Shop wise

ly Tr

ir garden

equipment and services

TRIMMERS, power blowers,
hedge clippers, chain saws and
other outdoor power equipment
can make lawn and garden care
much easier. But they can also
cause headaches.

The engine won't start. It work-
ed just fine before you stored it for
the winter, but now it’s making a
funny noise.

Malfunctioning equipment can
cause aggravation and accidents.
And then there may be the in-
convenience and expense of repair-
ing or replacing units.

Interior equipment certainly is
one cause of potential problems;
misuse, improper storage, and in-
adequate maintenance are others.
What’s a gardener to do?

Fortunately, there is a solution:
Become a good consumer. !f you
know how to shop for quality
equipmeni and good service, you
can make wise purchases in the
first plyce, and know what to do
when (o1 before) something goes
wrong.

Shopping for the right dealer is
at least as important as looking for
the right equipment. Naturally, it
helps to chose a well-manufac-
tured piece of equipment with a
good track record for Jongevity.

Cheap equipment is often just
that, but price alone will not tell
you what you need to know about
the product's quality.

That’s the dealer’s job. Com-
parison shop — not only to see
what equipment models and prices
are available, but to see how you
are treated by different sales staffs.

A good salesperson isn’t just in-
terested in selling something. He or
she should care about you, not just
the sales figures.

Look for salespeople who are
willing and able to explain and
compare product features. Explain
what uses you have in mind —
does the salesperson then point out
specific models and features that
will be most appropriate?

Good salespeople are happy,
even eager, to demonstrate the
power equipment or have you try
using it. Using the equipment
yourself is the best way to find out
whether a mower engine is hard to
start, a saw is too heavy for you,
or a blower really can move
autumn leaves without disturbing
your favorite plants. Some dealers
will even let you borrow a
demonstration model to try at
home.

If you experience a product’s
performance before you buy,

f
” Wingless Adult
Carpenter Ant

you're Jess likely to regret your
purchase later. Salespeople should
encourage your research.

Another thing to notice is the
dealer's service facilities. Will you
be able to get fast, reliable service?
{s the dealership proud of its ser-
vice facilities, mentioning them as
an asset? Do the mechanics seem
knowledgeable and willing to
answer your questions?

Dealers who assume their job
stops after you’ve paid for your
new machine are fair weather
friends, whereas a dealer who is
willing to service products well can
make life much easier at repair and
maintenance time.

Speaking of maintenance, how
informative is the dealer about
what you need to do to keep your
equipment in good warking order?

Few consumers are. skilled
mechanics; dealers who realize this
provide instruction in assembling,
using, and caring for the power
equipment they sell.

Insist on learning about how to
change blades, string or chain, add
fuel and oil, store the product, and
when to bring it in for routine
maintenance.

Better yet, find a dealer who
doesn’t make you insist. Good
ones will give you one-to-one in-
struction and/or offer classes in
maintenance and safety.

Hf a dealer says read the manual
when you ask about safety precau-
tions or maintenance procedures,
it's time to shop somewhere else.

A responsible dealer makes ab-
solutely sure that you know how to
handle the product, use car and
eye protection, and store equip-
ment safely,

Buying a reliable, well-made
product from a dealer who is will-
ing to go an extra mile or two to
satisfy you is the way to avoid
power equipment blues.

After all, power equipment is
supposed to be a help in your
garden and lawn work.

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