Beware of STIHL Imposters and Fake Outdoor Power Equipment
As one of the most in-demand brands in handheld outdoor power equipment, STIHL is unfortunately sometimes the target of imposters selling counterfeit products. Review our guide to make sure you are always getting authentic STIHL gear.
STIHL is proud to be the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America.* An unfortunate consequence of being number one means STIHL is a target for imitators and counterfeiters around the world. They want to capitalize on the excellence and quality that STIHL has built at the expense of your safety. Don’t be fooled.
These “vendors” sell counterfeit STIHL products that may look and feel genuine, but share almost none of the quality and safety features found on our equipment. Never buy STIHL products from street vendors or flea markets. Also, be wary of STIHL products being sold on unauthorized, discount, or auction-based websites. STIHL products are only sold at servicing dealers, so avoid these impostors by purchasing from a trusted (and authorized) retailer.
- STIHL products are characterized by, among other things, strict quality and safety standards. Imitators have no such standards. Even slight deficiencies can result in serious safety risks.
- Safety-critical devices may be faulty or totally absent. For example, when a counterfeit chainsaw was recently unpacked, the hand guard for the chain brake (an important safety device on a chainsaw) was found to be broken.
- Operating time and overall performance are often compromised. Counterfeit or pirated machines may malfunction or break down after only a short time in use.
- Imitation products typically cannot be serviced or repaired since spare parts are not available, and they are not covered by STIHL warranty policies.
So how do you tell a fake STIHL from the real deal? Sometimes it can be very difficult from the outside. Counterfeit STIHL tools will boast our trademarked STIHL orange and grey color scheme and often feature a STIHL logo and model name. Sometimes the fakes are obvious (STIHL never uses stickers to mark its products – our logo is always printed or embossed directly on the product), but the only way to be sure you are getting genuine STIHL is to purchase your product from an authorized STIHL Dealer. With over 10,000 dealers nationwide, finding one shouldn’t be a problem.
We make high-quality tools because we care about the work you do, so trust your authentic STIHL equipment to not let you down.
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2024 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
