The Perfect Treemans/Arborists Supply Store - please help!

[NovoArbor]

Hello everyone. I got an idea and I was wondering if you could help me out by giving me your opinions and thoughts - which you all do so well by the way.....

There's only 2 arborist supply stores in the area- and they're not all that great. 1 is too far away making it inconvenient - plus it's kinda shabby. Everyone time one of guys goes these, he never sees another customer. The other is just OK - Vermeer- but their stock is not good and they don't have knowledgeable staff.

SO! I thought about opening the best store ever - the to-die-for setup. Here's where I need your help. Having not seen stores in other parts of the country, perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing what you know about them. Even giving me names & tel numbers so I can call them to get the real scoop. They shouldn't mind because we're not comptetitors.

Thanks in advance for your contributions.

Starr

 

[NovoArbor]

Thanks, Rocky.....but don't you think there's merit to having a store close by? And what about companies besides Sherrill? Maybe that's why the stores are empty!

 

[Dadatwins]

My experience is usually the stores only carry some stock and not full lines. Plus most counter people are only 9-5 and know nothing about what they sell. I prefer catalog / online to see all that a company has to offer. Telephone sales rep know the gear and can give details if needed. Have dealt with Sherrills' and Baileys' for years and never had problem. I know there are others out there but never felt the need to wander. Nice to get to a trade show where all venders carry full lines of gear and you get to 'hands on' a lot of stuff.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i have gotten a few saw shops overtime to carry some stuff; mostly beyond the wearable items like rope, throwline, saw blades they really didn't get hardly any play off of it. i even tried to get them to pitch to rescue, mountaineering, tactical, recreation etc.

Just too much of a specialty deal i think. The few that use such products already have places to get them in pattern usually. i think it is a great effort, and about every town should have 1 or 2 saw shops that at least carry some rope; that noone should get hurt or smash something trying to get by on what they got, there is somewhere within 45min. to not ket killed that day etc. i think the line is wonderfull tough stuff evolved to our rigorous enviroment, and farmers etc. should have a hunk and forsake lesser stuff etc.

Any places i've seen carry gear, are some other kind of shop first, and have a soft spot for this passion, or try to be the Stihl dealer that more appeals to pros etc.

Good L.U.C.K. (Labor Under Controlled Knowledge)
Or
Something like that
-KC
:alien:

 

[NeTree]

Rocky-

I've been dealing alot with Dave from OK Arborist Supplies.

He may not have as wide a selection, but I've had lots of things I've needed like YESTERDAY, and he's NEVER dropped the ball on me, unlike Sherrill.

Just because a place isn't as big as Sherrill, doesn't mean they suck, either.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Work up a proper business plan. Doing this kind of research will benefit in a long run. If you think that production arbo liability insurance is spendy, find out what it costs to sell gear. It'll take the wind out of your sails.

Tom

 

[OutOnaLimb]

You cant go wrong with Sherril/Vermeer. If Im working in Denver I can have Jerry with the mobile truck bring stuff that I need directly to the job site. If Im in Colorado Springs, I can call up and see if they have what I need in stock. If they dont they can have it to me first thing the next morning. They have never done me wrong. I am a loyal customer, besides, who do you think flips the bill for this wonderful site that we call home?

Kenn

 

[jkrueger]

Originally posted by OutOnaLimb
You cant go wrong with Sherril/Vermeer. If Im working in Denver I can have Jerry with the mobile truck bring stuff that I need directly to the job site. If Im in Colorado Springs, I can call up and see if they have what I need in stock. If they dont they can have it to me first thing the next morning. They have never done me wrong. I am a loyal customer, besides, who do you think flips the bill for this wonderful site that we call home?

Kenn

Ya, in PA I call Tim and if it's a heavy day for Tim he'll meet me half way with the Sherrill truck. Same, if he doesn't have it in the truck and I need to see it first he'll get it for me to look at.

Jack

 

[Stumper]

Novo, I realize that you have a larger population base in your home area than many parts of the country but arboricultural suppliesare pretty specialized. Every hardware store has rakes , shovels, loppers, hand saws and a cheap polesaw or 3 along with consumer grade chainsaws. That leaves the real market niche you seek--specialty gear-that really is only sought by the specialists!.
How many tree proffessionals live within 50 miles of you? 20? 50? 100? Considering where you are maybe there are a couple of hundred. Can you imagine trying to run a store with a customer base of 200 people? Half of them will probably mailorder stuff in anyway. Half the remainder only purchase new gear every once in a blue moon. This trade is too specialized to support local shops. This has been an industry supplied by shipment from specialty houses for as long as I've been involved and I don't foresee it changing much beyond the convenience of ordering/dropshipping through local dealerships like the Vermeer/Sherrill partnership.:angel:

 

[NeTree]

Originally posted by OutOnaLimb
who do you think flips the bill for this wonderful site that we call home?

Kenn

WE do.


Where do you think Sherrill and and the others here get the money to sponsor the site with?

From customers, like us.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

All the arbo supply companies have a primary line of sales where we are a niche addon.

Most sell the highend stuff for the big bucks and carry the other stuff we want to keep us coming in their door.

Alexander has all the big prosessing equipment along with stumpers, chippers and saws.

Aerial does bucket trucks and the like, and is owned by TCOT.

Fresco is primarily power utility supplies....

Don Blair tells people you have to do it all the way, one way or the other. You cannot run a tree company and sell tree gear reatail and do both well.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Originally posted by netree
WE do.


Where do you think Sherrill and and the others here get the money to sponsor the site with?

From customers, like us.

Exactly, I dont recall paying any membership dues to be a member of ArboristSite. For the most part Sherrill, Baileys, and the others flip the bill to keep this thing running. And you know what? That and that alone has gotten my loyalty. I have been buying from Sherrill and Baileys ALONE for the last 4 years. They are on top of the ball. I have only been a member of this site for a few months. Just them sponsering this site alone,that tells me that there are actually big guys out there that care about crummy little guys like us. Not that I am saying that JPS or MB is a crummy little guys. From what I have heard they are huge!!!!!!! in the world of arboculture. Im not against the little guy, $hit thats the American dream. I tell ya what, If you guys can offer me some good prices and great service on the stuff I need, I will use ya'll. Oh yeah, and Sean Larkin, your just a simpering toady to the man, so keep your nose out of this.


Kenn

 

[Stumper]

Kenn, You forgot the emoticon!. You can't insult Sean without a smiley! He's easygoing but I think Tobe likes him 'cause if you don't edit quick you can expect a visit from Guido and Tiny-If yous knows what I means.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Yeah if'n ya are gonna be nice to JP and rude to anyone else especially those from Sherrill mebbe ya can get anutha name!!

Ken

 

[NeTree]

Kenn, don't kid yourself.

This is a high traffic site. The additional revenue the sponsors get from the increased exposure to an industry-specific audience like us far exceeds the expenditure of a sponsorship.

In other words, it was a good business decision.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

That is the way it should work Erik; but i think we owe extra thanks to the riskier initial pioneers of Darin and Sherrill (even JP and sum of them); and hope the extra foresight, energy, commitmeant and risk etc. is being well repaid as this place evolves to beyond it's infancy.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

OK, Sorry guys, I didnt mean to be rude and if you took it wrong I appologize, My crack at Sean was just my twisted sense of humor. Your doing a great job dude, keep up the good work!!!



Kenn

 

[okietreedude1]

First off, Thanks Erik for your support.

Secondly, Novo, I think once you start checking into what it takes to open a store, you'll realize its not all easy. In order to carry the extensive lines like Sherrill, Bailey's, myself and the many others that may not have chosen to adversise here yet, it takes a HUGE financial committment to get started. Not to criticize Sherrill, but they are tough competition. Their name has become synonomous w/ tree climbing and I will agree they have done a lot to promote the tree climbing/trimming industry.

If you feel disappointed about your local store, post your questions on Arboristsite, whether you think they are dumb or not. Once you feel comfortable with the answers you get, call your local store and tell them what you want. If they dont have it or wont get it, find someone that will. Also, be patient with your ordering. Order ahead. Im amazed the number of climbers that dont have a stock in hand. If you do have to go somewhere else, dont dump the old guy forever. Its hard to have every single thing available from every manufacturer.

If youd like to call me w/ particular questions, feel free to do so.
580-402-8733

 

[MasterBlaster]

How are those short lanyards working out for ya, David?

If they break blame Nick!

 

[okietreedude1]

Great! I actually havent had a chance to use one yet but they look good.


As for short, I currently use an 8' so 7 is not that short in my mind. At least for the trees around here.