Stihl Doesn't Stand behind Their Products Anymore…read more
In March of this year I went to use my Stihl MSA220C battery operated chain saw and it would not start.
I had paid a total of $849.92 for the saw, 2 batteries and the battery charger. Not exactly chump change.
I took it to the place I purchased it, Luhrs Hardware in Hawley, PA, to be checked out and repaired if necessary.
On March 20 Luhrs advised that the saw was not worth repairing, because the motor brushes had seized up. Just throw it out and buy a new one.
I subsequently emailed Stihl about the product failure, which appears to be a manufacturing defect. The saw, purchased November 5, 2020, has been used only sparingly, and not commercially. Motor brushes shouldn't seize up. I offered to ship the defective product to Stihl (at my expense), and since the
warranty had expired, I offered to pay "a reasonable fee" to have it repaired.
This is what I sent to Stihl:
"Purchased Stihl MSA 220C on 11/5/2020. Use saw only sparingly (home use, not commercial) This season tried to use saw and it would not start. Had it inspected at a Stihl dealer and was advised that the motor brushes seized and the saw was toast, said it wasn't worth repairing & to throw it away. Before I do that, I am inquiring whether Stihl will stand behind this product and make a repair for a reasonable charge if I ship it to you at my expense. I have long had Stihl gas powered chain saws, blowers and weed whackers, all still alive & working fine, this is my first Stihl battery product and I am really disappointed in this. Kindly adise,"
Stihl's rather curt response today (May 9) was they would not repair it, even for a fee.
Thomas,
Sorry to hear about this experience. It looks like the saw has surpassed the warranty period. In this situation we will not be able to provide assistance with a repair.
Sincerely,
Tim Bowser
Technical Service Representative.
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STIHL INCORPORATED
536 Viking Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7391
Internet: www.stihlusa.com
This is outrageous, since the product failed due to no fault of my own, and Stihl will not evenr fix it for a reasonable fee.
I have been a loyal Stihl customer for more than a decade, and have a Stihl gas chainsaw, blower, weed whacker.
Therefore, I will switch to Milwaukee-brand tools from now on, since Stihl does not stand behind their products. And it is my duty to let you know about their arrogant disregard for their customers, even when their product is defective.