Arbtalk Members Reponses to Stihl's Online Policy

[Rob D]

Dear Stihl,

 

I am a sub dealer of your equipment (which incidentally I think is good quality). In the items I sell mainly bars and chains I would say I stock as much as the top 5% of Stihl dealers in the country. I sell at more or less retail price and so am not undercutting your dealers. My website provides more information than any other website (to my knowledge) on the products I sell i.e. bars and chains.

 

I could commend your actions if I genuinely thought the move was safety orientated.

 

Why not plough in more resources into better educating your dealers? A lot of complaints about the dealers on here is that they lack knowledge and they don't carry stock. I think people would pay close to retail prices if they had the service from dealers to back it up with.

 

 

 

[spudulike]

I feel this idea has come from HQ in the USA, our good friends across the pond really do not understand how we work over here, QUOTE]

 

My money is on it being a German decision, it has their arrogance all over it.

 

The US market is too important for Stihl to mess up so they will probably avoid this decision. I have always noted how Stihl only have machine manual downloads on the US site - it is the power of the dollar and market forces in the US.

 

The US markets are pretty similar to the UK, strong online presence and high levels of customer service.

 

I can but hope these guys haemorrhage market share and turnover and learn the hard way.

 

I think Stihl are a modern day King Kanute, trying to turn back the tide of modern markets in favour of something that died in the 1970s:001_rolleyes:

[Robbyrasta]

Dear Stihl

 

Your new online policy doesn't bother me in the slightest.

 

When i do my shopping for replacements parts, consumables and ppe, online and your products don't appear- i'll just buy another brand. I couldn't care less

 

Rob

[porky]

Once upon a time, a few years ago, I had a grand in my pocket and I urgently needed a new replacement Stihl brushcutter to finish a contract I was on. As had often been the case for 20 years, I set off on the 40 mile round trip to the local dealer, this time in the rush hour, who is located of course, in the middle of the city. Having been forced to park on a double yellow as his parking area was now used for storage I went in and waited at the Sales desk. There was nobody there. I knew what model I wanted, I had the cash. After a while I asked the lady at "reception" if there was any Salesman around. She looked up and replied " No, I dont think there is at the moment".

Then FR Jones came on the scene and I never ever went there again.

I won't buy Stihl again unless it's ONLINE.

[AKTC]

Hi Mr Stihl Fr Jones is my local Suppler and I will not be buying any more of your Products because of your stupid online shopping policy. Kind regards Alan

[Le Sanglier]

Hi Mr Stihl Fr Jones is my local Suppler and I will not be buying any more of your Products because of your stupid online shopping policy. Kind regards Alan

 

Well if he's local you can just pop in there!

[renewablejohn]

I will not be dictated to by a two bit company so husky will get my trade.

[Theocus]

but surely if you have bought face to face before then you can still purchase online et. i took this off their website!

 

This ‘hand over policy’ means unfortunately we cannot deliver machines bought online or over the phone unless we have previously conducted a ‘hand over’ with you or you are a known/existing professional user.

 

This should not affect many of us and infact draw homeowners to dealers and the others etc to dealers at the same time.

 

Or have i missed the point here.

[Rich2484]

but surely if you have bought face to face before then you can still purchase online et. i took this off their website!

 

This ‘hand over policy’ means unfortunately we cannot deliver machines bought online or over the phone unless we have previously conducted a ‘hand over’ with you or you are a known/existing professional user.

 

This should not affect many of us and infact draw homeowners to dealers and the others etc to dealers at the same time.

 

Or have i missed the point here.

 

Missed it completely. This is exactly what they are stopping.

[Theocus]

With say FR Jones, i have bought face to face therefore "we cannot deliver machines bought online or over the phone UNLESS we have previously conducted a ‘hand over’ with you or you are a known/existing professional user"

 

As i have previously bought and am a pro user i can still buy. Im not too fussed, got too many orange and white saws anyway, but its always interesting!