No Stihl at big box stores....

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
2,806
Location
Erie, PA
The big three in my mind is Echo, Stihl, and Husqvarna. Any idea why STHIL is not sold at big box stores? Our local dealers are not competitive.
 
From the FAQ on Stihl's website:

Quote:
STIHL is NOT sold at Lowe’s® or The Home Depot®
Only through servicing Dealers.
STIHL products are ONLY sold through servicing STIHL Dealers.
People who are knowledgeable, can match customers with the right piece of equipment, and who service the equipment they sell. You just don’t find all these qualities at some of the larger stores.
There’s a STIHL Dealer near you – over 8,000 nationwide!
Here are ten reasons to find a servicing STIHL Dealer near you:
Outdoor power equipment specialists
Advice in choosing the right products for your needs
We service what we sell
Service from trained technicians
Operating and safety demonstrations
Products are assembled and serviced
In-store product registration
Genuine STIHL parts
Protective apparel offered
Face-to-face customer service
Receive great customer service while working directly with STIHL product professionals.
 
I bought an Echo blower/vac from a servicing dealer, that was the same price as Home Depot. I was happy!
 
They are trying not to have their equipment become a commodity item. Thy don't wish to compete on price with everybody else.
 
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I bought an Echo blower/vac from a servicing dealer, that was the same price as Home Depot. I was happy!


And they will always be the same price. Echo won't let big box stores undercut their dealers. One thing that swung me to Echo was the fact it is easier to get parts for them from different sources vs always having to use a dealer to get Stihl parts. I just hate being herded to a dealer for everything. That being said, our Echo dealer is great. They make all of their chain saw chains while you wait, anything from weenie anti-kickback chains to really aggressive chisel chains.

Just had a Stihl dealer open up about a mile from my house, but haven't swung by to check out the inventory yet. Thinkin' about a fancy new long reach pole saw.
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
They are trying not to have their equipment become a commodity item. Thy don't wish to compete on price with everybody else.
+1 I need that about as much as I need "advise" from a car "salesperson" on whether I need an I4 or a 6.
Most of the yo yos offering such advise couldn't find the spark plugs.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Charlie1935
In this area (southern Illinois) Tru Value hardware and Rural King have them.


Do you mean the "Big R Stores"? From what I have heard they used to be one company and then they split, so I would think they would have around the same stuff... But Rural King's are bigger than Big R Rural King stores.

...about the comment on the local dealers are not competitive. Keep in mine that Stihl controls the price of the product. If you use a local dealer, try to get the chain saw case or something for "free".

Because, Stihl is fixed pricing...

I've seen so far was a dealer up near my inlaws that sells them at the shortest bar price, but will put any bar size on at that price. They also sell the chains for them at a standing "deal" of buy one at full price, get as many others as you want at 1/2 price.

A Stihl at full price is still a great deal and will last you many many years. I got some wood burners in the family, and Stihl is THE saw.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL


...about the comment on the local dealers are not competitive. Keep in mine that Stihl controls the price of the product. If you use a local dealer, try to get the chain saw case or something for "free".

Because, Stihl is fixed pricing...

I've seen so far was a dealer up near my inlaws that sells them at the shortest bar price, but will put any bar size on at that price. They also sell the chains for them at a standing "deal" of buy one at full price, get as many others as you want at 1/2 price.

A Stihl at full price is still a great deal and will last you many many years. I got some wood burners in the family, and Stihl is THE saw.


They aren't fixed pricing. They are not allowed to advertise a price other than msrp. They can sell for whatever they want but most sell for the msrp. They keep the dealers from running each other into the ground.

Another thing to keep in mind also is that anyone selling stihl equipment online as brand new never fueled either stole it or breaking stills dealer rules. All stihl equipment is supposed to be fueled and run before the customer takes possession. Same thing for parts. They are not to be sold online unless someone that is not a dealer is buying them and reselling them.
 
Last edited:
One of our local ACE Hardware Stores carries Stihl. In fact, they have a larger selection than the professional lawn care equipment store which has a Stihl franchise.
 
Originally Posted By: MI_Roger
One of our local ACE Hardware Stores carries Stihl. In fact, they have a larger selection than the professional lawn care equipment store which has a Stihl franchise.


Lots of the National chain hardware stores are Stihl dealers. Most of these chain stores are independently owned franchises, so it's the franchise owner that's the dealer, not the chain.
 
You won't find a Toro 22298 at Home Depot either. Price is $1299

22298lc2256s_hd_22298_34r_14.jpg
 
My local hardware store sells Stihl in conjunction with a Stihl dealer some 15 miles away. I worked at Lowe's and can tell you that the Stihl prices locally are usually no more than Lowe's or HD's prices for comparable equipment. The after sales service at the local store is so much better than the big box stores.

Whimsey
 
When you start talking the grade of equipment such as Stihl or Echo, I do not see the advantage of buying from a big Box. Part of the rationale for upping the ante is to have the service after the sale, which you forfeit.
Unless I see a Stihl or Echo at a stupid cheap price at a Big Box, I'm going to the dealer every time.
 
Yah but other than a bar, some chains an air filter and a few plugs and a couple of starter dogs, My 041 hasn't needed any parts It is 38 yrs old.
 
Originally Posted By: jhellwig

They aren't fixed pricing. They are not allowed to advertise a price other than msrp. They can sell for whatever they want but most sell for the msrp. They keep the dealers from running each other into the ground.

Another thing to keep in mind also is that anyone selling stihl equipment online as brand new never fueled either stole it or breaking stills dealer rules. All stihl equipment is supposed to be fueled and run before the customer takes possession. Same thing for parts. They are not to be sold online unless someone that is not a dealer is buying them and reselling them.


The local John Deere & authorized Stihl dealer is happy to charge you an extra $25 to mount the bar and gas up your new Stihl chainsaw at MSRP, and charge you double price for parts.

The local Kubota & authorized Stihl dealer will prep and gas your Stihl saw included in MSRP, throw in a free hat and 6-pack of Ultra, and charge you 30% below list for parts.

The Stihl experience varies wildly depending on the dealer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom