Really Quick Opinion Poll

[Keith]

In a recent thread titled "Alamia vs. Dealer" it seems there is quite a difference of opinion on the subject.

My question is this. Do you think you should have the choice of dealing with companies like Alamia? Or do you think it is totally unfair to local dealers and equipment distributors should try to limit these online and phone sales?

A simple "Yes" meaning companies like Alamia should be allowed to continue.

Or "No", manufacturers and distributors need to put a stop to it.

[dhicks]

Y E S ! ! !

[TJLC]

Yes.

[landscaper3]

Yes

[Richard Martin]

Yes. Competition is good.

[thelawnguy]

Yes

[gusbuster]

Yes
John

[bob]

Yes

[sunrise]

YES

[LoneStarLawn]

YES!!!!!!I bought from them once I'll buy from them again!!!


Some of there prices have gone up too.

[KirbysLawn]

Yes. Just remember, if enough people did this the locals would close. If that happened who would repair your equipment. Unless it's a huge difference I'm buying local.

[jasonp]

Yes.Why cant you fix your own equipment, which I know that time is money.

[turfquip]

<B>YES</B>

There will always be a need for local servicing and <U>dealers know it</U>

If locals shut down it simply means they haven't adapted to the new reality and <U>positioned themselves</U> accordingly...and I don't mean hands on ankles :-)

[Stinger]

It pisses my dealer off when I tell him how much Alamia sells the same equipment for. Oh well I guess he'll make up for it on repair parts.

[Lawn Cruiser]

Yes, compition doesn't hurt.

[OBRYANMAINT]

YES,

[moonarrow]

Yes competion is best

[HealthyLawns]

YES

[Runner]

Something to consider, is what the part(s) is. Is it worth it to order it and save thirty percent and get it 4 to 5 days later, (even though thay claim two) or is it better to just go to the dealer and get the part, have it right away, know it's the RIGHT part, and save shipping and handling costs? Six in one hand, half a dozen in the other.

[gorrell]

Not yes, but h*** yes! I've purchased several irems from alamia and haven't been disappointed yet.

[Lawnworks]

.

[Marquis Lawn]

YES...

Lack of competition has made our few local dealers fat & lazy, maybe after some shrinking margins they will wake up and give better prices and service. I buy from Alamia as protest to the locals. When I bring in something they look up the number and ask if I bought it there. I tell them nope, they wanted too much so I bought it online, just so they know where the new competition is. They aren't happy about it, but as with children--it's for their own good.

[Grassman]

Yes, but I still by from my dealer. Everything eventually needs repair and if dealers know you bought the equipment from them, it's USUALLY repaired quicker.

[toddman35]

YES

[jeffyr]

YES

[leeslawncare]

YES.

[Keith]

What Jim Buessing said in the Alamia vs. Dealer thread seems to be true. I emailed Shindaiwa and got a reply regarding this. It is kinda sketchy but here is is

Email from Shindaiwa:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding Shindaiwa products. I really do appreciate the time you took to give us your input. You learned about Shindaiwa reliability the best way, by using (and if you are like me, occasionally abusing) our equipment.

I'm sorry to hear about the dealer situation in your area, I could give you some names but it sounds like you have tried them all. You might like to take a look at our dealer locator system on our web site, click on "Dealers
Near You". I could also put you in touch with our distributor in Florida, if you would like to talk with them about availability and quality of Shindaiwa dealers.

Shindaiwa remains committed to outdoor power equipment dealers. We do not sell our products through "mass merchants" like Home Depot, Wal-Mart etc. nor do we sell over the internet. Why? The most important reasons are:
service, parts and safety. Only a Shindaiwa dealer can help you decide on the proper equipment for your application, offer you a "try before you buy" program as well as a "7 day money back guarantee" even if you bring it back used. The dealer is also set up to handle warranty work and provide you with service and parts he carries in his inventory. When you purchase from a dealer, the equipment is assembled and run in. When you pick it up, you are given operating and safety instructions. Does an internet connection provide any of that? How much do they charge for freight? What value do you place on your time to assemble the equipment and the potential personal injury if you
do it wrong? I realize you are an experienced professional and have a better chance of getting it right, but what about the average person?

We continue to look at alternatives and re-evaluate our channels of distribution (nobody these days can afford to just ignore the internet) but as a company, we have to look at all the factors that affect our business.
And although it may change, right now, the way we go to market is the best for us and for our customers.

I would hate to lose you as a loyal Shindaiwa customer, please continue to give me your thoughts on how things are going. Let me know if I can help you find a dealer or whatever it takes to make us your first choice.

Sincerely,
Rich Reed
Marketing Manager


If you feel the need to contact him with your opinion, please email me for his address.

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

No

I can answer this fairly. You guys get to boof, cry & whine about Scrubs? I used to have a Lawn Service Business too, very Successful oh it was GrassMasters Lawn Service! A very good business name & I got good money for it too! I've been on both sides of the Trimmer? LOL

Almost every manufacture that this Internet Dealer that was mentioned in the first post represents, makes you sign a contract that you have to assemble, service, check over & instruct the person purchasing the unit on every piece they sell? So first thing they are not doing what they agreed to do to start with?

If you do not do all of these you are violating your Dealer agreement & subject to loose your right to sell that line of equipment. Can not sell in the box! It's a NO NO!

You have to meet all kinds of guide lines too, shop so many sq. ft, Showroom so big, you have to stock so many parts, stock so much equipment & the list goes on...

What this dealer is most likely is a very big dealer & the big dealers can get away with any thing. All the manufacture wants is them to sell product. A lot of them do not even have to stand behind their warranty, because there is little shops like mine to make the warranty good. They just want you to sell products.

Like I said before in other post, all these high & mighty manufactures will be selling on the Internet & the Dealers will be doing repairs & if the customer can't wait they will sell a few parts too. It's called the FUTURE? The Internet will make them do it?

So buy that boxed stuff & the next time a so called Scrub underbids you, well "What goes around, comes around"

When I had my Lawn Service Cheap & Discount was not in my vocabulary. I always got good prices & Discounts. On the spot service & everything else that goes along with being the Best of the Best!

After 3 years I was the Competition!

BTW I didn't wait on much of anything, I didn't have time! When I buy some Power Equipment I want it Serviced & Running. I can't tell you all the problems that are eliminated when it's serviced.

I got payed what I wanted & I got treated the way I wanted. I want all to get a piece of the pie. I love to share & help others. I yam what I yam!!!!!