People buy the low-end Stihl's just to have the name brand, but the low-end models are not reliable OR well-built, compared to others. When I went to the Dealer for service, and they see it's a low-end "consumer" model, they just shrugged me off like when you have a Harley Sportster, and not a "real" Harley.

After the Stihl 021 chain saw I bought, I'd never buy another Stihl anything again after the way I've been treated.

Very Briefly.

Bought a chainsaw in 2005.
Used it sparingly for domestic use cutting a few branches for my log fires.
It broke.
Wouldn't oil the chain.

Was told by service agents that a bearing had broken and this had hit the casing, cracking it, causing oil to flow out and not into lubricating the chain.
Cost as much to replace casing as buy new one.

I phoned Stihl, they said two year gurantee on home use, so they spoke to agents.

Agents told them I'd used engine oil in my oil tank - I hadn't.
Agents told them the saw had been used with the brake on and this had caused the case to melt - they told me above. Bear in mind they'd already charged me nearly £80 for replacing bearing and clutch parts.

Stihl eventually picked up saw for checking.

3 months later and they still haven't told me what's wrong with it.

I even had an email 11 days ago saying that it had come back from the workshop and I'd have another email in the next day or two.

I've sent emails requesting an update they just get ignored.

I've been without my saw for over 6 months now.

Stihl customer service? What customer service. I'd recommend anyone to steer well clear of any Sthil product in the UK, if not and you get treated like me you'll wish you'd taken my advice.

I'm off to buy any other make of chainsaw, it's bound to last longer than my Stihl did and not cost me anywhere near as much.