Snow blower

[Ashful]

I've heard rumors that the HD Ariens are actually lesser quality than other dealers. Perhaps that is just a lie independents use to keep steady business. I've heard the same thing about JD lawnmowers. The HD ones are knockoff imports and the REAL JDs are only at authorized dealers.

I can't say about Ariens, but in the case of JD, it is true. I have a friend who used to work as a mechanic at a JD dealer. They are forced to support warranty issues on Lowes Depot JD's, which are different machines than that sold at a real JD dealer. Plastic bushings where there should be plain bearings, and plain bearings where there should be ball or roller bearings. They were apparently much more prone to failure than the machine sold by the dealer, creating a real labor problem for the dealers, who get compensated at a rate lower than their standard for warranty repair work.

 

[MasterMech]

Ariens seems like the way to go. Should I have reservations about buying them from Home Depot or the like?

I've heard rumors that the HD Ariens are actually lesser quality than other dealers. Perhaps that is just a lie independents use to keep steady business. I've heard the same thing about JD lawnmowers. The HD ones are knockoff imports and the REAL JDs are only at authorized dealers.

Here I go again....

I would check out an Ariens dealer. If they offer up the same model as HD and it's significantly more $$ then you do what you gotta do. IME dealers can go toe to toe with the big boxes on price for the exact same models (compare model numbers and make sure they match up). The question is, will they? Smart dealer will educate you the consumer, match the big box price if at all possible, and most likely try to up-sell you into a higher quality product unless you've already got your mind made up. Doesn't leave you much of a reason to buy elsewhere now does it? (regardless of which model you choose)

As far as the big boxes getting an inferior product line, well, that did used to be much more common but many manufacturers have ceased doing that now that they know we're on to them. But it still happens. Check model #'s carefully. Sometimes the difference is only one letter/number. More common these days, manufacturers build a line of product available to both big boxes and dealers but is intended to be entry level. Dealers will have access to more expensive and higher quality product than the big boxes but the entry level line is identical in both venues. Deere and Husqvarna both use that model. Deere's Select Series tractors (X300 and up) are only available in dealerships and Husqvarna does not sell the XP line of saws in Lowes.

Deere does not build any of the lawn/garden tractors they sell in the US, overseas. The D100 series you see in HD/Lowes is built by Deere, in Tennessee.

Haven't seen any of the best snowblowers on the market (dual-stage that is) in a HD/Lowes yet. Closest they came were the Deere's which were built by Simplicity/Briggs and Stratton Power Products but those are gone forever now.

 

[MasterMech]

but in the case of JD, it is true.

Actually, not anymore. I'm not aware of any "special" HD/Lowes models being sold anymore. Last one was the infamous JS63X (a JS63C clone) push-mower. 3/4" crank vs the 1" crank Deere normally used. I don't know where you're friend gets his info but he is wrong.

creating a real labor problem for the dealers, who get compensated at a rate lower than their standard for warranty repair work.

Dealers get paid different rates for their warranty work depending on how many factory trained techs they have in their shop. If they don't send anyone for training on a particular product, yeah, they ain't gettin' paid whatever they want either. Deere specifies a "flat-rate" for allowable billable time for each job. Those times were a challenge to meet for sure but very doable for a trained, and experienced technician. Last I knew, they paid a percentage of a dealer's hourly rate (depending on training, up to 100%), up to the specified limit for billable time.

And a smart dealer welcomes warranty work from HD/Lowes because that brings a customer into their store. If he's welcomed with a smile, treated fairly, and educated about the product he bought/is about to buy, then where do you think he's going for his parts/service needs from now on?

Ignore him, be a grump because he didn't buy the tractor from you, or bury his machine in the service dept. backlog, and I guarantee you lost any chance you had of any future business with him.

FWIW: I sold tractors for a Deere dealer for a few years and was one of their factory trained service techs.

 

[chazcarr]

Actually, not anymore. I'm not aware of any "special" HD/Lowes models being sold anymore. Last one was the infamous JS63X (a JS63C clone) push-mower. 3/4" crank vs the 1" crank Deere normally used. I don't know where you're friend gets his info but he is wrong.

I must admit after reading this article, I now like simplicity.
It is hard to imagine the CEO of simplicity telling the managers at WalMart that he didn't want to play their cheapening game. That is something I want to support.

It is what made me think that a lot of companies do go this route, and that is why quality is suffering.
Sadly it seems that we are collectively to blame as a country by accepting garbage as long as it is cheap.

 

[Butcher]

Here I go again....

I would check out an Ariens dealer. If they offer up the same model as HD and it's significantly more $$ then you do what you gotta do. IME dealers can go toe to toe with the big boxes on price for the exact same models (compare model numbers and make sure they match up). The question is, will they? Smart dealer will educate you the consumer, match the big box price if at all possible, and most likely try to up-sell you into a higher quality product unless you've already got your mind made up. Doesn't leave you much of a reason to buy elsewhere now does it? (regardless of which model you choose)

As far as the big boxes getting an inferior product line, well, that did used to be much more common but many manufacturers have ceased doing that now that they know we're on to them. But it still happens. Check model #'s carefully. Sometimes the difference is only one letter/number. More common these days, manufacturers build a line of product available to both big boxes and dealers but is intended to be entry level. Dealers will have access to more expensive and higher quality product than the big boxes but the entry level line is identical in both venues. Deere and Husqvarna both use that model. Deere's Select Series tractors (X300 and up) are only available in dealerships and Husqvarna does not sell the XP line of saws in Lowes.

Deere does not build any of the lawn/garden tractors they sell in the US, overseas. The D100 series you see in HD/Lowes is built by Deere, in Tennessee.

Haven't seen any of the best snowblowers on the market (dual-stage that is) in a HD/Lowes yet. Closest they came were the Deere's which were built by Simplicity/Briggs and Stratton Power Products but those are gone forever now.

Zacktly. And besides that, when a machine a fella bought at a big box store goes to chit while under warrintee just take it back to the pimple faced part time kid at the return desk and see how far that gets. If a fella aint lazy and checks the mom and pops dealers out you would be surprized at the small amount if any price differance. Plus the service aspect. JMHO.

 

[MasterMech]

Sadly it seems that we are collectively to blame as a country by accepting garbage as long as it is cheap.

Bingo. You might not be able to tell the manufacturers what you want directly, but your wallet can.

 

[Ashful]

Actually, not anymore. I'm not aware of any "special" HD/Lowes models being sold anymore. Last one was the infamous JS63X (a JS63C clone) push-mower. 3/4" crank vs the 1" crank Deere normally used. I don't know where you're friend gets his info but he is wrong.

Not wrong, just out of date, I suppose. He was a Deere mechanic late 1990's into very early 2000's, and at that time, it was apparently the case.

 

[chazcarr]

I found a deal too good to pass up. $400 dollars for a never used 24" Sno-Tek (Ariens Budget Brand) and jumped on it. Also got a 5.5hp Craftsman High Wheel Weeder for $100 from the same guy, both good deals. Just thought I should update here and thank you guys for all the info.

 

[chazcarr]

Wow it took me way too long to realize that is a model train

It's all about having fun while doing a job you hate!

Sean
P.S. My Tacoma has a plow and I have a 1976 Snow Blower!