felixthelogchopper

Sorry Steve. The kind of arrogance shown by Stihl attempting to dictate choice really pees me off, as you may have guessed.

I would have given the help in exchange for whatever I would have charged for the job in the first place. No point in turning down work.

So you are saying that they will discriminate against high volume on-line retailers in favour of price-fixing with smaller retailers? Or in other words, a cartel? Interesting policy if that is so.

If I were getting somebody in to do a job, I would get a few quotes which would most likely range in price and possibly quality of service. It would be up to me to decide who I wanted to buy that service from, and nobody else. If I wanted to buy that service from somebody who wasn't my nearest service provider, whose business is it but my own? In Stihl's world, they expect to dictate to me who I deal with by placing so many obstacles in the way of my choice that I have no option but to deal with a local option. Well, Stihl can stick it where the Sun doesn't shine.

Time for a derail, I think. Are you and Mick going to be at Jonesie's this year? Spike and I are going to try and bust Geoff out of the old folks' home.

Well, people will keep feeding them, mate.

I wonder if an ISPN check would bring up anything familiar (John Thomas perhaps?).

If that was the case, wouldn't all the manufacturers have issued their new procedures by now, given that the compliance date seems to be 03/06/2013? Unless, of course, Stihl have decided to hog-tie their dealers before they have to? Either way, not a good business move on Stihl's part and one which is obviously peeing a lot of people off.

I think earplugs and a swear filter will be of most use to them.

Don't feed them, Andy.

You must have read my mind.

Mazda B2500, unless you need something to tow more than 2.2 tonnes.

You weren't there to do a hand-over maybe. Sorry to hear about your kit.

I cook mine up with Ginger, Calvados and Honey then serve it up with thick double cream.

I wondered how you got all those free Stellas at the show last year.

To whom it may concern, I wish to object to your enforcement of a policy to prevent customers buying your products on-line. I feel your decision is incredibly short-sighted and shows an arrogance that is beyond belief. I run the estates teams for a large pharmaceuticals company in the UK which is equipped with your machines. We did actually just buy a new brushcutter from the on-line dealer which supplies our consumable items also. I do not have the time to visit the shop and have found their on-line/phone service to be excellent. I find I get better deals and value from on-line suppliers as well as the convenience to myself. Your decision to force me to use my local dealer means that I will still remain a loyal customer of the on-line supplier but no longer purchase your products. Oregon supply perfectly good kit as regards consumables and,as larger items need replacement, my budget will be spent on Husqvarna and Echo. Why you feel that you can decide for me where I choose to purchase your products is insufferable. I am also not convinced about the legality of your actions, feeling as I do that it represents an unfair restraint of trade. Your's (an ex-customer), Alan Lawrence

Fn + F1 on Fujitsu.

Speak to the people who serviced it. If they get snotty about it, you are going to have to prove it's their fault so don't go in all guns blazing.

Don't beat yourself up. You didn't panic, you let somebody equally well-qualified and less emotionally involved than yourself deal with the situation which is often the better option. As you know, it's important to keep the casualty calm in such situations and seeing his Dad's naturally worried expression might not have been the best way to do this for your son. I think you did a good job. Besides which, how popular would you have been if you got claret all over your costume?

Gave me a laugh the first time I saw it too.

Another vote for the Meindls here.

I'm sure I've seen you in similar in the Cross Keys.

I think you might be confusing that with The Blue Oyster Bar.

Firstly, my sympathies on your loss. Secondly, I don't envy you this dilemma. You are going to need the wisdom of Solomon and incredible diplomacy but you will manage. To me, the only fair way to do it is to dissolve the company with an independent valuation to ascertain the value of the business assets, be they plant or 'goodwill' ie reputation or pre-existing booked work. Without an independent valuation, one or both of you is bound to feel hard done by. At least if neither of you has a say in the valuation, neither can accuse the other of unfairness. Unfortunately, I suspect that neither of you will be entirely satisfied with the outcome either. Finally, I think Andy's idea of a trust fund for your niece is an excellent idea as long as you can afford it.

Your words are twisted enough without any help.