So, What's a homeowner?

[Den69RS96]

Funny I fall into the buy the better quality item first as it will cost less down the road program as well. I do that with all my tools and power equipment. I was going to do the same thing with a chainsaw. I walked into my Stihl dealer to look at the ms 270, ms280, and the ms 260. When they came over to help me, they asked what my intended usage of the saw was. I ended up with a ms250 instead of the others I was looking at. All I really wanted was a saw that would start and run without needing a tune up every other day like the little yellow headache my father in law gave me. I'm glad he talked me out of the better saws as I will never take advantage of the extra abilities they have. I don't use my saw that often and this one will probably last me a long time. I don't think I will even tax this saw for what I use it for. That extra 100-150 bought me a new intake manifold for my 69 camaro.

I think they use the term Homeowner because it sounds better then light duty. Light duty won't help sell saws, so change the term to homeowner and problem solved. GO to HD and take a look at how everything is labeled heavy duty. Its all marketing.

 

[WRW]

Funny I fall into the buy the better quality item first as it will cost less down the road program as well. I do that with all my tools and power equipment. I was going to do the same thing with a chainsaw. I walked into my Stihl dealer to look at the ms 270, ms280, and the ms 260. When they came over to help me, they asked what my intended usage of the saw was. I ended up with a ms250 instead of the others I was looking at. All I really wanted was a saw that would start and run without needing a tune up every other day like the little yellow headache my father in law gave me. I'm glad he talked me out of the better saws as I will never take advantage of the extra abilities they have. I don't use my saw that often and this one will probably last me a long time. I don't think I will even tax this saw for what I use it for. That extra 100-150 bought me a new intake manifold for my 69 camaro.

There ya go, a man with priorities!

 

[59Billy]

There ya go, a man with priorities!

You mean it's okay to care about something other than chainsaws?

 

[WRW]

You mean it's okay to care about something other than chainsaws?

69 camaro. Nuff said.

 

[GASoline71]

I live in a cave...

Aslo I think I'm gonna modify my 215 V-8 so I can ride it to work. Prolly get better gas mileage than my 3/4 ton.

Gary

 

[DGG]

Forget how chainsaw's are used, cc's, what the customer looks like, etc. It all comes down to bucks. The dealer knows the lumberjack will shell out alot more money for saws, chains, etc. than the homeowner who wants to prune his redbud tree.

I think the average homeowner will get what he can afford and what seems a reasonable value for his needs. The thought of paying over $500 for a chainsaw would probably never occur to him. He doesn't have the knowledge to judge the differences.

Homeowners, farmer, ranchers, etc. on this forum by definition don't fall into that class. Unless the homeowner just won the powerball lottery he will either get a smallish saw or probably hire a tree expert. Most homeowners I know couldn't gap a spark plug (assuming they knew what one looked like and where to find it). And heaven forbid, you might get your hands dirty mixing that 2 cycle oil with that stinky gasoline!

Homeowners, farmers, ranchers, who have lots of trees or wood-burning stoves will gravitate toward the higher end of the chain saw spectrum because of the amount of work they have to do keeping up with the place. My lot has about 15 acres of heavy woods so there is always something to do with a chain saw.

I don't think I'm a very ordinary homeowner. I enjoy working outdoors around the place and I enjoy doing things myself or with my family's help. I enjoy mechanical things like chain saws. I find it is often less of a hassle to do things myself than to hire someone to do them in many instances and I can do it for less money (I'm cheap) and often do a better job. I own two middle-of-the-road Husky's, an older 55 Rancher and a newer 359 (I really only need one but the price was right so I bought a used saw as a spare). I like working with them, both good tools. I like messing around sharpening the chains, changing filters, doing routine maintenance. I enjoy conversations with independent, self-sufficient folks like the ones on this forum. Mostly I like the way chain saws make my life more enjoyable and somewhat easier.

 

[Cedarkerf]

Ranchers and farmers out here , alot of them have harvestable timber and do a lot of their own cutting. not sure i would lump them in with the typical backyard bob.

 

[59Billy]

69 camaro. Nuff said.

Yeah, I don't even think an 090 beats that for cool points.

 

[Husky137]

Homeowners are people that own homes.

 

[GASoline71]

Ranchers and farmers out here , alot of them have harvestable timber and do a lot of their own cutting. not sure i would lump them in with the typical backyard bob.

If you walk into Cutters Supply in your neck of the woods... you will get treated the same whether you are wearin' a suit or "riggins". Same for me up here at Wood's Logging Supply... Once again, it all boils down to a good saw shop.

Glad I don't live where some of you cats do.

Again, again... I am spoiled with the saw dealers around these here parts.

Gary

 

[Cedarkerf]

If you walk into Cutters Supply in your neck of the woods... you will get treated the same whether you are wearin' a suit or "riggins". Same for me up here at Wood's Logging Supply... Once again, it all boils down to a good saw shop.

Glad I don't live where some of you cats do.

Again, again... I am spoiled with the saw dealers around these here parts.

Gary

They don't treat me the same!! They all recognize me so now they run. Just kidding yes theyactually try to target saws to what you want or if you don't know will explain what you need. They know I have all I need so its only wan't for me. Mostly there for parts or supplies.

 

[oldsaw]

If you walk into Cutters Supply in your neck of the woods... you will get treated the same whether you are wearin' a suit or "riggins". Same for me up here at Wood's Logging Supply... Once again, it all boils down to a good saw shop.

Glad I don't live where some of you cats do.

Again, again... I am spoiled with the saw dealers around these here parts.

Gary

Out here in the prairie, the only guys buying nice saws are the tree service guys, and the shops know them. They assume that anyone else coming in is a farmer or a homeowner and will work off of that assumption. Most of the time I'm showing up at a dealership (I can't call them "saw shops" since they don't make a living off of saws, it's an add on here) I'm in work clothes, which means the nice pants and shirt thing. I've had a couple of funny looks over the years with the 066, and both disbelief and the assumption of "godlike" status with the 3120. However, until I ask for parts for those saws, I'm just a "homeowner". Even at my last stop at my "new" Stihl dealer where they really don't know me yet, I was looking at a 441 and a 460, and the guy mentioned that they were "a lot of saw", when I mentioned that I wanted something smaller than the 066 to fill the "hole" in my line-up, he looked at me differently. When I mentioned the 3120, he became a bit of an 880 "supremacist", but when I told him that I bought it used from a friend, he calmed down a bit.

But, in most of the world, outside of the woods, you are assumed to be a "homeowner" since that is where 80-90% of their business comes from.

Mark

 

[joatmon]

I live in a cave...

Aslo I think I'm gonna modify my 215 V-8 so I can ride it to work. Prolly get better gas mileage than my 3/4 ton.

Gary

Gary,

Is there some Rover thing runnin' 'round with a Stihl motor getting awesome gas mileage?

Jack

 

[joatmon]

If you walk into Cutters Supply in your neck of the woods... you will get treated the same whether you are wearin' a suit or "riggins". Same for me up here at Wood's Logging Supply... Once again, it all boils down to a good saw shop.

Glad I don't live where some of you cats do.

Again, again... I am spoiled with the saw dealers around these here parts.

Gary

Only one saw shop in our area and it's a real pain to get over there. The OPE shop where I buy Stihl (formerly bought) caters to pros. I always go looking like I know how to work, but still get no service.

Last year, the blade brake clutch went out on my 1987 Toro pro mower. I took it in for service. They told me it was the transmission. OK. 2 weeks later, I decided it was time to move on because the grass was still growing. I got my old mower and loaded it in the truck. I went inside the shop and was looking at the Honda pro model and the Toro pro model trying to decide which one was best for me. No help. I went home and tore the old mower apart, got my IPL and called to order the part. They made me come in and pay for the part in advance because it was "special order".

My neighbor buys a Wal*Mart mower every few years and its starting to make sense to me. I rather deal with the Wal*Mart people than the Stihl dealer that services my area.

Oh, the above is siomply one story about this big, multi store dealer. I've got many. Last year, I bought my BR600 backpack blower and he didn't even want to show me how to start or operate it. It was the new 4-mix engine so I was interested in knowing a little about it.

Thanks for letting me blow off a little steam,

Jack

 

[bytehoven]

I agree with some of the other contributors.

As a homeowner saw user I'd agree the designation best serves describing a saw that...

... offers an engine with a shorter life span because the saw will not be used on a daily basis.

... at a given HP, the saw may be heavier and bulkier.

... the fabrication materials may be less rugged.

... some of the moving components, like a sprocket design, may require increased maintenance because they are also are less rugged.

... lastly, the saw is cheaper because of the compromises mentioned above.

I do not think the size of the saw makes it a homeowner model.

 

[59Billy]

I've had a couple of funny looks over the years with the 066, and both disbelief and the assumption of "godlike" status with the 3120. However, until I ask for parts for those saws, I'm just a "homeowner". Even at my last stop at my "new" Stihl dealer where they really don't know me yet, I was looking at a 441 and a 460, and the guy mentioned that they were "a lot of saw", when I mentioned that I wanted something smaller than the 066 to fill the "hole" in my line-up, he looked at me differently.

Makes me think of how my relationship with my dealer has changed. I'd been getting little stuff from them for years, and having them fix my lawnmower. But in the last year it's gone from, "Oh, the Timberman's not worth fixin'? Okay, what have ya got to replace it with?" to "See if you can get a 660 with the high volume oil pump from the factory. Here's the part number."

 

[windthrown]

A+

Ranchers and farmers out here , alot of them have harvestable timber and do a lot of their own cutting. not sure i would lump them in with the typical backyard bob.

Yep. We have 105 acres in farm forest here. We have 80 acres in timber. We do all our own felling, bucking, thinning, and firewood cutting.

 

[59Billy]

Yep. We have 105 acres in farm forest here. We have 80 acres in timber. We do all our own felling, bucking, thinning, and firewood cutting.

I'd say those 80 acresl make your new 460 a homeowner's saw.

 

[Cedarkerf]

I'd say those 80 acresl make your new 460 a homeowner's saw.

:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[59Billy]

Only one saw shop in our area and it's a real pain to get over there. The OPE shop where I buy Stihl (formerly bought) caters to pros. I always go looking like I know how to work, but still get no service.

...

My neighbor buys a Wal*Mart mower every few years and its starting to make sense to me. I rather deal with the Wal*Mart people than the Stihl dealer that services my area.

That dealer needs his attitude adjusted with a clue-by-four. As this whole thread shows, the difference between a "pro" and the unwashed masses is pretty arbitrary. And it should be common sense to pay attention to anybody who's wanting to buy stuff, especially expensive stuff.

I've noticed that a lot of people who either love or hate a particular brand do so because of how their local dealer treats them. The manufacturers need to take heed to that. Might be worht venting to Stihl -- they have a feedback form on their website, and IO know for a fact that it gets read. They'd probably be pretty interested in knowing that they're losing customers to WALMART because of a bonehead dealer.