Bob_Skurka said:
That is why I am not brand loyal. I'm firmly of the opinion that every brand brings something good into the market. And I'm firmly of the opinion that every brand has some problems, some have more and some have less. The DK 35/40/45 series is a great series of tractors (need HST but I hear that is coming) but the CK is no DK.
Well, I can't quite figure out all this quoting stuff, but I have to agree with Bob on the lack of brand loyalty. I think it was Jon Depratt who said he thinks things may be different if the tractors didn't have labels on them. It wouldn't be for me. Not only do I buy the tractor that "feels" and "fits" the best for what I want, but I also keep any dealer from having even a remote feeling that he can take my business for granted.
I don't mean that as an insult to you Jon, since you are obviously a dealer, but I can tell a HUGE difference in the feel of some tractors. The ole Acura (I prefer them over Lexus
)vs the Chevette analogy is a bit long in the tooth, but there is some merit to it. Both are cars that will get you from point A to point B. Heck, they both may even have an automatic transmission and A/C, but they are NOT the same. For me it is the total package. Not just the fit, finish, look, but also the feel and responsiveness and operating smoothness.
Maybe I irritate some dealers because my test drive may be an hour long, but I do buy a lot of tractors. If a dealer doesn't want to put up with my long examination process, other dealers have always been happy to take my money; my checks always clear.
I do not intend to be a jerk to dealers, and all but one dealer I've ever had dealings with still vie for my business. Especially since they know I am a buyer. The one dealer is the guy who told me that if I couldn't decide if I liked the tractor by driving it in a couple of circles in his lot, then I don't know my tractors. The answer there is simple; he does not get any of my money.
Anyway, sorry to be long winded, but I take the test drive process very seriously and it absolutely will make or break the sale for me. Heck, a long time ago when I first test drove zero turn radius mowers, nobody in my area had ever heard of the brand I ended up buying. I took a 2 hour test "mow" on my own lawn, had the mower up on jacks, had half of the body panels off of the mower and made my decision to buy based on what I saw and felt in it's operation. Nevermind that nobody else in my area had ever heard of a front mount diesel powered Grasshopper mower. The brand popularity (or label on the mower) did not mean a thing to me. It's overall quality and operating feel made the choice for me rather easy. Over a thousand hours later I still have that mower and it is surprisingly as tight and mows just as well as the brand new one I bought a few months ago.
So, brands, labels, etc. really do not mean much to me. Track record (if one exists) and the operating feel to me do mean everything. I learned long ago that when I bought mowers and tractors on price, I always lost. Four or five cheap mowers or tractors cost more than one good one. I look at the overall operating cost more so than the actual initial price.