Local Business RANT!!!

[Deleted]

<rant on!!!>

The other day my riding lawnmower decided to simply not start anymore. It would click when I turn the key and that was all. I tinkered with it a little and found that the starter was hanging in the up position already meshing with the motor gear. A simple enough fix, I need a new starter or have the old one rebuilt.

I called around to local places and no one could give me a price for rebuilding one, but they could tell me how much they charged per hour, prices ranged from $35 to $55 per hour not including parts and all thought that it would take between two to three hours of labor to rebuild one.

Not happening!!!  So I called around for a new one. 

The first place I called was the John Deere dealership.  A new OEM starter is $165 and an after market starter is $125.  Me - "I will get back with you."

The second place I called was a local repair shop. 

Them - "A new OEM starter is $150 and an after market starter is $105, they had to install it, they charge $45/hour and it should take about two hours to do so." 

Me - "Really???  Two Hours!!!  There are four bolts holding the motor cover, two bolts holding the starter to the engine block and then a single nut to be removed in order to disconnect the battery cable.  I took it off in less than 10 minutes and I was talking on the phone with someone while I was doing it.  I have already removed the old starter, so all you have to do is to put on the new one.  And you still envision that it will take you two hours to do so?"

Them - "Yeah."  (Although it was said a little sheepishly).

Me - "I will get back with you!"

The third place, about 25 miles away, sounded like they could not be bothered with my business.

Them - "We only carry one or two starters, come on in with the part and we will see if it matches what we have."

Me - "I have the starter in my hand.  I could give you the part number and you could check to see if it matches what you have on hand."

Them - "Well, it is easier to just compare what you have to what we have and see if they are the same."

Me - "How is that easier?  You do sell starters for lawnmowers, right?"

Them - "Could you call back in 15 Minutes?"

Me - OK...  (reluctantly)

20 minutes later...

I called and identified myself again and what I was looking for...

Them - "Hold on for a second.  I have to get someone else to take care of this."

A moment or two later...

Them - "Stop on by and we will see if we have what you need."

Me - "You guys are 25 miles away!  Would it not be easier for me to give you the part number and you can check it against the one or two that you have?"

Them - "The guy that runs the computer is not here.  I thought that he would be back by now.  Can you stop by tomorrow?"

Me - "If I call tomorrow and the computer guy is there and I give him the part number would he be able to find out whether or not you have what I need?"

Them - "Well, it is easier if you bring the starter here."

Me - "I will get back with you."

I really want to support local businesses and try like the dickens to do so, but they make it so difficult!!!  More often than not when I inquire at a local business for something and they do not have it the next words out of their mouth is, "You can go online and order it!"  My response is normally something like this ---> "Duuuuhhh!  I can???  You can also probably order it from your distributors, can you not!?!?!?  Silly me for thinking that you might want to do some business!"

So I looked on Ebay, found what I thought would work, called the company and made sure that what they were selling was what I needed.  Turns out the guy that I was talking to lived about 15 minutes from where I lived when I lived in the NC mountains.  We even knew some of the same people.  We BS'ed for a bit, compared secret trout fishing spots and had an enjoyable conversation.

So now my starter motor will be here maybe by Monday and definitely by Tuesday and it is only costing me $41.00.  In the by and by I can just turn the wheel that connects the motor to the mower drive belt a little until the starter disengages and then start it like normal.  When the new one arrives it should take all of 15 minutes to change out.  Done!!!  Easy Peasy!!!

I know that local businesses have been crying the blues about their loss of business ever since the advent of Ebay and other internet sales organizations, but when someone wants to do business with your company it is probably best to not ask them to bend over and cough, nor act like a moron!!!

<rant off>

Is anyone else experiencing this or anything similar to this with local businesses???  Or am I the only lucky one???

[Ozarks Tom]

I've found with small operations the owner is gifted in his craft, but not necessarily someone with any sales or customer service ability. They do repeat business, word of mouth referrals, and not trying to market to the general public. They'll be working from the same shop the rest of their lives, and wondering why they didn't grow into a chain.

[Deleted]

There are a few variations for your starter, The housings are the same but the gears are different.  I assume it is for a B&S engine?
The price variation is because of the manufacture, your $41 is a low end starter (mega-fire). The small guys wants you to come in, so he can ID the starter. If he orders the wrong one, he has to leave it on the sit shelf. It is not cost effective to ship it back. Also, most places you will have to prepay for special order parts. Right now is a busy time of the year for the small engine shops, a phone call from a potential customer (that may or may not buy anything) is considered a tire kickker or a time waster.

IF you have a B&S engine, your problem may not be a starter at all. The valves come out of adjustment, and in turn the starter and battery don't have enough power to turn the engine over. 

[wally]

TRellis, I can relate to your problem. A plastic guide for the bottom drawer on Mrs Wallys stove broke. We dont have a local appliance parts store, called one 60 mile away the have one and it was 9 dollars, looked on line and the same part was .99 cents, we ordered 2 and had them in 2 days

[Deleted]

May 1, 2015 0:27:30 GMT @fixitguy said:

There are a few variations for your starter, The housings are the same but the gears are different.  I assume it is for a B&S engine?
The price variation is because of the manufacture, your $41 is a low end starter (mega-fire). The small guys wants you to come in, so he can ID the starter. If he orders the wrong one, he has to leave it on the sit shelf. It is not cost effective to ship it back. Also, most places you will have to prepay for special order parts. Right now is a busy time of the year for the small engine shops, a phone call from a potential customer (that may or may not buy anything) is considered a tire kickker or a time waster.

IF you have a B&S engine, your problem may not be a starter at all. The valves come out of adjustment, and in turn the starter and battery don't have enough power to turn the engine over. 

Actually it is a Koehler engine and I am happy about that.  B&S was having some pretty big problems with their motors about the time that this lawnmower was manufactured. 

I understand that the one that I ordered is a lower end one, but it does also come with a one year warranty which is equal to the warranty of any other that I was offered.  And would not me giving them the part number be pretty much the same as going in to the shop.  There are compatibility tables saying which new starter replaces which old starter and such, are there not? 

I can understand having to prepay for special order items and would have gladly done so after finding the correct part at a reasonable price, but the third business called could not even tell me if they had one on hand, never mind how much.  And it is funny how the first two locations called took the part number that I gave them and then gave me a price. I probably would have gone with the after market starter from the second location that I called until they said that they "had" to install it and felt that it would take two hours to do something that only take 15 to 20 minutes at the most to do.

If me calling and asking whether or not they have the part that I am looking for and a price makes me a "time waster" than so be it.  I may just end up doing all my purchases through the internet.  A 'tire kicker"  I thought that was a person that just enjoyed going to car dealers and looking at the new, pretty cars wishing that they could afford one?  That would irritate me also, but a bad starter is a bad starter.  There is no enviable way to get around not having to get a new one.

Believe me, I am no mechanic, large or small engine.  I am not 100% positive that the starter is bad, but I am 99.99% sure that the Bendix gear is not supposed to remain engaged with the motor's gear once the engine starts and the key is released back into the run position.  I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that it is not supposed to work that way.  Once I have gotten the Bendix gear to disengage from the motor gear and I turn the key it starts easily.  Or can it still be a case of where the valves are out of adjustment and there is not enough power between the battery and starter to crank the engine over?   

[sawmilljim]

If you can back it up using the belts and it will start after it disingauges the starter drive all you need is a new starter drive . Not a big deal just a week spring on the starter drive .
www.ebay.com/itm/like/281645911254?lpid=82&chn=ps

[Deleted]

I can give you a quick break down of what is happening,

Store #1, has a large computer data base. The counter man can look up the part in a second, and is more than happy to give you a price. The counter man collects a pay check on Friday, he don't care if you buy the part. If counter man is not on the phone with a customer, he is pushing a dust mop. 

Store #2, knows you have a underling problem. The store will not sell you the part, because when you put the new starter in and it does the same as the old starter you will go back and demand your money back. When the store declines your demand (because there is no return on electrical), you will run around town telling everyone who will listen, who store #2 ripped you off.  The 1~2 hour labor, is to diagnose your underlining problem and up sell you a starter. 


Store #3, Wants to find you the best price from his 3~4 vendors. Store #3 knows that you are price shopping and have called all over town. He don't stock the part, (that's money on the shelf) and 9/10 times he can have the part the next day. Store #3 wants you to come in to the store, #1 to ID the part, #2 do a bench test on the starter, & #3 have you prepay for the starter. 
Also, if your unfamiliar with the store you will be reluctant to offer your CC# to them (but store #1, you would give them the CC#, DOB & SS#). You will say, "just order the part and I will come in tomorrow and pay in cash". Now, you get off the phone and go putz with the JD. After a hour you find your underling problem and don't need the part any more. Now #`1, the business has a unpaid starter sitting on the shelf, #2 The store wasted 30 minutes on the phone and ordering a part for you, & #3 the next time you need a part, you won't call them because you failed to pick up a special order part in the past. Now the store has lost future business from you. 

Also as a side note, in defense to store #3. Store #3 will get phone calls all day. customers trying to find info on how to fix the mower them self's. Store#1~3 can't pay the bills diagnosing customers mowers on the phone. 

Customers are smart, Can't call store #1 and get advise. You will never get past the counter man. Store #2, Will tell you, to bring it in. #3 might tell you a "tip", and then bring it in. 



Now back to the JD, Spray some solvent on the Bendix and check to battery connections. L&G batterys are real cheap, most have a 6 Month warranty. Save the $41 for now and find the cause of the problem. 

[Deleted]

May 1, 2015 14:42:21 GMT @fixitguy said:

I can give you a quick break down of what is happening,

Store #1, has a large computer data base. The counter man can look up the part in a second, and is more than happy to give you a price. The counter man collects a pay check on Friday, he don't care if you buy the part. If counter man is not on the phone with a customer, he is pushing a dust mop. 

Store #2, knows you have a underling problem. The store will not sell you the part, because when you put the new starter in and it does the same as the old starter you will go back and demand your money back. When the store declines your demand (because there is no return on electrical), you will run around town telling everyone who will listen, who store #2 ripped you off.  The 1~2 hour labor, is to diagnose your underlining problem and up sell you a starter. 


Store #3, Wants to find you the best price from his 3~4 vendors. Store #3 knows that you are price shopping and have called all over town. He don't stock the part, (that's money on the shelf) and 9/10 times he can have the part the next day. Store #3 wants you to come in to the store, #1 to ID the part, #2 do a bench test on the starter, & #3 have you prepay for the starter. 
Also, if your unfamiliar with the store you will be reluctant to offer your CC# to them (but store #1, you would give them the CC#, DOB & SS#). You will say, "just order the part and I will come in tomorrow and pay in cash". Now, you get off the phone and go putz with the JD. After a hour you find your underling problem and don't need the part any more. Now #`1, the business has a unpaid starter sitting on the shelf, #2 The store wasted 30 minutes on the phone and ordering a part for you, & #3 the next time you need a part, you won't call them because you failed to pick up a special order part in the past. Now the store has lost future business from you. 

Also as a side note, in defense to store #3. Store #3 will get phone calls all day. customers trying to find info on how to fix the mower them self's. Store#1~3 can't pay the bills diagnosing customers mowers on the phone. 

Customers are smart, Can't call store #1 and get advise. You will never get past the counter man. Store #2, Will tell you, to bring it in. #3 might tell you a "tip", and then bring it in. 



Now back to the JD, Spray some solvent on the Bendix and check to battery connections. L&G batterys are real cheap, most have a 6 Month warranty. Save the $41 for now and find the cause of the problem. 

Hmmmm...

Store #1  -  I agree with your analysis of their actions.

Store #2 - This is not my first rodeo with either buying or selling electrical parts for vehicles or lawnmowers and I know that there is no return available for electrical parts even though there is a stated one year warranty. If I diagnose the problem as the starter, change the starter and the problem persists, then that is my fault and not theirs.  If they want to lump me in with previous buttheads that they have previously dealt with then that is their problem, not mine and I will take my business elsewhere.  The two hour labor charge as quoted by them was to extract the bad starter (which I had already done) and replace it with a new one.  No mention of a problem diagnosis was mentioned even after I questioned them about that. 

They had no reason to "upsell" me to a new starter.  That was what I was asking for in the first place.

Store #3 - This store was more than welcome by me to find the best price from his three to four possible vendors.  We could not even get to that level because they seemingly would not take the part number over the phone.  If they required me to prepay for the part that would have been a problem that I would have had to deal with and decide whether it was worth driving 50 miles, round trip, just to pay for it and then do it again to pick it up.  Again though, we did not get to that point since they could not tell me whether or not they one or two that they had there matched my starter. 

I was not too reluctant to give my credit card number online to someone that I have never met nor conducted business with before, so I may have been inclined to do so if asked by store 3#.

I can understand that these places probably get calls all day long from people trying to solicit help in diagnosing a problem.  I had already diagnosed the problem and was merely calling for the availability of a certain part. 

And sawmilljim,

I do realize that the problem could actually be a weak spring on the Bendix drive and would be a monetarily cheaper fix, but once I found a starter for ONLY $41 I made the conscious decision that it would probably be easier to just replace the entire starter than to take apart the old one and rebuild it.  The last time I that I did something like that did not turn out real well.  I was helping a friend rebuild a starter for a vehicle and we had to go back 4 or 5 times to the store over a long weekend because they could not give us the correct parts.  If it turned out to be a case of where the cheapest starter found was $75 - $80 then I would have probably gone down the rebuilding it myself road.

[sawmilljim]

Unlike most auto starters small engine starters to get the starter drive off a roll pin punch and a hammer will do the job .

This job can be done in half a day with only three people . You need one to hold the starter one to hold the punch and one to hit the punch with the large hammer . Hope this helps if you want to fix if for a spare .

[Deleted]

May 1, 2015 18:35:53 GMT sawmilljim said:

Unlike most auto starters small engine starters to get the starter drive off a roll pin punch and a hammer will do the job .

This job can be done in half a day with only three people . You need one to hold the starter one to hold the punch and one to hit the punch with the large hammer . Hope this helps if you want to fix if for a spare .

Actually I was thinking about doing that so that I would have a spare.  Then I read were you say that "it takes half a day with only three people" to rebuild the starter and I immediately started to rethink doing it. Seriously??? Three people and half a day??? 

I cannot put it into a vise and hold the punch while I also hammer? 

I swear that I am not related in any way, shape or form to Gerald Ford and I am perfectly capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.

[sawmilljim]

Well since I got older and retired I haven't found a job I can't stretch out at least half a day .Also my accuracy of late is waning so the need for someone else to hold the punch .those folks are hard to find though .

Yep most folks could do it in 30 minuets or less but why rush not only that but you will find out how much someone trust you while you hit that punch with them holding it.

[Deleted]

May 1, 2015 18:35:53 GMT sawmilljim said:

Unlike most auto starters small engine starters to get the starter drive off a roll pin punch and a hammer will do the job .

This job can be done in half a day with only three people . You need one to hold the starter one to hold the punch and one to hit the punch with the large hammer . Hope this helps if you want to fix if for a spare .

That's why I have a big vice.

[Deleted]

May 2, 2015 1:41:52 GMT sawmilljim said:

Well since I got older and retired I haven't found a job I can't stretch out at least half a day .Also my accuracy of late is waning so the need for someone else to hold the punch .those folks are hard to find though .

Yep most folks could do it in 30 minuets or less but why rush not only that but you will find out how much someone trust you while you hit that punch with them holding it.

I use pliers these days.

[sawmilljim]

May 6, 2015 1:48:08 GMT @dirtyfingers said:

May 2, 2015 1:41:52 GMT sawmilljim said:

Well since I got older and retired I haven't found a job I can't stretch out at least half a day .Also my accuracy of late is waning so the need for someone else to hold the punch .those folks are hard to find though .

Yep most folks could do it in 30 minuets or less but why rush not only that but you will find out how much someone trust you while you hit that punch with them holding it.

I use pliers these days.

I hear you lately I would be better off letting someone else swing the hammer while I hold it they sure couldn't do any worse . Now days I have notice gloves are a handy thing to have and use.

[fordy]

.............I always use.....Carters Little Farter Starters , they start anything I need ! , lol , fordy

[bergere]

I feel your pain.

Ever since I have moved to this area of VA... businesses, do not seem to want your business... could be, I am not related to anyone. Live in one of "those" areas.
They won't special order.

If you buy things and have them deliver it... 90% of the time.. they don't bring what I ordered or like fence posts.. they bring only badly damaged or bend ones.. useless for fencing.
Then I get.. its wood isn't it. It wasn't what I paid good money for. Ticks me off no end.

I never ever lived in an area, where so many people think it is ok to cheat, steal, over charge and over all be dishonest. Specially to women.

Now drive an hour away and more, to get the things I need.  Anyone that even tries to cheat me... won't get my business.

[Rustaholic]

This has been a very funny read for me.
Just today I picked up my 1000 business cards and my 100 - 5 X 7 cards to put up in stores.
My two foot by three foot metal sign will be here in around two weeks.
Yes I am opening my own Small Engine Repair shop.
I would have asked you to bring me your starter and within a couple minutes I would have told you what I would need to repair it or replace it.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2015 23:05:57 GMT Rustaholic said:

This has been a very funny read for me.
Just today I picked up my 1000 business cards and my 100 - 5 X 7 cards to put up in stores.
My two foot by three foot metal sign will be here in around two weeks.
Yes I am opening my own Small Engine Repair shop.

No offence, but I hope you have a well stocked pantry. Small engine repair is a tough business to make money in. I have a well established repair shop, your first few years in business will be a learning experience~to say the least.

Good luck in your adventure.  Find wholesale company's to buy your parts from before you start.

[Deleted]

May 6, 2015 11:46:35 GMT bergere said:

I feel your pain.

Ever since I have moved to this area of VA... businesses, do not seem to want your business... could be, I am not related to anyone. Live in one of "those" areas.
They won't special order.

If you buy things and have them deliver it... 90% of the time.. they don't bring what I ordered or like fence posts.. they bring only badly damaged or bend ones.. useless for fencing.
Then I get.. its wood isn't it. It wasn't what I paid good money for. Ticks me off no end.

I never ever lived in an area, where so many people think it is ok to cheat, steal, over charge and over all be dishonest. Specially to women.

Now drive an hour away and more, to get the things I need.  Anyone that even tries to cheat me... won't get my business.

That is part of living in the country if you weren't born to local parents, go to their schools and churches. Here no one local is interested in talking to an outsider. I've lived here almost 14 years and am still an outsider. I've learned to keep my mouth shut about most everything except the weather and asking who is that. Only outsiders will do business with me. I'll do my business in town after I do my research.

My deal is they refuse to do business with me or hire me, I won't spend my money with them.

[sawmilljim]

I just ordered a bunch more things online .I wanted a direct to metal primer that is epoxy in black that is good over light rust . No one near here has any idea what I was talking about much less have it . Local on a cheap clear coat was also $20.00 higher . Here body shops do the wham bam collision style work so the auto supply stores cater to those guys .I doubt most would know how to use the custom paints and primers that are on the market if they had them available .

[sandsuncritters]

May 15, 2015 2:07:54 GMT @dirtyfingers said:

May 6, 2015 11:46:35 GMT bergere said:

I feel your pain.

Ever since I have moved to this area of VA... businesses, do not seem to want your business... could be, I am not related to anyone. Live in one of "those" areas.
They won't special order.

If you buy things and have them deliver it... 90% of the time.. they don't bring what I ordered or like fence posts.. they bring only badly damaged or bend ones.. useless for fencing.
Then I get.. its wood isn't it. It wasn't what I paid good money for. Ticks me off no end.

I never ever lived in an area, where so many people think it is ok to cheat, steal, over charge and over all be dishonest. Specially to women.

Now drive an hour away and more, to get the things I need.  Anyone that even tries to cheat me... won't get my business.

That is part of living in the country if you weren't born to local parents, go to their schools and churches. Here no one local is interested in talking to an outsider. I've lived here almost 14 years and am still an outsider. I've learned to keep my mouth shut about most everything except the weather and asking who is that. Only outsiders will do business with me. I'll do my business in town after I do my research.

My deal is they refuse to do business with me or hire me, I won't spend my money with them.

Wow, to both of you, I'm so sorry you're experiencing that type of bias. . Around here, what you're calling "outsiders" make up a good portion of our area's customer base.  They are catered to and treated well, because their future business is the lifeblood of our community.  Most "natives" here simply have the knowledge and experience to do or repair stuff themselves or have friends/family they can call on if necessary.  Very little money changes hands.  So outsiders with cash are welcomed with a smile and receive the best we can offer

And Bergere, if anyone around here subjected a woman to the treatment you've received there would be severe financial and social consequences!  Deacons and the Chamber of Commerce reps carry Bibles and business tax lists.

I lived in Coastal Southern Virginia with animals many years ago.  Either my southern roots protected me, or things have changed mightily for worse

In His Love
Mich

[fordy]

..............Folks who live in the country , need a 4 wheel dr. tractor with a frontend loader , preferably 40 to 100 hp !, Next they need a 2 axle hvy duty trailer capable of hauling their tractor and a truck capable of pulling the tractor\trailer , safely .

.............The key to receiving the materials a person picks out to build whatever project on their place , is to , take your trailer to the supplier and require the loaders to load those items While you watch , onto your trailer ! This preempts them from substituting their picks over the customers . , fordy

[Deleted]

May 15, 2015 12:51:49 GMT sandsuncritters said:

May 15, 2015 2:07:54 GMT @dirtyfingers said:

That is part of living in the country if you weren't born to local parents, go to their schools and churches. Here no one local is interested in talking to an outsider. I've lived here almost 14 years and am still an outsider. I've learned to keep my mouth shut about most everything except the weather and asking who is that. Only outsiders will do business with me. I'll do my business in town after I do my research.

My deal is they refuse to do business with me or hire me, I won't spend my money with them.

Wow, to both of you, I'm so sorry you're experiencing that type of bias. . Around here, what you're calling "outsiders" make up a good portion of our area's customer base.  They are catered to and treated well, because their future business is the lifeblood of our community.  Most "natives" here simply have the knowledge and experience to do or repair stuff themselves or have friends/family they can call on if necessary.  Very little money changes hands.  So outsiders with cash are welcomed with a smile and receive the best we can offer

And Bergere, if anyone around here subjected a woman to the treatment you've received there would be severe financial and social consequences!  Deacons and the Chamber of Commerce reps carry Bibles and business tax lists.

I lived in Coastal Southern Virginia with animals many years ago.  Either my southern roots protected me, or things have changed mightily for worse

In His Love
Mich

What I've seen and experienced around here is very poor quality unsatisfactory work and we got your money now go back to the city and give us your stuff you over paid for. Hey they will scarf up anything you are giving away.  I'm very delighted that isn't the case where you live. I can't afford to move anymore. 

[Deleted]

May 15, 2015 14:10:05 GMT fordy said:

..............Folks who live in the country , need a 4 wheel dr. tractor with a frontend loader , preferably 40 to 100 hp !, Next they need a 2 axle hvy duty trailer capable of hauling their tractor and a truck capable of pulling the tractor\trailer , safely .

.............The key to receiving the materials a person picks out to build whatever project on their place , is to , take your trailer to the supplier and require the loaders to load those items While you watch , onto your trailer ! This preempts them from substituting their picks over the customers . , fordy

Great advice. And don't be afraid to go back in and demand your money back or a very good adjustment on price.

[Rustaholic]

May 15, 2015 0:36:31 GMT @fixitguy said:

May 14, 2015 23:05:57 GMT Rustaholic said:

This has been a very funny read for me.
Just today I picked up my 1000 business cards and my 100 - 5 X 7 cards to put up in stores.
My two foot by three foot metal sign will be here in around two weeks.
Yes I am opening my own Small Engine Repair shop.

No offence, but I hope you have a well stocked pantry. Small engine repair is a tough business to make money in. I have a well established repair shop, your first few years in business will be a learning experience~to say the least.

Good luck in your adventure.  Find wholesale company's to buy your parts from before you start.

For the foreseeable future I really do not have to make a profit from this shop.
We are doing fine without it.
There is a place in town that sells parts very reasonably.
I just need to find where they are getting the parts from.
 

[Deleted]

May 15, 2015 22:50:11 GMT Rustaholic said:

May 15, 2015 0:36:31 GMT @fixitguy said:

For the foreseeable future I really do not have to make a profit from this shop.
We are doing fine without it.
There is a place in town that sells parts very reasonably.
I just need to find where they are getting the parts from.
 

Stens & Menominee Industrial supply will be your go to suppliers, central power and magneto power will be your briggs and kohler suppliers. Have a tax I.D. number in hand, I'm pretty sure you can't buy the parts with out it (At least not wholesale pricing)  


Good Luck!

[Rustaholic]

May 16, 2015 2:10:09 GMT @fixitguy said:

May 15, 2015 22:50:11 GMT Rustaholic said:

For the foreseeable future I really do not have to make a profit from this shop.
We are doing fine without it.
There is a place in town that sells parts very reasonably.
I just need to find where they are getting the parts from.
 

Stens & Menominee Industrial supply will be your go to suppliers, central power and magneto power will be your briggs and kohler suppliers. Have a tax I.D. number in hand, I'm pretty sure you can't buy the parts with out it (At least not wholesale pricing)  


Good Luck!

Yup Stens is the parts they were selling to me at a price lower than Foley Belsaw was offering the same parts to me at their supposed to be wholesale pricing.

[elseesd73]

Trellis- I hear you on lawn mower problems. After my Husband passed,I needed a lawn mower that I didn't have to pull a rope on. Hired the yard done, the following Summer and said enough of that. So. I bought a John Deere, self propelled, elect. start, gas mower. Worked great, for about 5 years and then the elect. start wouldn't work. Took forever, to find someone to work on it. John Deere dealership wanted a small fortune, to work on it, so finally found a local guy. Had it for a week, said he had it fixed and picked up. Well, it worked for about 1 cutting and then same thing. Son would come, pull the rope and it started right up. With my RA, I don't do that kind of pulling. One season of fiddling and I quit and gave it away, to someone that had the knowledge to probably fix it but lived a ways away. I bought an electric mower and have a smaller yard, so it does a good job for me.

[Rustaholic]

May 16, 2015 3:00:12 GMT elseesd73 said:

Trellis- I hear you on lawn mower problems. After my Husband passed,I needed a lawn mower that I didn't have to pull a rope on. Hired the yard done, the following Summer and said enough of that. So. I bought a John Deere, self propelled, elect. start, gas mower. Worked great, for about 5 years and then the elect. start wouldn't work. Took forever, to find someone to work on it. John Deere dealership wanted a small fortune, to work on it, so finally found a local guy. Had it for a week, said he had it fixed and picked up. Well, it worked for about 1 cutting and then same thing. Son would come, pull the rope and it started right up. With my RA, I don't do that kind of pulling. One season of fiddling and I quit and gave it away, to someone that had the knowledge to probably fix it but lived a ways away. I bought an electric mower and have a smaller yard, so it does a good job for me.

WOW, Did you call the person that "fixed" it?
If that was me I would be so mad that I had messed up and missed something.
I would have been there ASAP and made that starter work or I would have replaced it free.
A starter isn't that tricky to fix.

[Deleted]

May 15, 2015 2:07:54 GMT @dirtyfingers said:

May 6, 2015 11:46:35 GMT bergere said:

I feel your pain.

Ever since I have moved to this area of VA... businesses, do not seem to want your business... could be, I am not related to anyone. Live in one of "those" areas.
They won't special order.

If you buy things and have them deliver it... 90% of the time.. they don't bring what I ordered or like fence posts.. they bring only badly damaged or bend ones.. useless for fencing.
Then I get.. its wood isn't it. It wasn't what I paid good money for. Ticks me off no end.

I never ever lived in an area, where so many people think it is ok to cheat, steal, over charge and over all be dishonest. Specially to women.

Now drive an hour away and more, to get the things I need.  Anyone that even tries to cheat me... won't get my business.

That is part of living in the country if you weren't born to local parents, go to their schools and churches. Here no one local is interested in talking to an outsider. I've lived here almost 14 years and am still an outsider. I've learned to keep my mouth shut about most everything except the weather and asking who is that. Only outsiders will do business with me. I'll do my business in town after I do my research.

My deal is they refuse to do business with me or hire me, I won't spend my money with them.

And yet, my personal experience has always been that things have always gone smoother for me when moving into a country type area than when I have moved into an urban type area.

When I moved to a remote mountain area in NC, I got along great with the locals even though I was considered by them to be a yankee.  There were one or two buttheads (even the locals considered them to be buttheads), but you will see that wherever you go.  Whenever I have lived in a rural area I just do not want to change it all like some new people do. 

When I moved to Charlotte it was ridiculous.  Within five minutes of talking to someone they were asking me what church I went to, who my parents were, what zip code I lived in, etc.  For the most part the people there were quite shallow.  I hated Charlotte!!!