Stihl online sales policy rumour control!

[Gnarlyoak]

This isn't an attempt to re-open the whole ludicrous (IMHO) online sales policy implemented by Stihl in 2013.

 

Though I am getting seriously fed up of having to put up with saw down time, because I'm too busy work wise to be able to get to a Stihl dealer to order parts, and then have to find the time up to a week later to go back to the dealer and pick up the ordered parts, just to get a saw up and bloody running again.

 

However, I seem to recall a thread here on AT a couple of months ago that seemed to intimate that Stihl were reconsidering their online sale ban. Does anyone know if this is still the case and if so when it might happen.

 

Or was it all just an ugly rumour?

 

Or did I just dream it?

[carpenter1]

They should post parts, or let dealers at their discretion

[GardenKit]

I might be off base here, but what I can pick up from the trade press is that this IS the rethink.

It seems that Stihl is now encouraging On Line sales of everything except cutting equipment.

 

I will see if I can post up the last press real ease.

[GardenKit]

Now, don't shoot me, I am just the messenger. This was the article in last weeks dealer magazine.

 

STIHL CHANGE ONLINE POLICY

Major shift in approach to web sales

 

 

Robin Lennie, Managing Director of STIHL GB

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.

[Gnarlyoak]

Cheers for that Gardenkit. Info much appreciated.

 

So presumably you can now buy "chainsaw parts" online, but you can only buy a complete chainsaw face to face from an authorised dealer. If I'm reading it right.

 

Brilliant. Why the chuffing heck couldn't they have just adopted this policy in the first place!?!

 

Bleedin muppets!

[treequip]

There is a way around the Stihl online sales restriction.

 

Its called Husqvarna.

[skyhuck]

There is a way around the Stihl online sales restriction.

 

Its called Husqvarna.

 

Or ebay

[dexta]

I wonder how much their no on line sales has cost the company, and I don't suppose their change in policy has any thing to do with a loss. You can see some restrictions on sales for saws to joe public May be justified but sales of a tshirt with sthil on it was always going to hurt sales surely . Sense has to prevale .

[Marc]

I wonder how much their no on line sales has cost the company, and I don't suppose their change in policy has any thing to do with a loss. You can see some restrictions on sales for saws to joe public May be justified but sales of a tshirt with sthil on it was always going to hurt sales surely . Sense has to prevale .

 

None what so ever when I was at Stihl UK HQ earlier this year, in fact sales have never been better.

I think the change in heart was just because the original concept was stupid.

[ArthurBottlesworth]

I wonder how much their no on line sales has cost the company, and I don't suppose their change in policy has any thing to do with a loss. You can see some restrictions on sales for saws to joe public May be justified but sales of a tshirt with sthil on it was always going to hurt sales surely . Sense has to prevale .

 

There is no legal requirement re purchase of a saw...its not a gun

So this is just an attempt by Stihl to try and control retail price of a saw

 

That suggests to me that if you line up all the makes/models of saws on one website, Stihl don't come out of the comparison too well.......