What Would It Take?

[Philscbx]

Originally Posted by Inspector507

If I was driving down the main drag or interstate and saw a lot with shiny red Yanmars sitting there, I might pull in and see what kind of winter deal I could find.

Just a couple of thoughts, Buddy. I know, another location is more overhead and everyone is trying to cut that out now days.

I'm the same way.
I'm a road warrior shopper. On Sundays, or after hours, I'll have camera with to make sure I focus on the details I need. Then review later.

If forced to do a fly by, I'll punch the GPS to get there the next tour through.

A well designed sign with arrow and exit # ahead is good enough.
A new location isn't always necessary.
If food & fuel is close, it's a benny as well.
But if I have no idea it's around the bend, and traffic doesn't allow it, then I may have to make a mental note as it passed by.

We will have the motorcycle shows in Feb. in Mpls. It doesn't make much sense really. I talk to vendors I know who say once is enough.

It's a pain when it's 20 below just to attend let alone loading and unloading all the stock.

I find that most of the shows are not well advertised anyway.
About the only notice I get is a email of the event. If I have attended before.

This is where the outer smaller malls are a missed venue I think, and the center sectors filled with cell phone to sun glasses huts, when tractors could just as well be part of the scene.

Auto Dealers take advantage of it.
When Ma and the kids say they are going to the mall, they might hear for the first time "Wait for Me" from Dad? during the Game?
And there is beer just around the corner if it's Happy Hour.

[California]

Wayne, Buck, Ernie (did I miss anybody?),

Maybe you could increase activity a little by emphasizing the dead of winter as Maintenance Season.

Your customers might appreciate a 'Winter Maintenance Special' email or flyer to remind them of repairs that they otherwise would put off until their first Spring project. Maybe belts, hoses, fluids, cooling system flush, etc.

I expect that spending of discretionary income to buy hobby farm tractors will take a while before it comes back to recent levels.

[BruceR]

California has a good point. I know that I have gone from thinking about buying another tractor to just replacing brakes and clutch on my old one. This slack season would be a good time to do it so that I didn't lose out on any seat time in the spring.

Bruce

[rgood]

LMTC - I think Free or Reduced delivery costs would greatly increase your market - If you have delivery mapped into Zones and say that "Zone South Delivery is 50% of full cost" I think that would encourage sales.

Usually this time of year, Diesel fuel costs less than in July - So if you could work a deal with a delivery company, everyone might benefit.

I would have bought from you, if you were closer. Delivery was my obstacle.

[mark777]

Wayne,

Consider these ramblings from an old man but in addition to your "Chalk Board, Buying a Used Tractor, Parts and Implements" (all excellent btw), I would thoroughly enjoy, and feel many would benefit, if you provided a Newsletter.

What I would like to see (in a Newletter from you) are segments that outline scheduled maintenance at 50, 100 or more hours showing a few photos of your mechanic doing:

Fuel system maintenance, photos of the correct fuel filters for that specific model. And, this always amazes me, how to properly (sequentially) bleed the fuel system.
Complete Hydraulic fluid change and service including (more photos) removal, cleaning and replacing the internal filter screen. How that internal screen should look and what a new replacement (photo) looks like.
-Air Filter Service?hy people use a close fit NAPA or Wix filter and the ultimate damage to their engine is beyond me, but If you (or your mechanic with photos) would show why saving $5. Ultimately costs the owner $100.'s and a simple verneer caliper photo to show the decripencies showing the correct fit versus close'ees
-FWD front axle maintenance, fluid levels, suspect or damaged seals, bearings and pictures of replacement parts for the neglected, but rebuild able (essential).
-References, references, references. So TRUE, but would you provide letters from your current and former customers list that include satisfied, trouble free and the few whose had issues you've taken care of?
-And finally, I would really, trully like to see your new inventory and processing as you prepare the tractors for sale. I haven't found anyone that shows this process including belts, hoses, seat, tires , and in the case of the LMTC company, and on several models where you've changed piston rings and radiator replacement. Photos of this does reinforce a dealer's word, integrity and proof that you aren't typical of other dealers that just peddle used tractors (and I know that your NOT).

I realize that I'm asking quite an undertaking and somewhat laborious change in your web-site format, but you are often bruteally honest, none of that 'salesman pretence and I want to see (and others to see) why I always recommend your tractors when they are within delivery distance. I do this with confidence, just as I do with potential buyers in the PNW and I refer Buck and Ernie.

Mark

[LMTC]

Originally Posted by rgood

LMTC - I think Free or Reduced delivery costs would greatly increase your market - If you have delivery mapped into Zones and say that "Zone South Delivery is 50% of full cost" I think that would encourage sales.

Usually this time of year, Diesel fuel costs less than in July - So if you could work a deal with a delivery company, everyone might benefit.

I would have bought from you, if you were closer. Delivery was my obstacle.

Did you ever price delivery from us?

[LMTC]

Originally Posted by mark777

Wayne,

Consider these ramblings from an old man but in addition to your "Chalk Board, Buying a Used Tractor, Parts and Implements" (all excellent btw), I would thoroughly enjoy, and feel many would benefit, if you provided a Newsletter.

What I would like to see (in a Newletter from you) are segments that outline scheduled maintenance at 50, 100 or more hours showing a few photos of your mechanic doing:

Fuel system maintenance, photos of the correct fuel filters for that specific model. And, this always amazes me, how to properly (sequentially) bleed the fuel system.
Complete Hydraulic fluid change and service including (more photos) removal, cleaning and replacing the internal filter screen. How that internal screen should look and what a new replacement (photo) looks like.
-Air Filter Service?hy people use a close fit NAPA or Wix filter and the ultimate damage to their engine is beyond me, but If you (or your mechanic with photos) would show why saving $5. Ultimately costs the owner $100.'s and a simple verneer caliper photo to show the decripencies showing the correct fit versus close'ees
-FWD front axle maintenance, fluid levels, suspect or damaged seals, bearings and pictures of replacement parts for the neglected, but rebuild able (essential).
-References, references, references. So TRUE, but would you provide letters from your current and former customers list that include satisfied, trouble free and the few whose had issues you've taken care of?
-And finally, I would really, trully like to see your new inventory and processing as you prepare the tractors for sale. I haven't found anyone that shows this process including belts, hoses, seat, tires , and in the case of the LMTC company, and on several models where you've changed piston rings and radiator replacement. Photos of this does reinforce a dealer's word, integrity and proof that you aren't typical of other dealers that just peddle used tractors (and I know that your NOT).

I realize that I'm asking quite an undertaking and somewhat laborious change in your web-site format, but you are often bruteally honest, none of that 'salesman pretence and I want to see (and others to see) why I always recommend your tractors when they are within delivery distance. I do this with confidence, just as I do with potential buyers in the PNW and I refer Buck and Ernie.

Mark

Mark, there is one reason I will probably never do that, and it is that it can also serve to help sales of the non-supportive dealer, as they would use our instructions as reference. Anyone who owns a tractor from us knows they can call/email and get that exact help from us if they need it.

Re: "issues", yes, we specifically include customers who have had "problems" that we have resolved. Any seller who says their tractors never have problems either hasn't sold enough or is, umm, well....you know. Lying, yes, that's the word. I have always said the truest measure of a business for me is not WHETHER they have problems, but HOW they resolve them. Ask ritchieb who posted earlier in this thread why his tractor was late. We loaded that morning, and after pulling it down against the trailer, we found a leak around the brake stub axle that had not been leaking on the lot. He had taken off work as I recall, or in some manner arranged his schedule to be there, so I immediately called him and let him make the decision as to how to proceed. We discussed the possibilities, from sending parts and providing phone support, to unloading and doing it here....with this possibility meaning we might not make the delivery that day, as I could not predict what we'd find inside. Bret opted to have us do the job (which was my preference, but I wanted him to have the option). Turned out it was no more than that one seal, and we were loaded back up in a couple hours....but it did make us late. Not much we could do about that, but the customer was informed at every point, and he made the decisions. He has needed a few parts in the nearly two years he has had the tractor, and I think he would give us "thumbs up" for support.

Re: the air filter or other "almost works" or really "doesn't work" issues, my overwhelming experience is that customers are either going to believe me or not. Of those who do not, I really don't think any, and certainly not many, would have been swayed by any pictures. That's just my opinion based on the people I've dealt with.

And you are right, I don't talk to customers with the intent of "tickling their ears". I have no doubt I could sell quite a few more units each year if I was willing to support a shopper's complete misconception about these tractors, but I won't do that. If a shopper indicates a blatant misunderstanding, like "So I understand you can get parts for these at NAPA", some sellers will just say, "yup" and justify themselves knowing that some filters can be had, and even a few bearings and seals if you know how to cross them. Not me....I will tell the customer, as politely as I can, that while they may find a few parts at NAPA, they will not be able to support most of their parts needs there. Just like the sellers who tell people they can get parts from JD, or that a 1610 is fine for pulling a 5' rotary cutter. While I lose sales as a result of my brutal honesty, what I gain is informed customers, and as a result no whining or screaming phone calls from angry customers who find out later that their understanding was wrong. And even more importantly, I am doing what I believe is morally right. Some people reading this may think that is baloney, but I know that you know that is exceedingly important to me because of who I serve.

[rgood]

Originally Posted by LMTC

Did you ever price delivery from us?

No, I never saw this on your website before

"Shipping Arranged for our tractors- $50 minimum $75 Minimum
Within app. 300 miles-$1.75/loaded mile. 300-500 miles--$2.00/loaded mile. Over 500 miles-call"

[LMTC]

Originally Posted by rgood

No, I never saw this on your website before

"Shipping Arranged for our tractors- $50 minimum $75 Minimum
Within app. 300 miles-$1.75/loaded mile. 300-500 miles--$2.00/loaded mile. Over 500 miles-call"

Given a 2-4 week window we can often work out freight to offer a significant reduction, but it's case by case, which is why it says call. We can't honestly advertise a set price for a remote delivery and still offer the lowest price possible. We have sold tractors as far away as Texas, Louisiana, & Iowa. Also to the east coast. But again, this is the brutal honesty that mark777 refers to....I won't advertise something I know I can't be sure of, so the best we can do is search for freight options at the time a shopper inquires. Given a reasonable window, we usually come up with something.

[tractorErnie]

California, we have free delivery for 50 miles, and we have a lot of maintenance work going now too.

Its just the sales have slowed down, we anticipated this happening about last Sept, so we adjusted our buying to fit the hard times ahead.

Its OK, I enjoy the time off after 14 yrs of it.