Sears is getting prouder of the parts.

[SUKI]

Boy just curiosity in general I was checking a belt size this morning. Boy is Sears proud of the 532178138 belt @ $61.66 when my distributor is listing the retail @ $44.99. I understand that is nearly always a little higher but they are now just taking advantage of their customer base.

I had a customer several years ago that demand me to use Sears parts on his Craftsman mower and even tried suing me for not doing so even though I use the Husqvarna oem parts. Needless to say he lost out as he had to pay my lawyer fees. IJ ust was going to Sears retail when I got a Husqvarna distributor online.

Using the above belt why would I pay $61.66 when can get it from the distributor for $29.25; just doesn't make sense. Even this is a little over $5 increase since last year. Even this is high for a poly belt.

Just venting this morning its been a week of Mondays here and Monday was more Monday than normal too. I just realized today is TAX DAY.

[hanz63]

I've gotten heads up from many of the distributors on various price increases, and every so often they throw in a curve ball that you didn't see coming. Another example, I was going to add the simple 942-0741A MTD WPM blades to my order and did a double take. Cost WAY up, list like $24 now. They were a bit too proud of these for me. If I don't use OEM blades, I tend to go with OEP. I've bought some of the Stens and Rotary this year to give them another try.

[Arkie]

Using a computer to comparison price shop and do reviews of stuff they are selling has and is putting lots of them rip off places out of business.

[Arkie]

Using a computer to comparison price shop and do reviews of stuff vendors are selling has and is putting lots of them rip off places out of business.

I know couple of old guys that repairs lawn tractors and do not know how to use a computer to compare prices of parts, especially V-belts and carbs. It's surprising to me that they have lots of customers that will pay $200 or more for a OEM NEW replacement carb or $80 for a OEM v-belt and then additional to have it installed and their mower not worth much more than the cost of the parts.

[KE4AVB]

I know couple of old guys that repairs lawn tractors and do not know how to use a computer to compare prices of parts, especially V-belts and carbs. It's surprising to me that they have lots of customers that will pay $200 or more for a OEM NEW replacement carb or $80 for a OEM v-belt and then additional to have it installed and their mower not worth much more than the cost of the parts.

I got a brother that resemble that. He was able to patch up equipment and get good price for it without a warranty. When I was fixing mowers for sale with 90 day warranty, all I could get was insult offers. Now that I have quit selling used equipment people are coming by nearly begging for me to sale them a rider and I simply will not even waste my time with them.