Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was going to order some parts and went into the dealer locator for my area, (southwestern PA )  I got like 2 in a 50 mile radius, opened up the search and the next ones were in Ohio.  Last year was the last time I checked this and there were at least 6 to 8 in the 50 mile radius.  Is this happening anywhere else?  (Other manufacturers can be cited if you are noticing a big change)  Could it have something to do with Home Depot now being used to showcase their equip?   (which could mean, they don't need as many dealers, or the dealers don't want to deal with or for them if they are using H D?)  A number of things could be happening, any idea's?

Thanks   Ben07 

hmm ...curious now.

do you think this ariens dealer thing is the result of the distributer trying to set up to many shops in one area...no proper dividing of territory.

or is it ariens own policy to screw over there dealers.

i would think its the distributor not ariens but i have been wrong before.

we sell ariens and have no problems but there are no dealers anywhere near us and from what we understand nobody is interested in taking on another line in this area.

toro simplicity and lawnboy are up for grabs as well as countless others in our area.

later chris 

snowshoveler wrote:

As I stated this is the problem in my neighborhood. I don't think Ariens would intentionally screw over their dealers but given what has happened here along with the selling of their machines to large box stores the result is the same.

One would think that they would have a policy for distributors to follow in terms of opening up dealers in the same geographic area.

Its' ironic that the Tool rental shop that I alluded to in my earlier post only took in the LE models that are available at Home Depot a mile further down the road.  He is selling them for a higher price and as a result it looks like he hasn't sold any.

In addition he has them lined up outside the shop chained together open to the elements. They are starting to look a little bit ratty.

I could never understand the sales approach of using the curb as a showroom.

Marc

Good Morning,
I know there is a lot of Ariens dealers within a fifty mile radius of here, but I'm 30 miles from Buffalo and 30 miles from Rochester, NY.
I tried to do a dealer search on Ariens website, but as I have found many times before, the dealer locator is "Down"..........

The only simplicity dealer within 30 miles of here stopped carrying Simplicity, but he was just too lax to keep any business. There is a new local engine repair place right here in our town who is considering going for the Simplicity dealership, which I encouraged him to do.

Frank D.