Visiting my dealer this weekend to pick-up a few filters, I got to talking with the 65+ Y.O. Tech about brands on the market and he let me in on some secrets. The most disappointing was that as a major dealer of most name brands that he has first hand experience with- there is no difference in quality, integrity or engineering (or lack there-of) between brands of a family, just different levels of features, creature comforts and components. He said that goes for the Deeres, AYP’s, MTD’s, Sears, Simplicities/AGCO/MF …everyone.
In my disbelieve (actually horror), I told him that I bought a Husqvarna because I was told that it was a premium brand…head and shoulders above Poulan Pro, Jonsered, Sears and the MTD’s. He laughed and said that the only difference in my machine was the Kawasaki engine, plusher seat, more creature comforts and a powder coated deck. But the quality, integrity, engineering and assembly is unchanged according to him. No better quality of materials, no better design, no tighter tolerances, etc. and that essentially - all I’m paying more for is more marketing, different/extra features and flashy orange paint!
Now I know there has to be value added with the Kawasaki plant, and the additional features but I am beginning to think that the extra quality I bought is all in my mind! Thoughts anyone? Are we all just victims of marketing hype and colors of paint? What about Cub owners? Yikes!
Cannon
In my disbelieve (actually horror), I told him that I bought a Husqvarna because I was told that it was a premium brand…head and shoulders above Poulan Pro, Jonsered, Sears and the MTD’s. He laughed and said that the only difference in my machine was the Kawasaki engine, plusher seat, more creature comforts and a powder coated deck. But the quality, integrity, engineering and assembly is unchanged according to him. No better quality of materials, no better design, no tighter tolerances, etc. and that essentially - all I’m paying more for is more marketing, different/extra features and flashy orange paint!
Now I know there has to be value added with the Kawasaki plant, and the additional features but I am beginning to think that the extra quality I bought is all in my mind! Thoughts anyone? Are we all just victims of marketing hype and colors of paint? What about Cub owners? Yikes!
Cannon