When the only tool you know is a hammer...

[SnowRidge]

PT would have to raise the prices significantly if they had a dealer network. As it is, they only have a two person sales force. A best, they could cut that to one, so they would not get any great cost reduction from having dealers, but they would have to provide for dealer markup. The machines' list prices could only increase.

They would also have significantly higher warranty costs. They would have to absorb all the labor expense that is now being provided by their customers, either through them working on their own machines, or by hiring the work done. The dealers would do that work, and they would have to be paid. PT would have to drop their parts costs, which would cost them profit margin. Parts prices are unreasonable now. Add dealer markup and they would have a revolt on their hands if the charged those same prices to the dealers.

Frankly, I'm not sure what kind of dealers would be willing to take on the PT line given PT's business practices, uneven quality control, and unwillingness to fix basic design flaws like the cracking brush cutter decks. It would be interesting to know who some of their former dealers were, and to hear their opinions of the company.

 

[MossRoad]

Kent hit on a few good points...

1. My videos ARE most excellent!
2. I would not have bought one sight unseen, either, even if I had seen my most excellent videos, first. I could not possibly put down money on something I did not touch first. I was lucky to just stumble across TBN at the time I was looking for a tractor, read a post on Power Tracs, then saw one about a week later in use in my home town by a local landscaper, who happened to want to sell two of them to buy a bigger one. His deal fell through with the bank so I bought new.
3. If something would happen to Terry (knock on wood) I would have to ask you guys! Come on... we can figure out anything!

I have a story about factory direct VS dealers...

I attempted to buy an ice fishing shelter a few weeks ago... We went to a chain sporting goods store (rhymes with RICK'S) and they had the one I wanted for $269.00. Then we went to a famous local store a bit further out of town and they had them for $279.00. $10.00 more to a local store is fine with me, so I asked them for one. They checked and the floor model was the only one left. They had no box, no manual and gosh knows how many people had walked through the thing. When I asked if they could knock off a bit for the floor model, they said NOPE. So I told them I would head back home and buy it at the other store for $10.00 less. They said have a nice day. So, we go back to Rick's (not real name) and they tell me their's is the floor model, too, but they cannot sell it. They cannot order me one. They cannot tell me when they are getting any more in. They can give me a rain check for the price, but it may never come in.

So, I call the factory that makes them and tell them my story. Rick's cancelled their order for the rest of the year and the local company isn't getting any more, either. I ask if I can buy one factory direct and they say sure. "How much?" I ask. $269.00, but shipping is a killer. "How much is shipping?" I ask. $19.95! Heck! I spent that much on lunch with my 11 year old daughter while looking for the stupid things. That was on Friday. Monday it was on my back porch! Same kind of deal with Power Trac. I ordered it on a Friday and it was in my garage on Tuesday.

There really is something to be said for factory direct as long as you know what you are getting yourself into before hand. That is why I tell people that the Power Trac may not be for them if they do not enjoy working on equipment themselves. I think I have discouraged way more folks from buying them than taking the plunge. They really do need hands on from the owner. But I knew that before hand and enjoy that kind of work, so I bought.

 

[SnowRidge]

Nice post, but I blame you for my purchase.

We need sound effects. Where's that Easy Button (TM) when I need it.

 

[BobRip]

"How much is shipping?" I ask. $19.95! Heck! I spent that much on lunch with my 11 year old daughter while looking for the stupid things.

Money well spent on the lunch and time with daughter, even if you did not buy a tent.

Actually, I think you can only appreciate the PT by seeing or doing a project. I was kidding around at Church about who takes over maintenance if I die, and two people said right away "I get your tractor".

 

[KentT]

Actually, I think you can only appreciate the PT by seeing or doing a project.

That's why I think the best potential dealers would be equipment/tool rental places. Note that not just consumers/homeowners use those rental places, but also small contractors who have then need for a specialized piece of equipment, a temporary replacement while another one is down, or to handle "peak demand" situations...

A great sales scheme would be "try before you buy" -- for example, credit up to two days rental charges toward the purchase of a new one...

 

[BobRip]

That's why I think the best potential dealers would be equipment/tool rental places. Note that not just consumers/homeowners use those rental places, but also small contractors who have then need for a specialized piece of equipment, a temporary replacement while another one is down, or to handle "peak demand" situations...

A great sales scheme would be "try before you buy" -- for example, credit up to two days rental charges toward the purchase of a new one...

Sounds like a good scheme. Do we have an idea how PT is doing. The new show room was a good sign a few years back. Does anybody have data on sales, employee numbers, inventory, etc. Maybe they need to expand first at home to go big time. If we knew how sales were doing then we might have an idea where they are going with the business. Sorry If I am hijacking this thread.

 

[SpringHollow]

Thanks to MossRoad's videos and this forum, i bought my used PT sight unseen since it was in Alabama (which is probably a ways from New York in more ways than one). But i read almost every forum post first. So it was fairly clear what i was getting myself into.

Ken

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks to MossRoad's videos and this forum, i bought my used PT sight unseen since it was in Alabama (which is probably a ways from New York in more ways than one). But i read almost every forum post first. So it was fairly clear what i was getting myself into.

Ken

Thats a big 10-4! I did exactly the same, except i don't live in New York and didn't buy one from Alabam.

 

[MossRoad]

Anyone been following the What's your favorite 3pt implement thread? Here's my reply to it...

Your favorite implement? - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

pretty soon we're gonna see you in a skirt and waving pom poms in the air!

Anyone been following the What's your favorite 3pt implement thread? Here's my reply to it...

Your favorite implement? - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com