Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I purchased an Ariens snow blower in late August 2003.  For the first winter, the snow blower worked fine....  One month into the second winter, I had problems with the drive systems.  The dealer told me that the friction disk was on deemed an issue with the model and he replaced the friction disk and some other parts.  It worked okay for the rest of the winter....  Well, I am in the third winter about a month and the snow blower is acting the same way it did a year ago... I returned it to the dealer to find out that the drive system needed substantial repairs due to some brass bushing and, according to the dealer, some issue with the way the drive frame was manufacturtured... Or some let that!!

I send the snow blower to the dealer on December 26 and as of today January 16... It is still waiting for the correct parts from Ariens.  The parts were on backorder for about 10 ten days, only to find out that the parts were wrong.  I have called the customer support line and even the district representative several times only to get the same old answer that we will look into the issue... But I still do not have my snow blower back...  

I have read several of the postings on this board and notice that the Ariens sold to Home Depot are deemed to be low quality.  I bought the snow blower from Home Depot, so my first question is- Does Arien's manufacturing lower-quality products to the big box stores? 

Beyond the fact that buying from Home Depot may have been a major mistake, I did get a 3 year warranty.  What has me baffled is the customer service that Ariens provides for the dealers and me.  When the parts came to the dealer, I was told that they tried to contact Ariens for 4 days to get information concerning the parts issue...  As well, my discussion with Ariens customer service has been less than helpful....

When I read excerpts from Dan Ariens stating that”we treat customer like family", I wonder how much of this is hype or truth....  I also thought that Ariens was a top notch quality and customer service driven company?  Or has competition caused a cut back?

Is there any way that I can get someone from Ariens to help (really help)?  Fortunately, central New York has had a mild January so far... I am not sure how much longer I can go without a snow blower...  HELP!!!!

 

 

I dont know about where you live, but around here, most of  the small engine shops are absolute pricks. They are your best friend when you are about to drop $900 bucks on a machine, but when you ask for some advise over the phone, they dont even want to talk to you. " just drop it off" is their reply. I had 2 shops refuse to sell me a belt, because I didnt have a part number. I told them I needed a 41" belt, they kept asking me "what machine is it for?". I said "what does it matter, I need a 41" belt". They refused to sell it to me. Unless you know the reputation of the shop,  I would say that buying from home depot is better than a small shop for one reason and one reason alone. .

1. You get a better price

I didn't buy my machine from HD, but my neighbor did. And his machine runs like a scalded dog. His 9Hp machine will out-blow my 12HP machine. I am on my 2nd ariens machine and I wouldnt own anything but  (unless someone gave me one for free). I would say that you should try another service shop. The one you have been going to is obviously under some impression that you are not in a rush, or they are too overworked to have the time for you, or they didn't fix it right the 1st time, or they just don't give a F*CK! In my opinion, it is usually the latter.

ybriks wrote:
They're the identical machine sold by OPE dealers. But the quality of assembly varies considerably and anecdotally is lower than that provided by specialist dealers.

The other "quality" constraint is not a matter of HD versus an OPE delaer it has to do with the models.

The models at HD are the comsumer grade machines, designed and built for an individual who clears their own driveway. You can get both consumer and professional grade machines at an OPE dealer. The consumer machines are identical. The professional models have a couple of better components, such as the cast iron gear case and a true differential transmission.

I don't know if the steel or bearings are any better in the pro models but I suspect not.

Both are supposed to be quite good, the professional series is just designed for people who do a LOT of clearing

nibbler wrote:

Or you could look at it this way - the Pro machines are for people who like a quality product with extra features and durability.... and are HOPING for a lot of snow.

John Davies
Spokane WA

and people who like heated handlebars and showing off their tools. 

I resemble that remark Oakville!!

the pro models are for those that do alot of snow and need the extra (or want the extra power:))  The deluxe are for the guy like me, who wants the biggest bang for ones buck and still get alot of power and big machine.

Sounds to me like you have a terrible dealer, time to look at others, I was in a similar situation with my dealer taking forever for anytthing, switched dealers and my perception of dealers changed entirely.