Is This Normal When Buyer a New Chainsaw at a Dealer?

[isipwater]

I just went to a local Husky dealer and bought my first chainsaw, a Husky 555, and have a couple questions for people who have more experience in buying new saws. Here is what happened:

When I told the sales man that I wanted the 555, he told me he was going to give me the floor/display model.

I told the salesman that while I was inspecting the display/floor model 555 (the saw he was going to give to me), that the bar/chain oil cap was jammed and I could not twist it open.

The salesman assured me this was fine and that he would open it up in the back room.

I asked the salesman why he was giving me the floor/display model since I had previously confirmed that the store had 3 other new 555's in stock. The salesman said "they are all the same" and went about ringing me up.

I did not protest because I have never bought a saw before and did not know if this was normal.

When I got home with my new saw, I noticed that the previously jammed bar/chain oil cap had a couple of deep gashes from someone who must have unscrewed it with pliers.

Since I just dropped a lot of money on a new saw, my 3 questions are:

1) It is normal to give customers the floor/display model saw that everyone else has been handling and playing with?

2) Should I return the saw and ask for one of the new saws in the back?

3) If it is normal to give customers floor/display model saws when they have more in the back, should I ask for a new oil cap since they gashed it?

 

[Sealcove]

I think every time I have purchased a new saw it has come from the display (that would be six saws now, 5 Husqvarna and 1 Stihl , 4 dealers and all pro grade if that matters). The only exception has been when buying multiples of the same saw for work, they will have to break out stuff from storage beyond the one they keep on display. I guess you could ask for a new cap, but if the gash is only cosmetic, I personally would not bother (the saw is going do get dinged scratched and worked). If the damage to the cap looks like it might cause it to crack or fail, then I would have it replaced.

 

[DanCorcoran]

I always insist on a new, unopened box when I buy anything available in a box. I made an exception with my Stihl chainsaw because:

- the dealer explained that each saw is assembled and started to ensure that it is properly adjusted;

- there were 3 or 4 of the same model I was buying, new on the shelf. I got to choose the one that looked best to me (they all looked pretty much the same). I examined each closely to ensure none of them looked as though they had ever cut wood;

- he assured me that if I wanted a new one in the box, he'd be glad to sell it to me.

 

[D8Chumley]

I'd say that's BS. If I'm dropping all that money on a brand new saw I want to put the scratches and dings in it but that's just me. The new ones I bought were also displays but undamaged as well

 

[Chimney Smoke]

I wouldn't take a floor model of anything unless it's cheaper than a new in box one.

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

First, congrats on your new saw. Great choice too. I personally would not sweat something that minor but that's just me. If you were happy with the service and you plan to continue to do business with that dealer, then do nothing. If you are unhappy and feel cheated to the point you will never do business there again, take it back and have them replace it.

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

Forgot to say how about some pics??

 

[Sealcove]

As far as floor models go, I see no reason why it matters with chainsaws unless there is evidence that it was dropped or something. Basically the shop opens the box, throws the bar/chain on and any sales labels, and the it sits there on the shelf unused. All that has happened is probably a handful of people picked it up and put it back down. It's not like a TV that has been sitting turned on for 12hrs a day for the last year. Lots of things are sold this way; think cars and bikes as a pair of examples. Would you only buy a car if you had to order it and no other customer has ever looked at it or sat in it?

 

[BrotherBart]

My dad would never accept anything but the one he was shown on the floor. Appliances or anything else. Drove salesmen crazy but he would say that was the one he was buying or not buying at all.

 

[blacktail]

As long as the cap works and wasn't cross threaded, then I wouldn't care. You're gonna get a lot more scratches on the saw once it gets used.

 

[CenterTree]

A thought: If you were buying a wheelbarrow, and the store had 10 of them on the sales floor, would you insist on a NEW one from the back?
Probably not.

But if the store had only ONE wheelbarrow on the floor and it had a big ugly gash down the side of it, then I would ask for a NEW one (from the back).

Ya know sometimes even when ya get the "new one from the back" (in the box), it can have something wrong with it also, and ya just don't notice it until ya get it home.

 

[TreePointer]

When purchasing a saw from the dealer, it's common to get the model off the display shelf.

It's not a product that you have to worry about being started or run improperly by customers. As mentioned the only thing you should worry about is if it were dropped. Inspect for cracks all around.

You actually want the dealer to start the saw and properly tune it before you leave the dealer. This may be a little different with the new AutoTune saws, so follow the directions in the manual for initial starting and "break-in" procedure.

Fuel and oil caps are often difficult to start moving. That's why they have a slot for a chainsaw scrench (screwdriver/wrench) in the middle. The oil cap on one of my Husqvarna saws almost always takes a scrench to get started.

Anyhoo, a big congratulations to you for purchasing a fine saw!

 

[blades]

I have 20+ year old Dolmar 116SI, still need a tool to get the caps loose.

 

[Jonathan70]

My 1st stihl 026, I bought back in early 90's came right off the shelf, was taken down fluids added , brought outside, demo to start & no problems.

I bought the MS290 last spring... Because I negotiated a change to a bigger bar , they pulled one off the rack in the store room, switched out the bar & chain, added fluids to it took me into the shop & demo of starting & features etc...

 

[jatoxico]

I wouldn't like that and it makes me question the kind of service you can expect. Guy can't even remove an oil plug w/o scratching it up? You go to a dealer for a better level of service. Should have explained how to operate the saw and to demonstrated everything is adjusted and functioning properly.

 

[firebroad]

My first Stihl saw from dealer:
Dealer suggested what I might need based on what I told him about my habits/experience. Demonstrated features with the floor model. When the deal was made, he went in the back, got the saw from the stockroom, set it up, and took me outside to demonstrate how to start it up properly, and told me if I had any problems come on back. We shook hands, I took it home and had fun.
Next day I promptly flooded it, and couldn't get it cleared due to inexperience. Took it back to the dealer who took it ouside, showed me how he cleared it, and cheerfully sent me on my way.
I will buy stuff from those folks in the future. I think if they had said, "It would be easier to give you this floor model, as we are rather busy and can't spare anyone to assemble another unit, it that okay with you?" I would not have been concerned. But it is nice if they ask first.

 

[isipwater]

Status Update:

Thanks for everyone's help. Remember this is my first chainsaw purchase so it helps to hear from all of you.

I decided to go to the dealer and communicate my concerns this morning, which were:

1) I initially told the sales person I did not want the floor/display model because I knew there were 3 other 555's in stock.

2) I was concerned that a possible threading issue could result from the jammed oil cap that now has gashes in it from a tech not being careful.

3) The 555 they tried to give me has a manufacture date of 2011. It is now 2014. I have done my research and understand the service bulletin issues associated with early 555 models (including 2011's). After looking at every other saw/models in the shop on display, mine was the only 2011 and the rest were 2012's and 2013's.

So here is what the dealer told me:

1) Don't worry about it.

2) We gave you $20 off the MSRP and a free chain because it was an older floor model. PLEASE NOTE: When I purchase this saw, I was never told they were giving me the $20 off and a free chain because it was an older floor model. Yes, they did leave that part part out.

2) We have to give you the oldest model first to clear out our inventory. Yes, the dealer did confirm that his 3 other 555's in the back are 2013's, but he won't give one to me.

3) How about a new cap?

4) If you want one of the new 2013 555's, we will have to take back our $20 discount and the free chain.

5) I will have to have our sales manager to get in touch with you tomorrow because it is off today and nothing can be authorized without him.

So, all in all, this has been quite the learning experience for me. All I want to hear is:

1) Here is your new saw that we just assembled out of the box. We appreciate your business.

We shall see...

 

[Chimney Smoke]

They gave you $20 off MSRP and a free chain for the so they can justify selling you a 3 year old saw for the same price as a brand new one? If they had too much inventory that's their problem. I really think it's BS that they try to sell something 3 model years old at the same price as a new one.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Now the story is getting fishy, they were not up front with you about the 2011 model, they were getting rid of the old one, the only thing they did right was to give you the 20 off and the chain,BUT, they should have given you the choice. If it were me, I'd tell the manager you want a new one with the 20 off and the chain for having a shady business dealing with them, worse case you leave the store with no saw and your money back.......only talk to the big boss from here on out...

 

[Prof]

Well, if there is a silver lining to this situation, at least you have an answer as to where you should take your business in the future: somewhere else. Shops only get one chance to make me feel ripped off--it's the whole fool me once, shame on you thing, twice and it's all me. If they would have just put a new cap on, which would probably cost them several bucks, you'd be back there buying chains, oil, chaps, a bigger saw, a smaller saw, a week wacker, etc. There is something to be said for honesty and treating people right.

 

[Firewood Bandit]

Well OP, that is quite a different story than the original. I originally said in the first thread that it was not a big deal. This is another matter.

I'd get my money back and walk. If they don't do that, pay the $20 difference, forget the chain and get the new model as there were software updates and small changes in the saw.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

And to think, howmuch effort you put into finding the right saw, all those posts, spreadsheets etc, this is something you should walk away and be happy About....

 

[BrotherBart]

Hope you paid with a credit card.

 

[firebroad]

Sounds like the bum's rush. Even the BigBox stores will treat a marked-down item as though it had a brand-new warranty, and give you a new cap without a lot of excuses. I'm thinking you should return the saw, get a refund, and go to another shop.

 

[isipwater]

Hope you paid with a credit card.

I did.