Sthil Parts are hard to get

JSNH · August 12, 2014, 12:47:26 PM

I have a Sthil FS85 trimmer and a MS 361. I really like them and they work well but sometimes you need a part.The dealers near me carry no parts. The dealers one hour away carry some parts. So when ever I need something it is a minimum of a phone call or a drive and at least one trip after a week long wait to get what is need to put the equipment back in service. Parts seem to be very high in price.

I purchased a Echo pole trimmer a few years ago. I also have a echo 370 saw I got for my son. I broke something on the pole trimmer and what a joy it was to get the part. Echo pars are sold on line. There are great diagrams with the parts listed. I was able to order the parts I needed on a Sunday and they arrived in a few days. The part prices were resonable and so was the shipping.

Well I am waiting on a coil for my 361 and was wondering with Stihl being the number one saw in the US am I in a dead zone or is this how it is for everyone? Or does everone just keep two saws so you can keep one working?

thecfarm · August 12, 2014, 02:06:01 PM

I had the same problem with a tractor I use to own. :

mad murdock · August 12, 2014, 03:32:09 PM

Since you opened that can of worms, I'll give you my .02 worth... Stihl is the Number 1 saw sold, that does not by any stretch make it the best saw, IMO. Though they are good, I think they are a lot like JD and Cat, overpriced for what you get, and parts prices are crazy expensive. FWIW, there are other brands of saws out there, and just as good, no, better than the number 1 sold saw.

Ianab · August 12, 2014, 03:55:47 PM

I'd be thinking this is a dealer problem?

They should be able to get on the internet and order parts for overnight delivery? But I bet they save up and do a parts order at the end of the week? I mean I can get parts for HP and Acer computers either overnight or 2 days if they have to come from Australia. Yes you pay freight, and the parts aren't cheap, but having a machine laying about in bits for a week costs more...

ZeroJunk · August 12, 2014, 03:59:03 PM

It depends on the dealer. The one I use stocks a lot of parts and they have a prepaid order in to Stihl usually twice a week and they get their stock orders the next day. And, they are only ten minutes away. Contrast that to some John Deere farm dealer who happens to sell Stihl and they likely won't have anything.

BradMarks · August 12, 2014, 05:02:24 PM

JSNH: Ianab and zerojunk are correct - it is a dealer problem. Around here the box stores will sell Stihl or Husky at a reasonable price, yet they are not equipped to service what they sell. We have a sponsor here on the Forum; Chainsawr, they might have what you need. If not, I'm sure they can point you in the right direction.

beenthere · August 12, 2014, 05:16:54 PM

I've had no problem with the Stihl saws or with getting parts. So it in my opinion as well, another dealer problem. Maybe the dealer isn't sitting too well with paying Stihl for his parts, but whatever it is likely beyond Stihl's reach to make him run his business differently.
And maybe it is timing and relationships that have developed between you and this dealer. Both have to treat each other right. IMO

Hitchcock Woods · August 12, 2014, 05:24:55 PM

Quote from: mad murdock on August 12, 2014, 03:32:09 PM
Since you opened that can of worms, I'll give you my .02 worth... Stihl is the Number 1 saw sold, that does not by any stretch make it the best saw, IMO. Though they are good, I think they are a lot like JD and Cat, overpriced for what you get, and parts prices are crazy expensive. FWIW, there are other brands of saws out there, and just as good, no, better than the number 1 sold saw.

It depends on where you live i guess. Our STIHL dealer is also our John Deere dealer and my local guys can get me parts pretty fast for both (if they didn't already have them in stock).

JSNH · August 12, 2014, 05:38:17 PM

So the dealers around me are more like box stores some stock and no service. The ones with service are not near me and rarely stock the parts I need.
It was so nice, so easy and fast to order Echo parts. It just opened up my eyes to the fact that other companies have found better ways to support their products.
Paying extra for next day service is not what I would really want or need. Ordering a part online and waiting a few days is ok for me. It's the driving and time to deal with a "local dealer" that really costs.

I ordered the coil from the nearest dealer and I was told it is $92 ouch! It sounded like they rarely order any parts.

Chainsawr I did check and they had no coils for a MS 361. I found aftermarket ones but the reviews mostly said they don't work.

I have 30 loops of chain so I want to keep it running. I found some cheep chain last year that works ok it was really cheep like less than $3 a loop.

Sorry about the can of worms. I like the Stihl equipment I have but the parts ordering hassle has me a bit down and a bit poorer.

JSNH

ladylake · August 12, 2014, 06:31:22 PM

Quote from: mad murdock on August 12, 2014, 03:32:09 PM
Since you opened that can of worms, I'll give you my .02 worth... Stihl is the Number 1 saw sold, that does not by any stretch make it the best saw, IMO. Though they are good, I think they are a lot like JD and Cat, overpriced for what you get, and parts prices are crazy expensive. FWIW, there are other brands of saws out there, and just as good, no, better than the number 1 sold saw.

I couldn't agree more. Stihls number 1 selling saw was the MS290 for years due to it's way over rated HP numbers that way too many believed and there were a lot of better built more powerful saws for the same cost plus way cheaper parts. It'd hard to beat Echo's online parts . Steve

beenthere · August 12, 2014, 06:41:45 PM

Sounds like a broken record ... old saying. ;)

luvmexfood · August 12, 2014, 07:46:20 PM

Yes it comes down to the dealer to a certain point. That being a manufacture that sell exclusively through dealers should expect something besides sells from their dealers.

Last fall I was having major problems with my chainsaw. Called the dealer I purchased from and they said it would be 3 weeks minimum before they could look at it. Explained I had lost my job, my unemployment had expired and the only way I could make a living was with that saw. Owners wife said she hated to hear that but it would still be 3 weeks.
Called a couple of other dealers and one had a carb in stock and had it waiting on the counter when I got there. Even closer to home. Guess where I purchase my supplies from now.

Should have cut ties with the original seller long time ago. Went in and purchased several smaller items including an inner tube for a front lawnmower tire. Thaught the bill was a little high. Took about 3 weeks when I was reviewing the bill for filling and noticed they had charged me $25.00 for a front tube. Needed another and got from local tire company for $9.00.

ZeroJunk · August 12, 2014, 08:13:03 PM

I have used aftermarket ignitions and they work fine. You can buy three of them for $92

Al_Smith · August 12, 2014, 08:36:30 PM

All dealers are not all the the same .My dealer orders parts twice a week .I seldom have to wait more than 4 days for a special part .

Now yeah you might be able to find OEM new Stihl parts on fleabay but I'll bet a dollar to doughnut they will cost more than just going through a dealer .Fact a former sponser on this forum marked them up about 20 percent over dealer price .Plus you get to pay shipping on top of that .

Ianab · August 14, 2014, 03:22:49 AM

QuoteOr does everone just keep two saws so you can keep one working?

Well there is a lot to be said for that ;)

Ever get a saw jammed? Or even some routine breakdown can have you out of action for the rest of the day, even with the best dealer support.

BTW, I had to order a part for my old Toyota. Not a local NZ model, and oddball ex Japan model. Young lady at the local service agent was very helpful, could look up the part diagram from the cars rego number, but there where none in stock, and it had to come from Japan. 9 days later I have my ignition lead, from Japan. Yeah it's an oddball part, on this model anyway. :

Yes we have 2 cars ;) :D

Al_Smith · August 14, 2014, 05:14:51 AM

Well I've got 4 cars and 50 chainsaws if that means anything ;D

gspren · August 14, 2014, 08:31:24 AM

My Stihl dealer treats me well but Stihl is his main business and the business name ends with "Saw Shop", so that's shows his priority.

weimedog · August 14, 2014, 09:50:22 AM

I don't see the parts issue as a Stihl issue. My local "big" dealer sells both Husqvarna and Stihl... and the local Tractor dealer also sells Stihl. Interestingly enough... Can't ever get parts from stock from the "saw / garden supply" Stihl dealer. Everything has to be ordered. And BTW same with Husqvarna at the same place. So its not the brand. Its the dealer. In this case they are the only game in town... so they think.

I can get Stihl or Husqvarna part equally fast from a variety of places from OTHER dealers, online places like ebay, to places like Ahlbornes. About the last place I go is the dealers who don't support their product lines. The FIRST place I go is either a Husqvarna dealer around 20 miles south as he tries to stock things and the Tractor Dealer for Stihl parts as he actually has stock...even though his staff is clueless on what they are... they HAVE them! And if the parts I need aren't at that local spot, then try to conjure them up from a dealer 3hrs south/east of here....

and usually unless he's coming this way that's not happening..... then to online sources.

Case & point have to fix a run over Stihl mas460, need chain brake handle & clutch side cover. As of this morning those two pieces are NOT local yet again. On to online sources.

Woodboogah · August 16, 2014, 08:22:42 AM

JSNH-I would be interested to know who you have dealt with for parts. We are in similar neck of the woods. I work all over South and central NH and there have been some bad run ins with shoddy dealers. However, the majority of my experiences have been pretty good with getting parts on the spot. If you want some contact info for different dealers give me holler.

JSNH · August 20, 2014, 12:20:51 PM

I don't really have a problem with the dealers they can't stock everything. It's the time it takes to get to the dealer and back. I have had the best experience with a dealer in Concord but that's 35 mile away. The one in Manchester is 25 miles away. There is a new one that is in Goffstown and is on my way home I tried them this time. So far all part orders are mostly the same get there order the part wait a week return and pay top dollar for it. So for this part it's been more than a week and I just called and it is on backorder.

I am just dreaming of a parts order system online like Echo has.
One can dream can't one?

Al_Smith · August 20, 2014, 01:27:45 PM

I don't think it's just a dealer thing .They have to order parts from a supplier .In this area it comes from Cincinati Ohio .That guy is pretty good about things .

Now as far as Echo it's good thing you can order parts on-line because I know of no Echo dealers in this area .There are as rare as a stocking Husqvarna dealer .About the same as finding a hens' tooth .

thecfarm · August 20, 2014, 09:08:48 PM

I really don't expect ANY dealer,be it chainsaw,tractor,car,truck to have all the parts. There are so many. BUT I do expect the part in 3 days. That would be shipping days,Sunday is not really a shipping day.

deerslayer · August 29, 2014, 12:01:09 AM

I have a Stihl dealer that is about 7 minutes away. I never go there because they've never had any part I wanted in stock. The dealer I use is about a half hour away and all they sell is Stihl products. He doesn't always have stuff in stock either but they get it quickly, call me when it arrives and "has a clue". Wish they were closer but probably good they're not, lol.

deerslayer · August 29, 2014, 04:17:06 PM

I stopped by Woody's Chainsaw Shop, Sunnyside, GA today to get a price on an MS880 ($1800 w/25" bar)
and he said the distributor told him this week that his is the only shop in the southeast USA that is only a Stihl dealership. He doesn't sell tractors, Z turn mowers or anything else that doesn't say Stihl on it. Guess that is pretty rare these days. It's nice if you're looking for a Stihl product though.

ZeroJunk · August 29, 2014, 04:50:42 PM

I don't know. The Stihl dealer here is a full fledged hardware store with paint, guns, plumbing, Toro, and everything else. I bought buffers for an 056 and they had them on the shelf. Sometimes I am amazed at what they have. But, they sell so much Stihl that some months they sell more Stihl than everything else put together in dollars.

JSNH · August 29, 2014, 10:00:00 PM

A dealer that stocks parts that a dream. I am on my third weekend without the part I need. I broke down and ordered an after market part. I can get that by Wed. while the real part is on back order without a projected arrival date. I went for broke and canceled my sthil part order. I am betting the aftermarket one will work.
In the mean time I have been beating up my kids echo. Boy does that start and run nice but it is too small.
Going from a MS 361 to a Echo CS-370 is a big drop. At least I am doing firewood right now so I can pick the little stuff.

beenthere · August 29, 2014, 10:42:41 PM

What part on the MS361 isn't available?

JSNH · September 02, 2014, 08:12:17 AM

It's the Ignition Coil. It is back ordered from Sthil. I should see how an aftermarket one works soon.

It's pretty bad when knock off parts are avaliable. That tell me the manufacture is dropping the ball on part sales.

dougand3 · September 02, 2014, 10:03:37 AM

Quote from: JSNH on September 02, 2014, 08:12:17 AM
It's the Ignition Coil. It is back ordered from Sthil. I should see how an aftermarket one works soon.

It's pretty bad when knock off parts are avaliable. That tell me the manufacture is dropping the ball on part sales.

Or OEM parts are too pricey or too slow to ship. I bet your AM coil will work fine. How much cheaper was it than OEM?

JSNH · September 02, 2014, 10:53:23 AM

It was $35 for the aftermarket including shipping. The Sthil one would have been $94 I think. The local dealer gave me an about price not an exact one.

dougand3 · September 02, 2014, 11:16:14 AM

Roughly 1/3 the price - that speaks volumes. Plus, if you have to drive to the dealer and pay for it - he then calls or gets on internet to order. You return to pick up. You saved many steps here ordering it on the internet.

beenthere · September 02, 2014, 01:36:48 PM

Ignition coil on MS361.. I'll check with my Stihl dealer tomorrow and see what might be up. Interesting that a saw maybe less than 10 yr old is a problem for parts. The carb parts he ordered for my MS361 were next-day delivery and he isn't a big dealer, but an independent one (not Deere).

Hope the aftermarket works well for you.

LeeB · September 02, 2014, 01:55:35 PM

Can you not get new Stihl parts online?

ZeroJunk · September 02, 2014, 03:05:20 PM

Quote from: LeeB on September 02, 2014, 01:55:35 PM
Can you not get new Stihl parts online?

Not any other than what gets out the back door to eBay.

LeeB · September 02, 2014, 03:09:17 PM

Did not know that. I knew you couldn't buy new saws online, but did not know about the parts. Hmph.

JSNH · September 02, 2014, 03:47:29 PM

Yep no Sthil parts online. As far as I can see they don't allow dealer to sell any on line parts either.

I like my saw but Sthil sells parts like it was 1950 and not 2014.

SwampDonkey · September 02, 2014, 05:17:43 PM

Might be the dealer. I have no trouble getting parts, but often I have to know what I need and not depend on someone. I also don't have to pay shipping at he one shop I use. Think about shipping, it's a business your ordering from. Shipping is a cost up front, but that is recovered as a business expense and sale tax credit for heaven's sake. :

I've never seen Stihl online parts either and that goes for some other saw brands to.

If a saw is discontinued, once the supply of old parts is gone, that's it I believe.

I avoid the Deere garage for parts, they are also a Craftsman repair service centre. Kicker is it has to be warranty work, and they won't order you anything otherwise. Plus they like to slap on shipping, which is not neccessary at all. They are not out anything in the long run. I just avoid any shop that is run like everyone has a hobby saw and you are treated like your just across the road and waiting a week for a part and sitting by a phone waiting for a call. Stinko! :D

JSNH · September 02, 2014, 08:58:50 PM

It's 2014 online ordering is where things are sold.
On Thursday afternoon I ordered the aftermarket coil from directchainsaw.com from an ebay ad. I received it today on Tuesday after a holiday weekend. That's darn quick. It fit like a glove and works. I just ran a tank full of gass thru the saw. Started and ran great. Happy dance again! The part delivered was 1/3 the cost of a unavailable factory part.

thecfarm · September 02, 2014, 09:08:00 PM

swampdonkey,I had a tractor like that too. :

I guess they thought I sat in the house thinking of things to use the tractor for.

Paul_H · September 05, 2014, 10:31:40 AM

I just checked my Stihl Bnet and there are 100+ MS361 ignition modules in stock in the Edmonton warehouse.

SawTroll · September 05, 2014, 12:37:16 PM

Quote from: beenthere on September 02, 2014, 01:36:48 PM
Ignition coil on MS361.. I'll check with my Stihl dealer tomorrow and see what might be up. Interesting that a saw maybe less than 10 yr old is a problem for parts. ....

I suspect it just is a local logistical problem, that can be solved by a decent dealer?