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I purchased a Stihl chainsaw March 22, 2011 and had used it 3-5 times when I noticed there to be a potential engine problem. I took the saw back to the dealer who shipped it off to Stihl to examine. They came back with a determination that it would cost more to repair the saw than what I had paid for it. I contacted Stihl to see what my options were. They informed me that since it was a few months out of warranty, they would take NO steps to help me. This is the type of customer service you can expect from them. Now I have no chainsaw, I am out $300.00, and Stihl will not offer any assistance. NEVER again will I purchase anything from them.
Totally agreed Jon, but it is a 300.00 saw from a multi million dollar corporation. I have probably purchased well over 5000.00 in Stihl products, a little customer courtesy is not too much to ask. Life is a gamble...Stihl loses a long time customer.
I am commenting and replying to Steve Lam...my dad experienced the exact same thing that when he had contacted Stihl in Virginia Beach, Va...they led my dad on to believe that the warranty was good no matter where he would take it to have it repaired and my dad commented that the he knows what the name means now...it should be Steal not Stihl! My dad is out of a chainsaw and the $360.00 dollars because the clutch burning out wasn't covered under warranty...my dad took it back first to Terrys Small Engine Repair where he initially purchased the chainsaw and they told him it wasn't under warranty, but when he contacted Stihl in Virginia Beach, Va they told him because he had purchased the right mix for synthetic oil with the gas which that would extend my dad's warranty, but my dad in a huff took back his saw because he refused to pay a huge bill when it was under warranty...looks like the economy is so awful that everyone is out to bleed people dry for money warranty or no warranty...he proceeded to take it to Southern States Alverser Drive and they said the burnt out clutch wasn't covered under warranty and I wanna know WHAT THE 'H' IS COVERED and did Southern States just tell us that because they want to make a sale off people rather than to honor a warranty?! AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T MEAN JACK if no one will honor it and fix my dads chainsaw! Warranty Schmarranty! lol...this is so sickening that we live in a society where it's screw or be screwed! Use or be used! The other chainsaw my dad purchased The OREGON CHAINSAW is PLUGGING AWAY FINE! HEY ALL YOU STIHL LOVERS OUT THERE...ONCE YOU GO FOR AN OREGON CHAINSAW YOU WON'T GO BACK TO STIHL...SO STIHL WINDS UP BEING 'NOT' STIHL THE ONE...YOU WIN WITH ORGEGON!...
My clutch retaining ring came off destroying the saw. It was a $440 dollar saw. Stihl said it was there fault about the clutch. I should of caught it sooner so my problem. I was a loyal Stihl customer and spent about 6k over the year with one claim. Never agein, thanks Stihl. I also sent them a polite week written letter pleading my case. Yes no response.
i urchased astihl weed eater and bught the oil so i would have extra warranty. took it back to the dealer to have it repaired or replced. my wife was told that the repair man was on vacation. i then called to see if the dealer could let me use one or get new ne.i was told they couldnt help me. now i have to wait until the repairman returns to work. i can wait but my yard cant wait.
stihl products pathetic!. do not buy!
cost more to maintain than purchase!
I purchased a Stihl leaf blower from the Seven hills store late 2014, 2 years warranty, 11 months later the switch gone, took back to shop and said electrician has to look at it and would have it done within the week. Rung 4 times within 2 months to chase up my blower, always some excuse, hasn't been serviced yet, will have it done by that weekend, then, Oh, still waiting on the part, a SWITCH!, later, the electrician is looking at it, *i bet he was*, then, switch will be in early Dec, called them again yesterday, nearly 3 MONTHS LATER, by this time i was furious, one of the sales men Keith said he will call me back in 15 minutes which did eventually, saying that the blower was waiting for me to go pick up, well, where was the call to let me know it was serviced? Hmmm..so, i asked them what happens with warranty of 3 months loss while waiting to get serviced, answer was, sorry, can't do anything about that! I asked if someone could deliver the blower today the least they can do to compensate for all the calls and patience, plus i could not drive due to my severe CTS, a gentle man Keith said he would that afternoon, gave him my details, i said, Thank you, much appreciated.. 2 hours later, a rude female rung me to say, she doesn't live far from me but can't deliver this weekend, i said Keith said he would have it delivered and i'm expecting it, this rude lady replied, that she is not going to deliver it in a very rude tone! I said, don't worry, i'm taking the matter further which in process with DOFO 1) BAD SERVICE FROM THESE DEALERS 2)STIHL PRODUCTS IS A NO NO 3) I HAVE NAME AND SHAMED THIS, BUSINESS DUE TO THEIR RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL SERVICE. I will be contacting Stihl head office first thing Monday morning, see where that gets me.. TAKE THAT ON BOARD, Stihl at Seven hills, so much for your WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CUSTOMER SERVICE!
My son George Docteur received a stihl chain saw along with the safety gear. He uses a chain saw to help people in need of fire wood. He believes in your product and is very happy to have one. Thanks Donna. Waterbug_59@yahoo.com
We bought the Stihl chainsaw model number 251 brand new from a dealer got all the appropriate oil and the extended warranty thinking we were set . Within 2 weeks the chainsaw seized and we brought it in. They told us it was from the chain break being set and then running the chainsaw while it's on, this is physically impossible. so they fixed it with us paying for the labor. We get it back, use it on one tree, it melted again .we bring it in they tell us the same thing, that it was being ran with the chain brake on. Now they say they won't cover it, even when we explained over and over again that this is not how we operate a saw. I believe this must be some type of internal problem and I wondered if anyone else was having the same problem please respond. Im at my wits end.
I just had the exact experience with my brand new Stihl saw. The saw quit the first time I used it. I have used chainsaws for years and after the deqaler told me the brake must have been on I argued that the brake was not. The dealer told me they would have to contact the company. and kept the saw. Four days later no reply. Customer service so far has been a nightmare and Stihl has not contacted me after I complained in writing. I have attempted to contact the company by phone 2x and was cut-off before speaking to a person. As a long-time Stihl customer this experience has been very disappointing.
My chain saw engine blew u into fragments. It tool 4 months arguing with Stihl to get it replaced.
MS271Z Chainsaw not working after 2 months of light use. Clutch burned up and Stihl will not fix or replace unit under warranty. Stihl blamed it running with chain brake on as well and would not replace or repair (long battle back and forth). Now i have been around Chainsaws all my life and it is habit to pull the brake back. I am really baffled how anyone can still cut Maple with the chain brake on. All saws I used to date stops the chain and engine bogs. Thankfully I was not in a kickback situation. Too make matters worse the certified Tech gave the saw back in many pieces to include breaking every retaining clip on the clutch. Who takes a clutch off and needs to break the retaining clips... Terrible company and terrible customer service. Sad... because I used tell people Stihl is a good company, but no longer. Well their loss, as it stands I have steered many away from buying one.
This brand used to stand for something but does not anymore. I have the same issues and am on my second saw. It is now back at the dealer for repairs again. I have been a mechanic all my life and know that sub-standard outsourced material is the root of this problem as same issue was addressed when I was employed by MAC Trucks and their cylinders and pistons started experiencing the same issues. It was the metal used to manufacture the parts. But Stihl's lack of cooperation in customer care is unexcusable. I have been back and forth 4 times to the dealer (50 miles one way) and am still without a saw. There needs to be a class action la suite filed against this company.
I agree wiihl dears are mth all of you and it seems Stihl dealer just want to sell the product and what happens when it goes out the door warrenty or not it is to bad. I used a dealer that was close to me and had the same BS story about need the company to tell them what to do about the saw. After 2 weeks I stopped and demanded my saw back . That nothing he still has one of my saws for 2 years and counld never find it. I agree there should be a lawsuit against this company for not honoring the warrenty. Would hope that the word gets out so others don't get ripped off.
Bill
Northeastern Wisc.
Emuacre@hotmail.com
Bought a Stihl Blower from D&S Lawn and Tire in Tomball, TX. Took it in for warranty work and they were so rude! My carburetor was bad which they claim was because my gas had gotten water in it. That's convenient for them to say. They claim that I used gas with too much Ethanol and that voided my warranty. They charged me $37.00 to tell me that and would not repair it.
On a Saturday I bought Stihl Chainsaw in Shamrock TX because it was convenient, Will never buy anything there again... Market Square Thriftway/Ace Hardware...took it 15 miles to parent's house to get trees out of way after wind and ice storms - it would not work! Tried for 4 hours to start it and then called the store to see what I could do and was advised by the manager that "most people flood them"! I advised him we considered that and my husband knew how to start small engines and we read the directions then I asked again what the return policy is, I was advised he was looking for when the rep would be there, I asked if I was going to have to bring it back when the rep was there and was advised he would have to approve refund or repairs - THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE - I live an hour away from this store and will spend more time on the road. So I loose 2 days of my husband's help (his work schedule is where I can only count on his help once every 3 or 4 weeks). I called Monday got in touch with the same manager, so I took the chainsaw to B&G Electric in Pampa TX and they advised me the magneto was out and said they would fix it under warranty. A week later I got the saw back and it worked (B&G will get future business) I contacted the main office for the store that sold the chainsaw twice, no help or return call. I contacted the Stihl rep after I took the saw in for repair and he did not listen to what I said but would come by and pick it up so that I could have it repaired - some bargain after I had already taken it in to repair shop! No other help from him! So after 2 months I wrote the main office for Market Square Thriftway and received a call. An apology from the owner not the manager that acted like I knew nothing and an offer for a gift card to his store - too little too late especially after insulting my intelligence ... only acceptable resolution would have been to immediately given me a new saw or my money back or have someone replace my husband with a saw for the 2 days that I needed the work done! I told the Owner that he could keep his gift card and would not step in his stores again, but this educated me as a consumer to find out what the return policy is before I buy!
We own a Small Engine Repair shop. We are a STIHL dealer and the lead technician at our shop. What I recommend is that you buy your lawn and garden power equipment from a full service dealer . By this I mean the dealer does not sale rope, dope, soap, PVC pipe, nuts and bolts. Look for a locally owned shop that is wall to wall gas power equipment, at least 1/3 is a repair shop, and there are people who can answer your questions. They should show you how to start the equipment you are purchasing at that time. A good dealer will test run the equipment you are purchasing while you are watching them. If he does not run the unit in front of you, do not buy it. Call STIHL and tell them about your experience at that dealer.
Robert R.
Robert I hear what your saying. I'm a certified mechanic myself 30+ years. These problems are not isolated. I've known several dealers that have started sthil equipment in their shop and the techs ran straight gas with no oil! They've admitted to it. This is end of the end days behavior! No one wants to train anyone and if they do the trainee doesn't want to learn. They are desperate for employees so the hire every Joe, dick, and Harry. There is no hope in this fallon world. They only hope is Jesus Christ and him crucified. He is coming back very soon and he won't be a meet baby in a Manger. Make sure you know him as Lord and Savior, repent.
I purchased a Stihl weed/grass whip in early July. The unit has a self feed system that doesn't self feed. It is very inefficient and the string consistently breaks and runs out not to mention having to continually stop and take the head apart to restring in recover the string from inside the spool. I purchased Stihls specialty string which my dealer said would be best for the unit. After many hours of frustration I took the trimmer back to the dealer and was told that the reason the string binds up inside the spool is that the string overheats and melts from the friction of the unit while operating. I thought perhaps that I had a faulty unit and suggested that perhaps the head should be replaced. He said the trimmers had that problem and that many people have returned their units but that Stihl would do nothing to fix the problem and that he was not about to suffer the cost of fixing the trimmer. It did not seem to bother him that I had suffered the cost of purchasing the new problem unit ( in excess of $300.00) and that there was apparently no way of fixing it. He restrung the head ( which I do almost every use) and handed the trimmer back to me. Needless to say, I will never buy another Stihl product again. I purchased a new Stihl self propelled lawn mower the same day I purchased the trimmer and was considering purchasing and new BR600 snow and leaf blower this winter. This has changed my mind about Stihl products. I am very disappointed, to say the least and would not recommend anyone buy a Stihl product after this experience.
I've had a ms290 for 15 yrs no issues. In the last week I went through a ms170 and a ms180. Both got returned. One blew a clutch up after 5 min the other stopped running after 10 min. Sthil is building absolute garbage today! They customer service can't even speak fluent English! Never again will I buy or recommend a sthil! All normal for the end of days. Chinese parts being put on a poor design = garbage!
Took my 2021 Stihl 251C into the dealership today after the pull start seized. They called the chainsaw tech up to look at it and before he touched it he said he could smell bad fuel. The fuel I use is now about 2 weeks old, non ethanol (blue) fuel, and I buy the Stihl branded fuel oil containers for 1 gallon mix. The tech opened the fuel door and said "Yup, bad fuel." I explained I always run the Stihl fuel oil blend with the Ethanol free fuel, so he told me I'm buying bad fuel.
I left the saw there for them to look at it, but if the tech is going to lie and argue that my practice does not match his default denial of responsibility to warranty the saw, then I had to question the efficacy of their entire service department. When I got home I looked around on the internet and found out Stihl technicians are required to sign an NDA, but several have breached the NDA after leaving those jobs. When they go to Stihl training for servicing they are told the first thing they are to blame is fuel, then user neglect (cleaning, fuel treatment, proper bar oil, etc). I'm now looking for any class actions against Stihl, and have my saw in its current locked state waiting to send it to whomever might need it as an example. If the fuels and oils are sent to a lab they will find the oil mix for the fuel is Stihl, the bar oil is Stihl, and the fuel is as I stated.
Since I have an attorney on retainer I'm going to take my warranty paperwork to him so we can sit down and review it for "gotchas." Unfortunately with Stihl being the company with so many years of pissed off customers, as well as very satisfied customers, and teams of attorneys to fight litigation for personal or self-inflicted wounds from neglect or misuse, any legal remedy will be a needle in the haystack.
My issue is that my 251C 18" was not large enough for some of the other jobs I had to do around here, so I just purchased a 391. So now I've got a turd and a future turd. When I was growing up we only had Stihl, our Scout Camp only had Stihl (and I know they were never serviced with the same fuel that sat from summer to summer), and all of them just worked. Aside from bar issues, dull chains, and clogged air filters, which are regular maintenance issues, they never had motor issues. When I was a 16-18 year old Scout I took over all Chain Saw duties, from felling trees, to service and maintenance (something not previously done). At the end of the season I'd empty the fuel/oil, run the carb dry, and then throw in some STP treatment while it sat unused. I've had mine for those two years and all I do is run a small amount of Stabil in the fuel and carb.
I'm starting to wonder if this is a Chinese problem, and Stihl has defaulted to blaming every issue on everyone and everything else to avoid the expense of warrantying their products?
I paid $450 for the 251C and $650 for the 391. I realize they are somewhat consumable tools when it comes to commercial use, but these are home saws that have now fell and cleaned 4 trees. The 391 was purchased 2/25/23 and has fell 2 trees (of those 4) in those 13 days.
Randy we are in the end of the end days. Every corporation and company has been infiltrated by evil power and that's why they are blaming every poorly designed equipment on a customer mistake. They won't take responsibility for the garbage they are manufacturing. The techs are indoctrinated to follow evil orders to not warranty anything. I feel for you Randy. I've proved all this beyond any doubts. Stand up to what you believe is right and know what your fighting against. This war is 100% spiritual. Make sure you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and repent, if not ask him into your heart now and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We are in the most intense battle this world will ever see again and it's going to get alot worse. Jesus is coming back very soon and not as a baby. He'll be coming back with white hair, fire in his eyes and a sword. These people will be brought to justice. Leave vengeance to God.
As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the 2nd coming of the Son of man. We are well into these days.
I reviewed litigation brought in class action against Stihl by Rush, or Stihl v Rush, Stihl's attorneys did not refute his arguments, only the classification and determination of filing by Rush, so in short a legal discrepancy of filing. The Judge adjudicated it as open for appeal within 10 days of his determination, so an additional expense to Rush because it was not filled with under the proper name. Stihl also stated that any class action need to be filed with full diversity (all states, not only one state), and Rush accepted this argument by the defense as valid, so Mr. Rush agreed to expand the class action to that of a Federal Class Action (not the expectation of the Stihl Legal Team.
Here is the legal team that defends Stihl against their fraud, defects, and personal injuries from those same defects.
STIHL, Inc., Defendant, represented by Justin D. Howard , MCGUIREWOODS, LLP, pro hac vice, Martha S. Stwodah , MCGUIRE WOODS, LLP, pro hac vice, R. Gordon Sproule, Jr. , HUIE, FERNAMBUCQ & STEWART, LLP, T. Kelly May , HUIE, FERNAMBUCQ & STEWART, LLP, pro hac vice, George Clanton Gunn, IV , BUTLER SNOW LLP & Hugh Cannon Lawley , HUIE, FERNAMBUCQ & STEWART, LLP.