Echo, quality no more
RE: Echo string trimmer heads. They used to have great, time saving trimmer heads. They had a 400, then a 450 which was great. Then they introduced a 500 head. What a problematic pc. of GARBAGE. Seems there is a big metal pc in the top of the unit that transfers all the heat from the gear box in to all the plastic parts of the trimmer heads. This heat melts the trimmer line so it won't feed. Then it melts the spool for the string and when it gets hot enough it starts to melt and warp the top plates that ride on the bearing plates. Echo is aware of this and is trying???? to fix it. meanwhile they stopped making the 450 head. I spent an hour on the phone with echo and they have no solution. They absolutely refused to honor my 5 year warranty on this part even though it is clearly defective. The lady just laughed at me when I said I wanted it replaced. She gave me a number to call to get replacement parts, The voice box is full and no one answers the phone 6 calls later and still no answer. So now if I want to use my $400 trimmer I have to spend $49 for another 500 head (my third) That probably will not last another season. I hate to think they did this on purpose to create an easy income flow. I could not figure out why all the small dealers have stopped selling echo. So I asked a former seller and he told me echo was the worst for warranty repair. Won't send parts, won't reimburse the dealers, and their prices no longer reflect product value for the cost.