If I may climb up on my soap box again................
I've seen many dealers close up over the years, but regardless of who they would like to blame, I can't think of ONE who was "put of of business" by either the internet, or the box stores. The reasons for them going out are varied and many. Burnout-loss of enthusiasm, is very common. Second generation ownership that doesn't know the meaning of work, poor financial management, too many new trucks and showcase buildings, A guy who is great in the shop but doesn't know how to manage a business, having the rug pulled out from under you by a manufacturer, (as is the case with many John Deere dealers right now), refusal to change, refusal to vacuum the carpet, the list is endless.
But while the internet may change the rules, there is no reason to be out of the game. The idea that "you can't compete" is for people with a "surrender" mentality, or for people who are simply ignorant of what is happening around them.
The ability of AS members to do there own work is not an accurate picture of Joe Public, who generally need the help that a dealer can provide. There is another thread from a guy who was all excited to come home and find his new 345 on the porch. I was thinking of posting as to whether or not the UPS guy set it up, adjusted the acceleration, tached the RPM's, and filled out the warranty card for him, but why sling mud on the guys fun?
We have charted our own course, and we don't care what Baileys, or Home Depot is doing. We cater our business to the more serious equipment user. Mostly working guys who are familiar with equipment. Not just loggers and landscapers, but guys who know what equipment is because they've had it in their hands before. Cops, lawyers, electricians, whatever. Or at least people who have the willingness to ask questions and learn, rather than acting like they know everything. We have no interest, and little patience for box store geeks, and people who think that a subscription to Consumer Reports means that they are informed. Let them stay in the box stores.
I need to expand on a point that ADKRANGER made. (and if your ever down this way, I'll have a pint with you) Just because a store has the Stihl or Husky sign up, doesn't mean that they will be as focused on the saw biz as most AS members would expect. Don't forget that both brands have about the first 10 pages of their catelogs devoted to saws, and a heck of a lot of other pages of other stuff. They are pretty much both guilty of squeezing out the "saw shop" in favor of dealers who can sell the whole catelog. I know a few dealers of each brand who only stock the smaller saws, and have no pro market to speak of. Why filp out and whine when you run into one of these stores? Maybe there simply isn't enough saw business to warrant much of an effort on their part. If there is, then the rule about having the willingness to learn about it applys to them.
Another thing that some dealers are guilty of is that they really aren't comforable with serious equipment users. Some dealers don't want to deal with "demanding" pros, who need their equipment right away. Some dealers would rather deal with ignorant consumers, instead of guys who may know more about the equipment than they do. Not every dealer wants a bunch of guys coming out of the woods at the end of the day dropping saw chips on the floor and using salty language in the showroom. We look forward to it. Those guys are our regulars and we have a lot of fun with them. What's the big deal if I have to get out the vacuum in the morning?
We are a huge Exmark dealer, but we also have a great deal of enthusiasm for the saw biz. So, we have the "saw shop" thing down pretty good, although in a larger setting.
The formula is really pretty simple. We take care of our customers and they take care of us.
