Delivery and set up charges on new equipment?

[ajd187]

In the spring I bought a new X320 lawn tractor from the local JD dealership.

Now I am in the market for a snowblower set up for this machine.

I got a quote from the same dealer, with retail prices on the blower and related accessories (winter grill cover and rear weights).

However, they also quoted me setup and delivery charges. Combined this comes to almost $200.

I don't think I want to pay all or any of that since I'm buying new equipment from them, and I'm a repeat customer. Would it be reasonable to ask them to cut back on this somehow? I understand they pretty much have to charge retail on the smaller equipment, but it seems to me that these set up charges are just profit for them.

 

[smstonypoint]

I don't think I want to pay all or any of that since I'm buying new equipment from them, and I'm a repeat customer. Would it be reasonable to ask them to cut back on this somehow? I understand they pretty much have to charge retail on the smaller equipment, but it seems to me that these set up charges are just profit for them.

And as a bargaining chip in my experience. I was recently in the market for a ZTR and found that when negotiating price, dealers would sometimes say, "OK, we will waive the setup/destination fee of $xxx."

Steve

 

[sweettractors]

In the spring I bought a new X320 lawn tractor from the local JD dealership.

Now I am in the market for a snowblower set up for this machine.

I got a quote from the same dealer, with retail prices on the blower and related accessories (winter grill cover and rear weights).

However, they also quoted me setup and delivery charges. Combined this comes to almost $200.

I don't think I want to pay all or any of that since I'm buying new equipment from them, and I'm a repeat customer. Would it be reasonable to ask them to cut back on this somehow? I understand they pretty much have to charge retail on the smaller equipment, but it seems to me that these set up charges are just profit for them.

How far are you from the dealer? Ken Sweet

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

It"s just another way for the store to make money after the price is already set for the deal. In my mind, same as the "Documentation Charge" or various other names that car stores add on as a non-negotiable charge for the business office to fill out the paperwork.

I wonder how long it will be before the tractor stores get on the bandwagon of "etching" of the VIN number for which they charge a few hundred non-negotiable dollars.

Son just bought a new Traverse. As I understand, if he took the financing package there was going to be a $500 non-negotiable charge for the "walk away" insurance on the loan.

There were no PDI etc charges when I bought my TLB.

 

[radman1]

I bought a kawasaki atv several years ago. The dealer "setup fee" was $250 and he wasn't going to budge and the price he asking with setup fee was over MRSP. I went online and paid a fee to determine the dealer cost for that atv and other charges. At that time Kawasaki allowed $45 for set up of an atv. (There isn't much to set up.) I figure the rest was pure profit. Went to another store which waived the fee completely.
A new tractor also does not have a lot of setup time.

 

[brain55]

A new tractor also does not have a lot of setup time.

I'm going to argue this point. When a compact utility tractor comes to the dealer it is in a crate. To uncrate, assemble and pre-deliver a Kubota tractor on the average takes 4 hours. If that machine gets a loader that takes another 4 hours to be done properly. A Grand L or M series can take a bit longer. Implements depending on what it is can take a couple of hours. Snowblowers depend on how complex they are. Does it have a fixed chute, is it a hand crank cable driven chute, or is it a hydraulic chute? What state of disassemble is it shipped it? Even the most basic blower probably takes 2 hours.

I realize many people think the dealers are robbing them blind, I have news for you, in the 12 years I spent working at equipment dealers nobody was being robbed.

Brian

 

[sweettractors]

I'm going to argue this point. When a compact utility tractor comes to the dealer it is in a crate. To uncrate, assemble and pre-deliver a Kubota tractor on the average takes 4 hours. If that machine gets a loader that takes another 4 hours to be done properly. A Grand L or M series can take a bit longer. Implements depending on what it is can take a couple of hours. Snowblowers depend on how complex they are. Does it have a fixed chute, is it a hand crank cable driven chute, or is it a hydraulic chute? What state of disassemble is it shipped it? Even the most basic blower probably takes 2 hours.

I realize many people think the dealers are robbing them blind, I have news for you, in the 12 years I spent working at equipment dealers nobody was being robbed.

Brian

I stopped counting about 10 years ago whenI got to 75 dealers closed in central Ky. This included the 10 piece dealer selling out of his garage and the mega dealers with main lines and 3-4 locations. I sold many new 10-12K tractors and cleared $500. If you guys think the machiney business is a gold mine, think again. Ken Sweet

 

[radman1]

I'm going to argue this point. When a compact utility tractor comes to the dealer it is in a crate. To uncrate, assemble and pre-deliver a Kubota tractor on the average takes 4 hours. If that machine gets a loader that takes another 4 hours to be done properly. A Grand L or M series can take a bit longer. Implements depending on what it is can take a couple of hours. Snowblowers depend on how complex they are. Does it have a fixed chute, is it a hand crank cable driven chute, or is it a hydraulic chute? What state of disassemble is it shipped it? Even the most basic blower probably takes 2 hours.

I realize many people think the dealers are robbing them blind, I have news for you, in the 12 years I spent working at equipment dealers nobody was being robbed.

Brian

Kubota's do come in a crate and need to have the wheels put on. JD's will be delivered on a truck with wheels attached and basically ready to use. Dealer may have to wash the tractor, and change wheel setting (although most buyers never change wheel setting. If I order a JD CUT only, it will have a dealer setup charge (I think they call it a roll-off fee). A flat fee for just the tractor. I don't consider time to put on FEL, or an attachment as part of the setup charge. That charge should be in the price of the FEL, or whatever attachment. The setup for a JD seems to be check the fluids, tire pressure ect. There is not much that needs to be done.

Like I said earlier, Kawasaki allowed $45 to uncrate an ATV and setup. The dealer wanted $250. Who gets the other $205-the dealer.

I bought a used New Holland Wheel loader for $51k this summer in another state. We agreed on the price. The dealer then wanted a $100 documentation fee. For what? I paid with wire transfer, there is no title, loan or other paper work other than a bill of sale. Should I pay a fee anytime I buy something for them to deposit $$?

I bought 4 new tires a few years ago and kept the replaced tires for spares. They charged $3 disposal fee for each tire. I had to argue with them that I kept the old tires. Why the disposal fee?

 

[jenkinsph]

To stretch your dollar why not set it up yourself?

When I buy tractors I get the accessories and kits in the box and install them myself. This will usually save me a few more percent in addition to the shop time.

Just purchased a new X749 with pto, 3pt hitch and mulcher kit loose in the box for 15% off list. No added fees for rolloff, delivery or shipping, just the discounted prices and sales tax.

 

[jlsmith]

As a dealer i dont agree with the setup charges and do not charge for them, thats just part of being a dealer. Luckly MF's come fully set up, I just drive them off the trailer look them over real good a quick wash and they are put on the front line. As far as a deleavery fee it just depends on where the customer lives, if it is within 50 miles from me then there is now charge.