just happen overnight. It was working. I knew the best advertisement I could do was to send away happy customers. The business was growing, and as it was growing, I was adding products. I was even considering some type of building expansion either this year or next. I have been thinking for a long time that I would like to start adding wood burning related products to the store, as that is another passion of mine. Sustainable long term growth was not going to come overnight, and I knew it.
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
Sedanman is correct, even though many will disagree with him.
Further, Tony calling the saw that he sold on E-bay "used", because he demoed it, (while offering a factory warranty), is a lame attempt at getting around the rules. If you were already told not to sell on E-bay, why did you do that? I'm also currious as to how "competitive" your prices were on saws that you were shipping all over. What did you charge for a 5100S-18? Again, a part time guy selling on the internet is not what Dolmar needs.
What is all of this silly stuff in this thread about "rich people"? What is this, part of the class struggle?
It's a business decision. Some of the reasons behind that decision are valid, if a bit unpleasent for Tony and some of his customers. Everybody needs to move on from this.
Further, Tony calling the saw that he sold on E-bay "used", because he demoed it, (while offering a factory warranty), is a lame attempt at getting around the rules. If you were already told not to sell on E-bay, why did you do that? I'm also currious as to how "competitive" your prices were on saws that you were shipping all over. What did you charge for a 5100S-18? Again, a part time guy selling on the internet is not what Dolmar needs.
What is all of this silly stuff in this thread about "rich people"? What is this, part of the class struggle?
It's a business decision. Some of the reasons behind that decision are valid, if a bit unpleasent for Tony and some of his customers. Everybody needs to move on from this.
TonyM
ArboristSite Guru
I was not already told not to sell on ebay. I was only informed of that after the ads were listed. I removed the ad for the new saw, and changed the wording for the used saw to reflect that it would not have the factory warranty, but that I would personally warrant the saw. I'm not sure what you mean by demoted. That I just labeled the saw as used? It had a season of firewood cutting under it's belt. It was most certainly a used saw. and the price it sold for reflected that ($180).
When I sold a saw out of state, I almost either always asked if there was a local Dolmar dealer that the potential customer could go to, or knew from statements that the potential customer made that there was not. In most cases there was not, or if there was, the local dealer only sold saws as a sideline to some other type of business, and was not knowledgeable, priced competitively, or did not stock many product or parts.
Also it has always been my policy not to discuss specific pricing on an open forum. I do not control what other people may post based on what I have quoted them personally. If you would like me to quote a price on a PS5100s, I still have one to get rid of, so I can be asked privately via email or PM.
When I sold a saw out of state, I almost either always asked if there was a local Dolmar dealer that the potential customer could go to, or knew from statements that the potential customer made that there was not. In most cases there was not, or if there was, the local dealer only sold saws as a sideline to some other type of business, and was not knowledgeable, priced competitively, or did not stock many product or parts.
Also it has always been my policy not to discuss specific pricing on an open forum. I do not control what other people may post based on what I have quoted them personally. If you would like me to quote a price on a PS5100s, I still have one to get rid of, so I can be asked privately via email or PM.
Elmore
Addicted to ArboristSite
TonyM said:
Yesterday I went down to the closest Dolmar dealer to me...the bicycle shop. I asked them about a 5100 and looked around. They still only had a ps-34 and a 401 in stock and a Husky saw but they said they could order me anything and have it within 2 days. I want to look at and feel the saw. Really I would prefer to crank it up and operate it.
TonyM said:
Tony, I feel for you, but I wonder if any of your prior statements regarding your saw biz, are what's caused you grief. Compare your post above with the one below from 1/26.
Maybe they read that, timing seems right, fwiw
TonyM said:
sedanman
Just cut the piano!!
Elmore, Your local Husky dealer would most likely not let you crank up a brand new saw, nor the Stihl dealer. Most Motorcycle shops don't allow test rides either.
Elmore
Addicted to ArboristSite
This may be true but certain dealers will have similar model saws available that they could demonstrate or perhaps even allow the customer to try. I recently got a Stihl chain from a Stihl dealer in Arab, AL. They also sell tractors etc. Friendly people with a lot of stock. I'd bet that they would have a Stihl saw to let me run.sedanman said:
TonyM
ArboristSite Guru
A customer coming to my shop would have been likely to find at least three models of Dolmar saws that they could look at, feel, start, and step outside and burry in a log or chunk of wood. If they wanted more time with it, I'd send them home with the saw for a couple days. I do not know a better way to advertise a product. CPS originally was asking dealers to initially buy at least $5000 of saws, blowers, trimmers, and cut off saws. I'd like to know how many dealers within an hour or two of me have more than I had, yet alone $5000 dollars worth. I am not just some Joe Smoe looking to make a few bucks on a quick internet sale and then turn my back on it. I was striving to build a reputation and a business to go with it.
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
From the Dolmar dealer agreement: "The DEALER agrees to assemble, prepare for operation, and provide proper operating instructions to customer for all units upon completion of sale."
That means no shipping saws all over the country. Stihl and Red Max also have similar policies. All of their units must be set up and running when delivered to the customer. Husky chooses not to restrict dealers in a similar fashion; hence Baileys and Southwest Fastener etc.
That means no shipping saws all over the country. Stihl and Red Max also have similar policies. All of their units must be set up and running when delivered to the customer. Husky chooses not to restrict dealers in a similar fashion; hence Baileys and Southwest Fastener etc.
TonyM
ArboristSite Guru
Again, the post with regards to my personal life was made well after the decision to drop me as a dealer was made. I never said I was going to quit all together, and in fact, I said I was going to focus more on local customers, which is what Dolmar and CPS want. But I did need to realize that my priorities needed to be adjusted a little.
I have yet to this day never actually seen the dealer agreement! How can I be held accountable for a contractual agreement I have never even seen, yet alone signed. The last discussion I had with the area rep was that I could not advertise prices lower than MSRP, and that Dolmar was starting to frown on non local sales. Heck, I was told 2 years ago by Dave Nieger, when L.W. Meyer was still the distributor that Dolmar was going to adapt policies against internet sales, but that for now no such policies existed. Obviously they have adapted those policies now, but the problem here is lack of communication!
I have yet to this day never actually seen the dealer agreement! How can I be held accountable for a contractual agreement I have never even seen, yet alone signed. The last discussion I had with the area rep was that I could not advertise prices lower than MSRP, and that Dolmar was starting to frown on non local sales. Heck, I was told 2 years ago by Dave Nieger, when L.W. Meyer was still the distributor that Dolmar was going to adapt policies against internet sales, but that for now no such policies existed. Obviously they have adapted those policies now, but the problem here is lack of communication!
