Our Sutherlands is a Stihl dealer.

This all went in last week, just down the road from my shop too.

 

My local farm and fleet (big box store ) is also selling stihl products also pro and home owner . Looks like things are changing with stihl and I'm not to sure I like it .

 

Our Ace Hardware in town has been selling Stihls for quite a few years. I did see that 2 employees in the small engine repair area, that the same exact display pictured by the OP is, we're "Certified Repair Technicians" with framed certificates from Stihl Training.

Unfortunately the small town lawn and garden shops can't seem to make it in today's market. Everyone goes to them to "get a feel" for the tool and then looks for the best price online. No one wants to pay a little extra for the extraordinary service these shops can provide, and they sink.

So I think Stihl has realized in certain markets they need to be in the chain stores to attract the home owner that knows the brand and needs a light duty, once in a while tool. Pure marketing decision to get more sales....

 

Our Rural King has a section that looks just like the pictures in the first post.

 

Yep. Same here at CAL Ranch…….nobody there knows jack crap about what they are selling.

My closest independent Stihl Dealer (Carpenter Seed in Provo, UT) finally told Stihl to go pound sand, and come get all of there display nonsense. He now carries the Pro Grade line of Husqvarna, Echo, and Shindaiwa.

 

We have a Murdoch's here that has a full line of Stihl products on one side of the isle and right across from it there sits a full line of Husqvarna. All way to expensive.

A Tractor supply just went in this year and they have Jonsered saws there.

 

I haven't seen any good johnny reds at TSC, just homeowner models and the sister "rancher" models

 

Local TSC has a 2166 on the shelf every time I've been in there

 

I think the biggest I have ever seen is a 50ish cc

 

I guess I missed it? I don't pay that much attention but also have looked and know nothing was big enough and I did look at the signs on what was there and I just remember those sizes I said.

 

Where i live its coastal farm and ranch stores, the local one is leaning to the stihl side very heavy. I was in there the other day they had 2 ms461 s and 3 ms261 and a bunch of 311 and 291 s. They used to have alot of husqvarna but on that day only a 372 and a 445.

 

Several Radio Shack stores in far SW Virginia and SE Kentucky were Stihl dealers.

 

Nearby hardware store, of a 2-store local chain, sells small gardener stihls, right next to display of green Poulans and a few black/yellow Poulan Pros. Service? Really? Sorry, but I just don't understand dealer dependency if you use a brain, choose quality product needing little service and have good access to parts. Seems some like a "Linus-blanket". For routine service, even, local dealers will lighten your load of $$$. For anything requiring conscious thought, you're in trouble, if they'll take the job.

Maybe that's why Internet sales of non-pro saws are going so well. When you're not heavily invested in a tool you won't cry if you let it go. They don't all have to be for bragging rights. Considering availability of how-to service information, time/effort of "apprentice" DIY techs can be pretty valuable and empowering. I really enjoy facilitating that. And the "I got this."

 

I was talking TSC, me and a few other guys got off on a tangent when I said all I saw was small jreds at TSC

 

In a neighboring small town, there is a Stihl dealer inside an Ace Hardware inside a Piggly Wiggly. Kinda weird.

 

Would that be a PigAceStihl? Kind of like a TurDucken?
Gary

 

Or Stihl-A-Pig. Grocery list = Cucumbers, Cabbage, Frozen Pizza, diapers, MS180.