Where to buy Dolmar in Mass?

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tkuhe

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Nov 10, 2008
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Does anyone have any experience with this list? I want to take a look at buying a new Dolmar 5100 and this is the dealer list I got off of there webiste. I live in Acton,MA so any one of these could work. I wish something was closer but oh well. Anyways, anyone familar with any of these shops? Does anyone know of a better place that I should look at?

POTVIN'S SMALL ENGINE DRACUT
C & J EQUIPMENT INC WILMINGTON
ANDY'S LAWNMOWER SERVICE, INC WEST NEWTON/MILLDLESEX
RYAN'S RENTAL LLC LUNEDBURG
NEEDHAM GARDEN CENTER NEEDHAM
 
Hello There,
Two bits of info from my experience two weeks ago:

I live in southern NH, so I called Potvin's Small Engine (my parents live in Dracut). They seemed very helpful and willing to work with me, but they don't stock the saws so I would not have been able to look at/feel them. He also quoted something like $460 (plus tax) for the 5100, which was WAY high. I figured since he doesn't stock the saws, he probably didn't stock parts.

There's a dealer in Hooksett, NH called Mowtown Power Equipment, so I gave them a shout. He stocks the 5100 for $435 and seemed to like it. I was willing to buzz up there and buy one on the spot (based on the reviews here & the arborsite), but when I asked if I paid cash if there was anything he could do on a case, chain, oil, PPE, etc. he simply said, "NO." The fact that he was a half hour from me and 'curt' with his answer dissuaded me (might be a little thing, but even if he'd said something like, "there's not much margin on these things, so I can't move on price. But, I'll be sure to take care of you if it needs service..." I'd have gone to look at it).

I ended up looking at Stihl, Husqvarna, and Jonsered because of a super dealer closer. Most people here say the best saw is one purchased from a good dealer, and I'd have to agree given my experience.

FWIW.

SML
 
you might try Home Depot rental department. I just got a Makita ( actually a Dolmar ) 6401 (exact same as Dolmar 6400) for $215.00 out the door. It is a bit heavy(13.5 lbs) for a 64cc saw but i am going to upgrade it to a 79cc soon. However, the price was right.
 
tkuhe said:
Does anyone have any experience with this list? I want to take a look at buying a new Dolmar 5100 and this is the dealer list I got off of there webiste. I live in Acton,MA so any one of these could work. I wish something was closer but oh well. Anyways, anyone familar with any of these shops? Does anyone know of a better place that I should look at?

POTVIN'S SMALL ENGINE DRACUT
C & J EQUIPMENT INC WILMINGTON
ANDY'S LAWNMOWER SERVICE, INC WEST NEWTON/MILLDLESEX
RYAN'S RENTAL LLC LUNEDBURG
NEEDHAM GARDEN CENTER NEEDHAM
Click to expand...
I can't say any thing about any of those dealers but but I can say I will buy Dolmar again. I had always ran Stil and had good service with them then I joined the forum and lots of people here liked the Dolmar we needed another saw for a large clean up job in our pasture cutting a lot of hedge very tough wood and cedar trees. The dealer in our area only stocks the 510 a cheaper version of the 5100 and we needed the saw now, poor planning on my part. I always air blow out my saws before we start the day and I usally try to do the fueling of the saws but not always as sometimes I am on the dozer when they need fuel but the guys know I want the saw blown off before the fuel cap and oil cap are opened. We have cut many cords of wood in cold and hot weather and the 510 has had many operators and it runs like a top and cuts great. Good luck with your purchase.
Hedgewood
 
thinkxingu said:
Hello There,
Two bits of info from my experience two weeks ago:

I live in southern NH, so I called Potvin's Small Engine (my parents live in Dracut). They seemed very helpful and willing to work with me, but they don't stock the saws so I would not have been able to look at/feel them. He also quoted something like $460 (plus tax) for the 5100, which was WAY high. I figured since he doesn't stock the saws, he probably didn't stock parts.

There's a dealer in Hooksett, NH called Mowtown Power Equipment, so I gave them a shout. He stocks the 5100 for $435 and seemed to like it. I was willing to buzz up there and buy one on the spot (based on the reviews here & the arborsite), but when I asked if I paid cash if there was anything he could do on a case, chain, oil, PPE, etc. he simply said, "NO." The fact that he was a half hour from me and 'curt' with his answer dissuaded me (might be a little thing, but even if he'd said something like, "there's not much margin on these things, so I can't move on price. But, I'll be sure to take care of you if it needs service..." I'd have gone to look at it).

I ended up looking at Stihl, Husqvarna, and Jonsered because of a super dealer closer. Most people here say the best saw is one purchased from a good dealer, and I'd have to agree given my experience.

FWIW.

SML
Click to expand...

Ugh..That is a little frustrating. Does anyone have an online vendor that is worth rec'ding or is it that important to have someone close by. This would be my first saw and I like to think I am generally pretty handy, this would be a general purpose saw used to cut ~5 cords a year so if I need to order parts online I could do it. Probably more saw than I need but I would rather err to the bigger better side than use it for a year and decide I need a better one.
 
DMX_512 said:
you might try Home Depot rental department. I just got a Makita ( actually a Dolmar ) 6401 (exact same as Dolmar 6400) for $215.00 out the door. It is a bit heavy(13.5 lbs) for a 64cc saw but i am going to upgrade it to a 79cc soon. However, the price was right.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Who would you use to service your makita if you have issues?
 
Well.....
There would be NO warranty with the saw so warranty service is a non-issue. Other than that you can go to any Dolmar dealer and get it serviced or get parts from on-line guys. Over on the "other site" (AboristSite.com) there are several sponsors that are Dolmar retailers...although selling powerheads / complete saws is frowned upon by Dolmar. I have heard that it never hurts to ask though. What I am getting at is that parts are readily available over the net.

Hope this helps.
Ben
 
I guess I am not that worried about getting parts, but everything I read says buy the dealer not the saw. How often does a saw need to be serviced? Is it something that I could just do myself?

DMX_512 said:
Well.....
There would be NO warranty with the saw so warranty service is a non-issue. Other than that you can go to any Dolmar dealer and get it serviced or get parts from on-line guys. Over on the "other site" (AboristSite.com) there are several sponsors that are Dolmar retailers...although selling powerheads / complete saws is frowned upon by Dolmar. I have heard that it never hurts to ask though. What I am getting at is that parts are readily available over the net.

Hope this helps.
Ben
Click to expand...
 
tkuhe said:
Is it something that I could just do myself?
Click to expand...
That's a question you need to answer for yourself. None of my saws ever went to a dealer's shop for repairs. I've always fixed my own.
 
I have never been to the guy in Wilmington, but I've heard pretty good things about him. At the time I purchased my saw Amick's was officially selling saws on line (they now say they aren't on the website, don't know if "there are ways" or not... Call them and ask...) and were willing to make a significantly better deal - however he was the only dealer of the ones on the Dolmar dealer list that seemed like he had a clue about the saws. I was looking for the 7900, and he didn't stock that one, but I think he said he usually kept the 5100 in stock...

You need to figure your own mechanical ability, and so forth, but IMHO if one is reasonably capable at fixing things there aren't any deep secrets to wrenching on a saw, so you should be able to fix most stuff yourself, and if you can't then ANY decent small engine shop should be able to. Aside from any potential warrantee questions, I don't see why everyone is so anxious to marry a dealer - haven't met one yet that looks like the pictures on the calendars, posters, etc... ;-P

Gooserider
 
Gooserider said:
I have never been to the guy in Wilmington, but I've heard pretty good things about him. At the time I purchased my saw Amick's was officially selling saws on line (they now say they aren't on the website, don't know if "there are ways" or not... Call them and ask...) and were willing to make a significantly better deal - however he was the only dealer of the ones on the Dolmar dealer list that seemed like he had a clue about the saws. I was looking for the 7900, and he didn't stock that one, but I think he said he usually kept the 5100 in stock...

You need to figure your own mechanical ability, and so forth, but IMHO if one is reasonably capable at fixing things there aren't any deep secrets to wrenching on a saw, so you should be able to fix most stuff yourself, and if you can't then ANY decent small engine shop should be able to. Aside from any potential warrantee questions, I don't see why everyone is so anxious to marry a dealer - haven't met one yet that looks like the pictures on the calendars, posters, etc... ;-P

Gooserider
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I am going to call Amicks. They have the 5100 listed online at just under 400.

Thanks
 
No luck with ordering online. They said that as of a year ago the companies decided that they didn't want to ship there saws for what he thought was to "protect there dealers". But for a company like Dolmar with very poor distribution that seems a little crazy to me? Anyways, I will keep looking and make a few more calls otherwise I may just end up with a Stihl which I am sure would be just fine for what I am going to be using it for.
 
Finding a Dolmer dealer = hard

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock = good luck

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock and knows something about Dolmer chainsaws = yeah right.

Finding approval on an internet firewood forum from a bunch of guys you'll never meet = priceless.
 
Bigg_Redd said:
Finding a Dolmer dealer = hard

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock = good luck

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock and knows something about Dolmer chainsaws = yeah right.

Finding approval on an internet firewood forum from a bunch of guys you'll never meet = priceless.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm I am sensing a little sarcasm:)
This forum helped me decide on a Pacific insert and I am incredibly thankful for that, I would have never found that on my own. That to me is what forums like this are for, using the wealth of experience from around the country that has a common interest to help determine how to best solve a given set of circumstances. Personally I find it much more informative than going to the local big box store and having a random salesman try and pitch a product to me. Between this site and arboristsite.com forums a lot of people have posted similar reviews of Dolmar as a best bang for the buck type of saw so I will continue to do my due diligence as a consumer so that I am confident in what I buy, that to me is priceless.
 
tkuhe said:
Bigg_Redd said:
Finding a Dolmer dealer = hard

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock = good luck

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock and knows something about Dolmer chainsaws = yeah right.

Finding approval on an internet firewood forum from a bunch of guys you'll never meet = priceless.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm I am sensing a little sarcasm:)
This forum helped me decide on a Pacific insert and I am incredibly thankful for that, I would have never found that on my own. That to me is what forums like this are for, using the wealth of experience from around the country that has a common interest to help determine how to best solve a given set of circumstances. Personally I find it much more informative than going to the local big box store and having a random salesman try and pitch a product to me. Between this site and arboristsite.com forums a lot of people have posted similar reviews of Dolmar as a best bang for the buck type of saw so I will continue to do my due diligence as a consumer so that I am confident in what I buy, that to me is priceless.
Click to expand...


"with that all said" that is the other side of the coin for dolmer great saw great reviews but ever thing he said is true for dolmer
 
tkuhe said:
Bigg_Redd said:
Finding a Dolmer dealer = hard

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock = good luck

Finding a Dolmer dealer that has a Dolmer in stock and knows something about Dolmer chainsaws = yeah right.

Finding approval on an internet firewood forum from a bunch of guys you'll never meet = priceless.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm I am sensing a little sarcasm:
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Ja, big red has been spelling it wrong deliberately to insult the brand.
 
LLigetfa said:
...Ja, big red has been spelling it wrong deliberately to insult the brand.
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Oh, hell...he can't even spell "big" or "red" without stuttering. %-P Rick
 
Rec'd a quote of $489 today for the 5100 from C and J in Wilmington. Spoke with Chuck, the C, and he is a huge Dolmar fan. He said he sold stihl for 30 years but didn't like where the quality was going. Said that Dolmar is without quetion his favorite brand right now and carries them in stock and provides full service.
 
Yo,
No offense, but it seems like he'd LOVE Dolmar selling them at $55-60 above retail ($435, according to Mowtown, is retail) with no one to compete with!! And that's without tax?
I think you captured what my issue was with the guys at Mowtown, Potvin's, etc.: it seems like Dolmar's lack of dealers allows pricing all willy-nilly--it's like the Wild West with them. Four dealers (Potvin's, Amick's, C&J;, Mowtown) and four prices.

S
 
thinkxingu said:
Yo,
No offense, but it seems like he'd LOVE Dolmar selling them at $55-60 above retail ($435, according to Mowtown, is retail) with no one to compete with!! And that's without tax?
I think you captured what my issue was with the guys at Mowtown, Potvin's, etc.: it seems like Dolmar's lack of dealers allows pricing all willy-nilly--it's like the Wild West with them. Four dealers (Potvin's, Amick's, C&J;, Mowtown) and four prices.

S
Click to expand...

So I have found a dealer that is quoting much more reasonable prices, 16 inch is $419. 18 is $429. 20 is $439, they would have to order it but they would provide service. I am going to call C&J;and see if he will match as he is a couple miles closer than the other dealer.
Are there any opinions on bar size for this saw? Thinking the 18" but could easily go with the 16".
 
tkuhe said:
thinkxingu said:
Yo,
No offense, but it seems like he'd LOVE Dolmar selling them at $55-60 above retail ($435, according to Mowtown, is retail) with no one to compete with!! And that's without tax?
I think you captured what my issue was with the guys at Mowtown, Potvin's, etc.: it seems like Dolmar's lack of dealers allows pricing all willy-nilly--it's like the Wild West with them. Four dealers (Potvin's, Amick's, C&J;, Mowtown) and four prices.

S
Click to expand...

So I have found a dealer that is quoting much more reasonable prices, 16 inch is $419. 18 is $429. 20 is $439, they would have to order it but they would provide service. I am going to call C&J;and see if he will match as he is a couple miles closer than the other dealer.
Are there any opinions on bar size for this saw? Thinking the 18" but could easily go with the 16".
Click to expand...
16in will give you a little more power!
 
Well there is the old advice I've found works pretty well of allowing 3cc's of engine per inch of bar... The 5100s has 50.4cc, which divided by 3 suggests a 16.8" bar as optimal... Thus a 16" bar would be extra powerful and give you a really fast cutting combo, but limit your maximum log size to about 30" and make you reach out a bit more when working.

An 18" bar would be slightly over-barring in theory, but not by enough to make that much of a difference, especially since it's a pro-saw with more than the average amount of power per cc.. It would give you a slightly larger maximum cut, and allow you to hold the saw a bit closer when working, which makes a BIG difference in how tiring it is to use.

A 20" bar would be only giving you 2.5cc per inch, which I would expect would work but be pushing the saw a bit since that is starting to get into significant overbarring range.

Bottom line, I think the 18" bar is probably the best overall choice for that saw, and from what I've seen seems to be what most people get on it.

Gooserider
 
If this is your only saw go with the 18 in. if you have a bigger saw also, use the 16 in.
 
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