i think i've upset my local stihl dealer

[Le Sanglier]

Why on earth did you leave your saw with the dealer to fix a pull cord and handle? I take it you don't have CS30, this will take you 5 mins to do, All parts you could have ordered from Jones and when returned from your holiday you could have fixed it yourself!!!

 

Yes :thumbup:I would be a bit embarrassed to admit to that.

[felixthelogchopper]

Yes :thumbup:I would be a bit embarrassed to admit to that.

 

But why bother if it is under warranty? Also, many warranties are invalidated when you repair things yourself.

[Mesterh]

The internet and shows have changed the way chainsaws and other 2 stroke machinery are bought. It's good for us the customers as = cheap equipment.

 

I feel a bit for the dealers though in some ways. If they try and make money on a saw they won't get the business. If they price match they won't make any money.

 

Look at it from the other point of view. If you quoted for a hedge job and the customer said "sorry but this other fellow will travel a 100 miles and is £150 cheaper".

 

Then a week later said customer calls and says "he's made a bit of a mess of it can you come and finish it off properly" would you be somewhat annoyed?

 

Yes I know he's a Stihl dealer and has an obligation to repair Stihl products but can you blame him for being annoyed?

 

That's not excusing how he behaved as it sounds like he was throwing his rattle out.....

 

 

Perhaps the end is in sight i.e. internet buying and returning stuff for repairs by post. Maybe that's the future despite manufacturers trying to prevent it.

 

 

well said.

 

How many threads have there been of people comparing about being under cut on prices and how you should part for quality and service!?

 

We can't have it both ways.

 

I think that whoever sells the equipment should have to deal with any warranty problems (btw I know jonsie would be more than happy to have sorted that saw out so I'm not having a go at him) at least it would be a lot more fair.

[Rob D]

I didn't want to add that to an already long post!

 

 

But will now stick my neck firmly on the rail track!

 

Ditto - look at all the threads/posts where we complain about people under quoting, etc etc...

 

Yet this thread seems to clearly demonstrate that when we are the customers we do exactly the same thing - i.e. forget about loyalty to your local dealer go for whoever is cheapest.

 

There's nothing wrong with this at all but you can't then expect your local dealer to be happy about it.

[felixthelogchopper]

Any given model of saw will be the same saw wherever you buy it from, but standard of work, such as in our industry, is a variable. Prices for a job can vary for many things such as quality of work done, possession of the correct insurance, training, disposal of waste etc. I don't really see how the two situations can be compared?

[Gareth Dalzell]

Any given model of saw will be the same saw wherever you buy it from, but standard of work, such as in our industry, is a variable. Prices for a job can vary for many things such as quality of work done, possession of the correct insurance, training, disposal of waste etc. I don't really see how the two situations can be compared?

 

I agree - it is easier to compare prices for machines, like for like than it is to compare a priced job. But it's still annoying when someone undercuts you on a job - so yes there are as always two sidesand exceptions etc etc.

 

But surely if things go the way the car industry has, its the cost of servicing and parts that makes the money not the initial sale so much. So if I was a local dealer I'd just be happy that my local guys are still using the brand I sell and will hopefully come to for service and support (obviously this is going to take a bit of time and therapy to change the mindset). I think you just have to take the work and profit where you can find it now days and ensure your business model evolves.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Gareth Dalzell

[Mark James]

But why bother if it is under warranty? Also, many warranties are invalidated when you repair things yourself.

 

How would anyone know you replaced it yourself?

 

 

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[Michael C]

I think its well worth paying extra for the peace of mind of knowing that you have a local dealer 'on your side' to repair breakdowns.

£80 wouldnt be long dissapperaring in downtime, lost wages etc while your saw is touring around in a DHL van. (not to mention courier costs).

[Kev Stephenson]

I won't buy from people selling saws out of there bedrooms etc to keep prices down as that is unfair. However in the above example, both suppliers have shops, staff, insurance, etc all probably comparable and I am sure Justin isn't just selling saws because he likes the smell of 2 stroke - he will be making a profit.

 

Is selling 1 saw a day and making £150 profit better than selling 20 saws in the same day making £10 per saw profit. Who is going to have the bigger happier customer base?

 

Comparing the hedge job, if both parties had the proper quals, insurance, etc, etc then if I am being undercut by someone travelling 100 miles to do it then either they are willing to work for no profit, I am too expensive (greedy??) or they are much more efficient and can therefore do lots more in the day than I can. Taking 1/2 the profit from a job but doing 3 times as much in a day still results in bigger profits overall.

[Rob D]

Any given model of saw will be the same saw wherever you buy it from, but standard of work, such as in our industry, is a variable. Prices for a job can vary for many things such as quality of work done, possession of the correct insurance, training, disposal of waste etc. I don't really see how the two situations can be compared?

 

That's some good points. But you can still compare the two as per aftersales service of a chainsaw, getting spares quickly, speed of repairs, information provision etc.