Selling top handles to non professionals.

[Mesterh]

Reading this quote from Gardenkit in another thread..

 

"I find it strange that I cannot sell a top handle to a tree bloke, who turns up wearing all the kit and driving an arb-truck, without seeing and copying his tickets" Just wondering what are the requirements that Stihl want?

 

ie which NPTC do they ask for or could you get away with the old 20,21,22 tickets?

 

I have known for some time they have this policy and although it isnt a problem for me as I have all the other latest crap I was just wondering if they specify anything in particular?

[GardenKit]

Reading this quote from Gardenkit in another thread..

 

"I find it strange that I cannot sell a top handle to a tree bloke, who turns up wearing all the kit and driving an arb-truck, without seeing and copying his tickets" Just wondering what are the requirements that Stihl want?

 

ie which NPTC do they ask for or could you get away with the old 20,21,22 tickets?

 

I have known for some time they have this policy and although it isnt a problem for me as I have all the other latest crap I was just wondering if they specify anything in particular?

In my trade, as in any other, I suspect, it is difficult to keep up with legislation. There are of course trade organisations such as BAGMA which we are members of who publish most of the legislation we have to abide by. I have not seen information on this from them. ( of course I may have missed it)

 

Chainsaws are a small part of my business, and Top Handles are a small part of that.

I am not a main Stihl or Huskie dealer and am not therefore in possesion of their policies

 

I have to admit to being vague on what we actually require to see in the way of qualifications as all I have seen in regards to Top Handles is that they are "only to be sold to proffessional users"

 

Therefore I ask purchasers, most of whom I know well and deal with regularly and know to be proffesional, to let me see their climbing ticket, which I copy and file with a copy of the sales invoice, which proves I have checked.

 

I believe that this is satisfactory but will be very pleased if someone is able to clarify the position.

 

The problem is that I dont actually know what tickets you guys have to get,or what they look like, after all its not my line of work. I have learnt a lot more about your trade since becoming a member of this forum.

[Gareth Dalzell]

I,m guessing CS39 would be a relevant CoC to ask for as in a professional basis, as it's use of the saw in or on a tree which is where AFAG advise is the only place this type of saw should be used.

 

Having said that, I,m not sure where the proof of competence is coming from, is it the dealer/manufacture trying to protect themselves and the people they sell them to or is it steered by the HSE?

[Mesterh]

If the only requirement is "only to be sold to proffessional users" then the definition of a professional is..

 

 

"A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee"

 

Which covers almost anyone who would buy a saw to carry out paid work.

 

So if you ask your customer " Do you get paid for carrying out tree work?" and they reply "yes" its ok sell a top handle to them.

 

So a bit of a strange policy really Stihl and Husky have really.

[GardenKit]

If the only requirement is "only to be sold to proffessional users" then the definition of a professional is..

 

 

"A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee"

 

Which covers almost anyone who would buy a saw to carry out paid work.

 

So if you ask your customer " Do you get paid for carrying out tree work?" and they reply "yes" its ok sell a top handle to them.

 

So a bit of a strange policy really Stihl and Husky have really.

I agree, but as I said, I dont sell many and dont have the full requirements, if there are actually any.

 

I know I should have made an effort to find out in the past, but its just another of those things that I have to get round to......

 

Still, I expect Jonesie will be able to answer this if he see's this thread.

 

And I do know how to spell 'professional', just did'nt for some reason, twice!

[WorcsWuss]

Not sure that there is actually any hard and fast rule for this is there? Unless it's changed since I last walked in off the street and bought an 019T.... I just bought it, with money, and took it away. I think it's down to the dealer.

Certainly if I, without 38 or 39, walked into a Stihl dealer and was refused a MS'T saw, I'd just take my business to a dealer who was more pragmatic in their interpretation of 'professional'....

[WorcsWuss]

Although I think HSE state that if you get one of your employees to use a top handled saw, legally they must be trained.

Technically I think 'owner drivers' are OK...

[GardenKit]

Although I think HSE state that if you get one of your employees to use a top handled saw, legally they must be trained.

Technically I think 'owner drivers' are OK...

Our purchase invoices for top handles always state that the saw is only to be sold on to pro users.

 

So its not down to the dealer, unless the dealer wants to be unprofessional.

 

But we do need to cover ourselves, so we do what we believe is required. ( I speak for my business, I cannot vouch for others)

 

Sorry, wrong quote!!

Edited January 27, 2012 by GardenKit
Replying to wrong quote

[WorcsWuss]

Do the invoices from your suppliers stipulate what actually makes a pro or is it down to interpretation?

I would class myself as a 'pro' for the purpose of a top handled saw... I have done competencies in ground saws and felling, I have pollarded, pruned and dismantled plenty of trees using both tail & top handled saws, own both types and I've been doing it for a while... [not sure how long they've been called MS-'T's but I remember buying an 019T new from Buftons].... but I don't have 38 or 39...

Would you sell me a saw...? Just out of curiosity, not being arsey...

[Martyn Amos]

reading this quote from gardenkit in another thread..

 

"i find it strange that i cannot sell a top handle to a tree bloke, who turns up wearing all the kit and driving an arb-truck, without seeing and copying his tickets" just wondering what are the requirements that stihl want?

 

Ie which nptc do they ask for or could you get away with the old 20,21,22 tickets?

 

I have known for some time they have this policy and although it isnt a problem for me as i have all the other latest crap i was just wondering if they specify anything in particular?

 

20,21,22 i take it they are the old climbing ticket?? When did i change to 38/39

Edited January 27, 2012 by Martyn Amos