550xp vs 555AT

Mitch checked them out and the transfer covers are the only difference he could find. The crank stuffers are another difference between the saws.

 

Aww ....shucks , I knew I shouldn't have mentioned that
Here she is

 

Sorry first time uploading pic from my phone.

 

I ordered up the 555 today . Thanks for all the advice I appreciate all the info and will post some pics when it arrives

 

Congrats !!! We will need pics...and a full review

 

That's one heck of an upgrade. They are fine saws, and I am sure it will treat ya right. The 555 is one of Huskys best values IMO

 

I haven't met a Husky dealer within a 30 mile radius or so that knows their own product. I know that saw nuts such as myself are not the typical customer, but on more than one occasion I have met an owner or full time worker at a Husqvarna dealer that didn't know their product, or the industry any better than a guy at Lowe's telling me which aisle the chain saws are in. A dealer out of state gets my Husky business (extremely knowledgeable, good prices).

 

I stopped in at my local dealer today and he had the full line up ,545 550 555 ect... I would like to support them but they were more than 100.00 more than the deal on eBay. I ordered with the 20 inch bar but may grab an 18 down the road.

 

Thanks ! Will do .

 

Gonna be a real nice upgrade !
And you still have a good back up saw. What size bar on the Pouland ?

 

16 inch. Running Oregon power sharp bar and chain right now.

 

Probably won't get much use from an 18" bar if the back up saw is kept ready to go.

20" is just right & balanced for me to reach down for liming & be easy on the back.

 

Sounds good to me .

 

A bricks and mortar retail outlet doesn't always function the way we (With CAD) think it should.
A Stihl dealer around here may never sell a 440, 460, 660, or 880 in his life time working as a Stihl dealer?
These are the saws that he regularly sells . . . MS170/180, MS250, and the MS290 and how he makes his money.

 

Dexter Day and Mastertech have given excellent advice.

The 545 and 555 are true values if money is an object. The grey clutch covers on the XP show wear easily.

Last Friday while at the saw shop, the owner was real busy and a guy was perusing new saws. I asked him what he was looking for and he had a slip of paper in his hand with prices on 400 series Huskies. I quickly steered him towards a 545 which he then put a down payment on and ordered since none were on hand. The owner thanked me and the guy thought I worked for the chainsaw shop.

 

I definitely agree with you, in theory- and in more ways than one. W8ye and I may live in a vastly different economy than you do (maybe not), but he hit it on the head with most dealers around here that don't move the professional line of saws. Don't get me wrong, I would do my best to push the professional line where I could see fit!
I know that margins are greater in $$ as the MSRP increases, but I have never talked to a dealer that made his money in OPE sales (I know you know this stuff MM, just saying it aloud out of random)... I am sure he can keep his lights on, but that is where service takes over. Same thing with chain... some of it has a crazy markup on it, which is a one time sale. But, the shop that can grind a good chain and take care of his customers is going to make a whole lot more money on sharpening than he will the initial sale/ markup on the chain.
** Just thought I would add, we both live in a very repressed local economy. This town used to have factories (good reputable companies) upon factories, and nowadays this place looks like a modern day industrial ghost town. This is part of the reason I do not sell on CL, I don't know that I could without loosing money. Most of the work around here is temp to hire (not), or service related jobs.