Hello
We’re not quite there yet, but very soon.
We definitely need a lawn mower for the summer, but we’re not sure which one to get. I’ve done a bit of research but haven’t made much progress.
Lawn area: about 250m² (2700 sq ft), maximum 300m² (3200 sq ft)
Previously, as renters, we had an old corded electric mower. The advantage was that it was very quiet, didn’t require gasoline, and was easy to start (just push a lever and go). The downside, of course, is that you can’t run over the cable, which can also be annoying as it’s always in the way.
Then there are battery-powered mowers, which don’t have a cord. However, I have doubts about the battery life and the fact that after 2-3 years, the battery capacity tends to deteriorate significantly. Eventually, the battery may no longer be able to mow the entire lawn in one go. Also, battery mowers generally have less power than gas mowers.
That leaves the typical gas mower, preferably self-propelled. The advantage is that there are no cables to get in the way. The downside, in my opinion, is that starting often requires a strong pull on the cord (not ideal for women or children), and you have to store gasoline safely. On the plus side, it has the most power and can easily handle taller grass if you’ve been a bit lazy.
We haven’t really settled on a brand yet. I’d like to get a robotic mower in a few years, but my partner isn’t convinced. Still, 250m² (2700 sq ft) is manageable with a good traditional mower.
Do you have any recommendations? Is it worth buying these devices online in terms of price?
We’re not quite there yet, but very soon.
We definitely need a lawn mower for the summer, but we’re not sure which one to get. I’ve done a bit of research but haven’t made much progress.
Lawn area: about 250m² (2700 sq ft), maximum 300m² (3200 sq ft)
Previously, as renters, we had an old corded electric mower. The advantage was that it was very quiet, didn’t require gasoline, and was easy to start (just push a lever and go). The downside, of course, is that you can’t run over the cable, which can also be annoying as it’s always in the way.
Then there are battery-powered mowers, which don’t have a cord. However, I have doubts about the battery life and the fact that after 2-3 years, the battery capacity tends to deteriorate significantly. Eventually, the battery may no longer be able to mow the entire lawn in one go. Also, battery mowers generally have less power than gas mowers.
That leaves the typical gas mower, preferably self-propelled. The advantage is that there are no cables to get in the way. The downside, in my opinion, is that starting often requires a strong pull on the cord (not ideal for women or children), and you have to store gasoline safely. On the plus side, it has the most power and can easily handle taller grass if you’ve been a bit lazy.
We haven’t really settled on a brand yet. I’d like to get a robotic mower in a few years, but my partner isn’t convinced. Still, 250m² (2700 sq ft) is manageable with a good traditional mower.
Do you have any recommendations? Is it worth buying these devices online in terms of price?
Our local lawn mower specialist shop also offers a large selection of used machines. Serviced. With a warranty. At very reasonable prices, and new models are not overpriced either.
When I eventually get the garden shed, I’ll buy the new mower from the local dealer. Driving time: 8 minutes maximum.
Most likely, I’ll buy a used mower—typical Swabian thriftiness. The resource is already there, the machine works. What more could I want? Plus, I save money.
The guy knows his stuff, really knowledgeable, and makes an effort for the customer. He was also kind enough to get the “wreck” I found back up and running completely. For little money.
I will buy from there to help keep businesses like this alive.
Also, I’m not interested in buying at a hardware store (or online) just to save 50 or 100 euros and then have to take the mower to the specialist shop for maintenance later. I find that embarrassing. I just can’t do that. I won’t maintain the mower myself, as I have much better things to do with my time. The mower goes in the trunk, straight to the workshop. Done.
Best regards
Thorsten
When I eventually get the garden shed, I’ll buy the new mower from the local dealer. Driving time: 8 minutes maximum.
Most likely, I’ll buy a used mower—typical Swabian thriftiness. The resource is already there, the machine works. What more could I want? Plus, I save money.
The guy knows his stuff, really knowledgeable, and makes an effort for the customer. He was also kind enough to get the “wreck” I found back up and running completely. For little money.
I will buy from there to help keep businesses like this alive.
Also, I’m not interested in buying at a hardware store (or online) just to save 50 or 100 euros and then have to take the mower to the specialist shop for maintenance later. I find that embarrassing. I just can’t do that. I won’t maintain the mower myself, as I have much better things to do with my time. The mower goes in the trunk, straight to the workshop. Done.
Best regards
Thorsten
Jochen104 schrieb:
@Bauexperte
In this specific case (lawn mower), I knew exactly what I wanted and what to look out for. I did that and saved about 150 euros compared to a comparable model at a hardware store (not a specialist store). Those 150 euros weren’t worth the advice at the hardware store to me, so I skipped it altogether.It was precisely because of this hardware store advice that I changed my mind from a petrol mower to a battery-powered mower. That decision/advice ended up costing me 180 euros, as the mower was discarded after 1.5 years. Ultimately, 90% of such advice aims at maximizing the company’s revenue/profit rather than what the customer truly wants, and that’s exactly why I dislike consultations and prefer to research what I need online (e.g., tests and Amazon reviews). Of course, there are also salespeople who genuinely advise you, but you have to find them first.
When I shop online, I try to avoid Amazon and eBay so that the profit and taxes stay in the country. In this case, my new lawn mower came from the online shop of a smaller hardware chain near my parents’ place.
N
nasenmann29 Apr 2016 11:13It never hurts to research and gather information yourself. As I mentioned at the beginning, I ended up choosing a Viking. Why? Because the dealer in the neighboring town sells Viking. If it had been Honda or Husqvarna, I would have chosen one of those. But this depends on having the necessary knowledge about the equipment. Just as this dealer only recommended Viking to me (which makes sense), and he gave me very good advice and was knowledgeable about the model, a sales assistant at a hardware store (if I had been able to find anyone there) would have promoted whichever brand offered the highest profit margin.
nasenmann schrieb:
That wasn’t meant to be derogatory either.I didn’t take it that way either.
nasenmann schrieb:
It never hurts to do your own research. As I already mentioned at the beginning, I ended up with a Viking. Why? Because the dealer in the neighboring town sells Viking. If it had been Honda or Husqvarna, I would have chosen one of those. But it requires having the necessary knowledge about the equipment. Just as this dealer would have advised me on no other brand than Viking (and he was very knowledgeable and competent regarding the model), a hardware store salesperson (if I had found anyone there) would have pushed whatever brand has the highest margin.Since my wife has also worked/is working in a hardware store, I’ll comment on this with the standard phrase from my law professor: “It depends.” As far as she told me, she didn’t receive any sales targets and didn’t know about margin differences between products. Of course, she was happy when customers bought a €1,000 (about $1,100) outdoor furniture set (though she doesn’t know what kind of margin they make on that). Well – since our second child, she’s been working “only” on a 450-euro basis (part-time, low hours) and is now mostly at the checkout (originally, she planned to return as specialist staff, but that failed due to daycare hours and the store’s opening times). Maybe this will change again.
It depends on the employee’s professional background in the hardware store. Is the employee someone with a professional background (gardener, landscape gardener, or technical background) or has long experience in the field? I wouldn’t underestimate store-trained apprentices either. If someone without practical experience is hired, they can only pass on knowledge from “internal training” or what they have learned from colleagues over time. From the hardware store’s perspective, hiring someone without practical experience is cost-effective since they are paid differently than a skilled worker.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Today, even in our town (about 8,000 residents), things look similar to larger cities, just on a much smaller scale. The businesses that still survive are mainly family-owned companies where the property is owned, and a good reputation has been built and maintained over generations. I’m grateful for that because these family businesses truly focus on customer care, which is why I choose to shop there. To be honest, I’m not interested at all. I don’t see any added value locally. In fact, I often feel more likely to be taken advantage of or misled in person than in the highly competitive online market. On the internet, Amazon can’t sell me a 2-year-old Samsung TV model as new because I can check the manufacturer’s website myself. But a local store will even insist they are right about the current model, even when you show them the manufacturer’s page on your phone.
Furthermore, I work in a job that benefits from the internet boom. We build machines that transport large products or develop systems needed in every warehouse logistics setup. If no local shop remains, my job is not affected.
I only find local stores acceptable if they truly offer added value compared to online shopping—for example, if I can physically touch, test, or simply handle the products. Most sales advisors can be grouped together: they try not to sell me the best product for my needs, but the one that’s most profitable for the seller. In exceptional deluxe specialist stores, you might still find genuine advisors who take time and don’t push the most expensive item. Honestly, that happened to me only once in the past five years when buying a projector. I had two appointments with the advisor: the first with my partner just to see what was available, then “just taking a look” with two offers, and a week later I went back with a friend and spent two hours there watching a movie while switching between two to three projectors. The owner clearly showed genuine interest in his products. In the end, I bought a projector from him—actually cheaper than online. These devices aren’t cheap if you want quality, and I’m still very happy with it today!
Back to the topic of lawnmowers:
I spoke with my father, who strongly advises against all the “big-box store stuff.” He has a Husqvarna he bought for €1,500 (about $1,600) two years ago and says it’s just junk that clogs constantly. He is a demanding customer, though, since his lawn areas should really be measured in hectares. He offered that we could use his lawnmower for now until we buy a proper one next year. He has a few more mowers in his collection.
We do have a true specialist lawnmower retailer locally, but I’ll probably only visit them later when we really need something.
Payday schrieb:
I find local stores acceptable when they truly offer added value compared to online shopping. For example, when I can actually touch, try out, or simply handle the items.Yes, all those chains that nowadays uniformly dominate every cityscape (sadly, they all look the same): no added value. I often buy the things they offer online as well.
In the local home improvement store of a large chain: after several years in Velbert (construction, living), I know my “regulars” there. There are very good people whom I turn to with questions (and I sometimes wait 30 minutes until they are free).
The lawn mower (garden machinery) store where I go: it provides added value, so I definitely support it.
At the trusted electronics market: same with the home improvement store, I know the sales rep for hi-fi/TV well by now, and he knows me. I always get good advice there. The last TV he sold me was a great recommendation, at a great price (cheaper than online). Otherwise, I talk to them and sometimes show a webpage: I immediately get the internet price, usually with an additional 5-10% off. So why order online when you can support local jobs by buying locally?
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