Posted on 07/12/2022 6:17:18 AM PDT by cymbeline
self
Within hours from buying it and without starting it, we took it back to the Town and Country hardware store. They wouldn't take it back. I was astonished. Store guy said Stihl only takes returns if you exchange it for something of equal or greater cost.
The clerk said to my wife "didn't you see the return policy"? Insulting. I read it and it subtly says they'll take care of defective stuff. No mention of a return of a non-defective product.
Anyway, I said I'd swap for a smaller saw that could be held in one hand. He said that was the smallest they had. Then I saw a little one with a 4" chain. Clerk said those were pruners, not chainsaws, so he didn't think to show us those.
I got a pruner + extra battery for about $200 so I'm ok with the final outcome but that's a very expensive pruner.
Chainsaw was $200, cheap for a Stihl. I mentioned that to the clerk and he said Stihl is going after the homeowner now. The little saw we first bought had plastic dogs (claws at the base of the bar). Wow! Cheapo. Made the saw look like a toy. Those things need to be metal.
The store had a huge display of only Stihl products. No cheaper alternatives and believe me there are cheaper alternatives. I'll bet the deal with Stihl is that the store can only sell Stihl products.
Getting back to the return policy, I went to the Town and Country website and their return policy is basically that they'll take back anything within a time period if accompanied by the sales slip.
So the store's return policy is different from Stihl's.
I went to Home Depot's site and they'll take back anything, and they specifically mention gas powered tools. That's the return policy I'm used to.
I think their exclusive Stihl commitment will fail. The stuff is too expensive and any customer that's shopped around will know that.
Sounds like the store policy to me.
Maybe the warning should be “caution when buying at town and country.”
I dint know that chain but speto the store manager helps sometimes.
Sorry for all the typo-s
I've seen this several times before.
Thanks for the warning, it is exactly what you should do, and what social media is for.
I thought the same thing but it’s not. I went to Stihl’s website and the OP is correct. What a mess.
I will continue to buy Stihl only because I have had good luck with most of the products I have purchased from them but if I were new in the market I would think twice about it.
“I went to Home Depot’s site and they’ll take back anything, and they specifically mention gas powered tools.”
Problem is home depot doesn’t carry still.
When I did my research it came down to stihl v/s Echo...which home depot does carry....if you get out from under your stihl maybe consider echo.
I know a lot about Stihl Chainsaws and products.
what was the model number of the one you bought?
First rule about Stihl, NEVER buy the products at Home Depot.
those are too cheaply made.
Stihl stores are like 7-11s around here. I’d say stay away from big box stores.
Sorry for all the typo-s
********
Review before hitting the post button. But it really doesn’t
matter as we all make these type mistakes on chat sites. In
a legal setting that is a different circumstance. Take care.
Yeah everyone doesn’t carry stihl either.
Where I am it’s Ace hardware and some mower shops.
I like my wood boss but for some reason that particular model is tricky to start and it floods if you look at it wrong. Lol!
I know an arborist who has stopped buying Stihl products due to dealer policies. He now only uses Husqvarna saws. I personally don’t patronize the dealer because they are total a$$holes. Problems must come from the manufacturer.
“I dint know that chain but speto the store manager helps sometimes.”
I think I dealt with the store manager. He was older and very firm about the Stihl return policy.
I did the post because I was utterly shocked that they wouldn’t take back the unused chainsaw and want others to “beware”.
I’m sure Stihl equipment is good but more than the average consumer needs.
If you go to the Stihl website, it doesn’t give prices but rather refers you a local dealer.
Maybe you’ve noticed all the Stihl commercials that have been running. They’re after the little guy now. And also the little gal. Have you seen those manly gals running a Stihl chainsaw?
Battery powered chainsaws are the way to go for trimming trees around the yard. So much cleaner and easier than a gas motor.
Store policy should trump the Stihl policy. Store staff stiffed you and it seems you could have gone over their heads.
And it sounds like this was an opportunity to make the credit card company earn their cut. They are really not nice to retailers.
Stihl has made itself a joke, hasn’t it?
“what was the model number of the one you bought?”
Don’t remember the chainsaw model.
The pruner model is “STIHL GTA 26” and it is very nice. Shoulda gotten a ‘chainsaw pruner” a long time ago. Actually wanted a pole pruner but the Stihl ones were way too expensive.
New Stihl stuff ain’t like the old Stihl stuff.
You’re not gonna leave it to your grandkids.
Might get through 3 seasons, with lots of pricey maintenance.
Buy burners. Keep spares on hand.
They’re cheaper in the long run.
It is what it is.
> they’ll take back anything
I think there are enough people around who will buy these “refurb” items for a minor discount.
“Have you seen those manly gals running a Stihl chainsaw?”
No I can’t say I have. Lol
Too bad that return policy wasn’t made very clear at time of purchase.
Agreed, that has to be store policy.
HD is the absolute best company for returns. Even if they can’t find it in my purchase history they issue a store credit.
Our local Ace hardware continues to treat you like a rank criminal on returns, but it is one mile away and HD is three miles away.
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