[...]
does your dealer have an actual small engine repair shop?
Or do they just sell mowers on the side?
Both factors vary.
The bigger dealers have like a service bay for assembly
and minor items like belt changes. The repairs they sub out.
Factory shops have fully equipped and trained professionals in
"back of house". Usually excellent they also charge maybe 20%
above the standard rate. You need insurance to do "out of warranty"
work with those outfits.
Engine repair workshops often have a set line with a few
products on the floor and a huge list of products signed/displayed
they will not work on. The sign usually goes like " Do not even ask"..
and the list follows. I usually source my spares from those guys, filters
oils, blades, springs, tyres etc etc.
Then you have the majority, aspiring wannabees flogging to death a few
broken down ex-lawn operators supplemented with a sprinkle of juvinile
hopefuls struggling with lefthanded wrenches and righthanded vicegrips!
Out front it is all glitter and rock music with the brand stock changing
manufacturer every other year.
It is worth the drive to go to a showroom where the floor owns some
grime stained pathways to "back of house" and no "Staff Only"
on display. Well from a retired mechanic's POV. 0MMV.