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Testimonials: "Thank You STIHL!"

Here is the STIHL bird, in full color, sitting on a STIHL tree branch. Drawn by Rebecca B. in Virginia age 11.

My Grandfather just turned 80 last week and we were out in the field clearing some fence row when Grandma took a picture that looked staged with all the STIHL equipment around. I will be the eighth generation property holder since the original homestead. Below is photo of my grandfather and me.

(Elmer, 80 and Shane, 34)
Osage Beach, Missouri

I am a Procurement Manager for the State of Georgia government and we purchase STIHL products. So when I purchased my home in l987, I decided that my yard tools had to be STIHL. DOT was purchasing so many STIHL products and there were no complaints. So, I felt like if it's good for the State of Georgia - it's good for me and my home.

Avon Thompson
Redan, Georgia

This picture is of my granddaughter, Rebekah Harvey, trying on her great-grandfather's STIHL hat. Our local newspaper published one of them with the caption "STIHL has a glamour squad.

Roberta Harvey
Mansfield, Ohio

Just wanted you guys and gals to know that I love your equipment as much now as when I bought my first STIHL chain saw (An 031 AV) way back in 1972. Keep them coming strong as ever. I now own six chain saws, two trimmers (one is the four-stroke Kombi-saw/trimmer), two leaf blowers and one concrete saw (the biggest one). My granddaughter even has the toy chain saw and gets a kick out of pretending with her Grandpa.

Thanks
Bill Hanehan
Saratoga Springs, New York

I have bought a number of gas operated tools from a number of the box stores over the last 20 years - trying to save a few bucks. I soon learned that I will come out Way Ahead if I pay a bit more and go for the long-haul with a STIHL product. I also like the sales AND service part of your business model. I know that if I have a future problem, I can confidently get some good repair service at a reasonable price and in a reasonable time. This is very important to me.

I was glad to see your ad in the USA Today newspaper. I wish you continued success with the products you make and the service your partners provide.

Thanks for for taking care of my power tool needs around the P Patch.

John R. Phillip
Madison, AL

It's been five days since Hurricane Ike passed literally right over my house, and my STIHL equipment has performed flawlessly during our recovery efforts. I'm so thankful for the quality products you make I wanted to share he story, and say thank you.

We got an early start right after the storm, as two trees fell into my street, totally blocking it. We got right to work and got the street open right away. Some of my neighbors have electric saws, and discovered those don't work very well during power outages - right when you need them most. Two other neighbors had Poulans, and neither could get their saws to even start, so it was up to me and my STIHL.

The STIHL has performed so well I've become the go-to guy for my neighbors to get things cut. Everyone has experienced extensive tree damage, and my little 021 has done everything I've asked it to do. I've taken down over two dozen trees since the storm.

Last year I bought an HT101, and thought at the time it was a bit of a luxury for a suburban homeowner, but what the heck. What a great decision that was! With so much tree damage in this storm, a lot of the damaged trees will be salvageable, but they have high limbs that were broken and need removing. The pole pruner has been just perfect for that.

I was introduced to STIHL almost thirty years ago. My dad purchased a Poulan chainsaw for use on the farm, and his struggles with that thing are family legend. The farmhouse was heated solely with wood, so we cut a lot of wood every year. The Poulan was a disaster, and somebody turned my dad onto STIHL. We became a STIHL-or-nothing family after that, so it was naturally the only choice for me when I moved to the city.

It's kind of funny that almost thirty years after my dad's troubles with a Poulan, I have neighbors with them experiencing the same problems. Some things never change I guess.

I've bought all my STIHLs from Houston Saw and Knife Works. That's the 021, the HT101, a BG55 and an FS55RC. The guys at Houston Saw take care of me and always make me feel welcomed.

Sorry I kind of rambled, but there's been some long days since the storm. Again and again the STIHL's made me proud. Thank you.

Brian Welsh
Houston, TX

I recently purchased a TS 700 STIHL Cutquik®. I have checked out every brand and model known to man. The specs on the TS 700 were very impressive. So I decided to check it out, and visited my local STIHL dealer. I walked though the door and immediately the TS 700 called my name. I totally ignored the owner of the store and just walked over to the cut-off machine section. I said to myself, "What a beautiful looking saw." The design of this saw is very impressive. And after picking it up several times, I was hooked. The balance was perfect and it felt "just right". I purchased the saw and used it the same day. I cut 68 linear feet of 5/16 inch thick steel plate without any fatigue. The saw is balanced so well that precision cutting is an easy task. It runs very smooth at full power and it puts a smile on your face while using it. Thanks STIHL for making work more fun.

Akira Denaia
Linden, NJ

I had my son's STIHL string line trimmer that was not running properly. I took it in to J & I Power Equip here in Olympia, WA (I am visiting from Calif). Scott, from the svc dept greeted me courteously and asked how he could help. I explained the symptoms, he correctly diagnosed the ailment, then promptly took out what needed cleaning -- and in 10 minutes we were back at 100% running speed. When I asked Scott what I owed him, all he accepted was my handshake. That's SERVICE -- so let Scott know he made my day -- and when my son fires up that STIHL, we know what kind of people we have standing behind that name. THANK YOU!

Mark Hayward
Reedley, CA

My name is SSgt Cody Feasby, I am currently deployed overseas and have been for sometime now. Myself and a few of the others with me are outdoorsman back in the States. I have owned an 044 for a few years now. I bought it used and will never buy another brand. Since being gone for so long,we have missed the outdoors and our hobbies.

I want to truly thank you for what you and your company have done.You guys brought smiles to a lot of faces. Everything you sent was well appreciated. We have been pretty busy lately, causing the delay in the photos. I want to thank you again for what you have done. Its good to know that there are people and companies that support their troops. Please let me know if you use our photo anywhere.

Thank you again,  
 
SSgt Cody Feasby
64ESFS/S4A
APO/AE 09852

I have the greatest photo of our family pet and thought you might be interested in using it. We have recently purchased many pieces of equipment and the co-op gave us a cap as a thank you. In the photo is Licorice, our 7 yr. old full-blooded lab. My husband had just purchased a blower and a weedeater, got the hat, and when he got home, was about to eat supper and sat it on the floor. Licorice started to sniff around it, and my husband just picked it up and put it on him. I thought it was great and asked him to snap a photo.

Thanks again!

Monica Todd
Albertville, Alabama

Hi, I'm Jordan Richart. I'm 17 years old and my parents own/operate a landscape business.

We mow/landscape for 86 accounts. We have been in operation for nearly 20 years (this year will be our 19th), and we have used STIHL products since our starting year in 1989.

We own trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, hedgetrimmers, hand tools, an edger, a sprayer, and gloves. We also have two STIHL Stools in our garage. My dad and I also wear STIHL hats every single day on the job. I just wanted to share our story with you guys about how we love your products and we will continue to use them. I hope you enjoy my story (because I would never complain about any STIHL product).

I just wanted to say thanks for the great products.

Sincerely,

Jordan Richart
Seymour, Indiana

I recently became a loyal customer and thought you would be interested in the reason. My family owns a heating and cooling company and we are an authorized Trane Comfort Specialist dealer. I fully understand the value of representing a "name" brand of equipment. As a comfort specialist I represent the top 20% of all independent Trane dealers. Several years ago Trane sought our input in regards to partnering with Sears to increase sales volume. At the time I strongly voiced my opinion that the strength of the Trane Company was in a very large part due to the strenght of their independent dealers. Despite the objection of the majority of dealers, Trane proceeded to partner with Sears to sell equipment. The partnership failed due in large part to Sears using unreliable workers to install Trane products.

The reason I reference the Trane-Sears deal is to show why I have chosen to be a loyal STIHL customer. The advertisements you have run over the past year showcasing your 8000 independent dealers is impressive. Despite the size of your company Mr. Whyte, you get it. STIHL is a brand leader today because of the strength of your 8000 independent dealers and equally important the vision of STIHL leadership to play to your strength. I hope 2008 brings STIHL a record breaking year for you and all of your dealers.

James Larch
West Street Weirton, WV

I have bought about $8000.00 worth of your equipment in the last two years. I started a landscaping business after retiring and going to school for horticulture. All my purchases have been from Bowen's Farm Supply in Annapolis, Md.

I find your products the only name I will buy in your field. The design, toughness, practicality, and availability of parts and service are outstanding.

I also needed some information and came to your website. I find the site is well-engineered.

STIHL is the only name I will buy in the future

My thanks for providing a good product in a world where that is all too rare.

Here are two pictures of my son, Nicholas, proudly advertising your company's products! As an aborist, I purchase STIHL products all the time. Hopefully, one day, my son will take over the company and will surely be familiar with the STIHL line.

Joseph and Melissa Noga
Port Washington, New York

Nicholas is 4 ½ months old

I am a very loyal STIHL buyer and user. I have a wonderful STIHL Farm Boss chain saw which I have enjoyed using so much that I am now on my second bar and third chain. I also have your terrific backpack blower and use it every weekend. Your products are great, first quality such that I recommend them to all my friends who want quality equipment, support and service, and several have bought them on my recommendation.

As your ads state so boldly (I see them in the Wall Street Journal), we don't buy your products in the big boxes. Instead, and far better, we buy them from really dedicated, helpful local equipment dealers. The ability to go into a local shop, to talk to real people who know the equipment and consult on my needs is invaluable. I much prefer your current marketing plan and hope you continue it.

As long as you make such good products and I can go to a local shop with competent advisors to select the right equipment, I will gladly continue to buy STIHL products.

Thank you for making great products and marketing them via local dealers who can help with personal consultation on what is right for my needs. Great job; please keep it up.

Bruce Mackintosh
Raleigh, North Carolina

Greetings from Georgia, May I, Bill S. Askew, take a few minutes of your time to thank all of you for making such fine outdoor power products. Thank you for the hats, toy chain saws, and stickers that you provided after the last time I wrote to you following the purchase of my STIHL FS 55 trimmer.

In March 2006, I went back to see my very dear friends at Bells Ferry Ace Outdoor Power Equipment. David Wilholt and his team do such a fine job with all of their customers. The showroom at Bells Ferry Ace Outdoor Power Equipment is so very clean you could eat off the floor out front or in the back shop area. It is very well organized, especially when you walk in STIHL Country USA.

Anyway, David and I got to talking about chain saws, there in his showroom. He made me an offer I could not refuse. He let me take a MS 250 home overnight and try it out. He said, "See how you like it, and let me know." Well, in the next two days, I went back and bought two STIHL MS 290 chain saws and two STIHL MS 250s from him. Your products are truly champions.

I have used the saws around the house, a time or two. But for the most part, I just have them for show and tell when my friends come over. My nickname is Hoss and my saws are known as Hoss's also.

My collection of STIHL equipment is comprised of an FS 55 Trimmer, BR 380 Backpack Blower, two MS 290 chain saws, and two MS 250 chain saws. I just like to have my tools around the house to piddle with. All of my neighbors like to come over to watch when I'm working in my yard performing leaf removal. I let them try out my backpack blower. Now they both want to go and buy their own STIHL blowers.

God Bless all of you and your families, I love each and every one of you. Thank you all for such wonderful products.

Bill S. Askew
Smyrna, Georgia

I have had my chain saw since 1989. I'm one of those folks who takes almost too good of care with my power tools. I take it apart and clean it after each use. The chain saw is used mainly when I do volunteer work on a hiking trail system that is nearby, The Pine Mountain Trail in FDR State Park, near Pine Mountain Ga. We get quite a few of what we call "blow-downs" across our trails and thus my STIHL has been of use on the trail for years. When we have a bad storm or a hurricane blow through, it usually takes about 500 man hours for all us volunteers to clear the trees blown down along our 43 miles of trails. I even came up with a "chain saw" backpack carrier to carry our saws in on treks that are sometimes 2-3 miles.

Recently we cleared a new trailhead area in the state park and had to clear out about 200+ trees. Mainly chestnut oaks and hard hickory. All with our STIHLs...

Last year we awarded our trail maintenance supervisor volunteer a new chain saw and of course it was a big new STIHL. We also bought 2 brushcutters last year (both STIHLs) mainly because my STIHL brushcutter is still going strong after 23 years! My big STIHL backpack blower is also now 14 years old. I own a Honda lawnmower (now 10 years old) only because STIHL doesn't make one!

So as you can see I'm a STIHL person.

Thanks again for your help.

Jim Hall
President of the all volunteer Pine Mountain Trail Association - (www.pinemountaintrail.org)

I received your letter last week thanking me for my purchase of your BG 55 Blower. I was surprised to receive your letter since in recent years no company has every responded to any of my purchases other than a new car. It shows me you care about your business and customer support. It also says that Linda Saw sent in my registration card and suggests they support your customer service policies. I feel good that they will support me as a customer.

My heritage is German and I love to brag about German mechanical abilities and I have in the past 15 years told the following story to anyone who will listen about my remarkable STIHL chain saw purchase years ago.

In 1972 my wife and I were getting ready to build our 2nd house in Santa Cruz, CA. I had to clear several trees on our 1 acre parcel for our house and I decided to get a Homelite chain saw from Dave’s Motor Clinic in Soquel, CA. While we were in the store talking to the owner and trying to select the appropriate saw, a man came over to the owner and asked if he could talk to us. The owner gave him the OK and went back to work in the rear of the shop. The man introduced himself as the local STIHL representative and asked if he could give us some information on STIHL Saws. He told us about all the great features of STIHL saws and showed us the new thin chain on STIHL 020 AV. Although the price was a little more than we expected to pay, we agreed to take it anyway because of the features brought to our attention by the rep. He told the owner to put an 18” bar on it and told us this saw would be the last saw we would ever buy.

Well it’s 2006 and the saw has been in use for 34 years to clear property for 4 new homes. And since we always heat our houses with wood it has cut all our heating wood for 34 years. It has been used to clear property for friends and general use in my handyman business. It has definitely paid for itself many times over.

I was able to do most of the repairs on the saw myself. In 1987, I dropped it about 35 feet onto a paved road below the tree I was cutting and thought it was finished. Well I replaced an exterior casting and it has been going strong since then. I am just at the end of the 3rd chain and the saw still has the original 18” bar and sprocket. They of course do need to be replaced.

I just turned 70 this month and the saw has developed a high speed miss. Unfortunately, Linda Saw says it will be too costly to repair if I do all the necessary work like a new sprocket, bar etc. All I can say is the rep was almost right, most people at 70 would not still be cutting wood. However next spring, I will get another STIHL saw and will be wishing I could out live another STIHL saw.

In passing, my father is 95 years old living on 40 acres in the Sierra’s and still cuts his own wood with his 2nd STIHL saw, About 6 years ago he changed to a smaller saw because he could not start the original bigger saw.

Bottom Line: The Dieckmann’s are sold on STIHL products. The 020 AV has been an exceptional saw for me and many thanks to STIHL for its long life and reliability.

Clay Dieckmann
Browns Valley, California

I have been in the landscape and lawn business for the last 4 years. I started with used equipment, and then went with all Echo small power equipment. As my equipment has worn out I had a friend suggest STIHL. I bought a new pair of gas shears, a FS 80 trimmer and a BR 550 blower. I have got to say that this the very best equipment that I have ever used. It simply blows Echo away. I recently had everything I bought stolen. It was hurtful to use old or repaired equipment to finish my work. I would never go back to anything else. I recently replaced the trimmer with a FS 110 (Love it!) and purchased another BR 550 blower. The shears will have to wait, but I can assure you that I will buy STIHL for all my small power equipment.

Thank you,
Jonathan Branch

I am a Quality/Reliability engineer and have bought a John Deere tractor, an MS 270 chain saw and will be purchasing a STIHL trimmer from Adam's Power Equipment in Poughkeepsie N.Y. The dealer's sales people are friendly and very informative, taking a lot of the guess work out of purchasing power equipment. They take the time to explain their recommendations with no pressure sales. I have found, with these and other purchases from Adam's, the reasons for their recommendations coming to fruition, which I wouldn't have foreseen. I want quality and the right tool to fit the job. I want to be able to have advice from the experts, service (in case I need it), and genuine parts and accessories. I have found that STIHL represents value (quality at a fair price) and Adam's is an outstanding representative for your company.

Paul Margosian
Hopewell Junction, New York

My birthday was last month. I had asked my mom and dad to get me a new pair of sunglasses. When I got them, I saw that they were a pair of STIHL® TIMBERSPORT® Series sunglasses, and that they had the Z87+ code on them. Because of that, I knew that they were safety glasses, but I never thought that they would save my eyes.

While I was at work on May 3rd, a trap machine went off and sent a clay target at my eye traveling at 42 mph. Thank you for making good quality products. Keep it up. And once more, Thank you again for saving my eye.

Adam Schroer
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

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