NuBota
Gold Member
I think a source like Barlows is great, if you know what you are doing. I did not know about them when I bought and I definately did not know a thing about tractors. I did some "technical" and price research online. Got a good feeling for price points for my area (as well as across the country)
I went to the dealer twice, bought on the second visit - I did not dicker. Told the guy what I wanted to do and that I thought that the BX24 was a good fit. He asked me some questions and essentially anticipated and answered all of mine. He handed me a quote, right inline with what I expected to pay, threw in some extras (toothbar and BH thumb which I would never have thought to ask about), and said he would leave me alone to think it over. Wife and I went to lunch, discussed, and went back and bought.
I don't regret it - get treated very well by everyone in the shop whenever I go in - many times just to browse and ask questions. The owner remembered my name even though I only spoke to him briefly, once. This is a good feeling being a complete noob - dealer answering stupid questions without an attitude like, "dumb homeowner".
I feel now I have enough expertise to by from someone like Barlows, but I would still give my dealer first crack - for the same reason mentioned earlier - good local dealer, I want to keep him around. The savings would have to be significant to make me go elsewhere. If I paid $1000 too much (which I doubt)on my first go around, so be it - another $28 dollars a month at 0% - I look at it like a kind of insurance.
I will haggle if the situation calls for it - I used to haggle hard on any major purchase - but what you end up saving generally, to me, doesn't seem worth the effort most times
I went to the dealer twice, bought on the second visit - I did not dicker. Told the guy what I wanted to do and that I thought that the BX24 was a good fit. He asked me some questions and essentially anticipated and answered all of mine. He handed me a quote, right inline with what I expected to pay, threw in some extras (toothbar and BH thumb which I would never have thought to ask about), and said he would leave me alone to think it over. Wife and I went to lunch, discussed, and went back and bought.
I don't regret it - get treated very well by everyone in the shop whenever I go in - many times just to browse and ask questions. The owner remembered my name even though I only spoke to him briefly, once. This is a good feeling being a complete noob - dealer answering stupid questions without an attitude like, "dumb homeowner".
I feel now I have enough expertise to by from someone like Barlows, but I would still give my dealer first crack - for the same reason mentioned earlier - good local dealer, I want to keep him around. The savings would have to be significant to make me go elsewhere. If I paid $1000 too much (which I doubt)on my first go around, so be it - another $28 dollars a month at 0% - I look at it like a kind of insurance.
I will haggle if the situation calls for it - I used to haggle hard on any major purchase - but what you end up saving generally, to me, doesn't seem worth the effort most times