Bob StefkoBob StefkoWhat no story about how he found a horse's head in his bed! Heck, why not pin a medal on his chest and call it a day. Totally dumbass story.
Everything ok until I came to that part. In my opinion Briggs & Stratton, which used to be quality, has evolved into junk over the years.
Sounds like a good move. By lowering the quality to meet Walmart's price, they'd damage the Snapper name. Sure, they could get mowers built in China for a lot less, but...reputation is big in the outdoor power equipment market.
I've bought cheap Walmart mowers a couple of times. One season is all they have in them. My current mower is a Toro, bought in 1984. Starts on the first pull every time, even now.
I've never owned a Snapper mower, so I can't really comment on them.
--in some respects, we still live in a free country--
Who in their right mind would pay this much for so little?
If someone wants to pay that much, that someone can easily afford to have someone cut their grass!
He could have phoned or sent an email. Wouldn't have had to sit in those uncomfortable chairs.
Walmart=bad I guess.
Saying No to Walmart put my hometown on the map (and the national news). Our little history: the first town to successfully stop Wal-Mart in post Sam Walton era.
Good for Wier. Too bad we don't have more CEO's like him.
Years ago when I was buying my sons bicycles, we would go crazy looking for a model under $100 on sale. It was a big ticket item, only for a birthday or Christmas.
After Walmart came into the market, we bought one for $39. Sure, it wasn't a great bicycle, but heck my sons outgrew them and treated their stuff like garbage anyway.
Sure Walmart fights dirty, and imports cheap stuff, yada, yada, yada. But I love it. I haven't gone to Walmart for 2 months now, and have a shopping list of 8 or 9 things that I can't get for the price anywhere else that I am going to buy today.
This story has everything to do with marketing and very little to do with Wal-Mart.
1. Snapper is correct in trying to maintain its brand image.
2. Wal-Mart is correct in trying to expand its "low cost" product offerings.
Somethings, both sides win by NOT doing business together.
I know of plenty of small businesses that were bankrupted trying to do business with the Big Three (two ?) automakers, especially GM.
Makes sense. I spent several summers working in a hardware store/small engine repair shop. We were also a STIHL dealer.
STIHL won't (or they used to not) let a place sell their products unless they also have a small-engine mechanic on-site to service their products.
"Wier remained CEO of both until last summer, when he resigned to join the private equity firm Kohlberg & Co"..
Code for "he sucked as CEO"..
I read the article at:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html
People call Jim Wier a "hero".
He recognized the market, knew his product and made the choice. Isnt that what youre supposed to do?
The reason this gets so much play is because of the anti-walmart spin.
We all live in a walmart economy...he had to update his manufacturing facility. Fewer people working there, faster production times, more volume than before...yada yada yada. Just becuase he chose not to work with Walmart any longer (remember he was already) doesnt make him or Snapper so much different than others.
What am I missing?
Stefko must have read the infamous pickle story :)
I am curious if Goodyear is doing this too. I have bought 2 sets of Goodyear tires from Sam's Club and they were some of the worst tires I've ever used. I switched back to Michelins and the vibration, irregular wear, and premature wear stopped.
Good luck and good business. Hope you beat the WAL*MART behemoth.
Great article. Have discussed at length with coworkers about quality of similar items. How many mowers are sitting on the curb in our city, every fall because the deck rusted out. My son has refurbished them for cash during summer breaks. Almost all have B&S engines still working well, just the decks rusted thru.
I solved the problem by buying a 2nd hand aluminum deck to
put my B&S engines on. I'm set for life.
Walmart is having manufactures "badge engineer" products for them. I think this started with small boat motors like Mercury "badge engineering" for Western Auto and WA placing the name "Wizard" on the cover. But that was before the quality problems.
Good for you!! Keep up that quality!! Wal Mart is not known for it's quality, that's for dam sure! Other things, just like he said, it's fine. But If you want a good machine to last for years, don't go to wally world.