Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
Saw had a brake problem with the chain and I called the local service center
for warranty work and they said come on down.
Once they found out I purchased it on the internet at the shop they refused
to work on it as a warranty job since I didnt buy it from them. They cited
low pay from Husky on warranty work and were not willing to do it if they
didnt make the sale.
I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
center.
Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
the middle.
Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
Rich
"Brian Elfert" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:40154254$0$41291
>
> Now that I work at a newspaper, I have mixed feelings about advertising.
> On the one hand, my job depends on advertising, but on the other hand I'd
> rather pay less for the goods I buy.
Its one of them chicken/egg things. Unless they advertise, you won;t know
what the prices are, but it cost money to do that. Balance, I guess, is the
key. If sales go up from advertising, they can sell for less.
Ed
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
This the reason I buy nothing mail order or internet that I may expect
service on down the road. Disposable items sure, but not something I may
want dealer service from.
Next time you buy something, support the local dealer. You may be surprised
that it is less costly in the long run!
Greg
On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 00:13:09 GMT, [email protected] (Chuck)
wrote:
>On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 12:27:43 -0800, "Harold & Susan Vordos"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>Amen! Another local fuel dealer, this one a gas station, (also owned
>by a transplanted city dude, oddly enough..hmmm, notice a trend?) was
>on the gas roller coaster recently, but keeping prices apace with the
>larger community down the road. Then, in the last go-'round, when
>prices dropped back down 20-cents or so, his stayed high.
>Consequently, I stopped buying my gas there. Then, one day I stopped
>and asked, with all due respect, why their price had previously
>reflected that of the same brand station in the next town, but this
>time had stayed high? His reply? "Go down there and buy your gas."
>So, guess who _doesn't_ get my 3-5 fillups a week now?
No excuse for bad attitude, but gas prices are an odd case. Assume a
station buys 3,000 gallons at a time (pretty typical). They sell it at
a price that is usually 1-5 cents above their invoice (plus all the
taxes). If the price of gas goes up 3 cents and they were selling at 2
cents over cost they have to dig into profit from other sales to cover
the increase, but they can recoup that as they sell the new load. The
problem comes when the price starts to drop. If the station across the
street buys a new load that is 6 cents cheaper and cuts their retail
price while you still have 2,000 gallons in the tanks you are pretty
much up the proverbial creek sans paddle. If you price match the guy
across the street you lose money on every gallon you sell. If you
don't it takes forever to empty your tank and refill with cheaper gas.
Most stations split the difference.
Most of the c-store gas stations actually sell their gas at almost no
profit because they make the money on beer and cigs. The low gas price
is just to get you in the door. Stations that sell gas and do
mechanical work can also keep their prices lower. The ones that only
sell gas usually have the highest prices because they have to make
enough profit to run the business, and that will depend on volume and
the local competition.
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
> <snip>
Sorry about your problems but it's a brake for crying out loud. A
couple peices of plastic, a screw and a couple pieces of metal. Fix it
yourself and get back to make woodchips. This is an easy fix. It takes
longer to complain about it than to fix it.
Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
"Jim Stewart" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> SpazMaTaz wrote:
> > "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> >
snip---
> >>
> I agree. I like to support the local guy. I really
> do. But what do you do when you consistently get
> reamed by him. I went down to the local Ace to get a
> 30 amp 2 pole breaker. The breaker is behind a locked
> glass and is blister packed. It's $26. I go to Home
> Depot, 4 miles away, the breaker is open in a bin, I
> can look at it, and it's $8. Where the fsk are you
> going to buy your breaker?
>
> I live in a somewhat upscale college community. The
> local equipment rental place charges a hefty daily charge
> including Sunday on everything. If I drive 5 miles to
> the largely ag community down the road, the shop of
> the very same rental chain charges 30% less and gives
> Sunday free if the equipment is returned by 8AM monday.
> Where would you rent?
>
> Both the Ace store and the rental shop seem to be
> quite busy so I assume their business model works for
> them. It sure doesn't for me.
>
I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a perfect
fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for $500,
and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog. No
big deal, especially when I saved $300, plus 7.7% sales tax on the $800
price. No sales tax paid on the $500 purchase.
Some folks see every sale as a retirement plan, so I can't get too excited
about supporting them. I purchased common seals from the local dude
because I was in a bind. $12 each for $6 seals. His screw the consumer
prices are outrageous, always well above market value. It's clear that
some folks do little to earn your patronage. I've tried to be a faithful
customer, but I can't afford to be. I now shop everywhere except for his
store.
Harold
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:m%[email protected]...
>
> "Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a
> perfect
> > fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for
$500,
> > and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog.
>
> We can all find exceptions. It pays to be a smart consumer and do some
> homework. I can also give exceptions the other way around. I needed a
> refrigerator part for the ice maker. Big store wanted $60 for the part,
> Internet was $55, local guy was $40 not for the part but for a hole new
> unit.
> Ed
Yep! The key to this whole scenario is to shop. Often I've been
pleasantly surprised to find the best deal at the least likely place. and
that includes the guy you'd swear would not compete.
When you live on SS, you don't toss your money around like it's from a
bottomless well. Our lifestyle is a humble one, but we live as
comfortably as we choose, and do it on minimum money by not being wasteful
or stupid in how we use what we have. In order to do that, we have learned
to shop before we buy. It always pays benefits.
Harold
"Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
snip-----------
. Then, in the last go-'round, when
> prices dropped back down 20-cents or so, his stayed high.
> Consequently, I stopped buying my gas there. Then, one day I stopped
> and asked, with all due respect, why their price had previously
> reflected that of the same brand station in the next town, but this
> time had stayed high? His reply? "Go down there and buy your gas."
Done deal, and for ever. Any time I find a business that has that kind of
attitude, I not only don't patronize them, but I make sure that others
understand their attitude. There's nothing like negative advertising to
sink a business, and it's the cheapest and easiest advertising a person can
get, with plenty to go around. All it takes is a go-to-hell attitude
displayed to the consumer like the example above.
> So, guess who _doesn't_ get my 3-5 fillups a week now?
Small wonder! <g>
Interestingly, a local hardware store recently learned how to sharpen their
pencil. A few years back I needed some damp proofing for the foundation
of the shop. They wanted double the price asked at Home Depot. The 50
mile drive one way was worth the trip because we needed a few pails. Of
late, however, they seem in tune with more reasonable pricing and we've been
spending our money with them. Smart business people don't rely on
screwing the consumer if they want to be in business tomorrow. All too
many of them chase business away that way. For the most part, they're now
getting a wakeup call in our community. HD is going to open a local store,
and Wal-Mart has one of the largest stores in the western US near us.
There's considerable bitching, but it's going to get things on an even keel
here. In the end, more of the local dollars will remain here, instead of
going to other communities where prices are reasonable.
Harold
You will, of course, pay the appropriate tax on your out-of state purchase,
though?
I know I always do....
I could use a brush hog too, but first the hydraulics for the front blade.
Dragging snow is tougher than pushing it.
"Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a
perfect
> fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for $500,
> and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog. No
> big deal, especially when I saved $300, plus 7.7% sales tax on the $800
> price. No sales tax paid on the $500 purchase.
>
"George" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You will, of course, pay the appropriate tax on your out-of state
purchase,
> though?
>
> I know I always do....
Oh, yeah! I'm always the first guy in line on Monday morning. I consider
it an honor to be paying taxes in a state that is near the highest one in
the nation in taxation and can't find enough reasons or ways to get them
even higher. That isn't preventing them from trying, though.
>
> I could use a brush hog too, but first the hydraulics for the front blade.
> Dragging snow is tougher than pushing it.
Good luck with that project. The best scenario is to live where there's
no snow. Notice I don't practice what I preach? <g>
Harold
"Here's an idea" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
snip---
>
> Mother in law owns the small town (500) paper. Town grocery decided it
> wasn't worth advertising in the paper for $300 for the month. Mom stopped
> buying food there. Any guesses on how much a family with 6 kids spends at
> the grocery?
>
> Joel. phx
>
Talk about biting the hand the feeds you!
Harold
On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 12:27:43 -0800, "Harold & Susan Vordos"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> I agree. I like to support the local guy. I really
>> do. But what do you do when you consistently get
>> reamed by him.
Hmmm, I'm asking myself the same question as I look at fuel prices.
Our biggest local dealer, who used to be a mom & pop of long-standing
in the community, was purchased by "city people," a couple of years
ago, (literally, NYC "investors") and now refuses to deliver anything
less than 150 gal. at a pop, and at nearly $1.60/gal this is a bit
much for *many* people in this tiny burg to cough up at a time (myself
included, sometimes). Their excuse is, "With everybody only buying
100 gallons at a time, we can't keep up with the deliveries." Huh??
A competitor will gladly deliver of theirs will gladly deliver less.
A survey of local kerosene prices (at the pump) yields $1.95/gal for
the "local guy" and $1.63/gal for the town 11 miles away (further
south, that is). I've been asking myself for several years now, since
our local grocery chain started charging "screw you" prices year
'round, rather than just in the summer, "When did the local, small
business model become &$#@* the Locals?"
>Some folks see every sale as a retirement plan, so I can't get too excited
>about supporting them.
Amen! Another local fuel dealer, this one a gas station, (also owned
by a transplanted city dude, oddly enough..hmmm, notice a trend?) was
on the gas roller coaster recently, but keeping prices apace with the
larger community down the road. Then, in the last go-'round, when
prices dropped back down 20-cents or so, his stayed high.
Consequently, I stopped buying my gas there. Then, one day I stopped
and asked, with all due respect, why their price had previously
reflected that of the same brand station in the next town, but this
time had stayed high? His reply? "Go down there and buy your gas."
So, guess who _doesn't_ get my 3-5 fillups a week now?
--
Chuck *#:^)
chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply.
<><
September 11, 2001 - Never Forget
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
"Here's an idea" <[email protected]> writes:
>Mother in law owns the small town (500) paper. Town grocery decided it
>wasn't worth advertising in the paper for $300 for the month. Mom stopped
>buying food there. Any guesses on how much a family with 6 kids spends at
>the grocery?
I can't imagine any family spending enough on groceries for the store to
make a $300 profit per month on one family.
Yes, it feels good to do this sorts of things, but it doesn't really hurt
the store all that much. Many store owners would gladly trade a $50 loss
in profit for a $300 savings in expense.
Brian Elfert
Tim Douglass <[email protected]> writes:
>Most of the c-store gas stations actually sell their gas at almost no
>profit because they make the money on beer and cigs. The low gas price
>is just to get you in the door. Stations that sell gas and do
>mechanical work can also keep their prices lower. The ones that only
Why would any c-store add pay at the pump if they make little or no money
on the gas?
Plenty of research has shown that people often buy more than they planned
on, once they get in the store. Customers certainly won't buy anything
extra if they never even set foot in the store.
Brian Elfert
[email protected] (Robert Bonomi) writes:
>They bought one full-page ad, and the newspaper ran a THREE PAGE (three _full_
>pages, including the entire front page of the 'family' section) "feature"
>story about the new store. (Yes, the newspaper management was _drooling_
>at the thought that they might start behaving like a 'regular' grocery
>again -- picking up several full pages of ads every week.)
I work for a large metro newspaper, and yes, grocery stores are huge
advertisers. The owner of one chain went bankrupt and we lost several
million dollars as a result of the bankruptcy.
Now that I work at a newspaper, I have mixed feelings about advertising.
On the one hand, my job depends on advertising, but on the other hand I'd
rather pay less for the goods I buy.
There are three big grocers in town, two chains and SuperTarget. The two
chains advertise like crazy in all media. About the only advertising
SuperTarget does for food is a weekly insert in the sunday paper.
SuperTarget has lower prices on almost all groceries, in some cases far
lower. I stil go to the chains occasionally, but only because SuperTarget
doesn't carry as much.
Brian Elfert
"Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> snip-----------
>
> . Then, in the last go-'round, when
> > prices dropped back down 20-cents or so, his stayed high.
> > Consequently, I stopped buying my gas there. Then, one day I stopped
> > and asked, with all due respect, why their price had previously
> > reflected that of the same brand station in the next town, but this
> > time had stayed high? His reply? "Go down there and buy your gas."
>
> Done deal, and for ever. Any time I find a business that has that kind
of
> attitude, I not only don't patronize them, but I make sure that others
> understand their attitude. There's nothing like negative advertising
to
> sink a business, and it's the cheapest and easiest advertising a person
can
> get, with plenty to go around. All it takes is a go-to-hell attitude
> displayed to the consumer like the example above.
Mother in law owns the small town (500) paper. Town grocery decided it
wasn't worth advertising in the paper for $300 for the month. Mom stopped
buying food there. Any guesses on how much a family with 6 kids spends at
the grocery?
Joel. phx
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> Grandpa wrote:
>
>>Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
>>enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
>>Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
>
>
> Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not always
> enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs.
Thats bogus! The dealer contracted with the Mfgr to provide a service
for the Mfgrs product to the public, not with the buyer and where he
preferred to buy that Mfgrs product. I seriously doubt you'll find in
any contract a clause that states you will only receive warranty service
for items you bought there. Few if any Mfgrs are dumb enough to allow
this because it alienates the public.
So if you have a brand new car for instance and you are travelling cross
country and the engine takes a dump, then you would have no problems
paying for a new one or having the car towed or shipped half way across
the US at your expense for warranty work at the original dealer? I
think not!
IMO, the dealer is
> returning the same gesture that the person asking for the repair gave him at
> the time of purchase. The dealer is theer because his steady customer give
> him enough business to make a profit. The guy that went elsewhere gave him
> none and deserves little in return.
Harold & Susan Vordos wrote:
> "Jim Stewart" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>SpazMaTaz wrote:
>>
>>>"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
> snip---
>
>>I agree. I like to support the local guy. I really
>>do. But what do you do when you consistently get
>>reamed by him. I went down to the local Ace to get a
>>30 amp 2 pole breaker. The breaker is behind a locked
>>glass and is blister packed. It's $26. I go to Home
>>Depot, 4 miles away, the breaker is open in a bin, I
>>can look at it, and it's $8. Where the fsk are you
>>going to buy your breaker?
>>
>>I live in a somewhat upscale college community. The
>>local equipment rental place charges a hefty daily charge
>>including Sunday on everything. If I drive 5 miles to
>>the largely ag community down the road, the shop of
>>the very same rental chain charges 30% less and gives
>>Sunday free if the equipment is returned by 8AM monday.
>>Where would you rent?
>>
>>Both the Ace store and the rental shop seem to be
>>quite busy so I assume their business model works for
>>them. It sure doesn't for me.
>>
>
> I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a perfect
> fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for $500,
> and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog. No
> big deal, especially when I saved $300, plus 7.7% sales tax on the $800
> price. No sales tax paid on the $500 purchase.
>
> Some folks see every sale as a retirement plan, so I can't get too excited
> about supporting them. I purchased common seals from the local dude
> because I was in a bind. $12 each for $6 seals. His screw the consumer
> prices are outrageous, always well above market value. It's clear that
> some folks do little to earn your patronage. I've tried to be a faithful
> customer, but I can't afford to be. I now shop everywhere except for his
> store.
I have my own business and I've been in business for
about 7 years. My wife and I make a comfortable living
at it, we have some control over our destiny and we
get to *mostly* make our own rules. The three main
rules are 1) build something that works and doesn't
hurt someone. 2) tell the truth to customers, vendors
and each other. 3) price our products so that we can
make a comfortable living. I've learned that this gets
us the most consistent revenue stream and generally
keeps our customers from switching to another company
that may introduce a product with a slightly lower price.
I've tried setting a higher initial price and dropping
it later to try to get market share. It doesn't work.
The damage has already been done. On the other side of
it, I've turned down a couple of big customers because
I couldn't make a comfortable living meeting their
terms. The ability to say no is just as big of a
negotiating tool as the ability to say yes.
SpazMaTaz wrote:
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>>I saw this in two other groups. Are you just out to bash? Are you actually
>>>reading the replies?
>>>
>>
>>No I just post for fun and profit. hehe.
>>
>>I am not bashing Husqvarna but I am posting to my 3 favorite groups. It
>>would be 4 groups but I dont think that alt.bread.recipes cares about 9hp
>>chainsaws.
>>
>>If I was more aware of the dealer / mfgr situation I would of bought locally
>>on this purchase as this saw could require alot of service. I am using it to
>>mill lumber with an alaskan jig. But in the end I am glad I did not buy from
>>the dealer as he is really a jerk to deal with. I called the owner
>>personally and we had an amiable discussion but he still had the opinion
>>that I was just out to wreck his business by buying over the cursed
>>internet. I've since called other dealers and they are happy to look at it
>>or work on it warranty if it needs it. Only difference is I have to drive 20
>>miles instead of 2.
>>
>>Personally I would rather have the dealer prove himself worthy of my future
>>business than lip service and still get bad service after buying at dealer
>>prices. That happened to me with John Deere.
>>
>>For that I'll take the discount online, if all I have is thieves and liars
>>to deal with then I'll take the lowest price, just like at the car dealer.
>>hehe.
>>
>>Rich
>>
>>PS( My Lowes Poulon 49cc 20 inch saw is kicking butt. I've cut down about 19
>>palm trees, 1 oak and 1 hackberry plus other trimming jobs etc and I am
>>amazed it works so well. I did not expect much out of it so I guess I am
>>happy with whatever I get!)
>
>
> I agree with Rich's perspective above. The internet and the Borg's
> are the biggest reason why the local dealer should extend every
> courtesy possible. Within reason of course. While noone can deny
> that there are those that will go for the lowest price everytime, a
> certain number of people will return to the service oriented dealer.
> This guy just guaranteed he will make no profit from Rich. And, as
> someone else pointed out, if this guy lost money on warranty work, he
> wouldn't do it. If they do, they're stupid. I would venture to
> guess, the profit just wasn't big enough for the guy. Which is one of
> the reasons we have the Borg's. The big retail profit centers may be
> monopolistic in nature, but one thing they do NOT have a monopoly
> on...is greed. This is, of course, just my opinion.
I agree. I like to support the local guy. I really
do. But what do you do when you consistently get
reamed by him. I went down to the local Ace to get a
30 amp 2 pole breaker. The breaker is behind a locked
glass and is blister packed. It's $26. I go to Home
Depot, 4 miles away, the breaker is open in a bin, I
can look at it, and it's $8. Where the fsk are you
going to buy your breaker?
I live in a somewhat upscale college community. The
local equipment rental place charges a hefty daily charge
including Sunday on everything. If I drive 5 miles to
the largely ag community down the road, the shop of
the very same rental chain charges 30% less and gives
Sunday free if the equipment is returned by 8AM monday.
Where would you rent?
Both the Ace store and the rental shop seem to be
quite busy so I assume their business model works for
them. It sure doesn't for me.
On 26 Jan 2004 16:23:45 GMT, Brian Elfert <[email protected]> wrote:
>Tim Douglass <[email protected]> writes:
>>Most of the c-store gas stations actually sell their gas at almost no
>>profit because they make the money on beer and cigs. The low gas price
>>is just to get you in the door. Stations that sell gas and do
>>mechanical work can also keep their prices lower. The ones that only
>
>Why would any c-store add pay at the pump if they make little or no money
>on the gas?
>
>Plenty of research has shown that people often buy more than they planned
>on, once they get in the store. Customers certainly won't buy anything
>extra if they never even set foot in the store.
Because they set the card reader on the pump up to be really finicky
- about a third of the time I get "Card unreadable, See Attendant"
error which gets you inside the store. The attendant doesn't have any
problems reading the card at the counter...
--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.
In article <[email protected]>,
Here's an idea <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> snip-----------
>>
>> . Then, in the last go-'round, when
>> > prices dropped back down 20-cents or so, his stayed high.
>> > Consequently, I stopped buying my gas there. Then, one day I stopped
>> > and asked, with all due respect, why their price had previously
>> > reflected that of the same brand station in the next town, but this
>> > time had stayed high? His reply? "Go down there and buy your gas."
>>
>> Done deal, and for ever. Any time I find a business that has that kind
>of
>> attitude, I not only don't patronize them, but I make sure that others
>> understand their attitude. There's nothing like negative advertising
>to
>> sink a business, and it's the cheapest and easiest advertising a person
>can
>> get, with plenty to go around. All it takes is a go-to-hell attitude
>> displayed to the consumer like the example above.
>
>Mother in law owns the small town (500) paper. Town grocery decided it
>wasn't worth advertising in the paper for $300 for the month. Mom stopped
>buying food there. Any guesses on how much a family with 6 kids spends at
>the grocery?
If they shop efficiently, in the $250-300/month range. :) However, grocery
stores are a _low_ margin operation. 4% gross profit is a "healthy" store.
that $300 of revenues means maybe $10-12 gross profits.
Then, there's the _other_ side of the story. The town I grew up in was
considerably bigger -- metro area circa 250,000 -- but it was a one-
newspaper town. Just after the Korean conflict, the paper raised it's
ad rates significantly. The local owner of three grocery stores went
in to 'talk about it'. The paper said, in almost so many words, "If you
don't like our rates, advertise in another newspaper". He pulled _all_
his newspaper advertising. Eliminated 'advertising' as a line-item in
his budget. *REDUCED* his shelf prices by the amount of the expense
reduction. Sent a one-time mailing to every household in town, announcing
why he wouldn't be running any more newspaper ads, what he'd done with
his prices, and asking people to patronize his stores. 15 years later,
he had 10 stores in town, and the _smallest_ of his stores did twice
the volume of the next-largest store in town.
Since that time, they've run a newspaper ad precisely _once_. And _never_
done any radio or TV advertising. The one occasion was to mark the opening
of a new "showplace" store -- lots of exotic vegetables, etc. And more than
twice the square footage of any prior store.
They bought one full-page ad, and the newspaper ran a THREE PAGE (three _full_
pages, including the entire front page of the 'family' section) "feature"
story about the new store. (Yes, the newspaper management was _drooling_
at the thought that they might start behaving like a 'regular' grocery
again -- picking up several full pages of ads every week.)
They're a _strange_ operation. They don't advertise -- that one newspaper
ad was the *only* piece of paid-for advertising they've done in more than
FIFTY YEARS now. They don't even hang sale signs in the windows. Or
have sale flyers in the store. Their prices are generally stable/predictable,
and -- except for 'loss-leader' sale items at other stores -- usually lower
than at the competition. Combined with superior customer-service (would you
believe that they _still_ have the 'bag boys' take groceries to your car
and load 'em for you?), it's a _very_ successful model.
Robert Bonomi writes:
>ombined with superior customer-service (would you
>believe that they _still_ have the 'bag boys' take groceries to your car
>and load 'em for you?), it's a _very_ successful model.
Not at all unusual in small Southern towns, but unusual in larger towns and
cities.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
In article <[email protected]>,
Charlie Self <[email protected]> wrote:
>Robert Bonomi writes:
>
>>ombined with superior customer-service (would you
>>believe that they _still_ have the 'bag boys' take groceries to your car
>>and load 'em for you?), it's a _very_ successful model.
>
>Not at all unusual in small Southern towns, but unusual in larger towns and
>cities.
250,000+ (metro area) doesn't exactly qualify as a small town, and at nearly
42 deg N, (approximately as far north as Chicago), it _definitely_ isn't
"southern". <grin>
To the best of my (admittedly imperfect) knowledge, no other grocery store
in town has offered that particular 'service' for at least 35 years.
Charlie Self wrote:
>>ombined with superior customer-service (would you
>>believe that they _still_ have the 'bag boys' take groceries to your car
>>and load 'em for you?), it's a _very_ successful model.
>
> Not at all unusual in small Southern towns, but unusual in larger towns
> and cities.
Wow, flashback. It's amazing how Wal-Mart and their ilk have changed
things, isn't it?
Dad started out as a bag boy. Now he makes more than my wife and I put
together, and then some. The classic work your way up kind of thing.
Nowadays that just doesn't happen. Bag boys are long gone, and it's almost
impossible to start at the bottom and work into a good paying corporate
level job with any company without having to move here there and
everywhere. Everything is chain stores now, and chain stores are as bad as
the military for moving people around. Want that promotion? Sign the
random relocation contract.
They call it a "mobile society" but I call it a bunch of people who never
put down roots, and who consequently never really come to care about the
place they live. At the heart of this kind of thing are all the people in
this neighborhood who won't even speak to me. We've been neighbors for six
years now, and I still don't know any of them. Their kids don't play with
my kids, they don't come trick-or-treat at my house. Our kids ride the
same bus, but don't even know each other. I've said hello to them, waved
at them as they went by, and it's like I don't even exist, even though I
can't possibly have done anything to piss any of them off, since I don't
even know them.
It's weird.
Though I guess thinking about it, I forgot. They think it's my fault the
state built the pedestrian bridge across the street from their corner of
the block. I requested the pedestrian bridge, after all, and it was surely
on my word alone that a $350,000 bridge was built. Surely I carry that
much weight with VDOT, being an important muckity muck with my 20-year-old
car and all. Well, me and the town of Blacksburg, who wants to build a
trail to connect to said bridge eventually.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
Silvan writes:
>Nowadays that just doesn't happen. Bag boys are long gone, and it's almost
>impossible to start at the bottom and work into a good paying corporate
>level job with any company without having to move here there and
>everywhere. Everything is chain stores now, and chain stores are as bad as
>the military for moving people around. Want that promotion? Sign the
>random relocation contract.
But don't bet on it. Long years ago, a friend went to work for IBM, when it was
jokingly (sometimes) called I Been Moved. He stayed in the same location, or at
least the same complex, for his entire career. In fact, he retired when the
wouldn't relocate him for a couple of years.
Winn-Dixie in Bedford has bag boys, though most of them are older than I am,
and it's been a few weeks since anyone called me "boy."
I'm not sure about bag boys and carry out at Krogers and Food Lion and such
places. I started shopping at the W-D in Bedford 26 years ago, and followed it
when it moved (a whole 300 yards). I just like the people. Prices aren't enough
different to make sense of chasing my ass out to WalMart or elsewhere, though
I'll sometimes hit that or Food Lionif they've got a break on cans of Coke.
IME, grocery shopping at WalMart is an exercise in getting pissed off.
>They call it a "mobile society" but I call it a bunch of people who never
>put down roots, and who consequently never really come to care about the
>place they live.
Oh, I dunno. Parkersburg just got turned down for the WV state HS football
championships, which was returned to Wheeling for the next 2 years (which will
make a total of 12). P'burg is whining about the strip clubs and casions and
whatnot right at the spot where the games are played. True, there are no
casinos in greater downtown (or uptwon) P'burg, but the grade school closest to
me is half a block from a really nasty looking bar which is half a block from a
joint called the Nip & Cue. A short ways away, there are several outlets for
the state lottery and scratch-off tickets, while a few minutes drive downhill
would bring the kids to a local "adult" bookstore, which advertises "individual
viewing booths."
Oh well. Those are elementary school kids so can be counted on not to know what
is going on. Sure they can. Just like the Parkersburg HS kids another half a
block down Dudley.
Rant on hypocrisy over.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
SNIP
>Oh, I dunno. Parkersburg just got turned down for the WV state HS football
>championships, which was returned to Wheeling for the next 2 years (which
>will
>make a total of 12). P'burg is whining about the strip clubs and casions and
>whatnot right at the spot where the games are played. True, there are no
>casinos in greater downtown (or uptwon) P'burg,
Hasn't been anything much (other than the Fed's Public Debt Building) in
"downtown" Parkersburg since the Mall opened in Vienna in the early 1970's.I
remember as a kid my mom actually taking all us kids downtown to0 do our
Christmas shopping. Sears, G.C Murphys, local department stores, etc. Those
lasted about a month after the Mall opened.
> but the grade school closest
>to
>me is half a block from a really nasty looking bar which is half a block from
>a
>joint called the Nip & Cue. A short ways away, there are several outlets for
>the state lottery and scratch-off tickets, while a few minutes drive downhill
>would bring the kids to a local "adult" bookstore, which advertises
>"individual
>viewing booths."
>
>Oh well. Those are elementary school kids so can be counted on not to know
>what
>is going on. Sure they can. Just like the Parkersburg HS kids another half a
>block down Dudley.
>
>Rant on hypocrisy over.
>
>Charlie Self
>"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
>
>http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
Dave Hall responds:
>Hasn't been anything much (other than the Fed's Public Debt Building) in
>"downtown" Parkersburg since the Mall opened in Vienna in the early 1970's.I
>remember as a kid my mom actually taking all us kids downtown to0 do our
>Christmas shopping. Sears, G.C Murphys, local department stores, etc. Those
>lasted about a month after the Mall opened.
True. Downtown really consists of a few bars, a couple lunch spots and
government offices of one kind or another. That's it, except for some funeral
homes and lawyers offices in old Victorian houses.
Don't look for G.C. Murphy for your Christmas shopping, but Sears and a couple
semi-local department stores (at least I never heard of them until I got here)
are in the mall, and a potful of stores selling doofus caps and similar
doodads.
For those who don't know what a doofus cap is, it's a long brimmed cap that
used to be associated with basebal. Curl the brim just right and your head
looks like a bullet and your eyes appear to close together even if they're set
in the sides of your head right next to your ears. Put the bill on the back and
your brains run down the underside of the bill. Put the bill on the side and
you prove you didn't have any brains to start with.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
Bruce L. Bergman <[email protected]> wrote in message
SNIP
> >Plenty of research has shown that people often buy more than they planned
> >on, once they get in the store. Customers certainly won't buy anything
> >extra if they never even set foot in the store.
>
> Because they set the card reader on the pump up to be really finicky
> - about a third of the time I get "Card unreadable, See Attendant"
> error which gets you inside the store. The attendant doesn't have any
> problems reading the card at the counter...
>
> --<< Bruce >>--
My experience has been the exact opposite. When my debit card mag
strip was too worn for any store cashier to accept with a swipe, the
gas pumps always took it. Since that is basically what I use it for
95% of the time, I went about a year without replacing it even though
it was a PITA those few times I used it in a store.
i dont blame the dealer its the mom and pops shops that are going out of
buisness because of ebay and the borgs. i recently stopped by my locale
archery shop and the owner was loading the last few boxes to close the shop
and go out of business. we talked for a couple of minutes and he explained
why. people would buy there bows and arrows at ebay.gander mt and the other
large sporting good borgs and bring there stuff to him for tuning and
adjustmnet cause the others could not do it. i have bought ALL my archery
stuff his shop. i did check prices and he was a little higher but i did not
care because of the service i got. after a while i did not even check prices
just went there and was treated fair and got excellent service.go buy your
saw or tools from the borgs but dont go to the locale guy for service or
repairs. its the same thing as taking your own eggs to the resaurant to have
them cooked.
"gfhshs" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Rich
>
> I saw this in two other groups. Are you just out to bash? Are you actually
> reading the replies?
>
>
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
> >
> > Saw had a brake problem with the chain and I called the local service
> center
> > for warranty work and they said come on down.
> > Once they found out I purchased it on the internet at the shop they
> refused
> > to work on it as a warranty job since I didnt buy it from them. They
cited
> > low pay from Husky on warranty work and were not willing to do it if
they
> > didnt make the sale.
> >
> > I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
> > understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
> > service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
> > center.
> >
> > Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
> > clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught
in
> > the middle.
> >
> > Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
> > useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the
side.
> >
> > Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
> >
> > Rich
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > I saw this in two other groups. Are you just out to bash? Are you actually
> > reading the replies?
> >
>
> No I just post for fun and profit. hehe.
>
> I am not bashing Husqvarna but I am posting to my 3 favorite groups. It
> would be 4 groups but I dont think that alt.bread.recipes cares about 9hp
> chainsaws.
>
> If I was more aware of the dealer / mfgr situation I would of bought locally
> on this purchase as this saw could require alot of service. I am using it to
> mill lumber with an alaskan jig. But in the end I am glad I did not buy from
> the dealer as he is really a jerk to deal with. I called the owner
> personally and we had an amiable discussion but he still had the opinion
> that I was just out to wreck his business by buying over the cursed
> internet. I've since called other dealers and they are happy to look at it
> or work on it warranty if it needs it. Only difference is I have to drive 20
> miles instead of 2.
>
> Personally I would rather have the dealer prove himself worthy of my future
> business than lip service and still get bad service after buying at dealer
> prices. That happened to me with John Deere.
>
> For that I'll take the discount online, if all I have is thieves and liars
> to deal with then I'll take the lowest price, just like at the car dealer.
> hehe.
>
> Rich
>
> PS( My Lowes Poulon 49cc 20 inch saw is kicking butt. I've cut down about 19
> palm trees, 1 oak and 1 hackberry plus other trimming jobs etc and I am
> amazed it works so well. I did not expect much out of it so I guess I am
> happy with whatever I get!)
I agree with Rich's perspective above. The internet and the Borg's
are the biggest reason why the local dealer should extend every
courtesy possible. Within reason of course. While noone can deny
that there are those that will go for the lowest price everytime, a
certain number of people will return to the service oriented dealer.
This guy just guaranteed he will make no profit from Rich. And, as
someone else pointed out, if this guy lost money on warranty work, he
wouldn't do it. If they do, they're stupid. I would venture to
guess, the profit just wasn't big enough for the guy. Which is one of
the reasons we have the Borg's. The big retail profit centers may be
monopolistic in nature, but one thing they do NOT have a monopoly
on...is greed. This is, of course, just my opinion.
Spaz
Rick Chamberlain wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
>> Warranty re-imbursement is
>> not always enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs.
>>
> Edwin,
>
> You are wrong. In many cases, dealers who service items not purchased
> at their store get reimbursed a higher rate. Ask any Toro or Ariens
> dealer.
>
> And, any dealer who would take on a service center role to lose money
> is an idiot.
> Rick
>
> (Remove the HIGH SPOTS for e-mail)
In many cases, but not all as I stated. I don't know the particulars of
Husky but some companies are terrible, others are good.
--
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
<snip of chainsaw repair attempt>
> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
Advised of what? Caveat emptor. I have three saws, two of which I bought
from eBay and one of which I bought from my local dealer. They're Stihl
saws, so they don't break like Husqvarnas do :)
Anyway, my dealer has no problem working on any of my saws, or selling me
parts, or supplies, but I sure don't expect him to do free repairs if I
didn't buy the saw there. Granted, none of them are still under warranty,
but if I wanted a new saw, I'd buy locally. The ones off of fleaBay were
both used.
Car dealers work the same way. I don't think they can flat out refuse to do
warranty repairs, but they can sure drag it out forever and get you to pay
for stuff you don't need in order to make up for it. In most cases, it's
actually up to the manufacturer to cover that stuff. If Husky is willing to
back up their dealers, then be prepared to pay to have your saw fixed.
Jon E
Secret Squirrel wrote:
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>
>>Grandpa wrote:
>>
>>>Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
>>>enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
>>>Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
>>
>>Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not
>>always enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs. IMO,
>>the dealer is returning the same gesture that the person asking for
>>the repair gave him at the time of purchase. The dealer is theer
>>because his steady customer give him enough business to make a profit.
>> The guy that went elsewhere gave him none and deserves little in
>>return.
>
>
> It's this sort of myopic thinking that will run that guy out of business.
> First off there is probably a dealer agreement in place and he probably has
> agreed to provide warranty service for the product whether he sold it or
> not. But that isn't even really the point. If he had taken the time to
> repair the product and provided good service he might have won over a
> customer. That customer might think twice before making his NEXT purchase
> via mail order, and he might even mention his pleasant experience to a few
> other people who might be potential customers. Instead he turned this guy
> away, with an attitude to boot and thereby insured that he had NO chance of
> ever selling this person anything and in addition he is all but guaranteed
> to relate this story to anyone who will listen. That hardly seems like a
> good business decision to me.
Greg O wrote:
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> This the reason I buy nothing mail order or internet that I may expect
> service on down the road. Disposable items sure, but not something I may
> want dealer service from.
> Next time you buy something, support the local dealer. You may be surprised
> that it is less costly in the long run!
Certainly a good ideal, however when I for example bought my Rancher 55
last year, the local dealer wanted $429, I got it thru Lowes for $269, a
$160 difference. I don't mind paying a 'little' more to support local
businesses, and often do, but when you're looking at a price difference
like mine its a whole new ballgame. I've no idea why the originator of
this thread bought where he did but perhaps he was faced with a
situation like mine. Either way the dealer is getting reimbursed by the
Mfgr so he's not doing it for free.
Secret Squirrel wrote:
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>
>>Grandpa wrote:
>>
>>>Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
>>>enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
>>>Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
>>
>>Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not
>>always enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs. IMO,
>>the dealer is returning the same gesture that the person asking for
>>the repair gave him at the time of purchase. The dealer is theer
>>because his steady customer give him enough business to make a profit.
>> The guy that went elsewhere gave him none and deserves little in
>>return.
>
>
> It's this sort of myopic thinking that will run that guy out of business.
> First off there is probably a dealer agreement in place and he probably has
> agreed to provide warranty service for the product whether he sold it or
> not. But that isn't even really the point. If he had taken the time to
> repair the product and provided good service he might have won over a
> customer. That customer might think twice before making his NEXT purchase
> via mail order, and he might even mention his pleasant experience to a few
> other people who might be potential customers. Instead he turned this guy
> away, with an attitude to boot and thereby insured that he had NO chance of
> ever selling this person anything and in addition he is all but guaranteed
> to relate this story to anyone who will listen. That hardly seems like a
> good business decision to me.
Exactly, very well said! My local dealer has definately turned me off
and if my saw needs work after the warranty period had expired I'll go
someplace else.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Grandpa wrote:
> >
> > Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
> > enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
> > Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
>
> Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not always
> enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs. IMO, the dealer is
> returning the same gesture that the person asking for the repair gave him at
> the time of purchase. The dealer is theer because his steady customer give
> him enough business to make a profit. The guy that went elsewhere gave him
> none and deserves little in return.
>
Edwin,
You are wrong. In many cases, dealers who service items not purchased
at their store get reimbursed a higher rate. Ask any Toro or Ariens
dealer.
And, any dealer who would take on a service center role to lose money is
an idiot.
--
Regards,
Rick
(Remove the HIGH SPOTS for e-mail)
Rich
I saw this in two other groups. Are you just out to bash? Are you actually
reading the replies?
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> Saw had a brake problem with the chain and I called the local service
center
> for warranty work and they said come on down.
> Once they found out I purchased it on the internet at the shop they
refused
> to work on it as a warranty job since I didnt buy it from them. They cited
> low pay from Husky on warranty work and were not willing to do it if they
> didnt make the sale.
>
> I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
> understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
> service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
> center.
>
> Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
> clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
> the middle.
>
> Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
> useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
>
> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
> clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
> the middle.
>
> Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
> useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
>
> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Rich
Not just chain saws, any tool. The local dealer has a lot on the line to
pay for his building, insurance, payroll, taxes to the same school district
you share, etc. You went elsewhere to save a few bucks and now you want the
local guy to help you out.
Mailorder is great for the guy that has no local source, but you just can't
beat the neighborhood dealer when it comes to service.
Ed
I learned that lesson from a former employee years ago. He told of working
for an old guy who sent him out for some item to purchase. When the guy
returned with his purchase and showed the old guy the price, the guy asked
him what the other two prices were.. Employee said "HUH?" That has always
stuck with me, and getting at least 3 prices for anything over around $50 is
now what I do.
RJ
"Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:m%[email protected]...
> >
> > "Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a
> > perfect
> > > fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for
> $500,
> > > and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog.
> >
> > We can all find exceptions. It pays to be a smart consumer and do some
> > homework. I can also give exceptions the other way around. I needed a
> > refrigerator part for the ice maker. Big store wanted $60 for the part,
> > Internet was $55, local guy was $40 not for the part but for a hole new
> > unit.
> > Ed
>
> Yep! The key to this whole scenario is to shop. Often I've been
> pleasantly surprised to find the best deal at the least likely place. and
> that includes the guy you'd swear would not compete.
>
> When you live on SS, you don't toss your money around like it's from a
> bottomless well. Our lifestyle is a humble one, but we live as
> comfortably as we choose, and do it on minimum money by not being wasteful
> or stupid in how we use what we have. In order to do that, we have
learned
> to shop before we buy. It always pays benefits.
>
> Harold
>
>
>
> Because they set the card reader on the pump up to be really finicky
> - about a third of the time I get "Card unreadable, See Attendant"
> error which gets you inside the store. The attendant doesn't have any
> problems reading the card at the counter...
>
>
I simply use another pump or another station. Never have gone inside under
those rare circumstances. I'd be lost without my debit card.
Lane
Grandpa wrote:
>
> Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
> enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
> Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not always
enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs. IMO, the dealer is
returning the same gesture that the person asking for the repair gave him at
the time of purchase. The dealer is theer because his steady customer give
him enough business to make a profit. The guy that went elsewhere gave him
none and deserves little in return.
--
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Grandpa wrote:
>>
>> Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
>> enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
>> Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
>
> Yes, and he is exercising his choice. Warranty re-imbursement is not
> always enough to really cover profit and barely operating costs. IMO,
> the dealer is returning the same gesture that the person asking for
> the repair gave him at the time of purchase. The dealer is theer
> because his steady customer give him enough business to make a profit.
> The guy that went elsewhere gave him none and deserves little in
> return.
It's this sort of myopic thinking that will run that guy out of business.
First off there is probably a dealer agreement in place and he probably has
agreed to provide warranty service for the product whether he sold it or
not. But that isn't even really the point. If he had taken the time to
repair the product and provided good service he might have won over a
customer. That customer might think twice before making his NEXT purchase
via mail order, and he might even mention his pleasant experience to a few
other people who might be potential customers. Instead he turned this guy
away, with an attitude to boot and thereby insured that he had NO chance of
ever selling this person anything and in addition he is all but guaranteed
to relate this story to anyone who will listen. That hardly seems like a
good business decision to me.
"Jon Endres, PE" <[email protected]>
wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> <snip of chainsaw repair attempt>
>
>> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Advised of what? Caveat emptor. I have three saws, two of which I
> bought from eBay and one of which I bought from my local dealer.
> They're Stihl saws, so they don't break like Husqvarnas do :)
>
> Anyway, my dealer has no problem working on any of my saws, or selling
> me parts, or supplies, but I sure don't expect him to do free repairs
> if I didn't buy the saw there. Granted, none of them are still under
> warranty, but if I wanted a new saw, I'd buy locally. The ones off of
> fleaBay were both used.
>
> Car dealers work the same way. I don't think they can flat out refuse
> to do warranty repairs, but they can sure drag it out forever and get
They could but they won't. The profit centers in a new car dealership are
service and used cars. Higher end imports excluded, most new car dealers
lose money on their new car sales operation or at best break even. They
maintain those operations as that is what drives the service, body shop
and parts (as well as used cars) operations. Further the manufacturers
would NEVER knowlingly tolerate that sort of thing as there is simply too
much competition to lose a good customer to a competitor over
unnecisarilly poor service.
> you to pay for stuff you don't need in order to make up for it. In
The billable rate is exactly the same whether they sold the car or not.
There is nothing to make up.
> most cases, it's actually up to the manufacturer to cover that stuff.
> If Husky is willing to back up their dealers, then be prepared to pay
> to have your saw fixed.
>
> Jon E
>
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
Leo Lichtman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Robert Bonomi wrote: (clip) Combined with superior customer-service (would
>you believe that they _still_ have the 'bag boys' take groceries to your car
>(clip)
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Yeah, but will they repair my Husky chain saw, since I didn't buy it there?
><G>
>
>
Knowing the way _this_ grocery store operates, they just *might*!
They've been known to go further out of their way for customers.
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
> understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
> service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
> center.
>
> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Rich
Sounds like the problem is with Husqvarna. Their service reps are not
providing you with adequate service because the manufacturer is not
providing THEM with adequate service (in this case - financial
compensation). I will continue to order via mail or internet, but
would think twice about dealing with Husky. They should take their
own advice and try to see it from the dealer's perspective.
-Chris
On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:40:01 -0800, Tim Douglass <[email protected]> wrote:
>No excuse for bad attitude, but gas prices are an odd case. Assume a
>station buys 3,000 gallons at a time (pretty typical). They sell it at
>a price that is usually 1-5 cents above their invoice (plus all the
>taxes). If the price of gas goes up 3 cents and they were selling at 2
>cents over cost they have to dig into profit from other sales to cover
>the increase, but they can recoup that as they sell the new load. The
>problem comes when the price starts to drop. If the station across the
>street buys a new load that is 6 cents cheaper and cuts their retail
>price while you still have 2,000 gallons in the tanks you are pretty
>much up the proverbial creek sans paddle. If you price match the guy
>across the street you lose money on every gallon you sell. If you
>don't it takes forever to empty your tank and refill with cheaper gas.
>Most stations split the difference.
Most stations operate on a replacement cost basis. They adjust
their prices day by day according to the cost of replacement gas
on the wholesale market that day, whether they actually buy any
replacement gas that day or not. (Chain stations may actually
purchase futures contracts day by day, but independents rarely
have the capital to play that game, and just have to sweat out
a changing market.)
Pricing on the basis of replacement cost means they see an
increased profit margin on gas they bought cheaply in a rising
market, and a decreased profit margin on gas they bought dear
in a declining market. But they always generate enough money
to buy replacement gas on any given day. As long as the price
swings aren't too rapid and radical, they don't have to dip into
other revenues to refill their tanks.
Actually, most stations don't do it exactly that way. They do boost
prices immediately when the wholesale cost of gas goes up, but
they reduce prices more slowly as the wholesale price declines,
often waiting for a competitor to make the first move. That delay
helps to protect their profit margin in a declining market.
Jacking up prices on a commodity they already have in their
tanks is when charges of profiteering are heard, And when the
prices at different stations move the same way and the same
amount at about the same time, charges of price fixing start to
be heard.
Because nearly every station's prices seem to move so closely
in sync with every other station in a given area, collusion is a
tempting explanation. It usually isn't true, though. It is just the
way the modified replacement pricing models work out in a
competitive market.
Gary
Gary Coffman notes:
>
>Pricing on the basis of replacement cost means they see an
>increased profit margin on gas they bought cheaply in a rising
>market, and a decreased profit margin on gas they bought dear
>in a declining market. But they always generate enough money
>to buy replacement gas on any given day. As long as the price
>swings aren't too rapid and radical, they don't have to dip into
>other revenues to refill their tanks.
Yeah, boy, do they. Speedways around here are supposedly the low end of the
pricing scale, but on the days when there's a market jump, they're the first to
change. This past week, the jump went from $1.54 in the a.m. when I drove by to
$1.73 about 1 hour later.
Then, when they actually buy, the price turns out to be $1.63, two days later.
>
>Because nearly every station's prices seem to move so closely
>in sync with every other station in a given area, collusion is a
>tempting explanation. It usually isn't true, though. It is just the
>way the modified replacement pricing models work out in a
>competitive market.
It's just the way they're charging much more for something they paid much less
for that works out. That may be what keeps the station in business, but
somehow, I think there's a bit more there than a "modified replacement pricing"
model.
But one thing I'm sure of: it has become much more believable that we'll all be
in the $2 range this summer, and up to $3 next year. And, hey, we're doing it
without extra taxation! Non-European style, in other words. Only the companies
get to screw the consumer, not the governments.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
"Harold & Susan Vordos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I needed a brush hog. Local dealer wanted $800 for a 40" model, a
perfect
> fit for my small Kubota. A 100 mile drive yielded a brush hog for $500,
> and no sales tax. Difference? 2" narrower, otherwise the same hog.
We can all find exceptions. It pays to be a smart consumer and do some
homework. I can also give exceptions the other way around. I needed a
refrigerator part for the ice maker. Big store wanted $60 for the part,
Internet was $55, local guy was $40 not for the part but for a hole new
unit.
Ed
> I saw this in two other groups. Are you just out to bash? Are you actually
> reading the replies?
>
No I just post for fun and profit. hehe.
I am not bashing Husqvarna but I am posting to my 3 favorite groups. It
would be 4 groups but I dont think that alt.bread.recipes cares about 9hp
chainsaws.
If I was more aware of the dealer / mfgr situation I would of bought locally
on this purchase as this saw could require alot of service. I am using it to
mill lumber with an alaskan jig. But in the end I am glad I did not buy from
the dealer as he is really a jerk to deal with. I called the owner
personally and we had an amiable discussion but he still had the opinion
that I was just out to wreck his business by buying over the cursed
internet. I've since called other dealers and they are happy to look at it
or work on it warranty if it needs it. Only difference is I have to drive 20
miles instead of 2.
Personally I would rather have the dealer prove himself worthy of my future
business than lip service and still get bad service after buying at dealer
prices. That happened to me with John Deere.
For that I'll take the discount online, if all I have is thieves and liars
to deal with then I'll take the lowest price, just like at the car dealer.
hehe.
Rich
PS( My Lowes Poulon 49cc 20 inch saw is kicking butt. I've cut down about 19
palm trees, 1 oak and 1 hackberry plus other trimming jobs etc and I am
amazed it works so well. I did not expect much out of it so I guess I am
happy with whatever I get!)
On 26 Jan 2004 16:23:45 GMT, Brian Elfert <[email protected]> wrote:
>Tim Douglass <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>Most of the c-store gas stations actually sell their gas at almost no
>>profit because they make the money on beer and cigs. The low gas price
>>is just to get you in the door. Stations that sell gas and do
>>mechanical work can also keep their prices lower. The ones that only
>
>Why would any c-store add pay at the pump if they make little or no money
>on the gas?
I think they do it because customers want it, other gas stations have it,
and they'd lose customer traffic if they didn't have it. (I don't think that
they're making little or no money on gas sales, though.)
>Plenty of research has shown that people often buy more than they planned
>on, once they get in the store. Customers certainly won't buy anything
>extra if they never even set foot in the store.
Just based on my own experiences and observations, even though I always
pay for gas at the pump, *since I'm there*, I may also walk into the store
and pick up something else (quart of milk, loaf of bread, whatever). If I
had to make a *separate trip*, I probably wouldn't buy those things at the
convenience store, but *since I'm there anyway getting gas* I just might.
I also appreciate that pay at the pump means I don't have to stand in a
long line inside the store in order to make my other purchases.
Gary
Gary Coffman writes:
>Just based on my own experiences and observations, even though I always
>pay for gas at the pump, *since I'm there*, I may also walk into the store
>and pick up something else (quart of milk, loaf of bread, whatever). If I
>had to make a *separate trip*, I probably wouldn't buy those things at the
>convenience store, but *since I'm there anyway getting gas* I just might.
>I also appreciate that pay at the pump means I don't have to stand in a
>long line inside the store in order to make my other purchases.
Did just that yesterday. Filled the car, walked in and got a Coke. $1.09 for a
20 oz. I can buy 12 of those for $3.98 right now!
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>>Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
>>clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
>>the middle.
>>
>>Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
>>useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
>>
>>Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>>
>>Rich
>
>
> Not just chain saws, any tool. The local dealer has a lot on the line to
> pay for his building, insurance, payroll, taxes to the same school district
> you share, etc. You went elsewhere to save a few bucks and now you want the
> local guy to help you out.
Bull, he gets reimbursed by the dealer for his expenses. If its not
enough then he shouldn't advetize as being a warranty center for
Husqvarna. He has a choice too.
Is it because the saw won't run? If so, you may have tripped the
brake. Pull back on it and see if it catches. I have owned 7 or 8
Husky's and swear by them. All the Stihls I ever owned shook to
pieces. Try Bailey's in Ca. and Tn. They will fix it but you wil have
to ship it to them. They are extremely fast though. They used to have
a real chainsaw wizard called Wimpy who was hell on wheels when it
came to chainsaws.
On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:43:57 GMT, "Rich" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
>Saw had a brake problem with the chain and I called the local service center
>for warranty work and they said come on down.
>Once they found out I purchased it on the internet at the shop they refused
>to work on it as a warranty job since I didnt buy it from them. They cited
>low pay from Husky on warranty work and were not willing to do it if they
>didnt make the sale.
>
>I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
>understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
>service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
>center.
>
>Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
>clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
>the middle.
>
>Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
>useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
>
>Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
>Rich
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
have you tried sending it back?
"Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> Saw had a brake problem with the chain and I called the local service
center
> for warranty work and they said come on down.
> Once they found out I purchased it on the internet at the shop they
refused
> to work on it as a warranty job since I didnt buy it from them. They cited
> low pay from Husky on warranty work and were not willing to do it if they
> didnt make the sale.
>
> I called Husqvarna about the problem and they told me that "I need to
> understand the dealers perspective" and they have the right to refuse
> service, even warranty work when they are an authorized dealer/repair
> center.
>
> Most likely it is a simple fix as far as adjusting the brake band on the
> clutch but it seems the local dealers are fighting back and I am caught in
> the middle.
>
> Who cares about me, they all got my money and in the mean time I have
> useless, expensive, orange boat anchor with Husqvarna written on the side.
>
> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
It's interesting to note that where I live, the cost of auto gas here is
ALWAYS higher than any town in a 40 mile radius. On the "busy" side of
town, gas is about 5 or 6 cents higher than on the "dead" side of town,
along entry/exit routes. We have a real estate tycoon here who has his
hands into everything, and interestingly enough, he owns both high and lower
priced stations around here, including the highest, and the lowest. Also
owns a major propane distributor, along with a large liquid transport
trucking company. Hmmmm....
RJ
"Gary Coffman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:40:01 -0800, Tim Douglass <[email protected]>
wrote:
> >No excuse for bad attitude, but gas prices are an odd case. Assume a
> >station buys 3,000 gallons at a time (pretty typical). They sell it at
> >a price that is usually 1-5 cents above their invoice (plus all the
> >taxes). If the price of gas goes up 3 cents and they were selling at 2
> >cents over cost they have to dig into profit from other sales to cover
> >the increase, but they can recoup that as they sell the new load. The
> >problem comes when the price starts to drop. If the station across the
> >street buys a new load that is 6 cents cheaper and cuts their retail
> >price while you still have 2,000 gallons in the tanks you are pretty
> >much up the proverbial creek sans paddle. If you price match the guy
> >across the street you lose money on every gallon you sell. If you
> >don't it takes forever to empty your tank and refill with cheaper gas.
> >Most stations split the difference.
>
> Most stations operate on a replacement cost basis. They adjust
> their prices day by day according to the cost of replacement gas
> on the wholesale market that day, whether they actually buy any
> replacement gas that day or not. (Chain stations may actually
> purchase futures contracts day by day, but independents rarely
> have the capital to play that game, and just have to sweat out
> a changing market.)
>
> Pricing on the basis of replacement cost means they see an
> increased profit margin on gas they bought cheaply in a rising
> market, and a decreased profit margin on gas they bought dear
> in a declining market. But they always generate enough money
> to buy replacement gas on any given day. As long as the price
> swings aren't too rapid and radical, they don't have to dip into
> other revenues to refill their tanks.
>
> Actually, most stations don't do it exactly that way. They do boost
> prices immediately when the wholesale cost of gas goes up, but
> they reduce prices more slowly as the wholesale price declines,
> often waiting for a competitor to make the first move. That delay
> helps to protect their profit margin in a declining market.
>
> Jacking up prices on a commodity they already have in their
> tanks is when charges of profiteering are heard, And when the
> prices at different stations move the same way and the same
> amount at about the same time, charges of price fixing start to
> be heard.
>
> Because nearly every station's prices seem to move so closely
> in sync with every other station in a given area, collusion is a
> tempting explanation. It usually isn't true, though. It is just the
> way the modified replacement pricing models work out in a
> competitive market.
>
> Gary
"Jon Endres, PE" <[email protected]> writes:
> "Rich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Purchased a nice chainsaw via internet like most of all my tools.
>
> <snip of chainsaw repair attempt>
>
>> Anyway be advised if your buying mail order chainsaws.
>
> Advised of what? Caveat emptor. I have three saws, two of which I bought
> from eBay and one of which I bought from my local dealer. They're Stihl
> saws, so they don't break like Husqvarnas do :)
Even the Stihl saws require service from time to time. I had one once,
and every year when i tried to fire it up it didn't work... No matter
how i pulled on the starter line it would not start, so i took it to
the dealer, he took it into his magic hands, pulled once and voila! it
ran...
--
Dr. Juergen Hannappel http://lisa2.physik.uni-bonn.de/~hannappe
mailto:[email protected] Phone: +49 228 73 2447 FAX ... 7869
Physikalisches Institut der Uni Bonn Nussallee 12, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
CERN: Phone: +412276 76461 Fax: ..77930 Bat. 892-R-A13 CH-1211 Geneve 23
Juergen Hannappel responds:
>Even the Stihl saws require service from time to time. I had one once,
>and every year when i tried to fire it up it didn't work... No matter
>how i pulled on the starter line it would not start, so i took it to
>the dealer, he took it into his magic hands, pulled once and voila! it
>ran...
I had a couple Stihl saws once. My impression of them was that they'd run the
day before I needed them and the day after, but almost never on the actual
cutting day. Switched off to a Homelite, XL12 IIRC, and went on about my
business. Of course, this was 30+ years ago, Homelite is no longer Homelite,
and Stihl probably has improved.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
In article <[email protected]>,
Charlie Self <[email protected]> wrote:
> ...
>I had a couple Stihl saws once. My impression of them was that they'd run the
>day before I needed them and the day after, but almost never on the actual
>cutting day. Switched off to a Homelite, XL12 IIRC, and went on about my
>business. Of course, this was 30+ years ago, Homelite is no longer Homelite,
>and Stihl probably has improved.
I had a Homelite which needed to be serviced every time I wanted to
use it. So I replaced it with a Stihl over 5 years ago and it has been
very reliable.
--
--henry schaffer
hes _AT_ ncsu _DOT_ edu
Charlie Self <[email protected]> wrote:
> Switched off to a Homelite,
> XL12 IIRC, and went on about my business. Of course, this was 30+
>> years ago, Homelite is no longer Homelite, and Stihl probably has
>> improved.
Good decision 30 years ago but not 5 years ago. I bought a Homelite and
after a couple of years of frustration I tosed it into the woods as far as I
could. Never regretted doing it.
It ended up at the home of a small enngine repairman/rebuilder. He tossed
it also as it was not worth rebuilding. I'm talking only a few hour run
time.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
Ed Pawlowski writes:
>> Switched off to a Homelite,
>> XL12 IIRC, and went on about my business. Of course, this was 30+
>>> years ago, Homelite is no longer Homelite, and Stihl probably has
>>> improved.
>
>
>Good decision 30 years ago but not 5 years ago. I bought a Homelite and
>after a couple of years of frustration I tosed it into the woods as far as I
>could. Never regretted doing it.
>
>It ended up at the home of a small enngine repairman/rebuilder. He tossed
>it also as it was not worth rebuilding. I'm talking only a few hour run
>time.
As I said, it was 30 years ago. Homelite was located in Port Chester, NY when I
got that saw, moved to Charlotte, NC a couple years later, was bought by a
holding company about the same time (along with a potful of other companies)
and is now, I think owned by Ryobi or Ryobi's parent company after being moved
from hand to hand to hand to hand. That XL 12 was the stone ax of the Homelite
line even in '73-'74, vibrated like someone's sister Kate used to shimmy,
turned fingertips white as all get out, but cut like crazy.
Charlie Self
"Character is much easier kept than recovered." Thomas Paine
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html