The sad decline of real Stihl dealers.

[jacob j.]

There seems to be a pattern of underpaid technicians, and most employees using small dealerships, like Stihl dealers, as stepping stones until something better comes along.

I think it’s more of an industry wide problem, not just Stihl. Sure a guy can enjoy the job of wrenching on small engines for a few bucks less per hour when he’s single, or even just married, but when the family starts growing, money and benefits become real important, real fast. And that’s where a lot of these dealers fall behind. And it’s not necessarily their fault - they can only sell so many units a year in a given area - and then the rest falls on the parts and service side. Tough to keep the doors open some months, let alone pay mechanics and other staff a comfortable wage. Just an observation..

It's definitely an industry-wide problem but more prevalent in OPE shops rather than in shops who are a major motorsports brand and then also sell and service OPE (there's always been more money in motorsports). The business model for OPE is definitely changing and for technicians, not necessarily for the better. Ultimately, I think most mom-and-pop shops will end up with one or two qualified technicians, and then other staff who mainly handle sales and unpack & assemble new units. I've seen that transition happening in the last few years vs. a shop where all of the staff were qualified technicians, which was the model 15-20 years ago.

 

[Loony661]

It's definitely an industry-wide problem but more prevalent in OPE shops rather than in shops who are a major motorsports brand and then also sell and service OPE (there's always been more money in motorsports). The business model for OPE is definitely changing and for technicians, not necessarily for the better. Ultimately, I think most mom-and-pop shops will end up with one or two qualified technicians, and then other staff who mainly handle sales and unpack & assemble new units. I've seen that transition happening in the last few years vs. a shop where all of the staff were qualified technicians, which was the model 15-20 years ago.

I absolutely agree.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

If I get a chance I am going to stop by a box store "Stihl" dealer today and see if they have a simple weedeater blade. I am betting not a chance in hell.

they probably will

While his 6 local places might not be box stores, they all (Husky, Echo, Stihl) have to be as they made it unprofitable for the Indy dealers to make their profit margins. Atwoods here carry’s Stihl as do a bunch of Ace hardware stores. None of them know sheet about saws much less ope.

Our box stores still know some stuff but usually just enough to get them in trouble

 

[FergusonTO35]

I find that an OPE dealer really needs to sell to commercial accounts to be successful. The homeowner side just doesn't have enough dollars being spent and you are always competing with big box stores.

 

[Philbert]

Our box stores still know some stuff but usually just enough to get them in trouble

There was one HD where the guy would grab me, and say, ‘Hey, you’re the guy who knows about saws!’ Then start asking me questions.

Philbert

 

[Al Smith]

I've got the same situation as the previous comment of a pompus azz as a Stihl dealer which is two miles from my house .Rather than deal with that guy I travel 14 miles to another one .Now this Runnings business it changes names about every 6 months .It's been Farm and Field ,and three or four others in the last two years .Every time it changes hands they sell off the inventory and can you really get good deals .I bought enough anti freeze to last me at least the next 10 years plus enough chainsaw bar oil to last me maybe 6 years .I've already used up the motor oil and hydraulic oil I think .

 

[Squish9]

do any local dealers around y'all sell any used equipment?
im only asking because my local husky dealer is really struggling with selling units and is very slow on the repair side, I mentioned to him maybe he needs to have some used stuff for sale as well, I am not sure husqvarna would approve of that though.

Over here Stihl doesn't like the dealers selling used equipment. They really dictate the look for the shop and having used stuff on the shelves apparently takes away form the "dealer experience" for customers, whatever that means.

Husky in Australia is a strange experience, they have a habit of picking up a bunch of dealers only to them knife them a year or 2 later. Happened to a local irrigation dealer a few years back. They went all in on husky, built a new show room, workshop and built up a decent customer base. They where great to deal with and all was going well for a few years only to have their dealership pulled and given to another OPE dealer a few minutes down the road.

The other shop had built up a reputation over the years of being bad to deal with and constantly changing the brands they dealt. They had really bad after sales support because they would drop that brand and no longer support it. Guess what they did with husky?

Now husky is selling a lot of stuff online direct from the importer. You can buy bars, chains and most accessories direct from them and that's where the dealers use to make money from people coming back into the store. It's not looking good for their dealers

 

[Bill G]

I stopped by what is now the "Authorized local Stihl Dealer" AKA fluging box store on Monday.

Nope they did not have a simple consumable part that many folks need.

Great JOB Stihl kill your ACTUAL stocking dealers and sell through box stores

 

[Philbert]

I have heard from a number of dealers, over the years, that they can’t get parts: Efco, Husqvarna, Makita/ Dolmar, etc.

Different dealers. Different brands. Different times. But they can’t service their customers if the manufacturers don’t support them.

Similar issue with warranty work: someone buys a Husqvarna saw at a big box store; brings it in for warranty work; and Husqvarna wants to pay a flat rate for repairs, that doesn’t cover their costs.

Philbert

 

[Hoser]

I believe that’s the standard for all major corporations these days.
At my shop we used to carry a line of hvac equipment that would only cover the part and no labour on a warranty call. Then they told us we’d have to pay $45k a year for the “privlege” to sell their equipment.

 

[Bill G]

I plan on stopping by one of two of the old Stihl dealers here later this week. I know they each still have a few things left.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

(snipped) We placed 2 stock orders a week to get people their parts in a timely manner. I never charged a customer shipping or freight... I carried a large room full of parts, and always had lots of the regular items handy, like bar nuts, fuel caps, air filters, etc.

That describes two of my local STIHL dealers which repair saws for a modest price compared to @Ketchup's situation, though I'm stocking common parts for when I move and no longer have dealers like I do now.

 

[RCBS]

Stihl dealer in my town has been the same since I've been alive, though it is run by second generation now. He's not going anywhere. He branched out into Bobcat mowers and Honda power equipment to better support the business. He's got the best Two-stroke shop man in the County also. His dad started with Echo, then added Sthil later. His son recently let Echo go, I am assuming because he does not have enough retail space to accomodate both manufacturers. Local Kubota shop is now our Echo dealer. Have not had any dealings with them for Echo.

 

[Philbert]

By coincidence, I stopped by a contractor tool rental place today that had a wall full of STIHL chainsaws and power equipment. Not just the ‘contractor’ stuff.

He said that they have a full-time mechanic that works primarily on that equipment.

I did not have any service work done there, but makes sense that they would be good at fixing things.

So, a good rental place could be an option, depending on where you live.

Philbert

 

[Bill G]

Stihl does not want dealers here except box stores and Deere

 

[Filthyhat]

I own a small Stihl dealership. The Stihl distributor keeps opening more and more dealerships, most of them being "box stores". You might not like my answer to your question.

Every time you buy something from Amazon or a "box store" that you could have bought at a small dealership you are telling the box store that their terrible service is perfectly OK, and you are openly not supporting the local dealer. Then you'll even ring up your own purchases. This is what the world is coming to and everyone is OK with it. People only come to us when they want us to tell them how to fix their stuff and they seem to want that for free.

Shops used to make the money to stay open on repairs. The cost of parts and repairs versus the cost of new equipment has made replacement a better option than repair in a whole lot of cases. Even most commercial users won't pay a dime to fix a machine in my area. About the only place we make any money with chainsaws anymore is when we sell chains, but you can buy oregon chains on Amazon cheaper and get them shipped right to your house, or you can stop at the box store which is two miles closer than we are.

People always check the price at Amazon before they shop at my store but rarely check my price before they shop at Amazon. I can sell you a genuine Stihl fuel filter for the same price as that chinese one on Amazon, but you would have to come in to get it. We can't always be the absolute cheapest AND most convenient place to buy so people will flock to the box store and pay whatever they are asking, then dispose of it in a few years when it isn't working right and buy a new one. From the box store. Or Amazon.

On Saturday one of my employees and I sat here for four hours just hoping someone might come in to buy something. One guy came in and had a chain sharpened. Three people came in just to talk. We brought in $9.50 that day. How much do you think it cost to be open? More than that.

Believe it or not it costs money to have a chainsaw shop. Employees don't work for free, and entrepreneurs like to see some return on their time and money investment. One day soon there will be no chainsaw shops left.

Don't ask me how to fix your chainsaw when you see me working at Walmart. You might get me fired.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I own a small Stihl dealership. The Stihl distributor keeps opening more and more dealerships, most of them being "box stores". You might not like my answer to your question.

Every time you buy something from Amazon or a "box store" that you could have bought at a small dealership you are telling the box store that their terrible service is perfectly OK, and you are openly not supporting the local dealer. Then you'll even ring up your own purchases. This is what the world is coming to and everyone is OK with it. People only come to us when they want us to tell them how to fix their stuff and they seem to want that for free.

Shops used to make the money to stay open on repairs. The cost of parts and repairs versus the cost of new equipment has made replacement a better option than repair in a whole lot of cases. Even most commercial users won't pay a dime to fix a machine in my area. About the only place we make any money with chainsaws anymore is when we sell chains, but you can buy oregon chains on Amazon cheaper and get them shipped right to your house, or you can stop at the box store which is two miles closer than we are.

People always check the price at Amazon before they shop at my store but rarely check my price before they shop at Amazon. I can sell you a genuine Stihl fuel filter for the same price as that chinese one on Amazon, but you would have to come in to get it. We can't always be the absolute cheapest AND most convenient place to buy so people will flock to the box store and pay whatever they are asking, then dispose of it in a few years when it isn't working right and buy a new one. From the box store. Or Amazon.

On Saturday one of my employees and I sat here for four hours just hoping someone might come in to buy something. One guy came in and had a chain sharpened. Three people came in just to talk. We brought in $9.50 that day. How much do you think it cost to be open? More than that.

Believe it or not it costs money to have a chainsaw shop. Employees don't work for free, and entrepreneurs like to see some return on their time and money investment. One day soon there will be no chainsaw shops left.

Don't ask me how to fix your chainsaw when you see me working at Walmart. You might get me fired.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I do my best to only buy from big retailers things which a small retailer (local or online) can't or won't get. I buy nearly all my auto parts at the locally owned Napa store also. Oil/transmission fluid/coolant I do buy from a chain farm supply store, but I don't get the impression that the Napa store moves much of that anyway.

 

[bryanr2]

I tried ordering a stihl 560cm clearing saw from a dedicated 2cycle dealer in Knoxville. They sell chainsaws, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, blowers etc. Basically all handheld lawn equipment. Cater to tree guys. My order was in for 3 months with still no eta. When the dealer would call stihl they said those units were built in Germany to order and there was no eta on when I would get the unit. They checked on it once a month. Finally after 90 days, I gave up and got a refund. Really annoying as I could have used the clearing saw.

 

[FederalQ]

I must say I have been impressed with the local Ace store ordering parts. I have the numbers and they will order no questions asked and call when they’re in. I am not driving out of my way either.

 

[Bill G]

I own a small Stihl dealership. The Stihl distributor keeps opening more and more dealerships, most of them being "box stores". You might not like my answer to your question.

Every time you buy something from Amazon or a "box store" that you could have bought at a small dealership you are telling the box store that their terrible service is perfectly OK, and you are openly not supporting the local dealer. Then you'll even ring up your own purchases. This is what the world is coming to and everyone is OK with it. People only come to us when they want us to tell them how to fix their stuff and they seem to want that for free.

Shops used to make the money to stay open on repairs. The cost of parts and repairs versus the cost of new equipment has made replacement a better option than repair in a whole lot of cases. Even most commercial users won't pay a dime to fix a machine in my area. About the only place we make any money with chainsaws anymore is when we sell chains, but you can buy oregon chains on Amazon cheaper and get them shipped right to your house, or you can stop at the box store which is two miles closer than we are.

People always check the price at Amazon before they shop at my store but rarely check my price before they shop at Amazon. I can sell you a genuine Stihl fuel filter for the same price as that chinese one on Amazon, but you would have to come in to get it. We can't always be the absolute cheapest AND most convenient place to buy so people will flock to the box store and pay whatever they are asking, then dispose of it in a few years when it isn't working right and buy a new one. From the box store. Or Amazon.

On Saturday one of my employees and I sat here for four hours just hoping someone might come in to buy something. One guy came in and had a chain sharpened. Three people came in just to talk. We brought in $9.50 that day. How much do you think it cost to be open? More than that.

Believe it or not it costs money to have a chainsaw shop. Employees don't work for free, and entrepreneurs like to see some return on their time and money investment. One day soon there will be no chainsaw shops left.

Don't ask me how to fix your chainsaw when you see me working at Walmart. You might get me fired.

That was my point.