Granted there is no free lunch...but if you are unable to get the price reduced for a cash purchase then the there is no free lunch point is moot.
In the example I gave the price was the best I could negotiate. Not sure about Kubota, as I negotiated the best price I could when I bought my B2910, and did not think to ask about zero percent financing, and I paid cash. Perhaps a mistake on my part. Also did not think about Kubota insurance. Fortunately never needed it.
Paying a higher price just to get zero percent financing would be silly, IF one has the cash in hand. But if the price is the same, financing at zero percent and letting your cash earn some interest somewhere can make sense.
Is it really true that there is usually a discount if you pay cash for a Kubota tractor? Does Kubota only finance tractors at zero percent if purchased at the list price? Will Kubota refuse financing if the dealer sells at a discount?
Do not know...but I do know if you can pay the same amount over time as you would pay in cash on day one, you will be ahead by paying over time, IF you let the cash balance work for you over the finance period.