what can ORANGE do for you?

[nilzlofgren]

I'll quit when you back off and for the love of God get yourself a breath mint.lol

I got to admit it newguy, I see that your capitolizing, and punctuating. Your learning.

 

[nytreeman]

This is what orange does for me!
used a272xp with a 30" bar to drop this huge sugar maple awhile back

 

[2000ssm6]

Good post Rod!

Most people know that the XP's are Huskys "pro" saws and most of the time you can't find them in blow's or HD. As far as selling, Stihl has a much better/bigger rep out there than Husky. Like you said ask any person on the street and they will say Stihl. I have ran a 385xp before, not a bad saw, I'm just sold on Stihl. I have no other reason to change.:jester:

 

[2000ssm6]

Just sparing 2000s+m Likes it when Mow gets roughed up and sweaty.

Have you ever been smacked in the mouth?:sword: :lifter:

 

[Urbicide]

Oops! Sorry! I thought I was in the Off the Topic Forum.

 

[THALL10326]

Greed?!?!?!? Greed?!?!?!? Bringing an affordable product to the consumer with only an occasional need, and can't justify a large expense, is greedy? Sorry, I see greed as a company who charges 10~50% more for it's saws than it's competitions equally classed saws, with it's only argument reasoning being, "We are #1 in sales!"

Stihl really does have that "status symbol" hold on the consumer. Ask anyone on the street to name a chainsaw manufacturer, and you'll likely hear "Stihl." Probably followed by "Craftsman." Why? Marketing. Just like other manufacturers, such as Harley and Ford for example, you got a grasp on the market. I don't blame Stihl for that. They're a company. That's what they are suppose to do. But it doesn't justify price. If the general public could be brought to light that Husky saws are of equal quality to Stihl, but at a better price, I think you'd see a change. But folks usually have a prejudice view, and is hard to alter. Even so, I doubt you'd ever see Husky with #1 sales. Stihl would simply lower their high profit margin to compete with them, before giving up that position. (afterall that is their key stance) Thall's recent example of telling some potential customers that Huskys are sold at Lowes doesn't help those prejudice views. Not that he lied to them, just that he convieniently failed to tell the whole truth. But he is a salesman, and he's got to put bread on the table, so I can't fault him for that. But there's two people that leave with that thought in their head, and likely would be hard to change. People tend to hang onto the first thing they heard, over something contrary.

I'm sure the argument of cost is going to fall back to the available servicing network. No doubt, this plays a HUGE part in Stihls success. Here in the States, in general, folks are lazy. They don't want to repair (heck, even PM) their own equipment. That's why there is Jiffy Lube, Geek Squad, Roto Rooter, etc. But why should such a network effect the price of the saw? It shouldn't. If I bring my saw in for work, then that's the time to be charged. Not when I'm buying it. That brings me to parts. Someone recently said that it doesn't take much parting out of a saw at retail prices to make it worthwhile. Why is it that a handful of parts sells for as much as an entire chainsaw? Sell the saw to the consumer, (for an already high price) and when they come back for parts, we'll really club them over the head. Sounds pretty greedy to me. I've read conflicting information about the costs. I've heard that there is little money to be made on parts by the dealer, that the factory charges the high fees. But I've also heard that the dealers can make a decent profit off parts. I don't know which is true, but as the consumer, I know it costs me a lot.

Back to the product itself. Anyone who says Stihl is crap, is full of it themselves. They make great products. The same can be said of Husky as well. Sure they each got their +'s and -'s, but it all washes out as equal products. I believe folks here can be "hyper-critical" of products, and seems to generate a "blinders" effect. Let me give an example. I occasionally run a little Poulan down at work. Now I know there are folks here that would bash it to no end, but it's a saw. It starts, it cuts wood, it does as advertised. Nothing fancy, no anti-vibe, chain brake, or swept induction. Just a saw. Did I need a MS 361? No. Would it have gotten the job done faster? Sure. Was I in a time trial? No. Can I justify 3X the cost for it's occasional use? No. There is a place in the market for low end saws. They work for the purpose they are meant for. I can't see how that's greedy to provide them.

Good post there. Very fair and balanced. Far as me telling folks Husky is sold at Lowes and Sears around here is because around here where I'm at there are no Husky dealers. I realized later Tractor Supply across town sell Husky but they send me their saw customers not to repair but to buy saws. Whats up with that I do not know but I sure as hell am not going call them and ask what are yaw doing overthere.
For what its worth I could easily sell Husky and use Lowes and Sears as a buying point. Smart selling uses many ways but I'm not going to help my competiton shoot me in the foot. If they can't use their nationwide stores to their own advantage I'm sure not going to show them how and oddly its right there in front of them and they don't see it, oh well.
Far as Stihl prices go they are a across the board price. Many dealers work a price with a customer at their own choice. Stihl has no control what so ever what the dealer sells their products for. Stihl gives each dealer the same list price as a guide. How the dealers sell is up to them. Husky on the other hand has such a wide gap among its sellers its out of hand. Does anyone actually know what the exact list price is from Husqvarna. Everyone quotes prices from outfits all over the country but rarely do I see a exact list price quoted as stated by Husqvarna.
Another thing about prices. Everyone can say Stihl is overpriced. I say not. Show me a exact list price comparison from Husqvarna, not Baileys, not some internet seller or mail order and lets see how much Stihl is overpriced compared to Husky. I say this based on a friend who bought a 357xp from a Husky dealer. He paid 702.25 for it. That saw in stock form, stock Cut, not modded, has nothing on a 361 and the 361 is 589.95. Did the Husky dealer screw my buddy or did he sell him that saw at Husky list price??
Finally and foremost if Stihl can get that top dollar for their products why can't Husky do the same? Is Husky delibertly undercutting Stihl to stay in the game. Are their list prices really that much lower than Stihl. If so it hasn't worked in over 30 years. If I were them maybe raising their prices higher than Stihl would make the public think their products must be better if they cost more. The low price game works two ways, one says but hey Husky is cheaper, the other guy says yup they sure are meaning not as good either. Lower prices per say can make a sale or lose a sale, the image is what counts when it comes to selling, not always price.

 

[outdoortype]

Everyone can say Stihl is overpriced. I say not. Show me a exact list price comparison from Husqvarna, not Baileys, not some internet seller or mail order and lets see how much Stihl is overpriced compared to Husky. I say this based on a friend who bought a 357xp from a Husky dealer. He paid 702.25 for it. That saw in stock form, stock Cut, not modded, has nothing on a 361 and the 361 is 589.95. Did the Husky dealer screw my buddy or did he sell him that saw at Husky list price??[/QUOTE
Your right on that point. I visited a local dealer who wanted $689 for 357xp and $589 for a 361. Then I see prices ranging from $525. If a guy really likes the 357xp he is almost forced to buy via the internet. Who is screwing who? The internet dealers make this particular guy look like a crook but maybe their making next to nothing on the saw?

 

[outdoortype]

New chainsaw company....

After reading this thread, I have a new idea. I think that JustMow,Thall,&Peter399 should form a new chainsaw company. There is no doubt in my mind that you could kick STihl & Husky's butts at the same time. Because you three have more pride & loyalty in your brands than 99% of the workers in those plants.

 

[Big Neb]

I've been wondering the same thing...

Around here locally when I was looking at picking up either a Stihl 361 or Husky 357xp the Husky was more expensive by about $30. Besides the Stihl dealer has an in house shop. The Husky place did not. The Husky dealer said I ought to wait a few weeks and they might go on sale. Granted they were cheaper online but once you pay for the B/C and shipping I wasn't really saving enough to make it worth my while.

Luckily, I found a nice 361 on ebay and saved a bunch(yeah, I got lucky, it's cherry). I suspect if I went and sold it in 10 years the resale value would be twice that of the 10 year old 357xp and I consider 357xp to be a very nice quality saw. I'm sorry, but I just don't see the 10-50% increased price for a Stihl compared to the equivalent Husky and with the unarguable resale value it is hard to pass on the Stihl line.

 

[THALL10326]

After reading this thread, I have a new idea. I think that JustMow,Thall,&Peter399 should form a new chainsaw company. There is no doubt in my mind that you could kick STihl & Husky's butts at the same time. Because you three have more pride & loyalty in your brands than 99% of the workers in those plants.

We try,LOL

 

[outdoortype]

Resale value often varies...

I thought that Stihl had much higher resale values but the Husky xp's seem to being holding their own. I've been looking for about the last year(Ebay) and I've seem some 357's that look like hell and sold for around $400 and found very few 346's.

 

[belgian]

After reading this thread, I have a new idea. I think that JustMow,Thall,&Peter399 should form a new chainsaw company.

Naaaah, that company would be called soon "the good, the bad and the ugly" and we know how that is gonna end :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[THALL10326]

Naaaah, that company would be called soon "the good, the bad and the ugly" and we know how that is gonna end :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, let me guess, whattttttttttttttttttt, no way sucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[belgian]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, let me guess, whattttttttttttttttttt, no way sucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

Hey, I didn't say who the good one was, but I know who will end up with the money

 

[outdoortype]

That's true, but just imagine if you could separate them

Naaaah, that company would be called soon "the good, the bad and the ugly" and we know how that is gonna end :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

If you added Lakeside as the Technical adivsor, Sawtroll could weigh the saws and keep accurate records, hell you could even have SawinRedneck as the field rep....You'd have the best, most expensive, most non-EPA friendly saw in the world.

 

[THALL10326]

Hey, I didn't say who the good one was, but I know who will end up with the money

:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[THALL10326]

If you added Lakeside as the Technical adivsor, Sawtroll could weigh the saws and keep accurate records, hell you could even have SawinRedneck as the field rep....You'd have the best, most expensive, most non-EPA friendly saw in the world.

If we had to pay Lake what he's worth all our saws would be over a thousand dollars, yes he's that good. Sawtroll as user tech advisor, good idea. Redneck as feild salesman, truck loaded to the hit with cold beer and jokes galore, yup that would work good. Yup we'd take Stihl and Husky both to the cleaners,hehe

 

[belgian]

You'd have the best, most expensive, most non-EPA friendly saw in the world.

Hmmmm, I think Husky has that market covered already...:stupid:

(just kidding boys...)

 

[rreidnauer]

If I were them maybe raising their prices higher than Stihl would make the public think their products must be better if they cost more. The low price game works two ways, one says but hey Husky is cheaper, the other guy says yup they sure are meaning not as good either. Lower prices per say can make a sale or lose a sale, the image is what counts when it comes to selling, not always price.

Yes, very true. I meant to bring that up myself. There is a phenomenon where people think they are getting something more when they pay more for it. Name brand drugs are a great example of this. Exactly the same ingredients and quantity, but you'll still see people buying the more expensive name brand. Another example. I was asked to bid a job that I really wasn't interested in taking, so after figuring my time and materials, I literally doubled the number. Damned if I didn't get it. I later found out that they took me over the other guy because "there must have been a reason I was significantly higher." Go figure.

As far as I know, there is no MSRP from Husky. But MSRP doesn't mean much anyhow. Other than Stihl, I don't know of too many things which actually charge that. How many times have we seen a price tag with "List price" or "MSRP" and below it "Our price" on it? Asking to compare MSRP prices from Stihl, to MSRP prices from Husky isn't real world to me. Whichever saw lightens my wallet the least is a real world situation, regardless of what method I get it. Yes Big Neb, when shopping on the internet, 10~50% better pricing is possible. When did selling/shopping on the internet become an underhanded thing to do anyhow? You change with the times. Wagons gave way to cars. Rabbit ears gave way to satellite/cable TV. Dialup gave way to cable/dsl. Letters gave way to e-mail. It's evolution. If we didn't change, we'd all be living like the Amish. (OK, maybe that wouldn't be so bad )

I'm not interested in bartering with a salesman, like I'm trying to buy a car. Also, the dealer holds all the cards. He knows his cost. The consumer has to guess. I don't like trading wits with someone that has the odds stacked against me. (that's why I don't go to casinos either) Could you imagine the nightmare if everyone had to barter? "I'll give ya $2.90 for that gallon of milk." "Sorry, best I can do is $3.25." "Could ya at least come down to $3.10?" "OK, $3.10 it is. Now for your next thing on the conveyor belt......" OK, I don't do my grocery shopping online, (though I could!) but I do go to the discount market when I do, for the best prices. Wouldn't ya know it, they got those same MSRP/Our price tags there too. Nope, I'll go to the best deal wherever I may find it. So far, it's been Husky for the new stuff. But I'll switch right over to Stihl if I find a better deal.
Brand loyal, I am not.

 

[redprospector]

Just my opinion, but orange can do for me the same as orange & white, or orange & black, or black & red. I'm not brand loyal. I don't care if it say's Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge across the tailgate of my pickup either, as long as it gets the job done. It's all a matter of personal preference, price, and perception.
That being said, the only event that Stihl won in our local competition last year was the Stihl stock saw event.

Andy