Change in online policy at Stihl?

[2stroke-ady]

Just found this! Sounds like a complete U turn to me:001_huh:

 

Stihl GB has announced a new e-commerce solution that will enable its Approved Dealers to serve customers via a high quality online platform. From April 2014, Approved Dealers can add online sales to their STIHL and VIKING offer.

 

Many products will be available to order online for delivery to the customer’s place of work or home, while those which STIHL deems to require a detailed or personal handover such as chain saws and metal tool brush cutters will be available to ‘click and collect’.

 

Announcing the development, Robin Lennie, Managing Director of STIHL GB said: “The new STIHL e-commerce concept will ensure all our customers – both valued Approved Dealers and end users, can enjoy the benefits of online sales, whilst critically retaining the high service standards expected of our brands.”

 

STIHL continues to rely exclusively on the servicing dealer, but this latest change reflects the latest legal requirements within the EU as well as growing significance of the Internet for the power tool segment. The expanded online business will supplement the dealer’s local presence enabling customers to buy STIHL and VIKING at a time and place to best suit their needs.

 

Ensuring that the high service standards of the STIHL Group are retained, Approved Dealers can sign-up for an official STIHL Online Partner Store – a customised online store with technical and marketing support provided by STIHL, or will be able to retail products online through their own websites using an approved ‘shop-in-shop’ formula.

 

STIHL will work closely with its Approved STIHL and VIKING Dealer network to ensure that every dealership has the tools and support needed to take advantage of the opportunities this programme presents, providing guidelines for shop-in-shop concepts and access to specialist online marketing support.

 

The STIHL GB team says it will work closely with its Approved Dealers over forthcoming months to ensure a positive and professional experience is maintained for every customer.

[dan494]

It reads to me like stihl will be overseeing any online sales as dealers will be plugged into their network (shop in shop) and presumably pricing will be the same across the board? I think that was the reason for the online sales ban in the first place, preventing some dealers selling in bulk and cheaper, driving down prices

[Jonesie]

To answer a couple of the questions in here.

 

Stihl will be increasing there prices from the 1st of Feb, most dealers will take about a month to adjust all the prices so you may see some changes happening slowly.

 

With regard to the Stihl pricing they will not dictate what we all sell for that is our decision.

 

Hope this helps.

[Al Cormack]

Thanks Justin for the confirmation of the price increase.

Better get an order in for more saws pronto...

[2stroke-ady]

Confusing! It looks to me as if Stihl products ordered on the web can only be bought through the 'Stihl online partner store' which dealers can sell through. That way Stihl can police how a product is sold ie. a spare part can be posted but a chainsaw must be handed over. Well all will become clear in time

[KGBFINGAR]

Need to play this by ear , my local dealer is a nightmare , so I recon any changes will be slow ! Like his service .

[Timbermcpherson]

Stihl, the Apple of the chainsaw world.

 

Overpriced, over controlling and over confident that their customers will keep putting up with there crap.

 

Dammit why am i owned by so many of em?

[TGB]

You're masochist...

[NFG]

Stihl, the Apple of the chainsaw world.

 

Overpriced, over controlling and over confident that their customers will keep putting up with there crap.

 

Dammit why am i owned by so many of em?

 

Hi

 

Thats much more like Microsoft to me!

 

 

N

[ThrustSSC]

Hi

 

Thats much more like Microsoft to me!

 

 

N

 

Spoken like a true believer! Keep paying the Jobs Tax, my friend... :-) Nice kit Apple make, but the profit margin is better even than a certain kiln-dried log suppliers'! ;-)