This sounds like a Stihl mechanic talking. Sorry, my experience is quite different. .
I have two Lowes bought Husqvarna string trimmers that I have run the **** out of. I have a Husky chainsaw that runs like a champ. All of them start easy and run strong, and have for a few years.
The straight shaft 2 stroke Husky string trimmer they sell for about $220 at Lowes is a great trimmer. I think it's a 323L It won the"string trimmer shootout" a few years ago - I think in popular mechanics and and one other, so I know I'm not the only one who likes them.
Sorry to say, but I'm less impressed with Stihl. I have a three year old Stihl "professional" blower - BG86, that is hard to start and is literally falling apart after fairly light use. Every piece of Stihl equipment I have owned is harder to start than anything else I own. Parts are pretty expensive from the dealer. .I will admit that most stihl dealers know their stuff, but I'm just not seeing that they are any better than other brands.
To be honest - I've been working for this place about 6 months - not partial to them personally, just what I'm seeing first hand fixing all these brands (and I don't actually fix most of the Stihl since we have a stihl gold level mechanic on staff).
I've also had lengthy conversations with another local shop who is a Husky dealer about many issues, especially on brands we formally didn't service, like Husky and Echo.
Open up the pull start on a Lowes Husky and compare it to the pull start in your chainsaw - big difference and it will be obvious. that ought to give you an idea of how much they cheapen certain designs for the big boxes. If you read the professionals forums for the industries (tree work, landscaping, etc) you'll find out what holds up and what doesn't as well as what models are pro line and which are home owner line for every maker.
Was actually leaning toward a Husky saw and a Ryobi trimmer set to replace my McCulloch PM610 and other Rybi trimmer before I started working in the industry. also for full disclosure, I own quite a few trimmers and chain saws (and mini tillers) - ryobi (6-7), Mcculloch (60's, 80's), Homelite (80's) - just bought my first Stihl (fs45 trimmer) from a coworker who didn't want his extended family "borrowing" it and didn't need it since his brother thought a Troybuilt was better and wanted to use it instead.
Every dealer is different - we are all independent stores and businesses that carry Stihl, or Redmax, or pro grade Husky (or tanaka, shindiawa, etc) and the unscrupulous actions of an individual are not a reflection on anything other than that individual.
you also have to take the PM reviews and awards with a grain of salt. Most magazines are limited in scope, knowledge, depth, and scientific knowledge and method when doing these tests - Consumer Reports especially despite their well known status falls victim to those pitfalls often and most readers don't pick up on it or the article is written such they are know letting you know.
That said - I also own and have worked my 2nd gen Dodge Ram diesel pickup since I got it (2nd owner at 2 years old) and have not experienced the same issues, or the issues to the same degree as many other owners who were on the forums and net when they were current model trucks. Does everyone who plows snow actually know how to plow snow? - no, just like many who work in construction have no clue what they're doing, same with many auto repair shops... that factors in as well as the loudest comments people hear are always complaints (because happy people are usually quiet where unhappy people complain) all factor into YMMV.
I'm just trying to provide input from many hours participating in serious professional forums (lawnsite/plowsite/arborsite, etc), working on said machines as a hobby and for a living, and talking to and learning from others who do and have been working on these things for a living - several of who have been doing so longer than I have been alive.
No matter what anyone here says the op, like the rest of us, must make up his/her own mind.
